CHIEFPHIL

Too be honest, wether an incident alert, or a reply I really don't find much interesting information here anymore. Other social media seems to me to have taken over the information sharing.

Most likely, it's time for a change.

There is also a lot of department Un- official policies out there that are putting the Kabash on posting things about their dept. Recently at a meeting I attended much discussion occurred about a post a member did that turned embarks hong for him and eventually the dept. I posted a video of our tower ladder operating at a fire. The video inadvertently had ff's with out pipe, the tower opening with water and about 15 seconds later a ff exits the building. I took a lot of heat about that video from friends, other area chiefs and the like.

I saw the potential risk at that point .... So as much as I cannot stand my rights being restricted, I see the risk to my organization or others. Law suits, Osha or just plain embareshing.

So as it write this, I won't be posting here any longer ( the little I did) nor posting pictures of fires on any social media going forward. As we use to say .... 46- 81 for Engine 6 please ( off the air,back in quarters. ).

We never made it to the fire.

We ran the ambulance as well. Our running card for Mia's was ambulance, rescue, engine. We were in the less then 5 years ... Full of vigor. 3 of us were hanging out with the town hall operator/ fire dispatcher which was in the firehouse. The phones went off and the calls started to roll over on the switchboard. The dispatcher repeats the street name and the word motorcycle.. So the four of us ran , got our gear and got in the ambulance . Just as we pulled out of the station, an officer pulled up, looked at us and said WTF you doing! Put that thing away, it's a fire... With that 2 more guys showed up and took the engine to a motorcycle fire. We took a good amount of ribbing for Hanging out in the ambulance.

In the day, we had no tones in the station or pagers, we relied on the fire whistle and our home plectrums, so we never actually heard the dispatcher.

One night I kept my plectrum on monitor. About 2 am the tones hit for signal 50 car on rt 34 at the Stevenson dam. I jumped up, got dress and beat feet to the FD. Then I realized that the Stevenson dam was in Oxford about 25 miles away.

Each engine carries :

1- 100' 13/4" with for nozzle

1- 100' 13/4" with fog nozzle. 21/2"x 2- 1 1/2" leader wye attached to line . 2 spanner strapped to pack.

One engine carries a 50' 2 1/2" line with a water thief attached. 2.5"x2.5"X2- 1.5".

Town of Bethel CT

Fire - 845

EMS - 2060

When I was at the Smeal factory in the corn fields of Nebraska , there was department that spent roughly 1 hour at the plant looking at thier rig then were flying out to a Rockies - Met game as part of their inspection .

Bethel Ct will be ordering a 2015 Sutphen Monarch Rescue Pumper.

2000 GPM - 1000 GWT / 50 GFT. Water tank will be L shaped to have a lower hose bed.

5 man cab extended cab. We eliminated one seat for additional inside storage cabinet to hold EMS and meters.

Harrison Hydro Gen with a 10' extending light tower.

Several other key features include hydraulic ladder and hard suction rack, full length compartments under rear seats and the rear cab wall. All will be accessible from either side from the outside.

Will be built at Sutphen East, looking at a late spring 2015 delivery.

Will be replacing the 1994 Spartan/Smeal.

We usually send 4 for both the pre construction and the final inspoection. Usiually the committee is 4, the Chief, me, the engineer of the rig being replaced and one at large member. The town officials ( cut the check) have enought confidence in us to do the right thing and only want the good press when it is delivered.

I have served on 5 truck committees and only had to fly to Smeal (1) and Sutphen (1) the other three were built within driving distance Rescue 1 and 4 -Guys and a demo model from E-One.

Our newest order will be built at Sutphen East, so a 90 minute drive, so we save the travel cost of 8 and use that for other incidentals on the rig.

This is one awesome ED. We took a tour Monday night to familiarize ourselves with the site. A totally overwhelming facility (positive note). 70+ beds, 3 wings, one for pediatric emergencies. Semi protected ambulance bay that holds 6 rigs, up to 10 during a MCI. Heli-pad on the roof, with direct elevator access to the ED.

I was very impressed.

I don't think ALL trucks should carry water, BUT I think that depending on how your department operates, they should. I think it should come down to the need of the department and their responsibilities.

In our case yes. Our tower ladder carries 300 gallons and has a 2000 gpm pump . Several hand-lines and supply line and a portable master stream. Several times over the years the Tower has been either first due to several working structure fire, car fires and other fires were the engines were delayed ( mechanical/other alarms) and in a few cases the only piece able to respond.

We do a number of special events ( PR and demos etc), with limited manpower ( available to respond to calls ) and usually a full crew ( at the event) this piece can respond right away and be able to start suppression efforts. Since we are one dept and no separate engine or hook&Ladder co's we have to be able to operate every piece of equipment . Our other fire company co in town can have a 3-10 mile run to our district.

Typically this is our send piece out the door and many times (if there is no immediate need for the aerial),this piece has established the supply line to the Engine ( many cringing at that idea). It has also been utilized as the second or third fire ground pumper (attack lines). I almost lost 3 guys on day being cut off on a set of stairs and the line form the Tower ladder got the guys out. If our two engines are operating at another incident, this will respond, sometimes with the Tanker.

Has it pumped a hydrant - no, has drafted from a portable pond no , has it filled tankers no, but it could if need be. It has laid it's own supply line and supported itself many times, both in town and mutual aid. This works for us and will continue.

No, if we had a separate H&L co, with a good amount of other pumpers, I'd say no - if there is always a separate engine co responding, I don't see the need.

I'm a practical person... what is the need, how do we operate it. It comes down to NEED vs "I want"

Here in Bethel, we have been using a 1968 Kaiser/Jeep with a 350 gpm PTO pump that we installed. The rig was a brush truck, but became unusable as an emergency vehicle.

We loaded it up with 3 submersibles as well as a generator and 1 portable pump with a about 300' of hose and assorted appliances.

Currently it is OOS and awaiting disposition.

Midland and Slater?

Yep, house is long gone... Reds Garage sits over my basement now.

RB&W Fire, Midland Avenue November 1973. Engine 61's Fox, Patrol 4 , Engine 58 Ladder 31 and TL2 operating.

Taken from the 3rd floor of my parents house by my mom, one of the biggest biff's I ever knew.

The South Main Firehouse was built in 1888. RJR Bricks. What a Pool Table. It was GREAT.

And a great shuffle board too..

A kid I went to school with at Holy Rosary, lived on the second floor. Sister Superior came and took him out of class. Then the nuns had us pray for the family. Once lunch hit, I was outa school and on my way down there. Short run from Central ave.

Missed many afternoons of school due to the fires in the 70's. Could here the bell hit... 524 or 526 followed by a 3 box, (some 2's and 4's as well) I was out of there , I knew it was a job. Knew the 3 boxes by heart.

MY grandfather and his brother came ashore and most likely followed the same path as PCFD ENG58's dad...

Another Great Uncle had been part of the liberation of Rome the day before....had been with the OSS and was fighting in Italy before the Allies even landed there.

I also use this method (for when I have to do the math). I generally rely on memory because I can memorize almost everything that I see or read. However, NEVER RELY ON MEMORIZATION, especially when you're working with something technical, like an engine pump. Always remember to practice your math skills while you practice your pumping skills! I practice my math by talking through it aloud so I can reassure myself mind that I'm getting the correct flow and pressure.

Also, keeping flow/pressure charts in the MPO compartment helps a lot, especially when the fire is ripping and you don't have much time to think.

To help with the right pressures ( good ball-park), on all the pre-connects and deck gun, we labeled each discharge with minimum and a maximum pressure.

Also... training, raining and training...

I like the talking out the math... good idea.

First, what is the GPM ? .... I'll go with 150 GPM = 160 PSI

I use the 1.75 rule of thumb method:

Thumb =1 for 100 gpm

Pointer = 2 for 125 gpm

Middle = 3 for 150 gpm

Ring = 4 for 175 gpm

Pinkey =5 for 200 gpm

Multiply the number of the finger by 10 that is the friction loss for 100'

Hence , 150 gpm = Middle finger 3 x 10 = 30 per 100' x 2 (200/100) = 60 + 100 for nozzle pressure. = 160 psi

I do not see a problem at all.... diabetes is a controllable disease. Properly maintained, there should be no problem at all.

How many of us have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, eye sight problems.... the list goes on and on and we all function.

I have two friends, both career firefighters who have diabetes who wear insulin pumps , one even needs to wear a Ostomy pouching system . They both function with out any problems.

Bethel CT -

*Hopefully will be bidding to replace 1994 Spartan Smeal pumer ( Engine 5): ( town wide budget vote in 3 weeks)

2000 GPM / 1000 GWT / 50GFT

*Purchase new pick up - Most likely a Ford F450 to replace the :

-1964 Dodge Power Wagon brush truck (brush 2)

-1968 Jeep pick up brush truck / dewatering unit (brush 1)

-1999 Ford pick up ( extended cab) Utility 1

to act as brush truck/fire police vehicle and pull the OREV trailer.

Date:4/3/14
Time:08:00

Incident Type:Major Structure Dire - multiple exposures
Location: Taylor Street

District: Torrington
Units:Multiple towns and cities - 36 departments from Litchfield County, Upper Fairfield County and Hartford County - 5 - State Foam trailers , DEEP multiple Task Forces activated (3 eng -2 trucks-rescue/air)

Description:

200x75 tire warehouse fully involved, multiple exposures on fire ( SHF/MFH). 4 alarms+++++ on scene or en route. evacuations of a 4 block residential area.

Live video streaming http://www.wfsb.com/category/222096/wfsb-livestream

Live audio - http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/9247/web

All 4 Torrington Departments
Winsted
New Hartford
Harwinton
Litchfeild
Bantam
Washington
Thomaston
Watertown
Waterbury
Danbury foam asignment - Sq 2 with foam trailer unsure which Engine co manned this unit.
Task Force 54:
Canton
Simsbury
Avon
Granby
Farmington
Danbury Area Task Force Ridgefield Tower 8, Danbury E 26 E-12 (tanker pumpers) Squad 7 ( fresh air and sunshine) Bethel's Stony Hill Eng 1 ( Tanker Pumper) Newtown 's Sandy Hook -Quint 440.

Hartford Eng 11, DC 2 and Foam unit

New Haven E15, Squad 1, Hazmat 1

Coverage:
Winchester and Waterbury ( think they went to work) covering Torrington
Pleasant Valley and Riverton covering Winsted from quarters
Farmington E2 covering New Hartford

Trumbull - Two Foam Engines requested to standby in quarters.

Date:3/10/2014
Time: 16:00

Incident Type:Structure Fire
Location:130-136 Greenwood Avenue

District :Bethel - Downtown
Units: Bethel, Danbury, Newtown, Redding

Description: Structure fire in a 50x75 3 story "Old Law" mixed occupancy in the business district. Fire originated in the 1st floor of a store front undergoing renovations. Fire extended to rear stairs , 2nd floor hall way and into voids in the structure. Fire started to run in a void into the attached shop and roof line of exposure D. 5 lines stretched and operated.

Exposure A - street

B - 1 story W/f commercial B2- 3 story WF multiple dwelling

C- Parking lot

D - 1 story wf attached. D2- 2.5 W/F restaurant with apartments

1st alarm - E 5, 6, 1 TL 1 Rescue 1, Amb 2 , 5 alpha (medic)

2nd alarm - E3, Dodgingtown E221 (Newtown), Newtown RIT team , Rescue 2, Utility 1, Utility 5, Amb 1,

3rd alarm, Newtown Truck 114, Redding Engine 2,

Cover assignment - Danbury E5, 3 & 8 , Brookfield Engine 5 to Stony Hill Station.

Danbury E5 took in a gas leak on Katrina Circle. Returned to service and was replaced by E-8

The Chief, Chief Engineer, 2 senior guys ( usually a member who is familiar with trucks in general)( and someone with a good deal of fire apparatus knowledge (me)) and the engineer of the rig being replaced.

Most of our meeting as a committee are open and any one can sit in, listen and give their $.02 worth. Meetings with the manufacturers representatives are just with the committee.

This one was a ride at Playland [Rye New York] until about 1968. Was never a fire truck but thought it mite fit here. On that note good buy , my last post !

My grandfather drive this at Playland.

Once he brought it to a family event at one of the estates in Greenwich my aunt & uncle were caretakers and gave everyone rides around the property.