jcoppola

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Posts posted by jcoppola

  2. Posted

    Joe,

    Nice photos. The clearance on that Engine to get in and out

    looks a little tight huh? haha

    Thanks for sharing.

    It really is...I think inches...they always have to spec stuff so that it just fits. I have a few other pictures on my camera that I did not upload yet showing their other engine and how tight that one is. They have a Ladder and a Peterbilt tanker in the new addition section with large clearance doors. It is a very neat firehouse, I go in there a lot.

    JC

  6. Posted

    Check these out, these were in my collection that I just found...

    The chevy is a 1978??? E-One

    The older looking rescue is a dodge, I think from the 60's

    The pump is a 1969 mack C-700 open top...I rode this baby to many calls as a probie. As a matter of fact, the first time I ever had to lay a double-feeder, I did it on old E41

    In these pictures, in the background, you can see old E43 which was a 1976 Mack MB-700 which we just got rid of when new 41 came in. Also, in the background on E41 is a 1962 Mack B-model which was also there when I was a JR. member...I am showing my age...

  7. Posted

    Check these out, these were in my collection that I just found...

    The chevy is a 1978??? E-One

    The older looking rescue is a dodge, I think from the 60's

    The pump is a 1969 mack C-700 open top...I rode this baby to many calls as a probie. As a matter of fact, the first time I ever had to lay a double-feeder, I did it on old E41

    post-4500-1186019945.jpg

    post-4500-1186020113.jpg

    post-4500-1186020126.jpg

  8. Posted

    Holy %$#@! Belltown pictures on EMT Bravo...

    This was my vollie dept. back in the day. The Aerialscope is a 1972 Mack CF-900 that was assigned as TL 157 in Brooklyn. BFD bought it and had it refurbed by Baker in Virginia. After about 20 years of pretty active use, it was rusting to all hell so we found a company called Interstate Truck who had a brand new in the crate CF cab sitting in their shop in Haggerstown, VA. We hopped on it and had the truck totally repowered and refurbed with an automatic transmission and all new hydraulics to the boom. It was also enclosed at that time. Funny story...I went to Haggerstown with some other members to drive it back and the idiots did not put a new cooling system in the bigger motor so it overheated and we had to have it towed back to their shop after about an hour of travel back to CT. Anyway, we used it for many more years and again, the thing starting rusting and generally falling apart. Interstate did a very expensive band aid job, thats it. Recently, Belltown sent the truck out again, I think to Saulsbury to have all the boom hydraulics done again, to the tune of over 50K. They also did some body work on the truck etc. to get it back to being NFPA compliant. It is still in service and rolling to calls in the north districts of Stamford. I know this truck inside and out, it is my favorite fire apparatus bar none. When they finally sell it, I really hope that I have a place to store it so I can buy it!

    The pump is a 1982 Mack CF-900 built by Rescue Systems International (RSI) which is now out of business. E-42 is a real gem...smooth to drive and great to pump. It is a second due piece for BFD now, they recently (2004) bought a Spartan-Smeal (JUNK! JUNK! JUNK!) that is their 1st due rig for in district box alarms and EMS/Rescue. It has a 1000 GPM Waterous pump and a 750 Gal. tank on it. I had just joined BFD when it came in in 1986. Stamford bought a few RSI Macks that year, Springdale E-53, Stamford E1 and E4 were RSI CF's too. They were ok I guess, no major problems.

    BFD's other rigs in the fleet are R44 which is a 1994? Marion walk in box on a International Chassis (pretty nice rig, although I was on the truck committee and I was fighting for a Mack MR type like Noroton Heights' nice looking rescue (R25). We were always a Mack house, until they bought the sh$%box from Smeal...ruined a good thing...

    Anyway, I will look through my collection and scan some older stuff from BFD, I have a lot, as I am 3rd generation in this place, good stuff was passed down.

    Hope this helps to enlighten you all...

    Joe C.

  9. Posted

    I realize that they have a contract with the company to continue buying that stuff.

    I came from Belltown in Stamford and back in the day when I was active, we used to buy all of our apparatus with fund drive money, hence the great looking Mack fleet that we used to have. Unfortunately, a few years ago, that tradition was broken when BFD bought a Spartan SCHMEAL????, again, MORE JUNK. They still have my favorite truck ever, a FDNY refurbed Mack/Baker Aerialscope 75'. It is still in service and I can proudly say that I wheeled it to several good jobs, and it was a real fun truck to drive, spot and operate.

    As soon as the local governement gets involved with buying something as traditional as a fire truck, there is no stopping them from going low bid...

    If it seems that I have strong opinions about this kind of thing, I do, I am a traditionalist in this business.

    Joe C.

  11. Posted

    Can anyone shed any light on if the depts. in Stamford like the "cookie-cutter" stuff they are buying? I spoke to a good friend from Stamford Fire who said that those HME Aherens-Fox's are junk, and to be painfully honest, they look like junk...TOR has a nice looking fleet and this rescue REALLY suprised me, I think that they had no choice though...I think Stamford is going low-bidder for the Vollies and the Career station truck purchases.

    Please don't interpret this as a bash against TOR or Stamford in general, its just too bad that this is where the apparatus purchasing is going for a town/city that turned out so many nice looking apparatus over the years, and keep in mind, that this post is coming from someone who's department buys Spartan/Marion (speaking of Junk!!!)

    Just my .02 cents

  13. Posted

    One thing everyone is losing sight of, including me, is that this is a big pile of garbage burning in the middle of a highway with no exposures whatsoever. The driver was out long before it became a conflagration. I would have applauded westport if they threw dirt on it from across the highway!!! Anyway, we as a service have to know when it is a matter of life or death to get intimate with a scene, and a car or truck fire with no life involved is NOT an intimate scene.

    I think and hope that this should end any more "armchair quarterbacking" on what happened here, although I definitely enjoy the discussion as it makes this call more educating for all of us.

    Great points Seth, these forums are great for sharing knowledge and information! I am glad I can add good info when I have it.

    Joe Coppola

  15. Posted

    Westport FD SOP would dictate that the engine would continue to exit 16 and then turn northbound. The action taken here is an example of firefighters making split second decisions based on the situation, not just words in a book. I have also used this tactic in the past under the similar conditions. The traffic northbound was shut down by CT State police and Norwalk PD allowing for an unobstructed master stream attack for a quick knock down of the fire and gave the engines from Norwalk FD time to navigate traffic and get closer to the scene. The firefighters used this tactic to protect the exposure of the trailer and at that time its unknown contents. As their shift commander I support their actions under these conditions. If traffic was not stopped, and no threat to life existed, then following the SOP would be expected.

    Bill...

    You have our support on your decision for what it is worth...although it would have been nice to see more fire on arrival...

  16. Posted

    I was working on Norwalk E3 today and I was one of the first due NFD companies on the scene and I admit that I did a double-take when I saw a master stream flowing from a Westport Engine deck gun from the southbound lanes. When we arrived, the road was shut down by Connecticut State Police (one of the reasons for the Norwalk FD delay in arrival). Westport did not put anyone in danger by doing that maneuver and they saved us a lot of time and sweat by not letting the fire expose the cargo.

    I attached 3 pictures of the tractor as it appeared when the fire was knocked down.

    I posted a gallery on www.local830.org if you are interested in seeing more of this incident.

    post-4500-1185492069.jpg

    post-4500-1185492081.jpg

    post-4500-1185492097.jpg

  17. Posted

    Date: July 26, 2007

    Time: 14:03

    Location: Interstate 95 N/B Between Exits 16 & 17

    Frequency: 151.445

    Units Operating: Norwalk Engines 3 & 4, Car 2 and Westport Engine 2 & WFD Asst. Chief

    Description Of Incident: Semi-trailer fire with the tractor fully involved in the breakdown lane of I-95. Westport FD used their deck gun from the southbound median to begin extinguishment and Norwalk Engines 3 & 4 stretched handlines to complete the operation. Cargo on the truck was not hazardous (furniture)

    Writer: J. Coppola

  19. Posted

    I was recently speaking with a NPD officer at a call and he said that the recent shift state-wide to b&w cars has something to do with homeland security moneies and grants making their way to local PD's. The feds want cars to match for whatever reason. I am searching through my pictures to find a shot of the old, old NPD paint scheme, light blue writing on white cars, it was horrible. The current scheme uses the same colors they have now, just more black paint in certain spaces. They have a really nice expedition which is newly painted and serves as the shift supervisor's vehicle. I will look for it and get a shot of it up here asap.

    Stay Safe all...

  20. Posted

    I received word that the stripe will be white reflexite on the red paint. The writing and trim is going to be done in gold leaf. I also heard word from our mechanic that delivery is now scheduled for late August. This is about 2 months later than originally promised and the rig that it is replacing is very "tired".

    I expect to post some recently updated shots soon.

    Joe C.

  22. Posted

    I'm a Chief of a Volunteer Fire Department in CT and I'm looking for any FF1 classes in Western CT for some of my new members. Anyone know of any?

    If you need a class, myself and another Lt. from Norwalk FD do private contracting for these classes. How many students (Limit of 20 is best) is up to you, we will quote the price and be negotiable. Obviously, we are state certified instructors (Instructor II) and both CFA adjuncts which means we have good contacts there for testing dates, etc.

    We have a few good references and the class we just did in Weston, CT had 16 FF2 students with a 100% pass rate, first time, written and practical. We provide a good class and can provide the proof. Our staff for the practicals & burn days include senior company-level officers from various departments as well as a Lt. from E75, FDNY.

    Let me know where you are and what you want and we will be happy to put something together for you.

    JV Coppola

    Lt., Norwalk Fire

  23. Posted

    At approximately 1715 hours today, Norwalk E1, E4, T1, T2 (RIT Co.), R2 & Car 2 were dispatched to 4 Aiken Street for a fire in a house that was the site of a narcotics raid earlier in the day. Numerous calls were received by Norwalk Emergency Communications for the fire, and PD confirmed that companies would be going to work. E1 arrived and reported the house to be well involved, with extension out of windows to the front porch. Box was handled by all hands on the first alarm assignment.

    I will edit the post with exact times and better details when I get back to work.

    JVC