SageVigiles

Boston Fire Commissioner, Boston Police Commissioner and the Suffolk County District Attorney just held a press conference on the Cause and Origin of the fire at 298 Beacon Street. Welders operating at the rear of the building are believed to be the cause.

Rumor has it that since Mike Rowe ended his relationship with Ford they're looking at a former 49ers player as the spokesman for the new Bronco...

People in Armonk are getting the flu even though they got the shot.

That's common. The flu shot is developed to combat the most likely strain for that particular year. If you contract another strain you're still going to get sick.

Before we worry about every FF being experienced and well skilled in RIT/FAST SOPs(which is truly important also) how about we make sure everyone can "Pump and Ventilate" properly, accurately and as quickly as possible, reducing the chances of having to put a RIT/FAST Team to work. After all these are the Basics right?

I agree with the basic logic you're pointing out, that if you put the fire out everything else goes away, but the point I'm trying to make is that being able to rescue one of your own should be considered one of the basics. Obviously not everyone is going to be a RIT "expert" but its nonetheless a critical set of skills to be comfortable with.

Welp, Captain Nechis opened the flood gates...

He's 100% correct. EVERY single Firefighter should be trained in RIT/FAST. Do we have Firefighters who are only trained to do fire attack but can't do search and rescue? Do we have Firefighters that can only do forcible entry but can't do fire attack? Sure, certain companies specialize more in one than the other, but come on people, its 2014. This is an ESSENTIAL function and everyone needs to know at least the basics.

Maybe your department doesn't have the manpower to have a full RIT/FAST (beyond the OSHA required 2 out) but we can certainly automatic aid a neighboring company. What I don't agree with is the idea that only certain departments can be RIT/FAST. Especially when that department can be responding from 3-4 towns away from your scene.

Sure, you could make the argument that you don't want inexperienced people on RIT. But let me ask you this, when its YOU in the basement calling for help, which would you rather have?

A. The 5-6 relatively young Firefighters with basic RIT training and skills, standing on the front lawn ready to go.

-OR-

B. The Super Elite Special Operations FAST truck coming from 4 towns away that's still 10 minutes from the scene?

I realize that I'm talking in extremes here, because usually you'll have something in the middle of both of those scenarios, but its the easiest way to illustrate the point. If EVERYONE is qualified to be RIT/FAST, then you can use anyone for the function instead of relying on a resource that's further away when time is critical.

Ella Grasso Boulevard near 95. There's some ball fields on the left just before the highway. If I remember to stop next time I'm in that neighborhood I'll snap some shots.

I'll do one better. Right now in New Haven they are building a apartment complex out of connex boxes.

Boston Fire Department has confirmed the Line of Duty Deaths of Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy, both assigned to Engine Company 33 on Boylston Street.

Rest Easy Brothers, RFB.

How long should the companies assigned to these functions stay on scene?

-Search and Rescue

-Fire Attack

-Water Supply

-Ventilation

-Salvage and Overhaul

-Incident Command

See where I'm going with this?

Guys can (and often do) get hurt/trapped/killed during the salvage and overhaul phase of the incident. Look at what happened in Bedford Hills, guys are pulling ceilings and 8 people end up getting transported...Thankfully they had FAST assets in place.

ltrob nailed it, if you have people in IDLH you should (and Capt. Nechis can correct me if I'm wrong) and legally MUST have a FAST/RIT of some kind ready to go.

Don't even get me started on the RIT/FAST Training issue and the "Its not my job, that's a Special Ops thing" attitude people take on that essential fireground function. I think I've made that rant once or twice here already...

We just had a spinal protocol change that kicked in this month. We can decide on "spinal precautions" (c-collar only and sit the patient comfortably) only when we arrive on scene to find the patient has already compromised c-spine by walking, bending over, and other movement. Major MOI and non-compromised c-spine has us still using back boards.

Though I've been hearing the last couple years that the use of backboards has come under debate.

We've had the same protocols out for about a year now in the New Haven Sponsor Hospital area. I'm not EMS so I don't know how it has/hasn't been working, I just saw it posted at the station.

New Haven has 3 engines on order. Engines 5, 9 and 11 I believe.

New Fairfield has a replacement ambulance for 91-2 (formerly known as Squantz Ambulance) on order.

Yes, because they really need it.....

Maybe its just me, but I'm much more concerned that there are towns that have 9 Chiefs cars in service but only 5 Engines than I am with a PRIVATE company buying a large military tow rig.

Last I checked the owner of a private company can spend his money as he pleases. This being America and all.

Shame on your Officers and Chauffeurs for not enforcing the seatbelt LAWS, raised roof or not.

Milford, CT is one of the only departments around here that I know of with a swim test.

Rest in Peace Brother. RFB.

That's what I meant, it's a full time unit staffed out of specific quarters as opposed to Detectives out of a traditions precinct office.

Is the Bomb Squad staffed in a similar fashion to ESU?

Just a clarification. This incident occured in Wallington, New Jersey (the fallen Brother is Past Chief of that department as a volunteer) He served as a Captain for Jersey City but I believe he retired from that job.

Absolutely unthinkable that his two sons were on the call with him... I can't even imagine. My thoughts and prayers go out to them, the rest of the family and both the Wallington and Jersey City Fire Departments.

Rest Easy, RFB.

I would be curious to know how NFPA came up with a stat of 7.1% of departments serving 500,000 to 999,999 being "mostly volunteer", and 2.9% of departments serving populations of 250,000 to 499,999 as well being "mostly volunteer"...Barry???

Maybe the DC Metro County departments? That's a good question.

Its a tool that certainly has its uses, if you understand its limitations. But its also really easy to get tunnel vision with it as well, depending on how you train with it.

Anyway, since my current department doesn't have radio straps on the rig, I typically recommend new guys get a radio strap and wear it inside the coat, and pass them the link to the study if they want to read up for themselves. I also tell them to practice gearing up WITH the radio rig so they place it correctly every time. That seems to be the missing link a lot of times.

Why would it matter if it interfered with your PAK tracker? If you can talk, using a PAK tracker will be of no importance. You can tell who is coming to rescue you, where you ARE! If your dept is utilizing the PAK tracker as a rescue tool and you can communicate your position you are going to be FUBAR aka DEAD!

Thank you, that's exactly the point that I made... and why I chose to continue what I was doing despite their strong suggestion.

When the study came out I let my crew read it and make their own decisions...

If wearing a radio strap, it and the radio should be worn under your turnout coat, the remote mic can then be clipped to your lapel or collar so it can be accessed. This avoids the problem of the strap or radio becoming hung up or interfered with.

And protects the majority of the comms wire

So far here's what I have for a department rundown. If anyone can add feel free:

Westchester County:
Golden's Bridge
South Salem
Somers
Croton Falls
Bedford Hills
Katonah
Vista
Mount Kisco (FAST)
Westchester County Dept. of Emergency Services - Battalion 16 (Mutual Aid Coordinator) and County Cause & Origin Team

Westchester EMS

North Salem VAC

Putnam County:
Brewster

My previous department "strongly suggested" we didn't use radio straps because the placement of the radio could interfere with the pak-tracker transmitter. Personally I'd rather have my radio, works way more often...

I was more than a little excited to forward this study to the bosses a few months back.

Instead of I Am Responding, check out Spotted Dog. Much better program, and it does much more. We had IAR and dumped it after 2 years for SD and never looked back. Jason Fisch is a guy who does SD, and also a FF in the Hudson valley.

Our department switched from I Am Responding to Spotted Dog a few years back. Couldn't be happier. As long as your CAD is modern enough to be hooked up to it you should be good to go.

MDTs with GIS capability are nice and all, but don't let them become a crutch for knowing your district and hydrant locations. I've fallen prey to that before.

I recommend changing halogen or strobe lights to LED lights on your department's rigs. LED lights will decrease the amount of energy used. I also find that LED lights are much more brighter.

No. Just no. Not even a little bit.