dashield

I can tell you that we use the 1 1/2 on our aerials, because we don't have million dollar ladder trucks and towers with pumps. Our ladder pipes are fed from substandard water systems to an engine, through 2 1/2 hose into the ladder. We keep the size on there because we can flow that gpm quickly. We have 3- 3 man companies on duty. Sometimes, there are exposures before you get there. Our response time is 3 minutes or less, depending on whether the initial call was a pull box or phone call, so "putting BIG GPM on the fire FAST as possible and you won't have exposures" is not always true.
Using a fog nozzle to make a water curtain, is also not very effective. I believe the term water curtain is what was the method used in the old days of spraying water between the fire and the exposure. If the water is not being sprayed on the exposure, it will not stop the radiant heat. The way I was taught, exposure protection is wetting down the exposure, keeping it cool. We have found this to be about the only thing fog nozzles are good for.
Something else that isn't very effective, is spraying water down from a ladder pipe onto a perfectly good roof. Roofs repell water from a nozzle, just as well as rain. The best way to apply the water, is through windows and openings into the heat, bouncing the stream, as best as possible, off the room interiors, drowning as much of the burning areas as you can. Again, it works for us, that's how we do it. I'm sure everyone who is on here has a different way that works in their towns and cities.

Wow, very salty...aw shucks, you make it seem so simple Lt. ....
Tell me, if the fire was bigger then the one pictured, would you suggest 3.5"?

Date: 7-24-11
Time: 0440hrs
Location: 121 Gidney Avenue
Frequency: 154.340
Units Operating: Engine 1, 3, 10 Truck 1, 10
Mutual Aid Units: Air Guard Engine 11 (FAST), Middle Hope Engine & Coldenham Truck Stand By
Weather Conditions: Hot & Humid
Description Of Incident: Dispatched to an Alarm of Fire, upon arrival units found a two story wood frame with heavy fire throughout the first floor and exterior front porch.

Date: 7-24-11
Time: 0440hrs
Location: 121 Gidney Avenue
Frequency: 154.340
Units Operating: Engine 1, 3, 10 Truck 1, 10
Mutual Aid Units: Air Guard Engine 11 (FAST), Middle Hope Engine & Coldenham Truck Stand By
Weather Conditions: Hot & Humid
Description Of Incident: Dispatched to an Alarm of Fire, upon arrival units found a two story wood frame with heavy fire throughout the first floor and exterior front porch.

Bring a hook
One of the first thing you hear on the radio right after the fire is knocked down is "we need a hook". As you get off the rig and you take your assigned tools, grab an extra hook or two and leave them near the door of the building before you go in.
Knife
Have you ever gone into your pocket to grab your knife only to find that either it is not there (because the firehouse fairy "borrowed it") or it is covered with tar from the time you used it??? Try carrying a razor blade, it's cheap (so it's less appealing to the firehouse fairy) and the blades are easily swapped out so you can always ensure that your will have a sharp blade.
I agree this is the kind of talk that should be on this site, not my truck is bigger than your truck bullshit.

Date: 06-23-11
Time: 1551hrs
Location: Route 32 & Orrs Mills Rd. (Cornwall/Vails Gate line)
Frequency: OC911
Units Operating: Numerous, see below
Weather Conditions: Hot/Humid
Description Of Incident: Tractor-Trailer vs. SUV
Reporters:
Writer: BFD1054 (O/S)
1551hrs-Vails Gate FD dispatched for the MVA; reported Tractor Trailer roll-over with fuel spill.
1553hrs-Vails Gate FD updated; Tractor Trailer vs. SUV with (2) persons trapped. Tractor Trailer is on its side leaking fuel.
Vails Gate Car-2 arrived on scene and established Vails Gate Command. EMS (New Windsor and Cornwall) was able to remove the (2) occupants of the SUV and both were transported ALS. The driver of the tractor-trailer self-extricated with the assistance of by-standers and was transported BLS.
VGFD Car-2 was advised that the tanker was loaded with 10,000 gallons of gasoline and 1,000 gallons of diesel.
VGFD R480 was 1st on scene. R480's crew was advised of negative entrapment and its crew was then directed to mitigate the fuel spill. Runoff (gasoline) was going into a drainage ditch that runs under Route 32 and into Moodna Creek.
Crews used as many booms and pad's as possible to help stop the runoff.
VGFD E481 arrived and its crew stretched a precautionary foam line. E479 then arrived and supplied E481 with a supply line.
VGFD M476 and M486 arrived with additional booms for containment.
Numerous pieces of equipment and manpower from Quality Towing arrived on scene within moments. (2) large heavy wreckers w/rotating booms, (1) utility w/spill containment equipment and several other support trucks were on location for the duration of the incident. Quality was a huge asset during this operation.
Vails Gate Command determined that the incident was actually just into the Cornwall Fire District. They were notified and responded with (1) Engine, (1) Rescue and a Utility w/Support trailer. Thier members immediately went to work assisting Vails Gate members with containment. All members working were rotated in 15-20 minute intervals.
Orange County's Haz-Mat Team was then requested to respond with additional supplies. They responded with equipment and supplies, as well as numerous Haz-Mat members.
The Stewart Air National Guard FD was then requested to respond with (1) Crash Rescue Truck for its foam capabilities.
Conklin Services and Construction of Newburgh arrived on the scene with a pump-tank truck, several support trucks and numerous employees to assist in the containment of run-off.
Quality Towing arranged for Tankers from All Aboard Transport of Vails Gate to come to the scene so that the product could be off-loaded. Quality and All Aboard employees worked side-by-side for approximatley 3 hours to complete the off-loading process.
While the off-loading was being done, a foamline was continuously manned and in addition, the Crash Rescue Truck was brought in close to the tractor trailer.
Throughout the incident, members of Cornwall VAC ran re-hab and ensured our members were well hydrated (thank you).
Once the tractor trailer was up-righted and placed on the street, Fire and EMS units started picking-up and returning.
Vails Gate FD units were picked-up and in service by approximatley 2015hrs.
Sorry for not having times and not writing this up in typical IA format.
Some units/agencies that were on-scene:
Vails Gate FD: Cars 2(IC), 3, 5, 6, 7, R480, E481, E479, M476, M486.
Cornwall FD: Car 1, E404, R403, M40? w/Trailer.
Stewart ANGFD: (1) Crash Rescue Truck (Crash 7).
Orange County HAZ-MAT Team: Numerous
Orange County Emergency Services: Car 36-1 and (1) Battalion Coordinator
New Windsor EMS: Numerous including EMS Chief, ALS.
Cornwall EMS: Numerous
Town of Cornwall PD: Numerous including the Chief, Patrol Sgt and patrols.
NYS Police: Patrol
NYS ENCON Police: Patrol
NYS DOT: Numerous including Enforcement
Quality Towing: Numerous including (2) Heavy Wreckers w/booms and support vehicles.
All Aboard Transport: (2) Tankers for off-loading
Conklin Services and Construction: Numerous support vehicles for containment of product.
News Links with pictures:

Date: 6/10/11
Time: 2030
Location: Interstate I-87 northbound mile marker 46
Frequency: OC-911, Landing Zone (46.40)
Units Operating: Woodbury FD Car 2 (IC), Rescue 525, Engine, Woodbury EMS, Monroe FD (standby), Life-Net Air 2
Weather Conditions: Warm, Partly Cloudy
Description Of Incident: 2 vehicle accident w/ extrication.
Reporters:
Writer: billy98988
times are approx.
2030 - Woodbury FD dispatched to an MVA w/ roll over.
2033 - OC-911 reporting 2 medevacs on standby.
2035 - Woodbury Car 2 on scene, confirming entrapment.
2036 - Woodbury EMS command requesting launch of 1 medevac.
2037 - Car 2 reports 2 tools going into operation.
2038 - OC-911 reports 16 minute ETA on medevac.
2038 - Car 2 advises landing zone to be on highway, just north of accident scene.
2045 - Monroe Fire dispatched to standby in Woodbury Highland Mills station.
2047 - Monroe FD responding to Woodbury, Woodbury 2 cancelling second medevac.
2058 - Medevac on scene.

Date: 6/8/2011
Time: 2318
Location: Wisner Ave C/S Little Britian Rd
Frequency: Newburgh FD (154.340)
Units Operating: Newburgh Engine 1,3 Truck 1, NFD Car 4
Weather Conditions: Dark, Hot
Description Of Incident: Fire in a 20 X 20 structure.
Reporters:
Writer: billy98988
2316 - Newburgh Dispatched for Alarm of Fire, reported structure fire.
2317 - Dispatcher reports possibly a dumpster fire, rear of Rite-Aid.
2318 - Engine on scene reporting 20 x 20 structure, fully involved.
2322 - Car 4 requests Newburgh PD to scene for traffic control.
2325 - Car 4 requests 1 Cause and Origin member to scene.
2345 - Cause and Origin on scene, fire knocked down.
0012 - Newburgh Fire returning.
0015 - Investigation completed.
all times are approx.

Date: 06-07-11
Time: 1700hrs
Location: IFO Quality Auto Body - Route 32
Frequency: OC911
Units Operating: VGFD Cars 2(IC), 4 & 6, E481, R480, E479 (re-located to Sta. 1), Cornwall EMS, Town of Cornwall PD
Weather Conditions: Clear/Hot
Description Of Incident: 2 Car MVA w/Pin
Reporters:
Writer: BFD1054
1700hrs-Vails Gate FD alerted; Cornwall EMS on the scene of an MVA at the above location, advising of entrapment.
Driver-side door of one of the vehicles needed to be popped for patient access. Door removed by crew of R480, while E481's crew secured the vehicles battery and put down speedy dry.
Crews then assisted EMS in removing and securing the patient. Patient then transported by Cornwall EMS.
All units picked up and returning shortly thereafter.

Date: 05-24-11
Time: 0915hrs
Location: Route 94 IAO Cavilari Dr.
Frequency: OC911
Units Operating: VGFD Cars 2, 3, 4, 7, E479, E481, R480, Cornwall EMS, Cornwall Town PD
Weather Conditions: Clear/Warm
Description Of Incident: MVA w/Entrapment
Reporters:
Writer: BFD1054
0915hrs-Vails Gate FD alerted for the MVA at the above location.
VGFD Car-3 arrived on scene and advised of a 2 car MVA with one person pinned.
The vehicle with the pinned vicitm came to rest against a guardrail. The driver's legs were pinned under the dash and the driver-side door had extensive damage. Crews used hydraulic spreaders, cutters and a ram to remove the door and roll the dash off of the victims legs. The victim was then removed to the care of Cornwall EMS who then transported.
*Ironically, members of Vails Gate FD, Cornwall EMS and Town of Cornwall PD were at Cornwall Central High School conducting a MOCK DWI Accident when this call came in. The accident was less than a 1/2 mile from the High School.
E479 was the in-service rig and responded immediately. The original call was of a 2 car accident with unknown injuries. Once there was confirmed entrapment, the call was upgraded. R480 and E481 then took-up from the drill and responded to assist.

Lo Hud
Congratulations.

Date: 3/31/2011
Time: 1510
Location: 382 RTE. 17M
Frequency: OC-911
Units Operating: Monroe FD, Woodbury FD, South Blooming Grove FD, Monroe PD, Monroe EMS
Weather Conditions: Cold/Cloudy
Description Of Incident: Fire in a residential structure.
Reporters:
Writer: billy98988

Fox Philly Video

Although it says "part II" this is the first video

The second video

I am an Assistant Chief in the above mentioned department... To give a little insight on this post our Department runs an average of 450-500 calls a year (no EMS). As long as I have remembered we only respond to MVA's in which we are requested or if their is a report of entrapment, fire, wires down or other possible need for FD. I would only assume the reason we started this "protocol" was to cut down on calls in which our services are not required.
We do this with CO calls as well.....going back 10-15 years ago when the big headlines in the news were death contributed to Carbon Monoxide every one started (rightfully so) installing CO detectors in there houses). No long after that there was a huge increase of calls for CO detectors sounding, to the point that a night did not go by without getting dispatched to at least 1 CO detector sounding. Naturally, our turnout for these calls started to rapidly decrease. To address this problem a new dispatching protocol was created in which a chief officer would only be dispatched to respond to a report of a CO detector sounding with no one in the residence complaining of any symptoms. If there is a report of symptoms or an automatic CO alarm the entire department is dispatched out. This seems to work good for us and saves the guys from responding to a couple of calls.
With MVA’s our department is predominantly dispatched by the town Police Department so the dispatchers decide based on call information if the FD might be required. So unless they get a report of “serious mva”, entrapment, report of fire or some other unusual circumstance they do not dispatch us. For fluid on the roadway it is in the town code that in order to tow in the town all tow trucks must carry a minimum amount of speedy dry to handle the run of the mill anti-freeze or oil on the roadway. Anything unordinary the FD will respond. From personal experience, as a past police officer in the town (prior to switching careers and going to the FD) the last thing I wanted at an accident scene if they were not required was the fire department. If the FD was needed I would be the first one to call them but if they are not needed at the scene I did not want them there. The town “volunteer” (mostly paid) ambulance corp responds to MVA’s with two ambulances and usually two medic fly cars so on the EMS side of things no help is needed.
I will be the first to admit that their have been sporadic problems in the past when we should have been dispatched but were not (usually it has personnel issue). The protocol that is in place works for us, it might not work for your department but for us it saves us from a couple hundred more calls a year (especially when our services is not required).

Currently their is no minimum manning clause in our contract. We are currently trying to negotiate a new contract which includes over 1 million dollars in concessions (which includes: salary cuts, schedule changes, loss of a couple of holidays, give back of HR time.....ect) If signed, the new contract will have a manning clause which would save the 12 guys.
As far as the volunteers....we have gotten the verbal commitment from numerous (of course not all) surrounding depts stating that they will not go into the city if the layoffs occur.
If anyone is hiring please let me know...

Bring a hook
One of the first thing you hear on the radio right after the fire is knocked down is "we need a hook". As you get off the rig and you take your assigned tools, grab an extra hook or two and leave them near the door of the building before you go in.
Knife
Have you ever gone into your pocket to grab your knife only to find that either it is not there (because the firehouse fairy "borrowed it") or it is covered with tar from the time you used it??? Try carrying a razor blade, it's cheap (so it's less appealing to the firehouse fairy) and the blades are easily swapped out so you can always ensure that your will have a sharp blade.
I agree this is the kind of talk that should be on this site, not my truck is bigger than your truck bullshit.