Capejake72

One of the coolest Police Special Operations trucks I've ever seen. ( I know it's old news to some, but it's the first time I've seen it.....I didn't even know it existed actually)
Westchester County Police
Special Response Team
9097
2014 Freightliner/Hackney
Photo by me.

This thread is about Stamford Fire-Rescue's new Engine 8, a 2014 KME with a 1500 GPM pump, a 1,000 gallon tank, and 30 gallon foam tank. They operate out of a temporary station next to Stamford EMS Station 4 on Vine Rd near High Ridge Road. It covers the northern part of the city, specifically the High Ridge and Turn Of River sections. They cover urban, suburban, and rural sections of the city In addition, they cover the Merritt Parkway. A large part of their district is unhydranted. The company, Engine 8, was put into service in July of 2008 to cover the Turn Of River Volunteer fire department district. It is always staffed by 1 Officer, One Firefighter/Apparatus Operator, and one Firefighter. When staffing levels allow, a fourth crew member is also added. All members are part of IAFF Local 786.The company nick name is "Ridge Runners - 8 Ball Express"
Stamford Fire-Rescue's entire district is diverse, as they cover multiple high rises, commercial, industrial, and transit infrastructure, including a major interstate, I-95, the Merritt Parkway, a large Metro-North Commuter Railroad maintenance yard. There are large hospitals, office buildings, and large scale residential developments. They also cover a large suburban section, as well as some very rural area with very large and valuable real estate and huge areas of brush with limited access.
The career firefighters of Local 786 staff 9 Engine companies, 3 truck companies, 1 heavy rescue company, and 1 shift commander. A Fire Lieutenant also is a coordinator in the city's consolidated 911 communications center. This adds up to a minimum of 52 firefighters a shift. A Hazmat company and Hazmat support vehicles are cross staffed.
The KME Severe-Service Predator type chassis was specified and chosen for the terrain, roads, and structures it covers.
I'd really like to thank Captain Matt Palmer, one of my favorite fire captains, for taking the time to give me a complete in depth tour of the new KME. I do want to apologize, as the photos didn't turn out as nice as I wanted them to, but hope everyone still enjoys them and can see all the neat specs.
For comparison to the new Engine 8, here's the FORMER Engine 8, a 2005 HME.


And here we go with the NEW engine......
Stamford Fire Rescue
Engine 8
2014 KME Severe Service Predator
1500/1000/30
Engine 8 showing off the new colors and graphics of SFRD:

Engine 8's company patch

Front view

Front intake. KME standard is the chrome.

Front trash line

Driver's area

Auto Charge Status Center - a new product from Kussmaul

Drivers area panel - transmission control, air brake, Jake (engine) brake, power windows, headlights, panel dimmer, power mirrors

Drivers area panel - A/C controls, On-Spot automatic tire chain control, arrowstick control, 12V port

Drivers area panel for lighting controls

Engine tunnel....housing the LUCAS 2 automatic CPR compression device

EMS compartment....rear cab

Another shot of the engine tunnel...

Drivers side cab compartment....housing various items including a 12V DC hydrant barrel pump....hydrant barrels are pumped in the early fall to prevent freezing during wintertime

Pump Panel

Tank level indicator

Evacuation (air horn) button and fuel/DEF level indicator light on pump panel

Remote control for drivers side intake valve

Remote controlled drivers side intake valve

Pump panel uses wheel-type valves instead of push-pull "T"'s, making for an easier and smoother opening and closing of valves

Note how all valves are labeled for function. "Blitzfire", "Flying Wye", "ProPak", etc

Drivers side body

12V port for hydrant barrel pump mentioned above in the MPO's compartment

A real leather helmet that's seen real work

Rear shot

Blitzfire mount

Holamatro Combi Tool with CORE technology and new compact pump

Apartment/High Rise hose packs with pike poles integrated into tray

Officer's side saw compartment with LDH hose clamp. Saw blades are mounted to a custom mount on the right of the compartment, and pre-mixed fuel is in the yellow bracket

Officer's side front body compartment containing various tools

Wheelwell compartments with plenty of space housing 2 SCBA bottles and a water can

Officer's side

Officer's side pump panel. Notice the ProPak foam pack....unique to see it pre-connected with a 1" line

Officer's side rear compartment....containing various tools for the officer

Heavy duty rubber wheel well flares - easy to replace if damaged

Drivers side Whelen Pioneer LED Scene Light

Scott Safety thermal imaging camera mounted under officer's side rear jumpseat

Officers side cab....

Officer's area in cab

Whelen Pioneer low-profile side scene light mounted between officer's/driver's door and rear cab door....brand new product available from Whelen

Officer's side safety panel and Q siren controls

Officer's side radio and Firecom in cab-communication control panel

Officer's MDT

New SFRD logo on cab door

Hydrant type legend

Station 8's "Temporary" Engine bay

Station 8's "Temporary" Living Quarters

Apartment/High Rise pack.....note the custom made tray for it

Cab roof

Storage area on top of the "L" shaped tank

Storage area and deck gun above pump panel

Ash can

LED lights to illuminate the crosslay area

Note the high-intensity headlights

Brow light

Front bumper with LED illuminated cornering light

LDH connection with hydrant bag

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/08/06/marine-corps-to-adopt-iconic-raiders-name-for-its-special-operations-troops/

Absolutely no difference, because you cannot tell just from what the caller told Dispatch whether the person who "fell" is really in cardiac arrest or just planking for fun; or the diff breather is a CHF patient about to drown or someone just having an anxiety attack; or the repeat AFA is really a structure fire or someone forgetting their code again; or the CO detector is a bad battery or the real deal until you physically get someone there to investigate and maybe pass the word back to the other responders. Which is why we try to get a full crew for both the ambulances and the apparatus as soon as possible so we can get there and do our job promptly with enough people to mitigate the situation whenever possible.
Unfortunately, some people do go by the intial Dispatch and think it is not worth their time to respond [AKA "not enough of a glory call"], or the trucks rush to be the first to respond without a sufficient crew to do so properly [AKA "Look at our great response time, but gosh, can't do a darn thing yet" or "Ooops, we took the wrong truck for the job" (or used the ambulance to get people there to helpbut do not have a crew to transport")]. Thank God for the core group of people who do take what we do seriously, and here's hoping it rubs off on the newer ones coming in down the line,

I don't want to hijack the topic, but I had to respond the above.
I was homeless for a period recently. Literally living on the streets homeless in Los Angeles. I was treated MUCH differently then someone who is a "high end taxpayer"....especially when you consider those "high end taxpayers" were living just a few miles away in Beverly Hills. I walked..no at that point dragged myself.....several miles to a hospital, making my condition/injuries significantly worse, because I was embarrassed and worried of the EMS stigma of homeless people abusing the system. I've paid both income and properties taxes for many years.....but unfortunately, I was down on my luck for a period of time....why should response times be any different for me when I was homeless then a "high end taxpayer"? Shouldn't response times be the same for EVERY human being, despite whatever stigma blankets a group of people? And maybe if we are worried about the "homeless drunks" abusing the system stereotype....maybe we should blame our healthcare and social services system....or even sadder, our VA system. Or, maybe our EMS systems not interfacing with a social service system to get people long term help. It's not as easy as you think for a homeless person to get the consistent long term help him/her needs. </rant>

Los Angeles CITY FD
Rescue Ambulance 51
2014 Dodge 4500/Northstar Emergency Vehicles
Rescue 51 is dedicated to Los Angeles International Airport, and is the only lime ambulance in the fleet. It is identical to all LA City FD red front line ambulances with the exception of the color. It's associated engine company, a Seagrave, is also lime.
Perhaps one of my favorite ambulances out there, as well as one of my most favorite photos I've taken. On a wierd side note, I had no recollection whatsoever of where and when I took this photo, and it was quite a surprise when I downloaded it a couple of weeks ago!
Photos by me a couple of months ago. And if you're interested in California apparatus, be sure to check out EMTBravoWest.com

So some of you know I've moved down to Virginia for a new job, and I've started volunteering with Company 27 in Prince George's County, MD. I just wanted to share an "interesting" rescue we had yesterday. Probably not a big deal to a lot of the more experienced people on here, but for me, as someone very inexperienced in technical rescue, I thought it might be worth sharing.
Engine 829 (Silver Hills), Rescue-Engine 827 (Morningside), Medic 829, Ambulance 829, Battalion Chief 883 and the Southern EMS Duty Officer were dispatched to the 3400 block of Curtis drive for a reported PIA with entrapment. E829 was first due and confirmed that a minivan had driven into a guard shack and that the security guard was pinned under the van. RE-827 arrived as the first due special service. Rescue Squad 842 was also requested as part of the County Technical Rescue Team.
Our initial plan (not being able to see the scene) was to use a Hurst spreader plate to lift the car off the guard and drag him out (this worked for the company a few months ago when a PGPD Officer was trapped under a car on the highway.) Upon arriving we realized the security guard was not completely pinned by the car, an air conditioning unit and filing cabinet had created a small void space that held the car up and protected him from being completely crushed. We also realized we had no room to use the spreaders and our plan became to turn the windows into doors on the "B" and "D" sides of the shack (assuming the van entered in side "A") and then use airbags to lift the vehicle off the patient and let the medics drag him out of the "C" side that was non-load bearing. RS442 arrived and shored the "D" side with the Rescue-42 jack system, and then ultimately it was decided to use another Rescue-42 jack to lift the car off the patient. Patient transported with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Again, for those of you more well versed in technical rescue, this is probably a pretty minor incident, but for for it was a pretty interesting experience and a good intro to how things are done in PG County. Despite all the company rivalry that's present down here, when things like this happen everyone (career, volunteer, PD, different companies, etc) all worked and communicated extremely well together. The way it should be.
Some photos from the scene:
(Note: All photos are from the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department and/or the Prince George's County Police PIO's social media pages)
View from the D-Side

View from the C-Side

View of the void space created by the A/C unit and the filing cabinet.

NBC Washington: Security Guard Rescued After Van Plows into Booth

It doesn't matter what the IA Lt. was doing, he should be setting the example. If he was speeding then he should have stopped placed the keys on the roof hands on the dash, with all windows down. If he gave the patrol officer lip which it looks like he did then it looks like he got what he had coming. Really strange that were 4 other cats that cost by though.

I copy and pasted this topic I started on another site.
Sites like this are useful in may ways and one of the most rewarding is in the sharing of information such as tactics, equipment and the like. Now there are a few things that I really enjoy in life beyond my family, which I love immeasurably, among these are fighting fires, yeah I really do LOVE fighting fires, playing music and cooking (and eating too of course). So I got to thinking I'm sure there are alot of other firehouse chefs among our contributors here and if any of you are anything like me I'm sure you're always in search of an idea for a good meal with the crew (or your family and friends) to break the mealtime monotony. To that end I thought I'd start this thread as a place to share recipes and broaden our culinary horizons, (and those of our fellow FFs who enjoy the fruits of our firehouse kitchen labors)...after all who doesn't like a good meal!!

To get the ball rolling I'm offering up one of my more recent concoctions inspired by my time in the sandbox which I call Harissa grilled chicken with rice and cucumber/tomatoe salad. The following recipe may seem a bit labor intensive but trust me it's a piece of cake and delicious. I've amended it to serve four and it takes about 1 1/2 hours total to prepare and serve. I should warn you that all of the measurements below are approximate, (I don't often measure anything when I cook), so adjust as necessary for your own taste.

Ok so here goes:

Ingredients:

For the harissa:

3 red bell peppers cut in half and seeded (reserve 1/4 of one pepper for the rice)
1 jalapeno pepper cut in half and seeded
1 poblano pepper cut in half and seeded
1 habanero pepper cut in half and seeded (this is only for those who like the heat in their food as well as on the fireground)
1 Tbsp olive oil
juice of half a lemon
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp coarse ground black pepper
3 Tbsp fresh mint
2 Tbsp scallion tops roughly chopped
5 cloves garlic

To prepare the harissa:
Roast all the peppers under the broiler (or grill them) until the skins have blackened. Remove from heat place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and let cool. Once cooled remove the skins and discard them. Place pepper flesh and all the remaining ingredients in a food processor and pulse grind until a paste is formed and all the ingredients are thoroughly combined (about 10 -12 pulses). Let sit for at least 1/2 hour (harissa will hold for about 3 weeks in the fridge so this step can be done at home and held until you're ready to use it)

For the Chicken:

1 pkg (8) chicken thighs (skin on if you can bone them, skinless if you can't or are trying to eat healthier)
1Tbsp olive oil
juice of half a lemon

To prep the chicken:
Remove bones from chicken thighs and discard. Place boned chicken in a large bowl (or container) add olive oil, lemon juice and harissa. Mix marinade on chicken to coat all pieces evenly and let sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour (more if possible).

ps. I use thighs for this recipe because they are more flavorful and stay moist. You can substitute whichever cuts you like

For the salad:

1 seedless cucumber cubed (about 1/2")
3 plum tomatoes cubed (same as cuc)
1/2 a small red onion cubed (same same)
3 celery stalks cut into 1/2 pieces (optional)
2 gloves garlic minced
2 Tbsp mint leaves coarsely chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tbs coarse ground black pepper
juice of half a lemon

While chicken marinates cut all the vegetables for the salad and combine. Let sit for 15 minutes and then drain. Add garlic, mint, salt, pepper, olive oil and lemon juice and toss to coat. Place in refrigerator until service.

For the rice:

1 cup basmati rice
1 clove garlic minced
1/4 of a red bell pepper (reserved from harissa)
1/4 tbs coarse ground black pepper
1 Knorr chicken bullion cube
2 cups water
remainder of scallion bunch (roots removed)

Finely slice about 1 Tbsp of scallion from the bottom of the bunch (white part) and mince garlic. Finely slice the remaining scallion tops (about 1/4 cup) and finely dice the 1/4 of a red bell pepper. Reserve for later use
Combine water, black pepper and bullion in a small pot and bring to a boil


While water is coming to the boil, add olive oil, sliced scallion bottoms and garlic to an oven safe pot and sautee over medium high heat for 2 minutes, reduce heat to low and add rice and tumeric and sautee for another 2 minutes stirring constantly to coat all of the rice and turn it yellow (don't let rice burn, if water hasn't boiled turn off heat). Once water mixture has boiled add it to the sauteed rice/garlic/scallion, cover and place in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. (If you don't have an oven safe pot use a medium sized aluminum pan and cover (12x10ish) to cook the rice after everything has been sauteed as described above. Remove rice after 25 minutes, add finely diced red bell pepper and scallion tops and mix thoroughly.

While rice is cooking, grill* the chicken over medium high heat skin side down for about 5 minutes, (if chicken starts to burn reduce heat), flip and continue grilling until thoroughly cooked (about another 5 minutes depending on thickness of the thighs).

*If no grill is available chicken can be broiled in the oven after the rice has finished cooking.



Plate and serve with warm pita bread. Enjoy!!!

More to come......

If it was only about guns and gun control, then how does one explain Switzerland?
The vast majority of men between the ages of 20 and 30 are conscripted into the militia and undergo military training, including weapons training. The personal weapons of the militia are kept at home as part of the military obligations; Switzerland thus has one of the highest gun ownership rates in the world.
The Swiss army has long been a militia trained and structured to rapidly respond against foreign aggression. Swiss males grow up expecting to undergo basic military training, usually at age 20 in the Rekrutenschule (recruit school), the basic-training camp, after which Swiss men remain part of the "militia" in reserve capacity until age 30 (age 34 for officers).
Each soldier is required to keep his army-issued personal weapon (the 5.56x45mm SIG SG 550 rifle for enlisted personnel and/or the 9mm SIG P220 semi-automatic pistol for officers, military police, medical and postal personnel) at home or (as of 2010) in the local armoury (Zeughaus).
When their period of service has ended, militiamen have the choice of keeping their personal weapon and other selected items of their equipment.[citation needed] However, keeping the weapon after end of service requires a license.
The sale of ammunition – including Gw Pat.90 rounds for army-issue assault rifles – is subsidized by the Swiss government and made available at the many shooting ranges patronized by both private citizens and members of the militia. There is a regulatory requirement that ammunition sold at ranges must be used there
a 2001 BBC article reported that in Switzerland "the gun crime rate is so low that statistics are not even kept." Over the last 5 years they have averaged 18.4 gun homicides per year. Maybe they treat patients who require psychiatric care and they do not glorify the lone gunman who wants notoriety.

Saying that gun control alone will solve any of this is fairly nearsighted. It ignores all of the other factors at play, such as mental illness and social media providing these loons with notoriety. Guns have been in the hands of ordinary citizens since the inception of this country, we need to examine what in the last twenty years has led to the proliferation of these types of incidents, the guns aren't a new factor, so we must examine these other new factors that have come into the picture. Sure I believe there should be gun controls, background checks, psychological tests, registering of certain weapons, but that's not going to stop these people. They are already willing to break the law and MURDER people, more laws aren't going to stop people already breaking the number one rule to not kill others! They will find a way to carry out their attacks, whether it be illegal guns, homemade bombs, or as we have seen in some instances a knife. We need to address the ever hushed problem of mental illness in this country, and the pandering of the media to these psychopaths. Why not pass a bill that you may not print pictures of the victims of such crimes nor the perpetrator, take away their spotlight. It will take away some of their sick motivation.

The right of WHOM shall not be abridged? "THE PEOPLE." What "people"? Law-abiding U.S. citizens.
I think the words as written are clear enough, but for added emphasis:
In the fairly recent SCOTUS decision in Washington, D.C. v. Heller:
1. The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes
2. Interpretation of the Second Amendment by scholars, courts and legislators, from immediately after its ratification through the late 19th century also supports the Court’s conclusion.
3. The Amendment’s prefatory clause announces a purpose, but does not limit or expand the scope of the second part, the operative clause. The operative clause’s text and history demonstrate that it connotes an individual right to keep and bear arms.
4. None of the Court’s precedents forecloses the Court’s interpretation. Neither United States v. Cruikshank, 92 U. S. 542, nor Presser v. Illinois, 116 U. S. 252, refutes the individual-rights interpretation. United States v. Miller, 307 U. S. 174, does not limit the right to keep and bear arms to militia purposes, but rather limits the type of weapon to which the right applies to those used by the militia, i.e., those in common use for lawful purposes.
So, no "Consttitutional scholars" can legitimately "refute my statements thoroughly." Facts are facts and truth is truth. Neither are subject to "opinion.".

You're correct. The ACLU filed a class action lawsuit in the 80s on behalf of the mentally ill, alleging that the government had no right to institutionalize them against their will...even if it was to protect them. The SCOTUS agreed, and the doors to the institutions were thrown open. That was when the "homeless" problem began.
Now, there must be proof that the person is a threat to themselves or to others for them to be institutionalized....and even then it's a revolving door.
Clearly, more gun laws are not the answer. Every mass shooter was already breaking numerous gun laws, and almost all of them were already legally prohibited from possessing firearms. All of the shootings occurred in "Gun Free Zones." The fact is that gun laws merely serve to disarm the law-abiding and make it harder for them to defend themselves from the nutcases.

But let's not discuss gun laws.....because the 2nd amendment guarantees organized militia members may own them. How many militias are left in the U.S.? Oh, that's right......ZERO.
No offense, but you're demonstrating a woeful misunderstanding of the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment guarantees the right of every law-abiding citizen to keep and bear arms. It does not require membership in any sort of militia, organized or otherwise.
I have been a Constitutional scholar for decades. Luckily, the authors of the Constitution were prolific writers and their letters are available for study and research to determine their intent.
During the time of the writing of the 2nd Amendment, a militia was nothing more than ordinary citizens deciding to band together for some purpose, There WERE NO "organized" militias. However, this is a moot point because the 2nd Amendment doesn't say that to keep and bear arms citizens must be in a militia, it says citizens can keep and bear arms IN CASE they might wish to join a militia.
Probably the 2nd most misunderstood term in the 2nd Amendment is "well regulated." The American left wants to claim that this means legal regulations. It doesn't. In the vernacular of the times, "well regulated" meant "well TRAINED."

You just hit the nail squarely on the head. These psychos want to BE somebody. They want to be known, remembered, to go down in history. So, when they see the media making household names out of other mass murderers, they see their chance to finally be famous.
If the media would stop making these guys famous, the shootings would stop.

I must agree with both of you. There are two things that increase your chances of survival in these circumstances time and mobility. The more time it takes for an active shooter to either find you or get to you is to your advantage, so anything you can do to delay or otherwise fustrate the shooter works to your advantage. Most of these punks are not marksman plus they are, as said in another post, looking to do maximum damage in the shortest period of time. My wife, who is a teacher, use to worry about me, back in the day when I worked in NYC, now I'm the one who worry's about her. We've spoken about this many times. She's told me her administration favors sheltering in place. I've told her that's BS pure and simple. Her classroom is on on the ground floor with a door that can be kicked in by most middle schoolers (besides, have you seen the size of some of these "kids") her window exits to the employee parking lot with a parocial school across the street (not much traffic if any). Most of these manics are not going to take the time to aim and fire at two dozen kids running and ducking between cars, and they certainly aren't going to follow them outside. If caught inside they are just going to herd you into a corner and finish off as many as they can in the time they have. I also gave her a bottle of clear liquid (not colored) dish soap to spill on the floor inside her room in an effort to delay. I've also suggested she have a wide mouth bottle of acid to use as a last resort. She worried about securing it in her room and what might be said if she ever had to use it. I would have no such problem, as a matter of fact, law or not school rules or not if I was a teacher now adays I'd be packing. I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6, if it ever came down to that. It's also interesting to note that after the shooting in Ct. that when the head of the NRA suggested armed LEO in the schools and was meet by a firestorm of critiziem. Interestingly enough, I'm reading how many schools are now requesting and in some cases the parents are demanding "service officers" from their local departments be stationed in the schools.

NYS DEC Forest Ranger

EEEEasy, there big fella. That's how things get blown out of proportion. First, let's get that "Heroic" off the marquee. Heroic means that you put yourself in great danger to save a life. That was not the case. Like most rescues the rescuer happens to be at the right place at the right time.
All we did was make a pickup that just involved some maneuvering to get to them. Granted they were on the brink of drowning, but it was just a pickup by a boat with 2 firefighters aboard. We just did what we always do, even on our day off. Not heroic at all.
Let's make some use out of this thread and make it a training session on marine rescue of persons in the water and in distress operating from a private vessel from a private boat.
People who are on the brink of drowning usually do not call for help. They are silent with a look of panic. If they show these signs, they are going down very soon.
SOP
1. Call Mayday... get help on way
2. Never lose sight of victim. Point your arm in vic.s direction for your boat's driver to aim
3 When close enough throw PFD's or anything that floats DO NOT enter the water
4 Throw rope if needed DO NOT enter the water
5 Once vic is alongside ensure motor is off so there are no prop injuries
6 Haul vic at the lowest point , usually it's the stern. DO NOT ENTER WATER
7 DO NOT ENTER WATER (Are you getting the point?)
"Heroic" is a pretty heavy word. Don't use it lightly

I hope that the media and public continue to exert pressure on the commissioners to provide a truthful answer to their decision to take out of service a first line apparatus and replace it with a spare or reserve. Obviously from the comments of the Chief and the assurances of the manufacturer and DOT and the information regarding their other apparatus, negate the stated reason for de-commissioning the apparatus. So with that excuse gone, what is their rationale now?
Too bad the commissioner who would speak was not more forthcoming regarding the closed door discussions, if there were any, prior to a vote regarding this issue. Perhaps its time for some new commissioners and the members of the department and their extended families should be active in finding and supporting new candidates for commissioner next time positions are available.
This appears to be a microcosm example of what is wrong with our 'public officials' right down to the most local of levels. Individual wants/needs/desires are put before those of the general population for which these 'public officials' are in office to serve.

Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory - Milton, NY. Forestry 81-3 (F-5)
Specs and other pics http://firematic.com/brat/kesselring13/index.htm

You're certainly in the minority with your thinking, especially when it comes to the people whose opinion actually matter, meaning those who work and live in and around Rockland County. Those who understand the purpose of the helicopter and who have appreciated the fact that Rockland has operated their own helicopter for nearly 40 years. Ask the river departments from both counties how much of a "waste" the helicopter has been over the past few decades when they need the bridge or water to be lit up, or need infrared search capability. You know, Westchester County didn't always have a fancy set of brand new helicopters, so who do you think provided those services for all of those years?
Your comment "going to turn out to be some sort of VIP transport vehicle" makes very little sense. Do you realize that this is the same helicopter that Rockland has owned and operated since 1986, and is not something new for the county? The existing helicopter was sent out for a much needed refurb and updates, but it's been the same exact helicopter for the past 28 years.
As far as the helicopter being used for brush fires, it's quite valuable being up in the air when something breaks out in Bear Mountain/Harriman State Parks. This isn't out west where huge water drops are required for wildland fires, most brush fires in the parks in this area are dealt with by cutting fire lines and letting the fire run its natural course. It's nice to have a helicopter with infrared capability up in the air within 30 minutes to spot for the Forest Rangers and ground crews.
It's nice that Westchester found $9 million to spend on a pair of brand new Bell 407's, but that wasn't in the cards for Rockland. There was an attempt to purchase a Bell 407 with the same capabilities as Westchester in 2006, but it never happened. Instead they came up with $320,000 of asset forfeiture funds and gave "old reliable" a refurb.
Anyways, as I said...the people in and around Rockland appreciate the fact that the county has operated their own helicopters for 40 years now, and they understand that the current model does have limitations. There are no shortage of other agencies in the region that have additional capabilities (WCPD's two helicopters, NYSP, NYPD, West Point, etc.), and I'm quite sure that if Rockland spent $4.5 million on a brand new Bell 407 with all the bells and whistles that WCPD's helicopters have, many would complain that it's a duplication of services and a waste of taxpayer's money...instead of making comments about how the current model is a "waste" because it can't drop 100 gallons of water on a brush fire in the woods.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't!

My name is Vincent Antonecchia, I am a Sergeant with the Westchester County Police and the Commanding Officer of The Westchester County Police Aviation Unit. After being alerted to the content of this forum, I am compelled to respond professionally, clear up any false information or misconceptions and provide accurate details about our capabilities and the mechanism for requesting our services.
We are still very much assisting regional jurisdictions and municipalities. The Unit consists of six police officers, including myself and we are all trained as Tactical Flight Officers. One officer is our Unit mechanic. He is A&P/IA licensed through the FAA and has extensive experience and training in the commercial aviation industry. We currently have two Bell 407 helicopters and there are four commercially rated helicopter pilots with varying backgrounds, training and experience. Safety is our number one priority and we strive to be available and provide whatever resources we can to Police, Fire and OEM's. Recently, at the request of the Westchester County DPW, we used our infrared FLIR technology to locate a large underground steam leak at the Westchester Medical Center and prevented the need to dig multiple and costly search holes.
We are available 24/7/365, but obviously limited during inclement weather, high winds, crew availability and concurrent operations. Due to manpower limitations, calls for service and budget constraints, we staff the Unit five days a week from 0900/2400 hours. Our services are FREE as we are a regional asset and regularly operate outside of Westchester County. Any municipality requesting air support should contact the WCPD Desk Officer at (914) 864-7890. Any specific questions concerning the Unit and our capabilities can contact me directly at (914) 995-5019.
The following is a list of our most commonly requested services and capabilities in no particular order:
Bambi-Bucket (fire fighting) operations. We do not require Forest Ranger of SEMO authorization to be called, but requests should be based on common sense, severity and requesting agency protocols FLIR (Infrared) searches (day & night) - Great for locating suspects, lost hikers or "Hot-spots" at fire scenes Ice/water rescue Scene Illumination Aerial photography (Video and/or stills) Surveillance and/or reconnaissance Live video microwave downlinking Project Lifesaver Special Response Team and/or equipment insertion or extraction Scene Illumination Locating and identifying fuel spills/contamination of waterways Force multiplier We are currently conducting hoist training with the WCPD Emergency Services Unit and Marine Unit and will have this completed in mid-May.
Thank you to all who have supported our cause and utilized our services. We look forward to providing whatever regional air support is necessary to increase safety and enhance or further your mission success.

Information is FALSE.
WCPD Aviation is very active and constantly assisting other jurisdictions by monitoring various
PD/FD radios and upon request.
Recently they were assisting Yonkers with a Crime In Progress over the weekend.
Patroling the MTA Metro North Hudson R/R Line all week for Operation Safeguard
including numerous other inspections all transmitted over WCPD radio.
They had a Water Rescue in March assisting New Rochelle PD.
http://newrochelle.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/county-aviation-unit-rescues-wind-surfer-on-long-island-sound
Reach out to Vincent Antonecchia who is the Commanding Officer of the WCPD Aviation Unit.
I am sure he can clear up any "rumors"

Various vehicles from ESU and Aviation as seen this past weekend.

Interesting... when I was a senior in High School... 18YO and FF-I... our neighboring department had a 4 alarm fire we relocated to.. My principal asked me what I was still doing in class and not heading to the FD LOL! It's a fine line... where the battle is never really won as you become "that guy" who picks and chooses his calls.. School comes first as it leads us to our careers and is our education, so yes sleeping through the night and missing the commercial alarm happens.. as for fires or serious incidents.. I never could justify loss of life over being tired once in math class.. neither could my teachers... just my two cents.