61MACKBR1

R1Smokeeater said it exactly as the current dispatching of a Major Alarm Fire in the City of Yonkers is handled. In the case of Thursday's event. all front line YFD apparatus was dispatched to the scene, as part of the 4 alarms. In addition, New Rochelle sent 1 engine (apparently that was the only apparatus that NRFD could send on M/A) and Eastchester sent TL17. Also, Mount Vernon sent 1/1 (Ladder 2 and a Engine Company) and I believe Greenville sent an Engine Company. As R1Smokeeater indicated, based on YFD protocol, in these multi-alarm fires, they (YFD) calls in off duty personnel to man "Reserve Rigs" to take over covering YFD Stations and to allow Mutual Aid Companies to be released from the City. I don't believe that any other city in Westchester County has such a program, where "Reserve Rigs" are available to be manned by Off Duty Personnel. YFD has, as part of their continual upgrading of Front Line Apparatus, has been able to place these former front line rigs into Reserve Status or Spare Status. Yonkers FD having the ability to have 10 Front Line Engine Companies (303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 312, 313, 314), 1 Squad Company (11), 4 Ladder Companies (70, 72, 73, 74), 2 Tower Ladders (71, 75) and a Rescue Company (R1), along with 3 Spare Engine Companies (300, 305, 317), 2 Spare Ladder Companies (76, 78), 1 Spare Tower Ladder (80), 1 Spare Squad (21), and 1 Spare Rescue (R2), ALONG with 3 Reserve Engine Companies (316, 318, 319), 2 Reserve Ladder Compannies (77, 79), and 1 Reserve Tower Ladder (81). YFD also has a various assortment of Special Operations Apparatus/Equipment, that are available dependent upon the needs and requirements of the department.
Many have said that YFD's Reserve and Spare Apparatus Fleet is better than some other cities in Westchester County's Front Line Apparatus.
As it relates to what departments are requested to come to Yonkers to cover as part of Mutual Aid is based upon the list provided to 60 Control and the County. "Recent History" has indicated that New Rochelle, Eastchester, Mount Vernon and Fairview are the first to be called into Yonkers (This is based upon agreements made with those cities fire departments). There has only been a handful of incidents in recent history that other outside departments have come into Yonkers to either cover stations or assist in battling fires. The Bronx River Road job was one that FDNY was asked to come in and assist with (I don't see FDNY manning stations, but I could see FDNY being asked to assist with fighting a fire). White Plains FD, I believe has been asked on a rare occasion to come in and help as part of Mutual Aid.
I believe that Yonkers is on the list to go into New Rochelle to help as part of Mutual Aid. I don't believe (and I maybe incorect) that Yonkers is on the list to go into Mount Vernon as part of Mutual Aid.
Maybe others (people from within YFD) can ellaborate on this more

R1Smokeeater said it exactly as the current dispatching of a Major Alarm Fire in the City of Yonkers is handled. In the case of Thursday's event. all front line YFD apparatus was dispatched to the scene, as part of the 4 alarms. In addition, New Rochelle sent 1 engine (apparently that was the only apparatus that NRFD could send on M/A) and Eastchester sent TL17. Also, Mount Vernon sent 1/1 (Ladder 2 and a Engine Company) and I believe Greenville sent an Engine Company. As R1Smokeeater indicated, based on YFD protocol, in these multi-alarm fires, they (YFD) calls in off duty personnel to man "Reserve Rigs" to take over covering YFD Stations and to allow Mutual Aid Companies to be released from the City. I don't believe that any other city in Westchester County has such a program, where "Reserve Rigs" are available to be manned by Off Duty Personnel. YFD has, as part of their continual upgrading of Front Line Apparatus, has been able to place these former front line rigs into Reserve Status or Spare Status. Yonkers FD having the ability to have 10 Front Line Engine Companies (303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 312, 313, 314), 1 Squad Company (11), 4 Ladder Companies (70, 72, 73, 74), 2 Tower Ladders (71, 75) and a Rescue Company (R1), along with 3 Spare Engine Companies (300, 305, 317), 2 Spare Ladder Companies (76, 78), 1 Spare Tower Ladder (80), 1 Spare Squad (21), and 1 Spare Rescue (R2), ALONG with 3 Reserve Engine Companies (316, 318, 319), 2 Reserve Ladder Compannies (77, 79), and 1 Reserve Tower Ladder (81). YFD also has a various assortment of Special Operations Apparatus/Equipment, that are available dependent upon the needs and requirements of the department.
Many have said that YFD's Reserve and Spare Apparatus Fleet is better than some other cities in Westchester County's Front Line Apparatus.
As it relates to what departments are requested to come to Yonkers to cover as part of Mutual Aid is based upon the list provided to 60 Control and the County. "Recent History" has indicated that New Rochelle, Eastchester, Mount Vernon and Fairview are the first to be called into Yonkers (This is based upon agreements made with those cities fire departments). There has only been a handful of incidents in recent history that other outside departments have come into Yonkers to either cover stations or assist in battling fires. The Bronx River Road job was one that FDNY was asked to come in and assist with (I don't see FDNY manning stations, but I could see FDNY being asked to assist with fighting a fire). White Plains FD, I believe has been asked on a rare occasion to come in and help as part of Mutual Aid.
I believe that Yonkers is on the list to go into New Rochelle to help as part of Mutual Aid. I don't believe (and I maybe incorect) that Yonkers is on the list to go into Mount Vernon as part of Mutual Aid.
Maybe others (people from within YFD) can ellaborate on this more

Barry - Could not have said it any better. Until "EVERYONE" in the County of Westchester wakes up and realizes that there is a more cost effective way to "safely" ensure that lives and property could be protected by a Centralized County-Run Fire Department, then taxpayers will continue to dish out more money for apparatus that are not effectively being used or deployed. I will continue to say it on EMTBravo.net. A County-Run Fire Department would elliminate any of the Mutual Aide issues that continue to effect many communities in the county (ie: recent issues in Mount Vernon for example). How can this be done? Many things (administratively and politically) would have to fall into place. The biggest hurdle is the "Home Rule" that would need to be abolished in New York State.
There is no need to have, as Barry has said "3 Engines, a Tower Ladder and a Rescue" in small villages and towns, where those communites (From Purchase to Ardsley - From Hastings to Cold Springs) could have the resources already available right inside the county, from some of the bigger cities (Yonkers, New Rochelle, White Plains, etc)
Strategically placed apparatus, manned by full time personnel, throughout the county would be the most effective way to have a County Run Fire Department.

YFD Special Operations has a "EMS Trailer" that is used for Medical Emergency Response. Maybe this Chevy Silverado will be used to "Tow" the YFD Special Operations EMS Trailer"
Does anyone within YFD know what the exact purpose of this YFD EMS Truck is?

Do the others include "movie" trailers?

Didn't the Yonkers Fire Department aquire this rig from Hastings back in the 1980's or thereabouts, and used it as a reserve rig?

Look at Virginia Beach, a premier Fire Department. VB was Princess Anne County with many volunteer departments, The city of Norfolk was attempting to acquire surrounding communities which did not sit well with those people. In 1963, Virginia Beach incorporated into a City/County and created the VBFD, taking all those smaller departments into one single department.
I think Westchester could be the same but it would take a major consolidation of Cities, towns, villages prior to it happening it the 56 FD's.
The Departments that consolidate would not lose officers or firefighters. There would be one Chief but other Chiefs of departments just would be re-titled and put in charge of districts or admin duties. A larger department needs a bigger staff. Just think...no duplication of services like Tech Rescue, Hazmat, etc.
Sorry...just dreamin'

I, too agree, that there is no need to bash anyone on this forum, especally Barry from NRFD. He has been a proponent for improving the Fire Service in Westchester County. However, I will agree with the original poster that "County Consolidation" of Fire Services throughout Westchester County would put the county on the National Map as being one of the best. Sadly, in order for this to ever get off the ground, egos (both within the Paid and Volunteer Departmenets) and Political Red-Tape (Government and Unions) would have to put aside, for the sake of "John and Jane Doe Taxpayer" who would be the ones who would beneft the most from a Combined Countywide Department.
One still can wish !!!

OUTSTANDING JOB !!!

Thanks Seth for the update and photos. I certainly hope that Engine 298 (Old Engine 306) doesn't end up in the YFD Special Operations Graveyard like the "Restored Truck 5" is currently residing !!! (I hope that someone places this rig (Engine 298) along with that restored Truck 5 in the eventual YFD Muesum (whereever that will be). Both rigs are "CLASSICS"

I really love this style of Mack C Rescue Rig (The BEST was the Old Mount Vernon FD Mack C Box Rescue)

I really love this style of Mack C Rescue Rig (The BEST was the Old Mount Vernon FD Mack C Box Rescue)

Oh, don't worry yourself too much people. It's going to be easy to restore to it's former glory. One step at a time. After all, it's just a reserve engine, and striping peels off real easy
I know there's a lot of interest, but the fire museum has been a dream for a long time. The frontline of Yonkers FD has way too much on it's plate right now to deal with a museum. So, there needs to be someone with a lot of time and a lot of connections to lobby for a museum from the city, which is more interested in other projects then preserving the history of one of the best departments in the country.
There are a lot of other relics in firehouses across Yonkers. It just takes a lot of work to lobby for the money, build the museum, and find volunteers to staff it. And I wonder what attendance would even be?

Is there a group of people trying to get a fire museum up and running in Yonkers?
http://www.yonkersfiremuseum.org/

Are they going to keep it as is or are they going to re-paint it to their colors and put their decals on the truck?

Yonkers Engine 306, a 1992 Mack CF, the actual last one to be produced by Mack, has returned to Yonkers after a spa treatment, and it's looking good! It currently holds the designation Engine 298, and is a reserve piece.
For those Mack fans keeping track, it is chasis # CF688FC 1460. Delivered August 1992 from Mack's Allentown, PA plant.
Photo by me, taken this morning. A very special thanks to ALL those on duty at YFD Station 8.

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Is there any room in Rhode Island? - Thats where it came from!

The guys did a great job on Truck Five. Terrible that the truck is being stored outdoors. I really loved those old ALFs. As a kid growing up in the 1950s American-LaFrance rigs WERE fire engines and trucks to me.
Is there room in any YFD station to store it?

I believe that the original plans was to convert the old carriage house, that was originally the quarters of Engine 8, on Walburton Avenue, into the YFD Muesum, but my understanding is that those plans never materialized. Would be nice to take over some space down along Saw Mill River Road, near or around the new YFD Headquarters/Special Operations Area, and make that into a YFD Museum? Otherwise, I am sure that if YFD wanted to donate it or sell it to a private collector, they could post it on the web and maybe a collector might be interested in taking it, if the museum doesn't pan out.
(On the "Light Side" - Hey Fitzy, maybe the Jamestown (RI) Fire Department Museum (www.jamestownfd.com/museum) up here in Rhode Island, might take it if you wanted to donate it to their museum, I am sure that they would be happy to find a home for it (you never know). OR maybe you can find room in your garage where you retired to? LOL : ) )

I am looking to see if any member of EMTBravo.net and/or a current or former member of the Yonkers Fire Department, can provide any information related to the historical Summer of 1970's fire at the Central Lanes Bowling Alley in Yonkers New York? Information such as theh run log of responding apparatus from both Yonkers (1st Alarm, 2nd Alarm, 3rd Alarm, 4th Alarm, General Alarm), as well as of the mutual aid companies who responded from neighboring communities. Any photos that also could be provided would be great as well.
This incident is sometimes refered to being one of the top 5 historical fires in the history of the Yonkers FIre Department (along with the Saw Mill River Road Carpet Factory Fire, the Bronx River Road Apartment Building Fire, and the North Broadway Apartment Buiding Fire). Central Park Avenue was closed (both ways) for over 7 hours as fireman fought that battle. If my memory serves me correctly, Arson was determined to be the factor for the fire.
Much thanks to all who might be able to help

What happened to the good old days within FDMV, when you had Fire Houses that were kept up to date and functional, apparatus were up to date and ample functional spares were available (ie: 1960 and Early 1970's when you had Engine 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6, Snorkel 1, Ladder 2, Ladder 3, & Ladder 4, Rescue 1, and Foam 1) and both a Paid/Professional Staff supplimented by a Volunteer Staff (who did allot of work at the various stations on their own time and in many cases on their own dime). Ah, to have those great days gone by to return !!!

What happened to the good old days within FDMV, when you had Fire Houses that were kept up to date and functional, apparatus were up to date and ample functional spares were available (ie: 1960 and Early 1970's when you had Engine 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6, Snorkel 1, Ladder 2, Ladder 3, & Ladder 4, Rescue 1, and Foam 1) and both a Paid/Professional Staff supplimented by a Volunteer Staff (who did allot of work at the various stations on their own time and in many cases on their own dime). Ah, to have those great days gone by to return !!!

It appears that a number of Mount Vernon departments are "slow" to react to issues within their respective departments. Look at the DPW and now the Fire Department (and both ties back into the Mayors Office). Hmmmm

Thanks Chief for bring attention back on a piece of Major Emergency Service History within Westchester County. That specific event back in 1973 in Mount Venon certainly stretched the resources not only of the FDMV but the surrounding areas as well. As you outlined so well in your post, the Mount Vernon Fire Department were certainly tested many many times in the early 1970's, with not only the Train Wreck of June 8th, but as you said, the Pioneer Supermarket Fire, the A&P Supermarket Fire, as well as the massive Fanner Farmer/Bee Hive Restaurant Fire on 4th Avenue. Those were the days when FDMV had Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 4, Engine 5 and Engine 6, Snorkel 1, Ladder 2, Ladder 3, and Ladder 4, Rescue 1, Foam 1, and Ambulance 1. There was also a very impressive Volunteer Fire Department assisting the paid department in Mount Vernon during those days. Oh how have times have changed.
Finally, historical events such as these, just reminds us all how important County Run Disaster Drills, especially a Southern Westchester County Emergency Response Drill, having communities such as Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Eastchester, White Plains, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Greenville, Hartsdale, Fairview, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye, and Port Chester all participating, is so so important.
Really, when was the last time that the County DES led various "Multi Departmental Supported' Disaster Drills throughout various locations within Westchester County?
Maybe Chiefhac's post will light a fire under some in charge within the County DES and get these drills back going again.