BIGRED1

When I lived in Texas, I had a firepit in my backyard. One of those ones you buy at Lowes and keeps it contained with a screen. A nice feature to sit around on a cool evening....essentially a campfire.
 
Now, in NY and maybe I'm just recently noticing it, but there are lots of calls for "open burns" and "unattended burns". I also hear a lot of knocking them down with cans. What does code say on having a backyard firepit, and how does it differ from a grill or a fireplace?
 
I do understand the part where people who don't know what it is and just see flames, or people burning cheap stuff creating a smoke and odor condition.
 
 

 
FULL ARTICLE: http://www.lohud.com/story/money/personal-finance/taxes/david-mckay-wilson/2016/09/14/taxwatch-hartsdale-funds/89917792/

Didn't Obama Care solve everyone's health related needs?

They have more Rescues upstate where I  live now an they have the T- shirts to prove it

Wow !!!
 
But it's all done for FREE right. On a smaller scale kind of reminds me of a place I am very familiar with in Eastern, Ct.

 
 Even those cold winter nights ? Those back tailboards were even covered in ice. Ice all over the place. The tailboard your standing on, the cross bar your holding on to, in addition to a human body wearing firefighting gear covered in ice. After spending a few hours following water, at least to me nothing sounded better than riding back inside of a heated cab of a fire truck. And sometimes that wasn't even the case with an open cab.
 
  Well, honestly, I know of one guy that won't be buying one or two of those T-shirts. I'd much rather see my money put to good use in such things as the firefighter cancer fund. You could also send your money to that as well, for a somewhat different purpose. In case anybody wants to do that instead it's www.ffcancer.org .

Yeah Willy even those cold winter nights. Just something about being on that step with the wind (and rain and snow and dirt and dust) in your face. We used to get geared up on that back step too. One guy holding on to the cross bar, arms spread wide, while the other stood in between his arms donning his turnouts, and then they switched...and thoise turnouts btw were handed down to the backsteppers by another guy up in the hosebed....all while in motion.  Ahhh yeah the good ole days of being young.  My God the safety Nazis would have a stroke if they ever saw it....  Honestly though like just about everything else in our business, barring the unexpected and things beyond our control, if you did what you were taught you'd be just fine...as all of us were. I guess it's more nostalgia than anything else, FFs are much better off today in term of road safety and rehab, but it still was one hell of a ride and I'm glad I got to partake in it.
 
Got to agree with your second point here...money would be put to better use donating to ffcancer.org or another FF aid charity.

First off I loved riding the back step and would do it again anytime. That said, it's a T-shirt,  a simple T-shirt...it means absolutely nothing unless you're a whacker.  People are free to do as they please no matter how ridiculous they'll look or what it may seem to others. Bottom line... if you don't like it...don't buy it. 

 
Slow down there now. I am sure plenty of us can take that cash off your hands without having to fish it out of the toilet.
 
Ya i laugh at those shirts that i am sure they sell thousands of at like the Fire Expo in Long Island. Alot of "I fight what you fear" stuff. As been stated if you need the shirt to say you've been there, you probably haven't. Anyone ever notice it's always the XXXL guys who are wearing them?
 
Stay Safe out there.

 
Slow down there now. I am sure plenty of us can take that cash off your hands without having to fish it out of the toilet.
 
Ya i laugh at those shirts that i am sure they sell thousands of at like the Fire Expo in Long Island. Alot of "I fight what you fear" stuff. As been stated if you need the shirt to say you've been there, you probably haven't. Anyone ever notice it's always the XXXL guys who are wearing them?
 
Stay Safe out there.

I've never been a fan of the Black Helmet garments.  I've always been a traditionalist preferring the maltese cross to scull and crossbones.  It seems to promote some over the top macho image I don't emulate or appreciate. I was in it to help, not draw attention to myself.
 
In the 'old' days, we had to ride the rear step as we didn't have the cab capacity we have today.  Went from hang on, to safety harnesses on the rear step and safety bars on the jump seats to all inside.  Only got the crap scared out of me once.
 
 

 
Yes, "SECTMB" is totally CORRECT. The problem then was there was NO HEATED Cabs to ride inside of like today. In most cases there wasn't even a place to sit. I can tell you, "it really was no fun riding that back step in the middle of some Sub Zero night coming back from a job. Trying to hang on for dear life with turnout gear (as it was called) and gloves covered in ice with frozen hands under them. "They didn't tell that story on those T-shirts".
 
  Then came those super hot humid days, and a totally different story. No nice cool air conditioned cabs to cool down in.
 
  Take it from a guy who "DID" ride the back step. It really didn't take too long to realize, "this really isn't that much fun anymore'. To my Brothers out there that did ride the back step, "you know exactly what I'm talking about". For those that DIDN'T, "just be very thankful for the simple things you have today". And just try to remember, it's not that those guys that rode the back step were plain stupid. It's just that there was NO OTHER OPTION.

I gotta say my favorite is this tribute to "salvage and overhaul". http://www.blackhelmetapparel.com/product.php?id=Salvage and Overhaul Firefighter T-shirt&nosto=pagetemplate-nosto-1
 
I can't believe people buy this stuff, save some time and just flush your money directly into the toilet and cut out the middle man.

If you really want it, you'll make it work, here's the contract google provided if you still have questions.

http://seethroughny.net/contracts/police_fire/VillageofScarsdale_F_2017.pdf

I grew up in Mount Vernon and as a former resident I am continually embarrassed by the state of affairs in that city. I was hoping the new Mayor was going to change things. I have friends and family members  that used to be a part of MVFD and the situation in that department is particularly embarrassing and sad as well. Its always chaos.

wishful thinking for some FASNY people
 

I think they're doing Tampa, FL next season. http://wfla.com/2016/03/05/tampa-first-responders-to-be-featured-on-ae-nightwatch/

Who has time to take a selfie at a call? Every time I'm on a run i am too busy to take out my phone and snap a pic of anything, let alone myself. I feel this is more a "younger" firefighter thing. Most older guys still have flip phones and wish they could have kept their Nextel's. I think it goes to show how some Chiefs are just not aware of whats going on. Anyone who has say 10 years or more, what would happen to you if you were at a MVA and the Boss showed up and your taking a selfie in front of the wrecked car? Ya you would be fired or at least brought up on charges. Maybe lose some personal days. I've seen pics of guys wearing aviator glasses, looking like they were some kinda models. These guys of course will wash out down the road cause the job just ain't for them. The crew shot is OK if your just chilling out after everything is done and fires out.

Who has time to take a selfie at a call? Every time I'm on a run i am too busy to take out my phone and snap a pic of anything, let alone myself. I feel this is more a "younger" firefighter thing. Most older guys still have flip phones and wish they could have kept their Nextel's. I think it goes to show how some Chiefs are just not aware of whats going on. Anyone who has say 10 years or more, what would happen to you if you were at a MVA and the Boss showed up and your taking a selfie in front of the wrecked car? Ya you would be fired or at least brought up on charges. Maybe lose some personal days. I've seen pics of guys wearing aviator glasses, looking like they were some kinda models. These guys of course will wash out down the road cause the job just ain't for them. The crew shot is OK if your just chilling out after everything is done and fires out.

I am glad this topic came up. It tells how some firefighters are NOT impressed at all with "selfies" of firefighters in action. Maybe those "Firefighter Selfie Fans" had no idea just how foolish other firefighters look at this.
 
I have some very good friends in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, who are some of the most decorated firefighters in the northeast. I consider it a very special privilege to be a part of their friendship. They are the Best of the Best. Yet NOT ONE, has ever posed for a "selfie photo op" during their years. Just yesterday (6/1/2016) the FDNY had it's Medal Day where they honor those who went above and beyond. Once a year these members are rewarded and given praise for the work they've done. These members get their chance to get photos taken with their family members, the mayor, fire commissioner etc. There are a few web sites that have posted pictures of these individuals as well. But I highly doubt anyone can find any selfies posted anywhere of any one of these members in action.
 
On the contrary, there are many buffs out there who regularly take photos of firefighters in action. I know because I am one of them. Many times these buffs will take these photos and maybe post them on their own web site or even make up a copy for the firefighter in the picture. As "BIGRED1" also states above, very often a crew shot is taken after a job well done.
 
  It is the "OWN SELF IMAGE" that tends to turn off some seasoned firefighters who have been there and done that. You are expected to do a job, and it's not being a Hollywood Model.  You're in the wrong occupation if that's what you think is more important. Are you in it (career or volunteer) to help people or promote yourself.
 
 Personally, I have little use for any firefighters who use someone's misfortune to promote themselves. However, whether my vote counts or not probably really doesn't matter.  

Who has time to take a selfie at a call? Every time I'm on a run i am too busy to take out my phone and snap a pic of anything, let alone myself. I feel this is more a "younger" firefighter thing. Most older guys still have flip phones and wish they could have kept their Nextel's. I think it goes to show how some Chiefs are just not aware of whats going on. Anyone who has say 10 years or more, what would happen to you if you were at a MVA and the Boss showed up and your taking a selfie in front of the wrecked car? Ya you would be fired or at least brought up on charges. Maybe lose some personal days. I've seen pics of guys wearing aviator glasses, looking like they were some kinda models. These guys of course will wash out down the road cause the job just ain't for them. The crew shot is OK if your just chilling out after everything is done and fires out.

Who has time to take a selfie at a call? Every time I'm on a run i am too busy to take out my phone and snap a pic of anything, let alone myself. I feel this is more a "younger" firefighter thing. Most older guys still have flip phones and wish they could have kept their Nextel's. I think it goes to show how some Chiefs are just not aware of whats going on. Anyone who has say 10 years or more, what would happen to you if you were at a MVA and the Boss showed up and your taking a selfie in front of the wrecked car? Ya you would be fired or at least brought up on charges. Maybe lose some personal days. I've seen pics of guys wearing aviator glasses, looking like they were some kinda models. These guys of course will wash out down the road cause the job just ain't for them. The crew shot is OK if your just chilling out after everything is done and fires out.

Who has time to take a selfie at a call? Every time I'm on a run i am too busy to take out my phone and snap a pic of anything, let alone myself. I feel this is more a "younger" firefighter thing. Most older guys still have flip phones and wish they could have kept their Nextel's. I think it goes to show how some Chiefs are just not aware of whats going on. Anyone who has say 10 years or more, what would happen to you if you were at a MVA and the Boss showed up and your taking a selfie in front of the wrecked car? Ya you would be fired or at least brought up on charges. Maybe lose some personal days. I've seen pics of guys wearing aviator glasses, looking like they were some kinda models. These guys of course will wash out down the road cause the job just ain't for them. The crew shot is OK if your just chilling out after everything is done and fires out.

Using pictures or videos as a recruitment campaign is perfectly acceptable. As in the above case it has worked. I would NOT consider that as a "Selfie".
 
 I would consider a "Selfie" of a firefighter posing as a more of "A Look at me kind of thing". Sort of like "yes, see I really am that hero that I wanted you to think I was".
 
I must be honest here, most firefighters who really are out there doing the job, don't need to show pictures of themselves in action. They are more concerned about doing the job and helping others than trying to impress everybody just how great they are. "Look at me, here I am - a real firefighter". To that I say; "lol".
 
Some of the most decorated firefighters out there do very little bragging about themselves. They don't pose for selfies. When you ask them about events which they really were a hero, they just write it off as being at the right place at just the right time.
 
When I look at some of these "selfies" out there involving firefighters, "I laugh". If only they knew how foolish they look in the eyes of other firefighters.
 
 Anybody got a few selfies they can share with us on here to appreciate.