efermann

Date: 12/9/10
Time: 05:35
Location: 3901 Gomer Court (Off of E Main St) Town of Yorktown "Jefferson Valley Collision"
Frequencies: 46.26 / 453.275 / Fire 17 / FG 1 / MVAC
LMFD Units Operating: 2261, 2262, E253, E258, L10, 69B1
YHFD Units Operating: 2533, E270 FAST
MFFD Units Operating: 19-6-1
MFD Units Operating: 18-2-1, 18-7-1
CVFD Units Operating: 2132, E231
PVFD Units Operating:
YVAC Units Operating: 86B1?, 34 Medics
SFD EMS Units Operating: 80B2, U88 (RAC)
WCDES Units Operating: Bat 16, C&O Zone 4 w/ 1404
Weather Conditions: Cold, 21 Degrees
Description Of Incident: Working fire in 30' x 50' 2 1/2 story dwelling attached to 100' x 100' auto body shop
Reporters: Remember585
Writer: Remember585
LoHud Article
Relocated to Mohegan HQ: 2341, 2342, TL45 (Peekskill FD) & 88B1 (Cortlandt VAC)
05:35 - L10, E253, E258 dispatched to reported structure fire. 60 Control advising multiple calls on it.
05:39 - 60 Control advising responding units one person possibly trapped per YPD.
05:40 - E253 reports fully involved house fire, still not on scene.
05:41 - 10-75 transmitted. E253 has a propane tank that already "let go."
05:41 - 60 Control dispatching Yorktown FAST, Mahopac Falls Cascade, Mohegan VAC & Bat 17 to the scene.
05:42 - E253 to 2262, fully involved and reports from units on scene all occupants are out.
05:43 - 2261 requesting a Ladder to HQ and send one Tanker from "somewhere."
05:45 - Peekskill TL45 dispatched to cover Mohegan HQ.
05:46 - 60 Control dispatching Battalion 10. 2261 cancelling the Tanker.
05:48 - E270 responding. 2262 requesting Con Ed Electric to the scene. Battalion 16 dispatched.
05:49 - 2262 reports an auto body shop on first floor with a residence above, 30' x 50'.
05:50 - 2262 requesting Con Ed to "step it up."
05:52 - 19-6-1 responding.
05:54 - "L10, as soon as the PD car moves, I want you to set up in the rear," per 2262.
05:55 - "E258 to the hydrant, send me water!"
05:56 - "2262 to the hydrant on E Main St, shut it down, I have a situation." 19-6-1 on location.
05:57 - "2261 to 60 Control dispatch an Engine from Mahopac, we need manpower here."
05:59 - E270 on location.
06:02 - Units reporting partial collapse, E258 has no water, 2262 reports "we're working on it."
06:03 - "2261 to all units, switch to Fire Ground 1."
06:05 - 18-2-1 responding. 69B1 transporting 1 to WMC.
06:06 - 2261 requesting Yorktown Highway Department for salt, "we're falling all over the place."
06:12 - 18-2-1 on location.
06:18 - Bat 16 on location, 2261 requesting the C&O Team to the scene. DC41 reports "Ladder operation is underway."
06:19 - C&O Zone 4 dispatched. Mohegan VAC, 39M2, U18 dispatched to an EMS call.
06:23 - Bat 16 requesting an update on the electric company, please put a 2nd call in, we have a hazardous condition.
06:25 - 60 Control advising Con Ed crew assigned, should be there in 15-20 minutes.
06:28 - 60 Control advising Bat 16 that Con Ed reports they have a rep on scene.
06:29 - Bat 16 requesting run down of EMS units on scene, 60 Control reports a YVAC rig and Yorktown Medic.
06:31 - Unknown unit reporting, "not enough pressure on this line over here."
06:32 - Bat 16 requesting 1 Ambulance to cover Mohegan and 1 Ambulance to the scene.
06:34 - Cortlandt VAC dispatched to Mohegan HQ for coverage.
06:38 - New Channel 4 Chopper showing live video, fire appears to be darkening down.
06:41 - Bat 16 reports units making progress, exposure issue is a 100 x 100 body shop, 4 L/S/O and 1 Ladder Pipe.
06:44 - 2261 requesting two ambulances total on scene at all times. YVAC is transporting unknown #.
06:47 - News Channel 4 Chopper reports business is "Jefferson Valley Collision."
06:48 - Bat 16 requesting Somers Rehab to the scene. Carmel VAC & Somers EMS have been requested to the scene.
06:49 - 1404 responding.
06:53 - 60 Control reports that YVAC is going to be transporting 3 with smoke inhalation shortly.
06:54 - Bat 16 requesting Con Ed Gas to the scene.
07:06 - 1404 on location.
07:07 - 60 Control advising Bat 16 that 80B2, 18-7-1 on scene. Bat 16 reports exterior operation, fire darkening down, making progress.
07:22 - U88 (RAC) responding.
07:31 - U88 on location.
07:36 - 2261 declaring the fire under control.
07:39 - Bat 16 requesting Code Enforcement to the scene.
08:01 - 2261 reports they have an excavator coming, the building has to be torn down for total extinguishment.
08:02 - 2261 requesting manpower from Continental Village & Putnam Valley to the scene.
08:15 - 2132 on location.
08:16 - E232 responding. (Originally called in as E231, later corrected they were in E232).
08:27 - 24-2-1 responding.
09:13 - Yorktown FD units released.
10:00 - C&O units returning.
10:09 - Bat 16 reports Red Cross is on location.
10:15 - Bat 16 going in service.
10:28 - Continental Village units in service.
10:45 - 2261 requesting Yorktown Water Department to the scene.
11:00 - Mahopac & Mahopac Falls FD units in service.
11:08 - E254 & TL45 responding on a CO investigation.
12:05 - All units clear from the scene. TL45 released from standby.

FIRST OFF: THIS IS NOT MEANT TO "BASH" ANY DEPARTMENTS! THIS IS JUST FUEL FOR THOUGHT/DISCUSSION.

I have been noticing myself getting quite frustrated lately while listening to different frequencies because I have noticed that a lot of the time (not all of the time), the first on scene Chief or Officer (paid or volunteer) does not give a scene size-up. Whether the call be for a residential alarm, reported smoke from the structure, possible fire of some sort, mva, rescue, etc scene size-ups can be very useful. It does not take more than a few seconds to tell dispatch or incoming units what you have been presented with and observed upon arrival. You can inform responders of building type (construction, stories, etc), exposure issues, visible smoke condition, etc. Giving responders the heads up can lead to a safer scene in general. It is always nice to not be caught of guard.
Now I know that at least on person will say, "You should know the building type or exposure issues for every house or building in your response area." All I can say is, chances are, there is not a single person who knows the construction type and exposures problems for every building in his or her district. Even if you do know everything about every building or house in your response area, I am sure that you would not object to a size-up or reminder. After all, even the best members, or the most senior members, or the members with the biggest ego's make mistakes and can confuse an address.
Just this weekend alone, I heard several departments get called to fires, mva's, or smoke from a structure call. I can count on three fingers how times the first on scene personnel gave a size-up that could be deemed useful by responding personal. I do not consider the common "On-scene, smoke showing, will be out investigating," a useful scene size-up. Especially if the dispatch information was for smoke from a structure. Wouldn't it be a good idea to let dispatch and incoming personnel know where the smoke is showing from (A, B, C, D sides, roof, basement, etc)?
As far as MVA's or PIAA's, scene size-ups can be VERY important. The first on-scene Chief or Officer can easily get on the radio and say, "On-scene...we have a 3 car mva w/ the occupants still inside of two vehicle, 3 walking wounded, one car overturned into ditch with all occupants out, there visible fire at this time. I will advise on extrication and additional equipment/manpower needs." This may not be a good scene size-up and may also be too wordy or lengthy. However, If I heard this while responding, I would know exactly the scene that I was responding to. Scene size-ups for MVA's and PIAA's can be given by either first on-scene FD or EMS personnel (or both). A secondary report could be given after contacting the patients that briefly describes the injuries. (Ie: "One female complaining of neck & back pain who is 9 months pregnant, two males with lacerations, one to the forehead and one to the abdomen, etc"
Has it been proven that size-ups are a waste of time or not useful?
Have first on-scene personnel become so busy that the 10 seconds needed for a "good" scene size-up no longer exist? Have new protocols been put into effect that keep these first on-scene personnel busy from the start?
Thank you to the Chief's and Officer's who consistently provide incoming personnel with detailed and useful scene size-ups!
Happy Monday!
FINALLY: This thread is not meant to bash any departments, it is simply a general observation and I feel is a thread worthy questions or topic of discussion.

John, you bring up a very important point and perfect expansion of the topic. As most of us are aware, in the FDNY, the IC is required to provide the dispatch center with regular progress reports. It's not uncommon to hear the city dispatcher calling the IC, or in many cases on multi-alarm incidents the MCP stating, " a progress report is due."
This is extremely important. The disptacher reminds the IC or MCP of the duration of the incident or fire. We all know how important this information is with regard to an interior attack, and how long structural components can reasonably be expected to last. In other words, the longer the duration, and with the regular updates being called for and required, it's a constant reminder to the IC as to how long the troops have been operating interior, and serves as a reminder as to when the "safe point" is passing for keeping the members within the structure, or gauging the time they should be pulled out, and exterior operations commenced.
I see absolutely no reason why 60-Control cannot enact a system and require Incident Commanders to provide those progress reports, and Control can be providing the IC with those regular reminders as to the length of time members have been inside, and length of uncontrolled burn time.
This is an item that 60-Control can be pro-active with. they can make it their policy that "this is the way it's going to be." That would require every department using 60-Control for dispatch to get on board. There shouldn't be an IC in the County that would be against a pro-active movement by the dispatch center that's going to send them 10 minute reminders for how long that fire is burning; and in ordinary and frame construction if that fire is burning out of control for more than 20 minutes, those firefighters should be getting pulled out. A smart IC would welcome this additional help from 60-Control.

Nah, I have to disagree. Since this thread is resisting going to a lighter tone (the jokes ain't workin') well then so be it.
This was a very immature move to "hang" this off the rig. I mean think about it. Little old ladies, moms with kids in their mini-vans (Mom:"look at the fire truck sweetheart!" Kids:"Uh mommy what's that thing on the back of the firetruck?" Mom red-faced and p!ssed-off:"Uhhh...uh"....as she looks in her speed dial for the mayor's cell phone number)
Okay so it's not appropriate for being on the apparatus. Mayor comes in (maybe he got a call of complaint about it) says "Chief, let's get that off the rig."
Chief moves it to another location ON the rig.
Mayor suspends chief.
LIke PEMO said "National attention" for this now. NOT good PR.
Any chief, volunteer or career that:
#1 saw this and obviously didn't disapprove
#2 received explicit instruction from the mayor to remove it
#3 moved it to another location on the rig
DESERVES a suspension. and if he doesn't grow up rather quickly is going to find himself OUT of his chief's vehicle.
Like the other posters in the thread have pointed out, with all the problems in the country, with all the pressures on municipal services, with all the stress, THIS ITEM shouldn't have become an issue, and now that it has, this chief will forever be tagged and associated with a very stupid act.

Sorry for jumping in so late in the discussion. but irish fire is right. I was on the job for 34 years and went to schools,seminars, etc. right up to the time I retired. Some of us go to these classes just to get certificates and unfortunately forget the course material in a week or two. On the other hand, you could have irishfire's attitude: Learn it from those who have been there> remember it> and put it in your back pocket because you might need it some time in the future when you least expect it. It should also come out of that back pocket every now and then for a review. Irishfire, Tommy Brennan would be proud of you.
And Barry: Mofire is young. Don't jump on him when he asks a question. All your information is absolutely correct, but as soon as you jumped on his case, you turned him off.
Cids (or whatever you may call buildings' info database) is a very time consuming effort and takes a lot of work by all members of a FD to initiate and then to keep current. Not a knock, but it is something that volunteer FDs just don't have the time or people to devote.
Everyone, paid or vol should find time to do company inspections, at least of your area's target hazards if nothing else. Wouldn't it be nice if your first time in a building is during a company inspection as opposed to 3an on your hands and knees?
And about that back pocket irishfire talked about...It's like a magic pocket. No matter how much "stuff" you put in it, it never gets full.
There...you got my two cents. Take it to heart and it may be worth a lot more to you

I listened to most of this call at the firehouse with a few others. I was impressed with the response by all involved and would like to give extra recognition to the dispatchers who were relaying information from the caller with statements like "the caller hears your sirens", "they're calling out for you", "they can see the helicopter now". While I put their statements in quotes, I can't be certain that those are exact quotes. Either way, their professionalism and help certainly speed up the rescue of the individuals.

Date:11/19/2010
Time:1531 hrs
Location: Croton Point Park - Tidal Marsh
Frequency: 46.26, Fire 10
Units Operating: 2081, 2082, Eng 120, TL-44, Rescue 18, 36- M1, 55-B2, Air-2
Weather Conditions: Cool, cloudy
Description Of Incident:
Subject and child stuck in the mud
1533: Dispatch for a person stuck in the mud
1534: Caller reports he is stuck knee to thigh high in the mud (victim is the caller)
1538: 2082 on location investigating -
1539: E120/R18 responding
1540: Updated location, behind the landfill, further towards the train station out on the point
1541: 2081 requesting County PD helicopter to locate victim
1546: Victim requesting Croton drive through the ball field to locate him and walk down the aqueduct trail
1551: Pt can see helicopter (Air -2) and is waving at them
1552: 2 individuals, 1 adult male, one 6 year old child (child not stuck)
1553: Croton FD can see victim, unsure how they are going to get to them
1554: Helicopter going to remove victim from the mud, adult in mud to his waist. Child just above ankles.
1555: EMS stage on the ball field for helicopter to drop victim off
1556: Air-2 made the pick, helicopter on way to the ball field
1558: TL 44 can return to service per 2082
1558: Air-2 offloading victim, situation undercontrol
Reporters:
Writer:

The Yorktown Fire District's southern lines are drawn in a manor that do not protect the citizens within its boundaries. I don't know many who will argue that Yorktown is a bad fire department. On the contrary, every time I've worked with them I've thought that they are professional, extremely well trained, and well staffed. At the same time, no one can argue that the membership base for the YFD is located north of the reservoir. There are areas of the district that are less than a mile from either of the Millwood stations where Millwood's membership is strong and able to respond within a timely manor. There are several areas that come to mind like the area of Shinglehouse Road in front of IBM where the YFD district begins, it's a mile from Millwood Station 1 and saturated with Millwood firefighters. On the other hand you can place a YFD substation on Rt134 a similar distance away that is in an area void of YFD firefighters. So maybe they'll get one or two members that live close, but by 2 in 2 out standards that apparatus will be useless until the remainder of their members arrive from north of the reservoir.
The answer here is to share a little more and spend a little less.
Yes as the lines are drawn, it is Yorktown's responsibility to provide protection to the ares south of the reservoir. Apparatus located in the vicinity without an abundance to staff that apparatus in a timely manor does not satisfy that responsibility. I would argue that responding from YFD HQ with a full crew that will be completely dressed and packed up when they arrive is more efficient than members driving their POV the same distance to arrive at a station and still have to don their PPV and respond in apparatus to the scene.
For many years MFC has indicated that they would respond to incidents on a dual response basis south of the reservoirs in conjunction with YFD. This same method works very well for Briarcliff and Millwood on the TSP south of Rt 100 where both are dispatched and those who are in need of aid receive it in a timely manor. I'm sure a similar arrangement can be worked out between MFC and YFD and even include a "mutual aid member" status for any YFD members who are in the area when a call comes in to respond on/with Millwood apparatus.

Heres a link to the photos I shot with audio from the fire: http://10-75.net/incidents/2010/afd3rdalm102210.htm

My issue has nothing to do with what happens in the firehouse. My dept. has actual leaders and followers, and rules and policies with discipline and consequences. Subsequently, most of our personnel remain completely professional most of the time. But not everything can be as black and white, such is the case with Facebook and other social media websites.
First, it's more to do with petty BS becoming and issue between personnel. The computer/texting/FB do not show emotions well. It's hard to tell when your getting you balls busted or someone's truly slamming you. It's also far easier for people to "say" what they think in a non-confrontational manner, then realize later that it may cause confrontation.
Second, there has been a plethora of media recently about firefighters/EMS personnel posting inappropriate things on FB and Youtube. Such as video of a fatal accident with graphic details, etc. Not only must administrations worry about HIPAA but also what we used to call morale responsibility. just because it's technically "legal" doesn't make it right. Posting pictures from an accident may not violate specific laws, but it violates the publics trust. We cannot afford to lose any more public support in these economic times. Not to mention just doing the right thing and being stand up people.
My third issue is the lack of camaraderie and a sense of "family" within the firehouse. In years passed, we watched TV, played cards, BSed and generally spent time as a group. Now everyone is off in their corner, texting away, talking on the phone or otherwise being a complete individual. This lack of a bond will erode the firehouse until we're just another group of employees. Gone are the days when this was a calling.
And last for now, is the silly thought that everyone must know everything about what everyone is doing. We used to call people who wanted to know all this stuff "busy body's" or "nosy", now it's mainstream to post that you had to double flush. Get over yourself, the people that really want or need to know already had plenty of mediums to keep track of your goings on.
This is just my opinion, you can't have it, it's mine and I don't care if you agree. I also won't be disappointed if you disagree, I'm a big boy now.
/rant

I’m not so sure facebook’s just a firehouse problem. There an addictive quality to the instantaneous posting/sharing of information about yourself/others. Society (the media, etc) has become more reliant on instant updates and facebook, twitter, etc. all feed right into that. Look near the bottom of this web page, and there's little buttons to let any one of us share this topic with others through a variety of feeds (twitter, facebook, digg, etc). It's not isolated to this site or fire-related sites. Just about any on-line news source provides these same options.
I teach in a high school and it’s obvious that students are nuts about facebook. I also see students regularly getting upset about what someone else posted, etc. Outside of school, I know a couple in the middle of a divorce and one of their issues is one person’s inability to stay off facebook.
My opinion is that people are more likely to post something on facebook that they would never say face-to-face about (or to) someone. Ironic since it’s called “face”book.

Seth,
Can't imagine the work that goes into running the site. Been a long time viewer, and have always enjoyed the content. The news, the photos, and the forum are always great. I would like to see you take a quick survey regarding a subscription fee. There are many good sites out there, and many charge a small fee. I would be more than willing to pay an annual subscription fee of $10 or $20, and I'm sure many would do the same.
It's a shame that a few jackasses have ruined the site and turned so many people off. You could always remove certain sections of the forum, or remove those posting offensive posts permanently from the forum/website. I have spent the last 23 years of my life in both the volunteer & career fire service. I've worked & volunteered in some of the smallest & largest fire departments in the country in a number of different states. I have found over the years that most of the people writing stupid posts, complaining about paid guys vs. vollies, pointing out idiotic "safety" concerns, etc. have no life and have no experience with which to back up their claims. I have been involved in teaching on the local, state, and national level since 1994. There are many great instructors from both paid & volunteer departments, who have a lot of training & experience to share with those willing to learn. I have met guys from all of the country that travel great distances, often on their own dime (just like I've done all these years) to learn new things from the best instructors & the best classes. It's people like that for which I thought this site was dedicated.
Brother, reconsider shutting down the site. Charge a small subscription fee. Dedicate the site to photos, training, learning, and sharing the brotherhood that makes the fire service great. Thanks.

Well, I didn't want to sully up the Dutchess thread, but I've been wanting to say FACEBOOK SUCKS for a long time. Reading that thread just gave me a reason to say it here.
I'm kinda flabbergasted by some of the comments over there. There are quite a few career guys here who make it a point to NOT bash volunteers. I count myself in that group. I've made friends with guys from both sides of the equation through EMTBravo.
Seth, I think if you want to try and bring members back who may be MIA these days, a good place to start would be to eliminate the "rep scoreboard." I love giving out rep points. I have to say, I have felt very gratified that people respected some things I have had to say or post, and gave me points. But I feel like my position on the "scoreboard" makes people NOT respond to things I post now. KEEP THE REP POINTS. Just do away with the scoreboard. PLEASE. This way we can give a good post a positive boost, and everyone can feel equally respected when that happens.
I know a few very smart and wise firemen and officers who come on here. One is just starting to bring his knowledge to the board. He worked in some of the busiest fire companies in the world, and also served as a volunteer in every rank from fireman to Commissioner. He doesn't distinguish who he is passing his experience and knowledge on to, career or volunteer it doesn't matter. That's the way most of the guys I know with far more experience and knowledge than I will ever have approach the volunteer/career issue. And I have always chosen the same path, just don't tread on us, and we won't on you. It's just a mutual respect thing that's all.
And some volunteers shouldn't be so sensitive when a guy like Chief Flynn starts asking questions. Right away they take it as bashing. It is about trying to see improvement in delivery of service to the people we serve/d. Career guys fight to improve the fire service. Some guys are more "in your face" style than others. But those guys can teach you a lot if you can let your guard down.
In closing I'd like to say once more how much I think Facebook sucks.

Time is relative.
What I do in my first two years in the department isn't the same as what you might do. You may spend your time taking classes, while I keep going to hands on drills and respond to 100 calls compared to your 10 calls. On election night, it's usually a popularity contest, and the best candidate doesn't always prevail.
Make it tougher to move up.
- Make it 5 years in the department to move up.
- Require XXX amount of classroom training hours.
- Require XXX amount of hands on training hours.
- Require a higher % of call response then the average member.
- Put them to the test at drills and calls, make them make decisions!
I believe that training lays the foundation, while experience and ability builds the house. I can sit in 100 hours of class on how to throw a ground ladder, but until I do it and master it, it's all just speculation as to what I can do.
Senior members and officers MUST mentor the younger guys to seek out the future leadership. All of us can look around our firehouse and see who is officer material, and who should be left on the apron every call.

Take a look and sign the petition to fight to keep standards in FDNY. Merit Matters.com is a sight set up by Deputy Chief Paul Mannix of the FDNY to make all aware how the NY City gov't should fight a recent ruling by a judge to hire those who simply did not make the grade! Why do some feel that lowering standards in the FD think its ok? Are standards lowered to be a lawyer,Doctor,pilot? Please visit the sight and support the fight!

Would you send untrained members into a fire or have untrained members operate an exrication tool? What harm could there be in that? What you do not know can hurt you. If those untrained ff's touch the double or triple action hatch it might release the remaining product. HM Techs are trained to not touch them, but to place dome cover clamps over them to prevent this from happening.
The law is pretty clear on this and allowing untrained members to do what you suggest is unacceptable.
1910.120(q)(6)(ii)
First responder operations level. First responders at the operations level are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures.
1910.120(q)(6)(iii)
Hazardous materials technician. Hazardous materials technicians are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping the release. They assume a more aggressive role than a first responder at the operations level in that they will approach the point of release in order to plug, patch or otherwise stop the release of a hazardous substance.
If you have to wait that long for Hazmat then maybe your dept needs a few techs to get started. What happens when you have something more hazardous than fuel oil? How can you determine if it is even safe to remain onscene or if you need to start a community evacuation or shealter in place?
Along the same line, do you send exterior only members in to start a search, because interior members are not ther yet?
What about intubating or start IV's on patients before medics arrive, because we cant wait till they get there?

Here's an idea that I have been tossing around, and have talked about with Seth. If there's no objections, I'd like to periodically post an incident scenario and get input from everyone on how they would handle it. We'll talk about what your initial response would be, what additional resources you would call, strategies to mitigate the situation and any other thoughts you might have.
For the first scenario, I'd like to offer up the following:
Date: January 26th
Time: 02:25
Weather: 24 degrees, light snow falling, there's about 6" of snow on the ground.
Location: IFO "35 Anyplace Avenue" - a residential street.
Dispatch Info: Your FD is dispatched with EMS for an overturned home heating oil truck, with the driver pinned in the cab.
Size-up Info: The truck is carrying a half load of #3 heating oil in the 1500 gallon tank, and it is leaking on to the roadway and into curb drains. The driver is semi-conscious with a lower leg fracture and is pinned in the cab. A simple door pop should get him out.
Here's the questions for you. Now remember, this is based on what you would do in your own area. (So don't assume an imaginary apparatus is coming!):
What apparatus respond initially?
How much manpower will you get?
How do you position the apparatus?
You're the IC, what is your Incident Action Plan?
What additional resources would you call?
Remember, this is a learning tool, so all ideas and input are welcome!

This is a good topic!
JFLYNN - excellent!
I'm not a career firefighter, but in the volunteer world I live in, I can tell you the difference between the "Senior Man" and the "Life Member."
The SM is a guy who has been around long enough to be trusted with just about any task. They unknowingly guide and lead younger guys at calls and drills. They'll give up the knob so someone with less time can get it. They'll show up to drills and offer to help with the evolutions, run the pump or put the aerial up and show others how to fly it. They're still coming to meeting nights and keeping quiet, only speaking up when the younger guys are missing the point or the older Life Members need a reality check. They quietly go with the flow, and have the respect for the Officers and Chiefs to tell them in private when they made a mistake or did a good job. They never seem to disrespect anyone of rank in front of younger, more impressionable members. They still get up at 2AM and man the Engine for a CO call when the younger guys feel they're too good to get out of bed for it.
Most importantly, in the volunteer world that I know, the best Senior Men always remember how it was, how it is, and how it will be. They respect those that were there before them and hold on to the good traditions, yet they don't put up a fuss when you change SOPs or mandate training because it will mean a safer tomorrow for everyone.
Nothing can replace the guidance of your Senior Man.
As for a "Life Member" vs. a "Senior Man," these are usually guys that "put their time in," and constantly remind you that "I don't have to do that anymore," and can always be found at the firehouse talking to others of "their kind" because the real players in the firehouse are usually out in the Engine Room checking the equipment or at the drill.
I will always feel priviledged to have grown up in a firehouse and a family with so many "Senior Men" who have mentored me and so many others into the members we are today. Their guidance and advice isn't just limited to the firehouse - it helps you in life altogether. These guys (in many cases whom have left this earth) had the sincerity, humbleness and pride that you just can't get out of most people today.
Don't take them for granted, because the day they're gone a piece of your firehouse is gone!

Date: 4/11/10
Time: 22:15 hours
Location: Grand St x Eldridge St
Frequency: FDNY Manhattan
Weather Conditions: humid, light drizzle
Description Of Incident: fire extended from the basement through the roof of a 6 story MD and into exposures 2, 2A, and 4. Companies initially unable to locate source of fire.
Reporters/Writer: ryang
Additional Info:
Chinatown, Manhattan, NY, 4/11/10
Address: 283 - 285 Grand St between Forsyth and Eldridge Sts
22:14 hours
Phone Box 259 - Report of smoke in the area
Engs. 9, 55, 15
T6, TL18
Battalion 4
10-75-259 - 22:16 hours
E28
T20 (FAST Truck)
Battalion 2
Squad 18
Rescue 1
Division 1
22:21 hours
Battalion 4: We're opening up at this time, we're trying to locate the source of the smoke. We're not sure if this is even the right building at this time. We have 1 line stretched, ready to go into operation.
22:25 hours
Division 1: We're going to change the address to 285 Grand St, we have a heavy smoke condition throughout the building, still trying to locate the source. 1 line stretched at this time, start out an extra engine and extra truck.
E7, L11 S/C
7-5-259 - 22:29 hours
DC1: We have a 20x80 mixed-occupancy type 6 story. We're still searching for the fire at this time. All-Hands at this time.
RAC1
Exposures are:
1 - street
2 - similar attached
3 - unknown
4 - similar
CIDs for 283 - 285 Grand St:
6 story 60x75 MD class 3. Rear fire escape. Solar panels on roof.
2-2-259 - 22:34 hours - Duration 20 minutes
Car 6 (AC James Esposito, Manhattan Borough Commander): Box 259, transmit a full 2nd alarm on this box, k. Box 259, right now we're using a 2nd alarm, heavy smoke in the cellar and 1st floor. Undetermined source of fire at this time, Trucks are still opening and searching for fire. This report by AC James Esposito, citywide tour commander.
Engs. 33, 5, 6, 10
E24 acting 9 w/ Satellite 1
TL9, L3 acting 6
Battalion 1 (Safety Officer)
Battalion 6 (Resource Unit Leader)
Safety, Rescue Battalions
Tactical Support 1
FieldCom, Command Tactical Unit
22:36 hours
Car 6: 2nd Alarm Box 259, 10-45 no code.
22:38 hours
Car 6: The satellite, let's get them on Grand St in front of the park on Eldridge, get the manifold set up right in front of the fire building. I want the two trucks into the command post ASAP, with their tools, k, they're going to work. Special call 1 additional truck on the 2nd
TL1 S/C
22:40 hours
The staging area is Grand St and Chrystie St
22:41 hours
Receiving apartment 4H at 45 Allen St reporting smoke.
22:42 hours
Car 6: Special call an additional truck above TL1.
L8 S/C
22:43 hours - Duration 29 minutes
Car 6: 2nd Alarm Box 259, another, 2nd, 10-45 no code
3-3-259 - 22:47 hours
Car 6: 259 box, transmit a full 3rd alarm. I want the entire third alarm to stage at the staging area
Engs. 4, 3, 16, 23 acting 55
L10, T5
Battalion 7
Battalion 35 (Staging Manager)
Battalion 43 (Air-Recon Chief)
Mask Service Unit

22:54 hours
Car 6: Have the 1st due trucks on the 3rd alarm respond in to the Command Post.
22:55 hours
Car 6: Call 2 trucks and have them go to staging.
TL21 acting 1, TL15 S/C
22:59 hours
Car 6: Give me 2 engines and 2 trucks off of staging, have them report in to the Command Post.
Engs. 4, 3, L10, T5 re-directed
23:00 hours
Car 6: Special call two Battalion Chiefs on this assignment, I want them at the command post.
Battalions 8, 57 S/C
23:00 hours
Battalion 31 replacing Battalion 57
4-4-259 - 23:01 hours
Car 6: Transmit a 4th Alarm! Have the 4th alarm report to staging, I have Battalion 35 at staging.
Engs. 8, 1, 54, 14
E262 w/ IMT Unit
TL7, TL12
Battalion 57 (Planning Sections Chief)
Car 4 (Chief of Operations Robert Sweeney)
Car 36B (Department Chaplain)
23:02 hours
Car 12A (Executive Assistant, Safety and Inspectional Services) is responding
Car 17 is 10-84
23:05 hours
FieldCom: 4th alarm Box 259, AC Esposito, Car 6, would like to request ConEd Gas and ConEd Electric to the scene, k.
23:08 hours
Fallback Step III has been implemented in the borough of Manhattan.
23:10 hours
Receiving report of person trapped in apartment 4C on the 6th floor
23:10 hours - Duration 57 minutes
FC: Progress report #6 on the 4th alarm Box 259, the correct address is 283 Grand St. Car 6, AC Esposito reports we have fire in the basement and 1st floor of the fire building, which is 283 Grand St, with possible extension into the 2nd floor. We have extension into exposure 2, which is 285 Grand St, into the 1st floor. They have 5 hands lines stretched and in operation, they are evacuating civilians from the upper floors, and they are getting water on the fire, primary searches are in progress, and the fire remains Doubtful Will Hold.
23:12 hours
Receiving apartment 14 at 285 Grand St reporting a person choking from smoke.
23:13 hours
FC: By orders of Car 6, AC Esposito, special call 2 Battalion Chiefs above the 4th Alarm.
Battalions 9, 32 acting 1 S/C
23:13 hours
Car 12 (DAC Stephen Raynis, Chief of Safety and Inspectional Services) is responding
23:16 hours
FC: Can you put in another call to ConEd, we need a supervisor forthwith and get an ETA
5-5-259 - 23:17 hours
FC: Per Car 6, AC Esposito, transmit a 5th Alarm!
Engs. 26, 226, 34 acting 24, 230 acting 10
6-6-259 - 23:23 hours
Engs. 205, 224, 210, 211
L154 acting 1, L24
23:26 hours - Duration 1 hour 12 minutes
FC: Progress report #7 for the 6th Alarm Box 259, at this time AC Esposito reports, 8 handlines stretched and in operation, fire on the 1st and 2nd floors of exposure 2, fire extended to the 3rd floor of the original fire building. Transmit 2 additional 10-45s, for a total of 4, still evacuating numerous civilians from the upper floors, and the fire remains Doubtful.
23:32 hours
Car 36A (Department Chaplain) is responding
23:34 hours
FC: Special call a 95 foot Tower Ladder, we need them to respond to Eldridge St adjacent to exposure 2.
TL14 acting 21 S/C
23:42 hours
FC: At this time the Chief of Operations, Chief Sweeney, is on scene. We have evacuated all members from the fire building and from exposure 2, and we are in the process of conducting a rollcall.
23:44 hours
Battalion 43 - Air Recon: Can you advise the FieldCom, from our vantage point we have heavy fire through the roof.
FC: Have the Air Recon Battalion switch to channel 5 while they conduct rollcall.
23:45 hours
Car 3 (Chief of Department Edward Kilduff) is 10-84
Car 1 (Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano) is responding
23:54 hours
Car 1E (Commissioner's Liaison) is responding
Car 14 (Chief Fire Marshal) is responding
7-7-259 - 23:55 hours
FC: At this time can you special call an additional FAST Truck, have them report to Battalion 9 on exposure 3. By orders of the Chief of Department, Chief Kilduff, transmit a 7th Alarm.
T118 (FAST Truck) S/C
23:56 hours
FC: By orders of Car 3, Chief Kilduff, we will only special call 2 engines.
Engs. 21 acting 15, 219 S/C*
((7th Alarm rescinded)
00:00 hours - 1 hour 46 minutes
FC: Progress report for the 6th Alarm Box 259, at this time Car 3, Chief of Department Kilduff reports they have heavy fire on all floors of the original fire building, and they have fire on all floors of exposure 2. They have 2 tower ladders set up and in operation: 1 on the fire building, and 1 on exposure 2. They have extension into exposure 2A, and have 3 handlines stretched into exposure 2A, and the fire remains Doubtful.
7-7-259 - 00:05 hours
FC: By orders of the Chief of Department, Chief Kilduff, transmit an additional alarm for the 7th alarm.
Engs 216, 258 acting 33, 271 acting 6, 202
L30 acting 3, TL146 acting 18
00:07 hours
FC: Can you special call an additional Deputy Chief.
Division 11 S/C
00:11 hours
RAC1: You're going to have to dispatch another RAC to the 7th Alarm here.
RAC2 S/C
00:27 hours
FC requests a mixer-off message.
00:33 hours
FC: Can you special call 1 additional battalion chief, have them report to the Command Post.
Battalion 44 S/C
00:46 hours
Receiving report of embers falling on Hester St between Eldridge and Forsyth Sts
00:46 hours - Duration 2 hours 32 minutes
FC: At this time Chief of Department Kilduff reports they have fire in exposure 2A on the 4th, 5th, 6th floors and in the cockloft, they have a tower ladder operation on the fire building, another tower ladder operating on exposures 2 and 2A. They had some extension into exposure 4 but that has been knocked down, and the fire remains Doubtful, k.
00:54 hours
FC: On the original 4 10-45 no codes, 2 of them are going to be code 2s (Red Tag, Immediate) and 2 will be code 4s (Green Tag, Minor).
01:14 hours
FC requests a mixer-off message.
01:25 hours
BC43 (Air Recon): Advise FieldCom we have re-fueled and are ready to take off again, ascertain if they have any special instructions and what handy-talky channel they want us to come in on.
01:26 hours
FC: You can notify the Air Recon as per the Chief they can go back in service.
01:35 hours - Duration 3 hours 22 minutes
FC: Progress report #10 for the 7th Alarm Box 259, the Chief of Department, Chief Kilduff, reports: at this time they have shut down all tower ladders, they have no visible fire in the original fire building, exposure 2, or exposure 2A. They are evaluating the structural stability of the original fire building and exposure 2, they will be going back to a handline operation in exposure 2A, and places the fire Probably Will Hold, k.
01:49 hours
FC: We have a correction on the 10-45s: originally we had a total of 4 1045s, it is now only 3. 2 will be code 2s, and 1 has been upgraded to a code 3 (Yellow Tag, Delayed).
01:51 hours
Rescue Battalion is 10-8 back to Citywide.
01:54 hours
Tactical Support 1 is 10-8 back to Citywide.
02:00 hours
Car 1 is 10-8.
02:12 hours - Duration 3 hours 58 minutes
FC: Progress report #11 on the 7th Alarm Box 259, the Chief of Department, Chief Kilduff, reports: at this time they have 1 tower ladder operating into exposure 2, they have 2 handlines stretched and in operation in exposure 2A knocking down pockets of fire in the shaft and cockloft, he's placing the fire Under Control, k.
Relocations:
Engines: 316/1, 292/3, 280/4, 271/6, 221/7, 24/9, 22/9, 306/22, 230/10, 35/10, 291/14, 21/15, 255/15, 319/21, 34/24, 325/24, 73/26, 237/28, 258/33, 259/33, 23/55, 74/55
Ladders: 21/1, 154/1, 115/1, 3/6, 30/3, 128/6, 163/7, 110/8, 16/11, 22/12, 111/15, 146/18, 119/18, 101/20, 14/21, 23/21, 54/14
Battalions: 32/1, 11/2, 10/4, 45/6, 52/8

Much can be learned about the transition in rank/supervisory duties at any level of size by taking a look at the military. As most already pointed out it can be very challenging when you transition in smaller departments when most of the persons you are going to now be supervising are your friends and even saw you do some of the smaller things that might not have fit so snug within the rules, regs or appropriate means of the fire service.
As with the military the rank structure does carry some weight and also changes the way in which persons speak to you by title. The only major difference is enlisted personal (at least in the Marine Corps) are also prohibited from calling each other by first name, last name only was appropriate. Once you reached NCO status, everyone called you by your title and last name, even if you were the same rank. Hence, Corporal Smith. Not just "Smith" by another corporal. This instills that the title is something of significance and demands the respect of such. I also feel that this holds true within the fire service where a Lt. should reference another Lt. as Lieutenant. Not Lieu..not "L.T.". Same things holds true with Captain. Obviously anyone of higher rank should always be called by title and last name. ALWAYS. To take it another step, I rarely if ever refer to a fire instructor who I am working with by their first name with students, I do not allow students to call instructors by their first name and I reference them either by Instructor XX or by the title they earned if they are on the job, Captain XX. I find it sets the example for students, particularly probies in the academy and demands respect of the service, the title and the discipline the fire service should have. Bottom line is this also, while you may be friends with some of them, those that are truly your friends and respect our job will give you the respect you deserve and if not they will quickly not be a friend and you will do your job as needed.
On a personal level when promoted in the service and assigned a team, squad or whatever the assignment, I generally had a meeting of just my personnel under my supervision. This often included guys who I was friends with and was going to stay friends with as I had bonds with outside of the tight comaraderie that occurs in operational military units. In the meeting, I would make it semi formal as I would take a position of authority either by having them sit, and me standing or having them directly in front of me as I would sit alone in front of them. I would lay out what my expectations are and in smaller unit levels would remind them that I am also not just there to supervise them, to get a job done, but also there for them when they have problems or concerns and that I would carry them to the appropriate level to get assistance or an answer and that I will be honest with them, but I demand honesty with them. Then once that was done, for the first couple of weeks, if any hiccups would occur I would do personal verbal counseling sessions to attempt to correct any issues that I had or were violations of rules and regs. From that moment on any additional would get the appropriate disciplinarian action. If there is one thing that I have learned that gains huge respect from your men is this:
1. They're not stupid. They knew who and what you were in the ranks. Come on too strong or holier then thou, they will become defiant. Also under this..there is a difference between leadership and management. Balance the 2 well they will go to war with you (in some cases for me that was literally).
2. Stand up for them and they will respond very well. Often another person of equal rank but of a different group or of a higher rank will want to take something on or go after a member of or your group directly. I would always, pull that person to the side and discuss it, even with higher rank, stay respectful of their title, but if they get it, they will realize that it costs you face and sometimes they need to be reminded that chain of command goes both ways and with same rank you are responsible for your people. I would then go back to them, reinforce that if they did something wrong, they were wrong, but that I spoke to the individual and that if that were to occur again that they were to report it to me, and not take it up with the other person. This builds face for you, shows you are involved in your group cohesiveness and shows other rank that you will not be walked on. The problem is you have to make sure you're people are up to snuff and doing their jobs or this is all for not. The only thing I ever found acceptable was to correct safety issues immediately but then those persons should come to me not only out of respect but to ensure I can supervise correctly and make sure it doesn't occur again. I also forgot that if your member was disrespectful..to ensure you deal with that immediately and sternly.
3. Let them do their jobs..and let them invest in what you need to get done. If your not afraid of how you will look by delegating they will like it and helps them build into getting promoted and the skills necessary to do so the right way. Maximize your people with their potential and pair those up with them who are not so they learn a new skill/process. It will come around full fold if that 1 person who is good at something isn't there when you need them.
4. Know how to identify when its time to be your rank/last name and when its time to be joe blow. I always looked at it this way. In uniform or official FD function in plain clothes...title. Non FD function, first name. Again friends who have respect will get this also.
Just a few and I could go on...but some probably stopped reading already.

This was a great topic to start. To try and analyze the supervisor/firefighter relationship is very difficult, especially to someone who does not reside within the ranks of our respective profession. In other professions you do not eat three meals a day with your boss. You don't reside in the same building a few nights a week. Above all, you do not enter into hazardous environments with your boss. I believe that the underlying concept of the brotherhood and the responsibility we have for one another transcends rank, to some degree.
I'm simply a fireman, no bars for this guy. Not yet at least and I like to think that I pay attention to the dynamic and here is are my observations. In New York City, following promotion, you are indeed removed from your immediate work environment to attend FLiPs. Once you complete that schooling, you are assigned to a division and often a Boro that is different from where you served as a fireman. Suddenly everyone calls you "Lou" and you are responsible for EVERYTHING that happens with that company during the tour. I have to imagine that this does help the transition since, in all likelihood, no one at that company knows you as anything other than a boss. However, you knew yourself as fireman, so I would imagine that it is a difficult internal transitions to make. Would I be wrong to assume that the first promotion is the most difficult to adjust too?
In my limited experience, the best bosses are rarely feared, sometimes loved and always respected. In our system, we live in the same house as officers, right up to the rank of Deputy Chief. There should be a mutual respect between the rank and file and the boss. He is the superior officer. He has gained rank and with that comes responsibility and that should not be challenged by the lesser rank. From his perspective, you cook his meals, make up the rack for him and clean his office. To some degree, as you move past the Co. Commander (Capt.) and on to chief, he spends a lot less time with the men, but the best officers know how to balance their time. They know just how much time to spend in the kitchen and the sitting rooms with the men. They know whey to just head up to the office and stay there. In the best scenario, the men know when to let the officer lead and when to settle issues in such away as not to trouble the officer. I have always been told that in a perfect world, the men run the house and the officer runs the company.

You are so right. It's really difficult to make the transition into a leadership role on the smaller jobs, and I imagine in volunteer departments as well. In the City, they transfer you out of your Battalion, your Division, your Borough in most cases right?
Take a small job with five firehouses and 70 members. Where are you going to go and make the change? Right in your same five houses, with the same 70 members.
Now you go to FLiPs, come back, in my case with two bars on the collar. That went over well at Randall's Island too. There was a guy in Flips from upstate that was a chief. Firefighter to chief. Talk about a leap. I spent half the time I was at the Rock explaining why we didn't have Lieutenants at the time. Now the job has Lts, much better transition for a firefighter to go to company officer then to tour command, than to skip the company officer part. But a lot of us do/did.
Even jobs like FDMV, NRFD; they aren't so huge that you can take a new officer and start over in a whole new environment. You want to practice the book and try to live by it.
But you get back, with all the knowledge you've absorbed from Flips, even though much of the classtime was devoted to FDNY operations, and now your brothers are calling you sir and you have a new level of performance you have to bring to the job every day.
It gets tested, guys have issues, problems arise, how do you handle them, do you help the brothers stay out of trouble, do you become hard nosed, do you want to be loved or feared?
I always took the meaning of my job to protect my guys as just that. Protect them in every possible way I could, so they could go home at the end of their tours to their families. There's a way to ensure bail-out systems get inspected and serviced regularly, and the members get to be trained and retrained. Commanders just have to be enabled with the authority and responsibility to carry it out. Too much micro-management on smaller jobs. Too many times a tour commander will get squeezed between a chief and his squad.
A really good boss will give the tour commander the authority, he'll pass it to company officers and the whole system works like it supposed to.
Good judgement by the commander is neccesary; we can't take our leadership roles to the extremes; laxidical or authoritarian.
In some cases if it isn't going well for a leader, it's because they can't listen and adapt to what is being told to them. A good commander is a good listener, in my opinion.

Date: 4/1/10
Time: 15:55 hours
Location: W43 st between 10th and 11th Aves
Frequency: FDNY Manhattan
Weather Conditions: clear
Description Of Incident: fire in the Amtrak tunnels creating heavy smoke condition
Reporters/Writer: ryang
Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, NY, 4/1/10
Location: W43 st between 10th and 11th Aves
Affected addresses: 501 through 515 W43 st
Box 798
Engs. 54, 26, 65
TL21, L4
Battalion 9
Rescue 1 (1st due)
10-75-798 - 15:56 hours
E1
L24 (FAST Truck)
Battalion 8
Squad 18
Division 3*
Tentative 1st alarm assignment, other boxes in the area
7-5-798 - 15:58 hours
Battalion 9: Right now we're using All-Hands, we have the fire between two buildings, looks like it's in the Empire Line, we're waiting for confirmation of power off and awaiting the arrival of a few more trucks so we can search the buildings.
RAC1
15:58 hours
TL12 S/C
16:02 hours
BC9: Relay to Division 3, 500 W43 st is being searched, also 503 and 501 W43 st, we will have other buildings as we go along. They're all residential at this time. 500 W43 st has an underground parking garage that we're searching now.
16:04 hours
BC9: We have 1 line stretched to what appears to be a shanty beneath the tracks that is burning, trying to put water on the fire.
2-2-798 - 16:10 hours
DC3: Transmit a 2nd alarm! Also we have to evacuate the address 515 W43 st due to heavy smoke condition
Engs 40, 8, 21, 16
E9 w/ Satellite 1
L2
Battalion 2 (PSCC Liaison)
Battalion 11 acting 9 (Safety Officer)
Battalion 10 (Resource Unit Leader)
Rescue, Safety Battalions
Tactical Support 1
FieldCom, Command Tactical Unit
16:12 hours
Box is now being carried as an "in-transit" fire
E34 (FieldCom Satellite Co)
E28 (Nolan Cart transporter)
E33 w/ High-Rise 1
SOC Rebreather 1
Mask Service Unit
16:18 hours
As of 16:16 hours, Amtrak reports 3rd rail power has been removed, and catenary power has been removed and grounded
16:21 hours
E3 available replacing E33
16:22 hours - Duration 37 minutes
DC3: We have water on the fire at this time, it's darkening down. Still not Under Control.
16:25 hours
Battalion 49 is 10-8 in Battalion 8's response area
16:32 hours
The staging area is W42 st and 11th Ave
16:32 hours
E221 is relocating to E21
16:34 hours
DC3: Have the High-Rise come in with the fans off 11th Ave.
16:35 hours
L154 is relocating to L2
E312 is relocating to E8
16:38 hours
E58 is 10-8 in E26's response area
16:45 hours
E10 is 10-8 in E54's response area
16:48 hours
DC3: Have E28 report to the command post.
16:49 hours
Battalion 32 is 10-8 in Battalion 9's response area
16:51 hours - Duration 1 hours 5 minutes
FieldCom: Progress report for your 2nd alarm Box 798, the address 515 W43 between 10th and 11th Aves, at this time Division 3 reports 2 lines stretched, 2 in operation. He has a fire in a shanty under 515 W47. He has 3 lines stretched in the railroad corridor, 1 line stretched in 515 W43. Fire is darkening down. Heavy smoke condition in 515 W43 st, and this fire's Doubtful, k. Special call 2 additional trucks and have them report to the command post.
TL7, L3 S/C
16:54 hours
Car 10 (DAC Kevin Butler, Bronx Borough Commander) is responding
16:56 hours - Duration 1 hour 11 minutes
FC: Progress report for your 2nd alarm Box 798, the address 515 W43 between 10th and 11th Aves, at this time Division 3 reports all visible fire has been knocked down, still searching for small pockets of fire, the two additional trucks will be used for overhaul, and the fire is Doubtful.
17:00 hours
FC: Exposure 3, 501 W42 st, they have high CO levels, and L2 will be heading over to check it out
17:04 hours
TL146 is relocating to TL7
T6 is 10-8 in L3's response area
17:18 hours - Duration 1 hour 33 minutes
FC: Progress report for your 2nd Alarm Box 798, Division 3 reports all visible fire has been knocked down. Still trying to get to a few pockets of fire, some in the railroad ties. Primary searches in the railroad cut and in 515 W43 st are complete and negative and places this fire Probably Will Hold.
17:28 hours
Command Tactical Unit is 10-8
17:30 hours - Duration 1 hour 45 minutes
FC: As per Battalion 11, in Exposure 3, 501 W42 st, the CO levels are dropping down to below 100 ppm at this time
17:47 hours - Duration 2 hours 2 minutes
FC: Progress report for your 2nd alarm Box 798, Car 10, DAC Butler, reports secondary searches are in progress in 515 W43 st. We had flooding conditions into 515 W43 st and this fire is till Probably Will Hold. Also can we have Buildings Dept. respond to check the stability of 515 W43 st
17:49 hours
Squad 18 is 10-8
17:50 hours
FC: In exposure 3, 501 W42 st, CO levels are down to 0, Battalion 11 is taking up and returning to the original fire building. Also can we get an ETA for Buildings, we need them to check the stability of the columns underneath the building.
17:51 hours
Buildings Dept. reports a supervisor en-route
17:54 hours
L16 is 10-8 in TL21's response area
18:02 hours - Duration 2 hours 17 minutes
FC: All members are off the track. We're going to start letting transit send trains through, k.
18:04 hours
FC: The only track we're going to open up will be track number 2.
18:11 hours 2 hours 26 minutes
FC: Progress report your 2nd alarm, Car 10, DAC Butler, reports: We will change the address of the building to 515 W43 st. All searches in the building are complete and negative. The CO levels in 501 W42 st are down to 0, and fire's Under Control.

Date: 3/31/10
Time: 20:55 hours
Location: 1115 Manhattan Ave x Clay St
Frequency: FDNY Brooklyn
Weather Conditions: overcast
Description Of Incident: heavy fire on arrival with people trapped in a 3 story MD
Reporters/Writer: ryang
Additional Info:
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY, 3/31/10
Address: 1115 Manhattan Ave @ Clay St
20:55 hours
Phone Box 46 - Report of fire on the 2nd and 3rd floors
Engs 238, 258, 229
T106, TL115
Battalion 45
10-75-46 - 20:55 hours
E259
TL146 (FAST Truck)
Battalion 35
Rescue 4
Squad 252
Division 11
20:56 hours
Report of people trapped on the 3rd floor
2-2-46 - 20:59 hours
Battalion 45: Box 46, second alarm! We have heavy fire on the 3rd floor, reports of people trapped! We have a 3 story frame.
Eng. 221, 216, 206, 260
E207 w/ Satellite 6
L128, T104
Battalion 8 (Safety Officer)
Battalion 28 (Resource Unit Leader)
Safety, Rescue Battalions
Tactical Support 1
FieldCom
RAC4
Exposures are:
1 - street
2 - street
3 - unknown
4 - unknown
21:02 hours - Duration 9 minutes
BC45: Transmit 10-45 code 2 (Red Tag, Immediate)
21:03 hours
Staging Ares is Manhattan Ave and Freeman St
21:03 hours
Car 1H (Commissioner's Liaison) is responding
Car 4C (DAC Ronald Spadafora, Deputy Assistant Chief of Operations - Logistics) is responding
21:09 hours - Duration 16 minutes
Division 11: 2nd Alarm Box 46, all visible fire on the 3rd floor has been knocked down. Primary search is negative on the top floor and 2nd floor, the 10-45 is still being evaluated by EMS, going to remain Doubtful at this time.
21:13 hours
E202 is 10-8 in E229's response area
21:19 hours
E219 is 10-8 in E216's response area
21:21 hours - Duration 28 minutes
FieldCom: Progress report for your 2nd alarm Box 46, the address 1115 Manhattan Ave, that's off of Clay St, Car 4 Charlie, DAC Spadafora reports he has a fire in a 3 story class 3 25x80. Car 4 Charlie, DAC Spadafora, reports: he has 3 lines stretched, 2 in operation, all visible fire has been knocked down, primary searches on the 2nd and 3rd floor are complete and negative. Primary searches in exposure 4 are underway, it's a similar attached. Probably Will Hold.
21:24 hours
Rescue 4 is 10-8 back to Queens
21:28 hours
E236 is 10-8 in E206's response area
Rescue Battalion is 10-8 back to Citywide, Battalion 8 is 10-8 back to Manhattan
21:30 hours - Duration 36 minutes
FC: Progress report for your 2nd Alarm Box 46, 1115 Manhattan Ave near Clay St, that was a fire in a 3 story class 3 25x80, at this time Car 4C, DAC Spadafora, reports secondary searches throughout are complete and negative, and place this fire Under Control.

This is true and a secondary panic avoidance-type break is a good idea. I'd never heard of that before.
This device has been deployed several times and was first used (member actually out the window on rope) about three years ago. He was a seasoned guy, 25 years give or take, and he was able to use it successfully. He did burn his hands in the process. 2 things to take away from this:
One, obviously he found it easier and necessary to remove his gloves. Although we train with our gloves on, in reality, you just might pullem' off. The oven mitts they issue are poor at best. More importantly, if his hands were burned at the height of the window sill, how hot do you think it was to chase him out the window.
Considering that this device has clearly saved lives, it is something that everyone who will be in the building should have. You should be extremely proficient in it's use and mindful of the condition you keep it in. You owe it to yourself, your family and (very sadly) all of the brothers who's lives might have been saved by this device and who's passing created the urgency to provide these devices to the rest of us.
Train regularly as ALS said. I'd say 6 months is a good time frame. Mark it on the drill calender, "practice bail-out and repack personal systems".