batt2

I posted this photo because I believe this method of construction has implications to firefighters. Many methods of construction are adept at holding up the load under normal circumstances. I beams are very strong and are widely used in buildings. (And they are usually enclosed in a protection membrane or coated with a fire retardant.)
The method of construction in this picture has obviously worked for many years and probably will hold the load under normal circumstances. That said, I find concern that during a fire, the unprotected steel could cause collapse to the building it supports. A fire in the building to the left or an auto fire underneath could easily cause failure of the I beam. Firefighters responding at night in the building to the left might not immediately see that the building to the right is held up by steel which is being heated up.
Recently at a fire in Yonkers, a cockloft fire heated an I beam and pushed out a parapet wall, narrowly missing some firefighters. Steel elongates once heated. "Heated to 1000 deg. F, a steel member will expand 9 1/2 inches over 100 ft. of length...at temperatures above 1000 deg. F,...steel starts to soften and fail, depending upon load." (* p.272)
*All serious firefighters should read "Building Construction for the Fire Service" by Francis Brannigan. Chapter 7, titled "Steel Construction" is particularly relevant to this discussion. Be safe.

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

Those collars were fabricated by a YFD member.
Absolutely. As mentioned in the original post, the agencies involved all contributed to a succesful outcome!

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

Ex-Bn 33 (now owned by an Hon. Deputy Chief)

Took advantage of the beautiful morning today and did a little catch up of FDNY

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

It hurts my heart to see that we have lost so many Brave Brothers and Sisters already this year. One Law Enforcement death is too many. Be vigilant my brothers and sisters. Get back to basics, it's about US first... Our safety is PARAMOUNT TO ALL ELSE. I've been on the job 12 years now and I try to look over the new guys and try to correct any tactical mistakes that they make and I urge all veteran cops to keep an eye on the new guys... the one tactical suggestion that you make to a new cop may be the one that saves his life one day.
God Bless Our Fallen Officers... You have my love, honor, admiration and respect... You are true heroes. Gone But NEVER Forgotten.

The other day, the snowy commute proved horrendous. At the rollover between Peekskill Hollow and Bryant Pond Roads, so many Good Samaritans intervened and helped a hurt, scared lady who skidded off the road in her minivan and came to a stop on the vehicle's side against a tree.
Thank you to the off-duty EMT I saw running into the woods toward her vehicle. Thanks to the guy trained as a first-responder who also was a life-long Boy Scout who just wanted to help if he could. Thanks especially to the several off-duty NYSTroopers who stopped, provided invaluable scene safety (with loaned flares- ahem) and helped to speed up the BLS response. And thanks, George the medic, for getting there to relieve me and allow me to get to work in the local ER (looking and feeling much like a wet, half-drowned rat).
Evereytime I start to think that people in general just suck and don't care about anyone but themselves, Good Samaritans like the ones I met the other day prove me wrong and restore my faith in mankind.
Thanks, all of you, for that.

No, he was off. Ironically, he and R1's Captain looked at the scaffold the other day and pre-planned it. But neither were working. The man who went down on the rope, FF Mike Giroux is one of the best. He has trained extensively with the YFD, the FDNY Rescue and others and is well thought of by our members.

No, he was off. Ironically, he and R1's Captain looked at the scaffold the other day and pre-planned it. But neither were working. The man who went down on the rope, FF Mike Giroux is one of the best. He has trained extensively with the YFD, the FDNY Rescue and others and is well thought of by our members.

No, he was off. Ironically, he and R1's Captain looked at the scaffold the other day and pre-planned it. But neither were working. The man who went down on the rope, FF Mike Giroux is one of the best. He has trained extensively with the YFD, the FDNY Rescue and others and is well thought of by our members.

No, he was off. Ironically, he and R1's Captain looked at the scaffold the other day and pre-planned it. But neither were working. The man who went down on the rope, FF Mike Giroux is one of the best. He has trained extensively with the YFD, the FDNY Rescue and others and is well thought of by our members.

No, he was off. Ironically, he and R1's Captain looked at the scaffold the other day and pre-planned it. But neither were working. The man who went down on the rope, FF Mike Giroux is one of the best. He has trained extensively with the YFD, the FDNY Rescue and others and is well thought of by our members.

No, he was off. Ironically, he and R1's Captain looked at the scaffold the other day and pre-planned it. But neither were working. The man who went down on the rope, FF Mike Giroux is one of the best. He has trained extensively with the YFD, the FDNY Rescue and others and is well thought of by our members.

No, he was off. Ironically, he and R1's Captain looked at the scaffold the other day and pre-planned it. But neither were working. The man who went down on the rope, FF Mike Giroux is one of the best. He has trained extensively with the YFD, the FDNY Rescue and others and is well thought of by our members.

He was the senior Supervising Dispatcher in the city at the time of his passing. He voluntarily demoted himself from Chief Dispatcher to Supervisor in 2002 to better provide for his family. I had the opportunity and pleasure to work with, and for Dennis for a number of years up in the Bronx. In addition to the street renaming, a Yankee jersey, Number 22 is hanging up on the wall of the Bronx CO, and his dispatcher number will be officially retired tomorrow as well. I learned more about being a boss by watching him than I ever have, and learned a lot about the Bronx in a few short years. We could throw out a location that we weren't sure of, and he could give us the Box number and assignment like it was second nature. Hey Doc!!! Mosholu Parkway just north of Gun Hill??? Box 8992, 79 Engine, 37 Truck, and the 52's. As The former Dispatcher "Tree Tree Oh, K" now, One Two Six would say, "He was the computer before there was a computer." He is truly missed by his friends, family and colleagues. I think the changes that have been going on in the job today would break his heart. RIP, DOC, you were one of a kind. And to quote him, channeling Vincent La Guardia Gambini, "And I'm done with this one!!!!"
Jimmy JBE Raftery
Supervising Dispatcher #47
FDNY Manhattan/Citywide Operations
Bronx Alumni 1997-98, 2002-2004, 2005-2009

The first set of decals is on, the second set will be white lettering and metallics. The Bare Metal Foil application was tricky, I haven't done it in such a long time. Besides finishing the decals, I need to add mirrors, an access ladder, scene lighting and other fixtures, and miscellaneous details. I also need to paint and install the various doo-dads and gadgets I made for the compartments. I probably won't make the February 28 deadline, but I'm in no rush. ;D

In Memoriam – NEW YORK'S HEROES
Police Officer Gary Stymiloski
Westchester County Parkway Police Department
End of Watch: Sunday, February 24, 1985
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 157
Cause of Death: Traffic Stop
Date of Incident: Sunday, February 24, 1985
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Alex Mengel who was shot and killed trying to escape from police custody while being transported back from Canada where he fled after killing PO Stymiloski and a civilian in an unrelated incident.

Police Officer Gary Stymiloski died from injuries sustained when he was shot during a traffic stop alongside the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers NY. A lifetime resident of Yonkers, Officer Stymiloski was a graduate of Gorton High School. After a brief period in the private sector, Gary embarked upon a career in law enforcement. His first position was as a Police Officer with the Sloatsburg, New York Police Department. On September 27, 1982, Gary became one of the first Police Officers with the newly formed Westchester County Department of Public Safety Service. Gary's talents as an officer were recognized early. He was assigned to the narcotics squad of the Detective Unit and worked undercover assignments. His work was exemplified by winning the title of Police Officer of the Year 1984 by the Westchester County Police Pulaski Association. When Gary's assignment to the Detective Division concluded, he was assigned to the Patrol Division.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.