gpdexplorer

A good senior man is an experienced firefighter who will take younger firefighters under their wing and show them the ropes. He in understanding of the younger guy/gal, with out babying them, and knows it takes time to get it right, but lets them know what when they are f***ing up and shows them how to fix it. A good senior man isn't afraid to get down and dirty, but also lets the younger guys get in and go to work without putting them in a place they aren't ready for. The senior man doesn't necessarily have to have the most time in, because let's be honest a lot of the older guys around the firehouse are exactly the best role models on the fire ground. The senior man, while packed with knowledge, is humble and always willing to learn and train.
I consider the "senior men" to be such because they demonstrate the above, when I first started out, there were a group of guys who would show me what to do and how to do it. When it came to go out and jobs they would let me shadow them and when they thought I was ready for something, they would give me a shot at it. Then there weree clearly the other older guys who could swear up and down that they could teach every class out there and but never came out to drill.
My 2 Cents for now.

I come from upstate, where there are more brush fires and the fires are more intense. The difficulty of putting a forest fire is surmountable to that of putting out a structural fire. The manpower needed, water resources, apparatus, etc. Never mind the havoc and chaos that comes with any complex incident.
The use of the master streams at this call happened to work out in Hawthorne's favor. Generally speaking, master streams do not work well in wooded areas. Trees often get in the way and prevent massive water flow. Hand lines work well, but as previously stated in HFD2198's post, they only stretch so far. I'm not saying don't use these resources, it's just that there is a time and place for them. Open fields are better suited for master streams, and hand lines for level-ground wooded areas close to the apparatus.
Also remember that there are many other tools at a firefighter's disposal at wild fires. Rakes and shovels can be used to create small fire breaks against low-to-the-ground grass involvement, and larger fire breaks can be made by cutting down trees and larger vegetation (using chainsaws, bulldozers, etc.). The use of backpack tanks and water cans can go a long way, too. It may also be a good idea to use ATV's or qualified brush trucks or mini-attacks.
As mentioned in several of the previous posts, yes, the presence of live power lines is a major hazard. Remember, though the power line is live, you can safely work around it. It is just like any other hazardous condition, and a perimeter needs to be set up around it before beginning/continuing work on the scene. Setting up that perimeter is crucial to firefighter safety and to the firefighting effort, because an unchecked wild fire, like the one in Hawthorne, can spread fast. In this case it spread quickly up the hill. Stopping a wild fire before it gets to that point requires less resources, never mind the fact that you are saving that much more property, or in a worse scenario, preventing major fire losses.
But the number one thing that everyone needs to remember about wild fires (or any fire for that matter) is that you need people to put it out. If you know the fire is going to get away from you, or if it's already at that point, don't be afraid to call in extra resources. Let's put it into perspective: Would you try to extinguish a fully involved 2 1/2 story wood frame home with just an engine and a ladder? The key to any incident is having enough manpower to accomplish all tasks in your incident action plan. Not all fire departments are self-sufficient, and we all know how many people show up on a [volunteer] first-due at 1400 hours on a Wednesday. I'll reiterate; do not be afraid to call for more resources. Call in the extra staff and equipment early on, because you can always send them back if you don't need them.

I just wanted to take a minute to thank all the dispatchers at Westchester County Fire Control (60 Control) for all their hard work and patience throughout the last 48 hours. It's hard enough to juggle a couple of calls at the same time, let alone multiple calls by multiple agencies for a prolonged amount of time. Great job 60 Control Dispatchers you continue to impress the responders with your knowledge and professionalism on the radio at all hours of the day or night.
THANK YOU AGAIN
Brian McGill
Chief Bedford Hills Fire Department

As said, outstanding work by the staff at 60 control, as well as all the dispatchers of the other agencies in the area. Without you, our jobs would be impossible. Our hats off to you.

Thank you. I was going to just let this float off the board, what with this crazy day and the "big statement" this pilot had to make about his problems with the gov't.
Anyway, since I have this shared moment in the "spotlight" with a suicidal bass player (ironic if you look at my photo holding a guitar for Chr*st sake, but that's how it goes right?)
I want to talk a bit about the members you mentioned here, all of the members here are included in this sort of critique if you will, but I'm just going to wing it, and do the best I can with it.
First, there's Seth. Here he is today, in the heart of the madness in the country for today, just like he mentioned being in NY for 9/11. Can't the big stuff just leave the guy alone?
Seriously though, I'm here posting on a website that he created, and too often we take him for granted and some are critical because he shows his raw emotion at times. Seth, we know you've been through some tough sh*t in yor day, and you bounced back and gave us all a place to spend our time and share our thoughts. So thank you brother.
I'm no shill but come on guys, this site is growing in popularity and activitiy, and professionalism, and technical advancement. You think this is all a freebee? Some of y'all need to man up and help the guy out with some finances.....kay 'nuff said.
Chris192, flyin over all of us, keepin an eye and keepin it real. Stay safe up there bro.
Then we get to Chief Raftery. Why first amongst the posters? Cause the man earned it, that's why. Deputy Chief, college degree in fire science, published in fire engineering, one of the wittiest b@st@rds to ever post here. I'm proud to say he's a legacy of the Eastchester fire Dept, his dad worked there, I know cause I looked at his picture often in our headquarters. And here he comes on this board, modestly at first, then blasting us with that witt and wisdom he has been famous for his whole career. Thank you chief, for continuing your service, even now. And you're right, you cant get a good loaf of bread south of Philly.
Captain Nechis. Where does one start. I mean I'm old school, even though I'm still technically young. Then I meet Barry some years ago. And he starts going on about SEMO and FEMA and who the heck, and what the h*ll, and I'm like "this guy eats fire department". I'm telling you, now with this consolidation study out; you see who was involved big time right? Captain Nechis knows more in his sleep then I ever knew about the fire service. He even recerted my cpr, thanks Cap.
Chief Flynn. I never met you sir, but I have to say if you were my boss you'd have my respect. I know alot of the volunteer members here get crawly skin when you bring things up. You do stir the pot and post provocative questions. Your last name should be Johnson cause you invented the QTIP. I have NEVER met a Yonkers firefighter who didn't have a very large heart inside that gruffness. Truly a great bunch of gentlemen, from Chief Fitz to Batt 2 (I met Dennis smith once and invited Batt 2 to come, but he dissed it, haha too bad I got his autograph Kieron!) to YFD910 MY BROTHER, YFD610 who has shut up ever since chief flynn told him too (good job probie lol) love ya.
16fire5, M'Ave, our brothers from NYCEMS, it's truly an honor to have FDNY members particpate in this forum imho. You are a great job, the greatest job, lucky b@stards, stay safe all of you.
The volunterer members I communicate with in private and discuss training and fireground; gentlemen. Thank you for the respect, it comes right back at ya.
ALSfirefighter (BNechis blood relative, he just don't know it) dude, 3,000+ posts? How are dem fingers holdin up?
Chr*st, we even got a Canadian comin' down here with his "I pay for my own meals" thing goin' on, his extremely proud Class A photo. You GOTTA love that guy! Welcome Nova Scotia, the most beautiful Province. how's that medals count goin' for y'all? (just kiddin bro).
A guy from England named after 10 house. I seen them guys at the funerals. Very cool. Wish I had a chance to get England and check out Big Ben and Parliament, and then hit the pubs for a straight 24.....
All y'all. I don't wanta wind it out too far here. It's cool that I got 100 posts, but truly, if you want to look for the knowledge on this board, it's all of you combined. I'm just a knucklehead (ask ANYBODY from my job), it's good to be alive, f*** flyin a plane into a building it ain't that bad.
And the lurkers out there, chiefhac and elvis, two guys that eat fire department and had the most amazing careers, if you guys ever start posting, the whole game is gonna change here.
~Firematically,
Captain George Glover (ret)
EFD

I just wanted to congratulate efdcapt115 for being the first member to earn a reputation of 100. He provides excellent info and insight to the members of this forum. Being a younger member of the fire service, we learn a lot from the posts of the more experienced and knowledgable members of this site. I wish him continued success here.
I would also like to thank all of the other members who post here, as there are several other members who will be reaching the 100 mark soon. These are the guys that really make EMTBravo what it is.
Thanks again.

I just wanted to congratulate efdcapt115 for being the first member to earn a reputation of 100. He provides excellent info and insight to the members of this forum. Being a younger member of the fire service, we learn a lot from the posts of the more experienced and knowledgable members of this site. I wish him continued success here.
I would also like to thank all of the other members who post here, as there are several other members who will be reaching the 100 mark soon. These are the guys that really make EMTBravo what it is.
Thanks again.

I just wanted to congratulate efdcapt115 for being the first member to earn a reputation of 100. He provides excellent info and insight to the members of this forum. Being a younger member of the fire service, we learn a lot from the posts of the more experienced and knowledgable members of this site. I wish him continued success here.
I would also like to thank all of the other members who post here, as there are several other members who will be reaching the 100 mark soon. These are the guys that really make EMTBravo what it is.
Thanks again.

Bout time you introduced yourself buddy!
Welcome to our newest members. You will see there is a lot of excellent knowledge passing through these forums.

This past week, 21 firefighters and myself completed Firefighter 2 at the Westchester County Fire Training Center. I'd just like to take a moment to thank our instructors, Tom MacPherson, Bill Dingee, Ralph Stupple, Pete Bertocchi, and John Baker. These instructors dedicated so much of their time to educating us, as well as firefighters across Westchester and beyond. The instructors that teach us often go unthanked for their diligent work and effort. I just felt it important to recognize them for their dedication to educating us.
Congrats to the rest of my classmates, you all worked hard this week, braving the sub-0 wind chills and lots of ice to better yourselves. Excellent work.

This past week, 21 firefighters and myself completed Firefighter 2 at the Westchester County Fire Training Center. I'd just like to take a moment to thank our instructors, Tom MacPherson, Bill Dingee, Ralph Stupple, Pete Bertocchi, and John Baker. These instructors dedicated so much of their time to educating us, as well as firefighters across Westchester and beyond. The instructors that teach us often go unthanked for their diligent work and effort. I just felt it important to recognize them for their dedication to educating us.
Congrats to the rest of my classmates, you all worked hard this week, braving the sub-0 wind chills and lots of ice to better yourselves. Excellent work.