PEMO3

Hmmm... Let's see, we can have 59 different people doing 59 different things or we can have some standardization so things are more efficient and less confusing. Yes, individual fire districts bear responsibility for their operations but there can still be standardized dispatch and communications policies so everyone knows and understands what's going on without needing a secret decoder ring.
And, no disrespect to fire commissioners and/or chiefs, what happens when what they decide isn't best or current or consistent with everyone else? We just ignore the disparity and hope for the best? Come on, we have to get out of this mindset that everyone is their own little empire.
If an agency wants to use soup cans and string for communications fine, but if they're a signatory to the mutual aid plan or have any intentions of giving/receiving mutual aid to/from someone else they should become part of the system and that's where we're really lacking in this part of the country.

OK, "Hypothetical Situation" You were having a great day on the local course in town with 3 of your buddies. Spent $50 on greens fees. You just crushed your drive to 2 feet from the pin on a par 4, possibly an eagle going here. Halfway to the green, Bam, your pager goes off for an AFA, you know, the one that has come in 2 other times this week. What are ya gonna do ?

If we take a call for an odor of gas we tell them to evacuate.
If you tell them to turn out a light, that spark could trigger an explosion.
If you tell them to open the windows, you could be letting out some gas that was above the UEL and now it lowers into it's explosive range.
Perhaps units such as these could help:
First Alert Explosive Gas Detector

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

Date:4/11.10
Time:15:22
Location: Co-op City 100 Donizetti Place
Frequency:
Units Operating: E-66, L-61 ,B-15
Weather Conditions: sunny
Description Of Incident:Fire Fifth floor apt. 5D
Reporters/Writer:[
Box 4478 Foot of Donizetti Place Coop City
Address 100 Donizetti Place
15:22
Disp 218: Phone alarm for fire in apt 5 David
15:24
Disp to B15: we're getting 5 Charlie now - you're getting E 62 on a second source
First Alarm
Engines: 66 38 62
Trucks L61 TL51
BC 15
15:27
TL51: (not a typo)10-75 the box
15:28
BC15: transmit a 10-77
Disp transmits 10-77
15:29
CIDS Information
MD 26 story - 50x140 Class 2 - one bank of elevators - standpipe in stairway B -
Wheelchair bound person in apt 12 George - severe asmathic - requires electricity
for medical equipment
15:32
10-77 Assignment
Engine 63 CFRD E90 HRN
Truck L32 FAST TL 41 TL50?
Rescue 3
Squad 61
BC 20
DC 7
RB
BC 18 Safety Officer
SB
FC
15:35
D7 requests a preliminary
BC15: standby
15:36
BC15: fire on the fifth floor 2L/S and one in operation - main body of fire K/D -
Primary searches are in progress
Disp: 10-4 B15 - what are you using there k?
B15:All Hands
Disp transmits All Hands
RAC 3
15:39
BC15: All primaries are negative
Duration 18 minutes
15:42
TL31 acting TL 41
15:44
D7 to Disp: you can retutn both RB and SB
RB and SB are 10-8
15:46
D7: at this time PWH
Duration 24 minutes - also have an Apt for you - Apt 18 David reoporting smoke
FC: ask D7 if we should continue in?
Disp: on the PWH you can go 10-8
FC: we’re 10-8 switching back to Brooklyn
15:47
B12: on your frequency proceeding to our relocation
15:54
E46 acting E66
16:02
TL33 acting TL51
16:03
BC12 acting BC20

Brothers on Holy Ground 53 Minute Video
This video describes the effects of 9/11 from the prospective of F.D.N.Y. Firefighters and their families. Definitely worth the watch.
Brothers on Holy Ground
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPYYr-_0SAA

As an officer who worker the aftermath of the fire I can personally say that witnessing the effects on family and friends left behind was something etched in my mind forever. Working the morgue sector and subsequent identification unit set up in the public school across the street was something that became surreal. To see mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers looking at pictures of the deceased and then stopping at one and collapsing in total devastation was heart wrenching. Then followed the mass funeral details where groups of 8 -10 - 12 would be waked together. The crowds that streamed in were massive. Funerals/wake details had a supervisor, 2 BLS units, an ALS unit, a MERV, an SOD unit and staffing. May they rest in peace and may Julio Gonzalez rot in jail. The true crime - he is parole eligible in March 2015!!

Well this is a topic that can't be adequetely covered in a couple hundred words on here. Here are some things that come off the top of my head.
1. Risk Management-The whole thing will depend on if the place is opened or closed. If it's open some sort of interior attack will probably be necessary to attempt a primary search. After the joint has closed the only life hazard becomes us and any advanced fire the risk may very well outweight the benifit of interior attack.
2. Water supply- Lay in (don't count on somebody else to do it for you). 2 1/2 with a smooth bore is an excellent choice in commercial for a number of reasons. Great reach, absorbs lots of btu's, and is powerful so that is blows those ceiling tiles apart and penetrates to the fire.
3. Thermal Imaging Camera- The TIC is always important but at a commercial building where you have high ceilings it may be your first warning of heat build up above your head. A good tactic is to lift up a ceiling tile on entry and check the plenum for fire before you venture in too far below it. The TIC will help you stay orientated, find victims, keep track of your crew, and locating the fire).
4. In many cases we will be dealing with truss roofs so roof ops is out.
5. Consider using the search rope if you are entering without a handline.
6. A middle of the night fire in one of these buildings is a good canidate for a backdraft.
Most of the fires you will encounter in these buildings are duct fires which have different tactics. Lastly here is the link to a LODD report about a fire in a McDonald's in Houston Texas that occured in 2000. This tragic fire took the lives of two firefighters.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200013.html

Date: 3/13/10
Time: 10:51 hrs
Location: 2241 Boston Rd, Bronx NY
Frequency: 154.1900, 482.23125
Units Operating: See below
Weather Conditions: Rain & wind
Description Of Incident: Partial building collapse
Reporters/Writer: Source nycfire.net
Phone Box 4801 - Report of a building collapse (Major Collapse Assignment)
Engs. 90, 88, 62, TL41, L38
TL50 (SOC Support Truck)
L116 w/ Collapse Rescue 4
Battalions 15, Rescue, Safety
Rescue 3 w/ Collapse Rescue 3
Rescue 4
HazMat 1
Squad 61
Tactical Support 1, SOC Compressor, SOC Logistics
10:53 hours
Receiving report for a building under construction, possible person trapped
10:55 hours
TL41: We have a building under construction with approximately a 20x40 cinderblock wall that came down, have everybody continue in.
Division 7 S/C
10:56 hours
TL41: Have EMS respond, we have 1 injury so far.
Battalion 15: Start out Buildings Dept. also.
11:04 hours
BC15: Box 4801, we have approximately 20x40 exterior brick collapse of a 2 story under construction. At this time we have 1 injury. The trucks and rescue are investigating the rest of the building. The correct address is 2241 Boston Rd.
11:05 hours
Dept. of Buildings reports a crew en-route responding from the Rockaways.
7-5-4801 - 11:11 hours
BC15: 4801, we're going with All-Hands, we need ConEd to respond, and Division 7 is 10-84, k. Need ConEd to respond for wires down across the street and conditions inside the building.
E97
L32 (FAST Truck)
Battalion 20
RAC3
11:16 hours - Duration 27 minutes
Division 7: Box 4801, we have a 3 story building with the two top floors under construction, occupied on the 1st floor with 2 commercial occupancies, approximately 35x50.
Exposures are:
1 - street
2 - street
3 - 3 story MD 20x50
4 - 1 story taxpayer 75x100
11:24 hours
DC7: 4801, we're going down to 2 and 2 at this time, going to release all special units, the All-Hands Chief, and the FAST Truck.

Everyone is so caught up on the idea of extrication. I highly doubt this truck is going to be carrying nothing but rescue equipment. ESU is not just a technical rescue team. Yes, that's an aspect of it, but primarily they are a tactical response team, and the amount of equipment needed for any decent sized tactical operation is incredible:
Weapons
Ammo
Armor/Helmets
Shields
Non-Lethal systems
Surveillance systems
"Throw Phones"
Communications gear
Forcible Entry equipment
Medical gear
Crime Scene Gear
Command and Control area
HAZMAT gear (Yes, there IS a reason for PD to do HAZMAT, welcome to the 21st century boys and girls)
Tactical Operators carry a LOT of equipment on their backs, I've you've ever worn it before you know what I'm talking about. All that stuff has to go somewhere. Only so much is going to fit into one of those Odyssey ESU wagons that YPD ESU cruises around in When "the big one" hits, having a war wagon with enough gear to sustain your team is critical.
Let me ask you this, how do you feel when at a fire commissioner's meeting the taxpayers challenge why you need a $500,000 rescue truck or $1 million tower ladder to conduct their operations. I'll bet you get defensive because you don't like people who don't DO your job telling you how THEY think you should do it. So why would you do that to our Brothers in law enforcement? Besides, we don't even KNOW for sure what is on the truck, how about waiting to find out before filing a grievance on behalf of a fire department you don't even belong to.
Best of luck to YPD ESU on their new rig.

We utilized 3 spare engines and 1 spare ladder which gave us 3 and 2 at which point we released the mutual aid. We didn't wind up manning the other spare ladder.

Almost 30 years ago, around 98 or 100 Elliot Ave- Thomas Wanstall Photo from yfd.org.. and yesterday

The fact that YFD was able to hold this fire to the original fire building with no extension to the exposures and no injuries to members or civilians is amazing. Reports were people trapped and from what I have heard a few heroic rescues of residents occurred. KUDOS to YFD for a job well done!!

There've been many discussions on this board about the pros/cons, advantages/disadvantages, etc. of various staffing configurations and response times. Here's a great example of what can be done (numerous rescues and, as PEM03 said, preventing extension to exposures) when you respond with a full complement of qualified personnel in a timely fashion. It also highlights the benefits of training, pre-planning, and discipline to make sure that the two first and second due ladder companies were able to set up at the front of the fire building.
On the initial call there were (approximately)32 +/- fully qualified "interior" firefighters managed by at least one Chief and seven or eight company officers. I guess we can forget the 4 in 4 or 10 in 20.
The second alarm and third alarms brought (again approximately) 20 more firefighters plus officers to the scene and the fourth brough still another 16 plus officers. This doesn't count the support services that were undoubtedly involved (mask service, fleet maintenance, etc., etc.)
All this was in the first 22 minutes - sixty-eight firefighters plus officers and support. Add EMS and at least a dozen police officers and supervisors too.
The other interesting note in the IA (great one BTW Truck4 and you still managed to get pictures!) is that the mutual aid was relieved by reserve apparatus staffed by recalled firefighters so as not to hold equipment out of its home jurisdiction for a protracted period of time. How many departments have the apparatus to do that or organize their own personnel to release mutual aid instead of holding everyone at the scene. Didn't a recent thread on the subject of staffing say something about having 50-60 firefighters on the scene of a fire in a single family dwelling? How many weren't working and could have been deployed to other apparatus to increase available resources in that community?
I don't understand why instead of aspiring to meet NFPA and other standards, we buck them with all kinds of excuses and then criticize those who advocate a single standard to raise the bar and improve things for everyone.
Given the proximity of the exposures, narrow one-way street in front and limited access from other sides, it was indeed an impressive stop.
Before the nitpicking begins, the times and numbers are all approximated.

Not knocking FDNY because everybody is doing the same thing. We are supposed to be moving toward common terminology but we are coming up with complicated terms for simple items. NIMS is the biggest culprit. They stress common terminology, yet they have a whole glossary book to explain all their abbreviations.
So I think FDNY's medium sized boats are not Zodiacs (Which is a brand name but I can picture that boat because of Jacques Cousteau. To me, the word Zodiac is a common term). FDNY's Non-Zodiacs are MARCS (Which are actually RBI's or Rigid Bottom Inflatables), a bigger version of the Zodiac and has a small cabin. I would bet that FDNY got the Marcs on a grant, and the grantwriter knew that acronyms go a long way when you want money from the Feds. "Senator can we get a MARC?" sounds nuch more important than "Senator can we get a boat?"
So, your question was "what would I call a 16 foot boat on a trailer?" I'd call it a "16 foot boat on a trailer." Sounds stupid,, but I think you are a dispatcher,so what would you send me? EXACTLY! You would send me a 16ft boat on a trailer.
You would not send a Full sized fireboat, a 41 footer, a 21 foot RBI, or a small rowboat.
So that, to me, explains Common Terminology, and how far we have strayed from it in order to achieve it.

Date: 3/10/10
Time: 20:30
Location: 700 Block of South Street
Frequency: 453.225 / 453.300
Peekskill EMS Units: 7511, 75B3
Peekskill FD Units: 39M1, 2341, 2342, 2343, E133 (LZ), R134
Cortlandt ALS Units: 35M1
Stat-Flight: Air 2
Weather Conditions: Nice
Description Of Incident: Stabbing to the neck, PD requesting EMS on a rush. 35M1 requesting Medevac to the scene.
Reporters: Da' Box "Bravo"
Writer: "Bravo 2"
20:53 - 60 Control giving updated ETA of Helo to be 5 minutes.
20:56 - Update from 7511, 40 YOM with an arrow from a cross bow in side of neck, unresponsive, airway comprimised.
20:57 - 75B3 enroute to LZ. (RESCO)
20:59 - Air 2 on the ground per 2341.

Date: 3/9/10
Time: 1626hrs
Box: 8480
Area: Great Kills Park
Location: Hylan Boulevard X Buffalo St and Model Airplane Road
Frequency: 154.190
Weather Conditions: Clear, dry, windy
Description Of Incident: Large area brush, approx. (4) acres.
Writer: PEMO3, Truck4
http://www.silive.com/southshore/index.ssf/2010/03/fdny_douses_years_first_brush.html
1626hrs- B-23 and Brush Fire assignment responding to the model airplane field off Hylan Boulevard for brush fire.
E-167, 164/BFU-1, 161/BFU-5; L-82, 85; B-23
1630hrs- 10-75 for large area brush.
E-162; L-87FAST; R-5, Sq-252; B-21
1631hrs- B-23 transmitting 2nd Alarm.
2nd Alarm: E-160, 163, 159/S-5, 168; L-84, 76; B-22 Safety, 40 RUL; Rescue B/C, Safety B/C; FieldCom., TAC #1, MERV
1634hrs- B-23 transmitting 3rd Alarm. Staging will be Hylan X Buffalo
3rd Alarm: E-156/BFU-3, 153, 157, 155; L-79, 80; B-33, 48 Staging, 39 Air Recon; MSU #1
1642hrs- B-23 rpts large area of bruch burning on both sides of Wetlands Road toward Buffalo St. (2) L/S/O, (2) Tower Ladders going into operation.
1646hrs- Staten Island advsing Fall Back Step 3.
1650hrs- Div. 8 S/C extra Satellite.
S/C: E-284/S-3
1718hrs- Div. 8 rpts fire in (3) sections, (2) Satellites, (2) BFU's, (2) Tower Ladders and (2) L/S/O. S/C extra truck for FAST.
S/C: L-86
1725hrs- Car 8 transmitting 4th Alarm. S/C (2) extra Trucks above the 4th.
4th Alarm: E-165, 220, 151, 158; L-77, 149
S/C: L-110, 147
1748hrs- Car 8 rpts northern sector of the fire is K/D. Co's continue to operater on the southern end.
1753hrs- Car 8 rpts NYPD Aviation operating with the Bambi bucket. Fire darkening down.
1840hrs- Fire is K/D, operating with (2) Tower Ladders, (2) BFU's, (2) Satellites and (5) L/S/O. P/W/H.

Date: 3/9/10
Time: 1626hrs
Box: 8480
Area: Great Kills Park
Location: Hylan Boulevard X Buffalo St and Model Airplane Road
Frequency: 154.190
Weather Conditions: Clear, dry, windy
Description Of Incident: Large area brush, approx. (4) acres.
Writer: PEMO3, Truck4
http://www.silive.com/southshore/index.ssf/2010/03/fdny_douses_years_first_brush.html
1626hrs- B-23 and Brush Fire assignment responding to the model airplane field off Hylan Boulevard for brush fire.
E-167, 164/BFU-1, 161/BFU-5; L-82, 85; B-23
1630hrs- 10-75 for large area brush.
E-162; L-87FAST; R-5, Sq-252; B-21
1631hrs- B-23 transmitting 2nd Alarm.
2nd Alarm: E-160, 163, 159/S-5, 168; L-84, 76; B-22 Safety, 40 RUL; Rescue B/C, Safety B/C; FieldCom., TAC #1, MERV
1634hrs- B-23 transmitting 3rd Alarm. Staging will be Hylan X Buffalo
3rd Alarm: E-156/BFU-3, 153, 157, 155; L-79, 80; B-33, 48 Staging, 39 Air Recon; MSU #1
1642hrs- B-23 rpts large area of bruch burning on both sides of Wetlands Road toward Buffalo St. (2) L/S/O, (2) Tower Ladders going into operation.
1646hrs- Staten Island advsing Fall Back Step 3.
1650hrs- Div. 8 S/C extra Satellite.
S/C: E-284/S-3
1718hrs- Div. 8 rpts fire in (3) sections, (2) Satellites, (2) BFU's, (2) Tower Ladders and (2) L/S/O. S/C extra truck for FAST.
S/C: L-86
1725hrs- Car 8 transmitting 4th Alarm. S/C (2) extra Trucks above the 4th.
4th Alarm: E-165, 220, 151, 158; L-77, 149
S/C: L-110, 147
1748hrs- Car 8 rpts northern sector of the fire is K/D. Co's continue to operater on the southern end.
1753hrs- Car 8 rpts NYPD Aviation operating with the Bambi bucket. Fire darkening down.
1840hrs- Fire is K/D, operating with (2) Tower Ladders, (2) BFU's, (2) Satellites and (5) L/S/O. P/W/H.

Date: 3/9/10
Time: 1626hrs
Box: 8480
Area: Great Kills Park
Location: Hylan Boulevard X Buffalo St and Model Airplane Road
Frequency: 154.190
Weather Conditions: Clear, dry, windy
Description Of Incident: Large area brush, approx. (4) acres.
Writer: PEMO3, Truck4
http://www.silive.com/southshore/index.ssf/2010/03/fdny_douses_years_first_brush.html
1626hrs- B-23 and Brush Fire assignment responding to the model airplane field off Hylan Boulevard for brush fire.
E-167, 164/BFU-1, 161/BFU-5; L-82, 85; B-23
1630hrs- 10-75 for large area brush.
E-162; L-87FAST; R-5, Sq-252; B-21
1631hrs- B-23 transmitting 2nd Alarm.
2nd Alarm: E-160, 163, 159/S-5, 168; L-84, 76; B-22 Safety, 40 RUL; Rescue B/C, Safety B/C; FieldCom., TAC #1, MERV
1634hrs- B-23 transmitting 3rd Alarm. Staging will be Hylan X Buffalo
3rd Alarm: E-156/BFU-3, 153, 157, 155; L-79, 80; B-33, 48 Staging, 39 Air Recon; MSU #1
1642hrs- B-23 rpts large area of bruch burning on both sides of Wetlands Road toward Buffalo St. (2) L/S/O, (2) Tower Ladders going into operation.
1646hrs- Staten Island advsing Fall Back Step 3.
1650hrs- Div. 8 S/C extra Satellite.
S/C: E-284/S-3
1718hrs- Div. 8 rpts fire in (3) sections, (2) Satellites, (2) BFU's, (2) Tower Ladders and (2) L/S/O. S/C extra truck for FAST.
S/C: L-86
1725hrs- Car 8 transmitting 4th Alarm. S/C (2) extra Trucks above the 4th.
4th Alarm: E-165, 220, 151, 158; L-77, 149
S/C: L-110, 147
1748hrs- Car 8 rpts northern sector of the fire is K/D. Co's continue to operater on the southern end.
1753hrs- Car 8 rpts NYPD Aviation operating with the Bambi bucket. Fire darkening down.
1840hrs- Fire is K/D, operating with (2) Tower Ladders, (2) BFU's, (2) Satellites and (5) L/S/O. P/W/H.

Chris,
We got hit pretty hard here and during the height of the storm there were very few plows on the road. We have two vehicles outfitted with plows that were busy responding to alarms so apparatus and ambulances could get to the incident locations.
From the onset of the storm to now we have recieved approx. 75-80 alarms. Also, we were extremely busy getting the elderly and invalids to shelter. We sustained heavy tree damage and most of the town was out of power and still is.
Our Town E.O.C. was open however it was basically a center for fire department operations and we did have communications with the PD.
We recieved a request from the Dutchess EOC for the snowmobile to transport water and blankets to stranded motorists and check the welfare of the occupants, also to transport them to a shelter. We responded within 15 minutes to the request along other neighboring departments.
There was no Unified Command to my knowledge with the exception of the communications between the fire departments. The Thruway Authority and NYS Police requested our assistance and were the authority over the incident. We did have contact with some units on scene but no command structure to my knowledge.
By the time we received the request the Thruway Authority had already started to redirect motorists through turn arounds to the eastbound side and off the highway. We were prepared to transport stranded motorists to a warming center at our HQ's until shelter was established. Most refused to leave their vehicles and the Troopers were not forcing the issue.
The storm severly taxed our resources and the resources of our area. We had members in stations from Thursday afternoon until Saturday evening when we sent as many as we could home and returned to stations Sunday morning.
Given the scope of the storm and the damage it caused I do believe we did as much as we possibly could and if there was a true medical emergency we would have made every attempt to get access to the patient. Just an example we had to remove one resident in a rowboat with a few guys acting as reindeer because nothing could get to where he was located. I am thankful for the dedication of our department members and their willingness to rise above the obstacles they face.
If you have further questions feel free to PM me
Scott Post

The biggest help that any agency can do for itself is to pre-plan for the worst in their area. That includes identifying ahead of time staging areas, medivac landing spots and access and egress routes. When the s--t hits the fan you are not going to have the time to look for these areas quickly. Ensuring that an officer knows how to be a staging officer is important also. It is more than a parking lot attendant. Making sure that vehicle operators stay with vehicles, that keys to all sidelined vehicles are secured so they can be moved if need be. On a large incident a staging officer might actually need a staff to get the job done. Remember staging is another division. Edfcapt115 you are 100% correct Emergency Management is a support staff operation meant to decompress the ancillary work load of the IC and his staff by help coordinate inter-agency operations and resource procurement. They should be cross trained enough to know how to assist each facet of the operation.

Capt Bnechis and Chris have summed this all up in a very precise and professional manner. Consolidation is the only way "Proper and Adequate" Manpower will be available, based upon Government Fire Studies, within Westchester County. The concept of a Southern and Northern Westchester Fire District have been discussed for a very long time, with Capt. Bnechis, Chief Fitzpatrick and others within both the Paid and Volunteer Fire Services in Westchester County, help.
Unfortunately, as has been said above, EGO's, Political Pull, Unions, Volunteer vs. Paid Turf Wars/Battles, etc, have come in the way of making this plan work for the betterment of both the FIRE SERVICE and the PUBLIC.
"The Maddness Has To Stop and Stop NOW !!!"
Great Post Chris and Great Work Capt. Bnechis.

How sad (but true) that a union, career Firefighter would be scared of retribution for posting on a website. Many of us on other jobs really don't appreciate what we have when you look at what we complain about. I am sorry you guys have to put up with this and you have my support.

As Grumpy stated in his post # 37 Eric is a Mutual aid coordinator (that is our proper title) the designation of Battalion was created years back, prior to that the deputy coordinators were county car #. THe mutual aid coordinators are battalion 10 to 19 and we all are assigned specific areas. The position of mutual aid coordinator is basically that of a resource officer, to get the IC what they need. This post is titled Mohegan fire 2/8/10, however I will not take a shot at them or any other department anywhere career,vollie or combination. It has been said in this thread and several others about consolidation, when the hell is everyone going to wake up and see that numbers are dwindling both career and volunteer (not all departments, but many). Why isn't consolidation discussed seriously? A one word answer - EGO. Some people in authority need to pull the heads out of their a** and look at what they are REALLY providing everywhere. This is something that should be looked at from the inside before (like a lot of the regualtions & standards we have now) are forced upon us by outside or government agencies. This is all basically a turf war kind of thing from my point of view, personally I don't care what the name of the department is on the side of the truck that pulls up IFO my home as long as they know what they are doing when they get off their truck. ANother area where consolidation might help, look at all the different organiztions in Westchester (volunteer side) and we wonder why the volunteer service isn't heard by our elected officals. How about 1 organization with different branches or divisions, maybe we would get taken seriously. All this would be great, but let's face it fantasy island does not exist!

A fire Department is an ESSENTIAL service. It is not a luxury. If volunteers are able to get the job done for less money than it would cost to employ career Firefighters that is great for everone! However, I believe that we have already established that the situation in Mohegan and in many parts of the lower Hudson Valley is broken. This ESSENTIAL service is not being provided in an adequate or timely manner, and it is not being provided for less money even!
If any other ESSENTIAL service is not being provided to the citizenry in an adequate or timely manner, adjustments are made (this can be raising taxes, consolidation, regionalization, cutting in other areas and shifting financial resources to the area of need, etc.). In fact, this is done all the time for even non-essential services. The problem with many (not all) volunteer Fire Departments in this area is that they perpetuate an illusion that the public is being protected in an adequate and timely manner and this impedes the efforts of those who strive to truly improve the delivery of efficient fire, rescue, and emergency medical services.
This situation in Mohegan is a classic example. For the most part, the public believes what one of the initial posters on this thread purports...this was a "good stop", they "did the best they could", and sometimes bad things happen. In reality, the situation is far different as stated by bigyellowtaxi in a recent post...that is the true story and that kind of information needs to be continually gotten out to the public and members of the fire service in order for us to effect real change. Many of you on here can help in these efforts if you so choose.
Remember the old expression which I will tone down a bit as appropriate for this situation..."bad things happen when good men do nothing"...