Cape Cod Ladder truck overturns

[Billy 68]

From the Cape Cod Times newspaper:

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../NEWS/811110307

By Mary Ann Bragg

mbragg@capecodonline.com

November 11, 2008

PROVINCETOWN — A 21-year-old volunteer firefighter may have driven a fire engine too fast, resulting in a multiple-rollover crash on Route 6 Sunday morning that destroyed the specially designed ladder truck whose replacement cost could be as high as $500,000.

Edited November 12, 2008 by xfirefighter484x
To Conform to Forum Policies on Quoting Online Articles

[huzzie59 75]

http://capecodfd.com/PAGES%20Appar/unit%20192.htm#Top

Provincetown Headquarters Fire Station 1 -

Provincetown

(PT-1)

Provincetown

Ladder 192

1996 Ford CF8800 / Middleboro Fire Apparatus / Maxim 75' Aerial Ladder

1000 gpm / 300 gal

(diesel / automatic)

Foam Eductor

Ladder Pipe - 35'24'16'16'14'10' Ladders

5000w generator - PPV - (7) SCBA (8) Spare

Hurst Jaws of Life, Cutter - Airbags

[MF-xxxx] Placed in service 1996

Provincetown's first aerial ladder

[Turborich 12]

Quote from article-

"The accident occurred at around 9:30 a.m. at Snail Road and Route 6, during a routine test run of the 75-foot-long truck, Trovato said. The intersection is near the town line with Truro and is often deserted"

LOL.. 75 foot long truck!

Seriously thoough It was a neat truck.. I saw it a few years ago when I was up in the cape. Perhaps they can buy Orleans' old maxim mid mount and do the same refurbishment or similar.

That truck was spec'd for years before built secondary to Provincetown's cramped streets.. a replacement will be tough if they want to go new.

[ny10570 745]

One of the few places that really NEEDS a ladder. When things burn in down town P-town they burn big...

http://www.capecodfd.com/PAGES%20Special/PTWharf1.htm

Big exposure problems everywhere heavy fire loads and mostly heavy timber construction.

[TCD0415 26]

One of the few places that really NEEDS a ladder. When things burn in down town P-town they burn big...

http://www.capecodfd.com/PAGES%20Special/PTWharf1.htm

Big exposure problems everywhere heavy fire loads and mostly heavy timber construction.

No Kidding......... Take a look at this list. Dispatchers had their hands full that night.

MUTUAL AID RESPONSE SUMMARY

1846 hrs.... FIRST ALARM

Provincetown...........C191A to scene Deputy - Commander

Provincetown...........E190 to scene Pumper

Provincetown...........L192 to scene Ladder

Provincetown...........E193 to scene Pumper

Provincetown...........E194 to scene Pumper

Provincetown...........E195 to scene Pumper

Provincetown...........T198 to scene ARFF unit

Provincetown...........R196 to scene Ambulance

Provincetown...........R197 to scene Ambulance

Lower Cape Amb....R598 to scene Ambulance

Lower Cape Amb....R599 to scene Ambulance

1848 hrs.... AUTOMATIC RESPONSE

Truro.......................C471 to scene Chief

Truro.......................E485 to scene Pumper

1854 Hrs... SECOND ALARM

Truro......................C471 to scene Chief

Truro......................E485 to scene Pumper

Truro......................E483 to scene Pumper

Truro......................R487 to scene Ambulance

Truro......................S480 to scene Squad

Wellfleet.................E94 to scene Pumper

Wellfleet.................L97 to scene Ladder

Wellfleet.................R99 to scene Ambulance

2ND ALARM COVERAGE

Truro.....................E482 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Wellfleet................E93 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Eastham.................E155 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Orleans..................E177 to cover Cover Truro HQ

Orleans..................L176 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Brewster................E233 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

1857 hrs CIEMSS...............EMS 1 to scene Responding from Truro

1857 Hrs... THIRD ALARM

Truro.....................E482 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Wellfleet...............C91 to scene Chief

Wellfleet...............E93 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Eastham................C161 to scene Chief

Eastham................E155 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Orleans.................E177 to scene Pumper (from TR cover)

Orleans.................L176 to scene Ladder (from WE cover)

Chatham...............R182 to scene Ambulance

Harwich................R63 to scene Ambulance

Brewster...............L237 to scene Ladder

Brewster...............HR241 to scene Heavy Rescue

3RD ALARM COVERAGE

Brewster...............E233 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ from WE

Eastham................E156 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Harwich................E64 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Orleans.................E175 to cover Cover Truro HQ

Chatham...............E186 to cover Cover Truro HQ

Yarmouth..............R53 to cover Cover Truro HQ

Harwich................E69 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Harwich................L66 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Brewster...............E234 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Brewster...............R242 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Chatham...............E188 to cover Cover Eastham HQ

Dennis..................E115 to cover Cover Eastham HQ

Dennis..................L108 to cover Cover Orleans HQ

Yarmouth..............E47 to cover Cover Orleans HQ

Dennis..................E112 to cover Cover Chatham HQ

Yarmouth..............E45 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2

Yarmouth..............E48 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2

Yarmouth..............L41 to cover Cover Harwich HQ

Hyannis................E823 to cover Cover Harwich HQ

Dennis..................E106 to cover Cover Brewster HQ

Yarmouth..............E44 to cover Cover Dennis HQ

Barnstable............E205 to cover Cover Yarmouth Sta.2

W Barnstable.......E294 to cover Cover Yarmouth Sta.2

1904 Hrs.... FOURTH ALARM

Eastham...............E156 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Orleans................C171 to scene Chief

Orleans................E175 to scene Pumper (from TR cover)

Harwich...............E64 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Harwich...............L66 to scene Ladder (from WE cover)

Harwich...............Air Trailer to scene Air supply

Harwich...............C70 to scene Pickup with air trailer

Brewster..............C231 to scene Chief

Brewster..............E233 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Brewster..............R242 to scene Ambulance (from WE cover)

Dennis.................L108 to scene Ladder (from OR cover)

`

1904 Hrs.... 4TH ALARM COVERAGE

Chatham..............E186 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ from TR

Harwich...............E69 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ from WE

Brewster..............E234 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ from WE

Chatham..............E188 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ from EA

Dennis.................E115 to cover Cover Truro HQ from EA

Yarmouth.............E47 to cover Cover Truro HQ from OR

Hyannis...............R827 to cover Cover Truro HQ

Dennis.................E112 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ from CH

Yarmouth.............E45 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ from HA

Yarmouth.............L41 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ from HA

COMM...............R325 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Dennis.................E106 to cover Cover Eastham HQ from BR

Yarmouth.............E48 to cover Cover Eastham HQ from HA

Yarmouth.............E44 to cover Cover Orleans HQ from DE

Barnstable...........L206 to cover Cover Orleans HQ

Hyannis..............E823 to cover Cover Chatham HQ from HA

W Barnstable......L297 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2

W Barnstable......E296 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2

Barnstable...........E205 to cover Cover Brewster HQ from YA

Hyannis..............E822 to cover Cover Dennis HQ

W Barnstable......E294 to cover Cover Dennis Sta.2 from YA

COMM...............E304 to cover Cover Yarmouth HQ

Sandwich............E444 to cover Cover Yarmouth Sta.2

Cotuit..................E265 to cover Cover Hyannis HQ

COMM..............E302 to cover Cover W Barnstable HQ

1925 Hrs... Mashpee.............E355 to cover Cover Hyannis HQ

1928 Hrs Sandwich............E450 to cover Cover W Barnstable HQ

1930 Hrs Red Cross..........Canteen 229 to scene Canteen

1930 Hrs.... FIFTH ALARM

Chatham.............C181 to scene Chief

Chatham.............E186 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Chatham.............E188 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Harwich..............C61 to scene Chief

Harwich..............E69 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Brewster.............E234 to scene Pumper (from PT cover)

Yarmouth............L41 to scene Ladder (from WE cover)

Yarmouth............E47 to scene Pumper (from TR cover)

Hyannis..............R827 to scene Ambulance (from TR cover)

Barnstable...........L206 to scene Ladder (from OR cover)

1933 Hrs Barnstable...........E205 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2 from BR

1934 Hrs... 5TH ALARM COVERAGE

Yarmouth.............E45 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ from WE

Dennis.................E112 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ from WE

Dennis.................E106 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ from EA

Brewster..............R242 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Yarmouth.............E48 to cover Cover Truro HQ from EA

COMM...............R325 to cover Cover Truro HQ from WE

Yarmouth.............E44 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ from OR

W Barnstable.......E296 to cover Cover Eastham HQ from HA

Hyannis................E822 to cover Cover Orleans HQ from DE

Dennis..................E107 to cover Cover Chatham HQ

Hyannis................E823 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2 from CH

W Barnstable.......E294 to Cover Cover Brewster HQ from DE

1944 Hrs... 5TH ALARM COVERAGE Additional Coverage

W Barnstable.......L297 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ from HA

COMM...............E315 to cover Cover Harwich HQ

Hyannis...............LT829 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2

COMM...............L314 to cover Cover Dennis HQ

Sandwich.............E444 to cover Cover Dennis Sta.2 from YA

Cotuit...................E265 to cover Cover Yarmouth HQ from HY

Barnstable............E202 to cover Cover Yarmouth Sta.2

COMM...............E302 to cover Cover Barnstable from WB

Falmouth.............E25 to cover Cover COMM HQ

Mashpee..............E355 to cover Cover COMM HQ

Falmouth.............L26 to cover Cover Mashpee HQ

Sandwich.............E455 to cover Cover Sandwich HQ

Otis.....................E7 to cover Cover Sandwich Sta.3

1948 Hrs Bourne.................E123 to cover Cover Sandwich HQ

1948 Hrs COMM................E304 to cover Cover Dennis HQ from YA

Mashpee...............E355 to cover Cover Hyannis from COMM

Mashpee...............E351 to cover Cover COMM Sta.2

1952 Hrs Yarmouth..............R53 to scene Spec called with Class A foam

2000 Hrs Otis......................E 7 to cover Cover Sandwich Sta.2

2004 Hrs Medflight 1...........On Scene Provincetown

2004 Hrs C181...................Staging Officer Sending manpower to scene

2015 Hrs Hyannis................L829 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2

2018 Hrs Chatham..............E186 to scene Pumper (from Staging)

2041 Hrs... MOVEUPS & COVER Additional Moveups

Yarmouth.............E45 to Staging Staging (from cover PT1)

Yarmouth.............E48 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Yarmouth.............E44 to cover Cover Truro HQ

W.Barnstable.......ET296 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Hyannis................E822 to cover Cover Eastham HQ

Hyannis................E823 to cover Cover Orleans HQ

2103 Hrs... MOVEUPS & COVER Additional Moveups

Yarmouth.............E44 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

W.Barnstable.......ET296 to cover Cover Truro HQ

Hyannis................E822 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Hyannis................E823 to cover Cover Eastham HQ

Dennis..................E107 to cover Cover Orleans HQ

2106 Hrs Wellfleet...............E93 to Staging Staging (from cover PT)

2120 Hrs... MOVEUPS & COVER Additional Moveups

Yarmouth............E48 to Staging Staging (from cover PT1)

Dennis................E112 to Staging Staging (from cover PT1)

2123 Hrs Falmouth............E24 to cover Stage at W.Barnstable HQ

Otis....................E7 to cover Stage at W.Barnstable HQ

Bourne...............E121 to cover Stage at W.Barnstable HQ

Bourne...............E122 to cover Stage at W.Barnstable HQ

2135 Hrs... MOVEUPS & COVER Additional Moveups

Hyannis..............E822 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Hyannis..............E823 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

W.Barnstable.....ET296 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

Dennis................E107 to cover Cover Truro HQ

W.Barnstable.....E294 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Barnstable..........E205 to cover Cover Eastham HQ

COMM.............E315 to cover Cover Orleans HQ

Cotuit................E265 to cover Cover Harwich HQ

COMM.............E304 to cover Cover Dennis HQ

Barnstable..........E202 to cover Cover Harwich Sta.2

Sandwich...........E444 to cover Cover Brewster HQ

Mashpee............E355 to cover Cover Dennis HQ

COMM.............E302 to cover Cover Dennis Sta.2

Falmouth............E25 to cover Cover Yarmouth HQ

Sandwich............E450 to cover Cover Yarmouth Sta.2

Mashpee............E351 to cover Cover Hyannis HQ

Otis....................E7 to cover Cover Barnstable HQ

Bourne...............E121 to cover Cover W.Barnstable HQ

Cotuit.................E263 to cover Cover COMM HQ

Falmouth............E24 to cover Cover COMM Sta.2

Bourne...............E122 to cover Cover Cotuit HQ

2141 Hrs Bourne..............Canteen 139 Respond to scene

2143 Hrs... PLYMOUTH TF-2A Moveup Assignments

Carver...............E3 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Duxbury.............E! to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Kingston............E1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Plymouth............E6 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Plympton............E2 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Wareham............E12 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Onset..................L1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Plymouth.............L2 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Plymouth.............C1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Duxbury..............C1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Kingston..............C40 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

2115 Hrs Brewster.............R242 to cover Cover Eastham HQ

2244 Hrs Plym County TF-2A in WB

2307 Hrs... MOVEUPS & COVER Additional Assignents

Yarmouth.............E44 to Staging Staging (from cover PT)

Hyannis................E822 to Staging Staging (from cover PT)

Hyannis/...............E823 to Staging Staging (from cover PT)

W.Barnstable.......ET296 to Staging Staging (from cover PT)

Dennis.................E107 to Staging Staging (from cover TR)

2307 Sandwich............E444 to cover Cover Truro HQ

COMM..............E304 to cover Cover Wellfleet HQ

Barnstable...........E202 to cover Cover Eastham HQ

Cotuit..................E265 to cover Cover Orleans HQ

Falmouth.............E25 to cover Cover Harwich HQ

COMM..............E302 to cover Cover Brewster HQ

Mashpee.............E351 to cover Cover Dennis HQ

Sandwich............E450 to cover Cover Dennis Sta.2

Cotuit.................E263 to cover Cover Yarmouth HQ

Otis....................E7 to cover Cover Yarmouth Sta.2

Falmouth............E24 to cover Cover Hyannis HQ

Bourne...............E121 to cover Cover Barnstable HQ

2307 Hrs... PLYMOUTH TF-2A Moveup Assignments

1/2 TF-2A (Batt.1) Covering W.Barnstable HQ

1/2 TF-2A (Batt 2) Cover COMM HQ

2333 Hrs... PLYMOUTH TF-2B Moveup Assignments

W.Bridgewater........E1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Mattapoisett..............E4 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Rochester................E1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Wareham................E6 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Marion....................E2 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Lakeville.................E3 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Middleboro............L! to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Wareham................L3 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

W.Bridgewater.......C34 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Wareham................C1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Lakeville.................C80 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

2342 Hrs W.Barnstable..........E294 to Staging Staging (from cover PT)

2349 Hrs... MOVEUPS & COVER Additional Assignments

1/2 of Plym TF-2A Regional Cover Truro HQ

Sandwich...............E444 to cover Cover Provincetown HQ

COMM.................E304 to cover Cover Truro HQ

2350 Hrs... MOVEUPS & COVER Additional Assignments

W.Bridgewater........E1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

W.Bridgewater........E1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Rochester................E1 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Middleboro............L! to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

W.Bridgewater.......C34 to cover Regional Cover WB HQ

Wareham................E6 to cover Regional Cover COMM HQ

Marion....................E2 to cover Regional Cover COMM HQ

Lakeville.................E3 to cover Regional Cover COMM HQ

Wareham................L3 to cover Regional Cover COMM HQ

Wareham................C1 to cover Regional Cover COMM HQ

Lakeville................C80 to cover Regional Cover COMM HQ

0005 Hrs... MOVEUPS & COVER Additional Assignments

Full Plym County TF-2A to Staging Staging in Provoncetown

0010 Hrs... PLYMOUTH TF-2C Additional Assignments

Whitman.................E2 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Hanson...................E3 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

E.Bridgewater..........E1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Pembroke...............E1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Brockton.................E5 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Brockton................TL2 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Bridgewater.............L1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Pembroke................L1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Bridgewater............C.1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Bridgewater.............C2 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Hanson....................C1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Pembroke................C1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Whitman..................C1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Brockton..................C1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

E.Bridgewater...........C1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

Middleboro................C1 to cover Regional Cover Bourne Sta.3

0156 Hrs... DEMOBILIZING Notes

Plymouth TF-2C Released from Sqgamore

0535 Hrs Plymouth TF-2B Released from W.Barnstable

0535 Hrs Plymouth TF-2A Released from Scene

[Guest Photounit]

You guy's are starting to scare me with all your knowledge of "P-town" Only kidding And yes....."P-town" has nothing but fire load and narrow streets...... It was an intersting ladder for sure.....

[helicopper 1,050]

A 21-year-old volunteer firefighter may have driven a fire engine too fast, resulting in a multiple-rollover crash on Route 6 Sunday morning that destroyed the specially designed ladder truck whose replacement cost could be as high as $500,000.

Although local police and a county accident reconstruction team are still investigating the crash that involved Elias Martinez of Provincetown, Fire Chief Michael Trovato suggested yesterday that speed may have contributed to the crash.

The fire engine's front tire hit a curb and the truck flipped over about four times, investigators said.

"It's just a major loss," Trovato said. "The only thing we can be thankful for is that no one got killed."

Martinez, whose father, E.J., is the captain of the fire department's ladder company, became a junior firefighter at 13 and became a regular firefighter in 2006, fire officials said. As a station steward for the ladder company, Martinez's job includes making test runs of that vehicle. He has driven the truck for four years and has had specific training, Trovato said.

Speed "may" have been a factor? Ya think? It takes a tremendous amount of energy to roll a vehicle of that size FOUR times. For it to be operating at such a speed for a "test run" is irresponsible and may prove to be reckless. I wonder how the fire department's insurance company is going to view the $500K loss during a "test run".

There but for the grace of God... Thankful nobody was killed is right.

He's been driving the ladder truck since he was 17? What's up with that?

What training requires the operator to be speeding along during a test run of the apparatus?

[Billy 68]

Speed "may" have been a factor? Ya think? It takes a tremendous amount of energy to roll a vehicle of that size FOUR times. For it to be operating at such a speed for a "test run" is irresponsible and may prove to be reckless. I wonder how the fire department's insurance company is going to view the $500K loss during a "test run".

There but for the grace of God... Thankful nobody was killed is right.

He's been driving the ladder truck since he was 17? What's up with that?

What training requires the operator to be speeding along during a test run of the apparatus?

You're exactly right Chris, these are the questions I had in mind when I posted the article. And who was the unidentified female passenger that was in the truck? Was she a FD member? I'm interested to see if there is a follow up to this story that answers some questions.

[grumpyff 1,159]

Here is a link to another news article with three pictures from the scene http://www.wickedlocal.com/provincetown/ne...truck-overturns

Pretty extensive damage to the truck.

[helicopper 1,050]

You're exactly right Chris, these are the questions I had in mind when I posted the article. And who was the unidentified female passenger that was in the truck? Was she a FD member? I'm interested to see if there is a follow up to this story that answers some questions.

Yes, the "status" and location of the female passenger does create some more "interesting" questions.

[Capejake72 8]

Sad to say, but looks like someone was being young and foolish, and trying to impress someone destroyed a hard to replace piece of fire apparatus.. I saw the original article on Sunday while working, and that was the first thing my partner said"that truck was going too fast for that corner."

[spin_the_wheel 460]

Whats a "routine test run" were they driving this rig "hot" for nothing?

[Guest alsfirefighter]

The design of that truck also looks like it has a very high center of gravity with its height and that tight wheel base. But as Chris said, flipping over a vehicle of that weight 4 times isn't easy...unless the terrain assists.

[Guest]

Its not the first fire truck to roll over as always never looks good for the fd. Papers always spin it to sell paper!!! What is a 21 year old doing driving for4 years? In my company the insurance company wants you to be 21 before you start to drive, 25 for the ambulance. Looked like a nice piece of equipment before this happened good luck replacing it for $500,000 price is probably more like $750,000.

[ny10570 745]

When I was up there P-town was 18 to drive. I'm willing to bet he misspoke when he said 4 years. I've driven the chassis they had that truck mounted on. While I didn't have a 75' stick mounted to it, it was still a bit squirrely especially when pushing the weight limit. Rt 6 is a major rd speed limit 45 or 55 with pure sand shoulders. It could be as simple as he misjudged the turn was going a safe speed for the road but way to fast for the turn. Catch the sand and bingo you're rolling.

[Billy 68]

Here's an update from the Cape Cod Times newspaper:

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll...1/NEWSLETTER100

[mfkap 0]

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../NEWS/811180325

What are the rules that departments have for taking vehicles out for "routine tests" and what are the rules for non-members in the vehicles? I mean, I can understand that a guy would think that zipping around in a fire truck would help impress a girl on a date, but what rules do departments around here have to prevent this? I have seen it happen several times in EMS, but since there was no accident no one seemed to care. Now this town is left without an apparently specialized truck and relying on mutual aid for every call?

Edited November 19, 2008 by jack10562
Moved post to existing topic thread

[Guest jbgfd314]

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../NEWS/811180325

What are the rules that departments have for taking vehicles out for "routine tests" and what are the rules for non-members in the vehicles? I mean, I can understand that a guy would think that zipping around in a fire truck would help impress a girl on a date, but what rules do departments around here have to prevent this? I have seen it happen several times in EMS, but since there was no accident no one seemed to care. Now this town is left without an apparently specialized truck and relying on mutual aid for every call?

My family and I just recently vacationed in cape cod right down the road from where this accident took place. It is a four lane highway with a speed limit of 45 mph. And the local streets are extremely narrow. If he couldn't drive safely on the four lane he must have been a real danger in the village.

[IzzyEng4 427]

Having spent many a summer in Cape Cod though my 35 years of my life I am pretty familiar with the departments up there. The roads up in the Lower Cape (P-town, Truro, Eastham, Wellfleet, Chatham) just like JBQFD said are small and treacherous in the villages and town centers and the major roads like 28, 6 and 6A are fairly decent but also highly congested. One of the main concerns when driving up there is the drainage ditches and side of the roadways since they area mainly sandy. If you get caught on the edge of the road, its a heck of a time to get out of and if you try to correct yourself you can cause more of a problem just like what was seen here.

Ladder 192 was P-town's first aerial ladder truck since organized in 1836. In the past they had a city-service rig. An aerial coming from Wellfleet or Orleans is nothing new for them as they had previously relied on an aerial ladder from them prior to placing 192 into service in 1996. Unfortunately now not having an aerial of their own yes they have to have one automatically dispatched instead of relying on thier own. More than likely the current chief will get a replacement for the town.

Also the Cape has an extensive mutual aid policy set up by Barnstable County. Every major alarm up in the cape you can see apparatus from every department there. Look at the rundown above from a major fire in P-town. When I was in Dennis many years ago they even had departments from Plymouth county at the fire, they believe in the "one pull" system up there unless your the neighboring town and that may get you 1 to 3 trucks depending on what the cards say is available.

As for their policies, I have no idea how P-town runs their department.

[markmets415 524]

UPDATE: MA. FIREFIGHTER TO BE ARRAIGNED IN LADDER TRUCK CRASH:

An arraignment date of Dec. 23 is set for a Provincetown (MA) volunteer firefighter facing criminal motor vehicle charges stemming from the wreck of a ladder truck on Nov. 9. FF Elias Martinez, 21, a steward with the town's volunteer fire department ladder company, will face a criminal charge of operating a vehicle negligently so as to endanger. Police have also cited Martinez with speeding and failure to use caution at an intersection. An accident reconstruction report that the police received last week led them to make the charges. FF Martinez, who started with the fire department at 13 as a junior firefighter, is on unpaid administrative leave from the 75-member fire department following the one-vehicle crash and totaling of the town's only ladder truck. Police have not cited a civilian passenger in the truck, Emily Forbes, 21.

posted with permission from the secretlist @ firefighterclosecalls.com

[Turborich 12]

UPDATE: MA. FIREFIGHTER TO BE ARRAIGNED IN LADDER TRUCK CRASH:

An arraignment date of Dec. 23 is set for a Provincetown (MA) volunteer firefighter facing criminal motor vehicle charges stemming from the wreck of a ladder truck on Nov. 9. FF Elias Martinez, 21, a steward with the town's volunteer fire department ladder company, will face a criminal charge of operating a vehicle negligently so as to endanger. Police have also cited Martinez with speeding and failure to use caution at an intersection. An accident reconstruction report that the police received last week led them to make the charges. FF Martinez, who started with the fire department at 13 as a junior firefighter, is on unpaid administrative leave from the 75-member fire department following the one-vehicle crash and totaling of the town's only ladder truck. Police have not cited a civilian passenger in the truck, Emily Forbes, 21.

posted with permission from the secretlist @ firefighterclosecalls.com

Wow.. and the plot thickens. Remember not to drive like an A-hole out there boys!

"is on unpaid administrative leave"- did someone at the paper forget he was volunteering or does P-Town have paid drivers or career guys now?

[JM15 386]

It said something in the article about him receiving compensation. I don't think that he is truly a volunteer in that sense. Anyone else with more info. That is an interesting way to word that he is suspended.

[64FFMJK 21]

Wow.. and the plot thickens. Remember not to drive like an A-hole out there boys!

"is on unpaid administrative leave"- did someone at the paper forget he was volunteering or does P-Town have paid drivers or career guys now?

Well hes not getting paid is he, so that makes it "unpaid" leave

I wonder what this development will have on the departments insurance and any claims that are a result of this incident?

[jack10562 414]

Wow.. and the plot thickens. Remember not to drive like an A-hole out there boys!

"is on unpaid administrative leave"- did someone at the paper forget he was volunteering or does P-Town have paid drivers or career guys now?

They are all volunteers. He was receiving a stipend, getting paid for acting as a part-time station steward.

One of his jobs was he would periodically take the trucks out for "test runs" and maybe clean the bathrooms, and what not.

A lot of companies have members that are paid do this kind of a job.

[IzzyEng4 427]

Just for some clarification for everyone. They use the term "call firefighters" for both volunteer and part-time paid as they are called upon to the station. I beleive the P-town fireifghers get a tax stipend though I am not sure and are the only fully volunteer staffed department on the Cape. The other departments are either full career, career with paid call firemen or combination career / vollie. Also Mass departments like to use the term "permanent" for thier career firefighters.

Line to P-Town infor on CAPECODFD.COM: http://capecodfd.com/PAGES%20Depts/21%20FD...rovincetown.htm

[Capejake72 8]

If I remember correctly, Provincetown is all volunteer (the only one on Cape) and the members receive a "bonus" at the end of the year, as a member retention tool, and as of a way of the town saying thanks, the amount depends on rank and positions within the department

[markmets415 524]

information posted with permission from the secretlist @ firefighterclosecalls.com

Additional charge:

As you will recall, the Provincetown (Cape Cod, MA) VFD's only aerial ladder was destroyed in early November when one of their members had it out for a drive with a female civilian on board. And now, local police have charged the Provincetown Firefighter with driving under the influence of alcohol, stemming from that crash on Nov. 9. FF Elias Martinez, 21, was cited today by the cops after receiving his hospital medical records from the day of the wreck. FF Martinez, a steward with the PFD's ladder company, also faces a criminal charge of operating a vehicle negligently so as to endanger and charges of speeding and failing to use caution at an intersection, based on an accident reconstruction report.

Edited December 3, 2008 by markmets415

[firecapt32 282]

now it really thickens---driving and drinking do not mix at any time. just wondering if i am missing the irony here speeding on Snail road??maybe he should have been driving at a snail pace when he was coming around to that cornor ??

I do believe that he is in a little trouble.