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Another golden oldie from the Iamonico Collection

Totally agree with you Jack. The ironic part is how the talk of the new Republican majority renewing it's attack and attempts to privatize social security. Let's take a snapshot look at the New York Retirement System. It's a "public-private partnership", where the private industry feeds off of lucrative funds and fees in the System. All the people in the private sector that go about railing against our pension plan should be careful; if they work in the finance industry, one of the largest industries in New York, they might be biting the hand that feeds them; 132.5 billion dollar value of the pension system as of March 2010: These are some of the allocations from the System that the private finance industry controls, and the fees they collect as a result: $51.5 billion invested in Domestic Equities $21.2 billion invested in International Equities $13 billion invested in Private Equities $6.3 billion invested in Real Estate Loans $34.6 million in Domestic Equities management fees $17.9 million in Domestic Equities commissions $70.1 million in International Equities management fees $11.3 million in International Equities commissions $76.9 million in Real Estate Management fees $115.8 million in Private Equities management fees $48.7 million in Absolute Return Strategy management fees The pension system money is invested out there in the private sector; building businesses,EDIT: Oh yeah, creating jobs in the private sector, developing technologies, both here in the U.S. and overseas. Public money is intertwined in the private sector; the same way a cop or firefighter makes a salary off taxes, pays income tax, pays property tax, etc. Cops and firefighters have become just a convenient target for those opportunistic politicians who play people through the media, who sell the news, etc. We're the whipping boy; part jealousy, envy (who would have ever thought people in the private sector would be envious of what civil servants get?) I think it says more about how far the mighty have fallen, as opposed to how far the civil servant has come.

NYPFRA had an article in it's latest Newsletter addressing this very topic: http://www.nypfra.org/index.cfm As far as the overall health of the New York State Retirement System: But you can bet, if this latest "deferred payment plan" for the municipalities goes through, NY will lose it's spot as the best funded pension plan. Municipalities will take advantage of the deferred payment at a proposed 5% interest rate for repayment, and NY will start the slide toward being underfunded; the same crisis our Brothers and Sisters in New Jersey are facing now.

On the road last week, up to Myrtle Beach, SC for the WFCC. Sponsored by Scott Air Packs, it's a pretty big deal, bigger than I imagined it would be. There were participating departments from the United States, Canada and Europe. Got home today, and I'm going to start out with a few shots from the location, and some of the host fire departments' (MB & Horry County) apparatus. Those of you who know MB, this competition was held at Broadway At The Beach, in the shadow of the Hard Rock pyramid:

Thanks very much Seth. This was the first time I saw one of these competitions in person. Like you said, it is a very tough sport. Reminded me very much of the old FDNY agility test they used to give at the New York Colosseum. The sportsmanship was exceptional. The Brothers and Sisters set an example that professional ballplayers should try and emulate! They had set up a miniature course for the children to participate in, complete with mini-turn-out gear. Awesome. Myrtle Beach FD, Horry County FD are to be commended for hosting a wildly successful World Games. Talk is of the event returning there next year. The MBPD and SC National Guard were also exceptional hosts.

http://www.firefighter-challenge.com/

The dead count is up to 53. Welders held for starting the fire: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_china_fire "Made in China."

Like many firehouses, Station One's apparatus door was widened when they started placing Mack engines in service in place of the ALFs before them. The bay door at Station One used to be an archway. The Mack CF that was Engine 27's rig for many years was as tall as this Mack, and they both fit with a few inches to spare.

Welcome aboard Chief!

The Tuckahoe firehouse holds Engine 28 and Ladder 16. The staffing, like many Westchester departments, was minimal, 1 firefighter per rig for many decades, plus the volunteer members who would respond in their POVs. A consultants report done in the 1990's recommended closing Engine 28, replacing the Seagrave Aerial with a Seagrave Quint, and moving the Engine 28 firefighter onto Ladder 16; 2 members on a rig is better than 1. All of this was done. Subsequently, 2 Lieutenant positions were established, one on Ladder 16, one on Ladder 17. Most days Ladder 16 will be at Headquarters or out training. The career staffing for the department now is a minimum of 8 engine personnel, 4 truck, a command car with a Captain and his aide, the AC and Chief. Without vacation days this will increase by 3, bringing the daily squad to 17 per shift, plus the two chiefs.

Take a look at how Faux News tried to play this up that this skel was "the victim." The "credible witness" who took the video....well you decide: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/witness-firefighters-punched-man-20101101#disqus_thread

One day it's going in one direction, the next day the opposite. Have to say, as much as I have personal disdain for FB, this is a good development IMHO. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/business/09facebook.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=ambulance%20facebook&st=cse

After 9/11, security personnel were removed from fire brigade service. The reasoning was that a fire could be a diversionary tactic. When this transformer blew, it activated a deluge sprinkler system, and a fire alarm. IP has different alarms, which are heard throughout the site. The next thing that occurs is the Control Room will announce what is happening and where, and the brigade; consisting of other personnel other than security will go to one of the two or three designated assembly points, where their turnout gear is stored. They have various sizes of gear, so whoever is designated to respond can grab a generic set. The first part of the brigade will usually be 6-7 members. They can be engineers, chemists, anything except security. They can muster 14-15 brigade members at a time. Throughout IP there are hose stations with preconnected lines. The brigade will respond to the site of the emergency, and they have push-carts that contain various firefighting tools, extra hose, nozzles, etc. The sprinkler system is well designed, and has very high volume. You can imagine this would handle most fire incidents at the site. The brigade will perform whatever they need to do. If the incident requires outside assistance, the responding departments would be utilized.

I remember one case where this occurred with a favorable outcome: http://www.crimezzz.net/serialkillers/M/MENGEL_alex_j.php

Why would they be so useful in fire apparatus? More often than not it would show a rig going through a red signal, not the other way around. Attorneys would use them against all of you. One reason I could see it being used is to show the apparatus operator didn't come to a COMPLETE stop (maybe slowed to 2-3 mph). An operator doing his/her best to respond to an alarm of fire shouldn't have a camera there to "catch" them, and that's exactly how they would be used. I vote no. Just my opinion.

Hey we had a "Crabtree" fire too......."oh Miss Crabtree, there's something heavy on my heart."

Chief Raftery. Your wit and wisdom are always a welcome read here on the site. Your knowledge of firefighting is something we all appreciate. You mentioned in the New Rochelle fire thread you were in the military at the time. If you don't mind me asking; what branch and were you in 'Nam? Congrats to you Sir. Your prize is.....uh...well...this note.

Are Angelo's stills taken from an 8mm?

And also a very convenient way for minimally staffed departments to attack a fire. Even though we PREACH three sides for engine companies, the "matydale cross-lay" mentality is hard to break when the proverbial hits the fan.