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The State of Michigan is in shambles. Flint in particular used to be a powerhouse of manufacturing, and a strong component of our economy. Take a look at the results of NAFTA fellas. The jobs that used to be in Flint are now in the Machiladoras; just across the border in Mexico. Desperation is rearing it's ugly head.

Islamorada (pronounced Isle-ah-more-ah-dah) is a chain of islands in the Upper Keys of Florida. The fire department has three stations, 19-20-21. The 23 brothers on the job are members of IAFF Local 4374. They work 24/48. It is a combo department with approx. 50 volunteer members on the rolls. They have a career chief. In 2009 they did about 2,500 runs; approx. 80% EMS. They have four frontline apparatus, and three ALS buses (Rescues). The department works closely with Medivac choppers, as the closest Level One Trauma Center is Jackson Medical Center up on the mainland. Lower Matecumbe Key is home to Station 19. Here they run a 2000 Sutphen Snozzle, Hale, 1500 GPM, 500 gallon booster, and one ALS Rescue unit: On duty this day are Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Staton(L), and Firefighter/EMT Bret Frankel: Station 20 is located on Upper Matecumbe Key. It houses a 2008 Sutphen 75' mid-mount, Hale pump, 1500 GPM, 500 gallon booster: Tour Commander, Captain Geo(Joe) Toth(L), Firefighter/EMT James Griffeth®: Each firehouse has an ALS Rescue. Station 20 houses this 2006 Sterling, body by ALF: They have a hydrant system in the Keys, and supplement their water supply with this 1999 Pierce Quantum tanker, Waterous, 1500 GPM, 3000 gallon tank: Up to the new Headquarters building, located in Founders Park, north-eastern Upper Matecumbe: 1998 Pierce Saber, top-mount pump panel, Waterous, 1250 gpm, 500 gallon booster, CAFS system: Station 21 Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew Gamil(L), and FF/EMT Ron Jacobs: Many thanks to the brothers of Local 4374. Stay safe!

Weren't we all so horrified..... http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/03/25/2010-03-25_jealous_exboyfriends_fury_killed_87_in_happy_land_fire_20_years_ago.html

So you were at work in London, and able to get out and grab some shots....... Nice job you got.

Take a look at ryang's IA of the Brooklyn 3rd. See what I mean?

Health care legislation passed? Jeez, I'd better read the "news" more often.

Very nice work J. They should let you out more often!

There will be a Memorial Mass for Mike this evening at The Immaculate Conception Church, on Winterhill Road in Tuckahoe at 1900 hrs. Our Hero in Heaven. And yes, "Thank a Police Officer, in Honor of Michael Frey." Retired: Shield #27 Retired: EPD Sector Car 43 Also keep in your prayers FDNY Fire Marshall Ronald Bucca, who along with many other brave law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS attempted to, and did help that day.

Hey, there's been some really great IA's lately. These members should be recognized for this valuable work, and rep points would be a good way of doing it, IMO. Thanks to all of you writing these IA's.

For those that have experienced a Collyer's Mansion, this new "reality show" will probably bring back bad memories. For those that have not yet been in one of these fire traps, it's worth your time to check out this site and maybe the "show" on tv. Sunday: 10 PM on TLC http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/hoarding-buried-alive/ Homer and Langley live on.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collyer_brothers

While we're asking trivia questions about good fire texts; anybody know what John Norman's nickname is/was? (scroll down for answer) A: Square-peg. One heck of a good textbook though.

And THAT is a great post. Thank you Chief!

http://www.lohud.com/article/20100314/NEWS02/3140353/1018/NEWS02/Millwood-Fire-District-wins--161-000-FEMA-grant-for-equipment

2010 and still goin' strong bro. Happy Birthday.

Being somewhat out of the loop, I didn't realize this had become law. Thanks to thebravest.com for the update: http://www.thebravest.com/FDNYNewsArchive/10/03/18a.htm

Bill Gallo, the artist from the NY Daily News wrote an interesting review of this new mini-series premiering tonight on HBO. Mr. Gallo is a Marine Veteran who fought in the Pacific Theatre during WWII: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2010/03/14/2010-03-14_yes_its_as_real_as_hell.html From Comcast: Begins tonight 9:00 PM HBO-HD, rebroadcast 11:00 PM

Somebody please tell me this is an inside joke....

Nice job spotting it inside those overhead wires! Thread the needle....

Nice shots Seth. I must admit, I've been remiss at truly checking out the body of work you have in your photo site. Truly impressive. Thank you for sharing it all.

Thanks Raz, had a total brain f*rt on that. I was having ALF flashbacks with the swing down front jack that was always a pleasure to lay in the snow and deploy... A rig this size could never have manual jacks...doy.

When members are out for vaca/sick, where does that manpower get taken from? Just my opinion, but I'd much rather have a two man truck. At least you can depend on a two-man entry/search team going interior, or an immediate exterior life rescue using the aerial platform or ground ladder/s. Apparatus operation: How does one man safely back up a behemoth like this TL? Cameras are supposed to supplement actual eyes behind the rig no? Must be a joy backing it into the bay. Rig itself: Those manual front jacks must be a pain, possible delays deploying the aerial? Always liked that type of outriggers on the sides though (never had them on my job, mostly had Seagrave sticks, then also an ALF/LTI). When it's working properly, it must have pretty good strength. What is the lift capacity at full extension? 1000 lbs or more? Edit: thanks for the link R585 K.

Was looking through x635 photos, but I can't find one of the Tower Ladder. Can anybody give us a link to a photo, so we can see the rig in question?

First application listed: It's gotta go ballistic. If this suit is exposed to a deadly agent, are you scrapping the SCBA?

Whoa....just realized....it's YOU! Wow, did you do some great work. Thank YOU.

Maybe he ain't really dead and is hangin out with Elvis.... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1257377/James-Browns-body-missing-crypt-alleges-singers-daughter.html