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*That was a well built roof. *It sound like y'all got lucky as the fire happened on a Saturday; you had the manpower on the rigs, and at the scene. *Nice job and thanks for the detailed response; I appreciate it!

bump

Good things I see from these photographs: 1. At this point in the fire there seems to be adequate manpower. 2. The Command Post Board is deployed, with the Chief and Coordinator keeping a close eye on it. 3. There is RIT equipment and apparently a FAST team in front of the building. 4. All members are wearing appropriate gear, including Sanata. 5. Multiple handlines for back-up. The questions I have are not a critique, I'm just curious: 1. Is this a truss constructed prefab, or a type 5? 2. Is there a basement? 3. Was the home occupied at the time of the fire? 4. How many units responded for the initial attack and what was that manpower number? 5. Was the aerial master-stream used for a knockdown? 6. Were groundladders deployed, maybe to the rear and out of view, or not needed? 4. Is the structure one level on all exposures? Looks like it was a tough one for the first in units. Glad to see there is no info on here about any injuries. Thanks in advance for any reply.

Rhode Island is pretty far from Long Island unless they took a ferry?

Goose I think a lot of firemen may hate DOING EMS work, but in my personal experience I saw a big change in attitudes on both sides as the years went by. Years ago in my district there was outright hostility at times. This came to be replaced by cooperation as firemen began to work more closely with professional paramedics and saw the lifesaving skills you guys bring to the victims. There came to be a mutual respect. But yes, there are many FD locals across the country that are fighting private companies that compete against FD based EMS ops. Because the privates come in and bid for EMS at ridiculously lowball numbers. This has a direct impact as the municipality then squeezes the union, and good jobs are threatened. And all the while the private company is underpaying, or underbenefiting the EMS workers. EVERYTHING can be negotiated, so I would never say never regarding the IAFF or the AFL-CIO. What the IAFF does not want is privates that underpay and compete against union jobs. What the IAFF does want (in my opinion) is for EMS workers to be getting proper pay and total compensation. Union workers tend to root for each other as we all have similar struggles and stories.

You know, when my job unionized the members had to meet in secret when they were organizing. The story of unionization across this country was one of business interests pitted against working people who wanted to unite and create a better workplace. Violence against unions cost multiple lives across the decades. A great movie to watch would be "Hoffa" starring Jack Nicholson & Danny DeVito; a good dramatic version of the Teamsters story. Many people sacrificed a lot. The members of the EMS community have to realize that the fight they conduct to organize and make things better for the JOB, might not neccesarily benefit YOU personally. You might have to step up and be the men and women that future generations of workers in EMS will look back on and say; "look what those members sacrificed to make things better for us." EMS needs a national front, like the FD has the IAFF. They need to affiliate with AFL-CIO. And then they need to systematically unite EMS throughout the country. Some of you guys have no idea how beneficial it could be for EMS to be strong union. Think about the future; your "retirement", benefits and other things that being union gives you the right to negotiate with your employer. Trust me, it's worth the fight!

ditto. From Bing.

Things just aren't going very well for the guy in this video. He lost his job, had to drop the fire insurance on his car, and was busy with a few things when he pulled up to this gas pump.... http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/78719497.html#

Live coverage of the Memorial Service: http://www.kirotv.com/video/21891407/index.html

PENN HILLS, Pa. – "A police officer responding to a domestic disturbance was shot dead as he sat in his patrol car outside a suburban Pittsburgh home where another man had been killed, authorities said. Penn Hills Chief Howard Burton said officer Michael Crawshaw, 32, was the first to respond to a 911 call Sunday night in which only gunshots were heard. Crawshaw was advised to wait in his patrol car until backup arrived when the suspect approached Crawshaw's car and opened fire, Burton said. Based on the number and type of cartridges found, the weapon appeared to be an assault rifle, he said." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091207/ap_on_re_us/us_officer_shot_dead;_ylt=AqHEEyanWQi1ycOfAjVeWA6WwvIE;_ylu=X3oDMTM5dnBvdmxjBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMjA3L3VzX29mZmljZXJfc2hvdF9kZWFkBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDNQRwb3MDNQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA29mZmljZXJyZXNwbw-- The slain officer is the fourth to be killed on duty in Allegheny County this year. Pittsburgh Officers Eric Kelly, Stephen Mayhle and Paul Sciullo were shot dead while responding to a call at a home in April.

Hey Mack, The Bread Truck was actually the old Fire Patrol Company, not the Rescue Co. It also was stationed in the Bronxville firehouse but was not a front line rig, and was not in the run-code. The patrol truck itself is still in service, now with a private contractor who has really nice equipment. He keeps the truck in fine condition and works it as well.

It was a really strong Brockway, and it was fun to drive. But you had to be very careful with it. It was involved in a fatal MVA, which tempered one's enthusiasm for operating it; knowing what had occured in the past. The problem was it wasn't adequately staffed or equipped. The tools and equipment that EFD now carries on it's engines and trucks are far superior to anything Rescue 5 used to have. An ISO report from the 1950's recommended that Rescue 5 be staffed with 7 career firefighters in some version of a "flying squad" for the district. That was met with "Option One"; do nothing, for a very long time. Edit: for wording

Nice photos of the rigs! The Eastchester Rescue was located in the Bronxville firehouse. After a consultant's report was done on staffing it was decided to move the Rescue Chauffer onto Engine 29, and eliminate Rescue 5. As with the pull-station issue, there were pros and cons to the move, and merit to both sides of the arguement.

It was a sad day when they took the fire alarm box system off-line for good in Eastchester. Times were changing no doubt. Since the begining, we had our own FD dispatcher. We had the box system throughout the district, complete with tape reels in all 5 stations, bells in all stations, and the whistle system. An emphasis was made on all career firefighters knowing both the dispatcher's job, as well as interpreting the boxes with the run-code and then responding; a system that was in place for many decades. When we went to 60-Control for dispatch, they took the firefighter out of our dispatch and created another position for an engine company. The dispatch office became the Captain's office. And so it goes. Some would call it progress, others would say we should have kept the dispatcher position. The arguement had merit on both sides. But what was done was done. While I missed having the boxes and all things firematically nostalgic connected to it, I cannot say I missed the whistle system. These things were useful back when the district was a fairly rural place, and the job relied on volunteers. Even though it is a mere 2-3 miles to the NYC line; it really was "the country" for a very long time; but it grew and was built up. So much so that one village in the district became the most tightly populated village in NY; going by population vs. square milage. That would be Tuckahoe. But the whistles were hideously loud and quite disruptive. The population in general mostly hated them, the guys on the job hated them, but having no choice we all put up with it. The residents that lived close to the firehouses were at times livid; especially when you consider that places of public assembly like the schools had boxes like 8-3, or 8-8-1. A pull-box would generate four rounds of 8-8-1! That's 68 whistle blasts times 5 whistles=340 blasts thundering through the district for a pull-box! The department did itself a great public relations job by eliminating the whistles. The plectrons had been in simultaneous use for many years, and that system would prove effective as the sole notification of alarms. The only thing many people missed about the whistles was the six o'clock test. Two rounds to set your watch by. Again this was before everything we owned became connected to the universal clock. (On a side note, did you ever notice years ago how many times the clock was wrong at the old Yankee Stadium? Used to drive me crazy! Now one can marvel at every clock everywhere all humming at the exact same time.) Now you can bunk in the firehouse and be awakened by the kinder, gentler tone-out. This should add years to the members lives; as the whistles would sometimes give you heart palpitations. It depended on what part of the sleep cycle you were in when they went off........zzzzzz.....BONK!!....YIKES!!....BONK!! Gave you such an adrenaline rush you'd be exhausted before you cranked up the rig and rolled out the door. ~Good riddance to those blasted whistles!

You're right Lieu, nobody said anything about layoffs in MV. I think it was an upstate job that was cutting FD & PD. I'll correct the post.

Man I tell you what; the FDMV guys having to put up with this BS is a freaking disgrace. I mean what is really going on here? Is this ugly politics or what? I'm not blowing smoke; but now with the economy in the tank, I'm really begining to see the importance of the stance Yonkers took years ago regarding mutual-aid and the abuses that occur in lower Westchester. You know maybe the City of Mount Vernon would stop screwing around with the FD if they knew they weren't going to get bailed out time after time by mutual aid companies. If the threat of unchecked fires began knocking on the door of the mayor's office, maybe he would wake up and realize he truly is playing with fire. Since municipalities are all getting crunched right now, and the talk is of demotions, it's time to either get that combined lower Westchester FD idea out of the round file, or another city or fire district is going to have to step up and tell Mt Vernon; enough. We're done subsidizing your fire protection. Take that antiquated mutual aid document and send it to the Smithsonian where it belongs. It's time for a new one; one that holds all municipalities responsible. One that will eliminate the opportunist politicians who see mutual aid as a free pass to dog on their own FD. If a classroom in Mt Vernon has too many kids in it, MV schools can't call Eastchester, Pelham or New Rochelle for some free teachers. The time is well past due for the same to apply to firefighters. ~FDMV brothers; stay tough, stay safe.

Just caught a piece of the news conference on Fox News. Seattle Police Officer riding solo, 7 years on the job, alertly spots a stolen vehicle, unoccupied and running. Radios in, is about to investigate when he sees someone coming up from behind the patrol car. It's the perp. Cop orders him to stop and show his hands, perp does not comply, then makes a run around the patrol car. Officer fires numerous rounds taking down suspect. SFD medic unit responds and pronounces. The murderer is dead. And from the info at the news conference describing the way it went down, it sounds like he was about to ambush this cop. This Seattle police officer is reported to be okay and unhurt. Three people arrested for aiding perp in alluding LE; more arrests expected.

"Suspect in Lakewood police shootings was wounded, may be dead" "Maurice Clemmons, the man suspected of killing four Lakewood police officers in a Parkland coffee shop, was shot and perhaps seriously wounded by one of the officers before fleeing, Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said this morning." http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010386387_webleschihome29m.html

"The President of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, Brian D. Wurts, issued a statement, calling the murders a "cold blooded assassination." Wurts said a benevolent account has been established for the families of the officers. Send donations to LPIG Benevolent Fund at PO Box 99579 Lakewood, WA 98499." http://www.king5.com/news/local/Police-officers-shot-78089882.html

"Shortly after 12 a.m. today, a King County sheriff's armored vehicle was brought to the home at East Yesler Way and 32nd Avenue South, which was bathed in bright lights. Police began using loudspeakers, asking whoever was inside to call 911. Police yelled over the loudspeakers, "Mr. Clemmons we want to minimize the situation." Police responded to the home around 8:44 p.m. A woman who was leaving the home was stopped by officers and told them Clemmons was on the property and bleeding" http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010386387_webleschihome29m.html

Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39. He had 13 years of law enforcement experience and is survived by a wife and three children. He worked first with the Tukwila Police Department. Officer Ronald Owens, 37. He had 12 years of law enforcement experience and is survived by a former wife and a daughter. He used to work for the Washington State Patrol. Officer Tina Griswold, 40. She had 14 years of law enforcement experience. She is survived by her husband and two children. She's a former Lacey police officer. She was awarded a lifesaving medal in July. Officer Greg Richards, 42. He had eight years of law enforcement experience and is survived by his wife and three children. He's a former Kent police officer. All joined the Lakewood Police Department as it was forming.

With deep regret E53/L43 announced the passing of John Neumann. The retired guys from this house did a lot of Katrina relief work; I was honored to accompany and work with them down there; and had a lot of laughs with John. He did at least 4 trips to the Gulf in the aftermath of that storm. He was a really funny guy with a heart as big as his head, and a monster of a truckman. R.I.P. Big John. http://www.elbarriosbravest.com/

(Left to right) E53/L43 members John Neumann, Shelly Barocas, Tom Ryan, Marty O'Neill, Tom Hosford, Larry Reilly in Biloxi, Mississippi, October 2005

Impressive. Job well done. Stay safe

This is pretty difficult to watch. I was wondering how and why we let these somali dudes into the country. They are notorious for being pirates right? We had Black Hawk Down right? So how the **** does a bunch of animals like this (clearly heard speaking in their native tounge if you have the stomach for the audio) make it into this country; then proceed to inflict terror on old white people, and young children, AMERICANS ON THEIR OWN SOIL, then flaunt it on video? I pray LE catches up with these b@stards; and ends up deporting all of them back to that dessert horne of Africa, that lawless dumphole.....let them eat insects again!!! http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/70317887.html?elr=KArksUUUU