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Let's take, for example, a traffic collision with injuries on a high speed roadway. A lot is talked about apparatus positioning, but where should the ALS Flycar be positioned? Ahead of the scene? And what if they are the first to arrive? Also note that most Flycars have their gear in the back of the truck, requiring them to go to the back of the vehicle for a second or two.

I absolutely agree, but where does the blame lie and who ultimately takes ownership? Where and how can this be corrected? In recruiting, shouldn't candidates be chosen because they are a viable and capable trainee and can be molded into a firefighter? Do the instructors have a say who is hired? Instructors have to take some ownership, and take some pride in getting some of those lagging behind up to standards, people are capable of change and improvement. That is their job- no one is perfect and they are there to instruct them to be. Now, with the court case thing, how does it affect the instructors ability to do their job? Now, this is for conversational purposes only and being a devils advocate, but is there any chance that the instructors and other probies resent how these probies were hired and don't want them to succeed? I've been at the Academy during this, and there are a lot of instructors working one-one with candidates. I was actually surprised how many. And I wondered how much the one-on-one time is taking away from other training. Also, the article states that this is 12 years later for some candidates from when they took the test. Don't they have to still pass a current physical/CPAT and medical before they can be cleared for the academy?

I'm going to drag you down there, prevent you from making any more changes, and force you to drive it back to Wassaic. The "Blue Crew" will really be turning blue training on this thing when it arrives just as temperatures dip. I'm just joking with you Mark. As I've said, the quality and the way they accommodate all the changes easily make it worth the wait. Better to get it right the first time then have to add it later, especially when it comes to the CAFS. But seriously if I hear one more week again, my first statement stands.

I like that Rosenbauer Engine 3.....appears to be their newest engine....wonder if they have any more on order? Rosenbauer seems to be up and coming, especially after securing the Chicago Squad and Baltimore County contracts. And the Commander chasis has really grown on me. Wonder when they'll make their way down to the lower Hudson Valley?

I just read somewhere, and this is probably old news, but the Federal Ambulance Standard AKA "KKK Spec". One reason this makes me happy is because the useless squad bench can be deleted from specs. Of course, you lose patient capacity on that rare occasion, but you make it safer for the crew. Also, turning the squad bench into a workstation for the provider, with equipment mounts and other tools and supplies right there, makes for a more efficient patient care environment, and also makes it safer for the crew member not having to get up to do various things....they can have everything right there and stay belted in. And I guess that stupid, useless "exhaust vent" that was required will also go away, as that never worked. Maybe we will also see the end to the digusting "walk throughs". Is there another agency or association that will be setting basic specs for ambulances?

Your FD is kind of in the middle. Does your department require certain ambulance vehicle safety standards in the contract with the provider? And if the NFPA comes out with an NFPA Ambulance standard, will your vendor be required to adhere to it?

Excellent photos by a friend of mine of a fifth alarm in Grapevine, Texas (Dallas suburb). It was a brand new apartment complex. PHOTOS: http://www.bensware.com/photos/GVMills2013/ News article: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20131012-fire-burns-new-apartments-near-grapevine-mills-mall.ece

I wouldn't think instructors would want probies to fail, because it reflects on them as well. Unless a point is trying to be proven, which I doubt, but may make sense.

Great photos, Mark! Looks like a fun event on a beautiful day.

There needs to be a EMS counterpart to the National FIRE Protection Association that sets basic EMS standards, like the NFPA does for the fire service. It should consist of industry professionals and other leaders that focus on EMS. Just because some FD's run EMS doesn't mean they can or should dictate ambulance standards. I don't care what percentage of the fire service does EMS, you don't see the police groups setting fire engine standards.

I know, old news, but saw the jail empty the other day and never saw it posted here. http://westchester.news12.com/news/yonkers-to-begin-using-new-jail-sunday-1.6096187

No. SMRP is in Westchester. It will be stationed as I mentioned above.

The KKK spec standard vent doesn't do anything, hot air or smelly patient. It's too small. There needs to be something that actually exhausts, maybe those reversible type ceiling mount fans that they use RV's.

Height, some engine modifications (air intake, etc), and 4x4 to drive through flooded areas, and room in the back to take back evacuees, or bring firefighters and equipment. There was talk about putting a Zodiac in the back, but don't know if that will happen.

I believe there are only three at this time, assigned to severe flood prone areas, such as Far Rockaway.

Here's a feel good story about the fire service. Video: http://www.khou.com/news/local/Retired-Houston-firefighter-gets-one-last-shift-224489821.html

RIP. Read more: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/FDNY-Firefighter-Killed-Drunk-Driver-Motorcycle-New-Jersey-227406391.html

A harrowing few minutes. Audio from the Mayday. http://youtu.be/MzEtqZVWFZc LAFD Press Release:

Date: 10-12-13 Time:1529 Incident Type: Fire Location: 6 McLean Ave, Walgreens District: Yonkers Units: B-1 (I/C), E304, E303, E306, L74, L71, R1 Description: 15:29hrs B-1 reports all hands working, fire on the roof, probably will hold 15:36hrs B-1 reporting fire knocked down, companies overhauling

Date: 10-11-13 Time: 2100hrs Incident Type Pedestrians Struck/MCI Location: McLean Ave/McCollum Place, Church of St. Paul IAO Coyne Park District: Yonkers Units: Empress EMS BLS, ALS, SOC and Supervisors, Yonkers FD, Yonkers PD Description: SUV struck multiple victims at a street fair attended being by hundreds. 1 pedestrian killed, two teenagers taken to Jacobi in critical condition, two victims taken to Lawrence Hospital with minor injuries.

Some of the above comments sicken me. Our job and duty is to save lives, not to judge and decide who is deserving of our care. Just because someone is addicted to drugs does not make them any less of a human being, and any less worthy of our care.

Hope I'm giving the right visual to help out your awesome description....

As of this morning, Ladder 12 was sitting in it's new home.

CTAcadFair110213.pdf