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This is more to the terms of, if a community accepts federal grant money from the Homeland Security Act, and staffed with SAFER grant funds, and does not use it appropriately or under the terms of the grant, can the equipment be repossesed? I know this is similar to the article, and speaking with someone who was involved with it, this situation (which I agreed not to disclose) is what inspired the article.

I actually heard this a week before April 1st.

Recently, I heard a rumor the Federal Government can "repossess" SAFER grant apparatus? And that they can attempt to "sell" it back to the department? Anyone can explain if this is true or false?

Also, I forgot to note. Rescue 11, the Pierce Arrow XT Tractor Trailer, runs just like a regular rescue company, with a crew of 5.

Thanks. I stand corrected. http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1064302/ However, HPD still flies this type of helicopter.

Oh, it flies. I just got some more info. The Schweizer 300 is used at special events and for training. They can bring it easily to disaster scenes and special events. It is a small part of a very large aviation program. They have 10 2009'ish MD500E's that work regular patrol, 1 Bell 412EP, and 1 Cessena 182 that's used for travel statewide. They got an ex-NYPD refurbished and upgraded Bell412EP for special mission use, but I don't know how they are figuring that in. This helicopter is configured for rescues during flooding, SWAT use, and other duties as well as patrol. I know Houston PD has an Aviation program that has two helicopters in the air at least 21 hours a day. The Air Support Division is the second larget in the country, behind LAPD. They cover nearly 800 square miles, and can be at a scene within minutes. And they don't have to sit in the horrible Houston traffic, lol. In 2011, the "Fox" units were in the air for almost 8,000 hours, responded to over 16,000 calls, and played a part in over 1,000 arrests. They are based at Hobby Airport in Houston, TX. They are law enforcement only, and don't do anything else (they do search and rescue and other duties, but mostly law enforcement related). They have 80 Sworn HPD Pilots and HPD Sworn Flight Officers, in addition to numerous civilian support personel. They were formed in 1970, with helicopters from the Hughes Corporation (as in Howard Hughes, who was from Houston. Both aircraft are decendants from Hughes models. The MD's arenow produce by MD Helicopters, which is owned by the same holding company as American Lafrance. HPD aviationThey have been affected by usual budgetary issue and political games, but they've made their cases and even though they are still a playing card, they continue to maintain their standard routine and staffing. Note: The department's museum has the orignal HFD helicopter on display.

Recently, I had some extra time to take a quick,brief trip down south to Houston. While I was on my way down to Houston, the apparatus I was going to photograph was involved in an MVA and will be out of service for a while. At least I didn't decide to north to go to Dallas-Fort Worth. Got a late start, was going to leave at 5AM but the weather people predicted storms in every city I like to go take photos in. So I slept late, woke up at 9AM, and it was bright and sunny. Go figure. I got a couple good shots, not as many as I would have liked, though NEW Houston Engine 12 "Moody Park" 2012 Ferrara Inferno-Just Delivered Houston PD "Bring To Scene" Helicpoter Houston FD Rescue 11 200? Pierce Arrow XT (SAFER Grant Funded) Houston FD Breathing Air Unit RC1

Well, my contract with AT&T is up. I currently have the Blackberry 8900, which I am very satisfied with. I like the new Blackberry Bold 9900, which has the traditional Blackberry keyboard that's not a slider and the screen which is basically the same as the 8900, is touchable. The 9900 just came out, not even on display yet but the salesperson brought out one to show me. I like the features mentioned above, and the faster speed and better camera on it. And the fact it's on the AT&T 4G network, but I was told the network the Android runs on a new network that is 10x faster. I need a keyboard, because I need the tactile keyboard feel. Is there an Android device that is similar, and still has the easy email push that the Blackberry is know for. Also, is there any device on the horizon that might be worth waiting for? I'm in no rush right now for a new phone, just starting to explore my options. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.

UPDATE: I love this phone. BUT I hate this phone. Hate it. I like it only because of the keyboard. The battery is dead after an hour, and it is SLOW. I want my BB Curve back,

I encourage EVERYONE to explore the all the new features of this forum. You can set the forum up, for the most part, to be custom for you. The way you find new content, read content, follow othesr,message, search etc etc and another etc have all have been upgraded or are all new..

I hope it is true. I haven't seen Quint 1 in several years, but from someone who spent 10 years particpating in the process, Ardsley keeps their apparatus immaculate. I'm sure there is work to be put in, given it's age, but it's a perfect for a community like Croton Falls. They have some structures that would benefit from a 75' stick and increased ground ladders brought to the scene and not having to wait or need mutual aid. Quint 1 is basically an Engine with a Aerial on top. At least they didn't go out and spend $800,000 on a brand new ladder.

A few years ago, who would have thought that Mount Vernon would be lending other communities apparatus? Well, they are in the process of lending Hartsdale a ladder. For those who haven't been following, Hartsdale Tower Ladder 15, a 1994 FWD/Saulsbury(Body)/Baker Aerialscope (VA) has been out of service, at the Seagrave facility in Clintonville, WI. It has been out of service for a couple of years now, after many years of mechanical problems and damage to the boom. I think there is too much finger pointing and not enough funding going on right now. A friend at Seagrave said that when they physically took apart the boom sections, they weren't repairable due to years of neglect by properly trained mechanics and incorrect parts and procedues. They've probaly spent more in repairs of TL-15 over the years then the truck is worth. With Hartsdale Fire District's budget being hit hard by tax ceratoris, two overbudget firehouse renovation/expansion projects, extensive legal costs,an expensive new Engine, and in my opinon poor financial foresight, there's no money for a new truck, let alone a refurb of TL-15, a demo Ladder, or even a used one. Some may recall Hartsdale FD had been using New Fairfield's Ex-1976 Seagrave non-NFPA compliant 100' RM aerial, which failed it's aerial certification in September, as well as had numerous mechnical problems. Fairview has been covering with their TL in the meantime. This isn't the first time Hartsdale has had fleet problems and has gotten help from neighboring departments. In 1998, their two 1976 Ward LaFrances Engines (refurbs by Rnager in 1986) were on their last leg, with their spare, a pre-1970 red Maxim, being even worse. They bought the former Ardsley Engine 165 1979 Mack CF in 1998 to shore up their fleet, until the could order the twin 2000 Pierce Dash Engines (current 169 and 171). Many moons ago, they bought a 1950's American LaFrance midmount 100' ladder from White Plains. (Ladder 46). They bought another similar one from White Plains as a spare, and they alternated being in service, due to the extensive downtime both ladders had due to mechanical reasons and age. Until 2008, Hartsdale had been using the ex-Engine 169, one of the Wards, as a spare until the Spartan/4 Guys engine was delivered. Hartsdale Car 2172 is still operating a late 1990's Chevrolet Suburban with 100,000+ miles. That is their Shift Commander/IC vehicle (Deputy Chief). However, Car 2171 (Chief Of Department) recently took delivery of a new 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. Kudos for Mount Vernon for turning their fleet around, and helping other departments like others have helped them in the past. I hope for the brothers in Hartsdale and the citizens and businesses that depend on them that their Commisioners find the right thing to do, end this cycle of poor apparatus replacement funding, and find funding, somehwere, to replace the Tower Ladder with a similar type of Tower Ladder. It is a much needed device in Hartsdale, with cramped streets with multiple story apartment buildings built decades ago with exposure issues posing life hazards, and many of which hosuing senior citizens. I hope the union steps up and puts an apparatus age and condition clause in the next contract. So, in a nutshell, Mount Vernon is lending Hartsdale their Spare Ladder 4, which I don't know what truck that is now that the new apparatus has been delivered.

Shoutbox is back online. Please post here if you discover any bugs. Also, I've dedicated all day tommorow and Friday to the forum, so I will be working on that and other things over the next two days to bring us back to "normal".

Thank you for the kind words, sueg. We'll do our best to post info on EMTBravo.com as well. UPDATE: I'm still laying the groundwork for the upgrade. When the upgrade is completed, we will be "under renovation" for a few days. EMTBravo.net may TEMPORARILY not look the same, and some features may not be availble during the upgrade. We also hope to add some new features that members have been requesting for for a long time. I'll try to keep everyone up to date via Facebook, Twitter, Email, and EMTBravo.com. We're expecting the progress to take about a week or less.

Thank you Victoria for your service to this country!

Why is it a "knee jerk" reaction? Maybe they can just add it to the gas tax. New York State is addressing projects that were planned and designed 10-20 years ago. They need to start working on the next generation of highway systems in the state, instead of continually putting seperate band aids on each and every problem. Also, what about putting a commuter rail in the middle median of the Taconic? Link it with a Tappan Zee projects into hubs on the Hudson and Harlem lines? Why not focus on getting people OFF the roadways? I'm sure some commuters would rather spend time on a train reading or working wirelessly then driving. But, we're digressing from the point that this is going to have a serious effect on emergency responders. If this bridge project problem had been addressed from the start, there would be no need for such a massive shutdown project.

Will the other bridge be able to support the increased traffic? And once this bridge is done, are they going to be doing the other one? I love the mentality that "a new bridge will cost $250 million, but this fix will only cost $25 million". Even though there is a drastic difference in numbers, what would be the cost of doing it right the first time and replacing the bridge? $25 million now, and $250 million how much farther down there road? And that bridge would cost $250 million to replace? Will this refurbished bridge be capable of adding lanes or shoulders? And if you replaced the bridge, you wouldn't have to neccarily shut down the entire bridge. The Sprain and Taconic are major highways from Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester nowadays. They really need some serious upgrading all around, especially north of the Jefferson Valley Mall exit. Heck, now that high speed no-toll-plaza toll tags and license plate readers are here and replacing E-Z Pass, make it a toll road to offset some costs.

Boston FD's NEW Marine 1, as posted on FireNews.org: http://www.firenews.org/mass/BostonMar1new11Trials.jpg

Rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers.

More from LoHud.com: http://www.lohud.com/article/20120323/NEWS02/303230061/Elmsford-Trustee-Ed-Rush-s-son-Tyler-killed-motorcycle-accident?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|Frontpage

Lt. Tyler Rush of Elmsford FD, son of Hartsdale FD Chief Ed Rush, was killed in a motorcycle accident last night. Too shaken up to comment further http://www.elmsfordfd.com/news/fullstory/newsid/158947c

And that is exactly what I believe the reasoning was in some people's minds.

Plano is in the Dallas-Forth Worthh metroplex area, and a very progressive, top notch department with high standards. It's sad that strokes are on the increase for younger people. READ MORE: http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/Plano-Firefighters-mourn-loss-142547495.html

Where does on draw the line at the firehouse between busting chops and actually harrasing someone? This is a major embarrasment from the LAFD, which has a deep affiliation with the Catholic Church. Some "Brotherhood" http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/03/16/la-fire-department-pays-firefighter-nearly-500k-after-sex-abu/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing10%7Cdl2%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D144661&a_dgi=aolshare_email

Duane-is that 2007 KME Engine a tack on order from LA Co FD?