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Many of us apparatus buffs love the Mack CF's, and have had the privledge of working or operating one, including myself. However, people complain about just about every brand out there. At the time, and I am speaking specifically of Mack CF's with the body built by Mack, were there any issues or major complaints? Also, who was the dealer for the Hudson Valley? The Mack CF I have experience with (the former Ardsley Engine 165- 1979 Mack CF), was probaly and still is one of the most well laid out and easy to operate and maintain chasis's I've ever seen. The only issue was body cancer (rust). Note the chasis and truck were completly built by Mack. That truck, had it not outgrown the need for space, and with a refuurbishment, could still be in service today.

DISCLAIMER: This has nothing to do with any opinion of the volunteer fire service. This is a question about the volunteer fire service. If you feel like you need to "defend" the volunteer fire service, no matter what is said, you are in the wrong thread, as there is nothing to defend against. Don't turn this into "Career vs. Volunteer", because this is not what this is about. In career departments, usually the Chief has worked themselves up to the administrative level through numerous years and promotions to be able to accomplish most tasks, often with administrative support. In volunteer departments, what certifications or courses do Chiefs take to learn the administrative side of things, such as budgeting, accounting, etc? With the ever-increasing demands of a volunteer Fire Chief, and with limited elected time in office, how is a Chief supposed to be able to gain and use this knowledge? Do some departments have administrative requirements to be elegible to be a Chief, such as an Associates Degree? Sure, a Chief can be a kick-butt IC. But he or she must be able to figure out how to fund for new equipment, project fuel costs, figure out compliance with state and national laws, implement policies, deal with staffing issues, calculate equipment maintainence costs and replacement, and all the other little things. I know many departments have Commisioners that handle these things, but shouldn't the Chief have the same knowledge? In the past, I imagine a lot of Chiefs have been passed down the knowledge on how to do things, or worked as a team using various strength of the membership to figure it all out. But now, with the ever increasing scrutiny, this may no longer be a possiblity. The reason behind my thought process for this is, that in my state, they offer a "Fire Chiefs Academy" and ongoing training for fire chiefs. It's a tough job, and I don't know how some career chiefs keep up. The ones I know in smaller departments put in 80 hours weeks just to keep up. I know that there are various fire service associations in the NY Metro area, but do any offer any ongoing leadership and administrative training for Chiefs?

Congrats to all! I just want to mention, I truly admire the guys at SFRD. The guys have been through several hardships over the very recent period of time, with firefighters being diagnosed with serious illnesses, and they have really rallied behind them to support their fellow brothers time after time. They've put together seminars, improved citizen safety, and have made strides to improve the department despite the adversity of beauracrcy. Also, look at all the saves the guys have made....some even off duty! I'm proud to know members of the SFRD. Now, if they'd only go with a Pierce, Crimson, or Seagrave, they'd be perfect, lol.

In Austin, the Medical Director has a vehicle to respond to the scene. There is a variety of reasons why he may need to respond to the scene. The interesting part, is that the Medical Director for Austin-Travis County EMS started out his career as an EMT at Empress EMS.

Interesting. I like the idea of having to certify on every piece the driver will operate. Also proactive to let the community know ahead of time. READ MORE:http://fenceviewer.com/site/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=72973:fire-truck-trips-not-just-joyrides&Itemid=938

There could be docking stations in each apparatus,including spares. However, when the company needs to switch into a spare, they can just move the laptop over. Additionally, departments would have to "buy into" the system Exactly. Remove a layer of management. Set up an MDT program, show that it works and is effective,and a lot of departments will see why we need it. If a department doesn't want MDT's, then carry on with what they want to do.

So, 60 Control's CAD doesn't have AVL nor does it have a way to communicate data? Is there any plan to uprgade this? It's pretty much a standard feature in almost all modern dispatch centers nowadays. Another great decision by the "Fire Advisory Board". This is why 60 Control should be it's own agency with it's own leadership. If they are still using Intergraph, maybe they could buy the "add on". Although it's not clear if they offer a REAL MDC system that's intergrated with CAD, they seem to make it seem so until you really read into the wording. http://www.intergraph.com/publicsafety/cad.aspx

I was going to ask what that was. I've never seen anything like it. Is it just used for additonal power? It's part of the Georgetown Railroad, which is a short line that serves and is owned by Texas Crushed Stone.

Awesome shots as always, Joe!

http://www.lohud.com/article/20120312/NEWS02/303120048/Peekskill-considers-using-eminent-domain

Both rigs are sharp! I love the look of the new KME grill.

If I remember correctly, Scarsdale VAC, Eastchester VAC, and Empress all ran the Wheeled Coach Mini Mods at the time they were being marketed. I remember at Empress they were considered the "50" series.

Braun Ambulance introduced a new model at the EMS Today Conference last week. "The Phil Braun Signature Series" To me, it looks like a very basic ambulance aimed at the value and commercial sector of their market. Seems very well thought out. I'm not too familiar with Braun anymore, but wonder how this compares to the "Express" model. http://www.braunambulances.com/Models/SignatureSeries.aspx It's like the "Mini Slopeside minimod" that Empress used to have, but without the slope. I also got to say that I really miss the full size Braun slopesides. I wish they still made them, those ambulances handled well, were layed out very nicely, and had very good visibility to the side and rear.

From a press release from Ferrara:

I haven't had much time or energy to share a lot of the photos I've taken recently on here, but since the time change has me an hour ahead, here are some select photos I've taken over the past month or two. I may add some more tommorow. I'm too lazy to add captions, so if you have a question about the photo, just post on this thread and ask, and I'll do my best to answer. All photos taken by me.

Great shots! I'm always amazed at the quality of iPhone shots.

"Alert For Life" Fundraiser to benefit the Stamford Fire Safety Foundation Fund Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 1:00-9:00 PM Spazzio Restaurant at 401 Shippan Avenue in Stamford Spazzio will be preparing various food and dishes off of their menu throughout the afternoon and evening and offering this free of charge. In exchange, attendees will asked to make a donation to the Stamford Fire Safety Foundation Fund. Proceeds from this benefit will be used for smoke detector programs and fire safety education in Stamford. Bullex Corp. will also have a mobile fire training classroom/trailer present for demonstration. Purchasing a mobile fire classroom for Stamford Fire Departments is among the Foundation's goals for the upcoming year. Fire Fighters will also have free smoke detectors and batteries for smoke detectors available at this event. Whether you can join us for 20 minutes or 2 hours, please bring family and friends to Spazzio on Shippan Avenue and help support a great cause. Flyer: alertforlife.pdf

Tragic. Thoughts and prayers.

Does YFD have it tied into the CAD system, and do all apparatus have it? Down here, the majority of urban and suburban departments have MDC's. It's pretty much the standard. There is very little voice dispatching. They are linked to the dispatch CAD system, so the company can read the call, update the status of the apparatus, etc. Some other features routing information giving the best and fastest way to the scene, mapping and Google Earth views, reports that file into the record management system, and various references including premise information. I think I remember New Rochelle was beta testing a system?

Just a reminder to set your clocks 1 hour ahead tonight, as well as changing your smoke and CO detector batteries.

Do any departments in the Lower Hudson Valley or Southeastern CT have MDC's for their entire fleet that are tied to their dispatch system? MDC: Mobile Data Computer

Weren't they supposed to build a pedestrian bridge a few years ago? Regardless, this is a pretty cool advance in safety.

That was WAY before my time. Wasn't 60 Control initially staffed by volunteers out of White Plains Fire HQ, then to County PD, then to the room that's now offices downstairs by the locker rooms, and then into the current facility?

Interesting. READ MORE: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/volvo-introduces-pedestrian-airbags-222726925.html

60 Control needs a larger, dedicated facility. This should have been in the plan a long, long time ago. Is every bay in the new Support Service building filled? Are Engine 7 and Ladder 7 housed there? Has the old apparatus floor in the main building been converted into training space an audotorium which was the plan when the SS building was constructed? Are there generators, flatbed trucks, and other utlities housed outside? I agree, DES has made strides in progress from the past, however the facilites have been poorly planned, fragmented, and outgrown.