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I'm just thinking about Thermal Imaging Cameras. While they are a great tool, does anyone feel that they take a bit from a firefighter's knowledge development? I know some departments use it to check for extension, especially with electrical and kitchen fires. And I'm willing to bet some departments rely exclusively on them. But does that take away from our abilities to check for extension using knowledge, our hands, eyes, and ears? Are we able to complete a basic search with a victim without depeneding on this technology. I do think that the TIC is a great,required tool for all fire departments. It saves damage from having to "open up". However, it should never be relied upon exclusively, especially with newer firefighters.

Why not create a "live in" program at the new firehouse for staffing?

Croton Fall's new Brush Truck, currently under construction at Gowans-Knight http://www.gowansknight.com/crotonfallsbrush%20013112.htm If I recall right, except for the mini-attacks, Croton Fall's doesn't have a brush truck, right? Also, when is Tanker 8 due for replacement?

This type of incident happens more often then one would think. I remember watching an "American Heat" newsmagazine VHS that came once a month to our firehouse, and it spotlighting this type of incident. Especially nowadays with all the pool covers designed to "blend in". Just a reminder for the RIT to be ready for anything.

Matt was also a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. Rest in peace, Matt. Thoughts and prayers.

Horrible. Set by one inmate. 350+ killed. Crazy incident....read the link below. READ MORE: http://news.yahoo.com/more-300-killed-honduras-prison-fire-134813093.html

Thanks Howard,and thank you for keeping http://www.emtbravosouth.com up and running as well!

I don't know if I agree or not. With the grant, doesn't it, in the long run, actually cost the City more? The article seems filled with political arguments. Read more: http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Boughton-says-no-to-firefighter-grant-3242091.php#ixzz1mPRr7w9y

I'm just curious about ground ladders. Seems like they collect dust, and many people choose to focus on the "truck company" and aerial apparatus part of it, and forget the ground ladder is one of the core functions of a truck company. Except Boston, look at any of their fire scenes, lol. I'm curious about more suburban-rural communities that depend mostly on ground ladders handle carrying a variety of ladders to compensate for the lack of a truck company.

Maybe I missed the advertising, but the new season of "American Chopper: Sr. vs Jr." premieres tonight on Discovery, kinda out of the blue. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/american-chopper/

There are many communities throughout the region that don't have an aerial device, whether it be a truck, quint, snorkel, whatever. How do these departments compensate? Do they carry extra ladders on their Engines or rescues? Is there any department that still operates a City Service Truck or Quad?

I'm wondering how important smoke detectors and customer service are to some deparments. If a resident has trouble with a smoke detector, it's beeping and they don't know why, they can't reach it, etc will your department go out to help them? Do you advertise or make it known your department will do this? If you go to a home for an EMS call and notice no smoke detectors, do you offer to put one up for free?

Now, as for "Censorship", banning, or whatever you want to call it, here's a good quote I found on another forum:

To me, it's amazing how, in some departments or regions, respect is a popularity contest. A Firematic Officer could be buddies with a lot of people, but they don't know where the line is between friendship and being a leader. It's also amazing how gullable some people are, and will believe anything they are told. One officer could make up a story about something that happened to him/her, whatever, and no one is even intelligent enough to question WHY and WHAT is the other half of the story is before coming to a conclusion I wonder how many of these people have sent money to the "Royal Family" spam emails that promise you a lot of money if you'll just send them money to get it released by the bank.

I'd like to know what you think about how fire chiefs and other leadership should behave online. Would you respect a Chief that behaves in a vulgar and immature fashion online on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook? What kind of message does that send to his/her department, the community, and the fire service? What would you think of a fire chief who enjoys inciting conflict, doesn't play by the rules on purpose, and makes themselves look like a victim of their own actions when they suffer the consequences of it? Finally, what type of members respect and follow this type of leader? And what type of member blindly follows a leader no matter what? And what if word gets out to the citizens about their fire chief's behavior? I believe that a fire chief should be allowed to have their own presence online however they see fit. However, I strongly feel that they must show some sort of decorum online, and set an example for others.

http://www.cityofboston.gov/fire/employment/

This is an absolutelty horrible event. It's also another black eye for the Dispatch field. Hopefully, some dispatchers and agencies will learn from it. When in doubt, especially with assisting another agency, SEND THEM OUT! http://gma.yahoo.com/cps-worker-pleaded-cops-come-powell-blew-house-032332551--abc-news.html

LaGuardia really needs an upgrade, regardless of what's going on at the Port Authority. Especially with all the facilites that are obsolete or no longer used that could be used to bring more flights in. The airport is very important, as it brings in many travelers which also brings money into the city. It would be nice to be able to catch a train from LaGuardia as well. Thanks for the heads up, firedude. I hope this project goes through.

Yorktown has been very prudent with their finances. Look at all the upgrades in equipment in the past 11 years. Look at the amount of properly trained and equipped manpower they turn out with, and their response times. From what I understand, it will be a very modest firehouse, with the purpose mainly being to house apparatus and support the response. Having many friends and family in Yorktown Heights, and my wife being born and raised there with her parents still living there, I know that Yorktown Heights is lucky to have high-quality protection from YHFD, and YVAC, with a very modest tax rate. I've seen the system work for myself on several occasions, especially dispatching for YHFD and participating in other related activities with YHFD. I've had many friends currently in or past members of YHFD who have gone on to very succesful careers with very high profile, high quality agencies. That just further proves how the YHFD has some really top-notch members. Also,it's not "speculation", it's a discussion. Anyone who really cares about their department should be open to and welcome criticism, and comparing different systems and delivery models, should know that being defensive is like putting your hands over you ears and saying that To the member who invited everyone to the Commisioners meeting because of "speculation", since I cannot make it there from Texas, I hope you will take notes from that meeting and present them here.

CAT's new on-road vocational truck, the 2012 CT660, has started to arrive at dealers. More info: http://drivecat.com/

Can Millwood guarentee a response time with apparatus and manpower that is acceptable to the standards of Yorktown FD? Who would be legally liable if someone was to, gosh forbid, die if Millwood couldn't get automatic aid out to Yorktown? It should also be noted that Millwood is also building a multi-million dollar new firehouse. Additionally, Yorktown has outgrown both current firehouses. They have enough apparatus currently to move to the new station. Last I heard, the station will house an Engine, Tanker, and the Dive Team truck. I hope they are able to replace their current main firehouse with a new facility one day. And, there are other firehouses in Westchester that are around 1 mile away from each other.

Beautiful engine. Is it still alive somewhere?

Looks like they have a great team of writers, directors, producers and cast on this show. Hopefully, it will be realistic, and more like "Third Watch" (which also was on NBC) then "Rescue Me". http://www.cinemablend.com/television/NBC-Greenlights-Chicago-Fire-Medical-Drama-Starring-Jason-Ritter-38884.html

Given all the recent aeromedical crashes, I personally wouldn't want to place myself in a helicoper, at least until the private aeromedical companies get their acts together. One very large and prominent companies to work for is PHI: https://www.facebook.com/PHIinc?sk=app_116641731731619 It's also a great place to get experience.

It's a humerous clip, but could have easily taken a life. How would you go about trying to abort this type of incident? Provided it didn't immediately happen on arrival.