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Thanks, Adam. How tight is it a fit for the apparatus to get to the scene and get equipment mobilized? Does the tight working area ever pose challenges? Does PVFD have a special unit for this, or just an engine and rescue?

Very good and important link! I am printing it out and putting it in my camera bags. Although I've never had an issue with PD (knock on wood), I've had issues with janitors, etc in NY. They are making photography illegal, and it's sad you can't even take a photo of a train on a platform at Grand Central. Thankfully, everyone is really welcoming down here whenever I go anywhere for photos. Just have to be respectful, and I've made many friends through my photos.

I appreciate the feedback! I'm considering, actually am going to when I have a chance, put a feed of training events on the front page of EMTBravo.com, that comes from our Training And Educational Oppurtunities section. Just where an how needs to be hammered out, as there's not a lot of real estate to be spared there. I'm also working to start a weekly newsletter which will advertise training oppurtunities. Seth

Great photos! I can't believe the greedy Bank Of America has a mobile ATM to set up in disaster areas. Floods and wildfires are two very different animals.

When you have an accident in that stretch, where are you supposed to go? You are basically trapped, even if you stay in your car. That portion of the Taconic was never built for the traffic it currently sees, and has been obsolete for years. I also always wondered how first reponders get to the scene if both lanes are blocked and stopped?

For those who didn't see it in the Austin-area Massive Wildfire(s) thread, the local media did a story on freelancing, which always becomes an issue in any large incident: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/09/08/volunteers_turned_away_from_fi.html

The phone number was a hoax. Here's some more info: http://www.sffma.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=574 A large part of spreading the rumor was started by the Texas Nationalist Movement in order to further thier agenda towards FEMA and the US Government. Of course, the media picked it up because it sounded so scandolous. In fact, volunteers were showing up....the ones that had been requested from the volunteer departments who have wildland gear and training. Sure, volunteers could have been put to work with non-suppresion duties IF requested. The Federal bureaucracy hinders this. Besides, a good reason-you can't just have random volunteers showing up wanting to be a part of the action. And structural firefighting is WAY different then wildland firefighting. These fires are fought tactically, and if you're in the wrong area at the wrong time....... Here's what the OEM Director had to say: UPDATED News article: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/volunteer-firefighters-turned-away-in-bastrop-officials-say-1830422.html

Oh, and if you really want to fight wildland fires, then become a Wildland Firefigter. Here's what it is about and what you need to do: http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/websites/twpp/ I highly doubt mamy freelancers are coming in with that training.

No legitimate calls for manpower were placed. There were some partial departmental recalls. There was a horse farm in Bastrop that put out an "all call" for firefighters to evacuate horses in danger, and did so by themselves. Incidents like these are well managed. Accountability is EXTREMLY important. Wildland Firefighting also warrants specialized training, gear, and physical fitness. There is a lot of strategy involved. Manpower resources are part of Strike Teams or Task Forces. The Incident Commander calls for what he needs, and they respond as a team. They then report to the staging area, where the accountability process begins. The staging area is heavily guarded by the Sheriff's department and a staging area assistant, to make sure it is the proper resource, it was requested, and check people in. Let's take a house fire. Some guy who's a firefighter driving by has his own gear and decides to help out. He goes into the structure, no one knows he is there, and he gets trapped. He may have training and experience, but no one asked him to come nor did the Safety Officer have accountability of all those on scene. He never comes out. Apply that same situation to thousands of acres and thousands of homes. It's all about teamwork.

Well, the DC-10 won't be operational for two days. Apparently, they have only one pilot who can fly it, and he's on a mandatory 2-day rest period. The pilot hold's a special certification, and getting another pilot is hard, especially when they are committed to other fires in California. It also needs to fly with a lead plane, which is ready to go. Also, they need to assemble and test a part which will take two days. They apparently knew it would take 2 days, apparently, and that was part of the plan. More info: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/09/08/firefighting_dc10_remains_grou.html Mostly all other fires are contained (contained DOES NOT mean extinguished). However, firefighters are responding to numerous brush fires each day, and most departments have manned a brush truck and tender on overtime. Also, they are still responding to everyday calls, which includes non-brush related structure fires, pin jobs, haz-mat, EMS priority 1, automatic fire alarms, etc. They are also still doing daily training, etc. As for the largest fire in Bastrop: The latest damage count in Bastrop....1,386 homes have been completly destroyed, 30% contained, and contained means just that....contained, NOT extinguished. Texas Task Force 1, a elite USAR team, is also a team of 100 searchers with K-9's going from burned down house to house looking for victims remains. And freelancing was addressed in the media: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/09/08/volunteers_turned_away_from_fi.html

Thanks, Pete. Multiple units from the DFW area here working. Just passed a convoy of 12 Federal Brush Trucks southbound on I-35 on my way home.

From what I understand, there was a fire in Tuckahoe today in a multi-family residence where every resident was related to a firefighter somehow. It was also owned by a firefighter. I also saw on LoHud.com that Chief Grogan identified Firefighter John Reichelt and Lt. Dan Grogan of Ladder 16 (Tuckahoe) made a heroic and dramatic rescue of a victim who was trapped on the third floor. Additionally, smoke alarms are credited for waking residents up and evacuating them. I'm sure we'll hear more from our Eastchester members (and maybe someone has enough info to write the IA).

Thanks, Duane. Bastrop is sort of like a more rural less developed version of Putnam or Dutchess County, It is similar in that Bastrop is home to a lot of employees of the City Of Austin. I know numerous City employees, including Firefighters, Police Officers, Paramedics, and 911 Dispatchers who are currently, if not working, and their families who are at shelters and have lost everything. I was worried about them and their families, and this afternoon, one of the bodies was identified as an Electrician for the City Of Austin, assigned to the Airport. He worked for the City and was engaged to be married. There are several more people who did not or could not be warned in enough time to get out. I just hope more people got out, and there are no more vicitms found deceased. I don't mean to be gruesome, but anyone who's been in a structure fire knows how hard it is to look for a charred body in debris. In some neighborhoods where 400+ homes were lost, there are still firefighters trying to go through every house that they can't identify the residents. During the initial evacuations, every house got a full primary search (pre-burn) The Constable's office is trying to account for everyone, but it is still a daunting task.

You're welcome. Creating a firebreak is backbreaking manual labor, and these guys are working 12-16 hour shifts doing this. And, the weather continues to love Austin:

Awesome, Billy. Someone told me the DC-10 is at ABIA and AFD is assisting in refilling it. (For those not familiar, our beautiful airport used to be an Army base and is capable of landing the largest of aircraft). Also, the wind is up this way, at least this morning. I had a meeting this morning in Round Rock, and it smelled liked a brush fire, the haze was sticking around, and there was a small layer of ash on my car. BTW, all Round Rock and surrounding communities brush trucks are currently being staffed with 2 FF's 24/7. Yup. As far as prisoners to fight the fire and doing the labor work, I've been told it would be more expensive to use prisoners then regular firefighters. I think they should get out there and be raking brush! But, in CA where this idea originated, you have to be a prisoner on good behavior. Texas really doesn't consider that-if they were on "good behavior", they wouldn't be in jail in the first place. I do, however, support the program and think its a good idea.

Great shots, Pete! I've got to get over to Grapevine and Coppell next time I am up that way. Duane, you're probaly lucky if you didn't come this time, especially Central TX. Mostly everyone is exhausted and is working mandatory overtime. Plus there is so much haze in the air it makes taking a clear photo hard.

Awesome! Thanks for the photo. I loved that truck, very progressive for the time (and the Quad)! What happened to it after it left Elmsford?

How come when there are foregin disasters, you can text donations to the Red Cross? But when there is a disaster domestically, seemingly right now we can't?

Bastrop fire- still 0% contained. Here's a video of some firefighter doing a controlled burn. Also some good apparatus footage.

Thanks MM for the heads up! http://www.twhcollectibles.com/t-news_09062011.aspx

I would also like to say, EXCELLENT placement by the Apparatus Operator of Ladder 16!! Compared to several years ago, when Eastchesters fleet was in dire need, we're lucky Tuckahoe even has Ladder 16! Given the population density and wood frame structures, IMHO there should be an staffed Engine company as well. I never really understand Eastchester...is it funded through a fire district tax, or contracted by the Village Of Tuckahoe? For reference photographically (thanks again demps121): Ladder 16: Engine 28, at least Engine 28 in 2007. Tuckahoe Firehouse:

Chris hit the nail on the head. These fires are fought tactically with extreme planning, training, and incident management. The whole NIMS thing is in full effect. Texas INTRAstate mutual aid is very well organized. Federal resources are being requested, in part, due to the severe exhaustion of both career and volunteer firefighters. Besides the wildfires, there have been numerous unrelated structure fires, pin jobs, hazmat calls, etc. So entire cities cannot be emptied just to fight a wildfire. As far as freelancers, there are departments from around the country calling and saying they will be on thier way or asking if they can help. One of the many,many reasons this is dangerous, besides what's stated in my posts above, is there is a chance of a helicopter dropping a Bambi Bucket full of water on your head. The latest fire conditions can be found here: http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=12888 Also, to note, EMTBravo is headquartered in the Austin,TX area. I handle the backend technical, operations, and finacial duties from my home here in central TX, and our staff operates remotely as well from all over the country. Right now, there is no reason to believe we are in danger, even though the Bastrop fire is about a half hour away. I have friends and coworkers that have lost everything, and due to the current conditions, cannot get any accurate info. They are stuck in shelters with a thousand other peope. This is one of our large recreational lakes, that's also a major source used for water and power. It's a part of a chain of lakes dammed off and a part of the Lower Colorado River. Normally, the water should be up to where the trees are. Just a visual on part of the drought.

RIP. Hopefully, in their heroic actions, they have all taught us lessons for the future.

Why would we call FDNY? They have enough to worry about themselves, and are not really equipped or trained for a situation like this. This is not a USAR or weather related (like hurricane) event- which is what FDNY would mobilize for. Texas has a VERY strong incident management team(s) and system in place. We have plenty of resources with the Local, State and Federal resources. This is far fetched...If innterstate mutual aid was needed from a major FD that is trained and equipped for this and closest is Dallas and San Antonio FD's. If any large departments with training and equipment were to be called, we have numerous cities to draw from, especially in California. Texas is well prepared and planned. This wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when. Official Updates: http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=12888 http://inciweb.org/

TO NEWER MEMBERS: Look for recent existing threads that may already answer your question: From the existing thread: Doubtful this is true. Training in wildifre sitatuions, wildfire gear, communications, and accountability would make this a no-go. I think a few departmental recalls may have been what was requested. There is federal and state protocol for handling manpower requests, and most of that come from task and strike forces. In no way would they beg for manpower. Freelancing could be an arrestable offense, as you are putting assigned firefighters live's in danger. There was a request by a local horse farm, nothing to do with the incidents, for firefighters to help evacuate horses and protect them in structures, and I think that is what they mean with that call for firefighters.