x635

This is the way the CVPI's are coming in......I'm told the old scheme wouldn't look right on whatever new generation of patrol cars they choose, when and if that ever happens. I think more departments are ordering CVPI's now then ever before.....I even know of multiple agencies "stocking up" on them.

Oh, this should be interesting to say the least.....I don't like this, I get bad vibes. Tony Sutton was always good in my book....I worked for him for a while.....he came to my Probie School graduation to personally present me with my certificate. He really set the foundation for Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS to be a progressive agency.

I would expect nothing less from Bedford Hills FD. They have great, progressive leadership and is one of the best volunteer fire departments that I have ever seen. This upgrade to their facilty will make their future operational plans a reality. http://www.lohud.com/article/20110810/NEWS02/108100319/Bedford-Hills-new-firehouse-under-budget-ahead-schedule?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Westchester County, New York BHFD's Photo Gallery of Construction (46 pages): http://www.bedfordhillsfd.org/index.cfm?fs=gallery.gallery&Gallery=building

I meant WHEN the fire service gets good press.....

Fire Service gets good press, that's a good thing in my opinion. If voters read a negative piece about this (there are NO negatives though), then they will remember that next time your FD needs money for firehouse upgrades. The firehouse really hasn't been touched since 1959, except for small things like an exhaust removal system. Just like their apparatus and other things Bedford Hills is the first to do, they've done considerable research on this and this has been planned for for over 10 years. And, for the excellent service they provide to not only Bedford Hills, includiing the surrounding community, they have strong community support. They don't have to hide things to get things done, this whole process is transparent and the Commisioners and Officers make sure the taxpayers are fully informed as to what's going on. This is a community where most taxpayers get off the train and see the firehouse every single day. An example of a disaster and piss poor planning by the elected Town Board is Greenburgh, which built a $70 million dollar library in the internet age and left a bad taste in taxpayers mouths, and now they don't have the money to build a desperately needed new Police Station and Courthouse on the perfect piece of property that the town repossesed, and consequently Fairview Fire District can't get voter approval to upgrade their obsolete Headquarters and expand the extremly small and obsolete Station 2.

It does, and I would have thought the same thing too. The cars came in outfitted but without lettering, so they went with the Ford Demo concept.

I knew Joe since Elementary School, when he particpated in a intermural program with my school. He fought hard through many medical problems, but you would never know. He had a great spirit that's hard to descirbe. A tremndous loss for the Town Of Harrison. Harrison Town Clerk, Joe Acocella Jr., dies at age 30 after courageous fight http://www.lohud.com/article/20110809/NEWS02/108090333/Harrison-Town-Clerk-Joe-Acocella-Jr-dies-age-30-after-courageous-fight?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Westchester County, New York

Texas Department Of Public Safety Highway Patrol (Troopers) use black and white cars. The Texas Rangers (Not the baseball team lol), are kind of like Texas's FBI. They drive dark colored F-150's. Part of uniform includes a Stetson hat and Wrangler jeans. You do not mess with them. They turn down ex-FBI and other high level people who try to apply or make it through the process. It's been that way for years. Now, their name is a very small marking above the driver's side door handle. It should be noted that most officers have take home cars. Therefore, these CVPI's are meticulously cared for, and last 5 years, which is a long time for a street car, with meticulous PM that coincide with an officers day off. They recently built a $24 million Police Headquarters, which includes indoor parking for the cars, so when they are on duty at the station the car doesn't heat up because of the sun. It also increases police presence around the community (when parked in their neighborhood),andthey aren't allowed to use it for person purposes. As they go on duty from when they get in their cars from their home, they are on duty on their way to HQ. In addition, if extra or specialized officers are needed, it cuts down response times significantly.

EXCELLENT PHOTOS, DAN! Awseomse rig as well.

It's hard to see in the photo, but it's actually navy blue. Most agencies around here are switching to black and white, or have already. Dallas PD, Fort Worth PD, Austin PD, San Antonio PD, and soon Houston PD will be switching as well. The cars come in blank, the graphics are added by a local graphics shop that does work for a lot of agencies. They haven't used any SUV's in the recent past, so this Tahoe is a new one. Also, the officers name will be much smaller and go above the door handle, as opposed to the lower door panels. Here's the blank slate:

The destruction is unbelievable. 49 "Primary Fires" at once. The whole incident is insane. Timeline of events: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14436499 Aftermath Photos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14436195 Initial article with maps: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14435251

Website looks great, the photos and company logos on the front page are a nice touch.

I worked with Elvin at Empress as well. I'm suprised to hear this news, it's really saddening. Empress EMS employees enocunter so much personal tragedy over the years, yet, as always, the Empress family always rallies to help one another. My best wishes to Elvin in his battle against this!

I didn't even know 2nd degree sunburns were possible....but I can totally understand it! Man taken to hospital for 2nd degree sun burns http://www.kvue.com/news/local/Central-Texas-man-taken-to-hosptial-for-2nd-degree-sunburns--127095333.html#id=I1_1312751554506&parent=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kvue.com&rpctoken=449423204&_methods=onPlusOne%2C_ready%2C_close%2C_open%2C_resizeMe

Water puts out fires, period. The more water you use, the more damage there is and the more manpower, hose, and apparatus are needed. One of the best major firefighting and salvage tools, and this is debatable to some, is CAFS. You can make an extremly quick knockdown, with MUCH less water. Fires that are blowing out the windows you can knock back from the inside. The CAFS foam reduces surface tension, and allows water to penetrate into the wood more efficiently. It's also extremly advantageous in areas with limited water supply. It reduces overhaul, and reduces the chances of a rekindle. As far as handlines, it makes them lighter, enabling an easier attack. With proper compressed air, the kink is not any more a factor then with water. Many people in Hudson Valley departments hate CAFS, and a lot of the reason is the lack of training and poor specification of CAFS sytems. Some departments use Class A foam straight, but bypass the compressed air system because they don't know how to properly use it. I've seen many CAFS systems in a variety of manufacturers that makes it as simple as hitting a button. And, I know at least here in Texas, if you meet certain CAFS criteria, it can lower your ISO rating by as much as 1.5 points. Numerous studies have shown that CAFS is much more effective then water. The main part of the problem is tradition disease. Are we really doing anything that differently to put out fires then we did with bucket brigades 100 years ago? Does NYS or any fire schools offer CAFS courses, such as this: http://teexweb.tamu.edu/teex.cfm?pageid=training&area=TEEX&templateid=14&Division=ESTI&Course=ASP540

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/a-safer-way-for-police-to-end-pursuits-1709189.html

John- I love your concept and the way you presented it. That's what Westchester needs. The question is who is the person to implent such guidelines?

Well put, commonsensejake. +1

Mike, Doesn't London PD NOT carry guns? Only specialized officers?

Very interesting. You can always tell it's a Crestline by the body shape. I saw one at the Texas EMS Expo and it had a lot of cool features. I'm looking forward to seeing the indide shots. Thanks for the pic!

I've seen departments that use dish soap for dumpster fires (If anyone remembers the TV show "The Bravest", LAFD highlited it during a dumpster fire). I was excited to see Chief Raftery's response, I knew he would respond and I'm interested in what he has to say. He is the "Mr Wizard" of the fire service, and has one of the coolest kits that he brought for a demonstration for my probie class. (Although last time I saw it was in a closet in Hartsdale Station 2, don't know if it made it to Virginia). Anyways, question for all, does Class A Foam have to be applied through CAFS? It doesn't. It can be applied straight into a hosestream. I remember Fairview has CAFS when they purchased the red Pierce Enforcer demo, Engine 174. They had a fire while Engine 174's CAFS system was having issues, so they used straight Class A and it made news because it made a pretty dramatic stop to the fire.

Such a tragedy. This is one of the biggest single loss of life incidents in the history of this operation, and "Jersey Shore" and other ridiculous people were making headlines....until "Seal Team 6" was involved. And why was that even disclosed so soon? I can't wait until all our men and women overseas are back home and this operation ended.

This isn't a "high expansion foam". It's more viscous. And you don't always need the compressed air to gain the benefits of Class A foam. The compressed air enhances it's performance by making it more "bubbly". CAFS was developed here in Texas for brush fires in 1977, where it still works quite effectively. It is basically standard in all new brush trucks, including the State issued ones. Even firefighters in the most rural areas can make it work. How much does a solid steam actually penetrate? 10, 15%? The rest is just runoff.If you reduce surface tension, you increase the amount of water the combustible material (meaning wood, etc) can absorb. It basically makes water wetter. Same concept as doing laundry. The cling of the foam holds the water in. Class A foams are attracted to charred material, and will form a cooling foam blanket, reducing heat inside the structure, improving conditions for firefighters and victims. And as far as the manpower issue, that is a VERY selfish way to look at it. Sure, manpower puts the fire out. But last I was taught, you save lives, then property. If something can put out a fire faster and more effectively, therefore reducing property loss and water damage, then why would we be resistant to it? And, since water is best, why do we carry extinguishers with specialized agents to extinguish diffent types of fires? Why do we use whatever the current generation is of Halon? This is very similar to the debate about which kind of nozzle is best. Partial Source: http://www.swfirefightingfoam.com/pdfs/explanation_of_class_a%20foams_and_CAFS.pdf

Great shots! It seems like Dutchess County is a busy place. Very interesting piece! Especially given the year. I don't even know if or who sold Ferrara's in the north yet, or if they even were building ladder trucks. I know their aerials right now come from Smeal, but who built the actual aerial device? I would imagine 65' was all the ladder could take structurally when it has to accomodate low profile. From only seeing the photo of it posed and it at work, I agree with x129k. It is a great looking truck, that seems to be very well spec'd for the area it serves and can get in where other trucks can't. Also, does this truck still have to fit into a very small bay (seem low height and short wheelbase/body), and when it is replaced, is there any manufacturer that could do this nowadays? http://fishkillfd.org/staticpages/index.php?page=apparatus