x635

Thoughts and prayers are with Thomas, his family, friends, and of course the Platekill Fire Department. Please keep us informed with the services information, and anything this site can do to help.

Date: 3-24-11 Time: 0400 Location: I-20/I-35 W Interchange Departments: Fort Worth FD, Fort Worth PD, TXDOT Description: Collision involving a tractor trailer carrying water collied with another vehicle, resulting in the semi cab dangling over overpass with driver trapped. Driver rescued using aerial of Quint 33 and rope rescue. Two people in the car that collided with the tractor trailer trapped under trailer, and needed heavy extrication, which took three hours. All transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Links: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/03/24/18-wheeler-cab-left-dangling-on-fort-worth-bridge/ Writer: x635

FYI, West Paterson NJ is now known as "Woodland Park".

For you "Southland" fans out there, it returns this Tuesday January 4th 2011 at 10PM. http://www.tnt.tv/series/southland/ It's one of my favorite shows, and IMO, one of the most realistic cop dramas out there. I like how they focus mostly on the patrol officers on the street. And the lead character, the "rookie" Officer Ben Sherman, is from here in Austin and graduated Austin High School.

Looking at these photos, it's really sad that these beautiful buildings are falling apart. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/23/detroit-decline_n_813696.html#218521

It may have, I have no idea. Just a heads up for those going to the Expo April 10th.

Very sad. Thoughts and prayers are with the children and their parents. I can't imagine how horrible it must be. Also, thoughts and prayers are with the Houston emergency responders who were at this incident. It has been described by many, literally, as "hell". Kudos to the first due Engine and Truck companies on interior ops, they made several rescues of children and infants who were trapped by flames. And kudos to the firefighters working EMS today, as they worked very hard to save each and every child, even though many were likely. Not saying anyone dropped the ball, but please remember to inspect EVERY daycare facility or "house" you can find in your district routinely, and report ANY violations. You can also report if the structure, staff, or equipment is unsuitable in case of fire. Make sure the staff knows the evacuation plan, and has one in place-that includes teacher-baby ratio tp do so. Also, PLEASE be vigilant if you use daycare. FULL STORY: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7444462.html

She is now in the Houston justice system, and has been formally arraigned: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7486863.html

Southland has been picked up for another season with 10 episodes.

Medic5274, thanks for the info! What's Norwalk going to do with the Tiller? I'm suprised Norwalk didn't keep the rescue as a spare.

Does anyone know the fate of Hartsdale's Engine 171, a 1976 Ward LaFrance with a 1986 Ranger refurb, which served as Engine 169 before becoming a spare. It was replaced with Engine 170, a 2000 Pierce Dash, which was replaced by a 2008 Spartan/4 Guys.

That is really, really sad. I know the truck had quite a few mechnical and pump issues, but nothing that couldn't be repaired with some TLC. I wonder what the construction company plans to do with it. Did you happen to catch a name of the company? I inquired about buying the truck from their 4-Guys dealer, which had it advertised on the site. I never got a response. Hartsdale never put it out to bid, to my knowledge. Do they even have to put it out to bid? It's coincidental that it is in Mount Vernon, especially since there are several guys from Mount Vernon who transferred to Hartsdale, including one who is the department mechanic. I'd be sad if this Engine went to Brookfield. Thanks for the photos!

I don't think Hastings would have anywhere to store it?

City Of Round Rock, TX New Engine 2 2010 Pierce Impel XM Job #22613 Placed into service yesterday Quartered at Station 2, which covers historic downtown Round Rock Photos by me, and will post more later. Engine 2 and Heavy Rescue 2 outside their quarters: Engine 2 hosebed: Preconnected Blitzfire portable monitor ready to go: Ropes and other accesories: Extrication equipment compartment (still undergoing some work) Drivers seat: Officers side: Water cooler in cab: Rear of cab: Pump panel: Front bumper:

Engine 6 was replaced by Engine 2's former Quauntum. This was done because Engine 6 was having several mechanical issues, so they made it a spare.

Should ER nurses be required to attend call audits? EMS providers interface with ER nurses everyday. We bring them our patients, and they see the results of our care, both good and bad. I think it would lead to better working relationships between EMS providers and ER nurses if we discussed calls from both viewpoints. I'm not a nurse, so I won't comment from that viewpoint. However, as an EMS provider, I believe that our care is an extension of the ER, and if we work together, we can really make in impact on patient care. Better transitions and coordination between our care and their can also result in better patient comfort and speedier care. But, we rarely get or want to discuss this with nurses on a professional level while on duty, as both sides are busy. Call audits would be a great way to discuss calls in a focused enviroment.

I agree with the call audits, it's a bit much. The whole MAC system in Westchester is so complicated and requires a lot of time on the Medic's part. Especially since most employers don't pay for their employees to attend, as mentioned. However, going over cases with nurses every now and then could be beneficial. They have more contact with the patient then the doctor, and nurses often can remember cases better. We also hand the patient directly over to a nurse, and they usually witness the patient care from that point until the patient is discharged from the ER or transferred to the floor. Where's Tapout on all this?

Here is the new Engine 5. As of last night, Engine 5 still had their Quantum. A new Engine 6 will be coming soon, which would make all frontline units under 3 years old. Engine 6 has the old Engine 2, and the old Engine 6 is a spare.

Cedar Park, TX New Engine 3 2011 Spartan Gladiator/Smeal 2000/1000/50 Class A Delivered March 2011 Cedar Park is a booming city, and is a suburb just north of Austin. It recently opened an 8,000 seat arena, and a large Schlitterbans Waterpark and Resort is being built in the city. As a result of that, there has been an explosion in hotels and retail being built. There is tremendous growth also due to the quality of life, affordability of new homes, excellent schools, and low taxes. Cedar Park FD is also expanding rapidly, expecting to aqquire new apparatus and build new stations over the next few years. It is a career department. Also, Cedar Park FD sits on the northeastern shore of Lake Travis, a large recreational lake in the region. Station 3 is closest, which is why it has the Water Rescue trailer and Jet-Skis pictured. This is the department's first Smeal, after a few years with Pierce and E-One. Special thanks to the guys at CPFD Station 3 for their awesome hospitality!

I don't. Because of an injury I suffered 4 years ago, I can never be a firefighter again-volunteer or career. And RRFD is all career.

Good stuff. It's amazing how much different and how much stronger and more progressive the Rockland fire service is compared to Westchester. Also seems like they get along much better on both a local and countywide level. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.lohud.com/article/20110320/NEWS03/103200379/Rockland-chiefs-honor-their-firefighters?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

I've always had a positive view of the Rockland fire service, and this is just my personal viewpoint. Of course they have their drama and issues, but I just think that countywide, their fire service is run better. My experience in Rockland has always been good. I took my Essentials of Firefighting in 1997 at Westchester Fire Training Center. The training center was falling apart at that time, and most of the training facilites and props were broken. That led me to take Initial Attack I & II, Ladder Company Operations, etc at Rockland's FTC. My experience with Rockland far surpassed Westchester at the time. I had, as one of the instructors, Jerry Knapp, who was excellent. They also had a flashover simulator. They also had trailers to bring fire service training directly to firehouses, a move Westchester put an end to several years ago. They also, at the time, offered far more courses then Westchester. Of course, Westchester Fire Training Center has progressed and gotten better, but at the time there was a vast difference. Working in Empress EMS's tranport division in Rockland when it existed, I met and made numerous friends in the Rockland fire service. I also got to see it's EMS systems in action. This included a single countywide ALS provider, and many VAC's that were getting busy hiring EMT's- in 1997. Rockland also offered *countywide* ALS FAR before Westchester did. And Gordon Wren seems to always be very proactive with the county side of the fire service. He seems to get the fire service there good publicity, and works to unite the Rockland Fire service, and not divide them. The departments over there are very busy, yet don't seem to have the issues Westchester does with getting out with well trained and strong manpower. I have always been impressed.

As some ex-Empress EMS EMT's would say, including two members of this forum, "ALS is just a luxury, BLS is a neccesity". I am a Paramedic, and know ALS interventions can save lives. BUT, as I was taught, BLS before ALS always. If you don't have strong BLS, then your ALS isn't going to matter. I think the problem is, and has been for a while, is that some providers become "Flycar Dependent", and Paramedics don't help the situation by delegating tasks to let EMT's learn. I think there are a lot of EMT's with good intentions, but have become too dependent on Paramedics for everything.

Let it continue and create more land mass....that's more property to tax!

8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan, massive damage and growing death toll. The video of the damage is unbelievable. Reported to be 80 fires currently, including oil refineries and a nuclear power plant. 19 strong aftershocks reported, aftershocks could last for several years. Tsunami warnings in effect for Hawaii and the ENTIRE US west coast for this morning, 6 foot waves expected. Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.