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New Pierce website: http://www.piercemfg.com/en/Home.aspx

A very interesting read. I agree with him. I know some people don't like Michael Moore and his style, but he uses it to get a message across. And I think this message is dead on. FULL EDITORIAL: http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/america-is-not-broke

From the EMTBravo Attic: PHOTOS: http://www.emtbravo.com/bethel/BethelAT1.html

Read More: http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/03/11/google-launches-person-finder-after.html

It sounds like this bill would address cell phone cameras, which I feel has gotten out of control,and, they are lumping everyone in the same batch. Unfortunetly, those who photograph incidents as a hobby and profesionally and are well respected in their areas (Mike Messar, Bill Johnson, JT Camp, firedude, etc) would be affected by this "law". I love digital photography, but in a way, everyone having a camera is destroying it for the true photographers. They need to seperate "amateur photographer" and idiot with a cell phone.

Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association Educational Seminar - Register Now! The Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association is hosting our Annual Education Seminar on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 0900-1600. This year's seminar will focus on Fire Ground Size Up "A Comprehensive Look" and be presented by Deputy Chief Michael Terpak of the Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department. The event will be held at the UCONN Stamford branch and cost just $25 for the day. Registration can be done online by visiting www.regonline.com/stamforde2011. Questions may also be e-mailed to StamfordES@gmail.com. Space is limited and if you are interested in attending this highly informative event, please register as soon as possible to assure a seat. The event flyer may be downloaded by clicking onto link below: http://www.local786.org/docs/Flyer%201.jpg

In addition to Fairview members being trained, they also maintain an inflatable boat with SCBA or air from the rig, powered by a motor. They also carry rescue lines, dry suits for four rescuers, and personal floatation devices, amongst other swiftwater equipment. They have used the boat numerous times over the years, such as the flooding on the Bronx River Parkway and Babbit Court/Saw Mill River, and as requested by other agencies. Thanks to for the update

Wouldn't it be better if the put some precast storm tunnels there? Also, I'm suprised they don't run/rehab the Beacon line from Danbury-Brewster. Probaly would be faster then the current route for people living in Danbury, Brookfield, and New Milford I would think. Again, awesome photos and I am very jealous! There are so many trains that run through here I really need to get back into railfanning.

I know there are several members of Hartsdale and Fairview who have been trained in swift water rescue, but I'm not sure if they have the equipment besides the basics like rope.

What is the deal with AMR anyways? They bought up a ton of smaller EMS/Transport agencies and destroyed them. Then they went into finacial difficulties. Then they lost a lot of municipal contracts. Now, they seem to be active again trying to aqquire contracts. Are they still active in NYC? I wonder if they could ever make Transcare an offer they couldn't refuse? I'm suprised Acadian is not trying to take over, lol.

AWESOME photos of a unique situation! Thanks for sharing, K! Also, that's a railfan photographers dream! A unique route at 10MPH....makes for great photos ops in a variety of places as you've proven. How long do they expect repairs to the regular route to take?

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.lohud.com/article/20110310/NEWS02/103100393/1018/NEWS02/New-Rochelle-crime-mapping-website-shut-off-public

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.lohud.com/article/20110309/NEWS02/103090371/Ossining-county-mark-start-historic-police-merger?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/politics/vote-to-close-911-centers-today

Season was awesome, the finale last night was one of the best episodes yet.... Hope it gets picked up for another season.

We actually do have a combined cener for Travis County, which some of these communities are located in: http://www.tritech.com/TriTech-Docs/CaseStudies/Austin_CaseStudy_09.aspx

Awesome shots, Pete! Where did you photgraph these? Also, Dallas is getting back into the rearmount arena as well. Hope to get back up that way soon...

Having lived in Austin, Texas for over three years now after living in Hartsdale, NY for 28, and having worked with law enforcement agencies in both areas, I've noticed something. THIS IS IN NO WAY A KNOCK AT POLICE OFFICERS, JUST MY OPINION AND OBSERVATION Down here, cops want to be cops. They want to go out and make arrests, do felony stops, nab DWI and aggresive drivers, etc. They go out and find work, or are dispatched to it-work is plentiful. They follow up with previous victims, and take pride in the sector they work, and knowing it well. They'll help the FD when needed, but they don't duplicate any services. In fact, they get along quite well in most jurisdictions. Most have no interest in firefighting or doing anything the FD's doing. In fact, most people pursue either a law enforcement, EMS, or FD career. People just don't take tests until they are offered something. It seems like Police Officers in NYC Metro area want to be into everything. Several muncipalities not only have ESU, but some have technical rescue teams, etc. Now, given the infastructure in NY, that's no a bad thing. But someone, seemingly an ESU officer, make some observations about a recent rope rescue Yonkers FD was involved in, which led me to thinking. I believe STRONGLY in the ESU concept, however I think they should be more focused on tactical operations and supporting other law enforcement endeavors then tying themselves up with what the FD's already doing. These are highly trained police officers, with special equipment. Why tye them up on something the FD is already doing, and why is it a competition? Why are there more officers interested in getting rope certification then assualt rifle certification? Why aren't there more officers assigned to Hudson River patrols? ESU does a great job, but they should really be there for law enforcement work. I mean, I could understand having to rapell to get to a suicide victim or for SWAT purposes, but for rescuing stranded workers from a ledge...that's what the firefighters signed up to do. Which leads me to wonder, why in the northeast, with less police officers, funding being cut, and crime rising, would officers want to deal with things beyond the law enforcement scope? Why would they want to direct funding towards equipment the FD already has and duplicate services? I know a lot is grant-funded, but if you don't need it let it go to someone who does. I think money would be better spent on having more K-9 units. Why do officers down here have such a focused law enforcement different mentality, and in NY they want to do everything? I don't see firefighters wanting guns and handcuffs. Cops should be proud and excited that they are cops, and should take every bad guy off the streeet they can. In certain situations, PD should work with FD, like in HazMat situations. And in certain places, like NYPD's Transit Bureau, should have confined space training, since going into tunnels to shoo them of transients and patrol, is part of their job. Again, this is not a knock at LEO's, this does not apply to all LEO's, just some comparitive thoughts. I think cops in both areas do a great job at whatever they are assigned to do, I just see such a profound difference from down here to up there.

Texas is a right to work state. PD's have unions and civil service protection. But overall, unions are not a big thing in Texas.

Horrible. Another tragedy. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/03/09/pennsylvania.fire/index.html?section=cnn_latest

That was one of my main points I was trying to make. Staffing. I get lost in my words sometimes, and thanks for succicntly clearing that up.

Did anyone attend this seminar? How was it?

The basic point is the richer are getting richer, and the poorer are getting poorer. What's happening in Wisconsin and Ohio is digusting. How long is it before other states start stripping unions and their members of what they deserve?

It's mainly because I have no Aerialscope's or even midmounts to love down here, lol! Thanks Seagrave for never sending a demo...some firefighters don't even know about Aerialscopes! Sutphen has really improved in recent years and the SPH100 is a shining example of that. And Sutphen's loyal and repeat customers says a lot. Do you guys have Sutphens in DFW?

Yes, but that's also because there is no real downtown in Round Rock. At special events, such as the Dell Diamond, there are walking beats. There are plans for a walking beat with the downtown master plan. In Austin, there are tons of officers that walk (or bike) a "beat", especially the downtown, central east, south central, airport, and park sectors. More officers are in training for bike and walking beats.DPS also has walking beats for the Capitol. AISD and ACC PD have walking beats for school campuses. And in Round Rock, lol, Joe Q. Public knows the name of the officer driving around....because every officers name is on their patrol car or motorcycle! And officers don't just drive around, they stop in or make a presence at businesses routinely and get to know the people in their sector. I see the same officers at the same time of day in most areas....even though they work three 12's I can count on seeing them on patrol if their on duty. And they take their cars home, so the typical patrol car is pampered, and lasts 5 years in frontline service before going to the spare pool. When they budget for a new officer, they budget for all neccesary equipment as well. This allows a ton of off-duty officers to go in service to assemble when needed. And in my part of the City, we have Williamson County Sherriffs Office and DPS who patrol regularly. Georgetown, Cedar Park, and Leander are all similar. There's a unoffical slogan about Williamson County law enforecent: "Go On Vacation, Leave On Probation"