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There's no delay. When re-delivered (not specified at this time), it will be in showroom condition with a 10+ year service life. The rig was well maintained, so they are not repairs neccasarily more like refurbishing or replacing items that were subject to normal wear and tear. There are also modifications and cosmetic work too extensive and particular to detail. This goes right down to the motor, transmission, frame, and chasis and everything else. The contractor is well within the timeframe in specified, and that contractor is not ALF. I believe in this case it's called excellent cratsmanship that takes some time. And Yonkers really won't settle for anything less. Also, there is no apparatus with the Rescue 2 designation at this time.

Wow, very basic and stripped down. Don't see to many ladders like that nowadays.

Best wishes for a safe and healthy career!

It's amazing Twin Lights can do all that work in house. Who provides the warranty though? Nah, Rescue 4's got this one topped big time. Just the fact they have a boat and a crane on it, lol.

I do agree with some of your points. However, no matter what happens with Empress if anything, if Transcare dominates the southern Westchester market with little to no competion, that's not going to be a good thing for employees of either comapnies. Not like any company is competing with better benefits packages or pay anyways. Also, facilities would have little choice for serivce if they are disatisfied with one company. And EMS should never be a business. I wish Yonkers FD, PD, or even it's own agency, was in the position to take over EMS, but with the city's current financial condition, I don't see that happening anytime soon. There is a lot of EMS talent within Yonkers FD and PD that could make that a reality if the funding were there. And if something does happen to Empress, Westchester EMS I would hope would be poised to at least take over the Yorktown contact. Or maybe Yorktown/Mohegan are ready to start their own service? I'm also not demonizing Transcare, and I'm sure they could handle the contract if it came to that, however they would have to obviously add a lot to the company in order to handle Yonkers. Every company has it's pros and cons and problems. It's just that I've seen them go from Transcare, to the merger with Metrocare, the scandal involving upper level Metropolitan Ambulance management, and then back to Transcare. Personally, I feel they are getting too big, too fast. It didn't prove succesful in the long term for AMR or Rural Metro. I would just hope they kept on all Empress's empoyees, especially since a lot of them have been with the company for many years. Additionally, I hope they would provide the same community service and innovation that Empress provides or has provided, such as the Westchester EMS conference and continuing all the work for training and equipment for MCI's and Hazmat/Tech Rescue situations.

Is the Special Operations Response or Communications/Command truck a "factpinon"? Is the fact Empress has worked closely with the fire department to prepare and obtain equipment for disasters a "factpinion? Is the amount of training Empress gives its personel a "factpinion"? Is Empress being the first agency in the county to try something new on multiple occasions a "factpinion"? Is the fact that Empress has a supervisor dedicated to Yonkers a "factpinion"? Is the fact Empress has served the city for over 20 years, building relationships and knowledge, a "factpinion"? Has the fact that Empress is one of the only companies that hasn't changed names or hands a "factpinion"? I think if you check my facts, you'll find them correct. Anyone can provide basic EMS in Yonkers, but no one can or probaly will provide the service Empress EMS does. So, how is it "laughable"? Now, a seperate issue, Transcare offered a second ambulance, it's too bad Empress didn't have a chance to make an offer or have a chance to show how and why their system works.

There is no bid. Empress provides EMS to the city for free, and is allowed to keep a percentage of the billing. However, the collection rate is very low so Empress I don't think Empress even breaks even some years, although methods they developed will hopefully help things. Empress actually loses money on the Yonkers contract, but continues to invest in serving the citizens of Yonkers and supporting other agencies. For Empress, money isn't everything....if that were true, they would have been gone years ago.

As for the modify facilities portion of the grant, is that to build a training structure and/or classrooms?

Greenville is one of the most progressive and better staffed and mmanaged departments in the County. Believe me, they have this figured out. Squad 15 will probaly be getting an officer. And a member of Ladder 4 would respond with the Squad support unit, and if needed, Ladder 4. Hartsdale, Fairview, Scarsdale, Eastchester, White Plains, New Rochelle and Yonkers all have members on duty 24/7 are all trained in WMD, Hazmat, and Tech Rescue and could/would respond if needed and are part of the pre planned scenarios. A callback would staff Engine 150, and mutual aid (would backfill). By the DES staffing definition, it is ABSOLUTELY a Squad.

Transcare couldn't handle Yonkers right off the bat, nor provide all the services Empress provides to Yonkers. Also, the relationships between EMS personel in the city and FD/EMS are generally great, and better trained and equipped then Transcare employees. And with Transcare not being union, and the Yonkers City Council currently being anti-union, one could consider that a "selling point" to prove something to City employees.Empress has a union. Yonkers PD and FD have strong unions, and I'd like to see them help if anything was to happen. Also, I'd have the union and Empress tracking every move Transcare makes in Yonkers. And with Transcare not being union, and the Yonkers City Council currently being anti-union right now, one could consider that a "selling point" to prove something to City employees currently bargaining for a contract. And it would NOT "surely" drive Empress out of business, as they lose money on the Yonkers contract. Empress provides EMS for free, and bills the patient. In Yonkers, the collection rate is low. They also have other contracts with Yorktown and a multitude of facilities. Unless Transcare does something like they did to get the Mount Vernon contract, I don't see this happening. But, as the saying goes, Yonkers, the city of hills where nothing is on the level. There's also history of companies growing too big too fast, and not suceeeding.

As usual, there's a thread about a volunteer department, so you have to find a thread to go after career firefighters. It seems like a trend. First, Tarrytown's situation is COMPLETLY different from Yonkers. In no way are the situations discussed are even similar. Don't even know why you are bringing this up. And unlike Tarrytown, Yonkers followed the PROPER bidding process through and through. In fact. you're making Tarrytowns situation look worse by bringing this up here. Yonkers needs a spare squad, as mentioned above, so that they could have a proper spare. In addition, the ALF Squad that's becoming a spare will most likely be fully stocked, so there is a major incident and a callback, the spare squad can be staffed. Also, Squad 11 sees heavy duty use, so a spare is needed for when it goes out of service for preventative maintanence or whatever. To say that the money was not invested well is ridiculous. Have you ever seen the current Squad 11 up close, and see the amazing cost they got it at? At the cost Yonkers got these apparatus at, in addition to what I said above, and to say that money was wasted, is just ignorant. Move on.

I believe Engine 150 will take over Engine 151's role as a spare and mutual aid engine. I think the Engine 151 designation (and the 199? E-One) will be retired. Squad 15, that's going to be awesome! It will be kind of like an FDNY Squad in concept. Besides have great firefighting capability, the new Squad 15 will be able to begin a USAR/Tech Rescue first response, and will respond with the Squad Support Unit 15. It has some unique specs, and I think people will be impressed when they see the final product. That's the last I heard.

Some more info on the Tarrytown Grant and how the grant will be spent: http://tarrytown.patch.com/articles/tarrytown-fire-department-awarded-substantial-grant

BUMP: Event is tonight!

C'mon! You guys have to figure out a way to get this back! Especially since it looks to be in fairly good condition! Does Mount Kisco even have an antique?

For those who enjoy "The Visiting Fireman", the 2010 edition is at the printers. http://www.visitingfireman.com/#

Nice article about a Austin Police Officer killed in the line of duty in 2004, her story, and efforts to memorialize her. http://www.statesman.com/opinion/a-street-name-to-commemorate-a-path-cut-702332.html?cxtype=ynews_rss

That's great news! I'm sure that there is a TON of planning and logistics that are going to have to go into this, especially now sinceit's in NY. (Well, NJ)

http://tarrytown.patch.com/articles/are-tarrytown-firefighters-getting-hosed

Just out of curiosity, Tarrytown used E-One for numerous years. E-One is known primarily for their pioneering use of aluminum cabs and body. Also, although E-One does build a decent product in some areas (the Boston Engines and Ladder), they were once considered the low cost leader. Is there dissatisfaction now with E-One, are they not holding up? Were they purchased in the past becuase of cost, and also dictated by the Village? Seagrave makes an awesome product, and I know Riverside has used them in the past, but with New York State rules, especially nowadays, Seagrave is going to have a hard time competing if they don't lower their costs somehow. I know it's the stainless steel can that is the priciest.

Awesome shots, long awaited by many! Thank you Joe for tak9ing and sharing these! They also look spec'd to work, and Yonkers got a great deal on these as well!

So how would a Seagrave 10 man cab fit into the firehouse, when it is larger than the Spartan Gladiator? My only guess would be it's not a raised roof. And I always thought the E-One seemed a bit low, I thought that was for firehouse fit reason. It's been a year since I've been by Riverside Hose, but I thought I remember hearing something about it being renovated.

OK. Another question, would the rig that the fire company spec'd fit into the existing firehouse?

The new upcoming RIVERSIDE HOSE Crimson Engine, how is it going to fit into the current Riverside Hose firehouse??

I am reading this thinking what kind of state of mind someone has to be in to think this? Does this person actually know that unions and contracts exist because of thoughts like this, and they are actually stripping away all the years of progress and fighting for fair working conditions and wages? Also, does this person realize the UFA and PBA members differ from the Teamsters and CSEA in the Town because they GIVE THEIR LIVES 24/7/365 to keep the town residents safe? And these same members can't even afford to live in the town even though they do get fairly compensated? AND, the arbitration panels are there because these members have no other recourse, as he mentioned, because they can't go on strike like other town employees can because then lives would be on the line in a serious way.....it's like beating someone with their hands tied behind their back to try and disband arbitration panels for those with no-strike clauses due to life safety issues. This is not "needed reform", especially in this day and age where every government leader is trying to blame the unions for problems THEY created. All of a sudden, it's a problem. Isn't it THEIR role to plan for future and anticpated costs with different scenarios? From the Town Of Greenburgh email list..... http://www.greenburghny.com/Cit-e-Access/news/index.cfm?NID=18621&TID=10&jump2=0