x635

I didn't even know Westchester County PD had an Explorer program, or that Police Explorers programs have become popular seemingly lately until I saw Alex's posts. These programs are a great thing, and it's good to see something like this getting good press.

Many firefighters I know in departments that work the 10/14's swap with others to make 24's/36's. At least they are not going to 8 hour shifts, like I saw an letter to the editor about how it would "save money" a while back as one citizen claimed....can't seem to find it now though....(was NOT from the JN). Almost everywhere I have worked there has been scheduling drama....it is something that is very important to the workers, and management knows that they can use that to get their way.

The A/C units on the Arrow XT are built on a heavy duty spec, and were (the Arrow XT's) originally designed with the LA City FD contract specs in mind. They are able to cool a cab to a certain tempature within a certain amount of time, and are modular so they can easily be swapped out for maintainence (or so is the theory)

New article on a topic that was previously discussed in a different context. http://www.lohud.com/article/20091022/NEWS...EiUeCxTrfKhE%3D

Is Pelham's Chief fully career, part time, or volunteer? If there is an opening, hopefully they will promote from within the ranks of the career staff, as there is a lot of career members that would fit this position well. It would also give Pelham FD career FF's an advancement path, and a retention tool. I know they recently created a Lt's position for each shift. Also would be cool if Pelham and Pelham Manor were one department under one command, I never understood why the two departments have to be seperate.

And, on occasion, a Yonkers FD rig can be found getting prepped for delivery or warranty work. There should be a few Smeal engines for Yonkers in Izzy's neck of the woods there soon.......

Looks good! Question....does San Diego have the money to staff them, lol? Last I heard, comparatively to other SoCal cities, they were short 20 engine companies worth of manpower.....

Sounds like you drove through New England Fire Apparatus, the local Smeal and SVI dealer. http://www.nefea.com Those rigs have been sitting out a LONG, LONG time.....some from when NEFA was off I-95 before they moved to North Haven. White Plains traded in that TL for the current TL-6, a American LaFrance/Smeal numerous years ago. Before that, it spent time sitting under a tarp besides one of WPFD's stations. I have some photos of these trucks on my site, x635Photos.com. There is quite a cool mix of apparatus. I can't believe they are STILL sitting there!! I wish some collectors would pick them up, especially the WP tower and Wassaic tanker!!

http://www.examiner.com/x-6928-Houston-Pag...deos-off-limits

Gowans-Knight has posted in-progress construction photos...looks like they have started to fabricate the body: http://www.gowansknight.com/Waterburypage102909.htm

Now I was always curious- do the PCFD career firefighters have career officers, or are they under the volunteer officers? And who is in the truck comittee that specs what you will be using?? Also, will the specs be designed for a one man operation (additional backup cameras, electric valves, etc)

No, really wasn't much of a "buff trip". Although I really do want to make one of those. I really wanted to experience the city and spend time with my wife, but while she was in a business meeting Fri & Sat, I hung out with friends at O'Hare and got some shots of some of my favorite wreckers.

If you're looking to move, I know that there are a lot of departments in Texas that are hiring, especially in the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex area. Experience and training is a big plus, and if you have your EMT or Paramedic, even better......

Maybe the village should send it to a fire apparatus service facility? If no parts can be found or modified from the thousands of other windshield wiper systems out there, then I'm sure there is a company that could fabricate the parts needed. And then look into a stock-program engine, for immediate delivery, like these: http://www.crimson-fire.com/delivery.aspx?id=17018 And maybe the Pierce Contender Responder is a good choice for a one-man engine company: http://www.contenderbypierce.com/products/responder.html

They had several White Castle's around the Chicago area:

Awesome shots! I wish I had more time for Chicago FD shots during my trip, but that's why that city is my new L.A. (photographically, lol)

With all the awesome local joints in Chicago, I don't think I would go to the Weber Grill......it did indeed look expensive, and there are so many other non-chain resturants to try. O'Hare's facility is on Wisconsin Ave, near Belmont Rd. Not too far from the train station.

Valhalla has a new Lifeline ambulance on order....anyone have further details?

From what I understand, you can rent out as a group to get a tour of Chicago on a classic firetruck: http://www.olearysfiretours.com/ From the website, seems they use them for other events. Not sure why they are parked there, but it's interesting to note the lot is of "Wacker Drive" I should have figured my way in for a photo, but I completly forgot.

Another view from the hotel room. That's it for tonight, hope to post some more photos later on this week....

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/me...d-58566712.html

Another unique view from the hotel room:

Chicago Streets And Sanitation Plow/Spread Truck

Chicago Traffic Management Authority Wrecker Ford F-Super Duty/Vulcan Auto Loader

One of Chicago FD's newest stations, for Engine Company 18: