x635

The GMC/Chevrolet Medium Duty truck line, which has been becoming increasingly popular as a fire service and EMS chasis, has stopped production permanetly effective July 31st, 2009. The line, formely known as the Topkick or Kodiak and more recently as Chevrolet/GMC 4500, etc was supposed to be purchased by International, but that deal feel through. Maybe this is one of the reasons why GM is failing.....this truck showed promise, and they dropped it. Same way they lost market share to Ford by dropping the Chevrolet Caprice line.....

I was suprised myself when I read that. However the wording still says "volunteer" emergency vehicles, so I assume that the pending legislation would not affect career emergency vehicles? NO emergency official should place themselves above the laws, however some think that the title Chief is synomous with supreme ruler.

There are laws on the books that are antiquated and aren't even enforced in NYS. This should be a "pick your battles" issue, and even though it's against state law, we as emergency responders are one, and PD should understand since they have the protection of blue to the rear to not enforce it until it passes in Albany-after all, they'll probaly be on the scene to. I see your point about breaking the law, but it's a double edged sword. There are TONS of technicalities on PD,FD, and EMS vehicles that are unlawful, yet no one says a thing. If EVERY NYS V&T law was enforced, we'd be back enforcing laws put into effect decades ago, and it would make no sense. In the grand scheme of things, this law isn't one that's harming anyone and I doubt anyone is intentionally wanting to break the law. Enforcing this law would also create further tension between PD and FD's in some communities. And this isn't something that the public really notices, so we're not setting any example that we're above the law. What benefit would come from enforcing this law? I'm sure that there are many other laws that some fire companies are breaking that are much more pressing then this.

http://modelfiretrucks.net/code3chief/

This is the explanation on the FASNY site: http://www.fasny.com/legislation_issues-scorecard.aspx

Towards the end of June.

The Izuzu deal fell through. GM stopped producing these trucks on July 31st, 2009.

Good job by MVPD, however, it's sad that if the cop did fire his weapon, he would have become the bad guy. Next time a cop shoots a perp in Mount Vernon, I hope the media remembers this article.

A friend of mine was a dealer for the medium duty line, and sales were hot. He returned from a dealers meeting which also confirmed a lot of sales of the chasis. If you look at a lot of FD,EMS, Utility, etc deliveries currently, they are on a GMC medium duty chasis. Dealers who sold this line also sold a lot of other Chevy/GMC vehicles to fleets that wanted to keep it in the "family". The network was already established. Even if they didn't keep this line, they dropped the ball several times on selling this line.

With the deals to be had on "program" apparatus nowdays, and quality manufacturers like Pierce and Crimson having some great program engines in the $300,000 range, I think spend over $675,000 on an engine in this day and age and with all the factors in Tarrytown, is ridiculous. Especially after building two new firehouses, a new village hall and police station, and plans to replace a ladder truck. In fact, Tarrytown could theoratically get two engines with that kind of funding, or even an Engine and a Rescue truck. On the other side, volunteer rigs have a longer lifespan-so the cost is spread out over those twenty years, and the apparatus is better maintained. Departments want a rig they can take pride in, especially a volunteer department, and I can understand that. But, with the economy being the way it is, program trucks should seriously be considered an option, as they are becoming wildly popular in the industry and can be customized extensively still. A fire engines main purpose is to supply water to supress a fire. Even if the money is there, we should be looking for ways to conserve funds in any manner we can, as we don't know what turns the economy's going to take. I hope every dollar spent on this apparatus is appropriated for fire suppression and rescue, and the lowest qualified bidder is truly considered. And fire suppresion first, asthetics second.

But are these public safety officials violating the law FOR public and responder safety?????

In Texas, DOT and construction vehicles have rear facing amber and blue lights, for safety reasons I understand the law, and the disregard for it, but I also feel strongly that a lot of laws on the books, especially in NYS, adversly affect public safety and the ability to keep up with progressive trends.

With Stewart Air force base, I can see if something major goes down in NYC Orange County becoming a place of refuge, and flights could be diverted to Stewart. Also, with the major throuroughfares running through Orange and potential for major disaster/storms, why shouldn't they have this vehicle? Something like this is for the just in cases, just like BNechis said. And, when something does happen, this particular resource can be a tremendous asset. In some areas, like Westchester, some communities even have multiple command post vehicles available.

It's my understanding that GM will be out of the medium duty truck market altogether. They also made ridiculous demands that led the sale of the product line to International-Navistar and other potential buyers to fall through. Once again, another stupid move by a stupid company.....one of their product lines that was doing tremendously well as of late...look at all the commercial vehicles, fire apparatus, and ambulances that had been increasingly been being delivered on the 4500/5500.

The only thing I'm not clear about is what type of training or experience will these guards need to have to handle this type of weapon???

I like the speaker/light combination on the grill....sharp car and nice work as always! I also didn't know they are making the CVPI with the flexfuel option now.

Apparently, this boat will have a twin, the "Firefighter II" according to the http://nycfireboat.com/ site. Anyone know the timeframe on that? Also, what's the delivery schedule for the 343? I assume it's got to go through some testing first, and looks like some more work needs to be done. I'm sure FDNY needs to do their own inspection in NYC, some equipment installation, and extensive training, and winter is not too far off. Will this boat be able to operate in an icy Hudson or East river?

I completly agree with the above comment, I'm with you....slowly, with subdivision and devlopment, the animals who lived in these places are being pushed farther and father away, and people who move to these areas consider them a "nusiance".

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.lohud.com/article/20090912/NEWS...jures%20trooper Best wishes to the trooper for a speedy recovery!

Beautiful and very unique shot! Brian! Bill, be sure to post your photo in another thread!!

Date: 9-12-09 Time: 0830hrs Location: 282 Tarrytown Rd (C/S Rosemont Blvd, by Fairview Station 1) Frequency: Units Operating: Greenburgh PD Weather Conditions: Description Of Incident: Mechanic found shot inside garage, DOA Reporters: x635 Writer: x635

I am quite aware of the Yonkers apparatus situation. Smeal put in the bid with Spartan chasis specified. Smeal tends to build primarily on Spartans now it seems. Yonkers was quite content with American LaFrance, however they didn't bid, and Yonkers is awaiting 2 pumpers from them that are significantly delayed. The specific chasis wasn't specified by Yonkers, as to give all bidders a fair advantage. I think the few people that did bid on the Yonkers contract all had Spartan in their specs. But this discussion is about FDNY, and let's not get off track.

I am quite aware of the Yonkers apparatus situation. Smeal put in the bid with Spartan chasis specified. Smeal tends to build primarily on Spartans now, which is one of the only independent fire service chasis makers out there, and as I said, I think the HME chasis will only be available to contract customers (such as Ferrara under their nameplate) and under HME's "Ahrens Fox" brand. Yonkers was quite content with American LaFrance, however they didn't bid, and Yonkers is awaiting 2 pumpers from them that are significantly delayed. I think the few people that did bid on the Yonkers contract all had Spartan in their specs. But this discussion is about FDNY, and let's not get off track.

The main reason the Yonkers ladders are Smeals are because they are the only ones who can meet the grade specification with the other specs. As far as the Spartan goes, I thought that the new Yonkers ladders were coming on HME's. I've heard HME is no longer supplying chasis to other manufacturers, they are keeping it for their "Ahrens Fox" brand, but I can't confirm that. From a fleet standpoint, having a single manufaturer makes things simple when it comes to getting to know the rigs and having a good inventory of parts. Also, there is VERY few manufacturers that can actually meet FDNY's spec.

WOW! This has been a long time coming....they've needed a new engine for a long time....it seems funding for them is always a battle. Will it be a standard engine, or rescue pumper Thanks once again to LFD171 for the heads up!