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It's been a rough few weeks in Houston. This news comes as word that the civilian victim of the recent apparatus MVA has died. Thoughts and prayers are with all involved. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl//6370042.html

Firefighters are voluntarily pitching in from around the state so that everyone can attend at least part of the services.

Some further info: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/news/2009/council_032609.htm

Austin FD is also taking delivery of this 2009 Dodge Ram 5500 4x4/Siddons "Skeeter" brush truck. Amongst other feaures, it is CAFS equipped, has "pump and roll" capabilties, and has a remote control (from the cab) front turret. As the drought conditions worsen here in Texas, and urban interface wildfires get more frequent, the brush truck category is growing like crazy. There are a lot of local brush truck fabricators here in Texas, and some of the departments even build their own. These brush trucks are referred to as "Texas style", most noteable for their secure riding positions for supression purposes on a deck between the body and the cab. This truck was built by Siddons Fire Apparatus, the local Pierce Dealer which recently aqquired a brush truck company in San Antonio. They are building a new facility in San Antonio to manufacture these trucks, as well as a San Antonio Pierce service center. They also have locations outside Austin, TX, and a police car and ambulance facility in Houston. (They are the distributor for Lifeline here in Texas- however Wheeled Coach and Frazer dominate the ambulance market)

I've known Ricky for over 15 years. I'm sad I couldn't make the services, as I couldn't afford the trip back to NY. I sent a letter expressing my condolences with a photo of Ricky and I during training when Scappy's was being demolished. BTW, thanks for using EMTBravo.net for what it's for, getting the word out like the above. Much appreciated. I wish I could have done more like posting a memorial and funeral info on the front page, but the past few days have been hectic. If there is anything I or the site can do, please don't hesitate to contact me ( EMAIL: seth@emtbravo.com)

FULL STORY: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news...13dispatch.html

Seems like it could be a cool book........I will post a review as soon as I read it. http://www.fire-police-ems.com/books/bm9000.shtml

The new season of "American Chopper" starts April 9th on TLC. I was bored for a while, but recently regained my interest. Part of the problem is, this show doesn't belong on TLC with the genre of program and demographic they are aiming for- it should be back on Discovery. Second, the last season the episodes were sporadic- sometimes it was on Thursday nights, and sometimes not. They also showed only part the season and out of sequence at that. I have been watching last season's reruns on Discovery HD Theater (thankfully my standard def TV still can get it!), and it was very interesting with the move into the new building. They come up with some awesome bikes, and can't wait to see what bikes are built this season. I'm also proud that this internationally-famous company that brought a lot of attention to choppers is in the Hudson Valley!

Excellent photos! Thanks for sharing!

Caught the season premiere...AWESOME! The B-52 bike was awesome, the NHL bike was so/so. I wonder if Paulie Jr. is really "fired" or if he's going to come back? Anyone with an inside scoop?

Some more information: http://www.texas-fire.com/2009/04/13/lodd-...-to-tragic-end/

FULL STORY: http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?...=1&id=45689

http://www.lohud.com/article/20090411/NEWS...373/1018/NEWS02

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/article/2009904120352

I've been following a lot of the news coverage rearding all the mass shootings and LODD's that have been happening across the country. One common thread is that "if SWAT could have got there faster...." Yesterday, I was reading the book "E-Man: Life in the NYPD Emergency Services Unit"*by Det. Al Sheppard, Ret. Its described numerous situations in New York City that were similar to what we are seeing on the news, and how ESU was able to put an effective and efficient end to the situation. With ESU on patrol, you basically have a mobile SWAT team 24/7. ESU exists only in the NYC metro area, as far as I know. Other agencies often have to assemble SWAT, and that takes time. I know that some of these incidents were unavoidable, but I believe if the ESU concept were in place in more cities, that citizens would be safer. My favorite quote from the book: "When people need help, they call the police....when Police need help, they call ESU". How true it is. Thoughts and prayers are with the hundreds of people affected by this tragedy including the fallen officers. My hope is that this situation brings to light the need for more funding for ESU/SWAT units that can mobilize faster, funding for development of better weapons and body armor for first responding officers, and better training on these types of incidents. It's scary how many sickos are out there with high powered weapons that can outpower police officers. We're over spending billions fighting a war against terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan (not that that isn't important), in the interest of "Homeland Security". Meanwhile, we have these US-citizen terrorists in our own country, and I think more funding needs to be shifted to our TRUE homeland security- our local and regional police departments on the front lines right here in our own country. Firefighters die in a variety of tragic circumstances. Most often, Police Officers are murdered! And I'm sick of seeing both! *BOOK REFERENCED: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/books/be0050.shtml

I just learned that Southwest Airlines will be flying from LaGuardia Airport begining in June. Although I HATE Southwest (why can't they have assigned seating, their boarding process is no shorter then anybody else's and you feel like cattle with the "bording groups" and all), it's another option for travel to and from NY. But, I haven't really found Southwest to be cheaper then other airlines, and as everyone knows, I much prefer jetBlue.

Does anyone know the lineup for Ardsley?

Here in Texas, I've never seen so many different, unique, and progressive patrol cars. It seems every agency has it's own special touch. This is the first patrol car I've seen with "Police" spelled backwards so it actually says "Police" in your rear view mirror, much like on some ambulances.

Has anyone gone to the new Yankee or Shea stadium???? What's it like? (I still refuse to call it Citi Field, especially since Citibank took federal bailout money and didn't sell their naming rights to the park)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/c...,0,966032.story

My former agency/medical director demo'd it for the annual Texas State EMS Conference in Fort Worth last November. It was a big hit. There are a number of agencies down here using it. It is a great tool for difficult intubations, but I prefer my Miller blade for "everyday" use. For those in busy urban systems who have the oppurtunity to intubate often, I think can agree that we can intubate faster then if we used this device, even though it sets up just as fast. Intubation is a "muscle memory" skill for me, and we were drilled on it in Paramedic school and the Advanced Airway course. I guess if I had it and I knew it was going to be a difficult intubation, then I'd probaly reach for this device first. But I don't want it to become something that I would "depend" on. The best tool for intubation is still FREQUENT practice on modern intubation manequins. There are so many intubation gadgets out there nowadays, and I think that's starting to diminish the core importance of actually being able to intubate anywhere, anytime, with just a blade and a tube (or, for those who've taken PHTLS, your fingers).

A similar situation has happened somewhere in the HV in the mid-1990's. Upon arrival, the FD has heavy flames showing from a single story wood frame ranch with partial collapse. They couldn't force entry through the front door, as they were met with heavy fire and detiorating structural conditions. Neighbors were unsure if there was anyone inside the residence, and a thorough primary and secondary search was performed. The next morning, the family shows up and confirms that the victim had to be inside the residence. During overhaul, the front door was removed and severly charred, barely reconizable remains were found under the door. The investigation believed the victim was trying to put out the fire (which originated in the basement) when she realized she couldn't, and tried to escape, and was overcome by smoke just as she reached the door. There was no fire alarm, and neighbors called in the fire when they saw flames. Being in EMS for 12 years, and going in and out of hundreds of peoples houses, it doesn't suprise me if sometimes a victim is overlooked for various reasons, especially in "colliers mansion" type conditions, situations with heavy fire conditions, and/or structural deteriotion. Often, there are elderly people who no one cares about, or only are checked on a few times each month. Sometimes, there's no immediate way of knowing because the damage and debris are so intense. Many of us know the smell of a deceased person who hasn't been checked on for weeks in the summertime-and the only reason we were called was because of the smell-or in one case-leakage. We really don't know what happened, and as mentioned above, no one could have let people know that this guy was inside DURING the incident. The family or media can be painting a completly different picture. It also sounds like he was in a dark basement, in possibly a rooming house. It's hard for me to believe that Chicago FD wouldn't find this guy if there were relatives on scene telling them he was inside. Chicago FD is a really good department. Very sad story whatever the true details come out to be.

I'm spoiled. I try to fly jetBlue whenever I can. It's hard to fly without the live TV!! The one time I flew Southwest, we were the first to check in and the very last people in the last boarding group. Plus, jetBlue flies direct from Austin to JFK.....sadly, they're not using the E190's anymore, they've upgraded to the A320 and cut the amount of flights to NY daily.....but increased flights to other destinations I frequent, or at least used to, like Los Angeles. I can, when I can afford to fly again, fly jetBlue connecting in Orlando and then direct to Westchester.....I just hate the Orlando-JFK flights...ALWAYS screaming kids! Southwest being at LGA does open up a lot of destinations for NY's, especially if the use connections via Baltimore. I just don't know how many slots LGA has alotted for Southwest. Southwest is based here in Texas (Dallas), as is American Airlines (Dallas-Fort Worth) and Continental Airlines (Houston), but jetBlue has a STRONG following in here in the Austin area.

As I mentioned in another thread, proper 911 calltaking plays a crucial role in responder's safety: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090407/ap_on_...sburgh_shooting

I'm just wondering, is there ANY firefighter who's been doing it a while that DOES NOT have knee problems? I was thinking about it, and this is one part of the job that really can't be prevented that much...even with knee protection, the stress is still there.