x635

Now, I noticed this Engine already has a electronic siren speaker, so what that deal with the one mounted on the bumper? Is it intended to make the fake "Electronic Q Mechanical Siren" sound even more fake????

With the tragic shooting of the Norwalk Police Officer this morning, I noticed that both NYC and Westchester Police helicopters responded to aid in the search for the suspect. Granted, Westchester County PD's Chopper can be there within moments, as we share a border, but does southwestern CT have a dedicated Law Enforcement helicopter available 24/7? You would think with the high crime cities, such as Norwalk and Bridgeport, the expanses of some jurisdictions, the Long Island Sound, and I-95, that CT SP would at least have one dedicated to the major part of the state. Especially with a major international helicopter manufacturer and repair/refurb facility located within the county!!

I have just confirmed that Empress EMS (contracted sole EMS provider for the City Of Yonkers, NY City Of Mount Vernon NY Villages Of Pelham And Pelham Manor NY) has recieved a former Poland Springs water delivery truck for use as a Special Operations/HazMat/MCI unit. The truck just got back from the paint shop, and lights and radios are currently being installed. The truck will be in service for when the Pope makes his visit to Yonkers next month, as well as during the upcoming Yonkers MCI drill. I should have photos soon.

The truck is back from the paint shops, and Empress staff (including Field and SOD staff) are working to build the truck as we speak. Most of the work is being done in-house. Here's a spy shot, courtesy of and special thanks to Empress EMS Captain Marcel Cekuta.

This thread will serve as an online condolence card for Norwalk Police Officer Matthew Morelli, who was shot and killed in the line of duty this morning, Friday March 21st 2008. <br /><br /><br /><font size="1">(AP Photo/Norwalk Hour / BEN GANCSOS)</font><br /><br />The postings on this thread will be passed along to Officer Morelli's family and Norwalk PD after the funeral. As has been shown in the past, the families do read and truly appreciate the showing of support. If you knew Officer Morelli, please post some thoughts or memories of him. If you didn't know him, please express your thoughts and prayers on this thread. Thanks. <br /><br />Seth

FULL STORY: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ex...0,4853229.story

WOW! That is awesome, and awesome photos, Nate!! Thanks for sharing! Very sharp!

There's got to be something more to this........ FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../NEWS/803250395

I would like to call for a moratorium on all the EGOS! That's the real problem. I think that is the issue with many. As I have experienced over the past year, I think that more firefighters are concerned with themselves then they are with the public they serve, especially in Westchester. Everyone has someone and something to complain about and blame, yet no one wants to accept responsibility, accept their mistakes or shortcomings, and initiate change. It's just going to go 'round 'round in circles, tradition, egos styming progress. Then, you got the ego maniacs who love to stir the pot and cause trouble with no real interest in the topic at hand, and cry when they get called out on it. Those are the people here who are making up lies about this forum, including false claims of "censorship", for exactly the reason described in the previous sentence. They never contact a moderator with their concerns first before posting, because they know they have NOTHING to back up their claims. It's funny, when you ask these people to provide specfic instances of when they were censored, they can't. And when they can, when there post has been deleted, it's 100% of the time because of a blatent violation of the rules. And then these clowns blame US for THEIR ignorance! It's almost comical, they create their own drama! The moderators have been instructed to be VERY, VERY strict starting now with these drama queens. I'm convinced things are NEVER going to change. The few of us who TRULY CARE about the public we serve and are truly GOOD PEOPLE are in the minority, the rest are in it for themselves. After the events of the past year that I have experienced, that has taught me that "brotherhood" really doesn't exist in Westchester and the surrounding area. If it did, we wouldn't treat each other the way we do on this forum. BTW, New Terms Of Service for this forum...coming soon! With added ZERO TOLERANCE for egos! ZERO TOLERANCE FOR HARRASMENT OF STAFF, AND ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THREADS CREATED TO SPECIFICALLY BASH THIS FORUM! As for all the bashing and criticism and other discussion of the sites this past week, I'm sick of it, it's burning me out. I'm locking this thread. I don't want to hear anything from any member until I want to. I'm going to come up with some sort of complaint system. Until then, if you have a problem with something, contact a moderator. If you want to use this forum for what it's intended for, then get out of this thread, and stop watching this uneccesary and unproductive drama. ENOUGH! And don't PM me- email me at my email address which is x635@EMTBravo.com. It's easier and quicker for me to reply. BUT, I don't want to hear anything about this post or issue. What I said is how I feel, and it's not changing. In the end, the members don't run this site, myself and the staff do. We give the members plenty of input, but as this past week has shown, sometimes it's not a good thing. I'm sick of people biting the hand that feeds them, so to speak. THREAD LOCKED!

FULL STORY: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_8697665

Date: 3-26-08 Time: 1357hrs PDT Location:8800 S. Sepulveda Bvd, Manchester Avenue and La Tijera Boulevard, near LAX (City Of Los Angeles, CA). Departments: LAFD,LAFD Air Operations, LAPD Description: (Major Emergency Incident) Reported smoke coming from 2 story office building and manholes I/A/O, 8800 block of Sepulveda. Explosion reported as firefighters made entry to rear of building. 2 FF's injured, 1 airlifted to Daniel Freeman Hospital, where the FF succumed to his injuries, the other FF airlifted to UCLA Medical Center, in critical condition. 1 minor civilian injury reported. Writer: x635 14:10 (APPROX): I/C reporting FF's down after an explosion. LAFD Air Os landing in a nearby intersection. Two firefighters reported to be injured. 15:30hrs: Apparent underground vault explosion still under investigation, awaiting word from LAFD on injured FF's conditon and extent of civiian injuries. 16:00hrs: Multiple media agencies reporting the 2 injured FF's in critical condition. Unk further. 17:00hrs: LAFD PIO & Hospital Spokesperson now reporting 1 FF deceased LODD at Daniel Freeman, 1 FF critical condition at UCLA Medical Center. Thoughts and prayers. 17:30hrs: Preliminary origin of incident believed to be in a utility vault of a Los Angeles City Water And Power Department Community Credit Union building on Sepulveda Blvd. LAFD Arson units, LAPD, and numerous agencies on scene investigating. Situation NOT under control, area remains evacuated. LAFD OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY STATEMENT http://lafd.blogspot.com/2008/03/los-angel...ed-in-line.html LAFD Official Coverage: http://lafd.blogspot.com *Information compiled from LAFD PIO, LAFD, News Media, and personal sources. All information subject to change, this is currently a breaking incident as of time of writing.

Photos are up on Ferrara's site in the "In Production" section- chasis appears to be GMC. Body is under construction and looks like it's coming along nicely so far. I'm suprised no one has more details, or is willing to share them....

Interesting story. From "The Secret List" of FirefighterCloseCalls.com. Reposted with permission.

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...EWS03/803250416

That's what I was thinking when I read the article. Those bus companies are SCARY, and have been involved in NUMEROUS serious incidents due to neglect of their fleet and not training and overworking drivers. But this company seems like a bigger operation. The article says they are affiliated with CoachUSA, which is a major operation that has bought and destroyed much of the competition. I wonder if this is just a publicity stunt, and if the fares will go up? I can't imagine they are making a profit, especially with fuel costs. They must charge for baggage, etc...maybe even carry cargo. I just don't understand....dadbo46, any insight?

Congrats Dan!

I didn't know they were issuing guns to pilots. FULL STORY: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_re_us/gun_on_plane

From a friend, as well as information seen on two other forums, FDNY has begun taking delivery of the new "Haz-Tac" ambulances. From what I can remember, I think it looked like a regular FDNY ambulance, with a large, module style compartment between the cab and box, as well as additonal compartments. Can anyone confirm, or does anyone have photos yet? Also, someone had mentioned they are on the heavier-duty Ford F-450 chasis?

Has anyone been watching "Ax Men" on the History Channel? This is another play on the "Ice Road Truckers", "Deadliest Catch", etc bandwagon. Nonetheless, the work these guys do is quite dangerous and labor intensive. They certainly know their chainsaws, and I've picked up some tips just watching the show!

Yes, I believe that's the one! I was told that East-West Fire Apparatus Consultants helped with the specs, and the bids came in higher then they wanted, they rebid a less-frills model and Ferrara won the bid. I wasn't sure before, but that just jogged my memory! Thanks Steve!

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Easter Holiday!! I know I'm all hopped up on sugar right now from all the Easter candy!!!

Well, you can't have Oreos without Milk!!! Seriously, I'm surprised that eating while driving isn't against the law, especially with the proliferation of drive throughs, as well as "portable foods", such as wraps, designed to eat while driving. I remember one Police Officer who I worked with, I think at County PD, used to nail people because they are supposed to have two hands on the wheel? Is that a NYS law?

WOW! I didn't know the members refurbed 175 in house! That's awesome, thanks for sharing the photos! Also, nice to see Doug's in action, they were a classic Westchester wrecker operation that was pretty prominent at their peak. Was the E-One body new, or off another apparatus? Also, what was the reason for replacing the body?

usedfiretrucks, forgot to welcome you to the forum! Thanks for sharing your obviously extensive knowledge with us, it is appreciated and I learned a great deal from your posts on this thread about NFPA...it is confusing! But, as I was always told, "NFPA is just a reccomendation" (lol)

I agree with Joe, Norwalk has one of the BEST FD apparatus shops in the Country, IMO. The two others I think are best are LA City and LA County shops. When I used to work in Hartsdale, they used to give a select firefighter a large stipend, plus let him order all the tools and equipment he wanted, and gave him the title of "Mechanic". I don't know what the qualifications were for the selection, or what the actual required duties are. I know he's been to a manufacturer training class at Pierce, but I'm unaware of any ASE or EVT certifications. I know that Pierce (Tylers) will come in and fix things in house. The Tower Ladder goes multiple places, primarily though to Campbell Supply in New Jersey (the origanl dealer). PM on the Suburbans goes to Frank Chevrolet in Tarrytown. Personally, I feel that ALL apparatus should be serviced by ASE/EVT certified technicians, with a strong background. Rapid Fire Services is an excellent example, Kevin has years of experience servicing apparatus in a high volume, urban career department. His mobile workshop is like nothing I've seen before, he can probaly do 95% of the work needed in house, INCLUDING PM!! Kevin could do the work for any type of department. And, as for the department that has the "Mechanic/Firefighter" for four pieces of apparatus, the department will save money on having to buy thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of tools and equipment, not to mention the stipend paid, to get their apparatus repaired. He also stocks a TON of common and unique emergency vehicle parts. Here's a photo of Rapid Fire Service's Mobile Repair shop, which also note is capable of on-scene refueling and apparatus repair. Lives are depending on, and riding on, fire apparatus. Fire Apparatus repair is a specialty, and shouldn't be taken to a regular truck repair facilty or to some unqualified or incompetent mechanic. Let's also not forget, that if you hire Rapid Fire Services, you're also supporting the EMTBravo sites, because they help to financially support us!