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Mount Vernon wanted a 'scope, and a Fire Apparatus consulting firm helped them write the specs so they could get one. A lot of things were cut out from the aerial due to price, such as equipment mounting, bare minimum lighting package, etc. This is a City where the finances are completly corrupt, and I know the specs were bare bones, and that's what the city wanted. I too am shocked they got one. I think Seagrave was the lowest bidder, actually. Even if the escape ladder was $2,500, that's $2,500 saved for them......firefighter's life safety is not factored in in that City when budgeting. That $2,500 can be better spent lining the pockets of City Officials or some other corrupt use. Sorry if I offended any MVFD Firefighters out there, but from what I've seen over the past few years, that's my opinion. As far as NFPA compliance, it's a moot point when numerous other things in the department aren't anywhere near NFPA compliant. This is still a high volume, urban career department that runs open-cab jumpseat rigs, former volunteer apparatus that's over 20 years old, housed in mold ridden stations, with sometimes only two guys on an apparatus.

AWESOME find Joe!! This will be a great addition to Smeal's lineup! This opens a lot of new markets to them!

jetBlue's legroom is plenty for me....I just wish the seats were a tad wider. How much would you pay for extra legroom? Full story: http://information.travel.aol.com/article/...travdynlsec0145

Found this on another forum....absolutely disgusting. It's a letter to the editor. PLEASE read the rest of the "Official arrogance" editorial here, I'm sure you'll find it interesting: http://www.sbsun.com/letters/ci_8552779?source=email

Here's a photo of Greenville's former L-4, the way it looks today.....courtesy of Glenn Usdin and LancasterFire.com. Does anyone know why Greenville did away with a TL? At the time, neither Hartsdale or Fairview had one...

I just got a very nice suprise gift (early from the Easter Bunny). Code 3's latest release, Yonkers Engine 306, the 2004 American Lafrance Eagle, and it is BEAUTIFUL!!! Very highly detailed, and I'm proud to add it to my collection. Goes great with the Mack CF Engine 306 released a few years ago. Special thanks to the late Deputy Chief Chris Kiernan (Car 4), Yonkers Chief William Fitzpatrick, Commissioner Anthony Pagano, Joe Pinto and John Dunkel at Code 3 for making this model happen! http://www.code3.net/product/detail.asp?item=12129 Here are some shots of mine. All photos by me. Sorry for the quality, for some reason I can't seem to shoot the minature apparatus inside, lol:

Do I even need to take the test, lol???? And I prefer the term "enthusiast".

That was out of my control. When I worked, I did what was required and what I was trained to do. Beyond that, I wrote up every problem I found or issue I encountered. The Chief and Commisioners were aware of the situation, and their remedy is to keep dumping money into it sending it for all kinds of repairs several times a year. I don't think they comprehend it would probaly be less expensive and more efficient if they refurbished the boom, and replaced the hyrdraulic and electrical systems and components completly. Part of the problem is that when the apparatus was built, Aerialscope was in a transition phase. The quality of the electrical and hydraulic systems from the OEM was very poor from the start. It's Chiefs, Commisioners, and City officials, in my opinion, who choose poorly trained or unqualified mechanics or a poor fleet maintainence program, coupled with poor oversight of the fleet, since they really aren't the ones working with the apparatus on a daily basis. When it worked, it was a GREAT tool. But an apparatus that fails frequently and the issue is not addressed, is scary. The escape ladder bolted to the boom is a backup safety mechanism. If two firefighters get roasted or smooshed, god forbid, because their aerial fails and fire is heading their way, and they had no backup escape mechanism, then that's going to be an issue. For example, look at FDNY and why they got the emergency escape ropes........

Complacency kills. You can't justify something as being safe just because you haven't had an incident. You have to be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best. That Mount Vernon bucket has more potential of coming upon a dangerous situation then most Tower Ladders out there. From experience using an Aerialscope, conditions can change real fast....and I've been in the bucket a couple of times when the aerial has failed during training or weekly checks...and I've had to use the escape ladder. Fortunetly, I had plenty of time- something that FF's won't when defensive or rescue conditions can change rapidly. And, why does one of the largest and most respected FD's in the world, FDNY, which borders MV, have escape ladders on their aerialscopes? I'm tired of MVFD being shortchanged on everything. Their whole operation is held together with chewing gum and duct tape, and the FF's of MVFD make the system work every day to the best of their abilties-and thank god as safely as possible.

OK, let's kick this up a notch. A strong thunderstorm with dangerous lightening is rolling in. It's a Sunday afternoon, and the soonest you can get another lift there would be 2 hours. The worker is starting to freak out and attempting to crawl out of the basket down the boom.

Looks sharp! I'd like to see a shot of it with the Bronto, that would make for an awesome photo Seth

I've never heard that name. Since he's serving in a multi-jurisdictional official capacity, if he's on here, Thomas can you introduce yourself and background? If not, can someone fill us in?

You are dispatched on a windy day to this department store for a fire. When you arrive, you see thick, black smoke pushing from the front entrance. You have 10,000 SF on one side of the doors, and 10,000 SF on the other. It is 3PM on a Saturday, and the store's parking lot is full. There are no other front entrances. You have emergency escape doors on the sides of the building and rear, and rear loading docks. Would you consider the signage a hazard if not directly exposed to fire or heat, and what are some of your other considerations? Would this sign be part of your collapse zone?

With some of the volatile contents of the store (fertilizer, propane power forklifts, etc etc), do you think a potential explosion has the capability damage the sign? My opinion, it's built VERY well, and would be standing years after the building! It would be nice as a tech rescue and rope rescue training tower, too....

Here's another view:

Spotted this 2007 Chevrolet Colorado being outfitted at TCD in Mamaroneck. It's lettered for Westchester County DES. Does anyone know what it will be used for?

FULL STORY:http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/05/ta.../?news-breaking

I'd like to extend my thoughts and prayers with EMTBravo West Administrator and EMTBravo.net Moderator RescueKujo, on the loss of his father this mmorning after a valiant struggle with cancer. Duane, you, your father, and fmaily are in my thoughts and prayers. Please reach out if you need anything at alll......

First off, I want to thank my sources for sharing this information with us! So, here's what's on the slate for Yonkers FD Apparatus for the near future. Some very exciting deliveries that I can't wait to see! 1. Fire Blast Mobile Fire Simulation Training Trailer- Delivered Feb '08 2. Mack Granite Tractor Delivered - Feb - Awaiting Decals 3. 2 - F-350's DRW - delivered Jan - awaiting painting & decals 4. 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe for Fire Investigation Unit - Delivered Feb - awaiting decals & paint 5. 16 Passenger Bus w/ wheel chair lift for equipment assigned to HazMat Ops - To be delivered 3/5 6. Thomas built 40 passenger bus assigned to Special Operations - to be delivered week of 3/3/08 7. Collapse unit bid awarded to Hackney - Tandem axle Mack Rescue - to be delivered Fall of 2008 8. USAR Tractor Trailer to be delivered (Freightliner M2 tandem axle w/ 50' trailer)late April after being shown at UASI Conference in Charlotte 9. Command Vehicle by (MBFindustries.com) to be delivered by mid April 08 10. F-350 pickup w/ cap for Safety Battalion 11. 2 - ALF Towers ?????? 12. 2 - ALF Pumpers?????? And, all I can say about the future- stay tuned!

BUT, if departments learned to work together, and share resources, then the proper number CAN be there. There's a lot of fat that can be cut from a lot of departments budgets, especially if they learn to work together. This is one of the wealthiest communities in the nation, let's not forget that...and only a few miles south, in the Bronx, residents of the poorest neighborhoods are getting better fire protection.

Utility purposes, such as towing the various special operations trailers, transporting of manpower and equipment, use in disasters and snowstorms, training, etc.

As long as they are all capable of interior structural firefighting, then it doesn't matter the mix. But I am figuring an Apparatus Operator/Firefighter, Officer, and 2 Firefighters. JFLYNN, very well said! I couldn't agree more!

Here's a spy shot of the new F-350's awaiting lettering.

We all know about the saga of Larchmont FD's Engine situation, due to past popular threads on this forum. Last I was aware, Larchmont had or has an American LaFrance Engine on order. Has it already been delivered, and if not, how close is it to being completed with ALF's financial troubles in mind?

Any word on who was awarded the bid?