x635

I was going to ask the same question today, lol. My in-laws and wife used to go to a Christmas tree farm in LaGrange, that was run by a female alternative lifestyle commune. They supposedly had great trees, but like many farms in LaGrange, they have sold out to developers last year. We're planning on going to cut our tree next weekend, but I'm wondering if we'll get a better tree at one of the fire department fundraising treee stands?? (I will only buy from departments that are selling to purchase firefighting related equipment, not to fund social activities). I personally like fresh cut though.

From "The Secret List"

Maybe he was living under the alias "Gabriel Costello", and he had a different name. I find it wierd that no one has any sort of records. The alias thing is the only way I could think to explain it. As for him getting killed in Iraq, you'd think the military would know, and whom was killed they would have notified/confirmed. Also strange they can't seem to track down his mother-and why would she be driving to Fort Bragg if the remains go to Dover? I also find it wierd that Glenbrook FD has trouble with their records. In CT, does a volunteer firefighter have to undergo any sort of background check or interview? How long does a volunteer FD have to keep these records for? I'd assume these records would be readily available at anytime just by opening a file cabinet.

I had heard they had ordered some new pieces, but I forget who the dealer was and whether they were new or used.

It seems to me that Engines today are spec'd to do everything. While I understand the concept and need for the engine to do more in these days of more diverse calls and less staffing, I feel that an engine's primary responsibity is to provide water to put the fire out. Sometimes, I actually think that some departments are more proud that they have a combi tool on their engine then the way they pack their hose to deploy to their needs. Maybe it's me, but hose on an engine should be one of the primary focuses. It should be easily accesible, both to deploy and repack. The hydrant bag should be readily available to grab and make a connection. Hosebed should be dividided and contain a variety of hoses, including two different ways to lay supply line. The Engine above is a great example to illustrate my point. It's an Engine that's designed to be an urban Engine (It's destined to be Danbury Engine 21, actually). The hosebed is easily accesible. You don't have to climb up tricky steps, or comprimise that amount of hose you carry for other equipment. The Engine cab, engine itself, pump panel, and hose, and accesories remain the most important features of an engine for me.

Just curious if any agencies aggresively enforce tinted windows, and how? I've heard in order for the case to stand in court, the cop must have a "Tint-O-Meter" type of device? What is the tint law in NYS and CT? Seems like I see a lot of people with tints so dark you can't even see into the car. I assume this puts LEO's at risk when stopping a vehicle?

Hoax? I don't understand. I mean, I do hope Gabriel Costello is alive, but at the same time I hope this gets straightened out quickly regardless. This is wierd and not good.

Interesting story. I wonder if this is a good thing, or this guy is giving a false sense of security by not having the proper training or skills....is it just luck he hasn't been injured or worse doing this yet? Anyways, if he risked his life and equipped himself to save his neighbor's homes, then that is commendable in a wierd sort of way. FULL STORY: http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/a...amp;sectionId=4

Now, this building has been boarded up pretty securely, with no tresspassing signs. What is the liability of the fire department if they get reports of someone trapped, but the risks outweigh the benefit? I mean it's a moral dilemma there. Snotty is right, that's why God invented Tower Ladders. And in my opinions, Excavators with a claw attachment. If there was nobody in the building, I would follow Snotty's advice to a T. We have a lot of great minds here....I'm suprised more haven't chimed in. There's a lot of aspects of this building that lessons can come from, I for one would appreciate some of our more "seasoned" members letting us know what they think. So far though, the inputs been great!

Is there an update on this situation? Have the trailers been set up and moved into yet?

When I have the room, I'd love to build an HO layout. I'm really into trains and wish I had more room here for a layout. For now, I can only drool over the Walthers catalog. My father built me a couple (both HO and LGB) when I was a kid, they were awesome. A few guys in my firehouse are into model railroading, they always make a trip to the Springfield, MA Train show at the "Big E" every year. I hope that I can make it up this year, I hear it's awesome.

Anything that helps, even if it's a little bit, is worth putting in in my opinion. This looks like a relatively simple idea, I'm not sure how it would perform in smoke but it definetly couldn't hurt.

Personally, I think New York State Troopers are the best dressed...what are your picks?

Excellent post, Chris! Moral of the story is, if we can all learn to play nicely together, we could potentially have more resources at our disposal and possibly save more lives....plus save millions that could be spent on other things, such as staffing.

Milwaukee, WI RM Tower Ladder near-miss while responding

FULL STORY: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071127/ap_on_..._open_network_2

Bump for this Sunday.

I think that this technology is a great advancement, and I hope to see it on more aerials. I am from the school of thought that at nighttime, any and all sources of lighting should be put in use at a scene...bring daylight with you. This is Fort Worth Quint 38, a 2007 American Lafrance 100' RM/2000GPM/500Gal Photos by Chris Hawkins, posted on http://www.bensware.com Check out the following photos, Really cool! : http://www.bensware.com/firetrucks/fortworthQ38lf.jpg http://www.bensware.com/firetrucks/fortwor...LadderLight.jpg

That's AWESOME they let him return to full duty, it took a lot of strength to make that recovery......I'm sure he had the full support of his fellow FF's during his recovery and his return to work. I wonder if the department gave him a ridiculously hard time when he tried/wanted to come back? Again, so cool he came back to work after his severe injuries-it's hard being out.

I currently use a Sprint/Nextel i580 because I like the durabilty, and want a phone that's a phone. I also am using a seperate Sprint Motorola Q for data. I've never really had a problem with service or coverage, but their customer service is absolutely horrible. I breifly had a Nextel Blackberry i700, but hated it because it was bulky, and also did not have a "qwerty" keyboard. However, I am switching to a Blackberry Curve 8310 from AT&T Wireless this week, solely because you cannot beat a Blackberry for push email and messaging. I went with AT&T because they had the Curve, and the best price, and I could get a data-only plan at a reasonable cost. Also, my wife uses AT&T and never has any coverage issues.

I recently won this postcard on an EBay auction. Pretty cool! I wish my department had held on to this! If, when in service, this engine was numbered using the current Westchester County DES system, it would be Engine 170. It contains the caption on the back: (From the x635 Collection, Unknown Photographer) Does anyone still know if this piece is at the Trolley Museum? Or, better yet, anyone know how it ended up there-maybe it served East Windsor, CT after Hartsdale?

Thanks to an anonymous tipster on my blog, I was able to obtain these photos this morning of what used to be Banksville Engine 158. It was a 1988 Mack MR/Ward 79 that served Banksville for 19 years. Unfortunetly, it's destined to become a dump truck, or so I am told. It is sitting in a paving comany's parking lot. It's sad, I'm sure there are a lot of poorer, rural communities in our nation that would have loved to have this engine. It is sad to think that this was a working fire engine only a couple of months ago.

If anyone can beat this disease, it's Joe. I've always admired his kind and infectious spirit ever since meeting him several years ago. Although I don't get a chance to make it up to BH as often anymore, that doesn't mean I forget about friends. I'm glad to hear that he's home, and I hope he knows that we're all here to support him anytime and with anything he needs....he's got a long road ahead of him, but he'll never be alone on it and I know he can conquer it. Thanks to everyone who's been signing this card, Joe has been reading so your messages are getting through.......shows the community spirit and support this forum can foster......hope to see everyone at the Blood Drive a week from Monday. If you wish to send Joe a private message via this forum's PM system, you can send it to send it to (username) jml582 If you wish to add him to your "Friends List", or add an encouraging comment to his profile, click here

Thanks!! Here's a better shot of Medic 25:

Hmmm. Thanks for the tip. Anyone have a connection at Lenox Hill Hospital EMS? I'd love to get a photo. PM me if you can arrange.