x635

In my jurisdiction, we have a knox box program on every commercial and most OMD structures. However, I don't think having one entitles you to take merchandise without approval or prearrangment.

Along with the new Engine 75, which I hope to get myself photos of, North White Plains has a pre-2007 Chevrolet Suburban with a brush guard and striping sitting in their parking lot with no lightbar as of yet. The old pre-97 Ford Crown Vic is sitting in the lot stripped and delettered. Since this Suburban is not of the new body style, was it bought as a dealer leftover, or did it serve with another agency first?

Check out this Pierce Squad on http://FireNews.org http://www.firenews.org/ri/AlbionRIS21new.jpg Pretty intresting.

From FireNews.org

On an amateur basis, with digital point and shoot cameras, do you think a good photo is a result of the camera, the photographer, or both?

I'm with Remember585, Ossining would look good with an antique piece to back up their strong parade turnout....guess it's too late now.

I'm just curious, with the rising fuel prices, how has this affected your agencies budget? If the high costs of fuel have taken a toll on your departments budget, are you taking any iniatatives to reduce the use of fuel?

Are they academy trained, sworn NYS Police Officers? And what type of powers do they have?

I'm all for it. There's no reason that GPD's specialized vehicles, nor it's ambulances, flycars, and cruisers, should be housed outside. Protection from the elements for these vehicles is sorely needed.

Wikipedia information is incorrect, as far as I was told....

I don't know if anyone else (except one) on this forum frequents the BusTalk.net Message Boards, which pertains to public transportation buses, but is anyone know what the status is? I can't seem to access it.

I think I'll like it once I see it in person. At one time, I hated the Spartan Evolution and Pierce Quantum-until I saw them in person. So I reserve judgement, until I hopefully see one soon!

[attachmentid=2493] Many of you know that one of my favorite trucks in the world is a Mack Granite equipped for DPW snowplow/spreader operations. Well, I finally got my own. Sort of. It's a HIGHLY detailed 1/34th scale replica produced by First Gear, and available through Midwest Replicas. It is super detailed, I think even more detailed then the real thing! Check out the photos @ x635Photos.com. This is probaly my favorite piece in my diecast collection now. Check out the photos of mine here: http://www.x635photos.com/thumbnails.php?album=139 And if you want to buy your own: Midwest Replicas Mack Granite Snowplow

Let's take an example of a situation that's common throughout Westchester, and in fact New York State. I personally feel the "we have the money let's spend it" attitude of some commisioners and governors of departments needs to end. Here's the example. Take Department A,B,C,D. All the districts are within the same town, are a couple square miles big, and each's headquarters are within 5 minutes of each other. All these departments combined do less then 500 calls a year.....combined. On the breakdown-how many of those were life threatening and the equipment used. Yet, each department needs it's own everything. It's own ladder. It's own rescue. It's own everything. It comes to be a duplication of resources. I'm understanding that there are "could happen" sutations and the need for the equipment, but in this day and age, some apparatus, equipment, and even departments are obsolete, and costing the taxpayers millions uneccarily. And, I'm not going to get into the fact that some departments would rather spend more on apparatus then traning and staffing.

Something said on the airwaves of 46.26 today got me thinking. The Engine called 60 Control for an ETA on the muncipally operated ambulance, and they stated 10 minutes. Why should the Engine (dispatched by 60 Control) have to call the 60 dispatcher who then has to call the EMS agency which is dispatched by the PD, then the PD has to call the ambulance, the ambulance has to respond to their dispatcher, who then tells 60 the ETA, and the the 60 Control dispatcher turns around and gives the requesting Engine their ETA. Get it? Got It? Good. It's ridiculous in Westchester that an ambulance and fire engine in the SAME town can't even talk to one another on one frequency. It wastes time, wastes airtime, and puts more work on the dispatchers who are already overwhelmed. I'm not going to even get into the problem of having to ask for ETA's on EMS.........

Has anyone been watching the "Planet Earth" miniseries Sunday nights on the Discovery Channel? Absolutely amazing footage and images. It concludes tonight, but I'm sure the series will repeat at some time (as it did all day today). And, at 10PM tonight is the "Making Of" special. Some of the cameras, equipment, and techniques they used are unprescendeted. And some very patient and rugged cameramen.

That's one AWESOME looking ambulance! Not to mention it's a LifeLine body, which are built like tanks. Which ambulance are they replacing, and what problems led them away from using the Chevrolet 4500? I can't wait to get photos of it when I get better.

I'm curious. When the flood waters receed, is there enough trash pumps to go around? I know that that's one of the biggest needs after a disaster such as the one in Mamaroneck. I know some departments have a couple, and some departments just rely on little pumps. Since the County has provided items like ATV's, would a trash pump trailer with plenty of trash pumps for a flooding incident be worth it? Maybe even a flood response unit with an hovercraft as well?

Where is this bus housed?

While I've always loved New Britain EMS's fleet and color scheme, I was browsing through JEMS annual Fleet Review and noticed that they have gotten a new Ford F-Super Duty/Frazer Type 1 Ambulance. http://www.frazerbilt.com/flash.php [attachmentid=2468] As far as I know, this is the only Frazer in the Northeast. A Frazer ambulance is unique, because all the module powe, emergency and scene lighting, and HVAC is powered by an on-board generator, while the engine is reserved for the operation of the chasis. All cabintery is aluminum and all the agencies (mostly in Texas) that use them swear by them. I know I checked one out at EMS Today a few years back, and it was a great concept and I wondered why more agencies didn't use it. It doesn't suprise me that a progressive agency like New Britain EMS purchased one. Also, they have an awesome paint scheme. [attachmentid=2469] Does anyone know of any hooks for me to get some photos later this spring?

To some of you this may be old news, but I just found this GREAT site for Police car modeling supplies: http://www.policecarmodels.com/

Both Microscale http://www.microscale.com and McGonigal Paper http://www.mcgpaper.com produce decal sheets that you can print on your inkjet or laser printer. They both also require their own setting solution as well as a clearcoat, details on their website. As far as already printed custom decals, http://www.roadblockers.net and http://www.policecarmodels.com have an extensive 1/64 and 1/24 collection of decals for numerous different agencies that can be modified to the agency of your choice.

Boston just took delivery of a brand new E-One engine, after their last batch of Pierce Engines. Before the Pierces, Boston was a strictly E-One department. This Engine was intially going to Engine 52, but was reassingned to Engine 29 at the last minute. Wonder if they will be going back to E-Ones? http://www.firenews.org/metrofire/images/BostonE29new07.jpg (Photo By MEB from FireNews.org) However, their beautiful new Rescue is a Pierce Quantum (wish I had a photo, it's really beautiful)

From FireNews.org

Today, while northbound on the Sprain on the way to a doctors appointmnet, I noticed a NYS Trooper get out of his car for a traffic stop. He appeared to be wearing a trenchcoat in trooper beige with a NYS Trooper patch. Is this new?