x635

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Everything posted by x635

  1. I just ordered myself this book: "Building & Detailing Scale Model Trucks & Emergency Vehicles " by Terry Jessee http://www.amazon.com/Building-Detailing-T...74872306&sr=8-1 Hopefully, it will give me some more insight into my new budding hobby. I also ordered "The Basics Of Scale Modeling" Next step, buying an inexpensive Tetstors airbush set on Ebay.
  2. So, I've put a few factors together to at least speculate Greenburgh PD has started an ESU, or is at least trying on out,especially since I've been out of the loop lately...barely even hear from 71 anymore. I live near Central Ave in Hartsdale, one of the most trafficed roads in town. On my way to Physical Therapy the other day, I saw Greenbrugh Car 123 (I'll get to that in a moment) at an accident scene in Greenburgh along with 150 Engine and 4 Truck,with two officers dressed in ESU gab. I've also seen them responding through the four corners area a number of times now. Greenburgh Car 123 is a 2 door Chevy K Blazer (think two door Tahoe) that was aqquired from Pocantico Hills FD, and repainted at the Greenburgh PD shops. It is marked "Special Operations" Anyone know anything further? Factually.
  3. Just a reminder, this begins tonight....
  4. Today, I decided to try my hand at kitbashing. I ordered a couple of those blank Dodge Charger R/T police package 1/?? diecast cars from http://www.fireandcopshop.com . Even with my hands unsteady and memory shot, I went at it. I used this paint, probaly not the best for model painting (maybe airbrushing comes out better?), but the color was perfect. So, I decided to make a fictional Hartsdale FD Car 2172 Dodge Charger. Here's the start of the project: [attachmentid=2284] Then, I disassembled the entire car. [attachmentid=2285] Then, it went through the paint shop. Due to my impatience watching paint dry, and my unsteady hand, and possibly using the wrong technique (again maybe Testors Model Paint would have been better) [attachmentid=2286] And here's the final product. I couldn't remember how things went back together, so I just hot-glued everything back together, instead of the intricated screws and clips. I broke a lot of stuff off to get it back together, but hopefully that's not noticeable. Anyways, here's the AWFUL job I did. Looks like a 3 year old did it. I shouldn't have attempted this project to begin with, I knew the outcome wasn't going to be good, but it was fun and I learned stuff for maybe next time. I just wish my hand was more steady and I knew how to paint better. [attachmentid=2287] Again, here's a shot of the blank car. I'd really like to do a fictional Greenburgh PD car, but obviously that wouldn't be the best idea right now for me. Although, mabye I could get some clear label sheets at Office Depot and print out lables, and apply them to the cars as graphics, and again use colored electrical tape as striping. [attachmentid=2288] Well, I'm quite tired and sick from all the fumes of the various paint products, so I'm going to rest. No more arts and crafts for today, although I have some other projects in mind. Don't forget to order your EMTBravo shirts please. They help to support this site. The funding comes out of my pocket, and by buying a shirt, you help me out with the expenses such as hosting. Plus, you help to advertise the site, which brings in more people with more knowledge to share, PLUS you spread the message that's on the shirt- that we all work together. If you've bought a shirt- thanks, if not http://www.emtbravocentral.com
  5. I'm aware that Hawthorne has many different unique and significant occupancies within their jurisdiction, such as the IBM R&D Center, Grassland Reservation (Jail, Hospital), several churches, schools, and live-in schoos, corporate parks, and your typical stores and homes. However, last night as part of my PT, I decided to do some of my walker walking and excercises in the new Home Depot in Hawthorne. I didn't get to see the whole store as just walking in was exhausting and painful, but as I passed the 5 Gallon metal buckets of Kerosene near the entrance, the high stock shelves, and the confusing layout filled with all kinds of combustibles and things to hurt and trap firefighters, I wondered if Hawthorne FD has done any special planning, training, or SOP for this occupany? I feel that the Home Depot (and it's blue counterpart, Lowes) present probaly the most dangerous of the big box stores. With Home Depot's in Port Chester, New Rochelle, Lake Mohegan, Brewster, Danbury, Norwalk, Fishkill, Palisades Mall, Nanuet, etc, etc, how have these departments handled the preplanning and response to these stores? Also, has any department had an incident in a Home Depot? I can only imagine if a Home Depot became "smoked out" at 2PM on a Saturday afternoon, when the store is filled with shoppers. Or at 2AM, when the store is closed and blacked out from smoke. I know HFD219 has broached this subject just as construction begun on the Home Depot in Hawthorne, but I'm interested in discussing it again.
  6. Now that I'm looking at it fresh this morning, it really isn't as bad as I thought. I think I'm going to re-do the car. I know the parts I really screw up, and maybe re-do those areas. Or, as suggested above, strip the whole car down, prime it, and repaint it with an airbrush machine and Testors paint. Also, I'm going to take one of the blank cars I have now, mask the car approriately, and use the airbrush machine to create stripes. Or maybe just tape or something else they may sell in a hobby supply, just have to look. I know I can do better with these and want to do better, just need the right experience and tools.
  7. Does anyone know where I could aqquire the rubbber helmet bands used on firefighter helmets. I know a lot of people use bicycle inner tubes, but is there another option? I'm looking for quite a few of them, and wondering if they were commercially available in bulk somewhere other then thefirestore.com . Also, is there a way to make them in bulk?
  8. I agree with Jack. Compared with a GWB unit, these units are skimpy, IMHO. The lighting package is antiquated (but so is all NYS*DOT and Thruway trucks compared with CT and MA), and I always wondered why they weren't more comparable with the GWB units as at the link below (on FDNYTrucks.com). With the TZ the way it is, you'd think they would staff and equip the "Wreckers" division better. Such as this unit which I've always loved (and when I'm better I'm going to be contacting you EXDC203). It;s a 2002 Mack MR Weldbilt. I remember reading about the history of this custom unit, but I don't remember where: http://www.fdnytrucks.com/images/specialun...d/PAPD54512.jpg Or this: http://www.fdnytrucks.com/images/specialun...PAPD54632-2.jpg Here's another Mack MR/Weldbilt: http://www.fdnytrucks.com/images/specialun...d/PAPD54601.jpg What's that thing in front of the windshield for? I also give these guys a LOT of credit, it's got to be scary working on the bridge, on something simple like a regular towoff of a disabled, and have traffic flying by you and a low, narrow guardrail high up with the powerful Hudson below.
  9. The wrecker has red lights because it's an emergency vehicle that is first due in a highly dangerous enviroment. My main EMTBravo computer is shut down for something, the typo will be fixed tommorow...until then, it's the "Bride" Patrol, lol.
  10. I just got this 2007 Dodge Charger R/T Hemi Police Package 1/32 Diecast from the Fire And Cop shop: http://www.fireandcopshop.com/Other_Diecas...lack_White.html It comes with a removable front bumper pushbar, along with opening front doors and trunk, rolling wheels,opening hood, wheels that roll, and best of all...a nice display case. Oh yes, it comes with two lightbars. A Whelen Edge and Federal Signal vector bar. I am ordering two more of these cars in white to kitbash. One I'm going to make lime green with a blue stripe, and mark it for Hartsdale FD Car 2172. The other one I'm going to make is Greenburgh Car 61. I will keep you advised of the kitbashs asthey happens on EMTBravo.com (might be a while before I can do these projects though) I encourage any Diecast emergency vehicle fan who hasn't yet to check out http://www.fireandcopshop.com . They've got quite a diverse selection, fair prices, and quick shipping. Here's some photos of my black and white one. Photos directed by x635. [attachmentid=2216] [attachmentid=2218]
  11. So, I've been out of the loop for a while. Did the WCDES aqquire Technical Rescue vehicles from Syosset, Long Island, or a rumor ??? IF so, is there anyone who can get GOOD shots of them when they are relettered to post on EMTBravo.com? And what are the basic specs on the apparatus? Also, are they kept outside?
  12. Date: 3-23-07 Time:1148hrs Location: Edgemont High School, 100 White Oak Lane Frequency: 46.26 Units Operating: Greenville Engine 150, L4, 215, Hartsdale Engine 170 & Car 2173, Fairview Engine 175 and U-7 White Plains Engine 66 (Cover), Scarsdale Tower Ladder 29 (Cover), Greenburgh PD, Greenburgh PD*EMS Description Of Incident: Report of heavy smoke within building, possible fire in boiler room Writer: x635 1150: Car 2151 on location with smoke showing, school in process of being evacuated. Reports of possible incident in gym area. L-4 advised. 1151: Engine 170 redirected by 2151 from it's preplan Old Colony Road hydrant standby to the front of the school 1158: Car 2151 requests additional Fairview Engine. Request 1&1 to Greenville FD HQ for standby. 1202: 60 Control 630 advising Scarsdale Toewr Ladder 29, White Plains Engine 66 relocating Greenville firehouse. Reuqest custodian when safe to report to boiler room. Also states they had been in process of filter changes. 1214: Greenburgh PD sector car advising GPD communications FD in process of locating and evacuating heavy smoke condition in building 1220: Car 2151 advising Capt. to advise custodian Con-Ed electric on location 1222: Fairview Engine 175, U7 released, returning to Fairview 1225: Greenville requests recall of 2 FF's to HQ at this time
  13. WOW! That bus is insanely nice! The new colors and stripes bring Pleasantville's ambulances up to par with their new engines, and that lighting package is sick! I love the LifeLine brand, they are built like a tank through and through! I'm only familiar with PVAC's HQ by passing by, is there enough room for three buses or will one be housed elsewhere? Or is there expansion plans?
  14. Could Westchester County benefit from a county-run or contracted Mask Service Unit? Do we all need our own cascade systems, to worry about every bottles testing date, etc. DES, or their chosen contractor such as AAA Emergency Supply could pick up and deliver empty bottles as needed. Each bottle could have a bar code to keep track of it. Each deparment would have a wireless barcode scanner, and could scan each bottle for inventory, which would wirelessly go to a computer program, where you could order bottle replenishment. Each department would have an increased stock of bottles, and the contractor would have to be able to respond to scenes with a cascade system, as well as making routine and requested stops at all firehouses. Likewise, the Mask Service Unit could have a mobile or fixed repair center where the same system as described above could apply as well to repair of packs and hydrotesting of bottles (something which the contractor could account for) To me, it jus't doesn't make sense to have multiple departments with cascades and the financial upkeep. If we could all share in purchasing and maintainence with SCBAs, we could save ourselves a lot of money and time. Money that could be spent on other important yet neglected things, such as increasing 60 Control dispatcher salaries so it's on the level with the responsibilty and workload they have. Just another idea to use DES to make things more efficient and to save money.
  15. From FireNews.org's Spotlight Photos 3/8/07 Photo: http://www.nefirenews.org/temp/YonkersContinental.jpg "Compac built several of these Continental pumpers for Yonkers, NY in the early 1980's. (Photo by Dick Bartlett) Very interesting- and cheap- looking rigs. Anone have any more info or stories about their service in Yonkers and how they held up, and why Yonkers picked them? Did any other area department have them? Also, where were they manufactured?
  16. WOW! I am very impressed by the new Ford Superduty. Although I've only seen photos of it one the web, it lookss AWESOME with many nice features. http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/2008superduty/index.asp? With Ford dropping the diesel from the Econolines, I'm sure you'll be seeing the F-Super duty appearing on more and more ambulances The '08 Super Duty is truly super duty. However, why do they release '08 models in the third month of '07?
  17. Has anyone else heard the RUMOR that Chevrolet might release the Caprice in 2009 so they can capture some of the police and taxi market back with a rear wheel drive sedan? I also hear that for the 2009 model year, the Impala will be all wheel drive?
  18. My question is, everyone is so concerned about the FD being up there, and that's completly legit. But what about Yonkers PD? How many cars will be needed in this sector? Will it be big enough for a 5th precindt or satellite facilty since it will be so remote from other YPD resources? Also, what about EMS coverage? Will Empress stage another ambulance dedicated to the Ridge Hill community? All of these issues need to be considered beyond the FD if Ridge Hill is going to have the speculated population that the developers predict.
  19. I'd have a ton I'd want to do. I' ve already oordered three of these blan Dodge Chargers from http://www.fireandcopshop.com. I also ordered some custom decal sheets from Rick Krom at http://RoadBlockers.net and am waiting for a sale or coupon from Michaels Craft Stores to buy an airbrush machine. However, these projects and the equipment will have to be stored until such time as I am healthy enough to do them. I also have never done this before, but I have a great book on how to model die cast emergency vehicles. "Building & Detailing Scale Model Trucks & Emergency Vehicles' http://www.amazon.com/Building-Detailing-T...74578794&sr=1-1 Some project's I'm thinking of making out of these blank Chargers: -Greenburgh PD Car 71 -Hartsdale FD Car 2172 -Westchester County PD -Hartdale FD 2172 in LIME -Los Angeles City FD Battalion Chief -Connecticut State Police with custom markings -Boston Police -Los Angeles Police Who knows, maybe I'll run a poll on this forum to see which ones to make
  20. Check this site off of Roadblockers out, there are some cool custom kitbashes.. http://www.roadblockers.net/kitbash.htm
  21. I'm in the middle of readin "Big Brown- The Untold Story of UPS". So far, it's a great book. UPS is a very well built company, and very regimented. Something I'm curious about is their fleet- the standard package delivery truck that they use. What happens to them when they retire, or are put out of service? I had once heard that UPS has one of the most phenomonal fleet maintainence programs in the world. I was told that they rebuild trucks over and over again, and dismantle the "icon" truck because they don't want any other company associated with it. While I'm at it, I assume the Yorktown and Elmsford UPS Depot have fleet maintennce garages? Also, I had remembered seeing a old UPS truck being used for the Atlanta bomb squad once. I'm a couple of chapters into the book- maybe my questions will be answered- I'll let you know (Typed by Kristen)
  22. I was wondering if anyone has heard of any incident where a firefighter has been injured by a tool or other object in the cab of the apparatus? It seems to me as we carry more and more, if we don't securely and safely mount tools in the cab, we're putting ourselves at risk.
  23. I'm trying to figure out which NYS*DOT depot the plows/sanders come from for Central Ave in Hartsdale. Also trying to figure out where the NYS*DOT (not NYS Thruway) depots are in Westchester. My memory isn't that great recently, but from what I can recall, NYS*DOT has the following DOT's in Westchester -Millwood Route 100 & Taconic State Parkway -Somers Route 100 -Hawthorne Dana Rd & 9A -Saw Mill River Parkway @ Grasslands Rd I know there's got to be more... From my window in bed last week, I saw a new and old International, and some of the shots would have been perfect for my camera. I've been wanting a snowstorm when I'm home so I could get those shots, but hopefully there will be more snow and more oppurtunities.
  24. Well, Verizon's contractor is in my co-op apartment right now, installing the equipment neccesary for FiOs. I most likely will give them a try...although it may be a pain in the butt, I can always go back to Cablevision. From my research, FiOs is a lot faster than Cablevision, due to their more modern and better network internet-wise. Also, their TV channel lineup seems more then Cablevisions comparitively (with many other providers) skimpy offerings.