x635

When I worked at UMass Worcester Medical Center- University Campus they had a program similar to this. Although I do think this program would definelty help in some cases, teenagers are immature and do stupid things (I admit to it when I was that age). Also, proper parenting, education, and urban intiatives would also prevent a great deal of trauma for coming into the ED. It's an interesting concept, and I'll have to keep my eye out for the show.

I agree, and I've seen it as a big problem for years. It's not only mutual aid calls, but I've seen all of a departments officers commit to an incident, such as a car fire, on a limited access interstate. This comes back to covering your district. If an incident comes in, you can't just forget about everything else. The reason that chiefs are there are for supervision- I would guess some want to be in the action at every call. As a chief, you primary role will ALWAYS be your jurisdiction. If you send a mutual aid company out, and this is only my opinion, then a Lieutenant, Captain, or Chief should suffice as supervison. By having so many chiefs and officers in some departments, we are hurting ourselves by not letting any officer get experience as one. Too many hands in the pot. Of course, there will be situations that will be the exception, but it's riduclous to commit an entire departments officers to an incident that's not even theirs, even if they can "respond back if needed".

Has Fire Apparatus Journal ever done a profile of Los Angeles City or Los Angeles County FDs? If so, what issue? If not, I'd love to write one.

Just a heads up, Los Angeles County FD plans to start accepting applications for their upcoming exam starting in January. This is an awesome fire department to be a part of. I HIGHLY reccomend anyone who wants to be a career firefighter, who wants to see action, and who wants to be a part of a highly progressive and well organized department spend the money, fly out on jetBlue, and take this exam. You WILL NOT regret it. Stay tuned to this page for further information: http://www.lacofd.org/HelpWanted/BeAFirefighter.asp

I had heard a while ago Hastings FD was scheduled to recieve a new Lifeline ambulance? Is this still true? Also, while we're on the subject of Hastings, I've heard a RUMOR that I'm trying to confirm that they are in the process or have ordered a new ladder to replace their Ladder 22, a 1985 American LaFrance 100' Tiller.

LOL, I really was inbetween bites of an In-N-Out burger too when she called! I can't wait to fly out og HPN! I'm hoping one day they will do Boston or Chicago. I doubt LA would be do-able because of weight restrictions- any aviation buffs on here know anything about that?

Bump. No one here knows anything?

And of course, their menu: [attachmentid=1904]

Also, you can order off the "Secret Menu" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger_secret_menu And, you can even get a 100x100 http://whatupwilly.blogspot.com/2006/01/in...ut-100x100.html

Does anyone have any experience using "The POD" camera support or any other mini tripod systems? http://www.thepod.ca/content/pod.html I hear excellent things about it, and in magazines. It seems really innovative. I love to get night shows, but hate lugging around a tripod. This device seems to be a great solution. I ordered one, and I'll let you know how it works. It's pretty inexpensive.

Well, I had a couple of oppurtunities to use the "Pod" this week I found it very conveinent and versatile. Although it doesn't take the place of a tripod, it is a good alternative for when you're on the go. It makes shooting off a parking meter, fence, ground, etc at night very easy. It's basically a very moldable conforming beanbag with a screw for your camera to mount on. It also has a slip resistant bottom. I placed it on a fence post, and it stayed there with my camera on it and got a nice night show. Here's one of the shots I got with it: [attachmentid=1901] And here's the photo of the "POD" [attachmentid=1902]

Prayers to the trooper, his family, freinds and fellow troopers. Another tragic loss to remind us we don't always go home :-(

And here's the kitchen of In-N-Out [attachmentid=1900]

How could I forget one of my favorite photos? An In-N-Out Double Double! [attachmentid=1899]

The unmarked ALF is for Phonenix, to the best of my knowledge. The GMC cab foward is from the Street Maintenance division. They have some awesome vehicles, but most are on the road during weekdays. I've arranged next time I'm there on a weekend to shoot some more of their stuff. Their Peterbilt dumps are awesome. But there aren't too many dump trucks like out here....since there isn't too much snow. Thanks for the comments, guys. I'll see if I have a few more that I omitted posting. x2321- I do miss the weather already!

I caught this ambulance parked on a street in Bel Air (Beverly Hills CALIFORNIA). It appeared to be a contractors truck. Is it me, or does it appear like it is a former FDNY*EMS unit? (with some modifications). It's exactly the same as the 1997 Ford/Horton spec. I don't think any agency in the California area used this configuaration. I find it strange that it would make itself all the way across the country after being disposed of.. [attachmentid=1896] If it is, it's funny how it made it across the country.

Here's a photo of the back. If it was an FDNY unit, then it appears the lightbar was removed. Also, I didn't know any of the Ford/Hortons were disposed of. [attachmentid=1897]

I was walking down the sidewalk on Sunset Boulevard, when the paparazzi appeared out of nowhere- like a mob. I just found out from my fiance, who saw the photo that it was Tori Spelling. She is pregnant apparently. Afterwards, it was fun to see them comparing and bragging about the shots the got. They are so viscous, and I can't believe there were so many of them- esepcially for Tori Spelling. The LA City ambulances have an inverter, which power the floodlight. The only meals I ate, besides once at Paquito Ma's, was In N Out. It was great, and I miss it already. I am so addicted.

Looks like Tarrytown TL-78 has some competition!! I really like this truck! Check out the photos of the completed truck at http://www.emtbravo.com

Overnight tonight, I will be leaving for my January trip to Los Angeles, via my favorite airline, jetBlue. I'm flying from JFK to Burbank Airport nonstop. I will be in Los Angeles until Thursday. Like my October trip to Los Angeles, and again on this trip, I plan to blog both in words and photographically so you can follow along on my adventure on my blog. Whenever I can, I'll check in and post and keep you up-to-date. My main photographic goal for this trip is night photos of LA, LA City DPW Trucks, LA City Buses, and LA Metro trains. Of course, I have some LA City apparatus I'm aiming for, most specifically the new American Lafrance Eagle "Severe Service" cab tillers and the new "prototype" battalion trucks. I'm looking foward to using my new Digital Rebel XTi, Uniden Scanner, and Garmin c330 GPS navigation on this trip. All these new tools should really improve my enthusiast capabilities (LOL) And don't forget, you can now add my blog to your RSS reader or aggregator, your Google, Yahoo, or AOL homepage, or have the latest post emailed to you. So, starting tommorow, check in on http://www.x635.blogspot.com to follow my latest LA trip as it happens.....

Here's a video (albeit not a very good one), shot from my hotel room balcony. Engine 37 Responds Down Sunset Boulevard To A Structure Fire in 27's area 1-23-07

I'm enjoying my Mercedes, the weather, and my trip here in sunny Los Angeles. Check out some of my photos from today at: http://www.x635.blogspot.com/ More photos will be posted upon my return home.

It is my understanding (having been through the process on similar tests) that what you answer is translated into a score based on your handling of the situations compared to the model the department set, PLUS the typical right/wrong anwers (reeading, writing, math, etc). For many departments who administer this type of examination, the written test is only the first step in the application process. Other steps include CPAT, an Oral Board interview, background check, etc. Once all that is done, all that information is weighed and selections are made.

Wow, that's got to be a scary thing to have happen. RIP to the pilot.

I've taken a test similar to this both for LA County and Montgomery County, MD. Both used the same brand of tests, which a big part was establishing a "profile" that determines how well you fit into the criteria established by the department. The best way to suceed at these tests is to be honest, and answer the questions with what you would actually do. Don't try and think into the questions and put down the answer they you think they want, because many times that's a trap.