x635

I was thinking. 10,20, maybe not even 30 years from now, do you think that scanners will become obsolete? If so, how will the buff community, the media, professionals, and others who use scanners monitor? Radioshack has basically killed most of its scanner line, as have many other companies. The only real dominant consumer-level scanner out there nowadays is Uniden- what happens if something happens to them? Does that mean the scanner industry is done as we know it, or will other companies step up? Or do you think that there will always be some type of scanner on the market?

Truely an awesome story. I saw the guy on the TV news, and you can tell he has an authentic big heart.

It seems like hobby stores are fading fast, as the internet caters to the hobbyists- and can offer things that hobby shops can't. I also think kids nowadays would rather sit and chat on IM then have a hobby, which takes a big chunk from the business. I used to know of one on Route 119 in Elmsford, but that closed. There's Bruckner Hobbies, on Central Ave. in Hartsdale, next to Mcdonald's. There are also several others in Westchester. My favorite used to be Westchester Hobbies on Post Road in White Plains.

Exciting news from one of my favorite FDs! They are desperately in need of new engines, and this purchase is a big departure from their previous purchases of KME's and E-One's. Although they aren't a Maxim (which is the true Worcester engin brand), it's the next best thing to a Pierce or Spartan/Gowans-Knigt! From http://www.firenews.org Weekly News

I'm wondering why locks aren't found more commonly on fire apparatus, such as the are on ambulance and police cars? That way, if you go to the supermarket, have to leave the rig outside/unattended for any reason, etc, you can secure it. There can even be a "secret switch" somehwere to unlock the doors. With all the do-dads they put on fire appartus nowadays, it seems strange none of them lock (custom cabs at least). I'm also reffering to compartments.

Date: 1-3-06 Time: 0830hrs Location: 149th St. & River Avenue Frequency: Units Operating: Rescue 3, Squad 41, Squad 61, FDNY*EMS (& Other FDNY Units) Description Of Incident: Operator of Bobcat machine plunged three stories from building under construction into basement. Firefighters utilized a crane to help extricate victim. Victim was transported to Lincoln Hospital, and was pronounced. Writer: x635, HFD23, CM36

Date: 1-3-07 Time: 1100hrs Location: Maria Regina High School, West Hartsdale Ave. Frequency: Units Operating: Greenburgh Police, Westchester County Police Aviation Description Of Incident: Female student seen getting off bus at school, but was not seen afterwards. Search ensued, female found safe at a Yonkers residence. Writer: x635

Pretty interesting.

Today, while shooting this BEAUTIFUL Wellesley, MA Volvo DPW Truck, I noticed this blade underneath (attached to the frame and hydraulics) foward of the rear wheels. I've never seen anything like this before. I assume it's for clearing snow, but how is it used/deployed? Looks like a secondary plow or scraper to me. Any DPW's around here with similar? I wonder what the advantages are? [attachmentid=1744]

And the reflective door striping on Bedford Hills Tanker 5: [attachmentid=1836]

LA City FD Reflective door striping. [attachmentid=1834]

Great points by x152. I've always thought about that too....that we're using commonly a regular seat belt with regular automotive mechanisms to secure ourselves, our gears, and sometimes our packs. I haven't seen better seatbelts, or even heard of better seatbelts, other then the recent NFPA reccomendation of red strap adjustable seatbelts. The only thing I remember seeing in concept online somewhere was a racecar style harness, that was easy and quick to apply and remove, and was a lot more secure then an average seatbelt. The other thing I really like is the no-pack seats. These allow you to actually fit more securely in the seat, and allows the regular seatbelt to do its job, better then a pack seat where your only sitting on the front half of the seatbottom. [attachmentid=1833]

Some great insight on this thread. It seems like there's a variety of techniques to apply in a variety of situations. And here's a photographic example of that technique. This vehicle was involved in a pin with major intrusion, and all other tools were being used to extricate the patient. [attachmentid=1832]

Awesome purchase! Good luck with it! I'm still figuring out my new BCD396T, but the more I learn, the more I love it. Very complicated but worth the time to learn. I also have the ARC software which is a big help.

I don't know if anyone remembers, but a few years back, ABC did a minseries documentary on NYPD that I remember as being pretty well done and interesting. Anways, in case you missed it or want to see it again, I just found out that it's available on DVD: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/misc/dn1080.shtml

The way NYC disposes of their ESU trucks and the body are through the surplus auction. These bodies are refurbished and remounted numerous times before they are actually disposed of. To get one in good condtion is quite rare, especially with the NYPD maintaining such a large pool of spares and also assigning older REPs to other uses (hazmat equipment, etc). Here's the site: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/auctions...oauctions.shtml And here's a sampling of whats currently up for sale: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/auctions..._bestbuys.shtml

One of my favorite shows is "Beach Patrol", Monday nights at 8PM on Court TV. The first season, the followed the San Diego Lifeguards and PD, and it was awesome. Think like "Cops", but on the beach. They followed water rescues, EMS calls, disorderly conduct, cliff rescues, etc. It was very interesting viewing. The second season was in Miami. I didn't really follow that season. Tommorow night (Monday, Jan. 1 2007) is the third season premiere, with it being the second season in San Diego. I'm looking foward to some new episodes of this very intresting show! Preview Here: http://www.courttv.com/onair/shows/beach_patrol/

Just a heads up, all day today and tommorow (Jan 1st 2007), on the Sci-Fi channel, is a marathon of "The Twilight Zone" I love this show. Very well written, interesting plots. Quite the classic, yet still relevant today. Also a ton of famous actors on the show. Glad to see this marathon.

Quite interesting and remarkable story. I wonder how often this happens when the victim doesn't have a cell phone.

Does Noroton, CT (just south of Norwalk,CT) still have this Maxim? If so, is it an antique or in active service? If in active service, any replacment plans? It's a beautiful piece. [attachmentid=1819]

I'm just curious, how many FWD-Baker Aerialscopes are out there in the region? Were the FWD's only used 93-95, and why? It's basically, well, it is a Seagrave- why didn't they just use a Seagrave chasis? This is Hartsdale's Tower Ladder 15, a 1994 FWD/Saulsbury(Body)/Baker Aerialscope 95' [attachmentid=1824]

LOL! I typically use them when I'm not in turnout gear, like out on inspections or during an EMS call, etc. I find them to be a PIA when in turnout gear, so I use the radio pocket on the left breast of my turnout coat instead....the only problem I have is securely clippling the microphone somewhere it can be easily reached. I find with everything else, the radio strap/case is always catching up on something or twisting around. Plus, when I go to sit or slide or whatever, it always makes my profile different.

This video was produced by Los Angeles City in 1960. It's 25 minutes long. Some pretty vintage footage of LAFD tatics and apparatus. VERY melodramatic! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4...eles+Fire&hl=en Also very progressive of the LAFD to do for the time...and they still are PROACTIVE like this.

Of the thousands of photos I took in 2006, I sorted through them all, and picked 136 that best represent my photos for the year. There are some photos in there that haven't yet been seen, and also some "directors cut" editions of some shots that have previously appeared. Here is my Year 2006 in photos: http://www.x635photos.com/thumbnails.php?album=109 Don't forget, if you see a photo you like, you can send that photo via an e-postcard to a friend. Just click on the envelope icon after you click on the thumbnail.

I'm curious as to who has a policy that requires each engine operating a line to secure their own, independent water source. I know the redundancy has it's advantages, but is there any disadvantages?