x635

Something firecapt32 said sparked yet another thought. When your department sends mutual aid, let's take for example a truck company was requested, what do you send- memberwise? Does your department require a minimum amount of personel respond on mutual aid, and what is that number? How does your department maintain staffing that's effective and quick to protect YOUR community, while you have sent personel out? For volunteers, what about the strapped daytime hours, and career- off duty recalls? Do you send a supervisor, what rank, and how many, and how do they get there? Most importantly, does your department have minimum qualifications for the members going on mutual aid? Experience, training, or do you send whoever you can get or whoevers working? It's my opinion that when an IC requests a truck company....he shoud get a truck company.....that includes a minimum of 4 guys, with relevant truck company operations and experience. Anyone can request a ladder- but that stick or tools are useless without the appropriate personel.

Today, I went on a photo hunt to test out and learn my new Canon Digital Rebel XTi and my new Garmin c330 GPS Navigation system (as detailed in my blog, http://www.x635.blogspot.com ). Here are the photos: http://www.x635photos.com/thumbnails.php?album=107 Another really lucky day, a lot of good apparatus I caught. The camera is great, and so is the navigation system.

That's the old Stamford Fire-Rescue Pacific Street station. They moved a couple of years back to a new station http://www.local786.org/?zone=/unionactive...fm&HomeID=27132

I agree that it's beautiful, and Maxim's rock, but given it's a 1972 and the wealth in the Noroton community, are there any plans to replace it with a rig that's up to modern day standards? If it's going to be replaced, it should definetly be kept as an antique.

LOL. That photo was taken from the view in my drivers side mirror. Hence the flip.

To elaborate a little more, a Photo Hunt is where you go exactly as it sounds...hunting photos. Whatever you find you find. The CSX photos were from the Cedar Hill CSX yard in North Haven, CT. They have quite a massive freight operation going there...never noticed the extent before. I noticed the "No Left Turn" when I went to turn in New Haven...but since I couldn't make that turn, after I passed it the GPS quickly rerouted me, which was nice. The Garmin does come with lifetime map and software updates, and a USB cable to interface with my computer and the internet. Here's a bonus photo that didn't make the spread: [attachmentid=1822]

Cool move for jetBlue!

This was a subject thought of by Barry Zezze several years ago in the pre-EMTBravo days when he was appointed the head of the Fire Advisory Board by then- DES Commisioner Patrick Kelly. He tried to push it, but it never went anywhere. I'd like to re-hash the subject on here. In Westchester, we can barely standardize anything between departments. Each community can be vastly different, one glaring example is our radio and dispatching systems. Even with this new county radio system, things will get even more segrated. Anyways, one thing we all commonly do is provide mutual aid to other departments. Yet, in the majority of departments, our accountabilty systems are all different. When you routinely have 4 to 5 departments operating at a large fire, with all different accountabilty systems, how is a unified command supposed to track this? 5 different accountabilty officers? Personally, I feel that the county should come up with a single accountabilty solution, that is coordinated by the DES. I feel they should seek out grants for an interactive accountability system that can electronically keep track of firefighters and apparatus by a radio frequency tag. For example, a firefighter comes onto the scene, the IC or Safety chiefs laptop picks up that he is there. There is even ways to track via RF tag where on the scene the firefighter is, how long they have been there, and even what apparatus is there. There's even a system that intergrates with Scott Packs. The idea...plenty of technolgy options that makes keeping track of firefighters easier then ever before. But, simply, and in the meantime, the county could come up with a universal accountabilty protocol and tag system that EVERYONE can agree on and implement.

Today, I took a quick ride through Rockland County, and I got the chance to shoot this beautiful piece (if only the rescue was out too!) [attachmentid=1763] Does anyone have the specs on this? Is it new...I didn't even know they had this!

The other day, I noticed a brand new Salvation Army canteen truck all decked out in LED traveling down Secor Road in Hartsdale (not responding) I'm curious....how/when is this unit dispatched, how is it staffed, and is it in anyones assignment for when they have a large fire? Also, anyone know where it is stationed so I could get a photo to show you people.

Date: 12-24-06 Time: 1633hrs (All Times Approx) Location: 38 Rogers Street (Tuckahoe) Frequency: 463.675 (630) Units Operating: E27, E29, E30, L16, L-17 C2102, C2101, EVAC 57-B-1, 57-M-1 (Unit assignment may be incomplete/inaccurate at this time) Description Of Incident: Fire on the 1st floor with extension to the 2nd of a 2.5-story frame. Writer: x635, Truck4 (O/S) 1635: 2102, L16 O/S with fire showing. L16 stretching line, E27 primary search, E29 FAST, E30 Venting. 1636: All hands working 1636: New Rochelle Squad 22, L12 relocated Eastchester HQ's 1645: 2101 reporting 2 story wood frame, heavy fire on the #1 floor, with extension to 2nd floor, (?) L/S/O, secondary searches in progress 1655 2101 requesting Red Cross for 2 elderly residents. States they have a place to stay, but have lost all their belongings, including clothes. 1700 Units overhauling

A friend of mine, who wishes to remain anonymous, set up this display (now a tradition in his familys holiday decor) on his front lawn. Here's his message: PHOTO SUBMITTED TO ME BY ANONYMOUS [attachmentid=1808]

Until tonight, I thought "Rosanna", the old lady who calls from various SoWest and Bronx locations and speaks a mile a minute about the phone compnay being out to get her, among other things, was limited to 60 Control and County PD. Until she called Hartsdale's desk. Who else has experienced "Rosanna", the lady, the legend to dispatchers? I know there are some good stories, and she's been transferred to a lot of different people. I can't believe after all these years, she's still at it strong.

I agree with your notion. But, there have been numerous people who have tried to help Rossanna. She is like a mystery, she is very transient and no one can seem to track here down at the same place. There have been people who have tried to help her, myself included, and it's fruitless. She wants to speak to Fire/EMS/PD dispatchers exclusively, and nothing else. There is something very mysterious about this whole situation- maybe even her legendary status

Not for nothing, as I absolutely agree with threads that beat a dead horse, but unfortunetly this horse is not dead. I strongly disagree with your notion that "this will never be resolved". One day it's going to be resolved.....because something bad is going to happen, and it may even lead to some type of legislation, not to mention bad press for the fire service. In my opinion, this is an important issue. There a lot of members that come and go on this forum, and if we can get into some of their heads that this is wrong and why, and just maybe spark a little thought into this, then maybe we've helped in some way. There are many problems in this business. A lot of these problems get simply brushed aside, and people don't wan't do deal or hear about them. But they are there...and I've heard stories over the past inspection and holiday party season that absolutely horrify me that this kind of stuff is going on in my own county. I have high regard for my profession, although it's a brotherhood and guys spend a lot of time together, and in some communities the firehouse doubles as a clubhouse- but this is not the 1950's anymore- the firehouse where we diligently work to provide the best service we can to the public and ourselves, cannot double as a bar- period. Again, as for the comments that this problem will be resolved and this topic is a nusiance- I agree that this topic comes up a lot, but to say that this problem is never going to be resolved is part of the reason why this topic comes up a lot- obviously, a lot of us are frusterated.

I've noticed several chiefs cars with no car number on them, or rank. I know we all basically know the chiefs cars in our communities, but should a Chief or IC's vehicle be required to cleary and prominetly display the rank and number of the person riding in the vehicle? Especially in departments with multiple officers cars? And I'm curious why a department wouldn't put a number on a car? (Besides the chief changing number every couple of years...which is a lame excuse because lettering can easily be changed) License plates don't cut it either. This applies to ACTIVE IC's cars, not staff or administrative vehicles.

I understand the command structure and policies of NIMS, and that routinely doing it gets us used to it, but do any others feel that it is being taken overboard? Regardless of "national requirements", if we don't adhere to a host of other guidelines, why so on the ball with this one? For example, some departments call on scene, and "Establish Anyplace Street Command" for simple 1 Engine company EMS calls or for fluid spills. They also terminate command. Is this necessary for every incident? I can see fire scenes, auto accidents, or establishing a command when an incident escalates uneccasarily. But are we wasting airtime on an already crowded radio frequencies when we do this? And to me, it takes twice as long and more breath to call "Anyplace Street Command" then to got "E-500 to 2991". But it sounds cool though, and does intergrate with the national system.

Before anyone jumps down my throat personally, I am just trying to bring up topics that have sparked some conversation and hopefully will do the same here. I am open, honest, and try not to beat around the bush- and from what I hear- some people don't like that. Some even suggest that I censor myself. Discussions people, discussions. Learn, listen, and just because someone doesn't agree with "your way" or sees something differently, don't just leave the sandbox and take your bucket, or insult them. Educate them, or make a convincing, constructive argument. EVERYONE has an opinion....but it's those who can express those opinions respectfully and then listen to others opinions respecfully and with an open mind that are truly the ones who progress our line of work. So, don't get mad at me for talking or trying to motivate discussion on this board...sometimes, I bring up topics that I am curious about, are "hot topics" among my peers, or even issues that bother me, all in hopes of learning and sharing ideas with people from all over and all experience levels on this forum. I can't be persecuted for that. That's what this forum...this community...is for. And if you don't actively contribute to this forum...then you have no right to complain. In regards to my blogging, blogs are becoming a HUGE force in the online world. They are platforms for many peoples views, a great way to distribute information about you and your causes, a catalyst for change, and most importantly...fun. Citizens and firefighters who sit quietly and complacently are no good, in my opinion. Sometimes you need to be active to incite change. I'm hope I don't get jammed up by this, but I also do not want to be censored and have my life go by and have no effect on this business or this world.

I feel the next addition we need to our Hudson Valley Commuter infacstructure is a real commuter rail link from Rockland and Orange into Tarrytown and onto the Hudson line. These suburbs are growing by leaps and bounds, and the current rail system, takes them all the way through NJ and puts them out in a PATH station, taking a very long time. Having a commuter rail link, which hopefully would be interegated with the new bridge, would tremendously help to reduce traffic congestion on local roadways. Also, a light rail from the Tarrytown train station into White Plains would also help congestions and to keep vehicles off the roadway, as well as allow commuters to tie into the Harlem line. Coupled with the infastrucutre improvments going on at GCT and Penn, this would essentially allow someone to take the train (with some transfer) from Walden (Orange County) all the way to Montauk on the east end of Long Island. These suburbs are only getting bigger and bigger, and it's my opinion that this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Having a true, efficient, and quick way to get commuters from these places into White Plains and NYC is sorely needed, and be a definite boost to the economy and help to take traffic- and pollution- off of the roads. "This is the express train from Nyack. This station is Nyack. The next station is Grand Central." All on a new M-9 train. It would also be nice for them to put a bike/walking paths onto the new bridge, it would be awesome to be able to bike into Rockland.

Date: 12-23-06 Time: 0735 Location: Hutchinson River PkWY SB, @ Cross County Split Frequency: Units Operating: Pelham FD (Engine 4), Eastchester FD (Engine 30, C2102), Mount Vernon FD (E-5,R-1, L2 Empress EMS (Tac 1, 38-M-1), EVAC (?), Numerous Westchester County PD Description Of Incident: Multiple MVA's in area. 1 reported as a rollover w/ pin. Numerous MVA's continuing in vicinity as units operate. Writer: x635, HFD23 0810: Multiple County PD units continuing to operate, different portions of the roadway being shut down, other accidents being reported in area. 0811: Additional units from County PD headquarters responding, 2 additonal Signal 8's (Wreckers) being requested. 0812: All lanes shut HRP NB @ Pelhamdale to allow wrecker to upright vehicle at rollover incident. 0814: Day Tour Harry 1, Day Tour Charlie 1, 1455 making closure at Wartburg ramp. 0820: Multiple County PD units from night tour holdover and day tour working. Local PD's assisting w/ ramp closures. 0817: Day Tour 72 Car dispatched to MVA on CCP EB to BRP SB 0823: Charlie 1 out with (4) additional new MVA vehicles, trying to ascertain which vehicles were involved in MVA if not all. 0825: Charlie 1 advsing only 1 Signal 4 (MVA), with two cars MVA. Requests to keep roadway shuit down due to debris and safety issues. County PD communications advising 1455 is diverting traffic onto the Wartburg North ramp. 0827: County PD Communications processing multiple client ID's and managing numerous additonal roster units.

Finally managed to get a photo today. [attachmentid=1729]

On Monday, I had the chance to visit New Hackensack's firehouse. As I noted in the other thread, I was very impressed, especially with the light up LED back in lights. I have a question though. The adjacent vacant property that isused for training that was donated, what used to be there? I mean, there's a hyrant ran up there, the remains of a parking lot, stairs, and curbs, and what looks to be a concrete slab/foundation. What was it?

My next somewhat related question: At a scene with multiple chiefs vehicles with open back doors, how do you indicate which vehicle is being used as the "Anyplace Street" command?

Would "Bus Rapid Transit" be similar to a "Busway", like LA's Orange line busway? Although that's not a good example- even though that system works well...it is still plagued by isolated incidents which result in unfounded bad press.

I guess I'm more reffering to the number. You are right that it really doesn't matter, but I feel it is similar to marking appartus numbers....when someone arrives on scene, you know who it is, especially in departments that have multiple identical or similar chiefs cars. Maybe a non-issue for some, but just a thought. Same reason why PD's mark cars, or we mark our apparatus roofs. And you're right about the "Required By" statement, not many FD's in this county have to answer to a standard except for their own, and there's no way to enforce or require such. So in every community, operations can be significantly different...making interoperability even harder. Especially since there's not really even a logical,organized numbering system.