x635

While in LaGrange the other day, LAGRANGEFF40 pointed out this building under construction to me. It has triple-truss construction. Three different sets of trusses for the roof. Does anyone know anything more about this method, or seen it before? [attachmentid=1752] [attachmentid=1753]

Just a reminder, I don't make a lot of public social appearances as many of you know, lol, but I will be there. Along with my alter ego.

Can we get a role call of who IS going? I will be there, in case anyone wants to beat me up.

Yesterday, LAGRANGEFF40 pointed out something neat to me on one of the classics while touring that fire apparatus collection pictured in my 12-11-06 photo hunt. [attachmentid=1741] These tubes dumped sand in front of the tires as needed for wintertime traction. Does anyone know more about how this worked? Did the driver have a control from a hopper, or did the backstepmen have to pour sand in somewhere? I never knew about that technology! Pretty cool!!

That's great news for Rockland and Orange, esepcially since they are such a growing area. But on the flip side, that's another blow to WMC.

I agree....what a greedy and disrespectful move to release this movie at this time of year. And to have an extensive ad campaign for it as well...especially in the NY market. Greedy, selfish corporate money driven executives. They could really care less about ethics or morals.

Today, I went on another photo hunt to the Boston area. With the stupid winter days, I run out of usable sunlight quick, so I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked. And I actually buffed a fire in Boston thanks to my new scanner (I was right around the corner)....and made it as the first due units (E37/T26/R2) were pulling up. BUT, it turned out to be nothing, of course. I was all set to get the BFD in action too. I tell ya though, Boston gets their ladder trucks in there, no matter if they can fit or not....they make them fit and get that stick up right away! And nothing beats the sick look of a Boston EMS Ambulance! This ambulance means business! [attachmentid=1745] Check out the pics from my hunt: http://www.x635photos.com/121206PhotoHunt.html All in all, I think I did pretty well.

I didn't have time for lunch yesterday, but I will definetly try your reccomendation next time I'm up that way. Here's another bonus shot. Newton, MA new 2006 International Navistar Fire Alarm truck. This is used by their communications division, which besides being responsible for Newtons extensive Gamewell system, they are also responsible for streetlights and traffic signals in the city. Newton sits right outside (on the border) of Boston, and is/was the home and birthplace of the Gamewell Company (the "box" manufacturer) This truck has everything a fire alarm technician could want and more! [attachmentid=1751]

Today, I recieved my new scanner, a Uniden BCD-396T Digital Scanner. I purchased it from ScannerMaster, which is excellent and has excellent customer service. (http://www.scannermaster.com) I've been a Scanner buff since my father bought me my first "Realistic" (Radio Shacks scanner brand) desktop scanner a long time ago. As a teenager, at the height of my scanning interest, I had a few portable Unidens, and mobiles. Now, I basically only listed with my desktop, a BC-760XLT. This new scanner I got so it could go everywhere with me, and I could listen to everything going on- from local FD's to Metro North while on the go. One of my hopes with this new scanner is that it will lead to new photos for me, and the site. This scanner has so many features, I don't know where to begin. It can montior APCO 25 digital systems, and trunked systems, which allows me to monitor agencies that I haven't been able to listen to in years. It also has "Fire Tone Out", which allows it to act sort of like a Minitor II, and pick up tones when they go out. I also like the alpha tagging, so I can see/read what I'm monitoring. (It's hard to remember what every frequency is!) The Close Call feature automatically picks up any nearby transmitters, which is great at a fire scene where you don't have the Handi talkie frequncies. It is preprogrammed with 400 cities, so off the bat I can monitor a whole bunch of places while traveling without having to do a thing. I also purchased the Butel software with it, so I can program it using my computer, as well as record audio (maybe for the website as well) Now, I can give Truck4, tbendick, JTCamp, Photofires, and ndemarse all some competion on buffing and shooting jobs, since I will be in the know everywhere I go! It's also going to be great to be able to monitor LA City and other cities when I travel. Also, HFD23 (BDiddy) and I have something new to do for when we work together, lol! I'm so excited about this new scanner, however it is very complicated and is going to take me a while to learn, but I'm going to have fun with the whole new world it opens up to me again! I back into scanning! [attachmentid=1715]

LOL, cap. Well, here's an update. If you're loooking for any easy-to-use scanner, THIS IS NOT THE ONE! This scanner is SO complicated, I am still learning it and figuring it out. The instruction manual is horrible, so thankfully there's a few different references on the web. However, some great features and I'm looking foward to learning more about them. That's once I figure out this darn quickkey system.

Today, I went on a photo hunt. Here are the results: http://www.x635photos.com/121106PhotoHunt.html I think there are some things in there that a variety of members on this board would be interested in seeing. There are a lot of shots that didn't make it to the thread, and maybe I will post more here if time allows. VERY special thanks to LAGRANGEFF40 for helping me to get many of the shots. I'll be making several more return trips to Dutchess County, the day runs out of light so fast that I couldn't get everywhere I wanted! If anyone has any questions on the photos, feel free to ask on this thread.

During my travels this week, I stopped to get some gas and a snack. Feeling chatty, I noticed another guys truck with the IAFF sticker on it and blue lights on the dash and grill. I asked him where he was from, and he told me. Pretty sure that was an all-volunteer department, I asked him if they were career or if he was career. His reply- "No". He was a volunteer firefighter, with no family or friends in the IAFF. Due to his apparent age, I was pretty sure he wasn't career anyways. So then my next question is where he got the sticker and why he displayed it? His answer- "because I am a professional firefighter too". He got the sticker from his friend, and all the guys in his company have it- he also said it's great "to piss off the paid guys" in the next town over. Aren't you looking to get on the job? "Yes" was his reply- in a nearby big city. I shook my head, and let it go at that. I'm not looking to create conterversy, it's just that the IAFF sticker represents not just being a firefighter- it represents membership in a brotherhood union- that stickers is something that is earned (and paid dues for) Also, a move with intentions like this is immature and disrespectful. I'm sure this kid would love to get on the job and thats his intention, so why is he intentionally looking to create conterversy? There's no reason to start a war, and if you are young and looking to get on the job- why are you so against it now?

Thanks for the info Turborich. Here's another shot of the peoplemover. It's a 1972 American Lafrance. The serial # was unreadable on the plate in my photo. (I've got to start recording them) I'll be making several return hunts to Dutchess in the Springtime. It seems I'm only scratching the surface up there. As far as the Wassaic tanker, I didn't hear they got a new one...I want photos of their current one....I think I saw that it was blue and a Ford C. [attachmentid=1750]

OK, first I saw of this was when I lived in MA in 2003. Now, I'm starting to see these buses in Westchester and Fairfield. School buses with a single white strobe beacon towards the rear roof flashing when the school bus is driving around/in motion. Is this a new law? What is the point of this besides annoying me?

Weren't we just talking about how no one wants to buy it last night? Wonder what there plans are for it?

Red Utility is LaGrange's new Ford F-450 4x4 Fleet Maintenance vehicle, with gasoline and diesel fuel tanks for on scene refueling. Harmon was taken at Half Moon Bay. Great place for shots, I'm starting to discover more and more! The "People Mover" is just that. It's a converted ALF Century that's used to transport people around a farm...give rides to the kids...etc. I'll post another photo of it soon. The two Ford C's with dogs or spots were from the now defunct Spotted Dog resturant in Catskill, NY, by the Kaleidiscope? Thanks for the compliments on the photos guys....I appreciate it! Any more questions feel free to ask....or if you know the answer, please help out! I'll be taking several of you up on hunt offers in the spring!

Today, during my photo hunt, I found Ardsley's old Engine 163, an old Seagrave, which is currently owned by a private collector with an EXTENSIVE (at least 45 classic pierces of apparatus). There were some others from Westchester, stay tuned for my photo hunt spread from today to be posted on EMTBravo.com later this evening Sadly, this piece is not in the best of shape. It wasn't in good shape when he aqquired her either. This collector has two huge new buildings in which he warehouses his collection, and although he's not sure if he's going to restore this one yet, it most likely will be garaged soon. To note for those who don't know, Ardsley has an antique 1928 Seagrave that's in excellent condition. This piece was sold when Ardsley recieved Ladder 50, a 1988 Hahn/LTI 75', in 1988. [attachmentid=1730]

When he got it, it was in poor condition. I THINK this was sitting on Elm St. in Ardsley for a while outside, and then went to a private collector who also kept it outside, before he got it several years later. (Ardsley had two Seagraves like this..in fact, Ardsley used to be an all Seagrave department......here's the photo of a photo of the other one. Notice this one says "Hose Company" and lacks a chrome grill. I believe the 1979 Mack CF Engine 165 replaced this one. Maybe x2011 osomeone could tell us more...I used to know but I forget) [attachmentid=1734]

I'm planning on being there, hope to see some others there as well.

LAGRANGEFF40 took me by a place in Dutchess County where a fire apparatus collector keeps his collection. He has at least 30 Macks, and dozens of other assorted classic fire apparatus. He just built two huge garages to house and maintain his collection. Although some of it is still outside, a majority of it is inside. He also has a small staff from his other business he uses to help restore and maintain the apparatus. Although some apparatus appears in poor condition, that's most likely the way he got it. He is working to restore them all or keep them in their current state and from rotting away. His garages were huge and PACKED with apparatus, as well as classic cars and construction trucks...whats outside is overflow. Some local apparartus include 2 pieces from Rye, Millwood, and Ardsley. Millwood is probaly the piece that is in the best shape. Many of these pieces come from heavy winter...and salt...towns like Allentown, PA. It's not open to the general public,nor is anything for sale. And he's always making new aqqusitions- and looking to take the best possible care of his pieces. It's heaven for a Mack lover though.

And the hood. [attachmentid=1732]

Here's another shot [attachmentid=1731]

For those who aren't familiar with what it looks like, here's a photo I got of it today. [attachmentid=1728]

Found this in the "Gridlock Sam FROM THE MAILBAG" section of the Daily News yesterday. Now, my question is, if you "push" someone through a red light, and if they get hit, who is at fault?