x635

Pretty cool. http://www.mahaffeymotorsports.com/MotorizedMiniatures.htm

Last night the Pelham Fire Department promoted 3 career firefighters to Lieutenant for the first time in the departments history. No further details at this time. Congrats to the brothers in Pelham who were made!

I understand and respect that. However, this is America. We should use that rationale to not improve things, and possibly encourage more voter turnout? For instance, in Oregon the ballot is mailed to you, along with a brochure explaining the canidates and issues. You take the time to decide, usually a few weeks, and then mail your ballot back in. How are elderly people and others who don't drive supposed to get to the polls easily and conviently? I feel that if voting was more conveinent, that more people may vote.

Stiloski's is still waiting to hear back from Paratech, whom they need to attend in order to have the proper equipment for the class. If Paratech cannot attend, the class will be rescheduled for Dec 2nd-3rd. I will post more as soon as I have it.

Today, I like many Americans who care about their country went and voted. However, I had to drive across town, past three other polling places in my town, to vote. One of those polling places is right next door to where I live. I don't understand the reasoning behind this? They want more people to get out and vote, yet they make it difficult to do so. I can't walk next door to vote, I have to drive two miles across town. What is the sense or logisitcs behind that? Ugh!

This is a spin off of the thread "Who Carries The Jaws". On that thread, everyone is posting about who has the jaws. I have a question. Who is RESPONDING with the jaws? Do they have enough properly trained manpower, in protective gear? Do they have enough cribbing to properly secure the vehicle? Do they have EMS in an appropriate timeframe to get the patient to the hospital? Are they properly blocking and lighting the scene to protect themselves? Are they caring for the needs of the patient? Are they calm, organized, and professional? You can have 1 set of jaws or 1 set on every apparatus, it's still not going to make a difference if you don't have the proper system in place. In my opinion, slapping a tool on an engine and taking AVET isn't the definitive solution for pin jobs. Yes, we can all be proud of the equipment we carry. However, we need to keep in mind that it's the skill along with proper staffing, equipment, and continued training that saves lives, not the tool. It seems to me that some think that just because the tool is there, that it's good and they anf the community they protect are safe. It also seems pin jobs are the cause of much tension between agencies and personel. And it seems everyone nowadays needs a tool on their apparatus. Rescue is a specialty, and extrication is part of that. Everyone wants to do it, yet there's not much work to go around, and the more tools there are, the worse it makes the situation. Not only does it cause fights, but those who should be getting the experience aren't, because their are so many hands in the pot. We can take all the thousands that are being spent on extrication tools and systems that are sometimes overkill in some communities, and invest that money in other lifesaving equipment. Yet, more and more we see the dollars going to the "tool" and even apparatus being designed around it and not firefighting. A normal pin job should be a routine task for the designated agencies rescue company, and them only. Other units should provide supportive functions, such as scene lighting, traffic control, fluid managament, etc. Just some scattered thoughts...

I didn't know that white helmets came with this warning sticker. [attachmentid=1486] This photo was taken recently by me, and is not photoshopped. It appeared on an actual white helmet, and is for real. (FOR THOSE HUMOR IMPAIRED: THI PHOTO IS IN HUMOR!)

While in NJ this past Saturday evening, on the way to Ikea, I stopped at the Exxon when you first get on to Route 4 after the GWB. [attachmentid=1485] I was so excited, I haven't paid $1.99 for gas in a long time! AND, they even pump it for you!

Myself and x901 caught the new 145th Street Bridge sitting on a barge, waiting to be installed, on the Harlem River by the Willis Ave Bridge recently. Pretty neat to see a bridge sitting like that, and interesting how it's "prefab". Guess it makes more sense to build it off site. [attachmentid=1483] [attachmentid=1484]

Caught this at the Queens Central Sanitation shops recently. (Photo by x635 & x901) [attachmentid=1482] Looks to be a 2006 Freightliner Condor/New Way Mammoth Is NYC switching away from the Mack MR chasis for the overhead dumpster loaders, or is this just a demo? Looks pretty cool and modern, though I still feel a Mack is a better product for this application.

Photos from ab2se are posted on http://www.emtbravo.com That Charger is particularly hot! I hope CT SP goes with them too!

As part of a new feature on FireEMSAlpha.com, please tell me the first thing that comes to mind when you see this photo, as it would relate to you having to operate at the scene pictured. I will then spin the comments onto this thread into a article on FireEMSAlpha.com. Here we go: (Photos linked so you can see better photos) http://www.emtbravo.com/PortlandRoof1.jpg http://www.emtbravo.com/PortlandRoof2.jpg START!

I'm just curious, it seems many departments have various terminology for designating their apparatus operators. Some of the terms that come to mind are chaffeur, MPO, driver, etc. What do you call your apparatus operators in your department? Personally, I like the term "Apparatus Operator". (Yes, that's what it is called in LA) I feel it throws more responsibilty into the title, and really reflects that the driver isn't just that.

Last night, I went down to the city to see "Asscat 3000" at the Uprights Citizens Brigade Theatre. http://www.ucbtheatre.com/ny/ It's a longform improv comedy show. They take a single word suggested by the audience, and have a guest tell a story based on that word. Then, the cast transforms that into several hilarious laugh out loud sketches. The theatre is very small, and you are basically sitting right on the stage. Last night, the cast included several noteable comedians from TV shows such as the Daily Show and 30 Rock. And cast regular, Amy Poehler, from Saturday Night Live, was there too (and literally like a foot away from myself and Kristen). The cast changes week to week, and usually always includes cast members from SNL, the Daily Show, The Steven Colbert Report, 30 Rock, Conan O'Brien, etc. Since it's improv, the sketches are never the same and you never know what's going to happnen or whos going to be there. The ticket price for the 7:30 pm show is only $8. And the 9:30 show.....free The UCB theatre is at 26th & 8th. (It's always every Sunday night, except for next week Nov 12th which is a special benefit show) There are also different improv shows there seven nights a week, check out the link above for more details. A really good time, I highly reccomend this to anyone looking for a fun night out. (This was an entry from my blog at http://www.x635.blogspot.com)

This past Saturday, I was shocked to find out a longtime friend of mine and my family was diagnosed with Leukemia. Sheila Knoesel is a longtime resident of Ardsley and is known to many in the community. Her husband, Ted, is famous in the community. He owned the Texaco station (the one by Sylvia Lane) and a busy towing business for many years, is currently the crossing guard at Concord Road school, and has been a member and ex-Chief of Ardsley Fire Department for over 50 years, best known now for his upkeep of Ardsley's 1928 Seagrave. Her son, T.J., is a County Police Officer and his wife Kiera is a Greenburgh Police Officer. And the rest of the family is extensive throughout this area and Brookfield, CT. Sheila is a mother and grandmother, and is loved by many people. I hope those who can come out to give some blood will. The blood drive will be held at Ardsley's temporary firehouse on Saw Mill River Road (Route 9A) in Ardsley on Friday November 17th, from 4PM-8PM. The flyer with further details can be found here: http://www.emtbravo.com/SheilaKnoesel

Happy Birthday to my friend and Probie School Director (and EMTBravo Network Member) firecapt32!!!!

Date: 11-5-06 Time: 1330 Location:39 Brae Burn Drive, Brae Burn Country Club, 8th hole Frequency: 46.26, Harrison EMS (Primary 60 Control Dispatcher: 642) Units Operating: Purchase FD E240, R30, 2411, 2412, Harrison EMS, Harrison Police, Battalion 5 West Harrison FD 2501, E267 (Relocated) Description Of Incident: Purchase dispatched to overturned tractor, possible extrication Writer: x635, NOR1219 1335hrs: 2411 reporting tractor overturned on golf course, partially submerged, one occupant entrapped. Harrison EMS on scene. 1340hrs: 2411 requesting 1 Engine from West Harrison FD to relocate Purchase Fire Headquarters. 1350hrs: 2411 requesting through Purchase FD headquarters a heavy wrecker to the scene to remove Rescue 30 from mud 1352hrs: 2412 advising the victim has been removed and is in care of EMS.

I thought it looked dumb too, but the more I heard about it, the more I wanted to see it. Borat (played by "Ali G" star Sascha Baron Cohen) is a reporter from the nation of Kazakhstan to learn leassons from Americans. Even though Cohen's charecter is fictional, many Americans think he is for real, and it is extremly funny to see the interactions. It is outrageous some of the stuff he does, and the way people react to it. Besides being funny, it's really interesting to see how bigotry is still alive and well, especially in the South, in this country. As I mentioned, it's a very clever concept for a film. Of course it is dumb, but at the same time funny and smart if that makes sense.

That's very good. Who was #1, and who (credibilty) is Morgan Quitno press?

Just got back from seeing Borat (the movie), and I haven't laughed so hard at a movie in a long, long time. It's very well done, albeit their are some explicit and gross scenes. Very clever concept, and Sasha Cohen really pulled this off well.

If you're attending the Big Rig Rescue Class, sponsored by Stiloski's Automotive Services this weekend, here's some information for you. (Spectators are welcomed to observe the hands on portion of the class from a safe distance. Hint to anybody who wants to photgraph for the site or cannot participate but wants to learn) November 4th (Saturday) Classroom Site: Meet At Riverside Hose, Franklin Ave. in Tarrytown (by the railroad station, adjacent to PD station) 0730-0800 Final Registration 0800-0830 Introduction, Overview, and Safety 0830-1200 Timber cribbing ops, 5 step procedure for overturns and underpins 1200-1330 Meal & Travel to Hands On Site HANDS ON SITE: Tarrytown Fire Training Center, foot of Main Street in Tarrytown 1330-1400 Overview of Scenarios 1400-1700 Hands on evolutions Sunday's schedule and information will be provided on Saturday. Sunday will be mostly hands on. REQUIRED GEAR- COMPLETE PPE: Helmet Safety Goggles (NO faceshields- not acceptable) Those with prescription glasses must have sideguards on their safety googles. Full length protective clothing Protective footwear with impact resistant toecaps (NO sneakers!) Protective Gloves Foul weather gear Don't forget to dress in layers- it supposed to be chilly this weekend! Sounds like this is going to be an awesome course, their are of course awesome instructors lined up and some very good vehicles to cut.

The class will start at 0730hrs at Tarrytown FD- Riverside Hose (by the train station,next to the police station) Again, anyone who can bring a rescue....the more tools the merrier.

Happy Birthday to EMTBravo Network forum member jjpinto! Joe writes the "Westchester County" column in Fire Apparatus Journal, and keeps us all up to date with photos of the latest FDNY and WC deliveries both in the magazine and on this site. And w'ere all anxiously awaiting his next set of classics to be posted! Happy Birthday Joe!

Looks like a cool book, I ordered a copy. Available From: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/books/bc7961.shtml

Date: 11-1-06 Time: 0858hrs Location: I-684 Exit 6A ramp/ Route 22 Frequency: 46.26 Units Operating: 2143, R24, E-140, 67-B-1, 45M3, NYSP Description Of Incident: Van vs. sedan. Sedan was struck by van as it pulled onto Route 22 from I684 Exit 6A. Driver of van RMA, driver of car pinned DOA. Writer: x635 0901HRS: 60 Control advising responding units (1) occupant is DOA.