x635

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 was released today. I upgraded to it, and it seem really cool right now...may take some getting used to though. It looks a lot different, and features I'm used to are in different places. Seems like it's trying to be more like Firefox. It has tabbed browsing, and you can "add on" a whole bunch of different options to make your browsing easier and more convienent. Find out more about it and download it here, if you wish http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

Excellent article with an awesome graphic illustrating high-rise firefighting in the Journal News today (Thursday, October 19th 2006) And a fire service front page story. Here's a link to the great graphic, a MUST view "Fighting High Rise Fires" drawn by Bill Beccera with input from fire officials: http://www.lohud.com/assets/swf/BH456411019.SWF And here's a link to the article itself: As cities add skyscrapers, fire officials say planning is key to safety I was glad to see that all the cities involved were at least considering adding staffing. According to Doc Kiernan, New Rochelle's even planning on going full time with Rescue 4, and re-opening a downtown company disbanded in 1976 and doing a strategic study. This comes a long way from a few years ago, when Engine 24 faced a shutdown and members faced layoffs. Very progressive. Which brings me to thinking, New Rochelle, Yonkers, or White Plains don't have any "High Rise Units" like FDNY, that carry special equipment just for high rise firefighting to my knowledge. I wonder if things like these exist or are in the works, and if it would be reasonable for the developers to "donate" this apparatus or equipment.

Very nice Nate! Congrats and also congrats on your assignment to Squad 61! Also would like to hear more about Brotherhood Instructors.

For you snowbirds and dadbo46.....

Crains NY Business is reporting jetBlue has won approval for 4 daily flights to Chicago- O'Hare Airport, starting in January. http://newyorkbusiness.com/news.cms?newsId=14998 This is a great addition for jetBlue, yet there going to have some competion on the route! Hopefully, with the new introductory fares, I will be able to make a quick buff trip out there!

Next Wednesday evening (10/25/06), on the Discovery Channel @ 8PM EST, they are scheduled to premeire a new episode of Extreme Engineering: jetBlue's New JFK terminal. I would think it's a little early on to be doing a documentary on the terminal, but still very cool and looking foward to the sneak peek!

Tommorow night on CNBC (10-18-06) at 9PM EST repeating at 12AM EST, they are airing a 2 hour documentary on the airlines, and from the commercial, all its operations. Looks awesome, and as a new AA fan, I'm looking foward to it! According to sources, CNBC was allowed unprecedented access into the airline.....

While heading home from Stop and Shop in North White Plains today, I took my favorite route which takes me past the North White Plains Train Yard and Fairview Fire Headqurters. While stopped at the Virginia Road RR crossing, I heard a slow moving diesel engine coming by and quickly whipped out my camera. Metro-North Operations fascinate me, I recently learned of this train. It blows the leaves off the track using compressed water stream and air so the trains do not lose traction on the slippery leaves. It was being led in this direction by a FL-9 #2011 with New Haven markings, and by my favorite Metro North Work Engine #104 at the other end. Apparently, these trains are a common sight this time of year. Sorry for the crappy photos, but they were the best I could get given my position. [attachmentid=1403] [attachmentid=1404] I was happy to learn something new about Metro-North today. (I learned of this train at http://www.railroad.net Metro North forum)

I think this is an excellent idea. Many things in a household beep nowadays, and something more personalized during a crisis may be more effective than simple loud beep. I also like the idea of reminding you of escape instructions. I still like the "80's Music Smoke Detector" as featured on the '05 season of Saturday Night Live.

In my opinion, this is a move by the feds, especially in this day and age, that I don't fully understand. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061016/ap_on_..._the_war_room_3 You know, the federal goverment spent millions to design, build, and maintain this bunker. Even though the cold war is over, one doesn't know what could happen....who likely did we think 9/11 was to happen? Why wouldn't they play it on the safe side, and keep an ultra-secure facility such as this up and running full-time? I'm glad though that there keeping it on "warm standby". So, the goverment can't get their act together with this place, so basically they are shutting it down and moving somewhere else is what I read from that line? I find it annoying that OUR security is "too expensive", yet other nations security aren't. This is just another annoying example.

Did anyone attend this event? I just missed it (It was worth it to miss, but still wanted to go. I'd LOVE to see the Croton shops up close and in depth)

I wasn't really too impressed with the show. It was very sad, even depressing, but that is the reality of the lives we lead. I felt it scratched the surface of what the public needs to be aware of. I felt it was very vague when it described why understaffing is so dangerous, and other issues. Although this film is better then nothing, the power used to get it produced, on the air on a major channel, a better message could have been sent to the public. 9/11 was a major, major tragedy in the fire service, but so was the Worcester 6, and the Fathers Day fire, etc etc etc. I wish they had gone more into the everyday fire that kills as well. It did a good job of making the public see the sacrifice we make, but it didn't educate them about what our job really involves. By the way, a ton of that footage was from LAFD and it's incidents, and shot by Juan Guerra. You can more of that footage on his very graphic DVD's "Emergency Care In The Streets". He is a freelance news videographer in the LA area and some of his work can also be seen on LAFireVideos.com I'm also suprised they didn't talk to more people in the fire service, like Chief Goldfeder. Also, that gentleman from Oakland FD is Zac Unger. He wrote a book entitled "Working Fire: The Making Of An Accidental Fireman". It's a good read: http://www.zacunger.com/ I'm still waiting for the documentary that shows the lives of career firefighters and the challenges they face. Maybe I will have to form my own production company and make it myself.

As obvious in another recent thread of mind, I am a Dodge fan. However, while passing Roberson Ford in Bend, Oregon last week, this '07 Ford Explorer....and the color....really caught my eye. It really looked sharp. [attachmentid=1388] And just a side note, I'd love to see some piece of fire apparatus in that color.

So, while on vacation in Oregon this past week, I was driving through Bend, OR and passed their Dodge dealership. I currently drive an '06 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4.7 V-8 High Output. It consumes a lot of fuel, and as much as I LOVE IT, it is in reality probaly beyond my needs. Before I saw this truck, I was considering downsizing, to a Honda Element, after another Hartsdale FF got one, or even a Jetta or Civic hybrid. Then, I pass by this Dodge dealership, and here is there Dodge Nitro. I never even considered this an option, because last I heard it was a concept, and possible release was '07...and I guess '07 is around the corner. It's about the size of a Jeep Wrangler, and really looks hot. They only had two on the lot, and I haven't done my reasearch yet as to engine options, etc, but this is defeintly something for me to ponder. Dodge is really coming out with a lot of kick ass products lately. Just finished a weeklong rental of a Durango, and it was awesome. [attachmentid=1385] [attachmentid=1386] [attachmentid=1387]

And this is proper and acceptable in your department? The driver or officer should have control of the airhorn, and that's it! It's not a toy, and pressing on it more won't make people move any faster, willl only scare and confuse them more.

A very cool book I found. The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation Read about it on my blog http://x635.blogspot.com/2006/10/911-repor...adaptation.html

Awesome forum! Added to my favorites! Thanks!

My LA County Engine 79 Code 3 showed up at my doorstep today. I was supposed to shoot the real Engine 79 on Tuesday, but it was in the shops with the pump panel removed. But I still got to see it in person. It is unique, since LA County doesn't have any engines on a Freightliner chasis, or commercial chasis. This engine was purchased as a prototype. The model looks GREAT! Here is a photo. Sorry for the crappy shot, didn't have time to get a nice one. [attachmentid=1313] On another note, this could be easily kitbashed into a White Plains engine.

Found some really interesting information on Wikipedia on the Metro Rapid line http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Rapid Says the bus has a transponder that lets traffic lights favor it, among other technology, yet doesn't speak of the bus itself.

So, I'm becoming a public transit bus fan. I recently found my new favorite bus, and need help figuring out the manufacturer/model and any details. More info and the photo in my blog: http://x635.blogspot.com/2006/10/need-help...etro-rapid.html Please post any info here. Also, is there a public transit bus fan website/resource online?

Well, I am back from an another awesome trip to California! You can read all about it on my blog. Got a lot of great photos, but ran out of time and missed shooting Santa Monica FD's awesome Lifeline ambulances....but I did accrue enough TrueBlue points on jetBlue for a free roundtrip anywhere, so there's always next time! Tommorow, I leave on vacation for Oregon for a week. You can view my photos here: http://www.emtbravo.lunarpages.com/x635Photos/LAOct06.html And in case you missed it, I also blogged my trip http://www.x635.blogspot.com

Today, I had the chance to see where Code 3/Funrise relocated to. It's in a mixed use area, on Lemona Ave in Van Nuys (San Fernando Valley, City Of LA). It's right opposite Target and a bunch of homeless guys living in vans at the end of a shared industrial building. Not as nice as their nieghborhood or building in Woodland Hills, and seems smaller. You can see cases of Code 3's piled against the windows on the side of the building driving past. In the back, there was a lot locked with a chain link fence and barbed wire, with several cars. A nice BMW and Mercedes were part of the mix. And so was an older Ford F-150 white with "Funrise" and "Tonka" markings. While I was taking the picture, from the sidewalk across the street, the receptionist, a very young looking girl, came to the front door and basically shooed me away. I was given a dirty look until I left. Another thing that tarnished the repuataion of a company I once adored and thought was so friendly. I didn't go inside, nor did I make any attempt to, but you'd think Code 3 would at least have a "visitors center" museum of their products or something like a company store. I'd like to think had I gone in, I would have been welcomed as an original collector and longtime supporter, but the reception I got from across the street was enough. They make such a cool product, and used to be such a fun company to interact with. Anyways, I digress. Here's the photo of their new digs: [attachmentid=1300]

They actually had the premiere at 1900hrs PST today, at the Directors Guild on Sunset Boulevard right down the street from where I am staying. I caught it during my stroll down Sunset. I was actually invited to go last minute today, but I didn't have a suit or tie or a uniform with me :-(. Here are the photos: [attachmentid=1297] [attachmentid=1298] [attachmentid=1299] It's an exciting moment for the fire service to be in the general public eye!

Those who guessed on the GMC are correct, and quick, lol! It's a 2005 Ford E-450/Wheeled Coach, with no other GMC involvment other then the badge. Here's another view. And that is a TimberWolve mechanical siren in the bumper. [attachmentid=1295] And here's another shot with the Ford "E-450" visible as well as the GMC. [attachmentid=1296] I think the GMC actually looks pretty good in there! I also heard there is an RA floating around here with a Dodge badge...now that I want a photo of!

I took this photo today, 10-3-06. See if you can spot what is wrong in this picture. It's NOT a bad thing, it's a fun thing. [attachmentid=1294] You can see a sampling of all the photos I got today at http://www.x635.blogspot.com