x635

"A Review of the Most Powerful Fireboat in the World Crafted by The Most Powerful Fire & Rescue Collectible Company in the World" http://www.fireengines.net./reviews/lafdboat2/index.htm

Wow! The new engines look great and very rugged! Can't wait to see photos posted on EMTBravo.com and them running the streets in MV...901's already got any eye out! I also know of 6 new firefighters that will be delivered to MVFD in less than 2 weeks as well to help staff these cadillacs. Also, while on the subject, it looks like Pleasantville's Ferraras designed by EWFAC are also coming along nicely!

I disagree. Your comment actually counters some of the things that make a better fire officer. Namely, not listening to the "troops". Even though some people may not have a lot of experiece, they may see things that the officer may miss, or see things in a different light or frame of mind. This could lead to new techniques or ideas that may have been overlooked if the officer has an fairly open mind. Yes, there is a pecking order, and firefighters should, in no way, tell an officer how to do his job, and that's no what I am saying. As far as the comment that's there's too many "Monday Morning Quarterbacks" on this thread....uh, no. Nobody's critiquing anybody, only giving their (constructive) ideas. Which everyone is entitled to do on this board. Yes, the chiefs and current officers have been through it, and have some knowledge of the position, but the firefighters are the next officers and have been at the recieving end of the leadership.

WCFTC's Mask Confidence Course is made of two old 30' highway-style box trailers, not shipping containers. (A new Mask Confidence course is rumored to be in the works, using a real, newly constructed structure) The FTC does use some shipping containers, by the apparatus egress circle, for storage. Here is a photo of a shipping container: ttp://www.containerarchitecture.co.nz/images/containers/40ft_blue_shipping_container.jpg And shipping containers used to build a house: http://shipping-container-housing.com/imag...ing-systems.jpg Suprisingly, during my Google search of this, I found several sites...and buildings, using "shipping container" architecture. Even though utilizing these structures for live fire training isn't practical, for the reasons mentioned by Homer J., I still think these buildings can make excellent multi-function, local training structures, with some in-house work.

An email sent out by Gina and Jim this evening:

LA County has announced a filing for Fire Dispatcher. Note all applications must be filed in person on January 8th-9th, 2006. http://www.lacofd.org/Employment_Ops/3-2432-G_.pdf It's a great job to begin with, and a great entry level "in" if you are interested in becoming an LA County firefighter.

Bump for today. Not sure if I can be there yet, but as soon as I get an email or mail addy from Jim, I will definetly be sending some letters....and photos.

Here, Here!! -ALSFirefighter's agent and future publisher.

Looks interesting....... Paramedic Buff to Burnt (Paperback) by New York City Paramedic George Steffensen Book Description Paramedic buff to burnt shows the changes of a highly decorated New York City paramedic from being a rookie to now an old timer with over 15 years on the streets.It covers some of the more interesting calls he has done over these many years. The author has also worked as a medic in Westchester, I believe. Available from: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/141960261...=books&v=glance And the books official website: http://www.paramedicbufftoburnt.com/

Probie Class 03-2005 met another challenge today, rapelling. First off the tower to lead the 37 of us and show us no fear was fellow probie Novel "Skittles" Kettil, Mount Vernon FD Although I was a little nervous, rapelling is just as cool as I thought! And so is ropes and knots.....it's so fun to learn how everything works and then get to put it into use. I thought it would be intimidating to learn everything, especially the knots, but with the instructors we had everything fell into place quite nicely. Thanks again to Lt Ryan, Instructor Macpherson AKA "TMac" and Instructor Lennox! Photos are posted, www.emtbravo.com (Photos by HFD211, thanks for the quick submit!)

Although I'm still just a probie, and a very tired one right now, and don't know much at all, I'd like to add my 2 cents quickly. Personally, I feel that leaders are bred from their first day of training. One crucial element that turns that firefighter into someone able to lead on the next level is experience. Someone who has fought the battle before has gotten his didatic education enhanced by being able to apply his or her skills, and gets the respect of those under their span of control. Do you want to follow someone who hasn't been in your shoes??? There needs to be a certification for Fire Officer. Who's elegible should be determined by yes, mandatory requirments, followed up by character, education, and experience...and ranked via a written, verbal, and practical test. And standards, developed, agreed upon, and voted on by every department in this county...none of this "They can't tell us what to do". In some cases, regulations can be our friend. None of this it's his/her turn. It's understandable that many agencies may have a lack of people capable to lead....could this be because of the over-abundance of officers? How can we expect our leaders to get enough experience when they can't even get any time in to do their jobs independtly? Maybe it's time to consider condensing the command structure in some areas, to allow those leaders a chance to lead. In addition, I still believe in my vision for the WCFTC to partner with Westchester Community College, Pace, or Mercy to form a "Fire Academy" tract. Make some basic business, managment, human resources, and administration courses available to the future officers. Because an officers role is not only as a leader, but often an administrator. There also needs to be a clear delineation and respect between someone who is charged with getting his/her firefighters home safely, and the people who follow them. A leader needs to act and behave like a leader, all the time, and anytime he/she is acting in a firematic capacity. This person shouldn't forget, there are tons of peers available. Don't just depend on your department to grow, always seek out your peers in other agencies for support,perspective, and insight, and to better be able to set the foundation for that person who will eventually come in under you. Oh yes, a leader is also a teacher. And most importantly, teach and train to lead and work as a team early and often. That's a basic concept, but one which if not able to do, can become a critical wall in a person abilties to interact down the line. I am lucky enough every day to train and work with some leaders I hope one day to emulate, and to train with my fellow probies who will make a HUGE impact, and be the proponents and recipients of some great,progressive changes in the future of the fire service in this county. We've been taught leadership since Day 1 in the academy, and the personal and professional growth we have had is because of the philosophy..and set the course for many great things, as afformentioned. Often ( I saw it out driving just last night around 2130hrs), I see a white suburban with red stripes, fire district markings, and a lightbar driving around my town. It makes me safe in my community to know the person driving is a truly experienced, qualified leader, and everyone should have that feeling. So, the short answer to the question posed in the title of this thread..."How Do We Produce Better Fire Officers?". The answer is quite simple in my eyes...we produce better firefighters. Because a leader's not neccarily someone with a title......because a leader doesn't assume power, a leader earns respect. Disclaimer: That's it, that's my idealistic view which I shouldn't even have or say right now. Just some thoughts from my perspective starting out. I know I have no opinion or thoughts at all except the opinion and thoughts I am told to have, nor do I have any experience in this field. I know I should turn my fingers off, but honestly I don't know how sometimes, lol. This was just some delusional ramblings of mine due to me being so tired. And this is a different x635 that wrote this, his other personality, his evil twin. I'm going to cower now.

I've got a question. I see numerous firefighters who have the Garrity Lite strapped to their helmets. Now, I know these flashlights are dirt cheap and very convienent, but how well do they work? Do you feel the extra weight on your helmet? Is it a worthwhile addition to the personal tools that you carry?

What: Help The Arenas Get An Exteme Home Makeover How: Just be there!!!! When: This Sunday, at 1330 (1:30PM) Where: Lake Purdys Clubhhouse Field, Entrance Way East (right off Route 116) and Lake Way, Purdys (Somers) Anything Else: FOWARD THIS TO ANYONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED!!!!

From: www.americanlafrance.com

Found this on another forum. A pretty interesting read

Yes we did, and we learned about a whole host of other safety features and other compotents of the bus that could come into play when effecting a rescue and combating a fire. We learned about the regular bus, the articulating bus, and the paratransit vans.

Thanks for all the input on this thread. It's so inexpensive, it can't hurt to try it out. I'll follow up with my opinion.

Here's the artwork from the recently released Career Fire Academy Probie Class 03-2005 official T-shirt Tshirt produced by 911Wear. Firefighter breaking through wall graphic designed and drawn by Arthur Fusco, PFF Harrison FD

Last night (Thanksgiving Eve), my girlfriend and myself traveled down to NYC via a Metro North M7 train (very cool....yes Max, a FRN) to view the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation. I got to see all the ballons up close and personal, as well as seeing all the support operations, including the massive PD, FD, and EMS turnout. After viewing the balloons, we went for dinner at a great Malaysian-Thai place on Columbus Ave. After dinner, we went to the recently-opened Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, which was AMAZING! 360 degree view of the city skyline from 3 different levels 860 feet and 70 stories above midtown Manhattan, atop 30 Rockefeller Center. It was a crystal clear night, and the view was spectacular, to say the least. The photos below don't do it justice, to be above Manhattan where Rockfeller Center is situated, at this time of year, is awesome. I highly reccomend both experiences. Although the ballons is once a year, Top Of The Rock is open year 'round. http://www.topoftherocknyc.com Here are the photos. (All photos taken with my tactical camera, the Canon S500 aka my little camera)

Thoughts and prayers are with the officer and his family...RIP. There seems to have been a spike around the nation recently in violence directed at police officers....just goes to remind me how dangerous and completly unpredictable their job can be (people actually aim to intentionally harm them :-( , and that's why I have so much respect for them.

Just a heads up, the Hess truck is a firetruck this year!! http://www.hesstoytruck.com/ Finally, a Hess truck without a helicopter!! But this one does come with a brush truck!! Photo from: http://www.hesstoytruck.com/

Just figured I'd share a huge milestone that my probie class had today. The Career Fire Academy Probie Class 03-2005 had their long-awaited CPAT (Canidate Physical Abilty Exam) today. This was prepared for during PT, practiced and anticpated for many weeks. It's a NYS law that ALL career firefighters pass CPAT during the academy. ALL 37 members of the class sucessefully conquered the CPAT exam, and every one with a comfortable margin. I am proud to be a member of this class. All of us have come so far both personally and professionally, and we truly are brothers......the tight-knit spirit of the class really shined today. We all make a great team. And I'm glad CPAT is now behind us! Since this test, if ended in failure, could have ceased our fire service careers, I'm glad it's not hanging over our heads anymore!! Another succesful week.........10 weeks down, 4 weeks left!!!

And here is the front artwork.