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Pretty unusual derailment. Seems like a scene out of a movie. Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/train-derails-climbs-escalator-chicago-airport-125519804.html;_ylt=A0LEVw1yZzBTOx4ALp5XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB0a3JmOXR2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDA1MV8x

Date: 3-27-14 Time: 0930 Incident Type: Structure Fire Location: Washington Ave District: North White Plains Incident Command: NWPFD Car 2232 Units: (See Below) Description: 2232 on location, heavy fire to the rear of the 2.5 story wood frame structure originating from shed, with subjects on roof 0954hrs: Fire knocked down, overhauling. Negative on the searches. Units Operating: North White Plains Engine 74, Ladder 47, Rescue 33, C-2232 (I/C) Valhalla FD Engine 82, Rescue 9 (Original FAST) West Harrison FD Engine 265 Elmsford FD (Replacement FAST, L-55 cancelled enroute) Valhalla VAC 82-B-2, 82-U-1 (Rehab Unit) North Castle PD WCDES Batt 19, C&O Team Units Relocated: Armonk FD To NWPFD HQ Thornwood FD (Standby in their own quarters)

WOW! I remember something in some apparatus class, to raise your aerial above and bring it down so someone doesn't try to jump to it. Obviously, that aerial and that jump was amazing. I do wonder what would have happened had he not had the strength and agility to jump to the ladder. Good thing to keep in the back of you mind when you're considering aerial length when purchasing apparatus.

(Photograhper unknown, being shared throughout Facebook and social media)

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/herald_bulldog/2014/03/boston_firefighters_injured_in_beacon_street

Some various new media updates:

Date: 3-25-14 Time: 0048hrs Incident Type: Structure Fire Location: Glen Arbor Golf Club, Employee's building, Bedford Center Rd District: Bedford Hills Units: (See Below) Description: Heavy fire in an approx 80x40 1 story with basement wood frame dwelling, housing 3 resident employees of golf club. All escaped fire and accounted for, no injuries. 04:00hrs Fire U/C Units Operating Bedford Hills FD Engine 198, Engine 199, Tanker 5, TL-57, Rescue 10, Mini Attack 9, Utility 6, 2031 (I/C) Katonah FD Engine 116, Tanker 6 Yorktown FD Tanker 14 South Salem FD Tanker 2 Goldens Bridge Tanker 1 Pound Ridge FD Tanker 3 Banksville FD Tanker 7 Mount Kisco FD Utility 13 (FAST), Rescue 31 (Non-emergency special call later into incident) KBHVAC 65-B-1 WEMS 45-M-1 WCDES Batt 16, C&O Team Units Relocated Mount Kisco FD Engine 106, TL 14 At BHFD Somers FD Tanker 16 At BHFD (responded to scene later into incident)

What a tragedy. RIP. Some more disturbing facts have been released. How do these people keep slipping through the cracks? It's so sad that it's becoming more and more common, seemingly, that less and less law enforcement officers are going home to their families, while these maniacs roam free thanks to the court system. I don't mean to take away from Officer Germans death, it's just so startling when you hear stories like this. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-windermere-officer-killed-teens-20140324,0,3550253.story

http://mtkisco.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/westchester-county-police-aerial-unit-makes-emergency-rescue

Date: 3-24-14 Time: 14:10hrs Incident Type: Structure Fire Location: 3 Circle Drive District: Mount Kisco Units: (See Below) Description: Upon arrival of the first due, heavy fire throughout a one story wood frame dwelling, unable to search. Exterior ops, 3 lines stretched and operating 14:39hrs Per Batt 16, 3 Lines stretched and operating, additional line stretched, fire remains doubtful 15:07hrs Per Batt 16, Building Dept and water Dept. notified through PD, and will respond to scene to address concerns 15:25hrs Per Batt 16 Fire under control Units Operating: Mount Kisco FD Bedford Hills FD TL-57 (FAST) Mount Kisco VAC 70-B-1 WEMS 45-M-1 Mount Kisco PD WCDES Battalion 16, C&O Team, County Car 1 Units Relocated: Chappaqua FD Engine 146 Katonah FD Ladder 39 14:33hrs Engine 146 and Ladder 39 responding to 230 N. Bedford Rd Burger King for a commercial alarm 14:43hrs Units clear, false unintentional, going back to relocated posts

Sharp ! Definitely blends in. Wonder if this was confiscated from a drug dealer?

Congrats Brendan!

I usually get my oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles. However, I happened to do some reading on Synthetic Blend oils, and I read with today's modern engines, you don't need to change the oil that frequently. I went out and checked my oil, and it was full and looked to be in good condition. Anybody know if this 3-5,000 mile thing is true, or have any input otherwise?

What is the make up of your district? Is refurbishment a possibility? If those Pierce's pictured on your site are in decent condition, making it four doors in relatively inexpensive. If you have money to spend, how much? There are numerous departments in Westchester preparing to get new Engines and sell their old ones, but not for awhile. There is also a lot of great used apparatus site with very good deals, and could take your engines as trade ins.

The irony is, the same departments that always go to the same jobs together, and couldn't function without each other, can't merge with each other and share operation and reduce costs. Mount Vernon isn't the only department that uses mutual aid continuously as a crutch. And maybe creating a joint fire district will take the power away from the Mount Vernon politicians, which may be the only way to save them and the members of MVFD. And how can MVFD have enough manpower to have a FAST team, especially now that they are down 2 firefighters who are facing felony charges yet still holding spots in the department? But they are probably good at forcible entry and dragging victims. It's funny because it's true. (I apologize to the MVFD members I offended)

Quote from the LA Times: Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lafd-recruit-hiring-changes-20140320,0,5614238.story#ixzz2wohpzgu8

I was wondering that myself, if it was used as some sort of diversion, smoke screen. Having the candidates they or the city wanted by pretending with the 60 second rule. However, a LOT of people from all different races and sexes were disqualified, and only 965 out of 6,500 made it within the minute. The only stat I've seen is that 24% of the applicants who made it through were related to someone in the LAFD, mostly upper ranks. I must say, being familiar with the department, the hiring process is VERY screwed up. A Captain teaching at the Academy got demoted for not giving a female recruit preferential treatment. In contrast, Los Angeles has a very high population of African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics, and a lot of them actually want to be a firefighter. They attend prep sessions, perform well on tests, and score high on the oral boards. They alsohave college degrees, solid work histories, and spotless backgrounds. There are some that are bilingual, which is a very good skill to have in a city such as LA. And many to most of them are passed up. Long story short, if you don't want the job, you're not going to get it. But if you do want the job.....good luck! It should also be noted that LAFD, for numerous years, mainly in the 50's, segregated black firefighters to specific firehouses, did not let them go to the academy, and barred them from promotions. A lot of these firefighters were veterans returning from World War II. The firefighters were referred to as "stentorians". I got to meet one at the LAFD museum, and what a great guy here was. He was proud to be a member of the department, and it was astounding what he went through, from fighting in World War II overseas and receiving several medals, and then coming home to be a second-class citizen. Disclaimer: Regardless, I think LAFD is one of the best fire departments in the world operationally. NOTE: To even apply to LAFD, you must have beforehand your CPAT certificate ($150 and good for only one year), have a valid EMT certification, pass a preliminary background check, and a clean, valid CA drivers license. You must be height and weight proportionate. Also, LAFD is a VERY strict old-school department.

That's just scratching the surface of the problems. I would say it's an equal opportunity screwover. Here's just another snippet of another issue with this hiring process: "Gone in 60 Seconds"

It's usually against forum policy to discuss of duty incidents. However, I'm using my discretion on this one, based on the severity. How could Mount Vernon FD hire or retain this firefighter with such an extensive criminal history? This seems to happen in MVFD over and over and over again. Select quotes from the article: Full article: http://www.lohud.com/story/news/2014/03/13/mt-vernon-firefighter-wife-charged-assault-pregnant-woman/6372547/ At what point is it "Conduct Unbecoming"? Does MVFD monitor it's firefighters for involvement in criminal history, and does it have policies set?

Any new apparatus on the horizon?

Prayers are with Sam Lubin, Chief Of ALS for Ossining VAC and a longtime figure in Westchester County, for a succesful recovery from serious injuries he sustained in a crash in his personal vehicle yesterday.

Latest update:

Full article: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Fire-Jersey-Shore-Motel-Mariners-Cove-Motor-Inn-Dead-Missing-Law-Enforcement-Police-251390351.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_NYBrand

This topic has been locked, and all replies removed. This was posted by a member to sell his goods, not bicker over the purpose of the goods he was selling, throw insults, and react to whomever posted whatever. If anyone has any questions or concerns, feel free to private message (PM) me. Seth G.