chiefhac

Hap, Thank you for your many years of dedicated service. May you enjoy a long, healthy, and well deserved retirement. God Speed my friend! chiefhac

Those doors were painted by firefighters in 1976 to comemerate the 200th nniversary of our country. The rescue was located at 151 South Fulton Avenue, Truck 1 at 23 South Sixth Avenue and Barry, it is 211 South Fourth Avenue. chiefhac

1 Dead, 121 Injured in Train Crash in Mount Vernon By chiefhac And so read the headlines in all the newspapers the morning after the trains collided in Mount Vernon on the evening of June 8, 1973, forty years ago. The train collision would spark 10 days busy activity for the Mount Vernon Fire Department (MVFD) using all of its resources and with neighboring communities responding to the incident(s) or relocating to staff fire stations. It was 40 years ago on Friday evening June 8, 1973 at approximately 7:30 PM on a warm spring evening that 2 trains collided on the east bound express track on the New Haven line near Brookdale Place and East First Street. The relocated Mount Vernon East station platform was still under construction and the local track was temporarily out of service, thereby both local and express trains were operating through Mount Vernon on the express track. The local was in the station to disembark passengers when the express train, failing to stop for a red signal, ran head on into the rear of the stopped train. The fire department was dispatched and upon arrival was met by a thousand or so of people wondering about and attempting to exit both trains. Additional alarms were transmitted and additional manpower was readily available as it was the evening of the volunteer firefighter’s annual inspection and they responded in force. Almost all responding personnel were used in assisting passengers off the train and to those requiring medical assistance, to an aid station and then transported to the local hospitals. In the rear car of the local train 2 victims were trapped, one dead on arrival, and the other, seriously injured, was pinned in the lavatory of the last car. Rescue 1 and Ladder 1 were assigned to extricate these individuals. The individual in the lavatory was an Australian Consulate to the UN. The extrication required cutting through the floor under where he was located and then smashing the toilet and letting it drop through the opening made in the floor, allowing for his safe removal. A sloppy and time consuming job it was, ask me! Mutual aid companies responded for a variety of reasons, scene lighting being a major issue, and some companies self dispatched, adding to scene confusion when everyone wants to help. Most of the passengers requiring medical treatment were transported within the first hour or so. For each injured passenger there had to be 10 other passengers whose sole interest was in how they were going to complete their journey to Connecticut and home. Somewhere in the middle of the week there was a third alarm fire on South Thirteenth or Fourteenth Avenue which consumed 3 attached row apartments. On Saturday evening June 16 at approximately 7 PM a fire was reported in the Pioneer super market located on Park Avenue and Elm Avenue, just over the Park Avenue Bridge over the New Haven rail line and 2/10ths of a mile from the train crash. The fire would require a general alarm with all MVFD companies operating at the fire scene until after midnight. On Sunday morning, June 17, around 8 AM fire alarm box 1231 was pulled by a passerby for a fire in the A & P super market located on East First Street and First Avenue, on the other side of the Park Avenue Bridge from the previous night’s fire and 2/10ths of a mile from the train crash. This fire would also require all MVFD companies to bring it under control, with the last units picking up at 4 PM. I was the assigned driver of the rescue company for the train crash and, back working days, the A & P fire. At approximately 7:45 AM Sunday morning we were dispatched to meet Con Edison at a gas leak at Ninth Avenue and West First Street and en route passed the A & P and did not notice any sign of smoke or fire. When we were called by dispatch to respond on the initial alarm, we couldn’t believe the column of smoke in the air as we headed back down First Street. Each of these incidents required the full complement of MVFD companies and surrounding mutual aid companies to backfill in Mount Vernon fire stations. The good news was no fire station commissary was in need of coffee, condiments, etc. for at least 6 months. And so it was 40 years ago! chiefhac 6/7/2013 Slideshow of incident:

The April 6, 1988 response was handled by Mount Vernon FD with no respnse from other departments. Both trains were carrying just train crew personnel when the first train was rammed by the second that had run a red signal. Coincidentally, this incident was 25 years ago this past April.

Yes! The Mack replacement was a 63 or 64.

That was a mutual aid drill in Mount Vernon for a supposed incident in the oil storage facility city area of the city. At the time MV was the third largest oil and gasoline storage area on the east coast. The rig is Rescue 1, MVFD on an International. chiefhac

Happy Anniversary EMT Bravo! Truly a labor of love Seth! And ever quickly did those 8 years go. chiefhac

Sorry to hear that Barry! Shades of 35 or so years ago. Bad for the troops then, and still bad now. chiefhac

Correction Some of the following information listed on the photos web site is inaccurate: "Sunday February 25th, 1990 was a cold, windy snowy day when fire broke out at 428 Sth 9th Street in Mount Vernon NY. The fire eventually took 3 buildings as firefighters fought to stop the spread of flames. During the overhaul process, firefighters found the body of Detective Bernie Kennedy, ironically the arson detective for the Mount Vernon police. I believe the case was never solved to this day." Detective Bernice Kennedy did not die in that fire. He was appointed by Mayor Davis and served for a few years as Deputy Police Commissioner and Commissioner before retiring in 2004.

The real question isn't how long (high) the ladder can extend, but who are you going to get to climb them? There have been problems in the past with 144' aerial ladders that not many were willing to climb.

Copy of Proposed Westchester Consolidation of DEP and DES I have managed to reduce the size of the file and hope the attachment comes through chiefhac

To: Members of the Westchester County Fire Service From: Henry A. Campbell I urge you to be informed about the proposed Consolidation of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and Department of Emergency Services. Read the Proposal, see attachment, and make your decision as to whether this will be a positive undertaking for the fire service, or detrimental to what you presently have. A few questions to ask yourself: Is it a consolidation, a merger, or a take over? How will it make emergency services better and at what cost? How will the broader chain of command impact overall operations? Who is in charge? Think about overtime and call back expenses that may not be figured into the proposal. How will grant monies and equipment be disbursed? Is the information provided in the report adequate, accurate or misleading? Where will the most positions be eliminated? Don't be afraid to discuss this with other members of your department, other departments, and Westchester Fire Organizations. Move slowly, ask questions, get answers, then make an informed decision as to whether the fire service should support, or not support the proposed consolidation. Read the attached report and share it and this e-mail with others.

RIP Brother!

My wife and I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Kerr family. May God comfort you and guide you through your sorrow, and may you be left with nothing but fond memories of Bruce. His smile, his laugh, and his friendship were contagious. He was a good friend since Probie School and, though he has passed from this earth and has gone to the Father, he will not be forgotten. God bless! Anne & Henry Campbell

Huge Fire in Salamanca, NY (Western NY, Southern Tier) Friday May 7. Almost entire Cattaraugus County fire departments deployed to fight massive fire. See attached pdf file for department dispatches. Clik on the links below for news articles and plenty of pictures. Massive Fire In Salamanca-News Photo Gallery | WKBW News 7: ... http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/93163369.html Massive Fire In Salamanca | WKBW News 7: News, ... http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/93163369.html?corder=reverse Incredible pictures of Salamanca fire | WIVB.com http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/Furniture-store-engulfed-in-flames More Salamanca fire pictures page 1 | WIVB.com http://www.wivb.com/dpp/search/More-Salamanca-fire-pictures-page-1

Brothers on Holy Ground 53 Minute Video This video describes the effects of 9/11 from the prospective of F.D.N.Y. Firefighters and their families. Definitely worth the watch. Brothers on Holy Ground http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPYYr-_0SAA

Amen George and Bill! And many a good time was had by all! May those who love us, love us. And those who don’t love us, may God turn their hearts. And if he doesn’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles, so we may know them by their limping!

Following is a link to pictures and a video from the Bronx 5th alarm on December 21st. Pictures: http://www.btfirephotos.com/2009/Bronx-12-21-09/10716925_dAJPs#746480937_Sdx5T Video:

An old addage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Keep up the good work Chris!

New York State DEC New Regulation on Open Burning Takes Effect Oct. 14 This new regulation bans almost all Open Burning throughout New York State. Link to new regulation: http://readme.readmedia.com/news/show/New-...t-Oct-14/961242

The new Chief of Operations is Captain Al-Farid Salahuddin, appointed firefighter November 17, 1980 The mayor apparently chose to by pass the deputy chiefs and other captains to make this appointment. Apparently many are not happy, the least of whom is Chief Al Everett who apparently was informed after the fact. Draw your own conclusions!

Two Buffalo Firefighters Comfirmed Dead http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/Two_firefight...g_fire_20090824

Bill, That life saving gun was a classic. The chief before me donated it to some doctor from a historical society. Barry has done his usually excellent job of describing it and the manufacturer. I only recall 2 incidents when it was fired. Once to connect a line across the Eastchester Creek when it scared the daylights out of all personnel on the scene, both MVFD and FDNY, during a fuel spill (20,000 gallons of gasoline) in the creek. The officer who fired it had taken vapor tests prior to discharging the weapon and readings were far above the UEL. Still everyone wanted a piece of him. The other time it was fired was in the rear of quarters when we were checking equipment and it was fired in the air and past the captains office and scared the daylights out of him. We heard about that dispicable act for weeks. The offenders shall remain annonymous, though both have passed from this world.

Link to video: http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/Massive_early_morning_fire_on_Genesee_St_090824 ://http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/...ee_St_090824 ://http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/...ee_St_090824