Rapidfireservices

Mike- Good luck with the new shop! Call me if you need anything. Kevin

Chief BPFD: here is a digital copy of checklist. Distribute freely and edit as needed. If you have any questions, give me a shout. Kevin Weekly FD rig checklist.doc

Congratulations Barry- now get back to work!

If your members are authorized to tilt cabs for maintenance/fluid checks, please be sure they do the following: Tilt cab all the wayVerify that the lift lock is in place.

If you have a pinnable waterway and it is not pinned, the waterway can seperate from the aerial. It is way too early to guess about the cause of this tragic accident, but in the interest of increasing awareness to possibly avert another similar tragedy without over reacting, The best way to prevent ending up using equipment that is either damaged or not secured properly, is to do your regular maintenance checklist for the vehicle- check to make sure the waterway is pinned in the mode your department sop dictates-(we would pin it back to allow the aerial to be used for rescue without messing with pins.) Also, check to see if the waterway is dented or showing signs of metal galling on the slider tubes. Look at your stuff, and if you aren't sure how something should be , ask someone in your department who knows. And I will make a prediction- You will see a "waterway not pinned interlock" or warning light indicating the same condition in the not too distant future. I don't know much, but I do know that I am a guy with a shiny red truck who likes to listen to himself type.

Ok, I can't resist..... yes, gas really does go bad. if you leasve it in more than a year without any treatment like stabil it will start to gum up your fuel system. if you have premix gas and oil, I would not keep it more than 6 months. ethanol blend gasoline used in premix will eat fuel line found in older 2 cycle engines if it sits for any period of time. it is best to run them out of gas mix and fog the engine with wd 40

Rest in Peace Brother Lovrien. Heal quickly and completely Brother Guzman. You did your job and made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your selflessness

Event is geared toward fleet management & maintenance. several lighting, equipment and service vendors should be in attendance http://www.westchestergov.com/WEST/FDD.htm

My deepest sympathies to Officer Morelli's Family, Co-workers & Friends for the tragic loss of their loved one. KCE

At the risk of supporting a concept that might very well put my company out of business, I have to go on record as being a supporter of consolidation at a minimum, and a countywide fire district at best. It would provide a standardized,timely response by fully manned units and save boatloads of cash for the taxpayers. Nobody loses. Senior management of existing departments could be eliminated over time through attrition, or through advancement or buyouts.

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/player06.htm...;&new"]A different kind of "Rip off"

Rest in Peace Brother... My thoughts and prayers to Lt. Martinson's family.

Hmmm. Worky work busy bees! I bet with the increases in the number of runs you folks is doing, your trucks could use a nice oil change, pump packing adjustment, coolant analysis, grease job and a brake adjustment/inspection Call me and let not your heart be troubled... Think global, but buy local.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah to all. Now that Christmas week is upon us and your kids are bugging you for things to do, why not throw them into the mini-van along with your visitors from out of town and tour those brilliantly decorated homes and such. If you know where some are located, please post them on this topic. ( no specific addresses please, just give the nearest cross street). Drive carefully! KE

Happy Birthday Henry! & keep those e mails comin' will ya?

Add New Rochelle (pronounced nurashell) to the list of cities requiring you to become an EMT before your 1 yr probation is up and it is also required to be promoted to lieutenant. KE

Any Lower Hudson Valley Fire Departments (including Westchester, Putnam, Rockland & North Jersey) who need heavy duty chain spreaders, chain sets that need crosslinks installed, or you would like your automatic onspot chains inspected or repaired, or if you need tire ramps for installing chains, or any other pre storm work, call me ASAP and I will visit your firehouses and get your chains in shape for the upcoming snow storm. It would also be a great opportunity to t with you about your equipment and to show each other our shiny red/ white/ blue/ limegreen/yellow trucks. Do you need: Chain Spreaders?Windshield washer fluid?Wiper blades?Bags of ice melt for the firehouse apron?A new gas can or gasoline in the can?A snowblower?A plowing company referral?Snow shovels?Disposable hand warmersIf so, call me and I will have them at your firehouse Rapidly. Kevin Rapid Fire Services Fire Department fleet repairs 914.588.6976 or email me at kevin@rapidfireservices.com

Yes Doug, that is true. They are out there, and they are here to stay. KE

Strange hose load- would that qualify the hose in question as a "strange lay" if the bed were emptied? KE

On the topic of permitting blue lights on the rear of FD vehicles, I proposed just that at my last New York State Fire Safety Advisory board meeting, but it was suggested to me that our Volunteer Brothers & Sisters would feel that the prestige and exclusiveness of blue warning lights would somehow be diminished If blue lights were permitted on the rear of FD vehicles. I do not agree with that because I believe that every Fire Fighter & EMT, Volunteer or Career wants all of us to be as safe as we can be at the scene of emergencies. Besides, (MOST) Fire truck chauffers I have known don't drive to calls in reverse. Blue lights would make us safer on the highway because: 1. The blue light would not be mistaken by motorists for tail lights 2. Studies have proven that the color blue is more visible to the eye than red. This is a no brainer folks. It does not have to be a requirement. Just make it optional. It won't hurt a bit. KE

I was at Mount Snow opening weekend 11/10/07 and the conditions were good on the runs that were open. The Grand Summit Hotel & Resort at Mt. Snow http://www.mountsnow.com/ in West Dover, Vermont has 1/4 share fractional ownership condos (you own one set week a month), slopeside right at the lifts with heated pool and hot tub/steam/sauna/ exercise room. The prices to buy are very affordable right now, and they have a rental program that helps offset your cost of ownership. The mountain was just sold and the new owners are investing a significant amount in snowkmaking and facilities upgrades. It is 3 hours 15 mins from White Plains. (without lights & siren)Another day trip hill is Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall, Ct. about 1 hr 45 mins from White Plains. Smaller than Mount Snow or Hunter but more family friendly. They hope to open 12/01/07 http://www.mohawkmtn.com/CMX/ I hope the folks that bought Sterling Forest have a good season this year- I have to make it over there if they get snow. Happy boarding... and skiing too.

Thank you Army Ranger/Fire Fighter Costello...

Hello World Hi all, been lurking here for a days and thought it time to introduce myself properly. My name is Kevin Eccleston- I am the owner of Rapid Fire Services, L.L.C., a provider of complete preventive maintenance and repair service to fire departments in the Lower Hudson Valley. I recently retired after almost 25 years with the New Rochelle F.D. as a company officer, as well as doing the other job i love- which is fixing fire trucks. I serve on the New York State Fire Safety Advisory Board where I advocate for fire fighter and apparatus safety. I look forward to talking with many of you here.