JBE

OK Here we go with a little lesson on BARS (Box Alarm Reporting System, or Pull Boxes) and ERS(Emergency Reporting System) Boxes. WOO HOO!!! I LOVE THIS!!!! Mechanical Circuits and ERS Loops come out of the CO and are interlaced through neighborhoods in the boroughs. Interlaced means that a box on one corner, say 1479 at Lex and 125, may not be on the same loop as 1477, at 125 and Lenox. That being said, if say there's a fire at 125 and 5th, and the box at Lenox doesn't work, one can run over to Lexington and be able to acitvate the box. The only draw back is maintenance is a little more complex. Feeders go out of the office and branch off into loops or circuits. Pull boxes or mechanical boxes, as they are also called, are pretty simple. The box gets pulled and trips off a spring loaded wheel inside the box. Say the box is 6057, which is 117 Street and Liberty Avenue in Queens. The wheel inside is notched and trips a switch as it turns. 6 notches, then 10 notches for 0, then 5, then 7. This repeats four to eight times. Back before everything got computerized, we could count it as it came in. The computer counters also did the counting and then interfaced with CAD to bring up an assignment screen for units. Queens and SI have the most pull boxes, while Manhattan and the Bronx are all ERS. The last pull box was yanked out of the Bronx in 2000. Brooklyn still has a few in Coney, Sea Gate, and I think up north in Bushwick/Greenpoint. ERS, is actually a pretty nifty system. As of right now, we are only allowed 32 boxes on a loop. Each box has a code number, from 0 to 31. Each code sends a specific tone along the loop to the ERS interface which hears the tone, translates it, and then makes the voice connection and activates CAD, all in about 4 seconds. Code 12 on Loop 46 in the Bronx, for the sake of argument, is Box 3538, at 238 and Bailey. So when someone activates that box, the tone goes out, the box rings, and boom you talk to an FAD. Each ERS box also has a phone number attached to it, so when it gets activated on the PD side, they have an ANI-ALI location (Automated Number Info and Automated Location Info). That was a recent addition in maybe the past three or four years. The higher codes in the loop, for some reason are usually attached to 8000 series boxes. 8000 Boxes, with the exception of certain locations in Queens are what we call Special Building Boxes. Public Schools, Hospitals, Highway locations, Bridges, Penn Station, certain public facilities. An Electrician can do a code change on the street, and I can do it on the computer so that when they test it, it comes in correctly. If a loop or circuit goes open, I can ground it out and theoretically keep at least part of the loop or circuit in service till I get an Electrician out to fix it. If not, I send a Company out to hang signs. LT Mentioned 83 different languages. The City used visual aids to differentiate the need for PD or FD. Early international symbols, I suppose. A campfire, for some silly reason for FD, and a badge for PD. If someone activates the FD side, and we answer and they speak in their native tongue, the Box gets transmitted as if there is a structural fire. Audio problem?? One engine. Deaf Taps?? Structural fire. As far as other cities getting grandfathered in, I don't know of any other places who tried to fight removal like my union, and the Electricians did. Hope that helps. Are the boxes old, and do they malfunction?? Yup. Are there boxes out of service all over the place?? Yup. But, I would rather a few out of service than no boxes, a bunch of Electricians out of jobs, and that loss eventually translating to a Fire Alarm Dispatcher losing their job.

But wait, there's more!!!! Apparently washed up French Actor Gerard Depardieu also relieved himself, albeit in an aisle of an airplane.

You have learned well, Padawan. El Presidente will be proud. As TTB said, the term Read Direct, and Re-Direct, are two different things. Read Direct, is basically, "Yeah, I heard ya!!!" My memory is failing me a little, but, the words Re-Assigned and Re-Directed are actually two different things. I forgot what the difference was though. Side note, I used to love saying to units on the air, "Manhattan to Engine Three-Seven, you are being RE DIE RECTED!!! Take in a Phone Alarm, Box 1477, West One-Two-Five Street and Lenox Avenue for a fire in a store, Engine Three-Seven, Acknowledge, K!!!!

Yup. The boxes worked. Also during the blackout when the cell phone towers failed. The boxes worked. It is true that many alarms transmitted are false, but the one time it does come in and it's something, they prove their worth. I was working on both the 11th, and the day/night of the blackout, so I can definitely speak from experience on this. Bloomberg didn't learn the lesson of his predecessor. There is already a tapping system in place for both PD and FD on the boxes. Try finding a pay phone that works in the city.

The Force is strong with this one. Happy Birthday, kiddo.

I highly reecommend this one. Tim is a friend and is incredibly knowledgeable.

Thanx buddy, hope all is well with you and the family. I'll be in touch.

I do believe an out and about is in the planning..

Awesome shots. Someone's been busy. Reach out the next time you're in the general area. I'd like to join you.

I was about to say, but abaduck took the words right out of my mouth. People have been trying to make a buck off this since the days after it happened. I can remember walking down 34th street a few weeks later watching people hawking shirts that said "I Survived the World Trade Center". I remember seeing people with Ground Zero hats in the months that followed. About two and a half years later, I finally made my way down there, at the request of a friend who was visitng from out of town. I must have counted at least 5 people who were selling souveneir pictures, such as the buildings collapsing, or the second plane hitting. So, believe me, I'm not surprised at all.

Got my results and list number. I don't think I'm gonna get called. PS, in deference to Ed, and a few others, if I do get called, I won't take a part time position.

Date:July 28th Time: 1842 Location: 444 Madison Avenue/E 49 St. Frequency: 154.25 Units Operating: Engines: 21,54,26 Ladders: 4,16 Bn-8 54 dumped the 10-76 and then the 2nd within a minute of his 84. Squad 18, E-39, E-1(CFR) R-1 Ladders 24,7,21(FAST) BN-9,10(Safety),6,7 Division 3, E-3/HR-1, Safety, Rescue Bn, TAC-1 Mask Service, E-14 Lobby Control, RAC-1, Command Tac. On the 2nd Engines: 16, 34,44, E-9/SAT-1, 8(Became Available) Ladders 35,2(Became Available) Divison 1, R-4, BN-11, 45, 4(RUL) Relocations Ladders: 10/24, 20/4, 128/7, 163/35, 108/2, 119/21 Engines: 47/54, 53/26, 67/39, 258/8, 325/16. 312/23,221/3, 218/9, 28/14, 60/44 Chiefs BN-49/8, 57/7, 50/9, 17/11, 53/45, DIV-7/3 Weather Conditions: Warm/Humid Description Of Incident:Fire in Electrical Conduit on upper floors. Dispatchers operating: 47(JBE) 63, 130,194,250,251,284,288,759 Reporters/Writer: JBE

Preference of the company. I've seen silver/diamond plate..black with white outlines, etc.

I went up to the flight deck of the Intrepid, bad idea. Couldn't get the shots I wanted. So, my cousin pointed out the pier next to it. We walked over there, and I walked away happy.

I was reading a story in the paper the other day about the husband of this lady. He is suing just about everyone. I guess he can't get it through his head that it's been proven his wife was drunk and stoned.

Doesn't seem that way. The gist I got was that the city didn't like the show. Compton is trying to remake its image, and the show didn't go along with that idea.

I do have to get down to your neck of the woods soon. I have a few other places in mind, like Milwaukee, Detroit, a little more Boston(Just an excuse to hang out with Skip), and definitely want to get a few more unique colored rigs in PA.

Glad you guys like. Like I said this was more fun than I could possibly imagine.

My boss was telling me about this. Looked like a great time.

Mr. P, that's all I have for now. I'm waiting to hear from Derek C, from FAJ and one of his colleagues out there about a trip out this way to do FDNY and a few other departments up by you.

Duane, next time, we take your car!!!

NYPD got in for a visit. Thank you all for checking these out. This was as much fun to share as it was to do. As you can see by the smile on my face.. See ya on the next one. PS Somers guys, can anyone set me up with TL-18 and L-48?? Humongous Thank yous to Rescue Kujo, the Long Beach Fire Department, especially Chief Dispatcher Liz Battle, everyone at the museum and FS 127, 116, 69, and 70. Chief Melanson from Compton, Eddie in Uniondale, and anyone else I missed.

Compton, Engine 421. Back home for the Blessing of the Fleet. My cousin is in town from San Francisco, and he's a bigger buff than I am. I know, hard to believe. But it's true. So I took him over to the Intrepid for the Blessing of the Fireboat Fleet. This is the first time I have gone to this, and I was not disappointed. 21 Truck 2 Truck 54 Engine Marine 1. 1 Alpha Marine 6 Marine 9 The John J. Harvey

By this time, I was pretty happy with my results, and decided to get moving. Here's Foam 10, driven over by my pal Engineer Dave Rathke. It's a 1990 Van Pelt Foam Tender. Engine 236, which gets a LOT of mention and air time in the course of that show. Today, they get relocated constantly. Interstate 236, seeing the County, one Move up at a time. I had shot Station 116 on one of my last visits, but, they had a new Quint and Squad. This quint is a hand me down, I believe it served as Q-162 for a while. This is only one of a few rear mount quints in the county. The house is tight, so they can't fit a tiller. Quint and Squad 116. First due to the Home Depot Center. After standing in the sun for the better part of 7 hours, Duane and I decided to call it a day. Sunday, I ran over to the Museum for a BBQ and to mingle with some friends. Got to meet Captain Stoker and have lunch with him and his family. Then I got to picture taking. Here's Engine 36, a 1955 Crown Engine 51 pulling in. This was THE shot for me. The Museum is open the first Sunday of each month. I highly recommend a visit. Ran up to Hollywood for some more gifts, then over to Malibu for Station 70. I try to explain how cool this station is, in the sense, you walk out the apparatus door, and a few hundred feet away, is the beach. Patrol 70. Up to Topanga Canyon and Station 69. Captain Stoker worked here in between filming days. Missed one, LF-127 and E-236. Last stops on my trip coming up.

Up at the Crack of Dawn the next day and headed over to Station 127. Home of the show Emergency! I shot everything I possibly could. The LA County Fire Museum had expected 500 people to show up. Over TWO THOUSAND showed up. I had to wait in line two and a half hours just to buy a few things for friends. Here we go. Light Force 127, present residents. Mobile Command and a Crew Carrier. Tender, USAR, and Heavy Lift Rescue 103. Ok, I've teased you all enough. Here's the 1965 Crown used in the first two seasons of the show. It was marked for Engine 60 in Universal, and covered with 51 for shooting. This thing stopped on 223rd Street and let out a backfire that nearly scared me outta my shorts. The 1972 Ward La France Ambassador. This is the first time these rigs have been in this firehouse in over 30 years. After a two and a half hour wait, and emptying my wallet with gifts for friends. The highlight for the fans. Randy "John Gage" Mantooth, and Captain Mike Stoker (LACoFD, Ret.) More coming!!!