Anthony Tester

Send me an e-mail: anthony.tester@yahoo.com, I'll give you some input.

What are we back to the war years? I hope the PD are heavily involved regarding this issue, and some arrests are made. Be Careful out there!

Sonny, you and your kindness will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathies to Sonny's family and the Wassiac Fire Company.

LOL- These vehicles are loaded with wiring and electrical components (and these components are all over the place). They have not been a problem for us and should not be a problem in Westchester. Be aware of the hazards and be very cautious doing any type overhaul. Besides the obvious Hybrid issues, some buses have ether bottles installed on them for cold starts in the winter.

Batteries and lots of them with voltages around 600 dc (regardless if the bus is a standard kneeling or the large articulated buses). Typically these buses are manufactured by s hand full of companies and are built to the buyers specifications. Not too sure what Bee-Line has purchased, but the layout of these buses are pretty similar regardless of who makes it. The buses batteries for normal operations are usually on the drivers side of the bus in a compartment and clearly marked. The batteries that are for propulsion are usually located on the roof in a "tub" or "tubs". There are battery shutoffs located on the exterior of the bus and usually behind a compartment door that is labeled. Regardless if the bus is CNG, Diesel, or a Hybrid, a small fire can take off real quick and spread from one end of the vehicle to the other rapidly thanks to the air conditioning systems. Most fires that I have investigated originated in the engine compartment and were either electrical (most) or mechanical in nature. Many municipalities have incorporated dry chemical extinguishing systems with optical and heat sensors. They work and work very well and will either completely knock the fire right down if not extinguish it fully. You know right away if the extinguishing system failed, the bus is usually a total loss. Firefighting tactics should include first getting everyone off the bus, activating the extinguishing system, and shutting the power off. If you do not get the power off in time the Air Conditioning will blow a fire in an engine compartment to the front of the bus! Here in NYC, there has been no problems with the Hybrids. Shut the power as soon as you can. Also, a word of caution, do not crawl under a bus for any reason unless you have it properly cribbed. There air suspension can lose air causing the bus to "kneel" trapping whoever is underneath. Bottom line, use caution and ask the bus operator where the shutoff switches are located.

This has to be one of the worst accidents in recent memory. My heart goes out to the families, and to everyone who responded to this very tragic incident.

Ed and I worked together years ago, he was alot of fun to work with and will be greatly missed. My Condolences to the Duncan Family and to JHK Hose.

Insn't amazing what is allowed in today's constuction? Here is an excellent video of a news segment that covered the hazards of the regular engineered "I" joists. Underwriters Labortories (UL) has been doing some extensive testing regarding these. Six and a half minutes is all it takes for two firefighters to fall through the floor. It would be interesting to see these engineered joists tested, and how long it takes until failure. http://www.firegeezer.com/2009/03/31/wood-...wareness-grows/ Be Safe!

Throughout the country, firehouses are closing due to budget deficits. Understood, demographics change, populations change, towns change. The fire service adapts accordingly. If call volumes continue to drop, then that department needs to change accordingly. But when call volumes continue in an upward swing, the thought of closing a firehouse is mind boggling. Here is an interesting link to a career department that was forced by the City to shut its doors; http://www.fmba21.org/

The State needs to change how they tax the exempt properties, period. Also, those who represent the town (Councilmen, Supervisor;s, etc.) need to draw business's back to the area. Instead of encouraging business to come to Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park, it seems to be more of the norm to tie up the process with ridiculous addendums. Those who were once interested in building in the area eventually get tired of the process and the project disappears. The worst part about this ordeal is that the frustration is taken out on the very same people who are there to protect the people. Tax those that need to be taxed, reduce the homeowners tax, and move on already. Its not the Firefighters fault that this has gone on as long as it has. Please Support the Fairview Firefighters, and get involved.

GREAT Shots!

Forget glasses, get the Lasik Surgery. The price for us was about $2800.00 including all the follow up appointments. A bunch of us did here. Back to work the next day. Its been over a year now, and not one of us has had any issues or problems. I have better than 20/20 vision and its incredible. Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate.

Apparently the running joke in Albany is that there is not even enough money for postage to mail out certificates. Several of us just wrapped up codes classes and time will tell if we get our certificates. At the Arson Conference in October, we were told that outreach courses throughout the state were pretty much * and void. There is no money. However, it was emphasized that the Academy would stay open and not close. It a very real sorry state of affairs we are in. Time will tell just how long and deep the cuts are and how long they will continue.

Seth, Every once in a lifetime you meet people that inspire you more than anyone else. FFDPG is one of them. If he does not have a positive affect on you, well you probably need to have your head checked. We have been partners since he left FFD and contrary to some of the other posts, far from retired. FFDPG and I have done many, many, fires together and stay very busy. The City never stops, nor does the fires, nor does FFDPG, the BEAT goes on brothers, the BEAT goes on. Anthony Tester

I have been through many cameras, and different brands. As for me, its personal preference, quality, ease of use, size, and cost. If I drop my camera in a puddle of water at a fire scene, I don't want to cry when I have to replace it. Running around the city, I use an over the shoulder bag. where I can carry my radios, essential items, and of course a camera (and a back up). I bought two Olympus SP-350's. Its small, has a big viewing screen, a hot shoe for a larger external flash, even more important, will take regular AA batteries. If I run out of batteries at a scene, I can purchase spare batteries anywhere. Everything is pretty much adjustable on the camera. 8 pixels and a large card. We have larger cameras in the office if need be, but the smaller cameras have worked fine. Its what works best for you. As for Canon and Nikon, they both make great cameras. Pro and cons to both.

Lew remembered those small nuances of so many fires from the Eastern eastern part of the county (and anywhere Millerton went mutual aid to). A guy you liked to sit around the table with and talk about fires of the past. My condolences to the Shultz the family and to the Millerton Fire Department.