x242Steve

For anyone else who likes to surfcast off the South Shore and has a 4x4 permit, don't forget that all the Jones/Robert Moses area access points are closed to vehicles due to erosion! Guess we'll be doing a lot of walking or spend half the day driving to Montauk! This sign was at Democrat Point... [attachmentid=2768]

[attachmentid=2752] Anyone know what Engine this might be? It came off of I-684 onto I-287 W/B around 1230...

Unknown... wasn't able to catch up to it due to traffic.

2 hurt by falling WTC skyscraper debris By AMY WESTFELDT, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 7 minutes ago A 15-foot pipe fell off a skyscraper being dismantled near the World Trade Center site and plunged through the roof of a nearby firehouse Thursday, injuring two firefighters, officials said. Demolition work was stopped on the 40-story former Deutsche Bank building after the sprinkler pipe fell from the 35th floor onto Engine 10/Ladder 10. The firehouse was nearly destroyed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Six of its firefighters were among the 343 killed responding to the burning World Trade Center, and a bronze memorial to all the firefighters who died is now affixed to the building. The neighboring skyscraper, being dismantled floor by floor, was heavily damaged when one of the twin towers collapsed into it. Cleanup of toxic material in the building began in 2005, and work to dismantle it began late last year. Workers from John Galt Corp. were cutting the pipe at around 7 a.m. when it dislodged and fell through the firehouse roof below, officials said. Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries and released, fire officials said. The firefighters weren't hit by the pipe, the department said. The city Buildings Department issued John Galt Corp. a violation for failure to safeguard the public and property, spokeswoman Kate Lindquist said. A message left with the company wasn't immediately returned Thursday. Work dismantling the former Deutsche Bank building has been stopped before by environmental regulators. A search is also ongoing for hundreds of human bones that have been recovered from the building over the past 18 months. ------------------------- Sounds like a close call! Glad to see the treated/released status...

For that, we might have to reveal the secret location of the 911 center!

Yep, last week Mr. Seagal was occupying Cell #5 in SPD's beautiful lock-up (which only somewhat resembles Alcatraz in its current state.) These past weeks have also seen Robert DeNiro, Uma Thurman and the Dalai Lama in town (although the Lama was here for a dinner, not a movie shoot).

My friend Meghan, who has been living in Manhattan for several months, recently revealed to me that she made an FDNY slideshow... I was impressed due to the fact that she has no particular background with the fire service... This is just a random citizen honoring those who protect her. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhTm8G3DaCE

www.ryefire.com "Re-launched" as of today. Take note of the picture on the "Recruitment" page, showing some of our members in their work attire and then in their turnout gear... Also, see if you can find the Seagrave factory drawing and spy photo of the up-coming new Ladder 25. Great job by all involved with the re-structuring of the site (you know who you are!)

I think it all depends on the severity of the offense/crime... Most of us (while off-duty) break some of the rules on a regular basis, whether its doing 35 in a 30, talking on the phone when driving, or turning right on red where you're not supposed to... If a MOS that I knew was involved with something slightly shady, I would have to hear all sides of the situation before making a professional or social choice in how I continued to deal with that person... However, I personally draw the line at domestic violence. IMO once you have laid your hands on a woman, I want nothing to do with you. I recall taking a domestic abuse call where it turned out that I was loosely familiar with the accused abuser (whose affiliation with an emergency services agency was made known to me by the caller), and it really made me sick, more so than the average domestic call. Regarding the media: If they are going to say "Jim Smith, a firefighter with FD X, was arrested on charges of DWI..." then why don't we see every other perp's occupation mentioned... i.e. "John Williams, a maintenance worker with railroad X, was arrested..." or "Dr. Tom Miller, a doctor at hospital X..." You get the point...

Another vote for Deadliest Catch... Also: The Shield

I own it, but my video card won't support it!

Fire engine pulled from Springdale By Natasha Lee Staff Writer April 23, 2007 STAMFORD - Springdale residents lack adequate fire protection because the Stamford Fire & Rescue chief pulled an automatic response engine from the Springdale volunteer department, the firefighters' union said. The Stamford Professional Firefighters Association Local 786 filed a grievance last week with Stamford Chief Robert McGrath against the move but it was denied, union President Brendan Keatley said. Springdale Fire Co. is the only volunteer department staffed with 16 paid firefighters from Stamford Fire & Rescue in addition to its 30 volunteers. The order took effect April 15. The automatic response engine provided four firefighters to respond to each call in Springdale, along with volunteers and Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters stationed at the Springdale firehouse. Under McGrath's order, the automatic response will be used only on reports of fires or if Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters request additional manpower. Keatley said the move jeopardizes the safety of the paid firefighters and of Springdale residents because the volunteer firefighters aren't reliable or as trained as career firefighters. "We've lessened the level of fire service to a district which we should be increasing," he said. "You're putting not just my guys in danger, but you're putting the citizens in the district in danger." The union plans to file a complaint with the state Board of Labor Relations, he said. McGrath said he initiated the automatic response engine eight years ago to provide additional support to the department, which was struggling with a shortage of volunteers. "It was necessary power," he said. The two fire departments operate under a 1997 agreement that calls for paid firefighters to help staff the Springdale firehouse. It created a long-standing rift between the two departments about who has authority over the volunteers. The paid and volunteer firefighters report to their respective chiefs. McGrath would not say whether a shortage of volunteers or response times from volunteer firefighters were factors in his decision to pull the engine. But he said the move is not a safety risk. He withdrew the automatic response because Springdale residents were getting a free service, McGrath said. "The people in Springdale are not paying for that additional fire protection we were providing," he said. Springdale Chief Shawn Fahan said he did not know about McGrath's directive until told by a reporter, but he said he agreed with it. Fahan said he considers it a compliment that volunteers are showing up to calls and assisting Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters. Last year, the Springdale department averaged about five volunteer firefighters for its 682 calls, Fahan said. "He must feel trustworthy that our volunteers are doing our job," Fahan said of McGrath's decision. Fahan said he asked the city about removing the engine but nothing was done. The automatic response was "overkill" for the number of firefighters who showed up for calls that were not life-threatening, such as activated home alarms, he said. The department also relies on help from neighboring volunteer companies such as Belltown Fire Department, so safety is not an issue, he said. "I don't think there's any concern," Fahan said. Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc. A quick refresher... Stamford has 6 fire districts, one is full-paid (SFRD "Downtown")... Glenbrook, Belltown, Turn-of-River and Long Ridge are volunteer with career firefighter/drivers (not a full crew worth of career people), and then there is Springdale which used to have the same career firefighter/driver situation but in recent years they have instead had one fully staffed SFRD Engine (E7) assigned 24/7 to their firehouse. Until April 15, Springdale (E7) was the only one of the "Big 5" volunteer/combo departments that received an automatic response from a downtown Engine (usually E6) on ALL structural assignments. Also I should point out that all boxes in Springdale do still get automatic aid from any combination of Glenbrook/Belltown/TOR. Like I said, just some basic background information that doesn't get into the real meat of the on-going issues. As far as rhyme and reason go, thats not for me to make inferences about. If you want more history, you can look back in the threads regarding Springdale/Stamford, or check out www.local786.org (They have some of the other Advocate articles posted there)

A reverse paint scheme of the current ones, but would look better in Garnet Red! (Sorry, 2163!)

Seth, do you have a hidden listening device up here? Myself and the Fire Communications LT (who may or may not be an active member of this site) were having a discussion earlier regarding this issue. I know when we (Rye FD) were planning for the new Ladder, the topic of Tower versus Straight-Stick came up... Aside from the overall height and cost issues, we took into account the fact that Harrison, Port Chester, Purchase, West Harrison and Larchmont all have Tower Ladders, and ultimately decided that it was more appropriate to go with a straight-stick. Mutual Aid should not be solely reserved for second alarms. For example, Rye covers a rather accident-prone section of I-95/287. Engine 191 is well equipped for extricaions, but we also know that Port Chester's Rescue 40 is a couple of minutes away if the stuff hits the fan (or the pavement). Back to Aerials, I think that Northern Westchester is a good example of appropriate resources. You have several towns with no Ladders, but there is always one nearby. (This will be even truer when MKFD gets their new Truck.) Shiny new rigs are nice, but being responsible to the tax-payers is nicer.

I found a pic of a Verplanck FF getting suited up to wash the new rig... http://slapnose.com/images/blog/0404/0404_...r_250x220_2.jpg But, seriously, best wishes for the new rig.

Yup, the blinds are closed here, too! For all I know its a monsoon out there

Exam Date: June 2, 2007 (Same day as White Plains FD Exam) Exam Info/Application will be posted on March 12, 2007. http://www.westchestergov.com/hr/firefighter.htm

Just the check and the application. Due by tomorrow!

I believe there is also a small work yard north of the Merritt Parkway on Scofieldtown Road with a typical dome-type salt/sand shed. Not sure if any other equipment is permanently housed there.

x635, is it too soon to trade in the Nitro?

::sigh:: Well, that certainly brings reality to the fact that its gone! New Seagrave is moving along at the factory... Still aiming for the Fall '07 delivery.

What prompted Millwood to get a truck after all these years? Will it be "replacing" an engine?

Rye FD Annual Meeting was held earlier this evening... ...and our 2007-2008 Chiefs are: 2421, Chief of Department: John Wickham (Poningoe Hook and Ladder) 2422, 1st Assistant Chief: George Hogben (Poningoe Engine and Hose) 2423, 2nd Assistant Chief: Peter Cotter (Milton Point Engine and Hose) Congrats to all! On a personal note: Thank you to my fellow members of the Poningoe Hook and Ladder Company for welcoming me back after my year living "up north". I've been back in the swing of things for less than a week and I didn't realize how much I missed it! "Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in!"

For the RC Car/Truck/Helicopter end of the hobby world, there is Tony's Hobby Shop in Harrison, right by the firehouse on Harrison Ave. http://thsracing.com/

I'm thinking Knox Box tones...