x242Steve

As far as "What would you do if you pulled up to a fire and found the closest hydrant in this condition?"... The one pictured looks like you could clean it off quickly without too much effort. Obviously if its really caked in ice you would have to find another option (hopefully you have another hydrant/another Engine) If it was in my neighborhood I would clear it myself (like the one directly opposite my front door). In most places, property owners who have a sidewalk IFO are required to clear it of snow and ice or else risk getting a summons... why doesn't the same apply to property owners with a hydrant IFO?

Thats the same font the Tampa Bay Bucs use...

VMFD E38 comes to mind... Or the "plutonium green" rigs in Verplanck...

I bet Code 3 is kicking themselves after releasing that piece the year that Firefighters are boycotting the parade.

I think that anyone who is going to be dispatching Fire Department units needs to understand what each unit does (Engine vs. Truck vs. Rescue, etc.) and how many of each type are needed for certain calls and alarm levels. Also, you should be familiar with the available resources of the Departments you are dispatching. Not to mention a basic knowledge of neighborhoods, major roads, landmarks, etc. Using the suggested CAD assignment is great 99 times out of 100, but that 1% of the time that you don't have the computer telling you what to do, you should be able to shoot from the hip. After all, are we Dispatchers or Computer Terminal Operators? Of course, I am biased since I was a Volunteer FF for a couple of years before getting hired as a Dispatcher, and continue to serve in both capacities today. I am not saying you need to be a Firefighter to be a Fire Dispatcher, however I see no reason why Fire Dispatchers' training programs can't include basic Firematic education. (The localized Fire Dispatch Training Program that I went through DOES include this information.)

I wish Milla Jovovich was inside my firetruck!

On that call there was no collision. Part of being an apparatus driver/operator in the oldest part of the country is navigating 400-year-old streets that are clogged with 400-ton SUV's and people parked 400 feet from the curb. Yesterday I drove Ladder 26 out of the Locust Ave Firehouse for my first time, and let me tell you making the right turn onto Purchase Street is about 75% skill and 25% hoping people get out of your way!

See previous thread on this topic: http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopi...amp;hl=lighting

That would be the "details" I spoke of

Yes. It will replace the oldest Chevy Tahoe (currently 2422). Stay tuned for details.

I've gotten "W as in Walrus" from a PO before. Not that he was technically wrong, but it was pretty darn funny. As far as the article goes, if you consider any major city and that the dispatchers are human (for the most part, since some are like machines and some are zombies), there are bound to be mix-ups and errors. Also, there is constant misinformation from callers, sometimes its minor details but often it can send a totally incorrect assignment to the call (assuming the call is even where it is reported to be). The comment about the female patient with the, er, "not so fresh feeling", was a bit much, though... First rule of dispatch: EVERYTHING IS RECORDED. Whether spoken or typed. Edit: Regarding the later part of the article, it never ceases to amaze me what some dispatchers consider as "important information" for the responders. Then again, many civilian dispatchers have never been on the other end of the radio, so I guess I am a little biased.

I'm not going to second-guess anyone's actions, since I wasn't there... but I am curious about one thing: How did the officer not notice that someone was standing right there taking a video of the whole thing?

Beat me to it, Moose... I was gonna say this video should be shown to anyone who asks "Do we really need to test ALL of our hose EVERY year?"

642 are you and your co-workers required to take EVOC before driving that monster?

Check this out...

Last name "Dust", First name "Angel"?

This pool was apparently done based on points scored in that quarter, not the actual score at the end of that quarter... Who cares, it was interesting and kinda amusing Thanks Chris192 for spending your time on it.

The Hunt for Red October

...I always thought it was "Drinkin' whiskey IN Rye..." Who knew

May as well get 2 more... 22 and 37, please

On top of the higher possibility for physical and mental exhaustion- What about the stress on family members who don't get see their dad/mom/whoever for 2 days straight?

8 and 81 please

Thank you for taking the pressure off of me! I'll get around to it one of these days, I guess Seriously though, congrats to you and my future sister-in-law. I am already planning the bachelor party!

Exactly what I was thinking. We use this ("Simul-Select") in Stamford to ensure that units operating on 154.130 and units operating on the 800-trunked system can all hear the same info.

LOL Sorry Chris... uh oh why do I hear a chopper hovering over my ::connection lost::