mfc2257

Haven't heard anything but If we were betting on it I'd say Sutphen SPH100

In the meantime, the city is short FF's which means that overtime costs continue to cripple them financially.

Call Jere Lady of Lady & Taylor Body Shop / Pennsylvania Fire Apparatus in Gettysburg, PA. He has refurbished many ex-FDNY rigs. He has done a lot of ex-FDNY Century Cab LaFrance and CF Mack refurb/conversions. His work is second to none and I'm sure that he can advise you on the process and would love your department's business if you go through with it. Some examples below of equipment that in some way evolved from ex-FDNY units. Credit to original photographers. The LaFrance was FDNY E-61 until 1989 I believe. The Green Mack has an FDNY cab on it. The Squad may or may not have FDNY parts in it, but it's a great example of a complex piece of apparatus was created out of an old CF Mack.

John - Only thing I can come up with is that their barn is right off Kings Highway on 14th street in Brooklyn.

My F-350 had the 7.3... One of the best diesels ever made.... The tranny was it's weakest link... Towing 16000+ is what made me research remedies to the issues the trannies had... 99% of the time the issue was heat related. Once I put the 15 quart Westin Diesel aluminum tranny pan with fins for heat dissipation (and a matching diff cover) and the larger oil cooler in it, I never had a problem with the temp going above 200 deg. It also had a larger turbo up-pipe, down pipe, and manifold back to muffler. Sounded sweet and made about 325/600. Dodge is still stock but is way faster than the Ford even with the performance improvements. Once the warranty is up, I'll reprogram the ECU and put an exhaust and cold air box on it... Maybe new turbo plumbing depending on cost. Should be able to get 400/700 out of it easily.

The way manufacturers are going now, many automatics have a higher HP/Torque rating than the manuals. I've got a 2007 Ram 2500 Mega Cab with the 6.7L Cummins TD with the 6speed auto. Its rated at 350hp and 650 lbs/ft. The manual for the same truck has the engine power limited to 610 lbs/ft. I like to row gears myself, but with wife and kid, I've got to be able to turn my truck over to them from time to time and only a slush box will do. Automatics are very robust these days. There are a handful of things that will kill them though.... First is temperature. If you're pulling a load on a regular basis, spend the money to install a temp gauge the easiest way to kill a perfectly good auto is to fry it. If you find that it runs hot while pulling a load (I used to pull a tri axle 5th wheel race car trailer with a F-350 dually at about 16000lb GVW and the tranny would spike to 230+ pulling up to Watkins Glen) then install a heavy duty tranny cooler and a finned aluminum tranny pan that holds more fluid. Second is poor downshifts.... When you're pulling a heavy load, don't let the tranny seek between two gears. Lock it into the lower gear until you can sustain enough speed to maintain consistency in the higher gear. Also, don't let the tranny bang a hard downshift under a heavy load. When going up a hill, and the motor is starting to lose revs to the point that a downshift is eminent, get out of the gas, downshift to the next gear manually, then get back into the gas. Third is unnecessary manual shifting... the transmission is programmed under most circumstances to do it's job without your help. Leave it alone and in drive instead of trying to bang gears on your own. Finally... When under a load, easy does it away from a stop. No reason for WOT the second you take your foot off the brake.

Last I saw an ALF wagon with FDNY style body on it and a Pierce RM Tower/Quint. Oops check that... The tower went to PA now that I think about it.

It's a HUGE issue. Had the powers-that-be not acted the way they did, the issue wouldn't be presenting itself because the 4 aforementioned members who stepped down have at 6 or more years in the department AND some have extensive experience running with one of the busiest companies in Prince Georges County MD (not 33 for all those who will jump on that bandwagon). If I recall, you can join as a full member of MFC at 16 (not explorer/junior) and you must be 18 and have been an active member for 2 years before you can hold office. The guidelines for officers aren't strong enough, that is for sure. I don't know Jason as I've mentioned before, so I have no idea how well prepared he is to be a leader. The department is in a catch 22 right now and the thing to do would have been to support the 4 guys who were (past tense) making a difference. They'd be the ones to mentor Jason so that he would be better prepared to step into a 3rd LT spot in two years when the process starts over again. Unfortunately in the past decade, I've seen more instances of strong, capable young officers like for 4 who stepped down being hamstrung because of their desire to make departments a better place and refreshing the standards under which they operate. The "old line" can't imagine that a twenty something might have a pretty good grip on the modern fire service and what has to happen to achieve greatness. They're willing to do the work and test out the improvements, but the "old line" doesn't want to listen because it might mean that they have to change the way they do things. It happened to me too even before I was an officer. I tried to suggest improvements on some of the most simple things from changing the way we packed hose to new extrication techniques to more effective/less damaging ways to extinguish chimney fires. Everything got shot down until finally Walter Quast and John Lembke (two great chiefs who themselves had issues with the "old line") finally gave my stuff a shot. Those improvements continue to be in practice today... If it weren't for their help, my ideas would have been thrown in the trash because they came from a 22yr old college kid who couldn't possibly know anything.

Jason was mentioned earlier with a little tongue in cheek and a smiley face about his perceived level of experience. It isn't his fault that there isn't an overwhelmingly obvious choice with more experience to fill the same position. Those four individuals who were the obvious choice were given the option to conform to an antiquated standard and/or survive toxicity in the ranks. They chose sanity....... Jason is being asked to fill a position that is typically held by individuals with more tenure under their belt. The real issue is that 4 fine men aren't serving as officers in a strong (albeit small) fire company because of the actions a superior officer and the status quo that was given to his opinion. Lets leave Jason out of this and if you have the opportunity to work with him on the fire ground or in training, step up and guide him so that he can become a respected leader regardless of age. Let me be clear, that I've never met him as he joined after I moved away. Maybe instead of discussing Jason and his perceived lack of experience, we should out the senior person(s) who created this nonsense.

Although not an ideal situation, let's not make this a young officer commentary. It's not fair to Jason. If MFC is committed to young officers, the senior men will step up and help him lead. Unfortunately if history repeats itself he will be viewed as a threat as he develops and we know how that pans out.

I will tell you that the group of young officers who stepped down are some of the finest firefighters I've ever known. They are kind individuals and diligent FF's who train hard so that when the big one arrives they are ready to give 110%. Their conflict with other members of authority in the department has played itself out many times across the fire service where hard working young members who have lots of experience from outside their home department are looked upon as a threat. They respectfully stood their ground and when the "old line" wouldn't budge, they resigned as a group so that there wouldn't be a toxic environment amongst the ranks. These guys were the next generation of fine leaders for a small department that has always distinguished itself amongst its larger peers. Although I'm no longer living in NY, had I not chosen to move to Florida 6 years ago, I would most likely be chief of department today and would love to have each of these guys on my team of officers. Its the departments loss.

I live about 30 miles from "Fantasy of Flight" in Florida. Many old war birds are stored and flown out of there. There is a B-25 that frequently orbits the Orlando metro area on clear sky weekends. Nothing better than the sound of those old radial engines. Whomever told you that Witchcraft is the only flying B-24 left had incorrect info. There are three still known to fly. Fantasy of Flight has frequently flown example... link below. Fantacy of Flight Consolidated B-24J Liberator There is another out of Texas operated by the Commemorative Air Force Commemorative Air Force Consolidated B-24A Liberator. Link below.

From the pics it looks like maximum seating on the rig is 9... Chauffeur, Officer, Tillerman, plus 4 pak seats and two theater seats in the back. Even if they ran a 6 man truck (doubt its more than 4) there would only be three in the back so the theater seats are a bit unnecessary. The size of the cab though doesn't seem to be overbuilt. It looks like a standard sized Spartan so I'm not sure that there is any storage to be picked up. Depending on department policy you could have small cabinets to mount tools in where the theater seats are, but thats about all you'll pick up on this sized rig.

Pierce is owned by Oshkosh.

I thought I'd start sharing a few pictures and history of the '57 B-Model Mack that I bought from the Gettysburg FD, my old college department. The rig has just finished being restored by Lady & Taylor Body Shop (Pennsylvania Fire Apparatus) in Gettysburg. After the gold leaf goes on and a few punch list items are done, I'll share post restoration pics as well (it will be red not slime lime). Lady & Taylor is also the company that myself and the rest of the Millwood Fire Company Antique Committee hired to restore the 1924 American LaFrance Brockway Torpedo while I was still in Gettysburg, and currently Chappaqua's antique Mack is there as well. Jere Lady who owns the shop does amazing work and he is also ex-Chief of the Heidlersburg FD from just north of Gettysburg who own the infamous green Sutphen Mack that has been discussed here before. Engine 1-1 is nicknamed "The General Ike" because it stood by at President Eisenhower's farm in Gettysburg every time came and went and was the engine of choice to stand by for any big parties/gatherings held at the farm. Rumor has it, that it was (prior to 9-11-01) the only fire apparatus to be dedicated by a US President. E1-1 wears a plate on the front bumper with 5 stars and the words "General Ike". It served Gettysburg continuously for 41 years from 1957 until 1998 when it was retired to training use when we purchased a 1998 75ft HME/Smeal Quint (Quint-1). In the late 1970's it was repowered with a GM turbo diesel V-6, the manual transmission was replaced with an automatic, power steering was added, the hosebed raised to accomidate a 1000gal tank and it was painted slime lime to match the 1977 Seagrave engine and truck that were purchased in that color. From 1996-1998 I ran many calls on this engine. It sounded great and with modern (at the time) diesel power it moved well. It ran as third due engine, but saw quite a bit of work as Gettysburg is the busiest FD in the county and we were still supporting (at the time) the National Fire Academy over the border in MD as it's first due truck company. The General Ike often accompanied the truck on M/A calls so that we weren't relying on an unknown or potentially inexperienced MPO from another company to supply the stick when out of town. First Pic - The General Ike's last fire action sometime in 1998.... Training fire in a farmhouse with New Oxford FD "The General" is the backup engine with 2000gal in the pond and 1000gal in the tank and lines stretched in case the primary source pumper (E13-1 or E13-2 in the distance) loses it's draft.

Yes It will be there until mid-late September. Happy ogling. You'll see it finishedin person before I do.

There have been three squirts in Westchester over the years. TS-1 I believe was in Elmsford or the Greenburgh vicinity. TS-2 which was re-numbered as e-245 was in service in Millwood until last year and TS-3 which I believe became E-250 was in service with Mohegan roughly until he time that L-35 was purchased.

Plenty of departments still have "Squirt" style apparatus. They serve as elevated waterways without having to spend the money for a truck At a minimum, they're booms with prepiped waterways with many having simple ladders attached like the escape ladder from an Aerialscope. They range most often from 50 to 75 feet. Many major manufacturers still make a version.

Better full apparatus photo here: 911-Photgraphy.com

The General Ike is almost done. The gold leaf is complete. The hose reels are painted and are awaiting 1 part to be delivered so they can be mounted behind the cab. She was out last week and ran great as I am told. A few brackets need to be mounted and we'll be all set. Here are a few recent pics from the Adams County Volunteer Emergency Services Association Convention last week. Photos credit to original photographer.

One of two things has happened here. 1: This guy realizes that he went off like a loose canon and now doesn't want to re- engage the conversation because he's embarrassed Or 2: He's a total clown that has everyone else wasting their time reading his lunatic post. Either way I'd ignore him until he unwads his panties and explains himself in detail.

A good MPO who is presumably a relatively senior man should be doing more than just pulling levers and establishing continuous water supply. There are a million and one reasons why they might have to approach the fire building or other hazard area in order to assist during opening moments. They may also be the MPO of a 3rd or 4th due rig and be going to work with their crew. If they have to remove their street boots, don their gear, don an airpak, etc. they're behind their crew. If they're comfortable driving in their bunkers they are one step closer to being able to assist in a hazardous environment... Even if it's walking up to the front door to assist brothers removing a victim from the fire building.

I never wore TOG while driving when I still had rubber boots. 10+ years ago I went to leather boots that feel like hiking boots. Ever since I've worn my TOG pants while driving with my coat on the dog box and helmet usually sits on the dash between the gauges and the window. It's all personal preference but when I pulled up to the fully envolved 9000 gallon fuel truck in Briarcliff in 2004 in E247 I was glad I had my full gear at my finger tips. There have also been plenty of times that I've rolled up to a job and while the crew is flaking out the handlines and the second due engine is picking up my line at the hydrant, that I'll throw the two ground ladders on the engine and wouldn't have time to do that if I wasn't already dressed. Same when driving the truck... If I've got the roof or upper floors sticked I'm going to throw ground ladders, control exterior utilities, or assist the OVM in the initial moments (returning to the apparatus quickly so that by the time the crew reaches the upper floors I'm available to operate the stick for a rescue). There is an amazing amount of work that can be done by competent fire crews within two minutes of arriving at a job. You have to be ready to go when you get there though. That means the crew hustles to get dressed, listens intently to pre-arrival radio transmissions, knows who is doing what, and is ready to work when they arrive even if there isn't a white hat standing there when they step off the rig doling out instructions. As an apparatus operator, if you can be (within your comfort zone) as dressed as possible when you arrive, it leaves the opportunity for you to get more work done before you are remanded to the controls of your apparatus.

The truck was painted, hose bed raised so the tank could be enlarged, converted to an automatic, and repowered with a GM turbo diesel v6. It has been painted red again as of this year and it is being gold leafed as we speak and will make it's way to FL by the end of the year. I don't recall what happened to the 41 ALF ladder, but the 1940's Mack was sold to a collector near Gettysburg in the late 1990's. It was still seeing limited use in the early '90's and the last fire it ran I believe it pumped through the night in an ally off the square for the big Sentz Cleaners fire. That was 1992 or 1993 if I'm not mistaken. Sadly this truck burned in the collectors barn a few years back.

The Jeep is still close to Millwood. It is owned by some former members and although it needs to be restored, all of it's components are with it and it is kept in a garage out of the elements.