mfc2257

When I was in South Central, PA / Northern, MD this happened all the time. Gettysburg Hospital, York Hospital, Hershey Medical Center, Waynesboro, Chambersburg, etc. on any given day one or two would be on divert. Most of the time Gettysburg would go on divert for just class 2 patients who typically would be seen and admitted. If there were no beds upstairs, they would be diverted. A class 1 however would be seen to stabilize and then transported to a better facility like York or Hershey. Class 3's which were treat and release were the second to get the boot. Finally, Class 1's would be the last to not be seen. This was somewhat rare, although the we were usually pretty in tune with the patient levels at the hospital and if they were already on Class 2/3 divert we would probably not take a Class 1 there unless it was a working code. Whenever possible we'd air medical them to York or Hershey because in theory that's where they'd end up any way after Gettysburg ER further stabilized them.

With E-166 on the block for sale in South Salem, what remains of the ALF Century's (and similar cabbed older models) in the county? My absolute favorite rig to drive was the old Millwood E-247 a 1976 8V72 powered ALF Century. It looked great, was fast, and at times was the only rig around that could pull a draft and maintain it from tough static water supplies or streams (think Mt. Kisco's stream behind the Main Street Shops). It also sounded great. You could hear it pull out of headquarters on a winter day when the leaves were off the trees from over a mile away. You never had to worry about being cold in the winter because the Detriot made so much heat that the dog box was like a furnace. I can still hear the vibration of the Marrs 888 on the roof and the sound of the old mercury switch alternating the red lights outside the front window. I joined MFC at 16 in March of 1993 and drove that beast from March of 1995 until it was gone at the end of 1998. As far as I could remember, that rig was never OOS until just before it was replaced by the Sparten/3D in 1998. They just don't make them like that anymore.

This problem is not one that is uncommon to corporations in the USA. There is a short list of "big" apparatus manufacturers in the USA so this type of issue gets big press amongst those in our industry. What ALF needs is rock solid management to steer them throught this. I would be surprised if ALF couldn't establish a credit facility with a financial institution to secure the funds needed to move forward. If for some reason ALF's credit is so shot that they can't secure financing (which would be a surprise since they were able to secure the needed funds to build the new manufacturing property) one option that they should look at is the possibility of a "sale/lease back" agreement with a financial institution to purchase the new facility that they just bought. Essentially, the bank buys the property and they become the landlord to ALF. ALF in turn gets an influx of cash (the value of the property and any equity in the building after debt settlement) which they can use to begin securing the items needed to begin production again. A clause for a buy-back option for the property can be written into the agreement so that after a predetermined amount of time they can repurchase their property at a "not to exceed" cost.

While a big fan of the F-14 F-15 F-16's of the late '70's thru today, a while back a lone F-22 was placed up against five F-15's (at the same time) in an air to air combat electronic training scenerio. The F-22 was able to defeat all five F-15's.

American LaFrance

Depending on staffing... I've typically operated in the following manner: 1st due truck... assuming the cop, engine, or medic hasn't blocked access when possible position on side A. Ladder sides A & B 2nd due truck... assuming the same... when possible position on side C. Ladder sides C&D. Truck riding positions - Chauffer operates aerial device. If not in use, driver controls utilities, assists with laddering, OVM, Roof - Officer sizes up, establishes command if necessary OR assists with search & rescue & throwing ladders - Can man (usually carries pike pole or hook) search & rescue, opening up interior - Irons man performes forceable entry, search & rescue, opens up interior, assists with removal of window bars - OVM obvious... effect/assist with rescues OR report to roof after horizontal vent complete - Roof man secure stairwell if OMD, vent roof, effect/assist with rescues

It's a pie in the sky concept in Westchester because no one wants to be the ones to take the first step in gathering the departments (career/vollie) and unions together in a common cause, second step to approach local government as a unified group, and third step approach state government to legislate it into a legal reality. Someone's got to be willing to stick their neck out there to get the ball rolling. I used to preach about this all the time, but most people were afraid of change and how it would effect their slice of the power so they instantly took a defensive view on the matter. Now I'm 1000miles away and now no one really cares what I have to say. I'm surprised anyone even took the time to read my thoughts.

If anyone wants to see the WC version of this rig (with the modifications that Seth mentions) go to Millwood's website or stop by. MA-10 1989 Ford F-350 4wd diesel standard cab for shortest WB possible. Hale single stage 750gpm pump with enough discharges to push 1250+ with a good supply Prepiped class B foam (a modern unit would have CAFS) 150gal water / 30gal (if I remember) class B 1000ft (yes one thousand) of 4inch supply line 150/200ft preconnects Winch Standard engine company tools minus the smoke ejector Forresty hose and quick attack forrestry hose packs Rakes Shovels Water Can AB Extinguisher 18in Bar Chainsaw Brackets for carrying Zodiac above hose bed. I've never seen a rig this small with this much capability. It has the old non-turbo 7.3L International diesel so it's a pig. With a modern 350hp/650ft-lb Powerstroke/Cummins/Duramax I don't see why this rig refit on a modern framcouldn't spin a 1000+gpm pump and truly be a mini-engine not just a lowley mini-attack.

The volunteers stand to lose more if it is power that they are after. But Unions don't want to share firegrounds with vollies if they don't have to and given the choice they won't under the current WC conditions. In the end, the ranks of volunteers are dropping nationwide so they are losing anyway. If a county wide department is in place, it makes the supplementation of OR transition to career staffing so much easier. What is avoided here is the horrible period that is bound to happen where a major fire or loss of life occurs because a volunteer OR career department that couldn't meet response criteria was allowed to continue to be the sole, un-supplemented provider of protection to a certain area. Lets face it, just because the guys in Mt. Vernon are collecting a paycheck doesn't mean that they are safe given the staffing and apparatus issues over recent years. The same holds true for vollies in a house that can't get one of their 10 shiny rigs out in the middle of the day. Coming together will only help. It brings the best of the best to the top on both the career and vollie side. It also puts a supervisory structure in place to make sure that everyone can rely on a similar level of response and training regardless of whether or not it is 4 career guys on a Yonkers engine or 4 vollies on a Millwood engine.

Everyone keeps saying that the Unions wouldn't go for it and you're right, there would be a huge fight. But what the unions are missing is that this is a win-win for everyone involved including the taxpayer. The problem is that Unions view this as a loss of control when in actuality it is a gain of control. And people are hung up on the fact that NYS is home rule. If something is good for the safety of the taxpayers, then it can be lobbied for and legislation passed to change it. THIS WORKS elsewhere in the USA very well. It only needs people to fight for change to make it happen. Creating a county fire department where a central authority creates the SOP's and SOG's as well as hires the career FF's will only help to bring MORE career firefighers to Westchester, not less. The model is already set in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Montgomory, Prince Georges counties in MD, and Louden & Fairfax counties in VA. All the 100% career departments Yonkers, Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, Eastchester, etc. all retain their own unique department identities (apparatus colors, uniforms, station names, etc). The FF's all become part of one union and payroll where the best of the best from all the small unions can fight for wages, benefits, etc. The union will then be able to fight for more FF's in Mt. Vernon or other understaffed municipalities because they will have the strength of a county-wide career pool of FF's to assign to them. A WIN for Union FF's in WC. Combination department Career FF's will fall into the county pool as well. All the 100% volunteer departments retain their identies as well. They can continue to have vollie chiefs and their own apparatus, but they will fall under the command of a career or volunteer battalian chief depending on the area (a battalian chief with real command authority not the setup for mutual aid coordinators in place today). All volunteer FF's in the county will be required to maintain the same training for the same positions regardless of what department they are a member of so that when career and volunteer FF's are interacting there is no question whether or not the vollie is trained. For vollie departments who cannot meet a minimum standard of response time and manpower per rig, the county will begin to mandate the introduction of career staffing into those stations as it is needed. A WIN for Union FF's in WC. For areas of the county that do not have adequate fire coverage due to odd station placements of yester year, the county can put new all career stations in place with county owned apparatus. A WIN for Union FF's in WC. The way to get municipalities to conceed power to a central authority is by taking over the costs of maintaining, fueling, and insuring all fire apparatus in the county regardless of who owns it. It also ensures that municipalities can recieve career FF's when the time comes without having to go to the residents for buget approval. For municipalities who won't participate, they are removed from the mutual aid plan, they are not dispatched by the county, and essentially put on an island. If a station needs a piece of apparatus an cannot provide it on their own, the county will provide it. If it's a career station then that's more career FF's to staff it. If it's a vollie station and the vollies aren't capable of staffing it, then the county can assign career men to it. A WIN for Union FF's in WC. Everyone wins here through: 1: Stronger career firefighting force with more FF's in Westchester who are all on the same page and pull from a more powerful leadership structure. 2: Stronger volunteer firefighting force becuase only those who are interested in training and running calls will be left. All others won't want to adhere to the rules or committ the time to maintain an acceptable active status as defined by the county. 3: Taxpayers know that they are recieving good protection because the county is monitoring the performance of career, combo, vollie responses. 4: Taxpayers will pay for less apparatus because the enormus duplication of apparatus will be eliminated when the county determines what they're willing to pay to purchase or maintain (if the municipalities purchase). 5: Apparatus response to alarms will be standardized through the implementation of a true chain of command from the top down that will include automatic box assignements for every inch of WC 6: Taxpayers in the end will pay less overall for fire protection because a county led department can offer economies of scale in purchasing, maintaince, and reduction in the need for overtime. 7: The list goes on, and on, and on. 8: The loser here.... The individual egos that get off by being the guy in charge of an individual department because now they will need to follow someone elses rules.

On scene refueling used to be a snap. There are mobile fuel delivery companies OR company that delivered home heating oil could just pump #2 out of any of it's delivery trucks. Most people know, but for those that don't, #2 (standard) home heating oil and diesel fuel are virtually the same product (except for the dye that for tax purposes deliniates the difference in the two for inspection). The 2007 emissions standards pose a problem for this once easy practice of calling a fuel oil company. Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel is required for use in all 2007 diesel over the road vehicles including heavy service equipment like fire apparatus and tractor trailers. That's not to say that they won't run on regular old fashion diesel, as the combustion process hasn't changed, BUT the emmissions control equipement and diesel particulate filters will clog with prolonged high sulfer diesel use. I ran my 2007 6.7L Dodge Ram Cummins TD on two tanks of the old stuff earlier in the year when I couldn't find the ULSD while on a road trip, and noticed no drop in performance. If the dealer finds the old stuff in the tank or if the OBD system identifies it, the warrenty could be void. Voiding the warrenty on your 60series would be a costly mistake. Quick trick for anyone out there with a 2007 oil burner like me. If you go to a Mobil or Exxon station and the pump says LSD (low sulfur diesel 550ppm) you can't pump that by law and warrenty. HOWEVER, walk over to the tank fill covers in the ground and see if there is a yellow lid with a black U painted on it. If so, the tank holds ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel 15ppm). You can go ahead and fill regardless of the sticker on the pump. There is a mandated amount of time that the tanks must be filled with ULSD before the stickers on the pump can be changed over from the LSD.

At the time I joined I was Millwood's 3rd Lieutenant county car #2257.... Hence MFC2257. I should probably change it now that I'm out of state.

Please keep this a strict by the numbers answer.... No bs'ing about what's right and wrong, vollie vs career.... Just the facts. I will not use this information as a tool or leverage point against any departments/individuals. I am curious, what is the staffing of career departments in WC? I'm looking for average staffing numbers. For example if xyz has a standard for a 4 man truck and 3 man engine, but one unit is in a slow station and always has a man detailed out then that isn't what I'm asking for. What is the number per unit that is being strived for per shift. 1: How many on the engine (including driver & officer) 2: How Many on the truck (including driver & officer) 3: How many on the rescue (including driver & officer) 4: How many on an ambulance/medic available to supress fire/effect rescues along with above units 5: Are the above supplemented by volunteers (always, special call, no volunteer members) For the following departments (and others that I may miss) although I realize that a few have staffing that is more obvious than others Mount Vernon Yonkers Pelham Pelham Manor Greenville Fairview White Plains New Rochelle Larchmont Mamaroneck(s) Hartsdale Scarsdale Eastchester Harrison Rye Portchester Mohegan Peekskill Veterans Affairs

Since just about any box can be mounted to a custom or commercial chassis.... The big differences that I've seen as a former committee member are: Commercial: Much cheaper, shorter build time, more people will service the mechanical componants (ie; local Frieghtliner dealer can do an emergency service call if there is an engine, brake, tranny, rearend etc. problem when the dealer may have a day/week wait time) they're built to take an over the road beating, they're are millions of them out there so parts are cheaper and easy to get. Custom: Much more room in the passenger compartment, raised roof options, command center options, FF's typically ride backwards = safer in frontal inpact, better turning radius, better ride, better visability, better bumper mounted options like discharges, intakes, tools, etc. more space above the cab to mount A/C, suction, light tower, etc.

Firefighter Killed In Training Exercise POSTED: 12:14 pm EST November 27, 2007 UPDATED: 1:08 pm EST November 27, 2007 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A Volusia County firefighter died on Tuesday following an accident during a training exercise. It happened at the county's Fire Training Center on Tiger Bay Road near Daytona Beach. Authorities said the accident happened during an exercise to prepare for brush fires. The 31-year-old victim was a member of the Firewalkers team. The team was cutting down trees and clearing brush in the exercise when a pine tree fell on the firefighter. He had been with Volusia County Fire Services since January 2007. The facility is used by local and regional firefighters.

I've got my dad's "O" scale trains beginning from 1940's. All steel construction, the oldest locomotive must weigh 15lbs.

As of November 19th, the City of Orlando has announced that it's ISO rating has moved to ISO-1. I belive this makes it the 56th in the nation to achieve this rating.

Again, I'm not part of the committee and have been inactive since moving to Florida 3 years ago, BUT from what I understand it will be Ladder 52. It will run as a Quint out of headquarters first due to all structure fires and general alarms within the district. E-247 and/or MA-10 will continue to handle first due vehicle, brush, and second due engine responsibilities from HQ for the east side and E-248 and Tanker 15 will handle the first/second due general alarm and structure responsibilities (depending on arrival order with L-52) as well as first due vehicle and brush responsibilities on the west end. I'm not sure what they did as far as demoing a unit. When I was on the committee to build E-248 in 2002-2003 I drove just about everything that Sutphen made. The guys might have just gone over Chappaqua's tower which is nearly identical to what MFC has on order minus the bucket. Mike Myers of Sutphen East was the rep for E-248 and I'd assume the same for the new ladder.

81% Romney 76% Guliani 73% Thompson

Appears to be a B-Model Mack. Possibly thier old Rescue.

I haven't had a ton of contact with the committee, but given the information that has been relayed to me.... Paint that rig red and you've got the new Ladder 52. I'd prefer to see it labeled as an Engine not a Ladder, but that is a different discussion for a different time.

Millwood 75ft Sutphen Quint (no bucket)

Don't assume that taxes pay for fire services. There are plenty of places in the US that state law doesn't let municipalities to levy a fire tax and the FD exists through the sole efforts of it's fundraising efforts and donatons.

Orange County Squads aren't bigger. They are single axle units of which at least 2 pump. They are about the size of the old YFD R-1, OFD R-14, or KFD R-17. City of Orlando Heavy Rescue 1 as well as Truck 1, E-1, E-101, Rescue (Ambulance) 1, HazMat 1, Technical Rescue Support 1, and the Dive Team all turn out of OFD headquarters which I look at out my window. The Heavy Rescue is the biggest Squad/Rescue unit anywhere close to the Central Florida Area. It is almost always on the road though and gets ridden hard & hung up wet.

An update on this ongoing conversation. Kentland Station 33 is no longer restricted to it's first due. They were dispatched to a small dwelling fire in Station 8's box area today as the third due engine (E331). They arrived second and assumed the second due rig's responsibilities of securing a continuous water supply for E81 and stretching the line to the second floor for extension.