dwcfireman

If someone wants to be chief, why would the company allow him to run for the position if he wasn't qualified to begin with? OR, has the company allowed exceptions in the past to waive certain requirements, hence creating a precedent, that the company felt that it had to follow?

Which rigs are you replacing at DFW?

A friend and I were discussing the new Tesla solar roof tiles recently (The website is https://www.tesla.com/solarroof for anyone that wants to take a closer look). But our discussion of cost versus benefit turned to firefighting tactics as we realized some hard facts about the newer solar technology that is out there. There are four things that stuck out to me that are going to hinder us at structure fires in the near future, especially as solar power companies start to mimic the Tesla Roof: 1. The panels are damn near indestructible. They have a Class 4 FM 4473 hail rating, which is the highest rating on the market. This means that the panels can withstand a 2 inch diameter ice ball with an impact speed of 100mph. This is coupled with the Class F ASTM D3161 wind rating, also the highest at 110mph. 2. The panels are Class A UL 790 rated....the highest fire rating. This means that they can withstand 1400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. These things are going to absorb a lot of heat energy during a fire, which may result in runoff electrical production (increased amperage). 3. The panels are INVISIBLE!!! That's right. Just go to the website above and take a look for yourself. You're not going to know that it's a solar roof until you're already at the roof. This is even more dangerous as they are covered in coated glass, which is slippery even before it gets wet. 4. The last issue that is going to hinder us is the addition of home batteries. Tesla markets that you should add the Tesla Power Wall with your solar roof, which means the house is going to remain energized as we work (that's right, not just the solar panels, but the whole house!). So, what are we left with? The need to train. We need to learn our districts and know which homes and structures have solar panels. We need to learn about the solar systems, especially as to how to shut them down. And we need to start re-thinking vertical ventilation, as it may not be possible.

I can see this new law being 100% acceptable if it solely targeted the the issue of the re-purposed ambulance still having emergency markings on it. It should be the responsibility of the new owner to remove all emergency decals and striping prior to the reuse of the ambulance for other ventures. This would make more sense as old ambulances have been re-purposed for many things around the country, including contractor vans, ice cream trucks, and DPW vehicles. With that said, could this ban on "slambulances" eventually include other former emergency or governmental vehicles from becoming party venues on wheels? How long until school buses make the list? Or walk-in rescues? Or garbage trucks? Yes, I'm being a bit satirical, but the long arm of the law seems to be reaching a little too far.

My department requires that you complete your probationary year before you are allowed to display a blue light. Once you have the permit (signed by the chief) the rest is up to you to obey the VTL. This is definitely a great proposal. First, with all of the apparatus on scene with flashing lights, the last thing we need is more flashing lights. Turning off the blue lights on POVs reduces unnecessary distractions. It's also safer for any local motorists that may be traversing the neighborhood by reducing distractions to them. Also, there's no need to leave blue lights on when you're no where near your car. My department requires everyone to respond to the fire house, but POVs can go to the scene if there is no apparatus left AND the incident requires additional personnel (like a working fire). However, I do see where coming across an incident could necessitate some extra visibility. I've used my lights in a few situations where I've come across car accidents, especially at night. It provides a beacon of sorts to other motorists to slow down a bit and to help guide in that first emergency vehicle.

First, it's nice to see someone return to their roots and help the people of his/her hometown. It's definitely a heartwarming story. More importantly, this is not just someone who lucked out and got the job. This is someone who cares not only for the city that employs him, but the firefighters that he commands. Commissioner Thiel seems like someone that we should pay attention to for guidance and ideas.

The value saved falls back on the effectiveness of larger crew sizes. NIST published their findings in 2010 that 3 FF crews completed tasks 25% faster than 2 FF crews, and 4 FF crews were 30% faster. Adding moire firefighters to the assignment means tasks are being done faster, safer, and more efficiently; So it makes sense that there is going to be more savings from damage/loss.

I recall a few article from the past where departments did this. I think it's an awesome, outside of the box idea! Not only does it save the taxpayers money, but it makes the fire house fit into the neighborhood. I think it looks a bit gawdy when a large, brick building is just plopped into the middle of a residential neighborhood.

A bunch of us from the airport went up to Boston for our annual FAA certifications. Here's a few pics for you guys!

I pondered this for a while, and I'm coming to the same conclusion as antiquefirlt. Unless Boston ordered new engines with some sort of roof turret, they're still going to have to get up close and personal with the fire. This doesn't change much other than the speed that the fire is smothered (not extinguished, as foam application doesn't necessarily mean the fire is out, rather it's suppressed efficiently enough to conduct rescue operations). Dumpster fires and car fires are easily resolved with water. I can understand with cars that the application of a class B foam will help in the event of an engine fire or fuel system fire, but the cost versus efficiency is not worth it. Today's norm is to use AFFF or AFFF-AR, both of which are expensive and are designed for large class B fires, such as a burning pool of jet fuel or a tanker of ethanol that is on fire. As for the picture associated with the article, it seems to be a stock photo of sorts that was used because the firefighters are using foam. The applicator they are using on the nozzle is used for a higher expansion ration (more air agitation). Quite honestly, the standard combination nozzle works great for foam application, as you can get extra froth with a fog pattern and the reach with the straight stream.

I really don't like the way that the AC unit is just knocked around and falls to the ground. Granted, there was no one underneath it, but it's just sketchy to me that using the stick in this manner can cause something heavy to fall. I'm sure someone was watching to see where it would go so no one would get hurt. This video is a first for me as I've only seen the aerial be used to break out windows, not venting the actual roof.

Remember that a lot of newer aerials tend to have other fixtures at the tip, like scene lighting and beacons, that could be broken off during this tactic. This would just be more falling debris that could injure someone on the ground (like the cupola in the video above!).

Then there's also the fact that you have a lot of manpower on scene so we can tag out and send fresh troops in as firefighters get tired.

Reminds me of this: https://www.firerescue1.com/Firefighter-Training/articles/1634559-Wash-firefighters-pump-jet-fuel-on-fire-instead-of-water/ Interesting fact...If you buy an ARFF rig using federal funding (through the Airport Improvement Plan), the ARFF apparatus has to be yellowish-green, or, under certain circumstances, chrome yellow or international orange. (AC 150/5210-5D Painting, Marking, and Lighting of Vehicles Used on an Airport)

The plan is to keep the two volunteer fire companies separate, and the two along with the career staff would function as a single department. Since they already work together on several fronts, like you said these consolidation talks seem to be more of a formality. It seems to me that they want to create an environment where both Fishers and Victor volunteer organizations would be able to maintain their identities. But it sounds like the plan is to have the career staff deal with more of the day to day alarms that volunteers tend to have smaller responses for. I think the wording in the article was off on this, so it may be that the career staff may just be stepping up their non-emergency duties like inspections and fire prevention. On a separate note, and I forgot about this before, is a consolidation that happened in the northeast section of Monroe County in 2004. The North East Joint Fire District was approved, combining the East Webster Fire District, Penfield North East Fire District, and the Village of Webster Fire Department. The NEJFD is known as the Webster Fire Department. [http://www.nejfd.org/content/nejfdhistory/]

Train in the morning. Train in the evening. Train on a job. Train until your eyes bleed. Train until you can do it in your sleep! As someone who also works shift work, overtime, and occasionally a second job, I can without a doubt add myself to the number of firefighters that find it hard to train harder and take extra classes. It annoys me to no end that there are people in the fire industry that don't want to change training schedules. I would love to see another drill session each month for my department, but we can't because someone thinks that it will affect members' LOSAP. He's right, but it's something that can be changed! But, why change when you can cry a river?

Every fire is a challenge. And every fire is going to be Monday morning quarterbacked. But I'd rather focus on those scene lights on the bucket...Those things lit up that front yard like daylight!

I was a bit skeptical when the Ascendant was first introduced (as a single axle, 107' stick), but after looking into it I saw that there are definitely department out there that can use it, whether you're in a tight urban district or have a hilly suburban district with narrow roads. The 110' ladder tower on a single axle has me skeptical at the moment, but I'm sure it would work for some department out there.

My thought process makes me believe that Assemblyman Abinanti actually thinks that consolidation will destroy the "local flavors" of Westchester. Does he really think that the local flavors will be taken away if there was a single county-run police department? Fire department? School district? Police cars and fire trucks can be outfitted with the local patches on the doors to represent their little nook in the County. School buses can still have the name of their local area on the side. The local flavors would not be lost, especially since consolidation of SERVICES has no impact to regular people in their everyday lives. Pleasantville, for example, will still see people going to Starbucks and getting on the train, and fighting through traffic during rush hour. But Pleasantville would still be Pleasantville regardless of who is paying for the services. Oh, wait, the tax payers pay for those services, and they'd be able to afford the vente coffee versus the grande because they're saving money on their tax bills!

I was under the impression that volunteer firefighters already could attend SUNY schools at little to no cost under a state program (with some restrictions). Regardless, this, coupled with the fire service program and a state of the art training facility, is a huge boost for Ulster County and its citizens.

This is just one of the risks when beaching your ladder. I've never seen it as a big deal. We used to beach our quint upstate A LOT. Usually to get it out we would jack it up with the outriggers and place plywood underneath the wheels.

If designed right, considering the plot of land described in the article, a 4 bay station would definitely fit. You could probably go up to 6 bays if you make the building taller to accommodate the lost room on the ground. Meh, that's a pipe dream, though. A 4 bay station, like the old HQ, makes more sense. 100% AGREED!!! Ridge Hill has become a small city itself. Putting a single engine company up there would be a world of help. Though, it would probably easier to have a couple of those golf kart-like engines like the MTA has in GCT to get around all of the traffic!!!

I was bored and came up with this hypothetical lol.

President George W. Bush did enact a law that would rid himself and all future Presidents of lifetime Secret Service protection. He did this as a way to save taxpayer money as the idea was that since you were no longer POTUS, you were no longer a target. The enacted law stated that future ex-Presidents (starting with GW) would get 5 years protection post-office and protection would cease. President Obama had the law repealed because he believed that no matter your status, if you were POTUS then you will forever be a target, thus to protect the future ex-Presidents for life. Yes, this was done much more discretely than when GW initiated the change, but it makes some sense that there are probably a few people out there trying to kill you. Now, let me drop this question on everyone: WHAT IF, and this is a strong IF, an incoming president was a firefighter (let's say a volunteer for the sake of the argument). After this firefighter is done being POTUS, would the Secret Service allow him/her to respond to emergencies? Think about it...If you were the President, and you're a volunteer firefighter, AND you need 24/7 security protection, can you still be a firefighter after the completion of your term(s)? I'm picturing a Secret Service agent nervously masking up with an ex-President that has the knob and is screaming, "Let's rock and roll!"

I heard about this. That's chest deep on most people!