rutola413

Unless I missed something (like your SOG), why did you roll the brush truck, at least that is what I assumed the BRAT to be, to a MVA? Does it carry other necessary tools for car accidents?

Just wondering what your department does for chimney fires. Auto Mutual Aid? Special Tactics that YOUR DEPT has found work better than others? I ask because, here in MA, we automatically have a mutual aid ladder come in (no stick in town) and a tanker.

I was not very impressed. I watched about 10 minutes of it, not knowing what the "objective" of the show was. I turned it off I was disgusted. I'll stick to Dirty Jobs and Storm Chasers

My Department mostly uses chains, and cans. Never had a problem with it before. Just curious about other departments

RIP Officer Wilson. Thoughts go to you and your family/friends. Also, I hope a quick recovery to Officer Monty!!!

This happened up here in July. We had a structure fire, the firefighter (from a neighboring town) went home, and layed in bed 5 hours after all departments cleared. He suffered a heart attack and passed. RIP Firefighter Dave Sullivan, Otis MA FD

I do not post too often, mainly because I live out of the "main coverage area" of EMTBravo. Time to time, if we have something exciting happen up in my area, I will post it. unfortunately, and luckily, we see very little action. I also post occasionally on the "scenario, or what would you do" threads. Even though I do not post often, I still get alot of entertainment out of this site, and I would be a little saddened if I was given the boot

Great Photos. I was watching the storm on the radar. Couple things. 1) I hope that FF and the civilians where informed the Power was CUT before they approached these downed lines/transformers. 2) Just in case any of you FF out there want a good weather website to watch while at home or at your station, check out www.wunderground.com. Fairly easy, just type in your zip code or town and state in the top right, then click on the wundermap option on the next page. If you mess with the setting, and get it to show you the NEXRAD radar with storm tracks, it gives information about the Vertical integrated liquid, direction, speed, tops of the clouds. Any more questions about it PM me. Josh Rutola (NWS SkyWarn Storm-Spotter)

When my department gets toned out, we usually try and staff the Ambulance (fire department BLS rig). If no Rig for a structure fire or brush fire, we would call mutual aid from another town. Other than that, REHAB is usually a "play it by ear" scenario. We have both the FD REHAB team, and Auxiliary (which is exactly like REHAB, just not First Responder Certified). If it is an extended brush fire, structure fire, or a long extrication on an MVA, we will contact our dispatch via radio, and simply say "tone out for REHAB and Auxiliary". Most members of REHAB and Aux have issued pagers, if they personally don't have one, 99% of them are wives/relatives of one of our members, so they will leave their pager home while going on the run. That is the best way I can describe it, because I am not sure what our SOG/SOP's are for this subject. Hope this explains it, if not, PM me for more. Josh Rutola

One member of my department owns and operates a Vehicle Repair/Body Shop. One important thing to remember, is side curtain airbags, he has also stated that there is some sort of airbag in the SEAT? Anyone heard of this. He stated that BEFORE making a relief cut to fold the roof, check under the plastic lining. If i remember correctly, YELLOW is Airbag canister, ORANGE is electric(hybrids). We managed to peel off the plastic liner to check(between A, B, and C posts). Not Sure if you would want to do this, might slice through a wire, or puncture the canister itself. Opinions please, this is just something we tossed around at a MVA drill

I know up here in Western MA I have seen/heard about problems with a few local FD's brush trucks. Depending on the type of terrain you would be going into, make sure it is not TOO overloaded (i cannot think of a brush truck around here that is not in some way over weight). One other KEY thing, is make sure it is not to Big. I have seen some trucks literally not be able to get on the trail because they will not fit, but then FD XX shows up with thier little chevy and sneaks right in. Check our our truck at http://granvillevolunteerfiredepartment.org/Brush1.html This seems to work out perfect for us

CONGRATS!!

Date:3-16-10 Time:15:00 Location: Hubbard River, Granville MA Departments: Granville(MA),Tolland(MA) East Hartland(CT), West Hartland(CT), Granby Vol Ambulance(CT), Winstead Ambulance(CT) Description: Kayaker down in river, DOA Links:http://www.cbs3springfield.com/ Writer: Rutola413 15:00 - Granville units to state forest for recovery. 00:00 - All units back in quarters

Just wondering for everyone. When you get a call for a brush fire. Do you automatically start mutual aid brush trucks? Tankers? Also. Do you have a special "dress code" if you will for brush fires. Do you have brush jumpsuits on your trucks or at the stations? (ya know, the one piece fire retardant suit). Any and all information about how things work down there is greatly appreciated. Up here in western mass, when the tones go out for a brush fire we will usually start a brush truck and tanker from the next town over and advise when we get on scene. We also have some jumpsuits. But if they are all taken up, the "dress code" we go by is, a good pair of high boots, jeans, a long sleeve flannel type overcoat, good work gloves, and a brush helmet (hard hat with neck protector). If a brush helmet is not available we just throw our structure helmet on. Also, I would assume all departments in Westchester and around have Indian packs?

Shadow, I dont know the area of where you are, is it mostly flat land? Hills? Dense woods? Up here we have alot of pretty nasty hills, so turnout gear isn't a smart idea. You'll be tired when you get to the top of a mountain. Alot of the area we have s inaccesable by our brush truck, or quads. Granville MA. take a look on the terrain feature of google

I know up in my town. We are 100% percent volunteer. We usually discuss who and what apparatus we will be taking to the parade. The only parades we go to is our own during July 4th, and 3 towns that border us, and it is a 10 minute ride into the town. We ALWAYS let control know that we are taking X amount of trucks to XXX town for a parade, and estimate we will be back at XXXX hours. If it is a parade that is farther away (sometimes we get invited and just don't go), we will have control automatically start another engine or rescue for mutual aid depending on the call. If it is the town over, we usually take Tanker-1, Engine-1, and Ambulance-1. They are staffed with a full crew when they are out. Which leaves E-2, Rescue-1 and brush-1 in town.

I use a Whelen LED Dual head Talon. R/R. I noticed tonight when i went on a call, only the right side flashes(if looking at light from behind). To my knowledge the lightis only 2 years old MAX (i bought it from my bro). I wouldn't imagine that the bulb burnt out? I cannot find any sort of schematic online. I am calling whelen tommorrow, but I just wanted a 2nd opinion. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a low budget and cannot buy another light. Thank you all

I also heard that numerous DMAT Teams (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) have been activated. I THINK it includes: MA, NJ, OH, CA, FL, maybe more? If anyone else knows anything let me know. My brother is on the CT team and he says they MIGHT get put on standby. This IS NOT confirmed, as I haven't heard anything on the news.

I was just looking at some pictures of trucks from FDNY, and I got a little stumped. Does anyone know what the: RAC Unit is, The Merv(I think it is), which is the bus and what service does fire patrol do? This is the first time I have seen these trucks, so I am not too familiar with them or "big city" fire operations. Any help is much apreciated

That is where I saw them

Thank you for your replies! i had no idea up until now. Also, are there Volunter Fire Companies in Queens? Or are those paid companies with different names(rather than FDNY)

Hope this is the right place for it... BUT, How much snow did everyone get? How many calls, how extreme, etc. Up here in western MA, we only got 2 inches. They called for 10-16. Also, if any photos are available, that'd be great! Thanks, Josh Rutola

Thank you for all the replies!! It was quite up here. I was a little upset. I was anxious to take my snowmobile out!

Thanks alot. That answers both my questions. i was just reffering to the actual structure gear. I have seen some departments around here wear their structure gear to fight these fires. And i'm talking fires that are a HIKE into the woods, away from any buildings.

I would just like to know why you have Air Packs on the truck. At least thats what they look like. I understand that during a good brush fire, you can have cars or buildings involved. But I have NEVER seen departments use air packs during a brush/woods fire. Also, does your dept require the use of turnout gear on these calls?