bad box

Parades, bar-b-q's, softball games and having a couple of beers with friends are all potentially enjoyable social passtimes. Sadly, far too many V.F.D.'s are run more like social clubs rather than professional emergency service organizations. The posts here are a very small sampling of what goes on in many V.F.D.'s where politics (rather than the right skill set) determine leadership. This is made possible by the fact that there is no real oversight of the V.F.D.'s other than that which comes from in house elected boards of directors or town elected boards of fire commissioners who more times than not are mostly voted on by department members who are residents of the district. It is dangerous that in so many parts of our country we are still relying upon this type of back woods, good old boy 'system' when it comes to setting and enforcing the standards for providing life and death services for fire, rescue and E.M.S.. I believe that in many areas a county led combination career / volunteer system would best address this issue. Not only would it place the responsibility of enforcing training requirements for firefighters and officers alike in the hands of full time, career chief officers (who don't have to kiss up to the membership to keep their position each year, but it would also be an answer to the ever worsening problem of poor turnouts of personnel for calls at times of low availability as well as for calls that many volunteers choose not to show up for ( smells and bells, sick calls, etc.). It's high time that counties place as much importance upon the provision of fire, rescue and emergency medical services as they do upon law enforcement, education, road maintenance and recreation (all of which are run as full time career agencies).

http://nypost.com/2013/11/25/hero-saves-neighbor-trapped-in-westchester-fire/

FAST / RIT is not supposed to be a special op's resource or a special team, county team, select group of folks who are trained differently or to a higher level than other firefighters, etc. FAST / RIT skills are necessary for EVERY firefighter every bit as much as any other firefighting essential functions are. When a MAYDAY is transmitted, IMMEDIATE action by knowledgeable, skilled firefighters is required. FAST / RIT operations are often required very early on during an incident, obviously we all need to be ready to perform appropriately and immediately when a firefighter requires assistance due to entrapment or medical condition while in a hazardous location. FAST / RIT training absolutely needs to be a requirement for new firefighters prior to certification. Currently certified firefighters who are not FAST / RIT certified should be required to attend the course and become certified. Firefighting is not a game, a passtime or a hobby, it's about life and death. Those who don't see it that way need to find a different calling.

http://nypost.com/2013/11/23/truck-off-nypd-vs-port-authority-in-wtc-power-struggle/

Here's a couple of tests done comparing various hoods that are currently available to the fire service: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zPLFTOdnF0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8jHJOTIBBw

If that is accurate, it should be looked at. The fire chief of one department making improper move up / relocate decisions affects the safety of people (civilians as well as firefighters) in districts over which he has no responsibility.

I was under the impression that decisions regarding station coverage are the responsibility of the county fire coordinator.

Rescue pumpers are an excellent choice for volunteer departments that are not staffed with technical rescue certified firefighters and whose main rescue function is automible crash patient extrications. Considering the great staffing difficulty that many V.F.D.'s have been experiencing for years (especially during weekdays when many members are unavailable due to work responsibilities as well as late night / early morning when members are sleeping before they go to work) it frequently is difficult for one department to staff an ambulance, a rescue truck and a pumper for response to a vehicle crash. The rescue pumper provides rescue equipment, vehicle stabilization equipment, equipment for initial patient care, firefighting capability and scene support devices (cones / flares, scene lighting, etc.) and eliminates the need to decide whether a poor turnout of personnel will require making a choice of bringing either a rescue truck or a pumper. As far as 'heavy rescues' go, many departments equip them with some truck company tools and the same equipment that a properly equipped rescue pumper carries and little more other than possibly a cascade system or a command post. True heavy rescues are equipped to provide rescue technician certified firefighters with the necessary equipment to assist them in dealing with high angle, confined space, trench, structure collapse, water rescues, etc.. And, in most cases the heavy rescue rig can't by itself carry everything that may be needed at a technical rescue incident. As a result, many fire departments have additional special op's support rigs to provide large amounts of shoring, carpentry tools, pavement breakers, air compressors, etc.. Unless a V.F.D. is able to make a commitment to maintain a sufficient number of certified rescue technicians and as a result needs to carry equipment to deal with the various tech. rescue regimens, it's very possible that a rescue pumper is the best choice.

Just a couple of tool suggestions Mark. First I would remove the red colored prying tool that is mounted on the right side in one of the compartments (its fork is poorly designed ... too straight and too thick) and replace it with a Fire Hooks Unltd. 30" Pro Bar: http://firehooksunlimited.net/probars.html I would also suggest adding a griphoist as well as several sizes of fabric and cable slings for moving heavy loads (much stronger than a basic come along - excellent for rescue work). http://www.torqhoist.com/show_unique_product.php?product_id=105

Avoid varnishing the cribbing, it can become slick when wet which can result in the load slipping. Use caution when adding storage ontop of the rig so as not to make it top heavy which can be a vehicle handling hazard. Be mindful of the weight of any new / additional equipment that you add to the rig as it can affect the unit's braking ability. Best of luck with the refurb!

Prayers for the injured police officer's speedy recovery. Good work by Ladder Co. 121.

Bob was an F.D.N.Y. Brother, a fellow Chief in the volunteer fire service in Putnam County, a fellow fire instructor and most of all a great friend and mentor to members of the fire service. I will miss him. Rest in peace my Brother, thank you for your friendship as well as for all that you did for the fire service.

Rest in peace Brother.

No matter how many times the topic of provision of FAST is discussed in these forums, I still see many who seem to believe that FAST must be provided by a special 'team' (like haz mat, tech rescue or fire investigation). Like it or not, FAST is part of every firefighter's duties. Any engine, truck, rescue company or squad must be fully capable of being assigned as the FAST when arriving at an incident and functioning in that role should a firefighter get into trouble and require immediate assistance. This training should be part of the process of becoming certified as a firefighter.

Coming soon to a Kindle near you: "Hurt Feelings on the Fire Floor" a novel co-authored by folks who have gotten on the job via court order rather than merit ... So sad.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/westboro-baptist-church-picket-firefighters-memorial-article-1.1391708 I hope that there is a massive turnout of decent Americans both to show respect to the deceased and their families as well as to disrupt, block and drown out the lowlifes who represent the Westboro Baptist Church.

Excellent job by the Brothers aboard F.D.N.Y. Marine 3 last night. 5 lives saved and a boat recovered.

http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/news/fullstory/newsid/190282

Incidents such as that one definitely leave a 'mark' on every firefighter who operated at the scene.

Wow, this is truly a sad state of affairs. FAST training (just like pump operations, engine operations, ladder company operations) is firefighter training. It's a necessity for all members of the department (even if the department does not want to be considered to be a county wide special team). If departments can't find the time to maintain a high level of training in all aspects of firefighting, then it's time for the chief officers and commissioners to take a hard look at the future of the department. If we can't keep up with all necessary training on a regular basis, then we really can't justify being in this 'business'.

Even if "2 in, 2 out" is what departments are following, it's imperative that the members who are assigned as the "2 out" are qualified, knowledgeable, skilled in rescuing downed firefighters. As I stated earlier, many MAYDAYS! occur very early in the operation (well before a special FAST / RIT will arrive). ALL firefighters must be capable of taking the necessary action IMMEDIATELY when firefighters collapse or become trapped and require rescue. The old saying, "Fail to plan, plan to fail" comes to mind. Unfortunately, if we fail in these situations our Brothers / Sisters make the ultimate sacrifice.

FAST or RIT is not designed to be a function handled by a specialized unit or group. It is essential that every firefighter be trained in all facets of firefighter rescue. Often incidents that cause firefighters to require emergency rescue, occur early in the incident (well before a county team or specialized team from a mutual aid department can gather a crew and respond). This means that the rescue of the downed or trapped firefighter(s) will have to be initiated by the firefighters who are already on the scene if they are to have a chance at a good outcome.

Here's a couple of articles as well as the actual FAA findings and decision: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/08/faa-fines-port-authority-3-5-million-over-safety-violations-at-ny-area-airports/ http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/final-panynj-settlement-agreement-and-order-040513.pdf http://skift.com/2013/04/08/faa-fines-new-york-area-airports-3-5-million-for-safety-violations/

Rest in peace Cap, it was an honor to know you. Condolences to family ... Jim Jr. is the current Captain of Rescue Co. 3 in the Bronx.