DWC295

I think this is a great idea! Good for the commuters and responders. I hope they do an open house! My link

Second story from LA Times. My link

Interesting article looking at how things are going for LAFD. My link

It appears as thought things are returning to normal up here in Boston. Areas still affected do not involved the area over by Fenway/Lansdowne Stree from what I have heard on the radio. I thought I had read somewhere online that E33 and L15 self dispatched to the fire. Looking out from their quarters the fire ground would have been directly in front of them maybe 200 ft up the road! From reading comments at the globe and herald this event is creating some ill will between Boston and the suburbs, in my opinion. The suburbs lose power in a storm and they go days/weeks before power is restored but things are happening fast for the areas effected by this event. I hate to be negative but if this happened in my area of Boston I feel that I would be told to deal with it! I did see a good Tweet about how we should focus on who was prepared to deal with this as opposed to who is stuck and having problems!

Posted today on AMR's Facebook page. Interesting graphics, big change from previous trucks. Large star of life is interesting. I guess this is the new national scheme, these trucks are from Nashua, NH. I haven't seen any down here in MA yet. "Check out the new AMR ambulances. Coming soon to an operation near you!" Photo downloaded from AMR's facebook account.

Here is the Type II truck I mentioned earlier.

I would like to see these photos when you can get them! I saw a new Type II outside of Wellesley, MA fire headquarters last weekend and it had a different scheme for colors. White vehicle with red that goes up side and a small star of life in it. I didn't have my camera to grab a picture. There was no light bar either, just the primary lights that looked like some interest combo of mutilple LEDs in a single light panel.

This is an interesting story. My link

Here are some depts to check out. Dover-Sherborn - Metro West outside of Framingham. I believe you need to be an EMT-B to apply. Topsfield - North of Boston Wenham - North of Boston Grafton - Worcester Rehoboth - Southeastern MA, EMS as well Dighton - Southeastern MA Other towns in the areas of towns above probably have a good chance of having combination depts. Cambridge, MA has an auxillary dept. Link below. Support to CFD cambridgeauxiliary.webs.com/

For those interested in learning more about BFD hiring/MA Civil Service a link below that might be of interest. BFD is having open houses at stations throughout the city for interested applicants this year. There is a live chat option coming up. Veterans have preference as well for hiring. I believe there are multiple testing locations throughout the state based on your location. I have taken tests in two different cities outside of Boston and I live in Boston. Being a paramedic seems to help with getting hired for FD that provide ALS transporting. More towns have been taking back EMS these days and have been hiring medics. My link

Found this article today. My link

PFFM and Boston FD Local 718 shared this on Facebook. Interesting look at Chelsea, MA years ago and as the Facebook posts said relevant to today! My link

I was in Virginia Beach a few years ago. Nice town, has a large tourist focus and also a large military presence. I was staying across the street from the Station Landing station and went over one evening. They had a nice modern fleet at the time and from reading in FAJ they seem to have kept that up. This station had a really nice training set up out back. I believe EMS at the time was provided by a combination paid/volunteer staff, but don't quote me on that, and not sure how it is now. Plus the view isn't bad down there! Might be worth looking into if you can.

Another video from boston.com. Looked like a good fire from the videos. I caught the first few minutes on the scanner and was going to check it out but decided against it. I figured things would be knocked down by the time I made it over, I guess I should have gone over.... My link

This is the replacement. My link

Great story about the Colchester VT Technical Rescue team and their efforts during Hurricane Irene! My link

This made the rounds in the news today here in Boston. Some interesting photos of the set up and interior of the boat. My link

From today's Boston Globe. I wish this young man well in his career! My link

Agreed, Nikon makes a good camera. Look into different lens as well. I purchased a D40 kit and the 18-55mm lens it comes with was great at first but then got boring. I would also recommend a local store as opposed to Costco, Best Buy etc. Hope this helps.

Great photos, thanks for sharing! That is a first for me, I have never seen a Honda Pilot used in law enforcement. The new tower looks nice, I liked their old Pierce!

Suspect was found dead this morning. No, specifics provided. Too many LODD in 2011!

Peabody, MA FF James Rice, 42, died today at a 3 alarm fire. Press conference is scheduled for 1730 tonight. My link

I was finally able to see one a Sprinter in person a few months back and get inside it. It was an AMR Sprinter. It seemed roomy with lots of head room. The EMT that was nice enough to let me check it out didn't seem to thrilled with it. It does seem a little top heavy. I am curious what this truck would be like doing a transfer into Boston at highway speeds? I thought I had read somewhere that Acadian in LA etc was going with these trucks now for all their new ambulances. If I remember correctly was it based on fuel efficiency primarily. I think only AMR has gone with these trucks in the metro Boston area. Pro EMS had one but donated it to Cambridge, MA FD for their motor squad. Anyone have any experience with these trucks?

Thanks! Hard to see that truck with yellow lights though.

No, UVM doesn't have their own FD. The City of Burlington covers the campus. I heard that the UVM Physical Plant bought the old Ford. I didn't realize it became a confined space rescue. Anyone have any more info?