Hazmatguy

Really???? We should have two linemen from the out of state power companies directing traffic so it take longer to get the power back up...... it's a disaster and doing that would have been very helpful.......

You need to prepare for incidents whatever the actual event. I don't see why it would be surprising that "any" MCI could lead to confusion. It all comes down to proper training, planning and most importantly a command and control structure prepared to respond. It also requires discipline among all agencies and providers to manage an incident. "Freelancing" is probably the biggest obstacle to controlling an incident, yet people seem to always do what "they" want to do. If there is no discipline then you can expect total chaos......

I have some concerns with current trends in emergency vehicle lighting. My observation is that the LED light packages are way too bright at night and are blinding as one approaches a scene. The most common example is when you approach a state trooper at night but is true of other emergency vehicles also. Some light packages offer a dim mode to reduce the brightness by 1/2 but are these ever used? More and brighter lights are not more effective but some studies suggest they increase the chance for a collision. I also feel that the "crazy" random patterns that are programmed on some fire vehicles cause more harm than good. As you approach a scene, a steady lighting pattern seems to me to be more effective. You also have to consider that cones, flares, led flares and most importantly personnel can be easily washed out by these lights. Is this not a concern to others in this field? While on the general topic, I also find mixing two siren types (air and electronic) on emergency apparatus (most common on fire trucks) causes more confusion than good. I've had cases where I've been unable to tell if there was more than one vehicle approaching. There's got to be some comon sense here. Just curious what others think about this.......

>>>There are many lakes, ponds, streams and rivers in our area would be better choices...<<< This response really misses the point.... there are better ways (or should be) than relying on natural water sources for firefighting. Years ago I witnessed a "drill" at a new development where an fire officer ordered an engine to refill at the stream down the road. This was a well known wild brown trout spawning stream during the height of the spawning season. He had absolutely no regard for the environmental consequences of withdrawing water from there. It easily could have escalated but he agreed to not take the water. Underground tanks seem an obvious solution where appropriate; especially when one considers if they can remain full from normal storm run-off. I'd also add that departments must plan to have adequate water to fight fires from their initial arrival. It really makes little sense to have to "ferry" water to put out the smoldering remains so to speak. If this requires larger capacity tanks or budgeting tankers so be it.

Anyone use the 55 gallon metal drums (opened both ends) to place over the victim in cave in scenarios??? Saw those used in NYC...... quick and effective......

This is so sad..... prayers for her and her family......

There was post 9/11 funding as well as initiatives under Clinton and Bush to increase staffing in emergency services..... funds that were "temporary" or "one time" and thus not available long term.......... And let's be honest..... individual departments that spend money on "toys" yet have inadequate resources for their day to day operations...... tankers, thermal imagers, etc. should be priorities...... not half the crap you see money spent on...... Volunteer departments should be County resources and not Town resources...... costs are out of control....... response times for volunteer fire departments are poor due to the nature of the beast...... property "rescue" is limited and thus there needs to be a better way...... we can all congratulate each other after a major fire but if nothing is left, what was the purpose..... priorities have to be directed toward a quick response and rescue..... putting out the "fire" is really less important since there is normally little left to "save" and rebuild...... everyone in a fire department should be capable of self critique and acknowledge where we could be more efficient..... anything that you purchase will need maintenance, repair and replacement..... this is often forgotten.......

I have to laugh every time I hear about "radio problems" and how the federal government should pay for upgrades...... it's an embarrassment that radios had not been standardized years ago... and certainly before 9/11 occurred......

There was lots of "temporary" funding in departments throughout the Nation that just ran out thus the cuts. It's a simple fact of economics and a failure to budget to sustain staffing. Police and Fire Departments need to really think about "what they really need" and adjust to this new economic reality. Salaries and benefits are going to be cut down the road though these public service jobs will still offer good opportunities. It's a new world......