RichC

JBJ: Thanks for the info and a good topic. We put together a roof simulater a few years back but after using it allowed it to fall into disrepair probably since our area had a number of houses scheduled for teardown that we were able to work roof ops on. It was very well made but should have been made a little larger. Question on the Multi Force simulator; there are a few forcible entry simulators out there now and I am wondering what made the Purchase FD go with the Multi Force. Just watched a video on it and it looks like a pretty good product. Did you do much comparison with other simulators? Thanks

You are right of course on all counts, this ground was not hard but not soggy either. The pad on the building side was pressed in to the turf a bit, (I know I dug it out). Also this area of the lawn was more level than the driveway. Driveway was narrow in spots too so your pads probably would have wound up on turf anyway. This is one of those cases where the pictures as good as they are do not do justice to the ladder placement at this fire. I am no expert, but you don't have to be to recognize how well this was done.

M' Ave: Thanks for putting it so well. I have never seen anyone fight the way Scott fought what he faced. I will miss him.

Can someone tell me how one becomes a certified rescue swimmer including the actual swim requirements? Thanks

Leary POS? I have to agree with you there after he joined the small but unfortunately growing number of people who think its hip or cool to crack on children diagnosed as autistic. Not a fan.

Could somebody give me an overview of what this system is and how it works. Thanks

I think Chief Flynn is on to something here. I think many are suspicious of the motivations of those in favor of consolidation without really understanding how a combined system would work. I grew up in Baltimore County a place where many pro consolidation posters point to as a place where this works. Their model is a county wide combination department. The vol. firefighter, who I suspect harbors the most fear of consolidation, has a definite role in this system and it is not as a clean up crew. Career stations and vol. firehouses each have their own defined role. I am sure there is a lot I don’t know about their system having never been a member in it but from what I do know it is nothing to be afraid of.

Photo: First off great shots, I'm originally from "down there" and enjoy hearing how they operate. We all know that MD, and states to south of MD run large county wide combination departments. What was the total crew size on the Hyattsville Truck?, Do they run an engine out of Hyattsville? Bladensburg is close but not that close considering the congestion in the area (you are on the southside of the Univ of MD on Rte 1. closer to the District) How many on the Bladensburg engine. Was there any POV response or stricly members on apparatus only. Finally there was another poster mentioning the time of day, I am wondering how many were in the Hyattsville firehouse available for this worker. Sorry about all the questions but many on this board, including myself believe a county wide system may serve the citizens better. You saw it work first hand so I would like to find out more as I think others on here would. Interesting post and photos, thanks.

Not only is that an awsome post about a great time with his son, I hope it puts to rest this whole excuse to get away from the wife and kids thing, especially posted on Father's Day weekend. Untrue and insulting

What really would answer this question Mike is asking, how quickly can these warrants be obtained that compells the driver to take the blood test. Another question probably best answered by LE members on here.

Quick question for anybody out there who coaches Little League but who remembers playing as a kid when all the bats were wood, Does the ball come off the modern metal bat too fast? Or at least too fast for this age group? I am not passing judgement on the merits of the lawsuit but this is not the first we have heard that there might be a problem here.

Andrew: We recently had to turn away an applicant because of residency requirement who lived in White Plains . We suggested that he contact either North White Plains, Purchase or West Harrison. Good departments all three of them. Being in White Plains you would be adjoining them and depending on their rules, you may be eligible to join one of them. Good Luck

Moose, I think you might be mis reading the article (or maybe I am) they are talking about getting rid of vol. fire departments not vol firefighters. "County paid protection" means the County pays and therefore runs the department, not moving to an all paid firefighting job. I do not think Western NY could afford that. Actually I think many other regions would be in that same boat. I think we should not fear a county run system although I don't think they run everything perfectly but then who does. In those states with county wide departments the vol firefighter makes a major contribution in fire/rescue.

I'll second that The God Father Sonny to Clemenza "Hey, I want somebody good and I mean very good to plant that gun,,,,I don't want my brother coming outta there with just his d@%ck in his hand"

We were just discussing this last night at the firehouse. I stopped at a bank kiosk in WTC#5 around 8:30-35. From there down to the PATH train to Jersey City first stop Exchange Place right on the water. By the time I got up to street level in JerseyCity, people were out on the street looking back at NYC. I went to the trouble of saving the bank record but it's still in an envelope in my desk.

I am not so sure about this being a long way off before it hits Westchester. This idea is gaining some traction all over. And I agree with alsfirefighter, it will not hurt recruitment at all, most likely enhance it.

I am glad to see some discussion here that is moving away from this send everything as often as possible mindset and that departments are attempting to alter how they respond. I believe we have to guard against complacency but at the same time the factors of our safety, the publics safety and yes, the taxpayers money should all be factored in when weighing the risk factor as firebuff put it. I think its a step in the right direction and is being progressive (a word many are very fond of on here) when departments take a look at how they are responding now as to how they responded 25 years ago when an alarm had a much greater probability that you were going to work. Obviously that does not include the false alarms from pulled street boxes that was a problem in some urban areas years ago.

What if this particular Eng in Yonkers has a response are with many, many 2 1/2 story dwellings with a porch roof. The 15 ft hook ladder is quick and easy access to the porch roof and then the bedroom windows from there. So it may be just a function of the response area and this is what works best for this YFD Eng Co. vs the area FDNY Member Ciampo relates to which might be a place with no porch and flat roofs. Much less use for the hook ladder there.

Joe; To further what Steve has said, the height problem is due to the tiller seat on a new truck now has to be enclosed and that adds height. Our previous L-26 was an open cab tiller seat. I will miss the tiller position as well.

blkcloud: Does this mean the Harlem Zoo name is on the chopping block as well? Sounds like it Is from the article. Much like banning the green Irish hats worn by one of the batallions during the St Pats Parade, it is another example of over reaching. Wears away at traditions that are harmless but enjoyed by many.

sr71: Interesting info, if you have some additional info on square miles, population and run totals the picture would be more complete. It would help keep things in perspective so we know what we are comparing. Noroton and Noroton Heights are I believe bedroom type communitities if I am not mistaken. Maybe Darien is as well. Are the 3 departments paid, vol. or combo? Thanks

I linked to the story and the other photos and I would say unnecessarily aggressive. That roof looks very walk able and very accessible by ground ladder plus you have an aerial accessing the roof from the opposite side from a paved area. I am not an apparatus driver or chauffer depending on your terms but I don't see the need to put that truck in that position to access the roof when much safer access can be made. I hope some others will comment who are apparatus operators. Placement is a good subject. The front side of the structure is usually 2 stories the rear is 3 stories. Front first floor apartment is one flight down and ground level in the rear so it may appear to be a taller structure than it is in some photos. I lived in one of these at Univ. MD in PG County where this took place.

Anyone have any tips on recognizing this stuff other than putting a tool through the wall and see what kind of resistance you get.

Interesting about the state of CT. I had heard something about that but I did not have the facts. I also think CT has more riders than NY does on the New Haven line. Maybe someone on here will know if that is the case. When you pull into Grand Central next to a new clean modern and uncrowded trains from the other lines, makes you a little mad especially in the summer when the train is steaming. I went on a tour of the train shop with my son once. It is impressive. They do a job.

This is a well written article but as someone who has been on the train since the late 80's I think the trash thing is a litte overdone. Having said that, riders have had rate hikes on a regular basis and yet as the article states we are operating on 100 year catenary system with cars from the 70's. The subways have had fare hikes too but the equipment and performance has improved quite a bit over the same time span. I always hear about these on time stats and they make me wonder. What I don't like is being looked down on because I am a train commuter whose ticket price has tripled in my time on the train while the service, well let's just say it hasn't kept pace with the subway improvement. And I don't believe nor have I ever heard any one say that it is the fault of guys in the shop. I have no doubt they do a good job with what they are faced with, I just don't understand why they are faced with it.