Task Force 7

This is just sad to me. I use to be a volunteer with them. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Westworth-Village-shutters-volunteer-fire-department-265315831.html Fort Worth is only going to respond to fire and MVA calls. All EMS calls will be handled by the Westworth PD and Medstar EMS. I really don't see how this is going to serve the citizens better. No offense no the PD, but they're not certified as Paramedics. At least some of the FF's were. Not to mention the nearest Fort Worth firehouse is about 4 miles away. I don't recall Medstar ever beating us to a call. Here's the final tone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maEXQQ8JfS0 Farewell Station 41!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with the Tanksley family, and the whole Dallas Fire Rescue family. RIP brother.

Here are a few photos that I managed to take yesterday while in the Houston area. Sugarland Engine 1 Katy Engine 3 Katy Ambulance 1 Photos were taken by TF-7. These pictures were the first I've ever taken using a IPAD. I wasn't sure how they would turn out.

Engine 561 Quint 565 Engine 563

I use to know actually how many Code 3's I have. If memory serves me correctly it's around 130. I use to keep them all in their domes, or the display cases that the newer ones came in. Since moving into my brand new house last year, I've bought three glass cases from IKEA. I have been slowly removing my Code 3's from their domes and placing them into the glass cases. My pride would be the three Fort Worth models with Truck 8 being my favorite. I know these aren't 100% accurate, but since I had a small hand in getting them released, they're special to me. I also have 4 TWH models.

Seth, Yes the Quint and E-561 have fold down steps. E-563 is the newest of the three, but I couldn't tell you why it doesn't have them.

Sorry, I hit the post button before finishing my post. Grapevine has been replacing their E-Ones with Pierce. These are photos that I have taken of their new rigs. They have a new Pierce Dash aerial tower arriving soon to replace their old E-One Bronto.

Thoughts and prayers to everyone in Moore, Oklahoma.

My thoughts and prayers go out to FF Wilson's family, and to the entire Dallas Fire Rescue family. RIP, Brother Wilson!

Seth, nice job on the photos! Yes, be glad you didn't come up here. Tornadoes hit Kennedale, Arlington, Lancaster, Forney, and South Dallas.

About 9-10 years ago I was looking into challenging the test in Florida having been trained here in Texas. I was talking to Charlotte County Fire/EMS and they told me to look here. www.floridastatefirecollege.org This school is located in Central Florida. Ocala to be exact.

Could be worse! You could have Jerry Jones as the owner, and have to listen to him every year say this team is Super Bowl bound! Only to watch the Cowboys end up 6-10, or 8-8. Not to mention one playoff win since 1996. Firing Jimmy Johnson was the best decision he ever made....NOT!!!!

Thoughts and prayers go out to the brothers & sisters with the Houston Fire Dept. R.I.P. Capt!!

No, they just have the exhaust stack. All the stations have a track mounted up on the ceilings that they line the exhaust stack up with, and it hooks directly into the exhaust ventilation system. The aerials still require the firefighters to hook the ventilation hose up to the exhaust when returning to quarters.

Fort Worth, Texas Engine 2 Lake Cities, Texas Engine 591 Lake Ciities, Texas Chief 591 Lake Cities, Texas Medic 591 Lake Cities, Texas Engine 592 (formerly 591) All photos are property of Task Force 7.

The sign by the brush truck did say GIVE WAY. So that's actually what the PINK truck did.

Here's a link to a picture of Arlington, Texas new 2012 Charger Police Cruiser.

Seth, Arlington, Texas, is trying this concept right now. They took a old BC surburban last year and ran it as Squad 2 out of Station 2 on EMS calls.They found out it does save on fuel, and wear and tear on the Engine. They just bought two new Chevy Tahoes and will now be running a second Squad out of Station 4. These two Squads only respond to calls in their district, they don't cover the whole city. Arlington is still doing a study on this. However I wouldn't be surprise if they purchase some more Tahoes, and place them at throughout the city.

Can they not be arrested for impersonating as firefighters? I mean if they are not an official Volunteer Fire Dept recognized by the State of NY Fire Marshals Office, or who ever oversees that area. Then wouldn't they be impersonating? Just asking!!

You'alL will get your fair share of "DISCOUNT DOUBLE CHECK!" Green and Gold will prevail! Sorry, I'm a diehard Cowboys fan....will not, can not root for the Giants.

After trying to read that name, this song is now stuck in my head.... Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye, My oh my what a wonderful day!

Here is what they look for when grading a Dept. Fire alarms Ten percent of the overall grading is based on how well the fire department receives fire alarms and dispatches its fire-fighting resources. Our field representatives evaluate the communications center, looking at the number of operators at the center; the telephone service, including the number of telephone lines coming into the center; and the listing of emergency numbers in the telephone book. Field representatives also look at the dispatch circuits and how the center notifies firefighters about the location of the emergency. Engine companies Fifty percent of the overall grading is based on the number of engine companies and the amount of water a community needs to fight a fire. ISO reviews the distribution of fire companies throughout the area and checks that the fire department tests its pumps regularly and inventories each engine company's nozzles, hoses, breathing apparatus, and other equipment. ISO also reviews the fire-company records to determine: type and extent of training provided to fire-company personnel number of people who participate in training firefighter response to emergencies maintenance and testing of the fire department's equipment Water supply Forty percent of the grading is based on the community's water supply. This part of the survey focuses on whether the community has sufficient water supply for fire suppression beyond daily maximum consumption. ISO surveys all components of the water supply system, including pumps, storage, and filtration. To determine the rate of flow the water mains provide, we observe fire-flow tests at representative locations in the community. Finally, we evaluate the distribution of fire hydrants. For more information you can click here: http://www.iso.com/Products/Public-Protection-Classification-Service/Fire-Suppression-Rating-Schedule-FSRS-manual-for-PPC-grading.html

Station X1 respond to (address of 911 emergency) medical emergency.....Elderly male got his pe--s stuck in his zipper!! Medstar## enroute! Engine X1 enroute to (address) on a medical emergency. PD arrived on scene first and comes out the front door of residence as we roll up on scene and is LHAO. May need to bring the Jaws of Life!

When I volunteered here in the Fort Worth area we were not to respond in our POV to the scene. We had to respond to the station, and then respond on a piece of apparatus if first out rig hadn't left yet. If the first unit had already responded, you then would be on stand by at the station until the next out unit was requested, and had enough manpower. We were not allowed to take our gear home with us unless we were going to a fire academy course. Another FD I volunteered with several years ago went M/A with a larger D/FW area dept. on a house fire. I was on my way home from my full-time job and had to drive through this neighborhood to get home. I noticed all the fire apparatus from the larger dept. on scene. I parked my car out of the way, and walked up to see what was going on. Staying behind the fire/police line I watched with all the other bystanders. I had no idea my FD was on scene as I was not wearing any kind of radio/pager/ etc. to advice me of it. My FD Lt. happened to see me standing in the crowd, and came over to ask me to assist with changing out air bottles. I was told to check in with IC, and let him know who I was, and what I was going to be doing. After the fire was out I helped roll hose not only for my dept. but for the larger dept. as well.

Merry Christmas everyone!!