antiquefirelt

I'm a little unclear as to the "defects of the masks" that may be found? A few things come to mind at first glance: 1)At some point every FF must be responsible for his/her own safety and health, so properly checking your seal is necessary and cannot be passed off. 2) if the mask is defective, the air will pass by and leak out faster, which is a hazard, but will not allow CO and other gases in, until you're out of air (no one is using demand type SCBA right?)

We did just get the Phillips in for a demo and are using one for two weeks. It too appears to be a significant improvement over the current monitors (now that you mention it, they might be LP12's). The Phillips is not as small or light as the Zoll X, but the screen size is larger and it appears that some of the secondary functions (printing summaries, trends,etc) are simpler. They too can push the info into the ePCR quickly using wireless or a cellular connection. After the crews using the Zoll X for two weeks, most if not all are certainly no long in the tank for Physio. In the end, while not everyone will be happy (ever), any new unit appears that it will work and be a significant improvement on many fronts. Still waiting for Physio to send us up a demo, they wanted 4-6 weeks to get us one, which appears to mirror how our service with them has been, which certainly doesn't help the sales force.

BTW- I meant no disrespect to those FD's who are part of the fire districts, it's just this concept is foreign to us up here. We're prohibited by state law from enacting any new tax not levied by the State. There are no private fire districts and no mechanism for them, so every FD is either a municipal FD (VFD/career/combo) or a private non-profit that is contracted by the town. The private FD's cannot levy taxes but exist only on donations or when the town issues a tax to support them by "donating". Even the most lavish FD's in the wealthiest towns are spartan compared to many I've visited in NY, NJ and PA.

Bingo, that sums it up very well.

So is that practice used to circumvent bidding requirements and voter approval? If they have the money they can do what they want? What's the process used to authorize expenditures from a "reserve fund"? I will say I wish our municipal government had the forethought to maintain reserve accounts, but instead they can't see any further that the next election, so they pass all funding and tax increases off to the next City Council. Of course in our municipal world we'd be required to go to bid and only after approval of the expenditure by the City. Not having a reserve fund ends up with capital purchases coming due during hard times, leading to failed votes to borrow the money, putting of the replacement and "kicking the can down the road".

Thanks for the replies. Seems like we're all finding the Zoll to be pretty nice compared to what we've used in the past. It's nice to hear real world experience such as the BP cuff not being quite the best thing since sliced bread. Our EMSer's thought it was awesome, then when it was slightly problematic is the filed wondered if it was a problem or just hyper-sensitive. With our LP's we required at least one manual BP before using the auto cuff due to the quality of the readings. Sounds like that might still be a good idea. No doubt it's fast when your sitting in a classroom. SRS131EMTFF: We did get the full demo along with Ian for three days of ride along (one for each shift). It was great, the first demo one of our guys thought Ian's last name was Zollman and that he and his father owned Zoll. He's still taking a good beating on that. We had some fun with Ian and that as well. We'll have to see how the pricing comes out, but we were looking at about $100-105K for three X series with all the bells and whistles. Anyone had any experience with the Phillips. Local skepticism is even higher than we had with Zoll, as we can't find anyone in our state using them on an ambulance. Of course before the Zoll, our personnel were convinced the LP 15 was the next greatest thing, sight unseen. Now they've had their eyes opened. Amazing what we'll convince ourselves of without looking any further. Normally I have next to nothing to do with EMS procurement, but a temporary shift in duties requires that I approve this purchase, so any tidbits help.

Thanks. We did find that learning to use it wasn't too bad, as I said we've got one demo in service and most have found it pretty easy to use, the only things that's more complicated is printing summaries and such, but the functional things were easy enough that I can do it, and I haven't ridden in the back of a bus in over a decade. We too liked the saddlebags, they're a must for the way we use them. A few local EMS units around us also have Zoll, but the older M series (?) so they reports don't align with the X's. I do know that Lifeflight of Maine also uses them as well as Portland FD and Northeast Mobile Health both are likely the busiest service in the state.

Since I'm from away, can someone point to the actual limitations Christie signed into? Not that any of us like this type of restriction, but sometimes when you dig into it, it's all fluff with no real substance. I'd like to know just how bad the limitations are?

That is the question as I took your post to mean they didn't have access the the forward access ladder. Possibly the crew was busy with other tasks while the chauffeur placed the aerial or they didn't want to take any chances sticking the spot with men in the basket given the proximity to the wires. Regardless of how they ascended, the position is a testament to the skill of their personnel and a "can do" attitude.

That's a great set. As to the OP's comment on doing the limbo under the wires: Why couldn't they ascend forward access ladder to enter the bucket from the actual aerial ladder?

So what do you do as a parent of a student whose classroom is above the ground floor? Demand new one story schools? How about a reality check, they have to have policies that meet the broad spectrum of the education system as a whole. If you kids teacher can get them out the window, maybe they do that and take the rip should they violate some policy when faced with an actual shooter in their school?

It's nearly impossible to compare us to any other country in the world. Our citizens and literally anyone standing on our soil, have far greater freedoms than 99% of the rest of the world. We appear to have a significant portion of our population who have far less regard for human life than most industrialized countries in the world. This is a human problem that many would like to regulate by removing the tools used. One, it's not changing the root issue, the people and two in reality in this country total disarmament is far from any reality, which leaves us where. We can help secure our schools and better prepare for these issue, we cannot stop them or predict them at this point and we won't be able to, until we start addressing the mental health issues.

While I'm pretty anti-gun control, it's really only because I think any measure will be a first step for some people (Bloomberg and his ilk). Nonetheless, with regard to "a well regulated militia" the SCOTUS has already indicated that this means any citizens that are armed and not prevented from lawful ownership that may come together in a future time of need to form a group. It's not up to individual interpretation, it's been clarified in at least two rulings. Banning the firearms in any manner or further restricting the rights of law abiding American citizens will not solve the issue. Ensuring that firearms do not fall into the hands that don't meet the "law-abiding American" test, is part of the solution. But again, my support is only when they can guarantee this won't be a stepping stone toward further restrictions on lawful owners. As for the door secure posted? I think they're a great idea, I know I sure don't have better answer than ensuring teachers have anything they want/need to buy time or secure their classrooms. No offense to our Law Enforcement brethren, but the collective experience on this kind of school shooting doesn't lead to tried and true practices, so awaiting an LEO approved/suggested solution may not result in an immediate decrease int he number of victims. Suggesting people outside the "biz" have nothing to offer is very shortsighted. We all to often see everything through the same set of eyes with the same view as yesterday, that rarely leads to the best solutions.

How is that different from having to adjust the pressure when the nozzle is open vs. closed? Unless you preset the line to a known psi with the nozzle closed, that will drop to the correct pis with the nozzle open and kinks out, it would seem that you need to dial in the correct number while the line is flowing properly. This is why not only the MPO but the nozzleman too, must properly flow the line before committing. Giving the nozzle a quick 1 second squirt will not ensure you have an adequate fire stream and doesn't allow the MPO to set the pump (old school pump anyway).

I'm interested in what the combination offers that you prefer it for room and contents or "smaller" fires? While I don't think fog nozzles are necessarily inferior (with proper training and use), I'm genuinely interested in the decision-making process people use when selecting hose/nozzle combinations.

While I personally favor the smoothbore, I have found that some combination nozzle proponents have fairly strong evidence to support their use in structural firefighting as well. When properly adjusted all the way to the right (right is right, left for lobster) the straight stream when flowed at the same gpm easily matches the reach and penetration in most interior fires. Many very experienced FD's use combo nozzles every day quite successfully. Our guys are split between using the Vindicator or the 15/16" tip, with the fog nozzles rarely stretched. With proper training (it took many years to erase the 30 degree fog lessons) the combination nozzle when flowed at adequate gpm work just fine. I'm not sure I'd select one when operating off a standpipe but, still many do, the key as always is proper application and use. I can say I doubt we'll ever buy another 100psi combo tip, but a 75 psi fog likely has a place on a well appointed engine. As for TFT's and many of the other new gimmicks, I'd agree their just new ways to liberate dollars from unsuspecting customers.

Many excellent points in David Rhodes blog. This is well worth the time to review his short messages. Thanks Cogs.

It is far too easy to use hindsight to explain the "just get in there" train of thought. Our not knowing the layout of the structure, the location of the building, the conditions on arrival (true observed conditions) and how quickly incoming companies would be arriving I find it hard to support the actions you propose. On the other hand, had the chief made the grab, there would likely be a reversal of some of this thinking. Conditions dictate actions, maybe some of you are privy to far more insight than is accessible to the rest of us in web-world. Had the trapped occupant been halfway out the rear window awaiting a ladder or laying at the foot of the rear wall, how would one justify missing the 360 to make an unsupported search? Does the Chief carry SCBA? Were the conditions such to allow him a probe without one? How large is the structure? How detailed is the report of the victim? Too many variables for me to advocate always diving in head first.

I think you should check the FCC rules and other laws as the pertain to the interception of radio transmissions and the "divulgence of information intercepted". The information we transmit in in reality "public" due to technology, but has been regulated as if it were private. In years passed we'd quote the FCC laws to reporters that would publish information that was only heard on the scanner, they'd usually stop pretty quick. See here: www.fcc.gov/guides/interception-and-divulgence-radio-communications And you can give names over the radio, though it is discouraged almost specifically due to scanners. In our area some PD's respond to most EMS calls, you'll hear the sanitized "name free" version on the fire/EMS frequencies, and the full disclosure version when the PD units is sent. Basically the police have been operating under the assumption that HIPAA does not apply to them. Any information needed to enure proper care to a request for medical service is allowed under HIPAA. Using names is debatable as to the actual necessity, but some places seem to know the residents better than the addresses, thus they ask for the callers name (common in rural areas). In 2014 this means your EMS service maybe a little behind the times, but alas, no one's being cited.

I think "have to" is a little strong. Drinking doesn't have to be part of anything and certainly has the potential to result in stupid behavior, thus the responsibility to remain professional (as a state of mind) is shared by all. When you get large numbers of like minded individuals together in an unofficial setting, sharing stories over drinks is routine, in all walks of life. There was a time, not to long ago when most could handle this without devolving into stupidity, but we have yet again allowed some antics to occur without swift and severe repercussions, thus in becomes tacit approval. Again, we cannot punish the majority for the sins of a small minority, even if they're the ones who get the press. I'm sure even though there's been some eyebrows raised due to these moron's, there were far, far more brothers who paid their respects and celebrated the lives of these men and the fire service as a whole in a manner befitting of our profession. I can't remember the last time I attended a funeral that didn't have some sort of post-ceremony gathering where friends, family and co-workers relaxed and shared stories and laughs. I hope it doesn't come to that. It's up to all of us to ensure our members know the repercussions of their poor behavior and to hold ourselves and members accountable. You teach your kids how to act when they go to restaurants, right? You don't just stop eating out. Some of us have to realize that we cannot expect some of the newer folks to automatically "get it". As many things change, respect, chivalry, etiquette, and common sense disappear without constant reinforcement.

I'm not sure anyone is saying that drinking can't be a part of the after service tradition, but how it's done and the public view should be considered. Firefighters in uniform urinating on people's lawns? There has to be some boundaries and thought behind the public image you present. if you have a reasonable expectation of privacy, that's a bit different in my eyes. I know I've been witness (and party to) a things that I'd not want to have been in public but were not at all unreasonable being in Florian Hall in Boston or another locals private drinking establishment.

Do you have a policy on how far you'll lay without breaking in another pump? And related to that: do you carry some sort of LDH "water thief" or other device for a later arriving pump to break in line?

While I agree, it doesn't have to be that difficult if you have policies regarding personal conduct while in uniform. This type of behavior, like most conduct issues would be best handled by the membership as a whole, ensuring the vision their personnel project is one everyone respects. This is something we seem to be losing a day at a time as new people come in and are given a watered down version of the rules of conduct (official and unofficial). Nothing like having a few clowns destroy what otherwise would be a decent rep in the eyes of the public and other FD's.

I'm not sure that's the right answer, in fact I'm sure it isn't. Too often we make blanket policies to address the stupidity of a small sample. If out of town Brother's truly want to pay their respects, the sea of uniformed firefighters can be quite moving. I can tell you the day (in 2000) we marched through Worcester it was a moment I'll never forget, it still send shivers up my spine to remember how the second largest city in New England could be reduced to only the sound of footsteps as Brothers from across this country and further marched to the Centrum. Letting a few clowns disassemble something that's larger than any individual, any one FD or even a country would be a damn shame. It needs to be said to all by their own bosses that if you act inappropriately while in uniform (regardless of who paid for it) then you will be held accountable for "duties unbecoming of a member". can we not instill a minimum level of respect for other Brother's? This is the epitome of Brotherhood just being a slogan that goes along with a window decal or uniform. It is up to our own members to ensure the new guys coming on understand the true meaning of respect and Brotherhood and up to the bosses to ensure their members represent them in a manner that makes the department proud.

Sadly, it appears another new "trend" is coming out of our technology boom. It appears that a funeral is now becoming a "look at me event". Reportedly, many uniformed firefighters were taking cellphone pics throughout the processional and such. Many don't seem to understand that taking pictures for their Facebook page makes a solemn day of remembrance appear to be about the wrong people. What could and should be a large silent presence to honor the fallen and show the family, FD and community that we are one in brotherhood appears to be just another excuse to get out of town a drink and show off their hero costumes. Disgraceful. Too bad only those of us on the inside readily see the difference between those in uniform and those in hero costumes.