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Nice. I checked them out. Any inside info on that Churchtown Rescue?

Another from the collection....unsure of the background on it as it appears to be a "put together". It is a N5a in SMALL which havnt been made since about the time the FDNY stopped issuing leathers, BUT it has a flat topped eagle finial which is from the MSA era lids, albeit bent slightly. LOL This helmet is heavily covered in soot and has some wicked crazy bends in the brim. I had a front device made up for it for display purposes and "someday"..LOL

Mucho Fuego.

Sorry for the delay in clarifying this comment - I have rotated into weekends off so that time was spent with my kids and Wife. My semi-tounge in cheek comment about someone calling my Chief stems from some trouble a local career fireman tried to start by calling my BOSS over a debate here over a year ago...that was QUICKLY squashed, but not forgotton. I am smart enough to not call out a fire department online, it just breeds animosity between companies and is unproffesional...for every person that posts here, 100 more read. No comment goes un-noticed. It's good, as it holds the poster acountable for their words, and those who know me, know what I type, is what I say, and have no problem engaging into debate in person. Debate, not arguing. I RESPECT so many of the local fire officers and firefighters and love working with them. Hopefully they feel the same. I don't hide behind a screen name. Again - I am not against any department choosing to use CAFS, or any other tactic/technique/system, it is their choice, usually backed up by research and experience. Good on them for trying something new and being progressive. My thoughts were completely related to MY experiences on MY firegrounds. I do not think CAFS is FOR MY company. Not now at least. The biggest advantage I see with it personally is in the wildland scenario - I mean - check out the pictures Mark posted of the SNOWFALL he applied to the trees and shrubbery! Absolutely coated. THAT kicks a**..I can see Wassaic plowing to the top of the mountian in the BRAT, and coating the whole damn thing...BOOYAH - fire out! HOWEVER, since the DEC implemented the new rules in regards to open burning, OUR brush fire runs have dropped DRAMATICALLY. Gone are the days of the all day, mountain burning, "Y'all come!" fires...and good riddance to that bull.. For structural fires, I am still a firm beleiver that RAPID WATER applied to the fire in adequate amounts, COUPLED WITH AGGRESSIVE truck work and ventilation, save LIVES and buildings. That means a quick response, a fast deployment, and firefighters who know their job. BUT...keep me in mind when B4 does a CAFS drill please.

Myrtle Beach got me a few years back as well...day 1 of a 2 week vacation...I lost so much skin it was disgusting...still have some scars.

At a recent parade, I sat directly opposite a NYSP Trooper on a traffic post. EACH and EVERY time, the stars and stripes passed by, he saluted with the most crisp salute I have ever seen. Many of the bystanders commented on it as well...all were impressed by his actions. Well Done Trooper, remain safe.

Now before someone gets their panties in a bunch and calls my Chief, let me say, as I have said before - I do NOT fault any department for using it or praising it. If it works for YOU - AWESOME. We are all different and use different tactics...bottom line.

PECO, is Protection Engine COmpany, the Village of Fishkill. Their truck is special because it isnt even a truck..it is numbered as an engine! If I recall, the ladder is 65 or 68 feet, which is too short to meet the County criteria of a ladder truck (75 feet I think?)...HOWEVER, the members of PECO have done more with that truck than alot of other departments with true ladders..Look through fdphotunit's galleries of fires down south (Dutchess) and you will see PECO, usually the first due ladder, witht the stick up. Not knocking ANY other departments, just giving credit, where credit is due.

I disagree when you say CAFS has been proven in our area. Some good use, mayen.be, but not proven

The Asheville Fire Department has announced that Capt. Jeffrey Bowen -- a 13-year veteran with Rescue 3 suffered fatal injuries in the blaze. http://www.wlos.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wlos_vid_5039.shtml Rest In Peace. Alot of guys hurt at this job too....

Man I love those old Wards! First firetruck I ever responded on was a 74 Ward (if I recall), old Millbrook 214...that engine would scream!!!!! The one pictured here looks like it is in amazing shape!

Yes, the older syle New Yorker finial is far better than the flat topped version...and the current factory bends suck. i was actually talking to the cuurent designer/engineer from MSA trying to get them to change it to look more tradional and not so swoopy.. Here is one I had breifly with the flat top. This one I bought on ebay for $300 and it sold for over $500! I stripped the yellow off, held it over a pot of boiling water to let the steam soften the leather, then took the silly bends from the brim, I like them flat! After being repainted a flat black, I did the flag on the underside and added a new finial with maltese design (not the eagle). The new owner loves it. By the way - this one was a N6a - the Sam Houston...and I MUCH PREFER the N5a over it!

Good shots - post more if you have them - I have been waiting for Jetphoto or Photounit to post up.. I listened to that fire from the beginning...awesome job by 42-1...never met him but he is always a professional..as are his men. And PECO's "truck" has seen more fire duty that alot of the area's "real" ladders...I love that rig! Love me some Big City Fries to boot! Good job fellas.

Update on this sad case, the fire has been declared arson. http://www.firehouse.com/news/top-headlines/blaze-killed-nc-firefighter-declared-arson

I can see that point, but remember, it isnt to show off, it is a badge of honor that you earned.

I am pretty vocal about being on the fence about CAFS, as I am surrounded by a few departments who praise it. I will preface this by saying, I am not intimately familar with CAFS and have NEVER been on a CAFS line, at a J O B or even training. (with the exception of flowing it through our ladder pipe at Amenia's Foam Up Wet Down). I have heard only one story where it made an absolute difference and have seen first hand a fire it was used on and was not impressed. Perhaps it was a bad example, but the end result was no different than it would have been with well placed water streams. If I were to spec an engine today, would I spec a CAF system? No. Will my mins change in the future? Maybe. In regards to CAFS minimizing overhaul - can you expand on that? I can see that statement being true in regards to less fire damage area, but regardless what you use to put a fire put, you HAVE to open up and check for extension and eliminate the chance of the fire re-igniting in your absence (I refuse to use the word rekindle. Aggressive overhaul prevents embarassment. I think CAFS would be the cats a** in regards to brush fires. Just my opinion....but then again, we don't use smooth bore knobs either...although I would like too. The extent of my experience with CAFS;

Cool rig....McDermott Bars would have made a nice addition for sure!

One more, and these are not part of my collection, but I sure wish they were! This past sprng we were cleaning out the garage where our 1927 Seagrave parks and I found these 3 piled up in a corner! I about pooped myself! LOL These are now on display in the firehouse, behind glass. I am eventually going to either order or make front devices for them. From left - Unknown make High Eagle leather, Cairns 5a, and Cairns Senator (metal)

2 more...both from the City of Poughkeepsie. One I purchased locally, it is an old PFD VOLUNTEER helmet..Cairns 5a. The back side of the front device was painted blue, as shown. Probationary firemen wore the device blue side out. When they completed probation, it was reversed to show the company ID. The other was given to me by a retired Captain, and was his Lieutenant helmet from the 80's. If this helmet could talk, it would cough.

Nice lid Mark! But why no "PAST CHIEF" device?

Never seen them myself, but a very good freind and career FF who is ALL ABOUT rescue/rextrication played with a set and said he was VERY impressed with them.

Oh....I have a Milwaukee too..

The collection of front devices at our firehouse features some Boston and FDNY. I sold an older 5a to a guy on the SFFD via ebay last month. I also wore a Boston style device on my helmet for awhile;

I had the opportunity to assist SFI's Gorman and Marshall, along with several others today, at a live burn for FF1 Training at the Dutchess County FIRE ACADEMY. The schedule of events was building fires in the AM, and boring old car fires in the afternoon. I took many shots, but somehow broke the screen on my camera...so these are what they are..basically blind shots. I do not have too many of the building burns, as I was assigned to lead one of the two search teams. I have a bunch of the car fires, a bunch of faces, and a tour of the facilty. I MUST say, the training center has come A LONG WAY since I took Essentials in 1990...we had a 2 story concrete burn building...with no rooms...but we made due. Today's facilty has a great burn building, and MANY, MANY props and well outfitted tool compliment...KUDOS TO THOSE WHO WORKED TO ACHIVE THIS and thanks to the County staff for providing this facility for us. If you don't take advantage of these instructors and the training grounds - SHAME ON YOU! On a side note - my Essentials Instructor was past FDMV Deputy Chief Ken Flood...

Quick shot of some my collection;