firemoose827

Well what the heck are you both doing on here then? LOL Go ahead...Go study... Good luck to everyone on your finals and have a safe holiday season with the family.

I have heard different arguments, like the one that all firefighters should have turnouts on while responding to a call to have extra protection against cuts and abrasions should the truck be involved in a crash. But yet the helmets should be removed to prevent neck injuries during a crash. Once on scene, yes, everyone should be in turnouts, even the drivers. You never know what will happen and who will be needed to help out. If I am the MPO that day with a shortage of manpower and the FAST isnt on scene yet and one of my brothers goes down inside, I will be ready to respond to help them instead of wasting time putting on coats and helmets and gloves and SCBA...If I am at the pump I will have my turnouts on with a pack nearby ready to go, I wont have that on my concious because I was "Too Hot", or thought it was rediculous to be a driver and be in turnouts. Firefighters are always prepared, if you want to make excuses thats your thing, but remember that when you are on the inside and you need help and the guy outside is still getting dressed...dont be mad at him/her, they are simply doing what you would do also.

May he Rest In Peace, and may his family and friends take comfort in each other and stay strong. All my thoughts and prayers to all of you.

Thanks Izzy, I will pass it on to my contacts. I received something this AM about someone seeing my picture in another web site, is that similar to this?

Bump... Have a good time everyone and cant wait to see the discussion on the forums!!! LOL

Rob, Dont forget to take pictures of the gang and post them for us that could not make it. Hope you all have fun and remember to drink responsibly (Izzy!) and be safe.

Congratulations brother, keep up the good work!

May you and your wife have many wonderful memories in the new house, best of luck to you!

Mercury...Its a relatively low dose contained in the CFL but if you break one there is a high potential to breath in a toxic dose as it vaporizes into the air. Here is a link to some information on Mercury for all of you to peruse. Mercury Information It has some good info. My concern would be more from the Thermometers or Barometers that some people have in their houses. They have a higher concentration of Mercury than the CFL does, especially some of the older models. I remember my grandfather had a combination Thermometer/barometer hanging by his front door and he would always get mad when we played around it. Funny, I always thought it was because he liked the thing but he was concerned about the Mercury!

May He Rest In Peace and may his family and friends be comforted in their time of need. He was a tough firefighter, apparently he suffered some bad burns a few years ago and refused to retire, he was dedicated and brave and loved his job...Rest In Peace brother.

Thank you sir!

May he Rest In Peace...

Ok, things are skirting on the edge here so here is your warning...any more finger pointing or bashing of agencies or individual firefighters closes this thread. Keep it CIVIL, and PROFESSIONAL...everyone know the definitions of those words? If not look them up. Out of respect for those involved, which for this particular incident is a lot...Keep the bashes and negative coments to a minimum please. Any word on the patients yet and their conditions?

Happy Belated Birthday Chief!

I hear ya Chris, I was just saying that there is different set ups for each county/area and for him to check out all of his options to see whats available. We have multiple county teams, and I wish they were all in one big Special Ops team instead! lol It would be nice to have a team set up with multiple disciplines for different situations so we could cross train and help each other out. Right now we have the FAST, Search & Rescue, Haz-Mat, and Fire Investigation teams, but I would like to see one team, "Schoharie County Spec Ops Team". (yah right, like that would happen!!) Stay Safe

Most fire department Rescue Companies also do search and rescue in fire situations as well. Our county has a "Search & Rescue" team with a Hovercraft, and they do rope rescue, water rescue and wildland search & rescue. Different counties use different set ups so you will have to research whats in your area and make sure that you check on what Chris already mentioned, about having to be a member of an agency to be accepted and insured. Most fire departments accept members who just want to help any way they can too. Like Pump Operators/drivers, fire police, or administrative members that run fund raisers. So check it out, and good luck.

Facebook is a great tool, and has games to play to keep busy when on shift and your bored. You can keep status', share opinions and keep up to date on b-days and events, its a great tool and not just for kids, I have an account, look me up when you get there.

Generally, the freezing point is 30 degrees. The hydrants are "Winterized" by being emptied of any standing water, than adding antifreeze to keep them from freezing. In winter fires the pump operator is instructed to give the hydrant a quick flush prior to hooking up the hose to flush out any anti freeze still in the barrel.

I agree with this also. Lead by example and lead safely. I have not yet taken the "Live Fire Training" Class but I want to as soon as I am able to. But I have another question...the guy throwing stuff into the fire at the beginning with only his bunkers and helmet...Are you not supposed to be fully dressed when you light a building??? So that when something goes wrong (Like with the numb-nuts that went into the fire) you are ready to go and help or at least try to do something without wasting time getting into gear? Just another thought.

Stuff like this just strengthens my opinion that too many firefighters put TOO much faith in the protective qualities of their turnouts, and yet even more think that the blacker and more soot stained your gear is the better firefighter you are...Just plain stupidity. I have seen guys proudly displaying their turnouts all covered in soot and insulation and sheet rock debris saying stupid stuff like "See, I got into the fire and get the job done, im a great firefighter."...Wrong. Just like the guys that take their helmets and put them in the oven and bake them at 400 degrees for a little while to make them look saltier...Like one of our new officers in my dept that just got a new white helmet and yet a week later it looked like it was in 100 fires, yet we had no structure fires...go figure. Where was the officer in charge of this burn? Or the safety officer? There should have been officers all over that area controlling the entry of the firefighters and constantly checking for changing situations.

Rest in peace brother, my prayers go to the family and friends of our fallen brother. You will be remembered.

Rest In Peace brother, my prayers are with your family and friends.

What is the King Airway? I have never heard of this tool and Im curious. Is there a link to a site or information? Thanks!

This is a good subject, one that really bothers me and I can not seem to find the right answer no matter where I go or with whom I speak to. I have been a member of 3 different departments over my 20 years in the service, and 2 of the three have horrible specifications for officer. In fact, my current dept recently SUBTRACTED some of their qualifications for officer simply because one Captain could not find and take the additional officers course he needed to become an assistant chief...Subtract?? Who in their right mind would EVER take away from the current requirements? They were put in effect for a reason, and exist to protect the department. Now, since they subtracted a few of the requirements we have a whole bunch of guys going out for officers positions who ordinarily could not have run due to lack of qualifications...Is that the type of leadership anyone would want in their dept? I would hope not. It scares me to think of all the officers we have now with minimal qualifications running fire, rescue, haz-mat and EMS scenes... You need to set the standards, and the GOOD people in your dept will rise to them and do their best to meet them. They will train, and get the requirements needed, and they are the ones you would want leading your crews into life threatening situations. The rest will continue to do what they do best, bitch and moan and complain that the requirements are too high...GOOD, let them complain, while the decent members continue to train and become the quality members you should want and than eventually the quality officers you should have.

Congrats Batt2, Keep up the good work!