Ging599

I too have pumped both and prefer a side mount for most of the reasons mentioned here by pro-side mount advocates. One thing not mentioned that I have experienced pumping a top mount is that is becomes a gathering spot for people on scene with nothing better to do. I have been on scene where I have had to kick no less than 4 people who wanted to join me at the pump panel to shoot the shi* off the walkway. Not exactly ideal when you are trying to monitor what is going on. Top mounts are great to keep the MPO out of traffic, but I don't think the visibility is the greatest off the pump panel and does not warrant an extra 3 to 4 feet of length to the truck. Also, if you want an easier way to operate the deck gun, get a remote controlled gun to keep the MPO from needing to climb.

For the most part, the story is true. There were no where near 100 people there, 20 tops. Maybe 9 from Carmel FD & the Haz Mat team. The County Haz Mat team packaged the spilled mercury and it was brought back to the FD. I didn't even want to know how it happened or why there were 3 people exposed to the spill, it was one of the nights I was happy to be driving the rig.

Eddie ... when are you working again so I can give you a "K" or 2. Using plain English is so much better, especially since there was never a code for "the leaky crapper set off the fire alarm in the apartment below". After all, a proper size up and scene summary is most important. My last dept. had almost 70 codes so plain English is so much easier to use. Once we are required to use plain Spanish, then I'll have a problem.

Carmel's is actually going to be more of a Rescue Pumper. On-board hydraulics, speedy dry hopper, command-canopy, etc. Thanks to the US of A for their grant.

We have an ALF TL & I find the cornering lights a nice thing when making turns at night. I am not sure it is so noticable for the driver with the warning lights on, for me it isn't, but it is nice while turning on non-emergency cruising.

I have had some limited success taking a swift shot with a maul at the magnet area. If not and you really need to get in ... The ease of opening depends on the type of hardware and the type of installation. There are a few ways to wire a mag lock. If there is an external key switch mounted on the frame or the wall near the door it can be as simple as pulling the switch out of the wall or frame and cutting the wires....if the switch goes to a control unit you may have to touch the wires together. If there is a card reader on the outside then you would have to attack the mag lock itself. Most mag locks use and "armature" plate mounted to the door held on with a large "sex bolt" which usually can be identified as looking like a large head of a carriage bolt. If u weaken the door around the bolt or cut the head of the bolt off You should be able to force the door open....some mag locks are mounted to aluminum frames with "riv-nuts" which can usually be pulled out of the frame when the door is forced.

Do the low-band 5's also have the playback?

The 2's were the best. 3's were crap. I have a 4 and am having problems with it not resetting & not vibrating. We are having problems with the 5's batteries losing charge.We will see.

We are having a demo on them this Sunday. We are deciding on these or Paratech's. If anyone has any comments on the 2, they would be appreciated.

The VTL's must be different there .. something about due regard .. sorry to be a spoilsport .. other than that it's cool.

Cats too ..... so much for getting Chinese food.

The way this video was explained to us during an OSHA class by a state instructor, (and I have no idea if this is true or not), was that these guys had practiced this scenario with dry lines & no fire for some time. So much so that when it came down to show time, they went in with the line uncharged just as they had practiced. If you look close enough, you can see that the line is not charged when they begin their advance. What gets me is the point ALS made. Most likely those are rooks on the knob, but the way everyone else just watched them go in like it was a walk in the park. When you think things in your dept. are in bad shape, just take a peek at this. Be safe.

Scoops is the ice cream stand next to the Carmel FD. Pretty good stuff. Recommend a Moosetrack hot fudge sundae. Decent munchies too. No wonder our house gains weight in the summer. It's closed during the winter. Maggie Moos in NYC. Same concept as Cold Stone, better ice cream. That cake batter stuff at Cold Stone was the sh*t though.