BFD1054

I am not an ol' timer by any means, so i do not have many fire stories to share. The worst fire for me personally, was on New Years Eve 2002. It was at 213 (now 3213) Albany Post Rd. in the Village of Buchanan. It was a 2 1/2 story 2-family home, unoccupied on the 1st, occupied on the 2nd by a mother & her 3 sons. The alarm came in at approx. 4:30am & upon our arrival we found heavy fire on the #2 floor, A/B division. 2 of the boys managed to escape via their bedroom window, but unfortunately, the mother & 3rd son were trapped. We made an aggresive interior attack & primary searches with some guys from the Montrose FD. Unfortunately, our efforts were too late. After the fire was k/d, we found the mother in the attic area (served as an additional bedroom) and found the boy in his room (the room of origin), burned beyond recognition. The mother was 44-years-old and the boy was only 10. It was a fire that i will never forget and one that gave me nightmares for months afterward. That was the first CISD debriefing i attented, and let me just say that i never thought i'd have to sit with my fellow firefighters, crying & watching them cry, some uncontrolably! Just goes to show that we are not made of stone, we are not indestructable, we are human like anyone else. Some other big fires that i can think of.... Dains Lumber Yard, Peekskill, 1980s Church fire (next to the Paramount theatre), Brown St. Peekskill, 1998-99? YWCA building, Main St. Peekskill, 2002-03? Fleishmans fire, John Walsh Blvd., Peekskill, early 1900's, 7 or 8 Peekskill firefighters were killed in that fire. The Club (now known as the Premiere Athletic Club after it was re-built), Albany Post Rd., Montrose, mid-1990's. Charter Circle - Ossining - 7 or 8 story OMD - 1999

Date: 11-17-04 Time: 1940HRS Location: Rt. 9A & N. State Rd. X Pleasantville Rd. Frequency: 46.26 Units: Briarcliff FD: E-93, E-94 R-37, Cars 2051, 2052, 53B1, 53B2 Ossining FD: E-99, E-98, U-51 Car 2331, 2332, 2334 Westchester County: Car-2, Car-6, Field Comm. 1, Haz Mat 1. Millwood: E-247, T-15 Pleasantville: E-260, E-259, TL-5 Fairview: Foam Trailer Croton: 55B1, Car 2082 Description: MVA involving a tanker truck on fire w/numerous inj. Writer: BFD1054, plectron, AFD-PM, Firefighter57, DFFD227, BMFD368 1940hrs-County Car-2 10-19 reporting tanker truck fully involved w/driver trapped. 1941hrs-60-Control transmitting a signal 10-10, also advising of a burn victim at Rt. 9A & Pleasantville Rd. 1945hrs-Millwood FD dispatched for E247 to the scene for foam. 1946hrs-Pleasantville FD dispatched m/a full dept. response to the scene in Briarcliff, Millwood requested to add Tanker-15 to the assignment. 1949hrs-E99 requested to locate a hydrant & lay in, 60-Control re-transmitting the 10-10, also advising Fairview Foam unit (Squad-6 w/foam trailer) en-route. 1950hrs-PFD E260 10-17. 1953hrs-TL5 10-17, 53B1 10-85 WCMC w/1 pt. Hawthorne requested for additional ambulance. 1956hrs-Chappaqua requested to re-locate w/1&1 to Pleasantville FDHQ. 1959hrs-Croton 55B1 & Car 2082 10-17 to staging in Briarcliff. 2004hrs-Ossining E98/U51 dispatched for FASTeam response to Briarcliff. 2008hrs- Update for Air-1; Patient w/2nd & 3rd degree burns over 60% of his body. 2010hrs- Croton TL-44 & Pocantico 1 Engine to BMFD HQ 2012hrs- Air 1 10-19 at Eckerds Parking Lot 2013hrs- MKFD 1 engine to Chappaqua FD HQ 2014hrs- Field-Com 1 10/17 0630hrs- Vehicles have been removed. BMFD R-37, E-92, 53B1, Car 2051 going 10-8. NYSDOT on secene for road repair. Note: Armonk FD was also on a re-locate assignment, unknown which unit(s) responded.

WOW....i haven't been online in a few days, but i'm glad to see that i'm not the only one experiencing Nextel problems! My friends tell me they've tried to key me up, but they get "user not available" or some other message, which is crap lol! One of my buddies had to come to my house because he couldn't get me on the 2-way, and he tried again in front of me (with my phone on my hand) and still no go! Like some of you have said, i'll be mid-conversation on the 2-way and i get cut-off...soo aggravating! I've come close to throwing my phone out the window a few times now lol! My regular phone service has been messed up too lately. People try and call and can't get through or it goes straight to voice-mail. I'll also call-out and it will say "connected" on the screen without me even hearing it ring or hearing anyone on the other end! It definately sucks, anyone have any info on what the problem is???

I just have to say that i agree with Remeber585 100%! There are too many pride-driven VACs out there & unfortunately, ambulances aren't getting out in a reasonable amount of time because of it! There are however, agencies that have realized they have coverage issues & have dealt with it! If you have to pay someone (EMT or higher) to sit at your HQ to ensure calls get covered, then so be it! I like the idea of 24/7 duty crews in which members spend their duty hours at the VAC building. Unfortunately, many people aren't willing to do this, and very few VAC's are able to pull it off. I don't know alot about FD-run EMS systems, but i do know, at the least, that career & volunteer FD-EMS are totally different. If you want (career) FD-run EMS to work, i think that ambulances should be staffed by career FF's. Theres FD's out there that will have 2 or 3 pieces of apparatus, but no ambulance at an EMS call, whats the point? Yes, its great to have a first-responder program that works, but what good is it when you have to go mutual-aid for an ambulance to transport the poor patient? I think Peekskill runs a great ALS program through the FD, they have some of the best medics i have seen! But again, if the ambulance can't get out, than theres a problem! I don't think i'm really touching on the FD-run EMS system that alsfirefighter is trying to talk about, i just wanted to voice some opinions!

Date: 11-08-04 Time: 1600HRS (TOW) Location: Rt. 9 IAO Sleepy Hollow Country Club Frequency: 46.26 Units: Car 2051, E92, E94, R37, 53B1 Description: Briarcliff self-dispatched request for the FD, Rt. 9 for a reported Car fire. 1602HRS-Update from PD, now reporting injuries. 1603HRS-Car 2051 10-19 w/car fire, wires down & injuries. 1604HRS-E94, 55B1 10-19, R37 10-17. 1618HRS-55B1 10-85 WCMC. Writer: BFD1054 *This MVA caused power outages throughout the imidiate area, thus creating fire alarm activations as well.

Yeah thanks Dave lol!!! If you look at the unit inventory, i wrote 53B1...thats what i thought i heard, it was 53B2 though, that was my only typo lol! I must of heard Croton on the air too or something, sorry about that lol! I wrote the location as it was dispatched, i just never updated it because i wasn't 100% sure of the actual location. BMFD368, thanks for all the info/additional!

I gotta agree with Remember585 on this one! This guy is 46 years-old, he's a grown man & should know better! 19 years on the job and he threw it all away for drugs. He made a poor decision, which we all do at times, now he has to deal with it. Yes, it is unfortunate that he was soo close to retirement & yes they have made exceptions in the past, put there is now zero-tolerance & the City must stick to that policy. When i worked for Westchester County, there was the Employee Assistance Program. This worked for people who had drug/alcohol problems and wanted help. If an employee reached out to the EAP, they would receive help and could keep their job. I'm not to sure though on how it would work if you failed a random drug test. In this case, the firefighter knew that there was random drug testing among the FDNY, he shouldn't have been messing around with drugs, end of story. Does it suck to be him, yes! To work, and i mean work hard, for 19 years, for essentially nothing...thats sucks! Hopefully this will prove the FDNY & NYC aren't screwin around & maybe people will get their s**t together!

Buchanan family needs the communities help: Darlene Harbolic is a well known, well liked woman from Buchanan. Darlene is a loving and caring mother of three great children as well as a wonderful wife. Unfortunately, Darlene has been battling cancer for over six years. With medical bills climbing out of control, Darlene and her family could use some help. Darlene’s two sons are firefighters, her husband an ex-Lieutenant and her father-in-law an ex-Chief with the Buchanan Engine Company. Darlene works at the Hendrick Hudson High school in Montrose as a teachers-aide, where she is very much appreciated not only by staff members, but by the students as well. Everyone who knows Mrs. Harbolic loves her because she is just a truly beautiful person. Just recently, Darlene’s children put together an all day fund-raiser held at the Hendrick Hudson High school. The local firefighters and State Troopers came out for a friendly game of basketball and there was an air-castle, food and arts & crafts and all proceeds went to Darlene. There were a lot of people and many families coming in and out of the festivities all day and thanks to them, the Harbolic family was able to raise $16,500. That just goes to show how truly loved Darlene is in the community. However, there are still more bills to be paid and the Harbolic’s could use any help that anyone is willing to give. If anyone is interested in making a personal donation or perhaps a donation in the name of their department, any amount would be greatly appreciated. If you or your department would like to make a donation, please send check or money order to: Darlene Harbolic P.O. Box 784 Verplanck, NY 10596

Ahh man that sucks! I better hurry up and order a RES6CUE t-shirt lol! I definately liked their motto "Six in the City."

Date: 11-03-04 Time: 2030HRS (TOW) Location: 18 Cardinal Ct. c/s Peacable Rd. Frequency: 46.26 for M/A South Salem (switched en-route to Ridgefield frequency). Units: Ridgefield FD, m/a South Salem Tanker-2 & Car 2452 Description: Working structure fire in a private dwelling. 60-Control advising South Salem units that #18 Cardinal is at the end of the street in the cul-de-sac. Writer: BFD1054 2025HRS(approx)-South Salem requested for Tanker-2. 2028HRS-Tanker-2 10-17. 2029HRS-Tanker-2 & Car 2452 10-19.

Eddie, we have about 3 members from Buchanan registered, you'll have to let me know how they're making out lol! We have like 8 probies that have joined recently, which is great, but its been tough getting them into classes. I'm just glad to see that the County hired a lot more instructors and there are more classes being offered.

Remember585, i have also heard reports that there has been a certain Croton resident possibly running for vice Pres. lol? I just came back from casting my vote and i must say that i was quite impressed! There seemed to be a large turn-out for voting in my village (Buchanan) and i am hearing that this is the case in manu communties! Hell, i work for the Village & got the day off, i figured the least i could do was show up & perform my civic duties lol! One of the guys from my firehouse goes to college at Stony Brook out on LI and drove 2 hours each way just to vote, thought that was pretty impressive! By watching the debates & the news reports & reading the papers, all i can say is that it should be a pretty close race!

Certified First Responder Course being offered.... Dates: November 4, 2004 - December 16, 2004 Days/Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00pm - 9:30pm Saturdays 9:00am - 4:30pm Cost: $250.00 - Course is free for volunteers or employees of an official certified EMS agency upon successful completion of the NYS exam. Location: Cortlandt Community VAC 6 Kings Ferry Rd. (cross of Albany Post Rd., across from the Montrose Firehouse). Montrose, New York *Pre-registration is required!!! *For more info or to register, call Christina @ (914) 366-1512 or e-mail at: Cwisniewski@pmhc.us

I definately agree with Remember585 in regards to the plastic cribbing. We have alot of it on our rescue-pumper and it doesn't impress me much. As stated, it has a tendency to slide around, especially if it has been exposed to rain or fluids from the vehicle. We have also seen alot of these pieces break pretty easily. Again, the plastic stuff will work, but as anything, there are downfalls.

Village of Buchanan Police Department Headquarters: 236 Tate Avenue (Village Hall building) Patrol Cars: Car 265 - 1997 Ford Expedition Car 266 - 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. This vehicle is white w/BPD's new lettering & LED lighting package. Car 267 - 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. This vehicle is powder blue w/BPD's new lettering & LED lighting package. Car 268 - 2001 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. This is the former Car 266. It was stripped of its lettering & lightbar, and is now used as the Chiefs vehicle (unmarked). *Both Cars 266 & 267 were aquired thanks to a grant obtained by Police Chief Brian Tubbs.

Cortlandt Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Headquarters: Kings Ferry Rd. Montrose, N.Y. Ambulances: 88B1 - 2004 PL Custom on a Ford E-450 chassis. 88B2 - 1999 McCoy Miller on a Ford E-350 4x4 chassis. 88B3 - 2002 McCoy Miller on a Ford E-450 chassis. Captains/Utility Vehicle: 8804 - 2003 Ford Explorer

Buchanan Engine Company #1, inc. Headquarters: 3159 Albany Post Rd. Engine-160: 1991 Pierce Lance. 1st Due Engine to all Structure-related incidents. 1000 Gallon water tank, 1250 GPM pump & 5" Hose with Large diameter discharge. This Engine also carries the departments only Thermal Imaging Camera. Engine-161: 1998 Sutphen, with International Chassis. Primary Response to minor alarms such as Automobile Accidents & Brush Fires. Second due apparatus for structure related fires. This apparatus carries Amkus cutters, spreaders & rams, 5" Hose, and 50 gallons of on-board foam. This Engine features a 500 Gallon water tank & a 1250 GPM pump. Rescue-26: 1975 GMC Step Van. This vehicle responds to all emergencies within the Village & mutual aid when requested. Our rescue carries numerous miscellaneous firefighting, rescue & EMS equipment such as saw's, Stokes Basket, AED, lighting, back-up Amkus extrication tools, brush & Haz-Mat equipment, as well as many other essential tools. Utility-12: 2003 E-One with International Cab & Chassis. Mobile Support Unit for Breathing Air, Lights and Brush Fire Equipment. This apparatus houses a Mako 33CFM Air Compressor for refilling air pack tanks, several portable lights, and an on board generator with telescoping floodlights to illuminate a fire or emergency scene. Utility-4: 1987 International School Bus refurbished & utilized for member transportation, and re-habilitation for firefighters at fire scenes. Marine-26: A Bow-rider boat with portable pump. Used for water rescue and brush fires along shorelines. Command Vehicles: Car 2551 - GMC Yukon Car 2552 - 1998 Jeep Cherokee Car 2553 - 1992 Chevrolet Caprice (ex-Cortlandt VAC, ex-Town of Cortlandt PD)

Seth, i had used IPN awhile back and they were pretty good. I had used the "free" coverage just because i wanted a limited ammount of pages. The problem that i ran into was that i got raped by PageNet for text message fees lol! I had to re-arrange my contract with PageNet a bunch of times, but i kept running into problems, so i just gave up. But i would say that it was a pretty decent service, pretty reliable and accurate. I'm not sure of the rates, but if they're not that expensive, it may be worth a try!

1658HRS-E174 10-19 EFD HQ. 1701HRS-Ardsley L50 10-19. 1713HRS-L50 advising that they are re-directing to the scene. 1933HRS-As per Car 2112, all M/A units have been released & all Elmsford units are returning to quarters.

Fire Prevention Week is coming up just around the corner. This year, Fire Prevention week is October 3-9. I was just curious if anyone did anything unique during the week & if anyone had some good prevention/education ideas. In Buchanan, we go out to the elementary school, a nursery school & a group home to educate residents/students about fire safety and prevention methods. We also conduct a fire prevention program for senior-citizens at our village hall. I just wanted to hear from other members to see what thier departments did during this important week. Also, if anyone has any good/unique educational techniques, please share.

Hey Seth...remember the show "The Bravest?" They rode along with San Fran at least once that i can remember. I believe they rode with the guys from Station-7 (pictured on onthejob.com). The guys were wearing really old gear and some of the rigs looked shoddy. I remember them riding to a job on their rescue, an old Ford i believe, and they were riding on the back and the body was all open. It was the type of rig that had steps on the back that lead to a long, narrow area between the cabinets, it was very weird. I thought San Fran was a wealthy area, figured they'd have nicer equipment than that! I don't know how they got away with letting guys ride like that, seemed like an accident waiting to happen! Their gear looked like it was from the late 80's at best lol!

Fundraiser for the family of Christopher O'Connor... The Buchanan Engine Company is conducting a 50/50 raffle to raise money for the family of Chris O'Connor. The drawing will be held at our annual clam bake on Sunday, October 10, 2004. Tickets are only $1 each, so it won't kill anyones piggy bank! All proceeds will go to the O'Connor family! As many of you will recall, Chris was a firefighter with the Buchanan Engine Company. Chris, along with another worker, were killed in a man-hole explosion in Yonkers. They were both employed by Con-Edison where Chris was a foreman on the job. Chris leaves behind a wife and 5 young children, so they could use all the help they can get. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, please contact me via private message on this Network. Also, you may call the firehouse at (914) 737-5010 & ask for President/Ex-Chief Bob Outhouse for tickets. Again, the O'Connor family could really use all the help we can give them, so even if you buy 1 ticket, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all, 2nd Lt. Michael Swankie Buchanan Engine Co.

UPDATE: The 50/50 raffle for the family of Chris O'Connor brought in approximately $7,000. The winner of the raffle was a fellow Con-Ed employee & was generous enough to donate the money back to the O'Connor family. So, needless to say, the raffle was a success & the O'Connors now have a little extra to help out the family. We were all very pleased with this raffle & thank you to anyone who bought any tickets!

ROCKLAND COUNTY FIRE FREQUENCIES CHANNEL 1 46.180 44-CONTROL CHANNEL 2 46.080 44-CONTROL CHANNEL 3 46.480 44-CONTROL CHANNEL 4 46.320 MOBILE ONLY CHANNEL 5 46.360 MOBILE ONLY CHANNEL 6 46.300 PORTABLE ONLY CHANNEL 7 46.120 PORTABLE ONLY CHANNEL 8 45.880 44-CONTROL & COORDINATORS ONLY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------ROCKLAND COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS NO DEPARTMENT FCC CALL SIGN 1 Blauvelt KFI-498 2 Central Nyack KDX-322 3 Congers KEE-626 4 Haverstraw KJJ-236 5 Hillburn KDY-300 6 Hillcrest KED-435 7 Monsey KEJ-956 8 Nanuet KED-946 9 New City WNNO-888 10 Nyack KEX-339 11 Orangeburg KFN-569 12 Pearl River KEF-204 13 Piermont KDY-299 14 Rockland Lake WYJ-920 15 Sloatsburg KGJ-715 16 Sparkill KJD-215 17 Spring Valley KEC-810 18 Stony Point KEF-476 19 Suffern KEE-558 20 Tallman KED-748 21 Tappan KEE-526 22 Valley Cottage KGW-678 23 West Haverstraw KFX-354 24 West Nyack KEF-538 25 S. Spring Valley KDS-677 26 Thiells KBW-404 DISPATCH CODES Signal USAGE 10 Fire (Clear the air) 16 Drill 11 Situation under control 17 False Alarm 12 Working Fire 18 Hazardous materials involved 13 Refreshments 19 Arson Investigator 14 Return or returning to quarters 20 Emergency other than fire 15 Assignment complete

I finally saw it last night & i must say i was pretty impressed! Dave, you know you loved the attention from the media bro lol! I was very impressed with the terminology that was used, very life like! I also liked how the entire movie was a flashback of Jacks career as a firefighter, very cool! The depiction of life as a firefighter, and the brotherhood & comraderie was very real too! The fact that they showed how it can be rough to be a family man when you're on the job was real cool too. John Travolta definately did his homework to direct this film! Some of the scenes were very Backdraft-like, but it was all good! All in all, i thought it was a good flick & definately worth going to see! Keep in mind though, if you are trying to get on the job, you may wanna leave the wife or girlfriend home, this movie will definately make them nervous lol!