Remember585

We're in the process of the same thing. We're supposedly a couple weeks from completion. PDT_Armataz_09

Where's the delay? Once the info is transferred, it is entered into the CAD and dispatched. Nothing like PD's that send cars first. Or FD's that landline other stations to respond before paging out everyone else. Or some Departments that call Chiefs before getting the call dispatched.

A much easier task then people seem to think. So many agencies in this county have licenses to use 46.26 from POWERFUL base stations, strong vehicle radios and now cross-band repeaters that make 4 watt portables sound like 300 watt base stations. In the meantime, each Department should create an internal SOG / SOP / P&P / Rule / Etc. that defines what communications will be broadcast on 46.26, what frequency/ies will be used on the fireground, etc. Just because you have a license to speak on a channel doesn't give you the right to step on other people! It drives me completely insane that Departments (mine included) wait for "bigger" incidents to get off 46.26. WHY WAIT? It's the big incidents that we need to be prepared for, and in order to do this, we have to have set SOGs for radio communications, emergency / mayday procedures, channel usage, clear-text broadcasts (NO 10-Codes), and we need to practice this on EVERY INCIDENT!! We all need to understand the importance of radio communications on the fireground. If we can't communicate, we may have a disaster on our hands. Stop thinking that a "10-10" will end your woes. I've heard a "10-10" in effect for a substantial amount of time, then at a certain time during the evening, one Department conducted its nightly tone test. Is it their fault? Partly. But if its a PD dispatch center, they generally leave the fire radio down, turn it up to do the test, then turn it down again. Start working from within. Pointing fingers, laying blame on others and ignoring this problem will get one of your own hurt or killed. My hat's off to those of you using alternate channels on EVERY CALL and leaving your dispatch / primary channel free. One more thing - don't rely on your repeater system for your fireground operations. Simplex / Talkaround channels are the way to go - too often someone will keyup thru the repeater to have their message not make it to the radio they are trying to reach in the same building as them! Leave your repeater open for dispatch / command communications. Enough for now - but I assure you I will vent on this subject again. And again. And again.

If 60 Control isn't the answer - what is? There's no perfect solution in life. But a fear of change will prevent you from progressing towards the success you deserve!! It's like Brussel Sprouts. You have to at least try them once to confirm that you do in fact hate them. You can't rely on the word of others...

I'm thinking along the lines of a certain "CO" in the company?!

Amen to that!

PLEASE!!!!! A company motto, no matter what it is, is something that the members of that station can get behind and be proud of. Does a slogan really mean everything? What about the outstanding job the firefighters do when you call 911? I recall a lower Westchester Department that had a motto "Sticking it to you." I thought it was clever and witty. Did that take anything away from the guys in that FD that do their jobs time after time and tend to get it "Stuck TO THEM?!" Nope. The City of New York is turning into Westchester County! Too much whining and complaining, before you know it all the cabs in NYC will be replaced with soccer mom vans!!!!! Pardon the rant - but gimme a break!!!!

First off, let me apologize for not making any new posts in a long, long time. Hope everyone is well, and everyone has been taking the time to further educate themselves since I last wrote. During one of my recent night tours, I was surfing the net for some building construction information for a project I'm working on, and came across this site, http://www.mii.com/australia/ , which explained some of our most deadly enemies. And it made me think - we all work at bettering ourselves as firefighters by going to courses, reading magazines, surfing the web, etc. But we short change ourselves of some other valuable information. Next time you are online and looking for info on building construction, do a google search and check out the results. Until next time, stay safe and stay smart.

:paper: I'm at a loss for words.

Dave has more titles then all of us. We just can't post them here on this family-oriented website! Right, "Ronald?"

Hey, one of the Durango's I know you operated worked well in bad weather. I recall that specific car careening off of Route 9 during the rain a few times, taking out fences and guardrails. It did a hell of a job justifying the purchase of something else. #-o Just glad it wasn't blessed with the lucky charms color scheme it's predecessor had...

How about a nice E118 avatar - that would be cool. But E118 is photo shy. I never see her on film. Let's go Matt - give the public what it wants!

52 House in Riverdale. Just curious to know if the decals I gave them for their windsheilds ever made it to the rigs...

No comment.

Reason #2,452 why snakes suck.... They will burn down your house.

ASSSSSSSSSSHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLEEEEEE!!!

We (Croton) respond with a minimal crew of a Driver/MPO and two firefighters per our S.O.G.s. The exception to this rule is Rescue 18 and Tanker 10, which can respond with the driver and one firefighter. Per my company's policy (E119/T10), all members except Chiefs and Deputies must report to the firehouse first to ensure the apparatus are staffed. Once they are and are responding, personnel will respond in their POVs. However, many times the "extra" manpower from our company will respond to other stations and supplement their manpower as well. Members of the CFD are allowed to and encouraged to respond on all calls, regardless of which companies are dispatched. This is the main reason we got away from putting the Company names on the gear, and everything just says "Croton" now. Most calls are minor alarms - meaning one engine, TL44 and R18 respond. Only structural fires / possible fires get a full dept. response.

Good luck gents..... From your pals in Croton.

All of Croton's rigs at one point had David Clark headsets for the Officer's seat and pump panel (or in the case of the old L44, at the turntable). I, for one, like the headsets, but we had nothing but problems with them. We had low audio transmissions from them, and the audio coming in was also poor. With the old L44 and old E120, I believe they had a constant whine in them too. We toyed with the idea of putting them at every seat in the new E119, but we decided not to go with it. Reasons for this included the cost, mounting headaches and probable lack of use. The majority of our calls are only a few minutes from station, and by the time the guys gets suited up and listen in, we would be pulling up on scene. More then likely, we will have them at the Officer's seat and pump panel once again, hopefully with better luck.

Agreed!

What's going on with the new Engine 185????

Dave WROTE the IFSTA Manuals - all of them!!!

I love Comedy Central, but the recent "tsunami" of "Jamster" commercials is making me a non-viewer. "You can download our cool 'P.I.M.P.' screen saver, or our "bling-tones." I stopped watching TV 48 hours ago, in fear of having to see this sh-t again.

You left off the ability to multi-task. Drinking a coffee, while playing computer solitaire with our feet up and ear to the TV is quite taxing. Just wait until I make my "Medic Requirements" forum. Our new FC 1 will look like this!!! PDT_Armataz_53

Editor's note: You can substitute "Suffolk" with "Westchester" or "Putnam" and pretty much get the same story.