Remember585

Did they use "Cousin Vinny?"

Who would that be? If you mean Cortlandt VAC, they are nearly 4 miles further than PVAC. And, not trying to be mean or to knock CCVAC, but on July 7th, the CCVAC rehab unit was called to two different incidents in neighboring areas (Croton & Mohegan) and never got out. To my knowledge, PVAC's rehab unit has answered every request made for them. Any EMS, or fire agency for that matter, willing to provide rehab services and to actually do it well deserves a big thank you from all of us! There's no need for a pissing match.

Some of my colleagues have talked about this, and we are looking forward to our aviation and marine unit details in the Summer!

I know many ambulance stretchers are only rated to 300 or 400 pounds. Does FDNY EMS have specialty stretchers for the pleasantly plump? And, not to hijack the thread, but do any area EMS agencies have stretchers, stair chairs and backboards to handle this kind of scenario? Lift with the knees....

What kills me, is how these vessels are designed for security / counter-terrorism operations, and The Daily News publishes how they aren't in service. Let's just give away every deficiency in our security there is!

I'd also like to give a shout out to The Journal News / Lohud.com for it's top-notch non-existent coverage of this fire.

The time I posted for is when it was requested to 60 Control. I'm not sure if it was on scene sooner, thru the usual dispatch policy of BMPD calling OPD for 36M1. I do know that 36M1 responded to a call in Croton, and he stated that he would go to the fire scene when clear of that job.

God bless these two brothers, their families and the members of Bridgeport FD. My heart especially goes to the RIT, God knows they did the best they could to help their brothers. Pay attention to the comment their own guys made "ordinary house fire." Nothing ever is. Please God, look over their families during this tough time.

Some additional unit information (feel free to add to the IA) 15:51 - Initial dispatch for Briarcliff (Full assignment). 15:56 - Request for Ossining 1 & 1 to the scene (2332, 2334, E97, L41). 16:10 - Request for Croton FAST to the scene (2081, 2082, E119). 16:14 - Reequest for Pleasantville VAC Rehab to the scene (7606, 76B2, 76B3). 16:31 - Request for Ossining ALS to scene. (36M1 on call in Croton, 74A1 covered initially). 16:53 - Request for Sleepy Hollow EMS (73B1) to the scene. Request for Millwood Engine (2252, 2253, E247) to Briarcliff HQ for coverage. 17:01 - Request for Millwood Engine (2252, 2253, E247, U44) and Sleepy Hollow Engine (2311, 2313, E86) to the scene for relief. 17:01 - Request for Pleasantville Engine (2371, E91) to relocate to Briarcliff FD HQ for coverage. 17:11 - Request for Yorktown FAST (2533, E270, U36) to the scene. Briarcliff FD: 2051, E92, E93, E94, R37, U62, 53B1, 53B2 (TL40 OOS) Ossining FD: 2332, 2334, E97, L41, R14 (in Ossining redirecting traffic) Croton FD: 2081, 2082, E119 Sleepy Hollow FD: 2311, 2313, E86 Millwood FD: 2252, E247, U44 Yorktown FD: 2533, E270, U36 Ossining EMS: 36M1, 74A1, 74B1 Pleasantville EMS: 7606, 76B2, 76B3 Sleepy Hollow EMS: 73B1 Grasslands EMS: 87A1 WCDES Units: Battalion 12, EMS 11 Relocated to Briarcliff FD: Pleasantville 2371, E91

Seth, R37 does have a cascade system, and was used at this job. I won't comment on any of your other questions or points except one. The calling in of another FAST to relieve the original one. This practice occurs often, not only in Westchester, but in other areas. Friday's fire in Pelham had Eastchester TL17 as a FAST, which was put to work on the roof and relieved by E151 from Greenville. I can't find it now, but one of the recent IA's from the FDNY (I forget which one) you can see in ryang's excellent post that the IC requested a relief FAST. Some experts say that relieving a FAST or rotating them is a good practice at prolonged incidents, in order to keep the eyes and ears "fresh." With today being so brutal out, we rotated our guys in and out of their gear to try and beat the heat as best as we could. A couple of times we found ourselves helping guys coming out who were exhausted. It was as crappy a day as you can get to play fireman.

I was watching the news this morning, and the City of Newark may have to layoff 263 officers. NJ.com

You had a generator in your firehouse in 1977? We still don't have one!!!! :angry: I wasn't around for the 1977 blackout but I remember the 2003 one. My sister was vacuuming out her car in the back of the house, when all of a sudden everything went out. My first thought was that she tripped a breaker, so I looked and they were all on. Her car radio mentioned a blackout in the whole north east, so I figured I should go to the firehouse. After a while, we found out our PD HQ was having issues with their generator (which again was a no-show this winter) so I got stuck manning our base. We went on a bunch of calls due to the outage and restoration of power. Hopefully that doesn't happen again any time soon...

A. I believe there is nothing wrong with sending resources early. It's just as easy to cancel them. B. I don't agree that "any member" shouldn't be requesting resources. A firefighter is a firefighter, right? They should have the basic knowledge to know what they got, where it's going and what resources they need. C. If it was your garage, your house, whatever - wouldn't you have a little bit of a "pucker-factor" going? It's your stuff!

I drove by Station #14 today. The sign out front that used to say "Your firehouse maybe closing" now says "Your firehouse IS closing." I hope something changes and the closed / closing companies re-open and all of the brothers get their jobs back.

For the E Post Road job: The original request for Mutual Aid was for 2 Engines & 1 Truck to cover White Plains. (Greenville E151, Fairview E174 & Hartsdale L46 assigned). Iniitial 1 & 1 requested to the scene: E151 & L46 sent. (Backfilled with New Rochelle E25 & Scarsdale L28). Addiitional Engine to scene: E174 sent. (Backfilled with Eastchester E31) Additional 1 & 1 to scene: E25 & L28 sent. (Backfilled with North White Plains E75 & Harrison TL24) Additional Engine to scene: E31 sent. (Backfilled with Elmsford E237) Cascade to scene: Greenburgh Civil Defense U446 Due to the awful weather, rehab was a concern all day. Here's the rundown of EMS units (to the best of my memory). White Plains (Transcare): 31A1, 31A2, Supervisor Harrison: 61-1, 61A1, 61A4 Port Chester/Rye/Rye Brook: 77A4, 77A5 Armonk: 51B2 Elmsford: 58B1 Greenburgh PD: 59A3, MCI Trailer (DES) Valhalla: 82B1, Rehab Tent Grasslands (Transcare): 87A1 (Originally at the Substation fire) WCDOT sent two "Bee Line" buses to the scene also for rehab. Covering other calls in White Plains: Scarsdale 79A1, Port Chester 77A4 (then to fire scene) Covering Elmsford EMS: Hastings 62B1 DES Resources on scene: Car 1, Car 2, Battalion 19, EMS 11, OEM (Tents, etc.), Field Com, MCI Trailer (GPD) DES Resources at Substation fire: Car 2, OEM, Battalion 15 While these fires were happening, we (60 Control) also had the Haz-Mat incident ongoing in Croton, the structure fire in Mohegan and the large brush fire in Hawthorne. EMS units in Westchester were busy yesterday, providing rehab and transport to firefighters at all of these incidents. There weren't many FDs and EMS agencies we didn't utilize yesterday, thanks to all of you!

According to the FDNY Bronx Supervisor, they sent E59, E228, Purple-K 84, Purple-K 228, Battalion 15 & a Staff Chief. I believe E65 was making the initial push, because in the earlier stages they were giving the size-ups which included the floor had been compromised. A tough job combined with unfavorable weather conditions, but the guys working this fire deserve a ton of credit. I am glad that the guys realized they had heavy fire in the basement/cellar and that the main floor was compromised - we've all seen and heard of fires like this where brothers fall thru the floor. Well done guys.

Date: 7/6/10 Time: 01:39 Location: Along Croton River west of Paradise Island Frequency: 46.26 / Fire 10 / FG 5 CFD Units Operating: 2082 (IC), 2081 (Ops), E119, TL44, R18 Montrose FD Units: 2271, R51, Zodiac EMS Units Operating: Croton 55B2, Ossining 74A1 Westchester County PD Air 3, NYSP Weather Conditions: Muggy Description Of Incident: Injured male who fell from a cliff to area below on south side of Croton River Reporters: Remember585 (O/S) Writer: Remember585 (O/S) 01:39 - 60 Control dispatches Croton EMS, E119, TL44, R18 & 36M1 for injured swimmer in woods off of Quaker Bridge Road. 01:43 - Cars 2081 & 2082 on location in area & checking. 01:47 - 74A1 has located the caller on Quaker Bridge Road, 1/4 mile in from Cortlandt/Ossining border. 01:59 - 2082 requesting WCPD Aviation. 02:00 - 2082 requesting tones for additional personnel, "prolonged operation." 02:01 - 2082 advises he will be Command and 2081 will be the Rescue Unit Leader, using all hands. 02:17 - Command reports patient contact has been made. 02:21 - Command requesting availability of Croton PD Zodiac. 02:23 - CPD not available, Montrose FD dispatched. Zodiac boat to enter at Echo Boat Launch and proceed upstream to scene. 02:49 - Command reports two patients, 1 ALS and 1 BLS, both stable and in care of EMS. 03:16 - Command reports Montrose Zodiac is on it's way, WCPD Air 2 is overhead assisting with illumination. 03:55 - Command reports both patients on board Zodiac and it is on route back to launch site. 04:12 - Command reports all CFD personnel out of woods and water, currently rehabing. 04:31 - Car 2271 reports the Zodiac has arrived at the Echo Boat Launch, patients being transferred to 74A1. Command reports situation under control. 04:32 - TL44 & R18 back in service. 04:51 - 74A1 to WMC with 1 ALS and 1 BLS. 04:56 - Command releasing Montrose units. 04:57 - 2082 reports all operations completed, units in service, command terminated. We arrived to find a male reporting two people still in the woods along the southern bank of the Croton River. CFD personnel from E119 & TL44 entered the woods with OVAC personnel and made the long and steep decent to the victims. The use of ropes for safe lowering of personnel and equipment to the patients was supplemented by using the Montrose Zodiac to bring the patients down stream. It was determined that the water transport was quicker and safer then bringing the injured persons back up the steep and long hill. The WCPD helo with it's spotlight helped light the way for the Zodiac and assisted rescuers on land. A good, all-around team effort made this a safe operation. On behalf of the CFD, thanks to Montrose FD, Westchester County PD Aviation, Ossining EMS and Croton EMS.

While I only knew Bruce for a short period of time, he left a lasting impression. For a while, there wasn't a night at work (or a day) when you didn't see "The Brothers Kerr" on the schedule as Instructors. I spent quite a few evenings talking with Bruce about the fire service, the weather - whatever. He was down to earth, honest and eager to help shape new firefighters. We had the fortune on a couple of nights to get both brothers, and for that we are thankful. To Bruce's family, his brother Robert and the brothers in Rye, our sincerest thanks for the lessons learned and may God look over Bruce as he continues to fight fires for the big guy upstairs. John Munson 1st Asst. Chief Croton Fire Dept.

I hear ya. Most people don't even know my name. I'm either 642, 2082 or 5517. Of course I have more nicknames then I care to discuss...

I remember that!

In some cases, brush fires can be handled with water cans, vests, the old Indian Tanks, rakes, shovels, brooms and even leaf blowers. Larger ones generally require the use of handlines and/or air drops. When you get into real forrest fires, many are handled without water, where the brush is cleared and fire lines are created. These types of fires are rare in Westchester County. Scattered around the county are several ATV / UTV units with firefighting capability. As far as Mini-Attacks go, they aren't as popular as they used to be, and south of I-287 they are almost non-existent.

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the Port-a-count machine properly test you for an SCBA mask, while the "ET hood test" evaluates the need for the N95 Particulate Respirator? PS - I hold the copyright for calling it the ET hood test.

It sounds like Officer Osso is doing better. Keep up the fight, Officer Osso! We're all thinking of you as you recover from this accident. Lohud.com

Take note - not only of yourself but your colleagues - of anyone who doesn't appear to be sweating, is red in the face or complains of cramping. This could be early warning signs of heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. Other symptoms to look out for include dizzyness, fatigue, confusion, altered mental status, high body temperature, nausea and headaches. It may be 90 degrees out with 90% humidity, which means it feels like it is over 120 degrees! Factor in the time in the heat, the weight of your gear, etc. and your body is not going to hold up for long. As Firediver said - HYDRATE! Here's a heat index chart I found online that I use in training:

Thoughts and prayers to FF Drago, his family and friends, as well as his brothers in Mount Vernon FD. Very sad news.