Remember585

Timmy, He was on the radio giving a size up while it was being dispatched. I was in the car and heard the whole thing. If I remember right he reported "Fire showing on the B (or C, can't remember) side, #1 and 2 floors.

I wouldn't expect anything less.... good job Moose!

Why does an MPO / ECC / LCC / Driver / Operator / Etc. have to be in full PPE to operate an apparatus? They're not in an IDLH environment, right? We've had this discussion dozens of times in our own firehouse. Not to point fingers at one specific agency, but look at photos of the FDNY operating at a fire - their rig operators don't wear turnout gear most of the time. Many other departments do this, and if you look around, quite a bit of Incident Commanders won't be in gear either. So long as the guys working in, on and around the fire are protected, then as a Chief or an IC, I would be more then content. In this case, maybe a safety vest would of been better, but poop happens.

Here's some more unit info from the scene / from listening to add to BFD1054's IA. Montrose units: 2271, 2272, E122, TL8 Buchanan units: 2552, U12 (Cascade) Verplanck units: 2492, 2493, E128 Peekskill units: R134 (FAST) VA Montrose units: 2571, E225, MA28 Cortlandt VAC: 88B1, 8805 WCDES Units: Bat 10, C&O Zone 4, 1404 NYSP (multiple) Con Ed Electric & Gas units Relocated to Montrose FD HQ: 2082, E119 from Croton Relocated to VA Montrose FD: 2331, E99 from Ossining *I saw a few members & Chiefs from Mohegan there too, but I don't know what apparatus they responded with.* Anyone from our area knows Cole's Market, and we all hope they can re-open as soon as possible. It's grilling season and nothing beats their marinated steaks, burger boxes and so much more! I saw "onlocation" and "TR54" there, maybe they'll have some pictures to share.

He better! He was our last Deputy Commissioner (County Car 2)!!! LOL.

In the case of Montrose today, it's two doors down. Wasn't there early on so I can't comment. My guess is that it means handlines went in and knocked the fire down with minimal extension, something many consider an agressive push or aggressive interior attack. A "re-tone" means a couple of things. It could be to update units, to call for more manpower or at the request of an agency or IC when members report a lack of pager activations. In this case, I did hear Peekskill "re-tone" to inform their FAST members which station to report to. I also heard Montrose have a "re-tone" to confirm the fire. I may of missed something else, but that's all I can say I know for fact, Chief.

Date: 4/14/10 Time: 23:55 Location: 8 Sickles Avenue (Corner of North Avenue) Frequencies: 33.96 / 460.4625 Units Operating: 2302, E21, E22, E23, TL11, L12 / "10-75" Units: E24, 30A1, 2301 Weather Conditions: Cool, clear Description Of Incident: Fire in 50' x 75' two-story taxpayer Reporters: Remember585 Writer: Remember585 00:00 - E21 in area with smoke. 00:02 - 2302 transmitting the 10-75. 00:04 - 2302 reports fire on 1st floor of two-story 50' x 75' wood joist taxpayer, possibly in one room. 00:09 - 2302 has 2 L/S/O, fire darkening down. 00:23 - Con Ed gas on scene. 00:32 - Units making good progress on fire, one store in row burned out, companies venting and opening up. 00:45 - 2301 requesting DOH for fire in a deli. 00:52 - 2301 placing the fire under control.

On behalf of the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department, we offer our sincerest condolences to Captain Iaccino's family and his brothers in the Roosevelt FD. Stay strong during this rough time.

If we take a call for an odor of gas we tell them to evacuate. If you tell them to turn out a light, that spark could trigger an explosion. If you tell them to open the windows, you could be letting out some gas that was above the UEL and now it lowers into it's explosive range. Perhaps units such as these could help: First Alert Explosive Gas Detector

This is a good topic! JFLYNN - excellent! I'm not a career firefighter, but in the volunteer world I live in, I can tell you the difference between the "Senior Man" and the "Life Member." The SM is a guy who has been around long enough to be trusted with just about any task. They unknowingly guide and lead younger guys at calls and drills. They'll give up the knob so someone with less time can get it. They'll show up to drills and offer to help with the evolutions, run the pump or put the aerial up and show others how to fly it. They're still coming to meeting nights and keeping quiet, only speaking up when the younger guys are missing the point or the older Life Members need a reality check. They quietly go with the flow, and have the respect for the Officers and Chiefs to tell them in private when they made a mistake or did a good job. They never seem to disrespect anyone of rank in front of younger, more impressionable members. They still get up at 2AM and man the Engine for a CO call when the younger guys feel they're too good to get out of bed for it. Most importantly, in the volunteer world that I know, the best Senior Men always remember how it was, how it is, and how it will be. They respect those that were there before them and hold on to the good traditions, yet they don't put up a fuss when you change SOPs or mandate training because it will mean a safer tomorrow for everyone. Nothing can replace the guidance of your Senior Man. As for a "Life Member" vs. a "Senior Man," these are usually guys that "put their time in," and constantly remind you that "I don't have to do that anymore," and can always be found at the firehouse talking to others of "their kind" because the real players in the firehouse are usually out in the Engine Room checking the equipment or at the drill. I will always feel priviledged to have grown up in a firehouse and a family with so many "Senior Men" who have mentored me and so many others into the members we are today. Their guidance and advice isn't just limited to the firehouse - it helps you in life altogether. These guys (in many cases whom have left this earth) had the sincerity, humbleness and pride that you just can't get out of most people today. Don't take them for granted, because the day they're gone a piece of your firehouse is gone!

Date: 4/10/10 Time: 22:16 Location: 63 Bramblebrook Road Frequencies: Fire 14 / 46.52 / Fireground 3 Ardsley FD Units Operating: 2011, 2012, 2013, E164, E165, L50 Irvington FD Units: 2202, 2203, R49 (FAST) Dobbs Ferry FD Units: 2092, 2093, E47, TL23 Hastings FD Units: 2183, E44 Elmsford FD Units: 2111, L55 (FAST) WCDES Units: Car 2, Battalion 11 Weather Conditions: Cool, clear Description Of Incident: Fully involved 25' x 75' 2 1/2 story structure fire. Reporters: Remember585 Writer: Remember585 22:16 - Ardsley dispatched for a car fire in the garage. 22:20 - 2011, 2012 on location, Command requesting 10-75 assignment. 22:21 - L50, E164 responding. Irvington FAST, ASVAC & Battalion 11 dispatched. 22:23 - L50, E164 on location, L50 take the front, E164 stretch in from the hydrant. Bat 11 responding. 22:24 - Command requesting additional 1 & 1 to scene, 1 Engine to his HQ. 22:26 - Dobbs Ferry E47 & TL23 dispatched to the scene. 2091, 2092 responding. 22:27 - E165 responding. R49 (FAST) responding. 2203 responding. Command reports house is fully involved, requesting DFFD E47 to get a 3rd handline in to operation. Access issues for aerials. 22:28 - Command requesting a 2nd Alarm. Requesting a Hastings Engine to the scene. 22:31 - TL23 responding. 22:32 - 2183 responding. Elmsford FAST dispatched. 22:33 - Command reports 3 L/S/O - "Doubtful will hold." 22:34 - R49 on location. 2111, L55 responding. 22:36 - TL23 on location. Command requesting Con Ed Electric & Gas to the scene. (Possible gas line rupture in building). 22:40 - Command requesting status of Con Ed Gas - notified, responding, no ETA per 60 Control. 22:41 - 2184, E44 responding. 60 Control updating Command that Con Ed Gas has an eta of 20. Command says "they have to expedite or they're going to lose the entire building." 22:42 - Tarrytown 2462, E80 relocating to Ardsley HQ. 22:45 - Command requesting L55 to assist with ventillation on roof and 2nd floor. 22:49 - E44 & L55 on location. 22:52 - E80 & 2462 out at Ardsley FD. 22:54 - C&O Zone 3 dispatched. 22:56 - Command reports fire is knocked down, units checking for extension, still doubtful.

Date: 4/9/10 Time: 14:43 Location: Route 100 (just north of Chappaqua Road) Frequencies: 46.26 / BMFD / Fire 12 / EMS 12 BMFD Units Operating: 2051, E92, E93, R37, 53B1, 53B2 Millwood Units: 2251, 2252, R36, U44 Ossining EMS Units: 36M1, 74B1 Pleasantville EMS Units: 76B1 Police Units: TOPD, MPPD WCDES Units: Car 5, Battalion 12, EMS 10 Weather Conditions: Cool, cloudy Description Of Incident: Small box truck vs. small school bus - truck rolled over with pin. Reporters: Remember585 (O/S) Writer: Remember585 14:43 - 60 Control (658) dispatched Briarcliff FD & EMS w/ 36M1 to Route 100 and Chappaqua Road for an MVA rollover with possible entrapment involving a school bus and a truck. 14:47 - 2051 on location with confirmed entrapment, requesting R36 Millwood to the scene. 14:51 - 2051 reports one trapped in truck, bus has 1 adult and 3 children needing evaluation, requesting 2 Mutual Aid ambulances to the scene. (OVAC & PVAC dispatched) 15:01 - Truck driver extricated and in care of EMS per Battalion 12. 15:10 - 53B1 ALS to WMC with truck driver. 15:32 - 2051 reports 1 ALS to WMC, 3 BLS to PMH and 2 RMAs. Units on scene prolonged to assist PD with AI.

Egos and complacency both halt progress, no arguement. But when it comes down to setting policies and procedures for the uniformed response of agencies in Westchester County - many, if not most - fire departments all have agreed on certain things, which are found in the Mutual Aid Plan. Agreed, and I am fairly positive that there is something to this affect in the Mutual Aid Plan. Locally, the Chiefs in our Battalion all agreed to some extent to provide one another with no less than a four IFF crew on apparatus. Never used one, nor am I against using one. But as a county we aren't set up for this yet, so I'll take what I have. Nothing is perfect, and I doubt an MDT would be, so I will always depend on my training and experiences to guide me when I am an Incident Commander. I know that there is probability of forgetting something (like C&O, Con Ed, etc.) and that is why it is AUTOMATIC on all of our "10-75" incidents. Others should do the same. We have two EMS Coordinators. There were three, one stepped down and the position has not been filled yet. I don't feel the position is antiquated - as it is in use in just about EVERY NYS COUNTY - and it generally works!

HOLY SH!T BATMAN!

Did you guys know you can make your own animated videos like these? I can't remember the link, but here's one of my favorites:

As far as sending the closest resource, that's not always your best option either. One department a few towns over may have a better rig for the job - for example if an IC asks for an additional Truck at a defensive ops taxpayer fire, calling a neighbor's rear mount stick wouldn't be as useful as calling a midmount aerial from a couple of towns away. That's also something a MAC or "Battalion" would know, and not neccessarily a dispatcher. Remember, the MACs are usually past Chiefs with some time in the IC's position - dispatchers don't always have this field experience (although it wouldn't hurt, I work with guys with no fire background that are AWESOME at their jobs!) Again, this isn't possible. Each agency answers to their own AHJ and sets their own rules. If things were different, I wouldn't disagree with you. Amen! In many departments a company level Officer has no command experience before being elected to a Chief's position. It's a dangerous practice. I'm lucky to have had a few calls where I was the IC, and to have Chiefs that let us do the hands on, direct supervision of our guys as Line Officers. I also credit my time at 60 Control for giving me the chance to listen to how others run their calls, to see response plans, and SOGs of other departments - this information is invaluable! Bill, you and radios is the equivalent of me and roofing. But with a little bit of time and learning, anyone can do just about anything! Even you can find Fire 10! Amen. Luckily in “our neck of the world” our Coordinator is one of our own. Call it nepotism, but our own Coordinator is an asset in many ways. He’s provided all of us in the zone with some classes, training and a calm, professional demeanor at calls. (Unless he was watching the Yankees…that’s a different story.)

The MACs or “Battalions” report to the Deputy Commissioner, who is our County Fire Coordinator. In a perfect world, your 60 Control dispatchers would be fully proficient in the fire service, EMS, the layout of the county, the way the fire service works and what resources each agency has. But since this perfect world is as realistic as a wet dream involving Jessica Alba and I, that will never happen. Nobody is to be faulted for this, especially not my coworkers, because the problem lies within the state as a whole. As long as we’re a home rule state, the AHJ will always do what they feel like. This even includes agencies claiming they have capabilities and resources that they really don’t have. On the opposite side of the spectrum, agencies have great resources, yet they don’t bother to tell anyone outside of their firehouse walls. As far as the Mobile Command Post and/or Field Communications Unit….I’m not about to touch that with a 12’ pike pole Since MDTs are as foreign to Westchester County agencies as learning Mandarin Chinese, the easiest solution for the current world we live in is to have agencies set up their 10-75 / Greater Alarm plans. I can’t tell you guys how nice it is as a Chief to be responding to a call, or to pull up on something and say “10-75” and the resources I need are dispatched. It beats the hell out of asking for each and every thing. We’ve even gone so far to idiot-proof our jobs to include utility notifications and dispatch the C&O Teams. The three fires we had during the last snow storm were a smooth operation thanks to this. At our last fire, we ran into water pressure issues and needed Tankers. I asked for 3, and I got the first due three we always use. (PS – Thanks Group 5 for handling that!) Well said. Even if people are using some form of NIMS, it’s better then nothing. We use a form of it, by no means is it perfect, but it truly, honestly makes for smoother operating. Unfortunately, what we practice in the field isn’t always the norm on the other end of the radio, and that can cause confusion. Exactly. Command – assigned Trunked talkgroup. Scene Ops – assigned Fireground channel(s). Also well said. It’s too bad some of the MACs or Battalions have areas that are full of departments with their own agendas and no real intention of ever working nicely with everyone else. I forget who said it, but it’s a huge s*** sandwich, and (like it or not) we’ve all got to take a bite out of it. Mutual Aid isn’t just for the big fires, it can be for anything at anytime! Learn to play nice in each other’s sandbox!

Given the size of the district of the 34 Medics, you would think they would use two cars during those double medic shifts. Two calls drop at the same time often, and a Mutual Aid Medic has to be dispatched to cover one of the calls, or there's a delay in getting one of those two Medics. Seems silly to me. It's not a jab at Empress or the Medics themselves, it just seems to be a very large and rather busy area to cover with just one car and two Medics in it. As for the car itself, looks nice. I still don't understand why people keep getting 3 or 4 radios in their vehicles, but hey, that's a personal choice I guess...

Date: 4/4/10 Time: 09:45 Location: Graham Hill Park Frequency: 46.26 / Fire 11 / EMS 11 PFD Units Operating: 2371 (IC), R47, U47 HFD Units Operating: 2192, 2193, U97, 63U5 PVAC Units Operating: 76B1, MPALS 37M1 WCDES Units Operating: Battalion 11 Weather Conditions: Gorgeous Description Of Incident: Injured bicyclist on trails requiring ATVs to access Reporters: Remember585 Writer: Remember585 11:30 - Patient contact made, EMS assessing.

I may be wrong, but the bottom length doesn't appear to be 6" hard suction. It looks like 4 1/2" or 5" with female connections on both ends. My guess is this is for the ECC to steamer a hydrant. The three upper lengths look like 6" hard suction, one of which already has a barrel strainer on it. Good pics JJP!

I know how water works, but when it comes to foam, I'm all washed up. Here's a few questions for everyone regarding firefighting foam. 1. What type (AR-AFFF, AFFF, Etc.) do you use? 2. What are it's uses? 3. How much do you carry? 4. Can you pump it from the rig or do you rely upon eductors? 5. Do you have any SOPs/SOGs regarding it's use? 6. Why do you carry what you carry? All feedback and info is welcome, thanks.

Date: 4/2/10 Time: 19:19 Location: 28 Kensington Frequency: 46.26 / Fire 11 Thornwood Units Operating: 2472 (Ops), 2473 (IC), E89, E290, TL1, R75 Valhalla Units Operating: 2481, TL49, R9 (FAST) Pleasantville Units Operating: 2371, E260 Briarcliff Units Operating: R37 (Cascade) EMS: PVAC 7611, Rehab, 76B1?, DES: Bat. 11, C&O Zone 3 Relocated to Thornwood: Hawthorne 2193, L56 Weather Conditions: Cool, clear Description Of Incident: Working fire in private dwelling Reporters: Remember585 / Onlocation (O/S) Writer: Remember585 19:24 - 2472 in area with smoke showing. 10-75 transmitted. 19:25 - 10-75 dispatched: Thornwood, Valhalla TL49 & FAST, Pleasantville E260, Briarcliff R37, PVAC, Bat 11. 19:31 - 2472 reports he has Ops, 2473 is Command. 19:43 - Command requesting Con Ed utilities to the scene. 19:46 - C&O Zone 3 dispatched. 20:01 - Bat. 11 reports fire is K/D, contained to basement. 20:15 - Valhalla units in service. 20:20 - Pleasantville units in service.

Thanks for the reply Barry. Is that the National Foam Liquid Gold 1/3 AR-AFFF I see? I was reading up on that, and it says that it almost has the same properties of a 3/6 concentrate. I guess I could answer my own questions too... 1. AR-AFFF 1/3% 2. Flammable liquid fires, others requiring a blanket. (Recent uses included overhaul at structure fires) 3 & 4. E118 has 100 gallons via on board tank with all around pump capability. E119 & E120 have 15 gallons (3 pails)and required the use of Eductors (Akron-Brass Bypass). Additional foam stored at all 3 firehouses. 5. No SOG yet (work in progress) 6. E118 is "Chemical Engine Company," it's predecessor rig had a small foam tank as well. We carry the foam we do because of it's versatility in flammable fuel fires, as we have several gas stations, a large amount of trains carrying fuels and a 200,000 gallon above ground diesel tank in the Metro-North Harmon Yards. (If the latter ever catches fire, you can bet we'll be calling for more!)

According to the census info, 11 residents have left this "City." My guess is they lived here, met the fire department and decided to move. What kills me is that this seems like a simple operation. They could of advanced that line in the front door, had someone take that window, and knocked it down. I personally wouldn't of wasted time / manpower venting the roof, horizontal ventilation would have been sufficient. Also, did anyone check if the door was unlocked? I've seen similar actions at almost every fire I have ever gone to. People get to the door without their tools, forget pieces of their gear, and basically turn into PPE covered jello molds. Why? Any incident should be treated as an unscheduled drill. We all spend so much time focusing on doing stuff the right way at drills, yet at calls there's always a few hammer-heads that forget what was covered at that last drill. (Of course, many think they're above basic drills and usually manage to muck up something at a call). When ALS emailed this video to me, a bunch of us watched it together at the firehouse. Needless to say, we cracked up. I made a point to remind the guys that this could very well be us, as the availability of cell phone cameras, flip video cameras, etc. have grown faster then anything else out there. Be smart, train often, and keep your calm.

I also meant to ask what % is the foam you have and how did you decide to get it? Thanks.