Remember585

A. Were you drunk writing this? B. Are you saying that if they drank they didn't drive... but they still responded?

To answer the question of who is responsible for ensuring everyone is sitting and belted in: Appendix A.6.2.4 of NFPA 1500 states, “The driver of any vehicle has legal responsibility for its safe and prudent operation at all times. While the driver is responsible for the operation of the vehicle, the officer is responsible for the actions of the driver.” NFPA 1500 Section 6.2.5 states that "drivers shall not move fire apparatus until all persons on the vehicle are seated and secured with seat belts,”

Any cops on here think that an Ambulance or FD vehicle displaying a blue light to the rear would get a summons?

We have a Peirce Rear-Mount Tower Ladder Quint. It has a 100' stick, 2000 gpm pump & 300 gallon tank. It's dispatched to all structural calls and it's primary role is that of a TRUCK. It has, at times, been at jobs where the aerial is useless and to road is too tight to fit another rig so we pulled lines off of it. One of our more recent fires it was first in, and while the first in Engine was laying up they made a knockdown with the tank water until the Engine fed them. The Engine crew took the lines in while the chauffer made the plug. Worked out good, I just don't want to see the Truck laying in everytime - it's not it's primary role.

I have a couple of questions that is for everyone, paid and volunteer. Does your FD have a gear replacement schedule? Does your FD provide you with "spare gear" in the event your primary gear is soaking wet or in need of repair, you have something to wear? I hate seeing speculation into FF LODDs before facts of the incident are confirmed. Nothing more painful then having to live with nothing more then question after question about what happened and what went wrong. In the case of the Boston fire, I don't think a falling AC unit would have made a difference in the outcome based on the gear the men were wearing. Right? I only wore the 3/4 boots and long coat for a couple of years, and I don't know if it was because I was younger, dumber and in better shape but I don't recall feeling like I had taken as much a beating as I do now in the full envelope. The gear protects us and it does give us the ability to do more and push our limits - but something we have to drill into peoples' minds is that it doesn't make us invincible. Knowing our limits is critical - the days of breaking someone's chops because they choose to wear a hood or mask up are gone (I hope). We are all soaking in the information out there of the harmful things in smoke, the recognition and avoiding of flashovers and backdrafts, survival tactics, the benefit of the coordinated attack (venting / line placement, etc.) and the importance of good fireground rehabilitation. An Incident Commander should be putting people in charge of rehab at all prolonged or hard-working incidents to make sure we get the breaks we need. Chief Officers should provide the training to all of thier personnel to know when to say when, before that Chief is speaking at a funeral that could of been prevented.

1. Not anymore, not enough updates. 2. It seems too "busy." Perhaps a little less on the homepage. 3. Same as above. 4. More photos - I get all the info I need from these forums. 5. Forums are good most of the time, but some more allowing of open discussion / debate isn't a bad idea. Keep up the good work.

Man.....remember all the ruckus caused by that White Love Machine and a certain Green Shadow back then?! It's amazing we aren't reading EMTBravo from a jail cell!!!

I'm in no way against wearing my seatbelt in the rig. I have been good about wearing it when I drive, and am working harder at wearing it in the Officer's seat or a crew seat. BUT The lap belts in our rig keep getting tangled inside the retracting unit and don't come out so I can't wear it. We keep checking them and trying to fix them as often as we can but the damn things keeps doing it! Additionally, the shoulder restraints at the other seats in the back are mounted so that when I wear it, it goes right across my neck. It's very uncomfortable and give me a mental image of getting a broken neck or decapped. Anyone else feel this way?

We have one Training Coordinator that oversees our Training Division. Our T.D. is made up of guys that are National Fire Service Instructor I, Instructor II, State Fire Instructors, ASHI Instructors and/or educator/instructors of other disciplines. It's a group of roughly 10 people with over 10 years and for the most part, over 25 years of service in the Department. Our responsibilities include OSHA compliance, Officer training, Driver training, Inter-company drills, CPR, NIMS and Bloodborne Pathogens training. We generally have one "classroom type" drill / training and one "hands-on" drill each month in addition to Company and FAST training. So far this year we've had: - Survival Training - Engine Company Drills - Truck Company Drills - Haz-Mat / Decon Training - Bomb Squad Training - Tanker Ops Drill - Extrication Drills - Coast Guard "ABC" Class Coming up in the next four months we will be holding the following: - Flashover Training - Chief Goldfeder Mini-Seminar - Con Ed Gas & Electric Emergencies - Rope Training - Building Size-up We try our best to train as often and on as many things as we can. We're not a very busy department so we need to train more to make up for the "real-world" experiences of bigger departments.

First of all, I have never been to one of these so I can't comment whether it is done "dry" and "responsibly." With that said, I do have some concerns to mention. How many times have those of us in the FIRE SERVICE been made fun of, criticized and dragged thru the mud due to our history with alcohol mixing with our responsibilities? And how often, even right here on EMTBravo have you EMS-only types had a "Holier-then-thou" attitude about firefighters drinking at parades....but you have no problem with conducting TRAINING IN BARS?! A double-standard...no? I am a Firefighter/EMT myself for long enough to consider myself a part of both cultures. I am also an Instructor, and as such I frown on those that don't take training and education seriously. I have taken courses at all kinds of venues in the 15+ years I have been affiliated. Firehouses, Training Centers, etc. and nothing drive me crazy more then seeing beer offered at these. If EMS wants "piety" and "respect" then holding training in bars, taverns or pubs is probably a little counter-productive, no?

If EMS is dispatched at the request of the PD, then PD has the right to cancel the request - right? Aside from my personal opinions of Chief Warren and how I think he handled this, as far as EMS should be concerned they covered their tails on the PCR - it's too bad the "supporters" of that mutt don't realize EMS did nothing wrong, nor did the PD (as it seems right now) and that this "kid" posed a threat to the arresting officers so he was subdued. Paper makes money selling stories that appeal to the public, period. Hey, at least they didn't shoot him.....

My first pager was a Sonar. Then I had a Shinwah. Then I went thru 3 Minitor II pagers. Then two Minitor IV pagers. Now I have a Minitor V pager. If I could keep it, the Minitor II was the best one I ever had. the Minitor V goes off for no apparent reason, makes an awful whining sound in the charger and the recorded doesn't always record. And the sensitivty is crap compared to the Minitor II pagers.

Saw it tonight - laughed my arse off! I can relate to all three of the main charachters - such a good write! GO SEE IT!

I haven't seen it yet! Maybe this weekend, I hope. After I see it I will advise you guys how close to my real world it really is. Here's a fun fact - don't snort Tums.......long story.

Kinda gives new meaning to the phrase "B-Job" doesn't it? Since nothing is proven yet, I refuse to pass judgement. I hope this turns out to be false.

We changed a few months back to www.engine119.com. Thanks for visiting!

Where's Croton Hills?!

Is there a Bomb Squad in that area? I know WCPD Bomb Squad has been to Rockland and Dutchess, I wonder if they'd go there? Stage away....very VERY far away! We just had the Westchester County PD Bomb Squad come to our FD last week to give us a brief presentation of how they operate, what is expected from us (Fire & EMS) and gave us some good insight on how to operate at incidents involving explosives. Those of you in Westchester should consider doing the same - it was very informative and entertaining.

I have to say, he's got some good points but it's as if the paper that published it is trying to start an international war. I don't think that we, as firefighters, take "extra risks" or "become more aggressive" because a RIT/FAST is in place. I think the majority of firefighters and fire departments have grown up a little - meaning we take more time looking around and becoming aware of our surroundings. Having the FAST/RIT there is great, but I know that I do as much as I can to avoid making them come get me. I have yet to see or hear someone say that "Hey, the FAST is here so I can push my limits." As for our health - it's a nationwide problem affecting EVERYONE! If obesity becomes acceptable by the general public, it will become damn near impossible to change the way we look at it and try to prevent it. As a fat guy myself I know I have to do something about it, but when most of the crap we eat is actually cheaper then the stuff good for us - it almost becomes a dollars and cents thing vs. a health thing. Not to mention the lack of time most people have to make a healthy meal when getting crap on a bun takes a minute or two. Good article, and for the most part the info is accurate, but it really isn't new to us.

A: They always try to touch my no-no place. Q: Does 653 really sound like me?

A: Pretty much anywhere else. Q: Has anyone seen "Superbad" yet and is it worth it?

It's never lonely when one has so many voices in his head.... and friends like you to show me how to blow stuff up! ALS - Don't front pal, at least once a day you say to yourself, "WWRD?" That would be "What Would Roundhead Do" - in case you were wondering. Not to mention, growing up in Croton was a blast....not. They used to call me "Cheese" in grade school. Hey Tommy, we can start our own business, "Mac & Cheese." LOL One last thing - the theme song to my life is the "Mission Impossible" theme.

Have a good one Hap!

Date: 8/27/07 Time: 05:30 Location: 21 Reyburn Drive (Cross of Cherry Street) Frequency: 46.26, Katonah FD Districtwide (Unk. Freq.) Units Operating: 2211, 2212, 2213, E116, E117, T6, R17, U8, Battalion 16 Units Relocated: 2031, E198 to Katonah FD Description Of Incident: Dispatched for unknown type fire - on arrival of Chief "10-75." Writer: Remember585 05:35 - 2211 requesting an Engine from Bedford Hills to relocate, units are trying to access fire. 05:40 - 2211 reports a 20 x 30 building, still trying to access it. 05:42 - Battalion 16 responding. 05:43 - 2211 reports 20 x 40 barn fully invovled with collapse. Exterior operation only. 05:46 - T6 on location. 05:47 - E117 on location, laying up to E116. 05:50 - 2211 requesting C&O to scene. 05:54 - R17 responding. 05:56 - 2211 reports bulk of fire knocked down, overhauling, units working.