Remember585

Nice job - I never heard of that website!

In this weather - I'm down!

We have four side-mounts and one top-mount. The guys with the top mount swear by it and ditto goes for the guys with the side-mounts. Personally, I prefer the side mount only because I like being on the ground so I can roam around the rig and do things. Being up top, to me anyway, would hinder that. So many people claim they have more visibility up top. I guess I am missing that point - almost every top-mount pumper I have seen has a raised roof and a hosebed that is higher then the pump area. So looking forwards and backwards is impossible unless you are over 6' 6". The one thing I have noticed too is that the Pump Operator on a Top-mount will go to either side and lean over to see what's going on. In one case the MPO leaned over and fell off the rig. Luckily, he didn't get hurt. In the end I suppose I am old school when it comes to the pump panel. I like it on the ground and on the side. It's all a matter of opinion to me, those that have them will preach them and vice versa.

We're Globe users. The newer G-Xtreme stuff isn't bad, much more comfortable then the traditional gear. I am wearing Globe's GX-7 stuff, it's lighter then my older gear but it is still a little bulky.

**THIS SHOULD BE UNDER COMMUNICATIONS** There are many, many frequencies used to dispatch EMS in Westchester from 60 Control. FD based EMS generally goes out on 46.26, and most EMS agencies have their own frequencies. Here's some agencies and how they are dispatched that I can think of off the top of my head. On 46.26 Armonk FD/EMS Bedford FD/EMS Briarcliff FD/EMS (Dispatch only, UHF used for ops) Croton FD/EMS Hawthorne FD/EMS Verplanck FD/EMS Vista FD/EMS On own frequencies dispatched from 60 Control: New Rochelle EMS (Dispatch on 33.96 / operate on UHF) Cortlandt Medics (Share a freq. with Peekskill EMS) Peekskill FD Medics (FD UHF) Northern Westchester Medics (VHF High-band shared with North Salem and Lewisboro) Eastchester EMS (Dispatch on VHF-Hi. operate on UHF w/ FD) Lewisboro VAC (VHF-Hi shared with No. Westchester ALS and North Salem VAC) (VHF / 151.535) Mohegan VAC (UHF) North Salem VAC (VHF-Hi shared with Lewisboro and Northern Westchester Medics) (VHF / 151.535) Peekskill VAC (UHF shared with Cortlandt Medics) Pound Ridge VAC (VHF-Hi) Grasslands EMS (Transcare) (UHF shared with Stat-flight) Cortlandt VAC (UHF / 155.205) There is a whole list of EMS frequencies somewhere on these forums.

Scanners in vehicles are illegal in NY. That's why I only have a UHF moibile radio with no police channels in it. I used to have a scanner, but it got constant interference from the car's electronics, that's what prompted me to get the UHF radio.

Seth, I can't believe it. I hope that you get out of the hospital soon and are back on the job doing what you love as soon as you can. Call me when you get a chance and let me know if there's anything I can do. We're all thinking of you over here at 60 Control!

I think that some areas could possibly benefit from merging services, but at the same time there is others that are doing fine on their own. Just because a half dozen or so Departments in Westchester are hit or miss it does not mean the entire thing is sinking. I listen to the radio like most and hear tones being tapped several times for apparatus or manpower. I think that we could all benefit from a few things other then a regional fire service. Here's my thoughts; 1. A central dispatch center with the correct staffing and training to handle the County. 2. Mutual Aid based on GEOGRAPHY and not PREFERENCES. 3. Box type alarms - with automatic Mutual Aid / additional resources dispatched at a certain time, not when the FD in question finally gives up. 4. UNIFORM TRAINING STANDARDS COUNTYWIDE for INTERIOR MEMBERS, for FAST PERSONNEL and for OFFICERS. 5. (This is the key - ADMITTING A PROBLEM.) When you mention consolidation, merging and/or regionalization, people cover their ears and play deaf. The fact of the matter is that if we don't take little steps now to make it easier to work with one another, something horrible will happen, someone will die, properties lost and the community in question will be caught with their pants down. The lawyers will ask the Fire Chief "If you knew there was a problem, why didn't you do anything?" What do you think they would say?

Order one of these: And they throw this in for free! I'd go for the Double Double, but I think that's my limit!

Rest in peace, brother.

Great shots! Who's the papparazzi swarming in that one pic? Do the LA Ambulances with the FRC floodlights in the body sides have a generator or are they 12V? Did you have any In N Out?

I hope Peyton and the Colts win only so Peyton can show the video to his brother and give the Giants a prayer next season...

You have a blog?!

I want my two dollars!!!!

I know of a guy we used to transport from time to time who was considered allergic to water. He would drink it and it would cause him to appear intoxicated. True story.

Thanks 66. I am curious how much EMS gear costs compared to fire PPE, and as I suspected it's in the same ball park.

Only the paid personnel in Peekskill operate the apparatus. Volunteers primarily go to the scene and if they are in quarters can ride. They have a Rescue on order to replace an Engine - so they will have 4 Engines, 1 Tower and 1 Rescue. Others here can probably give you more info.

I think it's like anything else in life. If you really want to be a part of something, then you will do what it takes. If you want to be a volunteer firefighter and be a part of all it has to offer, I am sure that you will do whatever it is asked of you. People are busier today then they were generations ago. If it is in someone's heart to do something, they will find a way to make it happen. The complaint that people are not joinining or staying because of increased standards is, to be frank, Bull. The bulk of the people we've lost in the last few years is because they have found something else to consume their time and interest. Nobody has left because we ask too much of them, they've left because they've moved, started families, taken on new jobs/careers or some other "legit" reason. None of the guys that have left have ever said that we ask too much out of them, it's "a lack of time." And that, to me, is not just limited to the fire service. How many of you would play softball or go to the gym more if you had the time? Working longer days and in many cases, working more then one job is killing the American society's "free time." THAT - not increased requirements, is cutting down our membership. In other words, if the State mandated 250 hours of initial training, I would think that the person who joined and wants to be a part of the brotherhood would take it and complete it. I get calls and e-mails all week long from members of our Department looking to take some kind of class - VOLUNTARILY. A lot of what our members take beyond FF 1 is a choice, if we took some of these classes and merged them into one I am more then confident that the County would still fill these classes faster then they post them. That's my two cents, anyway.

The Maroon Platoon is in good hands! Mike, check your "signature....2556" Who got the Engineer's job on the Truck?! Can I apply? (A little 10th Battalion humor....)

I love that dog mural on the back of the Bethel(?) rig.

I hate to say it and give Santa a complex, but the real Santa would probably excedd that rig's tip load....

Finally finished this too. I am done doing this computer geek crap for a few days.... the fingers need a rest! The http button isn't working, so here it is. Or just go to engine119.com and click the 2006 Video button. Have a good one!

Are those a bunker-type pants? Nice gear - any idea what the cost per set is?

I like that Tommy... I got a rope, beaner and harness. Department bought it all. My only gripe is that so many people have them, but because of their bulkiness everyone takes them out of their gear. HELLO? MCFLY? ANYBODY HOME? My helmet's bulky and heavy but I STILL WEAR THE DAMN THING! It's been said that you can only give someone enough rope to hang themself.....in this case you can only give them the rope and pray they actually carry it.