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FYI- http://www.svitrucks.com/apparatusdetails.asp?apparatusid=86 There was a similar rescue from Deptford (NJ) at the New England Chief's show last weekend.

On the employment application, there is usually something called the "salary range". It normally precedes the "general description of duties" and "residency requirements" descriptions on the application. Ex: City of Hicksville Position: Fire Fighter Salary Range: 32,000-55,000 annually Since salaries are set by the CBA, they are not negotiable for the individual employee (regardless of how much previous experience they claim to have). What you see is what you get. If what is printed on the application does not interest you, then move on to the next application. There are hundreds of other prospects that will be more than happy to apply.

Several years ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation conducted a study regarding rear warning protection for highway vehicles (included in this were recommendations for fire and police vehicles). The results of which appeared as recommendations in several fire service publications (you may or may not read those). One of the recommendations was to install chevron striping at the rear of the vehicle. The information went into a dull and scientific explanation into how the eyes react to the pattern. In the same dull explanation, the scientific "geniuses" found that the inverted "V" or "^" was better. I am not sure as to why (nor do I care), but that was the suggestion. Apparently, others (including apparatus manufacturers) are also finding this "suggestion" credible because I have rarely seen a piece of fire apparatus recently delivered (with a chevron pattern) that is not in the inverted "V" pattern. Could this just be coincidence or perhaps it is actually based upon something? You can also reference the following article from Ron Moore regarding rear warning protection for fire apparatus. http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/a...19§ionId=19 He (Mr. Moore) also mentions the recommended inverted "v" and refers to section 6E.02 of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). I do not have that document in front of me, but I believe they (MUTCD) talk about chevron pattern applications (or perhaps Mr. Moore was also just taking a shot-in-the-dark?)

Thanks everyone for your help!

Check your DOT specs. The recommended chevron application is to invert from the mid-line out. The purpose of this design is to steer the eyes (ultimately, the oncoming vehicle) away from the mid-line of the vehicle. ///////\\\\\\\\ = good \\\\\\\/////// = not so good So to answer your question, Yes THEY do have the right to do whatever they want, but the point was that it was not the proper pattern. But do what you want, I don't care.

Interesting..........however, this would be a significant financial increase for AMR's fleet spending in the CT area. In the "for-profit" world, the additions to these buses may price them out of consideration. Also - not to nit-pick, but the chevron pattern (in the rear) is inverted from the recommended application?

I have noticed on recent deliveries of the American LaFrance Eagle type of chassis' that LaFrance appears to regularly use a white rectangular cornering light on their front bumper extensions. This does not appear to be common with other manufacturers. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this type of light and whether it is an effective use of light for apparatus when cornering at night (or if there is interference from other warning lamps in the vicinity)? Thanks-

Fairfield is mostly career, but there are 2 volunteer companies (1 in the Southport area, the other is in Stratfield area). A FFD member could answer this better, but I believe the vol. units are mostly support companies.

J -What if you are at an accident and the stored propane tanks in the car's trunk blows up? The ensuing fireball could level the entire neighborhood and the MPO. Full gear and SCBA (with gloves) a must.

Like clockwork......thanks for the insight.........

I am fairly sure one of the SCBA tanks had 3800 psi and one fire fighter did not shave adequately before his shift that morning (!!! ????) How much more can you quarterback the incident????? Perhaps a better way to look at it...........properly staffed (and abundant) fire apparatus arrived within seconds and handled the situation. The fire(s) went out without extension to the densely developed and populated neighborhood. A good example of why resources need to arrive and be deployed on scene as quickly as possible. Would it have worked better if one FF arrived (with his airpack straps nice and tight) with one fire truck, followed by numerous tone-outs for additional personnel, followed by requests for mutual aid from several other departments, followed by more tone-outs, etc.....? I do not condone or promote unsafe operations/tunnel vision/etc., but can certainly understand if a few SFFD members left their straps loose and grabbed the hose instead of donning their mask. There are plenty of SFFD bosses who have probably also watched the tape and will make decisions on whether their personnel need to be reminded of the value of SCBA at every fire incident. I am also sure they are glad that their personnel acted quickly and kept a traffic accident from becoming a major fire incident.

Good points and well put. A good example to use for recent spending concerns could be found in the current thread about "wet-downs". There is an example of a nearby department in New Jersey operating at a wet-down. The video speaks for itself.........

Nothing like a little prejudice to affirm one's ignorance................enjoy your wetdowns this summer.......

I hope you are kidding with a ridiculous comment like that, right?

If a volunteer is the same as paid, but does not recieve financial compensation, why can't he be allowed to quit/resign? In some places, the position may be considered a job?

AS - I think we already addressed the number of runs vs. likelihood discussion earlier in the thread. The higher number of calls does increase the exposure to the public, but it in NO way should ever be used to justify the number of speed-related apparatus accidents in the County in question (there are also additional accidents not depicted earlier in this thread). Yes, there are idiots on the road, that is why we train the apparatus operators to be prepared for the unexpected and lay-off the accelerator. We will have much greater success training our own drivers, than the thousands of motorists we may encounter on any given day (although public awareness is never a bad idea). As many others have indicated in this tread, the overall attitude of this group is the root problem. The accidents and altercations are secondary.

Productive results usually do not start with tactics that begin with blowing air horns in a residential neighborhood at any time of day. We need the public on our side, not pissed off because of a job-action. There is clearly an ongoing problem with the Mayor's attention to the safety of the fire fighters and the residents that they are sworn to protect. Staffing levels below the minimum set by the NFPA (1710) are not acceptable anytime or anywhere; period (important to remember that 1710 is a minimum with the levels increasing for "high-risk" areas). The density of MV could be least described as dense and worthy of more than a 4 person minimum. Several authors in this thread chose to attack the IAFF about this (why?/typical). There is no doubt that the Union would have serious concerns about the safety of their members. However, unless you have been at the helm of running a Local, you would have little idea of the challenges to get understanding or involvement of all of those necessary in order to correct a problem like this. Securing minimum staffing language is HUGE task for any local and is usually the last thing that a City will ever willingly negotiate over. The President, Executive Board, etc. cannot wage this battle alone. They need to have the full involvement of the Local and community. Public awareness and involvement is the key and it will not happen overnight or with a few "Station Understaffed" signs out front. Far too many Cities in this area [Waterbury (CT), Bridgeport (CT), New Haven (CT), Springfield (MA)] have recently managed to close companies and/or stations and keep the practice ongoing. The Local's in all of these Cities have tried almost every tactic possible to stop this from happening with little of no success. Unless the public is involved and pissed off (on our side) the concerns of the Union will have a short shelf-life. Public awareness can come in a variety of positive ways and I am sure that the members of FDMV are looking at their options. Whenever, our Brothers/Sisters in MV are ready, they will have plenty of support from their extended family in the area. Although not mentioned, I guess it is safe to guess where the Admin. is on the issue?

Engine Co. thanks for finding the photo in the archives, I have added 2 other photos from Prince Georges County Fire Departments. Although, we are looking at Kentland in this thread, the photos (and recent news articles) show a disturbing trend (or problems) within the Departments in Prince George's County. One could easily challenge me and state that accidents can occur anywhere and that perhaps their call volume is greater and thus the possibility of an accident is greater (perhaps?). However, the discussion and the associated article is about "aggressiveness". The examples depicted here are accidents (easily preventable) that have one thing in common: excessive speed. Why? Are we placing everyone at risk just to be first-in or to "beat the paid guys" (as the case most often in PGFD)? Are we letting our egos come before public safety? A thread-writer before me blamed this on poor leadership, I could not agree more. If the leadership here believes that it is acceptable to promote this type of "cowboy" mentality, then one can expect a continued tradition of placing personal agendas/rivalries ahead of the public safety.

Yes, Interspiro is correct. There has been an ongoing problem in the SAFD with the product. The manufacturer has tried on several occasions to work with them to resolve the problems, but without much success.

Before we even mention the yahoo with tunnel-vision in the car, perhaps looking at the hoseline placement onto the roof? I am not sure about the roofs in some areas, but where I live they are designed to shed/repel water? Directing a water stream onto the roof will do the same, right? The car rupturing the supply line really couldn't hamper the operation if the lines were improperly positioned to begin with.

It is highly unlikely that a City (like NYC) would entertain the idea of quint companies. Yes, we have seen other large Cities utilize either a Total Quint Concept or a "Select" Quint Application. I am sure some bean-counter in the City has had their biased education to the "benefits" of such a plan at the last ICMA convention, but the likelihood of this happening in a City like New York is remote. The reality is that this may have served some communities with marginal firefighting tactics. The only real service (or lack thereof) it provides for is less companies and less manpower. Sure, the pretty new $800K ladder/engine/rescue truck may look impressive upon arrival or on paper. But, I would rather have 5 (or more) fire fighters with the proper tools and training arriving in a pick-up truck (and an extension ladder) then an oversized and understaffed monolith. 13Victor said it quite well....a giant swiss army knife. Hopefully, your reference does not upset the "pro-quint crowd", I would hate for them to copy and send that to your Chief.

FYI - Additional photos from the fire on Tuesday are now posted on the Stamford Fire Fighter's Web Site at www.local786.org . Photos may be viewed directly at: http://www.local786.org/index.cfm?zone=/un...%2004%2F03%2F06 Anyone wishing to add their photos from the fire, may e-mail them to admin@local786.org . Thanks-

Yes.....and I have never heard you say a negative thing about the Sox? I heard you were rooting for the Braves now?

2006 MLB AL East Predictions Yankees 84 W / 78 L Red Sox 98 W / 64 L "welcome to New York Johnny....."

Great.......another music video from the folks at Kentland. Perhaps they could produce their next video using the footage from their latest fight with other local fire companies and use the music from the Rocky theme? :angry: