Bnechis

We have a DPW dispatch station (and FD & PD) in our EOC radio room so during major storms we can work together. After listening to the DPW radio for a while I learned that we can not be "interoperable" even if we can talk on their channel. This is because we use plain english and they use DPW speak. Hey bob, you missed a sofa on main st. Jim replow that area. Which truck picked up the TV's that were in the road? Sammys truck did. No truck numbers, if you do not know who is on which truck or which route you do not stand a chance.

Yes, this was Volk was talking about.

Its back. a few days

Agreed, but same size rig or smaller is no longer manufactured. In large part due to EPA engine emmission requirements.

The city planned to enlarge the house in 1999, but to save $$$ took that project out. They new for the last 4 years that they would have to deal with it eventually. Only 2 bidders out of 3 manufacturers who make a 100' rear mount that would fit. All of the rest would not even come close. The new epa regs make the rig wider and taller. When it was 1st delivered I backed it in to the fire house in one shot and I have not been a truck driver in a decade. It fit, but was very tight and the concern was if a driver is not carefull there will be a major problem. Today one of the regular drivers backed it in, after the pedistal, railings and the door moldings had been modified and it was fine. The rigs 90 years ago when this house was built were a lot smaller.

What do you mean? Westchester Depts. who have spent more $$$ per capita on fire protection than anywhere outside of L.I. cant communicate? We have had a portable radio friendly system for over 30 years.

Minor punch list items took longer to resolve than anticipated. It should be inservice within a few days.

It is clearly different from one dept to another and even when the depts have the "same" i.e. 2 engines + 1 ladder = 1st alarm the staffing can be 3 or 13 for that same alarm. It really should not be that. 30 years ago we would send 2 engines + 1 ladder + 1 chief to a fire and that would get you 13-15 ff's. Now we send 2 engines + 2 ladder + 1 chief and you get 14ff's. Plus once its a worker, you get 2 more engines (1 for water & 1 FAST). The ISO standards require a minimum of 2 engines + 1 ladder (or rescue) + 1 chief and a minimum of 13 on duty members or 37 on call members NFPA 1710 require a minimum of 2 engines + 1 ladder (or rescue) + 1 chief but a minimum of 16 or 17 (the extra 2 over ISO are for 2 out and for a search team), if its a worker they require you add 2 more to the 2 out to make it a FAST and add a safety officer. Historically each alarm duplicated whatever the 1st alarm sent and as far as I am concerned that how it sould be. Just because your dept does not have enough rigs to make the next alarm level with what you have should not mean you run short. Now whats really interesting is why: Before phones and radios we had street boxes and everyone knew if there was a fire you ran to the closest box and pulled the lever AND waited for the FD to arrive so you could direct them to the call. When you pulled the lever the # on the box would be transmitted via telegraph to all the fire stations in the dept and either a bell would sound the number (VFD's had the horns sound the #) &/or a tape would be cut with the number of holes. So if the box was #236 the tape would look like this: << <<< <<<<<<. The man on watch would look up on a big wall chart and find out what intersection #236 was at (VFD's had a little pocket manual) and what the pattern was. Then if the pattern included that rig they went. The standard was a minimum of 2 engines (an engine was a steamer and hose wagon) and a ladder or city service unit). If they got there and the chief want more help, he would have someone run to the next pull box (say #237) and "Pull or strike the 2nd Alarm" or if they had a telegraph key in the box he could go back to the original box and "tap out or strike a 2nd alarm" When that # came in the house watch would look at the chart, see that the 1st alarm units were not available and additional units would go to the new box (not knowing if they were going to the same job or a different one nearby). If this was still not enough, go to the third box and "Pull or strike the 3rd Alarm"

The fire burned for 11 years? Thats a lot of water

These 2 posts need to be merged together. The NYSP had proposed the change for many years, but FASNY was able to use its political clout in Albany to keeping it from even getting to a vote. After that accident the troopers union put a big push for front and rear and FASNY seeing the "sympathy vote" going against them (there was talk that NYSP wanted blue illegal for volunteer fire), they came to a compromise, rear PD only. Then after the law was past FASNY realized that it was still illegal for FD's to have rear blue so they asked for another modification to allow volunteer fire trucks to have blue rear. The NYS professional firefighters association asked the legislature what would happen in combo depts, only a volunteer could drive legally? what about depts with paid day staff? So the state came back with ALL fire trucks. Then EMS realized they were left out unless they were fire based...... And that is why I said: nobody's going to make any changes in Albany.

As it has been stated it is only legal to have them to the rear in NYS. That means any agency using front ones runs the risk of a smart lawer turning around any accident as being the PD's fault. "Why not change the law"? It took the NYS legislature almost 20 years to get rear facing blue. No one has the fight in them to go back and try to get then to change it again.

"Never let the truth get in the way of a good story"

The Department of Labor & state insurance say otherwise. If you fall and get hurt while "hanging out" you are able to get workers comp because they have ruled that you are "working".

The Biltmore

In thelate 1980's and early 1990's The mayor and most if not all members of the common council were volunteers. they also were the ones who agreed to the contracts and in effect were "the powers that be" It was rumored that many parties were held with those funds. It always sounded like those parties were really political events.

Paid depts do not get 2% monies. 2% monies go to the MEMBERSHIP of the FD. For many years in many municipalities the manger and/or mayors has tried to get their hands on those funds and the state keeps telling then no. And it must be used for the good and welfare of all members (career or volunteer) and it includes retired members. Most career members get some form of insurance coverage (dental, glasses, life, Rx. etc.) that the job does not provide.

Good luck with that. Remember Obamacare was brought to you by the people that said, "we will find out what is in it after we pass it". Well guess what we just found out.

They have not responded to a single fire in over 30 years, but every year they got 2% funds because at some point prior to the 1980's they did. A few years ago they were changed to a CERT team. but I guess they kept the parade function for fun.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Is there a need for it? Does it work? Sauk Rapids Fire Department has purchased an insulation vacuum system that is able to clear blown-in insulation from burning attics. Donations paid for the $6,500 system. Sauk Rapids Fire Chief Tony Hommerding said insulation smolders and firefighters usually have to tear down ceilings to make sure the fire is completely out. But the new system allows them to vacuum up the insulation without further damaging the building. The new system makes putting out attic fires easier and safer, he said. http://www.firehouse.com/news/11175609/minn-department-to-share-new-vacuum-system?utm_source=FH+Newsday&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS130917005

If its underground, how would you determine if its been compromised? While it takes longer, its the primary option if there is anything wrong with the tank, plumbing or valves.

Just knowing what a bottle jack on a rig is makes one a little salty. Having ever swung one down and spun it....well thats SALTY.

Valid point, particularly with the loss of tax revinue from the fire (& potential loss in tourism) and the lawsuits that may come from the lost properties against the municipality for failing to replace the salt water damaged electricals under the boardwalk. A clear violation of standards and it appears the cause of the fire.

That all depends on what you already paid them for. If you paid for a system that works and it does not, they need to figure out why.

Call your radio vendor

Fresh water flushing of everthing (pump, hose, nozzles, etc.) is fine as long as it is done till there is no more residue. All ff's need to understand how to. Even major cities with municipal water supplies have needed to do it during major emergencies