res6cue

I should probably also mention that while our dept doesn't require our driver/operators to have a CDL, I have instructed a few driver training classes over the years and I drew heavily from the NYS CDL curriculum. I completely revamped our dept's driver training curriculum back around 2001. One of these changes included putting together a binder full of information relevant to the job. This included copies of key parts of the CDL manual and IFSTA books, as well as (probably most important in my opinion) specific information on MY dept's apparatus. Full copies of the CDL manual, IFSTA text and workbooks and other material were handed out also, although I felt it was better in some ways not to overload them with TOO much information, especially if it wasn't relevant to our apparatus. We also made good use of some videos, particularly the IFSTA series on pumping and aerial apparatus, but mainly to stimulate discussion and get ideas for our practical exercises. Certainly you can't rely on the books or videos alone to teach, but they are a good primer. As far as those practical exercises, we did the standard "drive around a large parking lot" so they would get some feel for the trucks. Once they showed a fair amount of comfort with that, we would take them out early Sunday morning on the secondary roads to get the real world feel before playing in traffic. From there, primary streets...then in moderate traffic...then driving back from calls...and eventually a few months into the class, driving to automatic alarms and such. A ramp up, so to speak. We also did plenty of emergency maneuver exercises using an obstacle course, as well as countless hours of pumping evolutions. In addition to all that in-house training, all operators are required to successfully complete NYS classes in Pump Ops, Aerial Ops, Truck Co Ops, Engine Co Ops, Water Supply Ops and EVOC as well as NSC CEVO and Defensive Driving.

Oh I absolutely agree, anything to better yourself is worth doing. If you're truly committed to becoming a better, more responsible driver/operator, then I would strongly recommend not only reading the CDL manual and taking the written/practical tests, but get yourself into a good CDL driving school or class. You can and should definitely learn a lot about the operation of heavy trucks by doing so. My point was more that the simple act of getting a CDL in and of itself won't make you a good driver. You have to WANT to be a good driver, which means you have to learn, not just memorize, and gain hands on experience doing it. Also, driving an emergency vehicle can be a lot more challenging than driving a rig cross country on open highways. No CDL program or test will prepare you for that challenge.

Posting thread/poll for bibbles10504...

Many of the bodies were built by specialty companies, going back a very long time. The 1979 Mack R rescues had Pierce bodies on them, the 1971 Mack R's before them had bodies built by Providence and so on. Everything built since the 1979 Mack/Pierce trucks have had a Saulsbury body, on either an ALF, Mack, HME or E-One chassis. This Pierce is the first fully bumper to bumper one manufacturer rescue in MANY decades.

While I agree having a CDL is a great thing (not required in NY, however) and certainly helps from a legal standpoint should you find yourself in court, as Izzy said it's NOT the be all and end all. I personally know guys with CDLs that drive fire apparatus, and I know guys with regular licenses that drive fire apparatus. Some of the guys with regular licenses are far better operators, no question about it. Why? Because it comes down to training! It is not terribly difficult to obtain a Class B CDL. Study the manual, remember the info, pass the written test then do good on a road test. Not unlike obtaining a regular license, and we all know there are PLENTY of drivers out there who have been issued licenses who probably never should've been.

I'm sure you're probably referring to the 1948 era Mack L rescues, but don't forget that as of 1999 E-One has fully owned and operated Saulsbury as an integrated operation, making the 2002 rigs technically built entirely by a single manufacturer.

UGH you guys TOTALLY did not get my joke. It was self deprecating humor, having NOTHING to do with "not getting a thank you thread" but like "all the mods here are nice guys" and "well i dunno about that res6cue dude!". Nevermind, I give up. Attempt at humor = FAILED.

The "Spirit of Oklahoma" is a 2002 ALF built on a Freighliner chassis. It was indeed a donation and is used as a spare rig. For a brief period in the fall of 2004 it was put in service as Rescue Co. 6 in Lower Manhattan. Mike Martinelli has two photos of it on his site. First, lettered as "Rescue Services" (middle of the page) http://www.fdnytrucks.com/files/html/specialunits/soc.htm Then, as Rescue 6 http://www.fdnytrucks.com/files/html/manhattan/l20.htm

Normally I'm a fan of aluminum wheels, but I think the red steel look sharp on this rig. It seems lately that FDNY is a bit bipolar in regards to rigs being spec'd with aluminum or steel.

Congrats T4!

Could be Joe, sounds vaguely familiar. Do you have any idea where or when it might've occurred?

Simple. Rescue = Viable patient removed, time is obviously of the essence and may very well require risk to be taken on our part Removal = Expired victim removed, time is not a factor and you should never take a risk when there is no chance of performing a rescue

By far the best shots I've seen of her so far. These were taken at the factory just before she left for her long voyage east. Photos compliments of Sven73 at firehouse.com. THUMBNAILS, CLICK FOR FULL RES!

Exactly. I find it mildly ironic that a group called "Riverkeepers" is more concerned with Indian Point than they are with something that has ALREADY endangered the river! I'm not saying Indian Point isn't a concern, but one would think they'd focus on the more immediate and probable threat.

Absolutely, you never know when you might be called mutual aid to a large scale incident! http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/Fire/bulletin...RR-Response.pdf

Yes, it was the West Shore line that runs north-south along the Hudson (further inland down south in Orangeburg and Clarkstown) through Rockland. The derailment happened in Stony Point/Tompkins Cove area in 1998, right across from Indian Point. There have been three derailments within six years on that line in North Rockland going back to the 1998 derailment into the river. In 2003, two cars derailed and fuel was spilled. In 2004, a locomotive and four cars derailed, spilling silicon metal and closing 9W for hours. Thankfully in all three cases, a serious widespread release of hazardous materials was averted. At the rate their going with these derailments, something catastrophic is inevitable.

This could easily happen again, and could be far more disastrous next time.

The amount of nasty stuff that rolls along Rockland's tracks is staggering. I don't think the public even realizes what is rolling through their backyard, and some first responders might not either. In my opinion, it's much more of an immediate hazard to the area than Indian Point is.

I'm not offended Hudson, but I have heard complaints from some members who feel like they can't post in peace in any topic they choose (especially the "frivolous" ones) without being told "this isn't important". That isn't the feeling we want our members to have. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. As I said, my post wasn't entirely directed towards you specifically. Anyone who has been around here for any length of time knows you are always starting and contributing to the very topics you'd like to see more participation in.

(I am reposting this which I posted in the "LED" thread so it's more visible to the membership) Alright, enough is enough with posts like this. I'm only going to post this once, so pay attention: 1. Stop lecturing the membership on just what threads and topics are and aren't "more important". We do not need to be told or reminded of what you happen to think the purpose of EMTBravo is. Only one man can speak to that, and he already has. Seth has made it very clear that while he hopes people will learn and share "important" information, he is also determined to allow people to feel comfortable here without feeling pressured that they have to make every one of their posts a "productive" one. If someone wants to post only in the Apparatus section about buff stuff, that is their right, period. 2. Pay attention to the fact that the members who post in these here "useless" threads are the same members posting and taking part in the "more important" threads also. We are all very aware that fireground tactics are more important to firefighting than recipes and LEDs, we don't need to be lectured on it. This is a very diverse forum with many different "rooms" for different topics. The staff is not going to tolerate members going into certain rooms and chastising others for not posting in what they deem "more important" areas of the forum, period. Many of the same members that are doing the lecturing have little to no notable contributions themselves, which puts you in a hypocritical light. Put up, or shut up. (This is not specifically directed at you per se, Hudson, but in general. There has been way too much of it going on of late.)

Alright, enough is enough with posts like this. I'm only going to post this once, so pay attention: 1. Stop lecturing the membership on just what threads and topics are and aren't "more important". We do not need to be told or reminded of what you happen to think the purpose of EMTBravo is. Only one man can speak to that, and he already has. Seth has made it very clear that while he hopes people will learn and share "important" information, he is also determined to allow people to feel comfortable here without feeling pressured that they have to make every one of their posts a "productive" one. If someone wants to post only in the Apparatus section about buff stuff, that is their right, period. 2. Pay attention to the fact that the members who post in these here "useless" threads are the same members posting and taking part in the "more important" threads also. We are all very aware that fireground tactics are more important to firefighting than recipes and LEDs, we don't need to be lectured on it. This is a very diverse forum with many different "rooms" for different topics. The staff is not going to tolerate members going into certain rooms and chastising others for not posting in what they deem "more important" areas of the forum, period. Many of the same members that are doing the lecturing have little to no notable contributions themselves, which puts you in a hypocritical light. Put up, or shut up. (This is not specifically directed at you per se, Hudson, but in general. There has been way too much of it going on of late.)

Our dept (and almost all of Rockland) operates on one of 6 UHF frequencies for fireground operations. Completely separate from any dispatch channels. The primary operating channel for each dept is assigned in such a way that will all but eliminate us stepping on each other. All our officers have their own UHF portables, and there are at least three on each rig (some have four).

NOO! I was having some fun with myself. I meant to quote where someone said "the whole gang (of us) are doing a great job" but I forgot!

Honestly I think you get more out of the transverse compartment when it's on the body like the Pierce. First of all, it sits lower which is never a bad thing. Also, by shifting it to the body and shortening up the cab, you retain basically the same OAL and wheelbase, but now they can put bigger underbody cribbing compartments on the Pierce. And of course the walkin crew area is bigger now too. BTW, the piece of diamond plate on the wheelwell is actually the door for a compartment that holds the wheel chocks. The old units had the entire area covered in diamond plate.