junior215

It looks really similar to the old Seagraves. Is it the same spec????

Thanks!!

Do they still have the old "pencill in the cheek" question???

Any idea when it will repeat?? Also, what channel was it on??

I feel compelled to reply to some of the posts in this string. Fonz, I really hope you are just joking. I have been on both sides of the fence, paid and volunteer. Both have their positives and negatives. However, I never marched in a parade as a volunteer. That is not why I joined. I was a very active member for years. I now live in a city with a paid department so my volunteer career is over. One thing that always amazed me was the fact that members hated to drill, but would spend dozens of hours preparing for each parade. These are the same members that painted the working end of my tools and packed crosslays in a manner that was not funtional, but "looked good" in a parade. Parades contribute absolutely nothing to the functionality of a fire department and should not be mandatory, PERIOD!!!!!!! They are part of the rich tradition of the volunteer service and are a great morale booster. However, when you start comparing parades to training, then you need to either put down the bottle you are drinking from or see a psychologist because there is something seriously wrong with your mind!!!!!!

I agree with Jason762. A newspaper article rarely gives the whole story. If there was a deaprtment order or SOG that was issued on radio procedures and this particular member continued to use the "10" codes, then a suspension may have been waranted. Also, were there verbal and written reprimands before he suspension???? Volunteers need discipline too, but it should not stem from personal battles. As for disbanding a company.....this is never good, career or volunteer. Again, I cannot comment on this situation because the whole story isn't known. But if this is wat HAS to be done and services are provided to compensate for the disbanded company, then the decision may be supported. As long as this isn't truly a personal matter.

I find it depressing that this picture was regarded as "bashing" a certain fire department. Isn't it the act itself that made the department look bad. The picture is just the proof. Paid FD's are not "better." What they are is accountable. If a member of the public had a problem with this action, where does it go?? The Chief?? The Board?? What can happen --- losing days of pay???? I know some vollies are disciplined. I do not want to generalize. But lets get real. I remember a post about wetdowns a while ago that caused controversy. Events like this are public displays. PUBLIC!!! The same public that supports the fund drives. The same public that most of the time doesn't even know that their fire department is volunteer. They usually are oblivious or just don't care. But, you can bet your a** they will look at all of us very closely if guys start dying doing stupid things. I think the lesson here should be this: we all have a good thing, paid or vollie. We are involved in a great service and, most of the time, have good intentions. Why do we still put ourselves at risk doing stupid things. If we put half the effort into health and safety as we did into arguing and worrying about whose apparatus is cooler, we might get below that 100 LODD a year number. God, before your know it we will all be driving little silver hybrids and saving the environment!!!!!!!!!

Just to be the devil's advocate, is it really smart to drive a vehicle into an underground parking garage with a car fire in it? I have been to one such fire with sprinkler activation and there was 0 visibility. And, having frequented White Plains, I seriously doubt they have underground garages that aren't sprinklered. This vehicle is very nice, but it sounds like a brush truck, especially if it has class A foam.

First off, wetdowns are part of the volunteer tradition and have a place. Just stay OOS, no drunk members on rigs, and NO FOAM. Jason762 has legiamite concersn about drunk members, but I think discipline on the chief and officer level may curb this. And, by the way, waxing paint that is less than 6 months old may damage the clear-coat, so be careful.

Excellent feedback. Like I said earlier. there is room for parades and wetdowns. Unions firefighters have golf outings and dinners too. But get more info to the public somehow. I love fire and EMS and do not want to erode the foundation that has built both services......the volunteer. But, face reality. The real issue is to protect the taxpayers and residents. They pay, they should know, and they DESERVE OUR SERVICES!!!!!!!!!

OK, I will get back on topic. firecapt32 asked how we educate the public on spending. Well, how many citizens actually know the level of service that they have. Or the lack of service. If you actually read my posts and noticed the tone, it is not a "paid is better" issue. However, it is about illusion. What is the sense of having pride in equipment when there is nobody there to man the equipment? I mentioned Bedford Hills. Their equipment is incredibly well kept and they come with force when you call them. I commend them. The issue I have is with departments that routinely miss calls. I think it is the responsibility of the commissioners, who are elected by the public, to address the issue of fiscal responsibility. The public needs responders, not overpriced apparatus and grotesquely large firehouses!!!!!!

Good point X. I am not advocating ending things like wetdowns and parades because they are part or the volunteer tradition. However, when the same departments consistently miss EMS calls and have few members for fire calls, this is where I have a problem. At my medic job I have to wait sometimes 30 minutes or more for an ambulance because a certain department does not get crews. This same department has 3 firehouses, 4-5 engines, a tanker, a ladder, 3 ambulances, a rescue, and about 6 chiefs cars. Is there a problem here??? Why not a paid staff?? Are the funds going to the right place???? Also, why do paid departments have rigs that cost much less than volly rigs, yet do far more runs and are used 24 hrs a day??? Place Mt. Vernons Tower and Bedford Hills Tower side by side. What is the real difference, besides the escape ladder?? Made by the same company. One is no frills and one is all thrills. Then put a Yonkers tower next to Tarrytowns. Why in Gods name doesn't Yonkers have all the extras? Because the chief's in Yonkers, Mt. Vernon, White Plains, New Rochelle, Stamford, etc..... ARE ACTUALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR SPENDING. Nobody ever questions most of the vollie spending. As for tower, you do not have to climb them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The concept and the tool itself is a great idea. Maximum flow with minimum manpower. However, many disciples of a certain large department in the area still believe that the 2 1/2" handline is "the only way!!!" This is great with 6 man engines and 100 firefighters showing up to a fire. Using the method mentioned, a 2 man engine in close proximity to a hydrant can get 500gpm flowing rather quickly. I'd like to explore its possiblilities.

If this comment is not a joke than you should be banned from posting!!!!!!! It is our job to protect the public and safe driving applies to this mission, regardless of how irresponsibly the public acts.

Just a thought ----- Volunteer EMS is missing more calls. Volunteer fire turning out fewer members to calls. New fire apparatus prices are, on average, $500,000 for pumpers, $700,000-1,000,000 for aerials. New firehouses are rediculously big and rediculously expensive. Is this like someone who is 5' tall buying the biggest truck around because he feels inadequate? Are we really hiding something from the public with smoke screens? Does EVERY fire district need to have rescues, two spare engines, tower ladders, and 5 chiiefs cars?? Maybe some young firefighters should realize that if someone put thier minds to it, sold some of this excess equipment, merged some fire ditricts, and streamlined fire budgets, many areas could have a paid fire service. This is not the answer for every district. And notice I did not say "professional" fire department because many volunteers are professional. However, this lack of response to everyday calls could be the springboard to a career path for some firefighters in the future.