nfd2004

Thanks "R1" for posting this. Mike sure has some Great pictures of the busiest time in the history of the FDNY. And it probadly will never be repeated again. He has been able to preserve for us what it was like during those busy years. He did this during a time before digital cameras and a roll of film had to be added after maybe 36 photos. The cost of the film. The cost to get it developed. And one roll of film in one camera for day photos, and one roll of film in another camera for night photos. It involved a lot of work, expense and skill. Thanks to "mikeindabronx" as he is know, and "r1" for posting the latest page. And thanks goes to Mike's wife Marie. She does mosty of the work now. I think Mike just sits back, takes all the credit and watches.

A young boy who is dying from Cancer has a Christmas Wish. That wish is to recieve Christmas Cards from Firefighters, Police Officers and EMS workers (I'm sure 911 dispatchers too). This six year old boy is named Nathan. I guess he's a pretty brave kid. He may not be around for Christmas. You think we might be able to help him with his wish ? His address is: Nathan Norman 81 Dunivan Dr. Rustburg, Virginia 24588

I would like to mention that the young chief that I am referring to is actually well respected by many members of the Stamford Fire dept. It was only my own opinion of how "I" felt about such a young chief. And let me add this. I guess another way of putting it instead of the East and West Berlin Wall is right here in our own country. When the North and South were divided and a battle was fought called "The Civil War".

I AGREE there guy. Many people today seem to be in favor of new technology, but do they realize that they could be cutting off the hand that feeds them. Then they wonder why they are getting laid off and not replaced. I would never think that they could somehow do away with 911 dispatchers. But here's a case where it could happen. On another thread, I believe there was talk of using an SUV rather than a fire truck to respond to calls. I can't believe how many people are actually in favor of that. The firetruck is staffed with four firefighters. Replace it with a SUV and there will be two firefighters, and one less Engine. I'm just happy that I am retired and no longer looking for a firefighter or dispatchers job. Because its seems they are getting less and less, and some of the people looking for these jobs are actually looking to cut them. I just domn't understand.

Those old Macks just keep on ticken.and kicken.

It was just like a couple of firefighters I knew. Firefighter Greg D. (now B/C) was Felix, and Firefighter Pete P (now Retired) was Oscar. I think the names could have been Greg and Pete instead of Felix and Oscar in the Odd Couple Show. But the ODD Couple really was a Great Show and good for a few laughs. I'm sorry, but I just don't find the shows of today as funny and entertaining.

You are probadly right Pete, I shouldn't be writing on here, how "I" think things will work out for the Stamford fire Dept. But as you probadly know, recently I visited the Fairfax County fire Dept in Virginia. I know a few times either on this site or one of the others, we have discussed how well depts in the Maryland, Virginia area operate as Combo Depts, and often used them to suggest that Stamford follow their footsteps. I have a very good friend who is a volunteer firefighter in Fairfax County, Va. he is assigned to fire Station 10 which is the busiest in the County, and maybe one of the busiest in the Country. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonial and West Point Graduate. Currently he is in his early 60s and in Excellent physical shape. He must pass all the same physicals, required to undergo most of the same training, and for that he gets to ride one of their rigs out of that station, one shift every eight days. Of course more if he wants. When he reports in he goes to the company officer (usually Career Captain) and ask where he should ride. It is up to that officer to tell him that he ride the Engine, the Ladder, the Medic Unit, or the BLS Unit. When he goes to a call with them, he recieves his instructions from the career officers or members. It might be moving around furniture at a medical call, or helping to stretch that first important line. His due response area is very similiar to that of Stamford. High rises, wood frames, major highway etc. He has told me and I quote: "it is not the job of the volunteer firefighters to cut back on their manning but to add to it". From the impression I got, the career guys have no problem with him, or even the other volunteer firefighters. AND it goes the other way too. Besides being a Retired Army Colonel, West Point Grad, he also has TWO Masters Degrees. his father was a Batt Chief in the FDNY and he now has a son on the Boston Fire Dept. He certainly makes me look bad by ALL Standards. Yet, he loves being a Volunteer Firefighter in the Fairfax County Dept. In fact, he has invited me down again in the spring, along with many members from another web site. I'm sure he'd be happy to show you around and let you know how things work out there if you ever want to visit the place. Anybody from the Fairfax County area on here to confirm what I said ?

The fact is that "it is the end". It is over. The Stamford Fire Dept will now become One Fire dept with One Leader. There will be Volunteer Firefighters, and anyone who is a volunteer firefighter will get to be a part of the fourth largest city in Connecticut. Its offers every challenge that any dept has. High rise residential and commerical buildings, large wood frames, mutli family buildings, the very busy I-95 and Merritt Parkway,railroad traffic and a waterfront, and as I know it, group of career firefighters that are second to none. If I had my choice, I'd love to be riding the rigs with these guys and right in on the action.

My Condolunces to the friends and family of Chucky Mellilo. Taken away at such a young age. And Thank you for your services to the people of New York. You helped so many in your short stay here. May you Rest in Peace.

Today I have my UnApproved NFPA/OSHA Leather helmet that I was wearing when I decided to fly like a bird off a ladder from the second story window. I landed in about a 3 foot wide alley and my head apparently struck a three foot high concrete wall. Came down with airpack and helmet on. Apparently, my head hit that wall when I came down. Thank God for that helmet I was wearing. But at the time it was NOT approved and had no inner shell molding. I ended up with a few injuries from the fall, but NO Head Injuries. That helmet had been about 15 years old at the time. Even though it was an UNapproved helmet according to the NFPA and OSHA, "it did its job well". I still have that busted up "Battled helmet" to remind me of what a good job a 1970s leather helmet did for me.

Agreed, Agreed !!!

Got to agree, except I didn't think Rescue Me did a rightful service to the Fire Dept. Rescue 8, for those who don't know, was a great show. It was in B/W and the first TV Show on the FD. It was based on the LA County Fire Dept. Emergency was another Fire Dept TV Show that did a Great job for the fire service. It was that show that actually got many fire depts responding to medical calls. I hear people talking about how bad Backdraft was and Ladder 49, but I think they were very good. Of course it was Hollywood, but they did put the spotlight on both the Chicago and Baltimoe Fire Depts in a favorable way. In fact, I once heard that after the first showing of Backdraft in the movies, for one theather in Chicago, as the people were exiting, Chicago Fd was going by on a run. The people cheered them as they went by. The TV series Code Red was one of the worst. In fact as I remember the LA City Fire Dept took a stand AGAINST the show. Anybody remember the TV series "The Bravest". That was a great show on the FD. Best PD shows.... "Cops" and Adam 12.

Ladder 49 in my opinion was a good movie. And Yes, I agree, bring back the Honeymooners, and maybe Andy Griffith of Mayberry. And for a special treat Abbott & Costello. I don't need 150 or so cable channels either for a nice monthly fee.

Thanks Anesti for posting these DCFD photos. I always liked that DC area for the fire dept and surrounding depts. But its been awhile since I was there. I recently visited the Fairfax County Fire Dept which borders DC. I didn't get many photos, but thats a busy place too. And thanks for the information on the Water Suppl Units. I wasn't aware of them.

I am somewhat familiar with the Providence Canteen service but not a member. As I understand it, they do NOT self dispatch and go to incidents. Providence Fire dispatches them. The members themselves may call Providence fire to ASK if they want the services of the Canteen, but as I know it, they do not respond unless they are requested. As I know it, once requested, they DO respond to the incident with lights and siren. I could be wrong on this, but as far as I know, they have never had an accident while responding. The person in charge of the Providence Canteen is, or may be retired now, a Providence Police Officer. He runs a pretty tight ship and I'm sure those drivers are all well trained before they go behind the wheel of that Canteen truck. Some of the incidents they respond to are pretty far away and I guess thats maybe why they feel the need for the lights and sirens (???). If this service is based on the Providence Canteen and their policies and rules, I think this would certainly be a great asset to providing a necessary service to our emergency workers out there. And like anything else, although all are welcomed, there still needs to be a screening process that all the members should be required to go through. I'm sure there's plenty of wanna bes that would love to sit in that drivers seat and go flying down the road with those lights and siren whalling "get out of my way, here I come". I might consider joining it myself. My problem is, "can I climb up into the drivers seat without somebody lifting me up". I really wish them all the best and hope it is a welcomed sight soon at these incidents.

I believe this Connecticut Canteen will be modeled after the Canteen Service out of Providence, RI. That service has done an Excellent job in the entire State of Rhode Island and many parts of Mass. for many years. It is well established and managed. They even responded to the World Trade Center in 2001 and operated for about a month there. I wish them all the Best of Luck in the future.

I am quite sure there would be "plenty of takers". But I'd love to be one of those Detroit Firefighters when they show up carrying their gear and helmets. First thing I'd have them do is grab a toilet brush and let them get a feel of the job. Then maybe a mop etc. And even better, if we caught work, I'd make sure they are on the nob right in front of me strtching in. So they can feel all the heat and get all the excitment any real firefighter can ask for. My guess is after that, they would be crying to go home. And their days of Playing Detroit Firefighter would be over. Yes, if I was one of those Detroit Fire Officers I would Welcome them to join us.

If there is anything to learn here whether its New London, Ct or Yonkers, NY, is that the Political Hacks, or more politally, the Politicians are all the same. But yet we continue to support them with our hard earned money, we put them on pedistals, and sometimes we even campaign for them. When will we ever learn, they are only interested in their own political future. And Thanks "SageVigiles" for your understanding and support of my many New London, Ct Firefighter Brothers/Friends during their political fascio which threatened to lay off one third of the dept (25 guys). If that had happened, the most junior guy would have had 13 years on. "Yes, those politicians know their stuff don't they". I am still extremely impressed how those Yonkers firefighters can operate in a city like that with all those hills, narrow streets, and serious exposure problems. They do a Great job.

I never had the Honor of meeting Lenny. I never even had the chance to talk to him. But I would always read all of his post here on EMT Bravo. Through that I felt that I did know him. A young man with huge potential to offer. He dedicated his short life to treating the very sick and injuried. I wish I got to meet you Lenny. you were certainly a Credit to your generation. We will ALL miss you my friend. My Condolunces to your family and friends, and to your co workers of the FDNY EMS. Thank you for your services to the City of New York and all you have done to help others. Rest in Peace Lenny.

"sfrd18", I consider you a friend. You don't have to be so formal and call me Mr Dennis. Although, I must say, if about another 94-95 % of your generation had the respect like you do, we'd all be a lot better off. And of course I respect you and I read all your post. Man, I just don't know how you keep up with all that stuff., And you're right. I do hope the guys read the stories on the Providence Fire Dept that I wrote. ( "My Introduction to Providence....on www.providencecitywide.com ). It's an Excellent, very Aggressive, Fire Dept that catches a lot of work and does a lot of running. I retired several years ago from a small city dept in Connecticut. But after seeing that Providence FD in action, I certainly had wished that I had known about that job earlier.

Providence is an Excellent dept. The firefighters are very aggressive even to this day with all the safety commandos. To get on the job you compete with thousands. But if you are one of the very lucky ones, you start the probie school and train at min wage for about six months. You learn every aspect of the job from firefighter to pump operator to EMT. You are tested all the time. When the probie training is over based on your overall score is how you are picked to go to a company. Highest scoring guy through probie school gets first choice. There are currently six Rescue ambulances covering the city. They all run constantly. Providence has everything and the dept is very busy. They have large wood frames and queene anns. High rises, projects, old factories, Everything. A Great dept. I've spent a lot of time buffing them. I posted my story on www.providencecitywide.com in the forums. The story is called "My Introduction to Providence".

Happy Birthday Izzy, and my sister Mary Ann. Your Uncle Wilfred "D"

I don't hate any State Troopers. Hey Bull, I actually have a lot of respect for them. I think I might have mentioned that earlier on here. No my friend, I just want them to do the job they are trained to do. When I call "911' and need the State police, I expect them to do their job. When I call "911" for the Fire Dept, I expect them also to do their job. I don't think I'd call the fire dept if somebody's breaking into my house. Maybe we should close down some fire depts and hire more State Troopers. That way, we could have more Troopers on the road and let them fight fires too. I wonder how the NY State Police Union would feel about that. I'd also like to know if the NY State Police union and management fully endorses their Troopers acting as Firefighters.

Several years ago in Bridgeport, Ct a well respected police officer by the name of Terrance Flood was killed when he went into a burning building. The fire itself was knocked down very quickly by the department and no one was in the building. but a dedicated police officer died for Nothing. In the case of these State Troopers fighting this fire from the outside, should any firefighters be inside the house anyway ? Water is being poured in from what looks like a 2 1/2 inch line. I don't think so.

Those FDNY members were not honored for doing that job. Those police officers were far out numbered and no doubt I would have done the same thing as those FDNY members did. But the conditions were quite different. Those officers were in immediate danger. I look at this photo and see absolutely NO ONE IN DANGER. If someones life was in danger and one or two of those troopers took action to save someone, I might see this a little different. However, I am not at all advocating police officers charge into burning buildings. Firefighters are equipped and trained to do that. The same as I am not advocating that Firefighters pull a car over being driven by what appears to be a drunk driver. Think about that. Would the right thing for any firefighter to do is to pull what appears to be a drunk driver over or should that be the police officers job.