grumpyff

Partyrock pretty much hit the nail on the head, one apparatus in front to handle what is needed most. One driver, an officer and two to three FFs can do a heck of a lot of knockdown/ initial ventilation at a fire. Maybe some of the Hawthorne guys could answer this a little better, but are they looking at having a quint that could theoretically handle and incident by itself, with the limited manpower during daytime hours.

With Pleasantville's Tower Ladder 5 out of service now for a while, and being projected to not return for another 2 to 3 months, they have just placed into service this 1980 100' Maxim straight stick. It is ex-Ware, MA Ladder 1. It will respond as 'TL-5'. Not sure who currently owns the rig, but it was provided by the company doing the service on the real 'TL5".

Check the link above. The tower is fairly new, as is one engine. The rest are older, one is a glider..engine and pump from a 1976 put on a new frame/body in 1991. I know Scarsdale is looking a writting a spec for some new apparatus. Just because Scarsdale has money, does not the FD gets it. The attitude there seems to be "sniff, sniff, I don't smell anything burning, why do you need new apparatus/firehouse/etc"

Too bad they couldn't keep it as a second piece, with the glut of tower ladders in Mt Pleasant. That Maxim looks quick to set up, and could get into some very tight spots in the area(driveways), that a tower ladder would never go.

From what I've heard, there was some type of problem with the boom operating without the outriggers in place.

My wife found this snake in front of our driveway the other day. It is about 2 feet long, and was struck and killed by a car. I am not sure what kind of snake it is/was. Can anyone here identify it?

Josh, If money is really tight see if any neighboring departments are replacing any apparatus that are in better shape than your current unit. That, or EBAY...do a search under fire truck, pumper, etc. You can even go under EBAY motors, there is a section for fire & emergency vehicles. Here is a direct link to EBAY Motors :Ebay motors Emergency & fire trucks

Always chock your apparatus... Personally I would remove this engine from service until it can be inspected by a mechanic to rule out any defects that may cause it to happen again. It may slip again, or worse jump into gear and really take off.

For those not familiar with E-108 here is a picture from Mt. Kisco's parade on Friday 07/13/07.

I know in some areas of the midwest, such as Michigan, volunteers are allowed to use red lights and sirens. Usually they are in rural areas that have large districts, with long response times, both to their stations, and to scenes. PD usually runs with blue lights or a combo of blue/red. As for EMTs, I know Hatzhollah, does this. The car is equipted with a certain level of supplies (i.e O2 , jump bag, maybe an AED), I'm not really sure of what the standard of the state is, but the car is designated as a fly car.

Though I now longer do EMS, the info on treatment of snake bites is very interesting/ refreshing. I'm sure several EMTs have looked at this post and said "what if I got called out for a snake bite...what kind of snake is that?, which facility on the area is best equipt to handle?"

Thomas Belfiore, the current comissioner/ sheriff of the Westchester County PD is a finalist for the comisioners position in the Chicago PD. He is one 1 of 3 people a panel have selected. Belfiore did 20 years in the NYPD, and was well like there. Here is the article in the Journal News : http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID...350/1018/NEWS02

Offer is to the Sergeants Union (SBA), not the PBA. It would be a five year deal, not sure how members will respond to it. No one is really studying to be become Sergeant due to low starting paying( cop at top pay with night differential and OT) can make way more the Sgt at starting pay, with less headaches.

Thanks everyone for the answers/links.

And a close up of the head...

three more photos. They are selling merchandise such as 'Krusty O's' cereal, Buzz Cola, bobble heads, etc

and on the inside...

I stopped by Kwik-E-Mart Saturday, it is right around the corner from my command. here are a few photos I took..

Some precincts have unmarked cars that are done up to look like taxis, usually have hid a away strobes, and small red light to throw on the dash. a.) Not sure how numbers are issued, only as mentioned before plate number coresponds to the medallion number. b.) NYPD does not have a tracking system for taxis...bu each taxi, and livery cab is supposed to have a flashing yellow light in the grill, and on the rear of the car, usually thru truck lid to alert PD if the driver is in need of assistance. It is avctivated by the driver, and any passengers in the car are unaware the light is on. c.) answered as above, new letter for new issue of plate. d. NYPD has STED.. Street Taxi Enforcement Division. Primary responsibliity is to watch operation of taxis, and summons as appropriate, for Vehicle Traffic Law violations.

Found this 1953 maxim 75' ladder on E-bay, owner lists it as ex-Vallaha , NY, and says it served until 1971. Here is the direct link: Ebay 1953 Maxim Ladder

Yes, I think BART is automated, as is Washington DC Metro. The difference is NYCTA Subway operates 24 hours a day, the others close around midnight- 1 am. The NYC unions concern is worker safety, how will system recognize track workers and slow down, unless NYCTA begins shutting down whole lines for maintenance, which would cause total chaos.

Found this clip with Ryan Sutter, from 2004 on Youtube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=d-LlNmYDiO8 I really do not remember seeing this on TV, but it looks like it was half way decent

These shirts are made this way, try looking around. My partner at work has shirts like this, I'll try to find out where he bought his when he gets back this week from his vacation.

Seth, I wish you good luck with this, our brothers down there have taken a beating, and like you said have been forgotton about. Even before Katrina, most of these departments down there had very little. Unfortunately some of the departments (commissioners/trustees) up here are worried about liability, or having to justify the disposing of department resources in a way that benefits their department. Sure some companies up here have sent equipment (Patterson sent its old 22-2-4 a 1970's engine, as did Lake Carmel I believe). Others sold retired apparatus to Brookfield, and told their members it was being sent overseas. I know Pleasantville's old R-47 (1980 Hahn) sat at Brookfield for months. I had finally convinced my wife to let me buy it, but it was to late. It is no longer there, my wife called, and was told it was sold. I called and was told it was cut up and sold overseas for scrap. I know Brookfield tries to make a profit where it can, but perhaps they could have used the good publicity if they had donated it to somewhere. I remember the Rported Dispatch ( Journal News now) did a story back in the late 80's/early 90's on how Brookfield picked up, delivered and then picked up again cars to the Fire Training Center to allow firefighters to train on car fires/ extrication. Also remember there are others close to home that are less fortunate. I belong to a Hahn Fire Apparatus group over on Yahoo. I spoke with a guy from Pennsylvannia whose department's annual budget was only $25,000. Their rescue was a converted F-350 that was overloaded. Brookfield was asking $5,000 for the old R-47, but there was no way that department could swing that kind of money. It is truly disgusting that we have allowed other departments to have to operate this way.

not a chlorine bomb, but there was an improvised explosive device (IED) recently in Connecticut utilizing a tennis ball and match heads. Here is a link to WABC & story : http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5365606