NYC fire union wants radio updates on water supply

[Guest]

NYC fire union wants radio updates on water supply

By AMY WESTFELDT • Associated Press Writer • August 17, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) — Giving five-minute radio updates about the water available to fight a fire would save firefighters’ lives, including two who were killed at a condemned ground zero skyscraper a year ago, the city’s fire union president said.

The Uniformed Firefighters Association asked the department to require dispatchers to call incident commanders every five minutes about water supply problems, and then alert firefighters in burning buildings by radio.

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...UPDATE/80817002

[Mac8146 61]

The dispatchers at this time only notify the Incident Commander about job duration. The time lapsed from arrival til progress reports are given. They have no way of knowing about water problems unless a signal 10-70 is transmitted. The on scene Chiefs have to be aware of water issues that occur, pump problems, burst length or any unusual problem. The dispatchers have enough to do. Even if 10-70 is transmitted a dispatcher has no way of knowing when positive water has been established at the scene unless told by on scene chiefs. The idea is good but has to be implemented at fire scene by on scene command, they are hearing handi-talkie messages and no what is going right or not going good.

[Reliance 29]

As a dispatcher I agree. It would also probably create a lot of unnecessary extra radio traffic on a clogged airwave. That is usually why we set a an incident command vehicle on site to handle that type of traffic, sometimes on a separate channell.

As dispatchers we are also busy getting vehicles on the road and notifying other resourses as needed.

Edited August 17, 2008 by Reliance

[M' Ave 1,466]

The dispatchers at this time only notify the Incident Commander about job duration. The time lapsed from arrival til progress reports are given. They have no way of knowing about water problems unless a signal 10-70 is transmitted. The on scene Chiefs have to be aware of water issues that occur, pump problems, burst length or any unusual problem. The dispatchers have enough to do. Even if 10-70 is transmitted a dispatcher has no way of knowing when positive water has been established at the scene unless told by on scene chiefs. The idea is good but has to be implemented at fire scene by on scene command, they are hearing handi-talkie messages and no what is going right or not going good.

Technically, isn't the 2nd due engine officer the water resource officer until relieved?

When do they assign a B.C. as water resource chief? Is it on a 3rd alarm?

[Mac8146 61]

At a High Rise Job the 2nd due Officer assumes a position at the Standpipe to ensure water is flowing and operating correctly. This also allows unit integrity as the 1 st due control man can now operate with unit in advancing charged line. The 2nd due Engine Officer also is considered water resource meaning he should verify if 1st due has a good hydrant and that his unit is also on a good hydrant in case of problems. Once this is done he goes about his job in assisting in advance of first line, stretching 2nd line if situation warrants, not actually relieved as water resource Officer. Not sure when BC is assigned as Water Resource they have changed names of BC's on multiple alarms, (resource leader,command post, operation chief) to name a few. What really has to happen is coordination of resources and if a water issue of a serious nature happens Officers must delay members entering areas without water protection.

[IzzyEng4 427]

It sounds like if there are any water issues such as problems with a building's water supply, work on the mains in the area, ect, it should be given to the responding units on dispatch. For building problems they could put it into the SIDS information or let the Battalion / Division know what is going on when they give the response update. As a former dispatcher if I have any information, it should be given out immediately. Yes it is a lot of added work but you know what at the end of the day, the information got out and will only take a few seconds longer.

[Guest]

CIDS takes weeks to update. It should be available to be updated via computer in qtrs. Not have to go through the chain of command and take as long as it does.

[IzzyEng4 427]

CIDS takes weeks to update. It should be available to be updated via computer in qtrs. Not have to go through the chain of command and take as long as it does.

It takes weeks?!!?!!??!!? You got to be kidding me?!?!?!?! That ain't right man. I agree any information found out should be updated immediately either from quarters or by contacting the senior supervisor at the Boro CO and they then should have the power to put the info in, date it and when its updated further or corrected, updated again.

[Mac8146 61]

CIDS through the normal channels takes a week or so usually. If CIDS is needed ASAP it can be done by Deputy Chief via phone call and fax to CIDS desk for immediate entry. This has been done in my area when a complex of high rises has has standpipe placed OOS for repairs, a CIDS card was filled out with changes in water supply and entered right away. After repairs just filled out new "old" card and everything back to original info. This is good for a problem that will last for a few days or weeks. However normal water issues from DEP sometimes get sent to firehouses and most times they do not. So when a main goes down for repair, or hydrant OOS it is sometimes not known until our arrival and need for hydrants.