Spano "Achievements" Misrepresent DES Actions on 9/11

[billfitz 109]

In a recent journal news article touting Andy Spano's Achievements (revisionist History) stated how he and the County DES coordinated resources to NYC on 9/11 at Yonkers racetrack - Nothing could be further from the truth! - It was NYSOFPC who requested Yonkers Racetrack be established as a staging area for resources going into NYC - 60 (lack of) control stood by while just about every dept in Westchester with an exception of a few freelanced and responded to where ever they wanted to buff out! It was not until late that evening that that a Bronx Division Chief requested to get all of the unauthorized units out of the Bronx - and sent every one to Yonkers Raceway - Westchester County through the corrections dept. did provide breakfast the following morning at the track for all buffs in attendance! This is a disgrace that the Spano administration is claiming this as a highlight of his administration (as printed in the Journal News) - when in fact he and DES did nothing but add to the confusion - I would dare any one to say anything to the contrary! "The Emperor has no clothes" bring it on - !!!!!

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009912310327

[billfitz 109]

It is no wonder he was voted out of office he was so out of touch with reality!!!!!!!!

[99subi 121]

"all the buffs in attendance" LMAO . Andy Spano was and is a complete toolbox.Oh lets not forget the journal news is a left paper, so what do you really expect. I'll stick with The Post

Edited January 2, 2010 by 99subi

[mreis95 77]

ok so he's out, what's the big deal now? What's your point?

[99subi 121]

He is showing how misleading the article is and how andy is a jerk

[billfitz 109]

ok so he's out, what's the big deal now? What's your point?

My point has always been "the emperor has no clothes" people like him want to take credit for something that NEVER happened like all the buffs want to think it happened. The County DES stood by while all the freelancing took place because they could not or would not attempt to coordinate it! And it is disgusting that Spano & DES would attempt to Capitalize on something that never occurred - read the article - Spano made the claim! As long as we all feel good that is all that matters!

[99subi 121]

Its the fact that spano has the balls to go on the record and tell a complete lie , and to make it matters worse it had to do with 9/11. Just goes to show you, its not about the public, its about him.

Edited January 2, 2010 by 99subi

[wraftery 1,275]

In a recent journal news article touting Andy Spano's Achievements (revisionist History) stated how he and the County DES coordinated resources to NYC on 9/11 at Yonkers racetrack - Nothing could be further from the truth! - It was NYSOFPC who requested Yonkers Racetrack be established as a staging area for resources going into NYC - 60 (lack of) control stood by while just about every dept in Westchester with an exception of a few freelanced and responded to where ever they wanted to buff out! It was not until late that evening that that a Bronx Division Chief requested to get all of the unauthorized units out of the Bronx - and sent every one to Yonkers Raceway - Westchester County through the corrections dept. did provide breakfast the following morning at the track for all buffs in attendance! This is a disgrace that the Spano administration is claiming this as a highlight of his administration (as printed in the Journal News) - when in fact he and DES did nothing but add to the confusion - I would dare any one to say anything to the contrary! "The Emperor has no clothes" bring it on - !!!!!

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009912310327

Bill you are absolutely correct about freelancing on 9/11. Along with a lack of control by 60 Control, only a few of us did what we were told, and responded to where we were told. When all is told, it sounds more heroic to say "We responded to ground zero" as opposed to "We were sent to staging at 233rd St, and then assigned to a Bronx House" Let's lay a portion of the blame on the freelancers, too.

[61MACKBR1 222]

Chief Fitz - Excellent Points raised, but here is a BIGGER question that I will raise, and I will present it to you, as I feel that you are probably the most knowledgeable and educated Fire Operations Official in Southern New York State.

Post 911, if (and I and all certainly pray to God that we never ever have to go through something like 911 again) another disaster strikes NYC, are there NOW in place, certain protocol and guidelines on how departments are to respond and be assigned to specific areas of New York City. Finally, are there similiar plans in place on how Multiple Departments, say within the Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess/Rockland/and Orange County Areas are to respond and located, say if a disaster would happen (again, God Forbid) in Westchester County.

Is Yonkers Raceway the offical staging area for NYC Disasters? Where would the staging area be should something happen in Westchester County? Are there SOP's in place (NOW) for 60 Control to follow. What part of the Management Process does the County DES have NOW?

I am sure that everyone would like to hear what your thoughts on this would be Chief Fitz. Maybe (or maybe not) lessons have been learned from 911 and Westchester County is now properly prepared to "Properly" respond to such.

Thank you in advance and have a Safe and Happy New Year

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Unfortunately its like anything else in the fire service. We wait until a disaster happens to make a policy, so that we have a policy in case it happens again. As usual as a whole are reactive to a problem instead of proactive, with some notable exceptions.

[Guest]

This past summer I happen to run into FDNY and MT Vernon training together. They share a common border just like Yonkers with NYC. A friend of mine on the job in MV said that they have been told of plans for future large incidents but after the alarm comes in and joint training and rehearsals has not happened in a large scale then you have nothing more then a good idea that guys like Spano take credit for.

[JAD622 40]

Chief Fitz - Excellent Points raised, but here is a BIGGER question that I will raise, and I will present it to you, as I feel that you are probably the most knowledgeable and educated Fire Operations Official in Southern New York State.

Post 911, if (and I and all certainly pray to God that we never ever have to go through something like 911 again) another disaster strikes NYC, are there NOW in place, certain protocol and guidelines on how departments are to respond and be assigned to specific areas of New York City. Finally, are there similiar plans in place on how Multiple Departments, say within the Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess/Rockland/and Orange County Areas are to respond and located, say if a disaster would happen (again, God Forbid) in Westchester County.

Is Yonkers Raceway the offical staging area for NYC Disasters? Where would the staging area be should something happen in Westchester County? Are there SOP's in place (NOW) for 60 Control to follow. What part of the Management Process does the County DES have NOW?

I am sure that everyone would like to hear what your thoughts on this would be Chief Fitz. Maybe (or maybe not) lessons have been learned from 911 and Westchester County is now properly prepared to "Properly" respond to such.

Thank you in advance and have a Safe and Happy New Year

(not to speak for Chief Fitz)

In 2004 the FDNY submitted to NYSOFPC a strict Mutual Aid Guidelines directive for Mutual Aid response to NYC in the event of any future Terrorist Events of a large scale. This document is over 50 pages and depicts strict criteria for any Mutual Aid response into NYC which includes staging at Yonkers raceway (for Westchester Companies) as well as Training requirements for personnel and staffing requirements for same. Each year (usually in Oct.) Westchester Career Dept's Drill with the FDNY which starts with staging at the Raceway and deploying to 3 different drill sites in the Bronx under the direction of the Division 7 Deputy Chief, several Batallion Chiefs and Engine & Ladder companies in the Bronx. This along with Numerous Chiefs from the participating Westchester departments and several Field Comm units for communications(usually FDNY,DES and Yonkers FD).

In the unfortunate event of another attack, I highly doubt that any freelancing would occur again nor be tolerated.

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

What are the staffing and training guidelines that the FDNY requested from staging westchester companies?

[efdcapt115 1,511]

My point has always been "the emperor has no clothes" people like him want to take credit for something that NEVER happened like all the buffs want to think it happened. The County DES stood by while all the freelancing took place because they could not or would not attempt to coordinate it! And it is disgusting that Spano & DES would attempt to Capitalize on something that never occurred - read the article - Spano made the claim! As long as we all feel good that is all that matters!

I don't know about how everyone who was working in southern Westchester that day feels; but I can tell you I have never felt good about the way things went down on 9-11. I can't see anybody trying to take any credit for what we did not do.

I remember very distinctly that morning and the ensuing chaos. We received tones following the collapses to the effect of "all departments south of 287 respond to Manhattan." As eager as we were to respond, our Chief decided to hold units, stock medical supplies and await further orders. A recall of all off duty members was instated; the southern Westchester Chiefs formulated some kind of plan, and units eventually responded to the Bronx staging area. My squad was working, so we were held held back, while off-duty members beefed up staffing on rigs and responded to the Bronx. Frustrating.

The story from the responding Captain was that the staging area was at times somewhat out of control. A chief in the firehouse had a missing son in the collapse and guys were eating pizza in the street and joking around. Embarrasing.

We went on 24on/24off schedule for a few days. There was nothing that most of us could do, except cover our own response areas. Some members staffed a full compliment ladder company, relocated to a Bronx station, and had to endure a "lecture" from a former fire commissioner in front of FDNY members. Humiliating.

When somebody finally organized something for the hundreds of career firefighters to "officially" do, we all boarded tour buses out of Station 3 in Mt. Vernon, rode down the West Side in front of cheering crowds, ran a gauntlet of tools and supplies, walked to the site to be met at the FD Command Post and told "sorry guys, there's been a mix-up, we have to go home." Then we had to walk past cheering crowds back to the buses. Humiliating and frustrating. I remember a brother, back on the bus asking "what did we come here for lunch?"

The only times I ever felt useful was helping fill the ranks at funerals. This came with a call through the unions, it had nothing to do with the County. One of the earliest was in the Bronx; using a Yonkers Casson and honor guard for the casket. I'll never forget the now deceased Chief from Yonkers who helped me to get a grasp on the magnitude of what had happened. When that Chief left us a couple/few years later, I thought back to the day we buried FDNY Firefighter Manuel DelValle. I could never have imagined that Chief wouldn't be with us thereafter.

Frustration, embarassment, humiliation.

Every one of us who ever attended a funeral or memorial for a 9-11 cop or firefighter knows who the true heroes were. As Captain Billy Burke's brother said at his funeral in St. Patricks Cathedral "One hundred years from now, all of us will be gone and mostly forgotten. But these 343 firefighters names and memories will live way beyond that." That rang so true to me.

[spin_the_wheel 460]

Nassau County has written plans in place, like other areas we had many Dept.s freelance and go to ground zero. I cant say for sure that this wont happen again but at least there is a plan in place on what units go where. (all relocating to stations in Queens and Brooklyn) Nassau units have done a few drills with FDNY the last few years on a Sunday morning. Sections of the M/A plan are put into place where assigned units meet at designated staging areas in Nassau County, meeting with units from the Nassau County Fire Marshals Office. The units then go into the city and to their assigned stations and drill with the FDNY, have lunch with the crews and then head back. All in all these drills work out well. I cant say for sure what will happen God forbid something of this magnitude ever happens again, but from what I understand freelance units will not be accepted into the city without the Fire Marshal escort. City OEM notifies Nassau Fire Communications which sets in motion the plans for what units are needed where, this is the ONLY OFFICIAL way a unit from Nassau can go into the city on mutual aid.

Edited January 2, 2010 by spin_the_wheel

[61MACKBR1 222]

(not to speak for Chief Fitz)

In 2004 the FDNY submitted to NYSOFPC a strict Mutual Aid Guidelines directive for Mutual Aid response to NYC in the event of any future Terrorist Events of a large scale. This document is over 50 pages and depicts strict criteria for any Mutual Aid response into NYC which includes staging at Yonkers raceway (for Westchester Companies) as well as Training requirements for personnel and staffing requirements for same. Each year (usually in Oct.) Westchester Career Dept's Drill with the FDNY which starts with staging at the Raceway and deploying to 3 different drill sites in the Bronx under the direction of the Division 7 Deputy Chief, several Batallion Chiefs and Engine & Ladder companies in the Bronx. This along with Numerous Chiefs from the participating Westchester departments and several Field Comm units for communications(usually FDNY,DES and Yonkers FD).

In the unfortunate event of another attack, I highly doubt that any freelancing would occur again nor be tolerated.

Thanks JAD622 - Like I said in my earlier post, if there is any person in Westchester County, who has the capability of putting together a comprehensive and excellent procedure on how companies/towns/cities need to respond to a disaster (drill or real) it would be Chief William Fitzpatrick out of YFD. Look at what he has done with the YFD SOD Department in Yonkers alone. If County Head Asterino was smart, he would definately get in touch with Chief Fitz and ask for him to direct a team of people to come up with one, if one has not already been established.

[COMMANDCHIEF 4]

One of the things that could help "clear" some of this he said she said crap up is if the County would do "after incident reports" How the hell is anyone going to correct the s*** that went wrong if no one knows about the big picture. This is not just for 9/11 but for the large scale incidents as well. Floyd, the tornado that hit, snow storms, the heavy rain storms that passed through and disrupted large sections of the county and taxed resources. We can't improve what we don't know. And even THIS topic is self perception. I don't know what went down at the Yonkers Race Track or departments freelancing in the city. But I do knwo that my department was told to report to the training center and stage up. And that's what we did. SO... lets remember there were SOME of us that did follow our ORDERS.

As for my view from the FTC. I wasn't impressed with the County response either. There were no clearly designated representatives from the county directing incoming units, nor were there people there accounting for resources on hand. I know there were a few people there lending a hand. But all was pretty much self initiated.

PS. Not a fan of Spano

[wraftery 1,275]

I don't know about how everyone who was working in southern Westchester that day feels; but I can tell you I have never felt good about the way things went down on 9-11. I can't see anybody trying to take any credit for what we did not do.

I remember very distinctly that morning and the ensuing chaos. We received tones following the collapses to the effect of "all departments south of 287 respond to Manhattan." As eager as we were to respond, our Chief decided to hold units, stock medical supplies and await further orders. A recall of all off duty members was instated; the southern Westchester Chiefs formulated some kind of plan, and units eventually responded to the Bronx staging area. My squad was working, so we were held held back, while off-duty members beefed up staffing on rigs and responded to the Bronx. Frustrating.

The story from the responding Captain was that the staging area was at times somewhat out of control. A chief in the firehouse had a missing son in the collapse and guys were eating pizza in the street and joking around. Embarrasing.

We went on 24on/24off schedule for a few days. There was nothing that most of us could do, except cover our own response areas. Some members staffed a full compliment ladder company, relocated to a Bronx station, and had to endure a "lecture" from a former fire commissioner in front of FDNY members. Humiliating.

When somebody finally organized something for the hundreds of career firefighters to "officially" do, we all boarded tour buses out of Station 3 in Mt. Vernon, rode down the West Side in front of cheering crowds, ran a gauntlet of tools and supplies, walked to the site to be met at the FD Command Post and told "sorry guys, there's been a mix-up, we have to go home." Then we had to walk past cheering crowds back to the buses. Humiliating and frustrating. I remember a brother, back on the bus asking "what did we come here for lunch?"

The only times I ever felt useful was helping fill the ranks at funerals. This came with a call through the unions, it had nothing to do with the County. One of the earliest was in the Bronx; using a Yonkers Casson and honor guard for the casket. I'll never forget the now deceased Chief from Yonkers who helped me to get a grasp on the magnitude of what had happened. When that Chief left us a couple/few years later, I thought back to the day we buried FDNY Firefighter Manuel DelValle. I could never have imagined that Chief wouldn't be with us thereafter.

Frustration, embarassment, humiliation.

Every one of us who ever attended a funeral or memorial for a 9-11 cop or firefighter knows who the true heroes were. As Captain Billy Burke's brother said at his funeral in St. Patricks Cathedral "One hundred years from now, all of us will be gone and mostly forgotten. But these 343 firefighters names and memories will live way beyond that." That rang so true to me.

Cap, your recollection of the events of that day is almost my recollection to the letter. I was duty DC, so I stayed back. We too were loading up with EMS supplies, and fueling up, and off-duty guys coming in with their own sawzalls and pry bars in anticipation of a major rescue effort that never happened. My Capt that went to 233rd St recounts the same occurrences as you. Be it known, also, that you and I have never discussed this before, but the recollections are still vivid, and the same story line.

Unfortunately the heroism of the 343 has been forgotten today by most Americans. When I half-mast my flag on Sept 11, I am now asked what's the half-mast for. A hundred years from now the 343 will only be remembered by future Firefighters, and then, only if we don't let our Brotherhood go by the wayside.

[Remember585 815]

I think, and this is my own opinion, that the fact Spano prided himself on how Westchester County "handled" the 9/11 tragedy is further proof how out of touch with reality he is. We're in a county where municipalities can't even coordinate sharing services or utilize Mutual Aid without debate and resistance, yet he and other blow-hards thought we did a good job that day? Please.

There are some advancements that have been made that we should appreciate. We have common fireground channels, which for years we lacked. Like it or hate it, we have the trunked radio system which allows us all to communicate with each other from one end of the county to the other, should we have a disaster that requires it.

We all know how things went down that day, and I doubt anyone really thinks it went well. I recall us first putting our ambulance on standby, then a request for our Rescue to report to the Fire Training Center. From there we went to one firehouse in the Bronx, then to another in Harlem, and then we went home. One of our Engines provided coverage in the Bronx, something our guys were proud to help with, but I don't think a single one of them has ever claimed that "they responded on 9/11 to the WTC." We, like all of you, answered that call willing to do what was asked of us, and I am sure if it happened again, we would be there in a heartbeat.

It really makes me sick, however, when someone uses the deaths of thousands, including 343 firefighters, to make themselves look good. These people (politicians, not leaders, as it's a huge difference in my eyes) should all be punched in the face 343 times for the way they disrespect the deceased.

So long Andy, you won't soon be forgotten.

[gamewell45 258]

Its the fact that spano has the balls to go on the record and tell a complete lie , and to make it matters worse it had to do with 9/11. Just goes to show you, its not about the public, its about him.

That's nothing new....it makes no difference who's in office; all politicians are like that.

[Danger 160]

Do all these Westchester companies carry adapters to FDNY thread?

[Bnechis 3,961]

Do all these Westchester companies carry adapters to FDNY thread?

A couple of depts that went to the Bronx that day did not. Good question if they do today.

Two additional issues:

1) Do they have the FDNY addapters to work with depts in Westchester that use FDNY threads? 40% of the population in Westchester have FDNY threads.

2) Do they have the special high security hydrant wrenches that are needed to open hydrants in NYC?

[16fire5 693]

The only times I ever felt useful was helping fill the ranks at funerals. This came with a call through the unions, it had nothing to do with the County. One of the earliest was in the Bronx; using a Yonkers Casson and honor guard for the casket. I'll never forget the now deceased Chief from Yonkers who helped me to get a grasp on the magnitude of what had happened. When that Chief left us a couple/few years later, I thought back to the day we buried FDNY Firefighter Manuel DelValle. I could never have imagined that Chief wouldn't be with us thereafter.

Frustration, embarassment, humiliation.

Every one of us who ever attended a funeral or memorial for a 9-11 cop or firefighter knows who the true heroes were. As Captain Billy Burke's brother said at his funeral in St. Patricks Cathedral "One hundred years from now, all of us will be gone and mostly forgotten. But these 343 firefighters names and memories will live way beyond that." That rang so true to me.

The attendance of funerals by outside departments was very helpful and much appreciated. I can't agree more the 343 and their stories will live on at least in the fire service.

[JFLYNN 681]

A couple of depts that went to the Bronx that day did not. Good question if they do today.

Two additional issues:

1) Do they have the FDNY addapters to work with depts in Westchester that use FDNY threads? 40% of the population in Westchester have FDNY threads.

2) Do they have the special high security hydrant wrenches that are needed to open hydrants in NYC?

I've been watching this topic but I don't have the energy to post on it really...the whole thing brings back too many bad memories for me. I will say that I agree with most of the posts made here, surprisingly...I will reserve the right to jump in later if I feel the need to rebut any misinformation but happily, I haven't seen any really nonsensical posts on this topic yet.

I do want to reply to your post though. Bob...Engine work is definitely not my forte, however, I believe there is a difference between "NYC CORP" thread and "NYC" thread....Yonkers has, I believe "NYC CORP" thread, which I believe, is close to, but not exactly, "NYC" (FDNY) thread...if you jam it on, it usually will make up but no guarantees...we do have adaptors and we've had them forever but I have no idea about other Westchester departments. Is this the FDNY threads which you refer to 40% of Westchester having because I believe there is actually a slight difference? Of course, the other thread we have not mentioned is National Standard which most of Westchester has so would need adaptors for NYC, Yonkers, and many other Westchester departments that are not on National Standard.

Also, FDNY hydrants open and close "backwards" from ours...ours open counterclockwise, FDNY opens clockwise

The high security hydrant wrench you speak of...is that the magna lock?? Or a speaker from a boom box???

Correct me if I am wrong on any of the above...until I became a Chief, I could really care less about this hose and water stuff and I didn't pay much attention for many years, but suddenly it became a lot more important...

[JFLYNN 681]

I've been watching this topic but I don't have the energy to post on it really...the whole thing brings back too many bad memories for me. I will say that I agree with most of the posts made here, surprisingly...I will reserve the right to jump in later if I feel the need to rebut any misinformation but happily, I haven't seen any really nonsensical posts on this topic yet.

I do want to reply to your post though. Bob...Engine work is definitely not my forte, however, I believe there is a difference between "NYC CORP" thread and "NYC" thread....Yonkers has, I believe "NYC CORP" thread, which I believe, is close to, but not exactly, "NYC" (FDNY) thread...if you jam it on, it usually will make up but no guarantees...we do have adaptors and we've had them forever but I have no idea about other Westchester departments. Is this the FDNY threads which you refer to 40% of Westchester having because I believe there is actually a slight difference? Of course, the other thread we have not mentioned is National Standard which most of Westchester has so would need adaptors for NYC, Yonkers, and many other Westchester departments that are not on National Standard.

Also, FDNY hydrants open and close "backwards" from ours...ours open counterclockwise, FDNY opens clockwise

The high security hydrant wrench you speak of...is that the magna lock?? Or a speaker from a boom box???

Correct me if I am wrong on any of the above...until I became a Chief, I could really care less about this hose and water stuff and I didn't pay much attention for many years, but suddenly it became a lot more important...

Sorry Barry, I called you Bob again...I think I had one too many wines with dinner tonight...

[JFLYNN 681]

I've been watching this topic but I don't have the energy to post on it really...the whole thing brings back too many bad memories for me. I will say that I agree with most of the posts made here, surprisingly...I will reserve the right to jump in later if I feel the need to rebut any misinformation but happily, I haven't seen any really nonsensical posts on this topic yet.

I do want to reply to your post though. Bob...Engine work is definitely not my forte, however, I believe there is a difference between "NYC CORP" thread and "NYC" thread....Yonkers has, I believe "NYC CORP" thread, which I believe, is close to, but not exactly, "NYC" (FDNY) thread...if you jam it on, it usually will make up but no guarantees...we do have adaptors and we've had them forever but I have no idea about other Westchester departments. Is this the FDNY threads which you refer to 40% of Westchester having because I believe there is actually a slight difference? Of course, the other thread we have not mentioned is National Standard which most of Westchester has so would need adaptors for NYC, Yonkers, and many other Westchester departments that are not on National Standard.

Also, FDNY hydrants open and close "backwards" from ours...ours open counterclockwise, FDNY opens clockwise

The high security hydrant wrench you speak of...is that the magna lock?? Or a speaker from a boom box???

Correct me if I am wrong on any of the above...until I became a Chief, I could really care less about this hose and water stuff and I didn't pay much attention for many years, but suddenly it became a lot more important...

Correction to above, maybe?? And I may really be confusing the issue here, so please will some savvy Engine dude clarify? Anyway, I seem to remember that NYC CORP thread (what Yonkers uses) has 11 threads per inch on 2 1/2 and FDNY thread has 8 threads per inch and National Standard has 7 1/2 threads per inch, so maybe it is the National Standard thread that can be jammed on the FDNY hydrant and it will maybe work???

[Bnechis 3,961]

I believe there is a difference between "NYC CORP" thread and "NYC" thread....Yonkers has, I believe "NYC CORP" thread, which I believe, is close to, but not exactly, "NYC" (FDNY) thread...if you jam it on, it usually will make up but no guarantees...we do have adaptors and we've had them forever but I have no idea about other Westchester departments. Is this the FDNY threads which you refer to 40% of Westchester having because I believe there is actually a slight difference? Of course, the other thread we have not mentioned is National Standard which most of Westchester has so would need adaptors for NYC, Yonkers, and many other Westchester departments that are not on National Standard.

Correction to above, maybe?? And I may really be confusing the issue here, so please will some savvy Engine dude clarify? Anyway, I seem to remember that NYC CORP thread (what Yonkers uses) has 11 threads per inch on 2 1/2 and FDNY thread has 8 threads per inch and National Standard has 7 1/2 threads per inch, so maybe it is the National Standard thread that can be jammed on the FDNY hydrant and it will maybe work???

Before any incorrect technical data is put out, I'm going to request that JAD622 answer this, as I know he has all the details documented and is to be published by the Career Chiefs in the next couple of weeks.

The high security hydrant wrench you speak of...is that the magna lock?? Or a speaker from a boom box??

Yes to both

Sorry Barry, I called you Bob again...I think I had one too many wines with dinner tonight...

LOL no problem

[JAD622 40]

Before any incorrect technical data is put out, I'm going to request that JAD622 answer this, as I know he has all the details documented and is to be published by the Career Chiefs in the next couple of weeks.

Yes to both

LOL no problem

Thanks Barry! The only question I have the energy to answer tonight is; In response to Chief Flynn and from what we found out through hands on with FDNY at the drills is; he is correct about the NY CORP & NYC 2 1/2 scenario. It isn't an exact match but it will work if needed. We hooked up to standpipe 2 1/2's during the drill and it is loose as you start to connect them but when you tighten them down they do "make up". Everyone involved in the drill felt it was do-able if necessary. Some of us use FDNY 1 1/2 couplings but it's kind of a moot (sp?) point as FDNY doesn't use 1 1/2" for most stretches (esp. standpipes) As far as the hydrant wrenches go, all the Dept's in the Mutual Aid Drill were issued the standard Hydrant Wrench and two 2 1/2" to 3" increaser's (sp?) from Div.7 to supply Tower Ladders & Siamese connections. Hydrants that use the Magnetic wrenches are becoming more common in the Bronx but Div.7 Chief could not get NYC to issue those to us due to $$$$. Some of the Dept's have them already (YFD,NRFD&FDMV) as you know. There is a request in from Batt.18 to try and acquire some but I do not know the progress on that as of this moment. Hope that helps. BTW, we need to get together about "The Book"!

[ny10570 745]

High security hydrant nuts are not so secure. In the hood, they defeat them with a couple of heavy duty hardware store magnets. Not ideal, but if works to get your car washed, I'm sure it'll work for a fire.

[Remember585 815]

If I remember correctly, DES purchased (by way of grant $$$?) several adapters and they keep them at DES, so in the event of a Mutual Aid event in NYC, units can obtain this equipment and take it with them.