Union: Study Shows Yonkers Firefighters At Disadvantage In High-Rise Blaze

[x635 4,066]

Union: Study Shows Yonkers Firefighters At Disadvantage In High-Rise Blaze

YONKERS, N.Y. – A new study shows Yonkers firefighters may be ill-equipped to handle blazes in high-rise buildings, according to union leaders

http://yonkers.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/union-study-shows-yonkers-firefighters-disadvantage-high-rise-blaze

[1911 34]

Article is spot on......3 guys per crew can't be expected to work a high rise properly.

[Bnechis 3,961]

And then there are depts with lower staffing and taller buildings........We must be at a really big disadvanage

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

And then there are depts with no staffing and taller buildings..........We must be at a really big megabucksdisadvanage !

[Bnechis 3,961]

And then there are depts with no staffing and taller buildings..........We must be at a really big megabucksdisadvanage !

Interesting how language works. At 1st reading I questioned how many "taller" 40 story buildings are in the county (outside WP & NR). But on rereading I get the "taller" buildings could be 6 story "highrise" cause they are taller than theother buildings in the community.

[Mac8146 61]

I think the point here is that any standpipe equipped building whether 6 or 40 stories cannot be handled properly with current staffing. Yonkers has 4 per rig, 1 remains in street to supply system which in itself is difficult task for 1 member, the Officer and 2 firefighters are left to handle hose lay and one member must remain at standpipe valve to supply line. So in essence 2 are manning the line in a high rise fire, with the possibilty of long hallways and wind driven fires, plus not enough line carried into building by the 3 members. So yes Yonkers firefighters are at a big disadvantage in high rise operations. How long would it take for the 2nd engine to pair up and assist with line placement, this would add more members to facilitate stretch, but in some sections it may be a while for this to occur due to long responses. Union has some real issues here but is there an answer that allows high rise operations in Yonkers to be conducted safely.

[Bnechis 3,961]

I think the point here is that any standpipe equipped building whether 6 or 40 stories cannot be handled properly with current staffing. Yonkers has 4 per rig, 1 remains in street to supply system which in itself is difficult task for 1 member, the Officer and 2 firefighters are left to handle hose lay and one member must remain at standpipe valve to supply line. So in essence 2 are manning the line in a high rise fire, with the possibilty of long hallways and wind driven fires, plus not enough line carried into building by the 3 members. So yes Yonkers firefighters are at a big disadvantage in high rise operations. How long would it take for the 2nd engine to pair up and assist with line placement, this would add more members to facilitate stretch, but in some sections it may be a while for this to occur due to long responses. Union has some real issues here but is there an answer that allows high rise operations in Yonkers to be conducted safely.

I agree with everything you said. My point is that YFD is understaffed, but NR & WP are running with 3 per rig. when 1 remains in the street to pump. That leaves the officer and ff to lay hose from the standpipe to the fire apt. Now who mans the valve, the officer or the ff and what if the ff is a probie (do you send him in alone?).

In either case 1 in an IDLH atmospher is a problem.

The study shows that pairing up 2) 3 man units (6 members) is less effective than 5 man companies.

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

When your alone the building grows to 100 storys high !

[JM15 386]

The question is whether or not management will increase staffing....

[FireMedic049 597]

The question is whether or not management will increase staffing....

And the answer will be "no" to increased (unit) staffing.

[helicopper 1,050]

The question is whether or not management will increase staffing....

I think most agencies would be happy just sustaining what they've got. It seems that every year they try to get away with cutting more and more. Pretty soon, EVERY cut takes it's toll!

[jack10562 414]

Rigorous training, awareness, accountability and sheer luck probably are significant factors helping prevent firefighter fatalities due to reduced staffing for interior operations.

The current (under)manning levels are lunacy, expecting the first team of two guys to enter, search and suppress, and that's if everything goes according to plan.

Whatever happened to two-in-two-out? Are 2 guys going in without the same number of guys on ready-standby, behind them ?

[Bnechis 3,961]

Whatever happened to two-in-two-out? Are 2 guys going in without the same number of guys on ready-standby, behind them ?

The NYS courts just confirmed that it will cost you if you do not follow it.

They awarded $4.2 million to the widows & children of 2 firefighters, Because Buffalo fail to follow 2in / 2out