One town, 35 chiefs

[bad box 371]

On 8/2/2016 at 7:07 PM, AFS1970 said:

My point exactly was that FDNY is not doing it with 5 rescues. Oddly enough for two reasons. First is, like I said, the fact that the trucks do much of the extrication, so they are really doing it with around 149 companies. This does not take into account the similar duties of NYPD ESU. Of course reason two, as others have said is that the FDNY rescue companies are not really the same thing as the similar looking trucks elsewhere due to duties and equipment.

 

 

F.D.N.Y. operates five heavy rescue companies and seven squad companies. The Rescue Companies are assigned full sized, heavy rescue apparatus and each are supplemented by a Collapse Response rig which carries additional equipment needed for structural and trench collapse rescue. The seven squad companies are assigned rescue pumpers which carry some extrication and technical rescue equipment. Each squad company is assigned a second piece that carries some additional technical rescue equipment as well as the haz mat technician gear that is assigned to the squads. Every rescue and squad firefighter is trained to the same level (rescue technician, hazmat technician, etc.). Every ladder company is fully equipped to perform vehicle extrication (complete Hurst Tool package, reciprocating saws, air bags, cribbing, etc.). Accident Victim Extrication as well as FAST / RIT are basic firefighter skills. Every member of the F.D.N.Y. is trained to perform automobile extrication's and FAST / RIT (as should every firefighter in every department, career or volunteer). A rescue company is assigned to start out on confirmed pins at the scene of a vehicle accident in case it proves to be a prolonged or particularly complicated incident. Departments whose 'rescue' work is limited to non technical rescue situations can very easily equip ladder or pumper apparatus with the items necessary for basic auto extrication responses. A county technical rescue team could be strategically located and assigned the necessary equipment and apparatus for any rescue incidents requiring services that are not available at the local VFD level. The savings in each department would be substantial. Another area where tremendous savings can be realized is the strategic locating of aerial apparatus. Many volunteer departments are located very close together making it extreme overkill for each department to own and maintain one or more aerial and or tower ladders.  

Edited August 5, 2016 by bad box