GA_Dave

I wore "company uniforms" for 31 years and NOBODY, except the pencil-pushing desk jockeys in charge, gave a damn what we looked like, as long as we did our jobs!

There is even more to this story. The shooter is a neighbor and recently had dinner at the victim's house. The victim was on his bike in his own yard with his two sisters and this scumbag walked up to the boy, put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger!

That funding was done through the National Institute of Health. Guess who was the head of NIH at that time.

I could go for several years without buying another thing made in China. How long can they go without enough food?

Oshkosh JLTV's, built in Wisconsin. So far, there are 4 basic versions: M1278 heavy weapons carrier M1279 utility (2-door pickup) M1280 general purpose M1281 close combat weapons carrier These appear to be M1279 and M1280 models.

Are you familiar with SPAAMFAA? They might be your best source. https://spaamfaa.org/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/61776127093/

The governor of NY recently visited the State of Georgia for some meeting. These photos were taken of him observing mask and social distancing rules! I'm sure he will pay just as much attention to his own 14-day quarantine policy when he gets home! &#@%*$@ HYPOCRITE!

Will it be painted to match the Dash CF?

While I agree with your statement on aggressiveness, my point was that not everyone on the rig needs to do so. I spent 23 years as a Driver and RARELY wore a BA while in that capacity. When I was filling in on "the seat", I came off the rig with a BA on. Our crews going inside are as aggressive as any I have ever seen. They do their own forcible entry, when needed, and don't wait on ventilation to go in. Most of our fires are knocked down with the first line and before the second engine arrives. Our first apparatus to come from the factory with SCBA seats was a 1992 Ford LN-9000/American. When I was hired in 1986, all SCBA's were either mounted in high-side compartments or carried in boxes in the rear compartments. I asked the Chief about mounting a BA in the jump seat of my engine, but he said no. I began carrying one on the seat next to me, but then they got worried that it might fall off while responding. After several weeks of debate, I was given the go-ahead to mount two on each engine.

The IDIOT governor of NY has released another edict on the poor bastards who still live in that God-forsaken, liberal cesspool where I was born. His subjects are no longer permitted to go to a bar for a drink UNLESS they order food with that drink. This will immediately force all bars that do not serve food to close and go out of business. Apparently, going to a bar for a drink will cause one to catch the Covid, but going there to eat a burger and fries is safe! So glad I got out when I did! Remember, this garbage was NOT legislated, it was DICTATED!

Marion Body Works is a "custom body builder". They build on both commercial chassis and on chassis specifically designed for the fire service, but they do not build chassis, like true "Custom" fire apparatus builders. There is not a "staffed, paid department" in the US that has "at least 5 guys who are ready to jump out with their SCBA on when they reach the scene", not even FDNY. Some FDNY engines have five person staffing, the "chauffeur" is the driver/pump operator and rarely goes inside on the initial attack. Most paid FD's run with an officer, a driver, and a firefighter. Lucky ones have two firefighters! Many paid FD's around the US have a driver and a firefighter. As for that cost comparison between custom and commercial, don't put too much stock in that $30,000 amount. It all depends on which chassis and which options are chosen. The spread could easily be twice that amount.

None whatsoever. NFPA guidelines do not address whether or not a commercial chassis can be used or not. Any chassis used must meet certain criteria for NFPA compliance, but there is nothing that eliminates commercial chassis from that.

I imagine that stats for that would be difficult to find on the internet, since most of it happened before the internet was in common use. It happened more often than you might think. Just riding there usually wasn't a problem unless the apparatus was involved in a collision. Guys were thrown everywhere and often run over by other vehicles. It wasn't just off the back, but on the sides and even guys riding in the "jump seats". A lawsuit from such an incident led to the demise of one of the major manufacturers back in the 1980's.

Several changes in apparatus design, beginning in 1991. All Firefighters must ride in seated/belted/enclosed positions. Other things include availability of ABS brakes, air bags, lower governed speeds, and reflective striping for better visibility. More recent developments include two related, but different, concepts called "Clean Cab". One concept removes all items from riding positions that can become flying objects during a wreck/rollover. The other involves banning contaminated items, such as PPE and SCBA, from being placed inside the cab.

Not sure where you got your numbers, but the US Fire Administration shows 82 LODD for 2018 and 87 for 2017. 2019 saw only 57, but previous years have been higher. 2016 - 89 2015 - 90 2014 - 94 2013 - 97 2012 - 81 Back in the 1980's, the numbers were more like 400/year. A huge safety initiative has reduced the LODD totals to those we have these days. Better health/fitness programs, safer apparatus and improved equipment have all contributed to the reduction.

You are partially correct. My rant was also aimed at Quickfarms' comments, along with yours. I have edited those directed at him. My apologies on that part, but the part I left is still valid, including where your comment, that I was replying to, was the one that set me off! Most Firefighters are not killing themselves on the job, but the job kills about 100 of us every year. No one ever calls us because someone did something smart, but stupidity keeps us busy as hell!

You're saying it badly! Who made any statement about anyone "killing themselves on a massively difficult gov job"? As a retired government worker, I defended my 28 year career and you go off on some tangent about Firefighters on military bases. I was never a Firefighter on a military base. I was also never in a union. I accepted a job offer that included a salary and benefit package, including a pension, in exchange for specified duties and expectations. I fulfilled those duties and exceeded those expectations on every evaluation I was ever given. I was instrumental in improving our tactical operations and the reliability of our apparatus. To this day, numerous officers there credit me for them getting to where they are. I am treated with honor and respect whenever I visit. Your opinions are not worth the bandwidth you wasted posting them. Go pound sand!

I already drive the car I want!

Firefighters employed by the General Services Administration (GSA), who man military base fire stations, work many more hours than most people. They work a 24 hour shift every other day, minus one shift every two weeks, equaling a 72 hour workweek. What does any of your statement have to do with my job?

Yes, Firefighter, retired. A 24 hour shift every third day equals an average workweek of 56 hours, minus 12 hours we do not work every 9th shift, making it a 53 hour workweek. The 7-5 workday is based on the 40 hour workweek of the Admin side. Certain activities (inspections, most training, non-emergency equipment repair and maintenance) are only conducted during those hours. Emergency responses are 24/7/365 and we are busy enough. Fifteen people manning five apparatus and a command car responding to over 7,000 incidents annually. Residential population is about 13,000, but we are adjacent to the busiest airport in the world and there are over 250,000 people in our city all the time. Not one of the Firefighters makes the decision that there will be overtime, only if they are willing to work it. Overtime is feast or famine. As I previously stated, there are times I have worked 60 hours straight and there have also been times where there was no overtime for six or eight months. Starting pay is $40,000/year. The ONLY one making 6-figures is the Fire Chief. Including a lot of overtime, my best year ever was $86,000. My base pay at retirement was under $70,000. I served as a Volunteer Firefighter for ten years. I was a paid Firefighter for 28 years.

Sorta resembles a Ford WT-9000 from the early 1970's.