Chase Drivers

[bke]

I was watching The Bravest and saw an episode with FDNY. In it they had chase drivers following the rigs. I'm curious what chase drivers do. Can anybody tell me?

Thanks
BKE

[1261Truckie]

bke,

FDNY does not allow non-FDNY personnel (journalists, cameraperson, etc.) to ride on the apparatus. As an accommodation for film crews, a vehicle is provided for the film crew to ride in enroute to an alarm.

"Lets be careful out there"

Regards to all,

Jim Boyle (aka 1261Truckie)

[Engine58]

Ohhhh so thats why They have those.... Cool...that answered my question too....

[bke]

Thanks for the info. I should have thought of that. Oh well.

BKE

---------------
America dialed 9-1-1 and they responded...
FDNY 09.11.01

[FFMcDonald]

If they don't allow camera people on their apparatus, then why do they clearly show camera people climbing aboard the apparatus, and who is the guy holding the camera when they are interviewing people in the back of Rescue 2 enroute to a call?

I am not sure - but I would venture a guess that the chase vehicle is to transport the person displaced by the camera person, and to afford another angle for the camera.

But - I don't know -- Just making an educated guess -- but if you watch the episodes- you can see the camera people climbing aboard the apparatus.

[bke]

FF McDonald,

I thought of that later today too. I had taped it and watched it again.

BKE

----------------
America dialed 9-1-1 and they responded...
FDNY 09.11.01

[Engine58]

what a big mystery.... hehe

[rescue2bob]

The chase car is used to carry the extra people from the film crew who don't fit in the rig. It is also better to have it driven by a member of the company off duty on overtime paid by the film crew who knows where he is going instead of a film crew guy who doesn't. Also better to have a uniformed member driving in case of an accident don't you think. in our case ( rescue 2 ) members of the company were used, what i have noticed though is that other departments used officers don't they make more than us already, give the guys the overtime.

[daysleeper47]

Does FDNY have a film/video/photo unit for things similar to this? I know NYPD does. Are its members firefighters?

[FFMcDonald]

Bob -- Thanks for the clarification. I guess we heard it from the horses mouth....

[bke]

Bob,

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. I'm learning as I go. Stay safe.

BKE