Fire Lanes; Hee, Hee :)

[FF McDonald]

I wish I knew who took this picture, I received it in an e-mail several weeks ago- I think that it is awesome. Maybe we can use this to petition for bigger fire lanes....



Tell me that isn't the biggest outrigger plate you have ever seen

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Marc

"In Omnia Paratus"

-- The opinions presented here are my own; and are not those of any organization that I belong to, or work for.

[This message has been edited by FF McDonald (edited October 28, 2000).]

[FireFJayT]

The Brothers in FDNY show that they will set up anywhere to combat a fire!!!!!

[Engine58]

I seen that picture before to in an email..i think that is cool! Not for the car! Just goes to show the power of the trucks they make these days compared to the older ones...

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Andrew
South Amboy, New Jersey
EMS Cadet in NJ
"EMTS DON'T DIE THEY JUST STABILIZE"

[Hamy91]

Do you think this guy should get a ticket or has he learned his lesson???????????

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Hamy91

FIrefighters are the chosen people.
_________________________

My views do not reflect that of my department or the United States Air Force

[Brian Dunlap]

First I have to ask....Was this car actually parked in a Fire Lane ? and If Not was this Actually nessessary to complete the task that needed doing on the fire ground ? Or was it just poor Jugdement on the part of the operator ? And just how stable was the Truck seeing how the out rigger was not on a level surface ? Although the picture looks cool and yes if the person who was driving the car was in a fire lane then they got what they deserved - I still think crushing someones car is a bit extreme

[MetalMedic]

That was my first thought as well... was the tower stable with a rigger setting down on the suspension of the car? Was there a chance that the thing could shift with rather undesirable results?

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Richard Nester
Orrville (OH) Fire Dept.

[FireFJayT]

Brian,

You were not there . The company decided to do it and if they were wrong I am sure it is being handled. If its on fire set up, period!!

[ALSfirefighter]

I'm willing to bet that this car was parked in a fire lane. I doubt any operater, its OIC, or the BC would have felt comfortable with allowing this if it wasn't, or not necessary. As far as the stabilization goes, its almost like short-jacking. The stabilizer on the car is on the opposite end of the operating side. The majority of the stress is on the stabilizers on the working side. Deep down inside, I know that there are many of us who get a giggle looking at this, for we have all been frustrated with this and blocked hydrants. My brother had the privlidge of running 5" over a police car during a massive apartment building fire when it blocked a hydrant. The desk Sgt. wasn't happy, but when you need water you need water, they got the car back about 10 hours later. While I feel you have the responsibility of preserving all life and property, you gotta do what you gotta do, and with the streets as narrow as they are in NYC and its suburbs, its not always easy.

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The above opinion is my opinion only, and does not reflect those of any agency/department I work for or deal with.

[Neptune 33]

I have seen this picture before, and from what I gathered, when they pulled up they had people hanging out of windows, and had to do it to get them. So, I believe that this was justified.

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Neptune 33

[AVF&R452]

Sometimes:
You do what you have to do. As far as the stability question goes, My guess is that the frame is sitting on the ground. The trunk lid appears to be below the level of the running board on the truck. If Neptune is right, Wouldn't worry about the car.

Jim

[Brian Dunlap]

FireFJayT...

You are Correct I was not there {Not that you actually know this for sure } but The Only way I could see Destroying Someones Property would be if like it was previously mentioned People hanging out window's {Life Hazzard } Just because like you put it "It's on Fire...Set up Period" I Simply have to disagree I believe there are other options like Ground Ladders perhaps ? Maybe I'm Crazy but just stating my opinion....Peace

[FF McDonald]

Gentlemen --

I put this up for a moment of levity-- for everyones enjoyment... please don't bicker about the small stuff.

That having been said - I'd like to raise a few of my own points, since everyone else already has.

1. There are 5 other jacks in use on this truck, and has been already pointed out- the majority of the stress is on the jack to the side the aerial is actually operating on.

2. Life safety is the number one issue. If it has to do with our firefighters safety, or a civilians safety- it should be done. Does anyone on the forums remember when the DCFD 'shortjacked' one of their aerials to do a rescue, and wound up tipping it over?
It made the cover of FIRE/RESCUE a long while back.

3. While I can agree with Brian Dunlap that there are other methods, such as ground ladders, I am sure the officer in command on the scene weighed his options before instructing the LCC (ladder company Chauffer) to place his outriggers where we see them. Because we can't see the actual building being laddered in the picture, I won't pursue this further- but I'd venture a guess that it is several stories in height.

4. Ladder 138 is quartered in the borough of Queens, and operates a 75' Aerialscope; I'll make the assumption that this fire is in Queens. I know that in Queens you can find everything from a small residential occupancy, to two major airports- Kennedy and LaGuardia. Being that we can't see what the structure is that the truck is laddering- I am going to bet that these guys were in the "right".

I'd like to end with saying that spotting the aerial on the fire scene is a complicated task. Usually once it's set up- it isn't going to be moving again. That means that it has to be set up the right way-- the first time. Life safety should be the primary concern- and combatting the fire secondary... But that you have to take both into account when spotting the ladder.

Enjoy the picture.


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Marc

"In Omnia Paratus"

-- The opinions presented here are my own; and are not those of any organization that I belong to, or work for.

[ADSN/WFLD]

That is so cool!! How many of us would like to do that?

On a serious note, when setup, the aerialscope has all of its weight off of the wheels, that plus they are working off of the supported side, I'd say the rig is probably good and stable.

[ENGINE18-3]

You gotta do what you gotta do.

And Brian you can't tell me you Stratford boys wouldn't do this if you had too. Because I know we would we wouldn't even think twice about it.

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The statements above are my own opinions

FF Greg Grudzinski
Oaklyn Fire Dept.
Station 18-3

[smokeeater51]

My brother was telling me about this picture, and I've been waiting to see it. Thanks. However, I remember hearing somewhere that when the operator was putting the pads down, the first he knew of the car is when it went.......CRUNCH. I could be wrong. Still a great picture.

Lt.