Fire Buff Forum -- Calling All Fire Buffs

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Calling all buffs ... Here's a suggestion -- let's start a forum for fire buffs from around the world. What is your interest? Do you belong to a club? Are you or have you ever been active in the fire/EMS service, paid or volunteer? I'm interested in the history and operations of the FDNY radio and telegraph systems. I served as a Vol FF/EMT from 1985-1992 at the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Dept. in Arlington, VA., just outside Washington, D.C. Now, I edit a newsletter for the Arlington County Fire & Rescue Association. Calling all buffs ...

[webteam]

Excellent Suggestion Vinny...we may consider adding such a forum if the interest is there...so speak up if you're interested http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

Firehouse.Com WebTeam

[Diane]

Guess I fall under this category:

Port Jefferson (LI, NY)Volunteer FF for 9 years (includes one year as a junior explorer).
2 BS's in Fire Science from UNH, CT.
CT and NY EMT for 2 years (let it expire -- didn't use it -- don't have an ambulance at the fire house).
Certificates: NY and CT Haz-Mat Operations, Incident Command Systems, National FF 1, CT FF 1, NY Basic, NY Advanced, Suffolk County Fire Safety Education,LI Water Rescue, Rapid Intervention and Heavy Rescue pending......That sounds like them all.
Memberships: Suffolk County Fire Safety Educator's Association, IAAI, Women in the Fire Service, SCCC and UNH Alumni Associations.
Co-Editor and one of the founders of The Pager, the PJVFD quarterly newsletter.
Misc.: intern for CFSI(DC) in 96 and 97 and lived at the College Park (MD) fire station.
Interests: the Net, politics, Firehouse Mag. (of course), Fire Engineering, Firehouse.com (fave. web-site http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif), bowling, Rangers and Yankees!

Vinny, hope this is something that you are looking for.......Back to work!! LOL.


------------------
B.S. Fire Science Administration
B.S. Arson Investigation
UNH Class of '97

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thanks Diane!

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thank you WebTeam ... I'm interested

[This message has been edited by Vinny Del Giudice (edited June 21, 1999).]

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Well, let me keep this ball rolling ... One of the best buff books out there these days, in my opinion, is Jim Griffiths' FDNY Operational Reference, 3rd Edition. It covers all aspects of FDNY ops, from firefighting tactics and HAZMAT response, to EMS and fire alarm. Its 185 pages are packed with information. Does anyone have any other favorites that focus on a department's operations? Buff handbooks? Thanks!

[Vinny Del Giudice]

On the fire buff newsletter beat, I received a copy of the latest Wagon Pipe newsletter from Washington, D.C.'s Friendship Fire Association. It's 8 pages chocked full of photos, incident reports and FIRE/EMS news from the nation's capital and surrounding Maryland and Virginia communities. There's also a column on Baltimore. FFA volunteers operate the canteen unit and rehab unit for DCFD. I plan to post more info on buff books and newsletters in the days ahead. What other buff newsletters and books are out there? Cheers for now. Vinny.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

My suggestion du jour ... www.firebuff.com (http://www.firebuff.com) ... A wonderful website about the Fire/EMS service in the Boston area ... Check it out ... Other buff suggestions welcomed. Cheers.

[HiTecVFD]

A good book to get is: Report From Engine Co. 82 by Dennis Smith.. It is a good book for all fire personnel and all non-fire folks to read. I believe everyone entering in the service needs a copy..

[Vinny Del Giudice]

RIGHT ON! And the 25th anniversary edition is back with a new section by Dennis Smith. Thank you.

[Rob]

Sounds like a great idea. I'm a Captain - Emergency Medical Responder with a Paid On-call department in Alberta, Canada. And I work in the communications division of the city of Calgary Fire Department. I would welcome talking to other "buffs" who also have an interest in photography of fire operations. (I'm trained as a photojournalist)

------------------

[Capt 2004]

Great way for the camaraderie in the fire service to continue!! I'm one of three captains of the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department, Rockdale, IL. where I have been a member for 16 years. I have moved up through the ranks, from firefighter to engineer to chief engineer to captain. I'm hold the following State of Illinois certifications: Firefighter III, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Haz-mat First Responder & Instructor I. Besides supression, my position includes research & purchasing of equipment for the department. I'm looking forward to making more improvements to the department in equipment for the members to use in the years to come. I'm also a member of the Fire Buff's of Illinois. I'm also a dispatcher on the Firenet Chicago alpha paging group which covers most of Illinois & parts of Wisconsin & Indiana. Along with that, I dispatch on Tri-County Fire alpha paging group which covers Will, Grundy & Kendall Counties in Illinois. As with most things in general, I wish I had more time to buff, with working a swing shift job and a family, it just doesnt leave much time. I hope your page is successful with all of its great intentions!!

Joe K.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thank you Rob and Capt. 2004!

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Greetings! I've been visiting family in Colorado. I had some free time to do some "radio buffing." Three good channels to monitor if you're on the road in Colorado -- Denver Fire Dept. 154.070 Mhz (Simulcast of trunked system); Boulder Fire-Rescue 154.325 Mhz; Denver suburbs 154.130 Mhz. You'll hear a variety of apparatus, from traditional engines to squirts and quints.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Here's a good fire buff book -- "We Have a Box Working" ... The Pittsburgh Fire Dept. By retired firefighter John R. Schmidt, who lives in Mt. Lebanon, PA. Great photos, color and BW. Good writing. Thorough research. Complete list of box alarm locations. Pittsburgh is home of IAFF Local 1. Fire service history and folklore
at its best. Published in 1997.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Keeping the ball rolling ... In the scanner department: When in the nation's capital, tune in DC Fire/EMS Channel 1 ... 154.190 Mhz ... Very busy, very interesting. Cheers!

[WWFD86]

Hi i am a career firefighter from West Warwick Rhode Island. I have been on the job for 9 years an I am assigned to a station which crossmans an engine and a ambulance. We get out fair share of fires a year. We do approx. 2900 fire calls a year an 4500 EMS calls a year. I am also an avid firebuff. Ienjoy freelance videography I am a board member of the Providence Citywide Fire Network fire buff club. We operate 4 notification repeated frequencies covering all of Rhode Island south eastern Massachusetts an eastern Conneticut. We are a very active club. We have one of the biggest fire buff web sites with live dispatch of Providence an Boston, past audio of area fires and past video of area incidents. If any of you are in the area please e-mail me an i can hook you up with those frequencies an any new ones being used by area departments. I will be at this years expo, arriving on Friday. Hope to see some of you.

John

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thank you John WWFD86! Great report. Cheers.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Attention FDNY Buffs: Have received word that FDNY has officially added the radio signal 10-77 for a full first alarm assignment for high-rise residential buildings. This is along the lines of the radio signals 10-75 (full first alarm assignment) and 10-76 (commercial high-rise buildings.) Regards.

[e33]

What units fill out the box on a 10-77?

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello E33 -- According to Jim Griffith, author of the FDNY Operating Reference, there are not as many special units assigned to a 10-77 as there are a 10-76. But Jim says the Mask Service Unit will go on a 10-77. And Jim also says an incident commander can upgrade a 10-77 to a 10-76 if conditions warrant. Cheers! Vinny

[Vinny Del Giudice]

For scanner buffs visiting the DC area, a few more frequencies: Fairfax County, VA dispatch 460.575 Mhz. Montgomery County, MD dispatch 154.160 Mhz. Arlington County, VA dispatch 154.130 Mhz (simulcast of 800 Mhz trunked system.) Prince William County, VA dispatch 154.325 Mhz. Charles County, MD dispatch 158.775 Mhz. Cheers.

[Ladder66]

Great idea Vinny...

I happen to be an avid fire buff and also find myself lucky to be employed as a firefighter. I've been on the job about 10 years and I work for two departments; the Golf Manor Fire Dept & Fairfax/Madison Place Fire-Rescue, both located in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio. I hold the rank of Lieutenant at both and love the job.

On the buff side, I'm a member of the Cincinnati Extra Alarm Fire Association, as well as a member and dispatcher for FirePage Ohio (FPO/D605). I launched and manage the <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/9981">Cincinnat F.D. Unofficial Web Site</A>. I enjoy most anything fire related - from Cincinnati's colorful fire service history to fireground and apparatus photography.

If you ever want to know what's happening in Cincinnati, just ask...

Stay safe & best wishes!!
Mark Milliron


[This message has been edited by Ladder66 (edited July 21, 1999).]

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thank you Mark and thank you for listing your fire buff website. I am a reporter by trade and got my start in Ohio working part-time for UPI and the Dayton Daily News. I covered the police and fire beat in Springfield, OH in Clark County in the late 1970s. (I went to school at Wittenberg University.) Here's a question for you: Who operates the Fire/EMS service at the Cincinnati airport? I know it's in Kentucky. Thanks! Vinny.

[Ladder66]

Vinny,

Fire and EMS services for the Cinti/N Ky Int'l Airport are provided by the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Fire Department. They have no affiliation with the Cincinnati F.D. They are their own entity operating under the auspices of the Kenton County Airport Board. I actually used to be a police/fire dispatcher at the airport for about 5 years, so I'm pretty familiar with their equipemnt. The CNKIAFD (whew) operates three Oshkosh T-3000 crash trucks, a Pierce/Bronto Skylift (135'), a Simon-Duplex rescue-pumper, a typical Seagrave pumper, a Dodge V-10 Rapid Intervention Vehicle, Command Van, Mass Casualty Unit, an ALS ambulance, and a small army of Blazer's and Pickup's for the Chief's and various bureau officers. Most of the above equipment is less than 7 years old. The Seagrave (a 1984 unit with pump and roll ability) is slated for replacement early next year. All public service agencies on the airport (police, fire, maintenance, etc) operate on a 7 channel Ericcson analogue trunked radio system (for those of you with the new BC-245 Trunk Tracker). The fire department keeps pretty busy with many EMS calls, fuel spills, Alert II's, and the occasional fire.

Sorry to have rambled on.... Any other questions, let me know and feel free to drop me an e-mail.

Stay safe!
Mark

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thanks Mark!

[Vinny Del Giudice]

My suggestion du jour ... www.theBravest.com (http://www.theBravest.com) ... real time radio traffic from FDNY ... It's great! Cheers all.

[This message has been edited by Vinny Del Giudice (edited July 23, 1999).]

[Vinny Del Giudice]

GOOD BOOK -- "Firefighting During World War II" By Paul Ditzel (Fire Buff Publications 1994). Provides an excellent account of the heroic efforts of the London Fire Brigade during the Blitz -- plus more! Cheers.

[snake_eng313]

Vinny, Keep up the good work. Looks like you are really talking up the web-site idea and you definetly have the interest.
snake

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thanks Snake! Where are you in the Colorado Rockies? You wouldn't be at that big house between Winter Park and Frazier, would you? Cheers. Vinny.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Here's another good book -- "New York City Fire Patrol" by Arthur Smith (1997). History and photos of the nation's last insurance industry salvage corps, operated by the New York Board of Underwriters. The fire patrol operates three companies that respond alongside FDNY. One thing has never changed in the patrol's long and colorful history -- it's members wear red helmets. Anyone know of other fire patrol memorabilia?

[Vinny Del Giudice]

If you're on the road in Pennsylvania with your scanner, check out Pittsburgh fire 453.700 Mhz and 453.450 Mhz and/or Philadelphia fire 154.145 Mhz and 154.235 Mhz. Pittsburgh fire alarm identifies itself on the air as "Dispatch" and Philly fire alarm identifies itself as "Radio." Lots of action. What are some other good ones?

[Vinny Del Giudice]

ATTENTION FDNY FANS -- A signal 10-77 (a recently introduced special response for a fire in a high-rise apartment, similar to the 10-76) was transmitted overnight for a blaze in Brooklyn. This was probably the first or second time this new signal has been transmitted. Cheers.

[Ladder66]

Other decent frequencies...

33.900 MHz - Hamilton County Communications Fire Channel 1. This is an incredibly congested channel - over 35 fire departments are dispatched on this channel. Size-up and other traffic such as unit status, etc, are handled on this channel too. Lot's of action! I also understand that with the upcoming peak of the 11 year sun spot cycle, you can hear Hamilton County regularly in the New England area. The callsign is KQI-316 and it is regularly transmitted in morse code.

Also Cincinnati Fire Division is on the following frequencies:

460.600 - Main Dispatch (Channel 4), 460.625 - Car to Car (Channel 3), 458.475 - Fireground (Channel 2), 458.250 - Fireground (Channel 1). Channels 4 & 3 are repeated, channels 2 & 1 are simplex. The communications section goes by either "Dispatch" or "Fire Tower" when on the air. The C.F.D. keeps pretty busy too, especially in this heat emergency! If you would like more C.F.D. info, feel free to stop by the C.F.D.'s Unofficial Web Site at: <A HREF="http://ww4.choice.net/~cincyfd"> ww4.choice.net/~cincyfd</A>

Those frequencies should keep your scanner buzzing most of the day in greater Cincinnati. Keep it safe and try to stay cool. We're expecting a heat index of 115 degrees tomorrow!

Best wishes
Mark

P.S.
Vinny - got the Journel's - BEAUTIFUL!!!

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Mark -- Great radio report! I'm going to plug 33.9 Mhz in my scanner at home in Virginia to see if I can catch some "skip" from Hamilton County. Old timers in Arlington County, VA tell stories about skip from Texas on the county's old low band fire channel in the 1950s and 1960s. I have an outdoor antenna and that may help catch some long distance Fire/EMS traffic. Cheers. Vinny.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

From the reading list: "TAKING THE HEAT -- 90 Years of Professional Firefighting in the City of Paterson, New Jersey 1895-1985" ... A great collection of fire and apparatus photos published in 1985. Some copies may still be available from Paterson Fire Officers Association IAFF Local 3860. Mailing address: P.O. Box 524, Clarksburg, NJ 08510. Good book for buffs.

[JOHN J. DELUCA]

The Philadelphia Fire Dept. Historical Corp. has just released a new book called "HIKE OUT" which is about the history of the Philadelphia Fire Department.
For more information and how to order, call 215-923-1438

[Vinny Del Giudice]

OK John! Thank you.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello all! I have details of the Philadelphia book mentioned above. It's about the first 125 years of the city's career department. It runs 300 pages and features BW and color photos. It's available through the city's fire museum. Phone number also listed above. Cheers. Vinny.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

SURFING THE WEB: Here's another good website from Ohio, sponsored by the Box 15 fire buff club of Columbus www.members.xoom.com/Box15/ (http://www.members.xoom.com/Box15/)



[This message has been edited by Vinny Del Giudice (edited August 05, 1999).]

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Do you have a favorite fire buff club, book, website or newsletter? Post it here! Don't be shy. Thanks.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

GOOD BOOK DEPT: "While the Flames Raged" By Emmons E. Douglass (Engine House 1993). A fire buff classic! Covers the history of fire insurance patrols in the U.S. Lots of rare photos. Solid reporting. Today, the last active fire patrol helps protect NYC. But did you know patrols once served Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Duluth, Indianapolis, Louisville and others? Three cheers for the "patroleos"!

[FIRE12]

Listen to Indianapolis Fire dispatch and fireground talkgroups at:
www.oz.net/~gmcavoy/sw_scanr_audios.html (http://www.oz.net/~gmcavoy/sw_scanr_audios.html)

[eng41]

Vinny,
In response to your post on July 30 1999 about 33.9 MHZ. I live In Texas around the Houston area, and my Dept uses 33.8something or other. We get lots of skip from up "North". Sometimes it comes in so clear that it will wake us from sleep thinking we are dropping a call. It normally comes in best downhere around our "winters", Dec. and Jan. Also our Asst. Chief has a brother up north that uses 33.--- and says that sometimes they also get really clear skip. We also get skip from california, not real sure where though,, but you will here CHP sometimes. I am writting this because I always wandered if others received our skip from time to time.

[This message has been edited by eng41 (edited August 17, 1999).]

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello Eng. 41. Yes skip on the low band is very common. Old timers here in Northern Virginia tell stories of talking to fire dispatchers in Texas and California when 33 Mhz was in use here in the 1950s and 1960s. One friend told me a funny story. He was driving a Fairfax County, VA., ambulance and marked on the scene. A puzzled dispatcher answered, and said he knew of no such call, no such address. The dispatcher, it turned out, was with another department in another state. The signal kipped clear cross the country. And for what it's worth I have heard skip on 33 Mhz and even 154 Mhz. Cheers.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thank you FIRE12 for the Indy info. Regards.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Calling all buffs. Post your news, favorite books, etc., here. Thanks.

[CFD-E3]

I am from the New England area so I am familiar with many of his references, I find Comm. Leo Stapletons books very enjoyable to read.I have read all of his books and find I can read one in one afternoon.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thank you CFD-E3!

[Vinny Del Giudice]

GREAT MUSEUM: Fireman's Hall in Philadelphia. In downtown, just off I-95. The museum traces the history of the fire service from Ben Franklin's days to the dawn of the 21st Century. Rigs on display include a steamer and the Giant Deluge, circa 1949. Admission is free. It's great!

[JOHN J. DELUCA]

Glad to hear you enjoyed our museum.
I was just there today and was telling FF. Harry Magee, who is the curator of the museum that I had placed a reply to your post about the new history of the Philadelphia Fire Dept. book.
Next time you are going to be in town, drop me a line and I'll try to set up a tour of a Fire Communication Center for you if you like.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thank you John. That would be great. I visited the old Philly fire alarm in 1974. I believe it was in city hall back then. I was only a kid and dragged my mother and sister there. I guess I've been a buff for a quarter century! Cheers.

[fire/emt-9-B]

I am a fire buff in Roanoke Virginia. I have a local question that might be of national importance. In no way am i boasting. I have been a paid ff/emt here for about 6 months and this is a very old department. It has been a paid department for a very long time. Station 1 located on Church Ave. was built around 1900. It is still used. The station has bite marks on the side brick walls from where the horses used to bite at the brick..
Anyways I was wondering if maybe it is the oldest still operating firehouse in the nation. If anyone has any information pleas let me know. I am looking into it now. Thank you....

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello Roanoke 9B. That's neat! I just happen to be reading a great book on the history of another old career department -- St. Paul, MN -- and I believe they have some old stations too. I bet yours is one of the oldest. There's one in Arlington, VA -- Cherrydale, a combination pid and volunteer station -- that was built around 1915 or 1920. I hope you get more answers! Cheers.

[This message has been edited by Vinny Del Giudice (edited September 15, 1999).]

[Vinny Del Giudice]

To the Firehouse.com Web Team: Thanks for starting a FIRE BUFF section! Let's keep it going. Cheers. Vinny.

[fire/emt-9-B]

Thanks for the info. hopefully i will get more. Roanoke City Fire-EMS Dept. has a couple more really old stations. 3,5,9,7,8 are all very old too. I believe most of them were built in the 1910's to 20's. I am currently looking into all of this. I don't think there are any books on this info yet. But I do know that some time ago someone contacted Roanoke about the station saying it might be the oldest operating still. I have not heard anything else yet...

[Truckie414]

There are many old stations from the 1800's still active in New England. I know New Bedford, MA has 3 active stations built in 1882, 89 & 93. Lowell, MA Gorham St. station is believed to have been built in 1871. I'm sure either Boston or FDNY must have active stations that are even older.
Boston has been a paid municipal dept. since 1678.

Good link for Boston Buff's: http://www.geocities.com/~emba/fire.html


[This message has been edited by Truckie414 (edited September 16, 1999).]

[fire/emt-9-B]

Thank you for the information Truckie. I am glad someone has some information on this.

[fire/emt-9-B]

Thank you for the information Truckie. I am glad someone has some information on this. I am still looking for some info around here as to when the station was built..

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Roanoke 9B -- Is there a local historical society? Maybe they can provide more info. Regards.

[buster]

Hi Vinny! Another good book to read if you're into the FDNY is "A DISTANT FIRE" by Paul Hashhagen. GOOD WORK, KEEP IT UP! Buster

[Vinny Del Giudice]

OK Buster! Thanks.

[DLewisARFM]

Hello -

Didja' ever want to be a firefighter when you were a child?

What are some of your earliest childhood recolections of firefighters?

Did you play with toy fire engines or perhaps even pretend games of “fireman”?

Why do you think popular American society associate young children, (especially boys), with wanting to be firefighters?

Indeed do children look upon firefighters as role models and objects of aspiration, and if so why? These are the central questions to be addresses in the traveling museum exhibition tentatively entitled "Didja' Ever Want To Be a FIREMAN?"

I am currently collecting artifacts and information for, "Didja' Ever Want To Be a FIREMAN?" and I need YOUR help. . . .

An "on-line" survey has been posted on the Fire Museum Network's web site along with more detailed information on the project and a brief summary of my research to date. Please take a moment to fill out the survey, and peruse the related information. Any comments, suggestions, questions, or ideas, would be greatly appreciated!

The info is posted at:
http://www.firemuseumnetwork.org/didja.html
Didja Ever Want To Be A FIREMAN?

Thanks for your assistance. — David Lewis — dlewisarfm@aol.com

[Ladder66]

Regarding the posts on old stations and museums... Cincinnati still operates out of many classic houses. And Cincinnati is the home of another fabulous fire museum.

Currently, Engine-49 and Engine-37 operate out of the oldest in-service houses in Cincinnati. Both houses are of a typical two bay design, and were constructed in 1900. Other classic turn-of-the-century in-service houses are, Engine 34, Engine 35, Engine 38, Engine 46; all built around 1905.

Cincinnati also has many retired houses still standing that date before 1900. Engine 16's old house, located in Walnut Hills, was constructed in 1871, and is the oldest surviving firehouse in the city. I have a complete list of all Cincinnati firehouses at the Cincinnati Fire Division Unofficial Web Site located at http://users.choice.net/~cincyfd

And speaking of museums, Cincinnati has a great fire museum located in the 45's huge house at 315 West Court Street, Downtown. There are several apparatus on display, many diaramas, kiosks, a fire pole kids can slide down, a gift shop, and much more. They also have a nice web site at: http://www.cincyfiremuseum.com

Those of you that may be in the Cincinnati area the weekend of October 2nd & 3rd, are invited to the Chili Festival held at the Fire Museum. Admission to the Museum is free this weekend, and you can fill yer belly with a warm bowl of chili!

Stay safe!
Mark

[This message has been edited by Ladder66 (edited October 01, 1999).]

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thanks Mark!

[Kiwi Firefighter]

Great Idea for fire buffs. I just found it but will be back.
I am a Firefighter/Co Responder(Our name for EMT) in Wellington New Zealand.
My interests in the Fire Service gose back till when I was Born as my Father was a Firefighter before I came into this world.
I have a large amount of information about the Fire Service in New Zealand so anyone intrested is more then welcome to contact me and I will be more than pleased to pass it on.I am also intrested in talking to FF Fire Buffs around the world Take Care for now from Down Under

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thanks Kiwi! Would like to learn about fire/EMS in NZ and other nations. Regards.

[mtlfirebuff]

Hi everyone. I am a firebuff in Montreal Canada. Two good sights for buffing are www.incendie.com. (http://www.incendie.com.) This sight has current news of the area and posts fireground pictures within a couple of hours of a major blaze. The other sight is my own modest sight http://firebuff.webjump.com. Our city's museum is top notch. It is located at 5100 St. Laurent Blvd. and is open Sunday's 2-5 PM.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello Montreal and thanks!

[brazoscty3]

I am a Volunteer in Brazos County in East Central Texas. I have been A Fire buff for over 40 years. I am a collector of anything having to do with Ahrens Fox Fire Equipment. I saw the post about Philly I used to drill with the Navy Reserve at the Aviation Supply Office on Tabor. I had a friend who was a FF on Rescue 1 and then went to the HazMat unit. I have been in the Fire Museum and Fire Communications Office. I would be interested in joining a Fire Buff's Group

HAVE A GREAT FIRE FREE DAY
Hank Salzmann
salzmannph@alpha1.net
salzmaha@ams.iix.com
ICQ # 14405149

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello Hank and thank you. As far as buff clubs, I would suggest SPAAMFAA as a possiblity. Regards. Vinny.

[Whip]

Since there is a lot of book talk maybe someone can help. I'm looking for a book on the history of the Providence RI Fire Dept. It came out around '85. I have a search on with Amazon but it's been a while. Condition doesn't really matter just as long as I can read it. Thanks to all.

Also for reading try Dennis Smith's Firefighters, Their Lives in Their Words.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello Whip. Suggestions: Try FSP books in Massachusetts. They advertise on this site. Or try the Boston Fire Buff website www.firebuff.com (http://www.firebuff.com) ... It has links to Providence and is aimed at New England. Regards, Vinny

[WWFD86]

Dear Vinny,

I will be visiting the Orlando and Kissimee area in Florida, specifically Disney. I was wondering if anyone could provide me with the fire department frequencies used in that area. I am a local firebuff from Rhode Island an would be interested in listening to them.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

WWFD86 -- Let me check "The Visiting Fireman" 1999 edition and get back to you. In the meantime, www.firehouse.com (http://www.firehouse.com) has links to fire departments in Florida. Check those websites for frequencies. Regards.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

WWFD86 -- Looks like most of the systems in that area are 800 Mhz trunked. But Visiting Fireman also lists the following for Orlando city fire -- 453.050 Mhz dispatch and 453.150 Mhz fireground. Maybe they simulcast. If you want I can provide trunked frequencies, or I think you can find them on the web ... There's some kind of site for 800 Mhz scanning. I'm not sure of URL. Thanks. Vinny.

[kfdffrab]

Hello Vinny,
Great idea! I am a career industrial EMT/firefighter with Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester N.Y.. I am also a voluteer EMT/FF with the North Greece Fire Dept. I have been with Kodak Fire for 3.5 years and a volunteer with various departments throughout N.Y. for 17 years. I enjoy collecting firetruck toys and reading fire/ems books. Thanks for all the book titles! I would also be interested in hearing more from the FF in NZ. As well as other departments aroound the world. Keep up the good work! Stay safe.


Roger

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Many thanks Roger. Please spread the word about the Fire Buffs' Firehouse on www.firehouse.com. (http://www.firehouse.com.) What is the set up at Kodak FD? Appartus? Shifts? Fire runs? EMS/ Hazmat? Happy holidays! Vinny

[kfdffrab]

Hello Vinny,
The Kodak FD. is interesting, being one of the largest industrial fire departments in the world (Kodak is one of the largest chemical plants in the northeast). We work a 2 day 2 night (12 hour shifts) then we have 4 days off. It is a great schedule. Kodak Rochester currently has 2 plants, Kodak Park which is where the film and chemicals are made, and Kodak Elmgrove where the single use cameras are made. Kodak Elmgrove has 1 station with 1- command vehicle, 2-pumpers and 1 hazmat truck, for outside responses. For inside the plant (12 bldgs all connected, 5 other bldgs separate) there is an inside command vehicle, an electric ambulance, an electric rescue/support vehicleand a gas powered 3 speed inside pumper. Elmgrove runs around 800 calls annually. Kodak Park has 2 stations that protect about 260 bldgs, Sta #1 houses an ALS fly car, BLS ambulance, and a pumper which carrys 825 gallons foam concentrate, 300 gallons water. Sta #2 houses BLS ambulance, a huge Hazmat response truck, a pumper with a 65 ft aerial and 100 gal foam concentrate, and a reserve pumper which is a twin to the one at Sta #1. All our vehicles carry D-units now as well. Kodak Park runs around 2500 calls annually. We have 92 personnel all together in the dept. Most of our calls are EMS next is hazmat and ocasionally we have a fire. We also go mutual aid to the surrounding communities as well as call in mutual aid if we get busy. We are also on the response to the Greater Rochester International Airport strictly as a foam supply. Well I think I have rambled on enough for now, I hope I haven't bored you to death. It is an interesting job and I love it. Happy Holidays to you and yours! Roger

[This message has been edited by kfdffrab (edited December 09, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by kfdffrab (edited December 09, 1999).]

[Lt.Houck]

Hello everyone,
My name is Jason, I am currently Captain with the barrington volunteer fire company in south jersey. (I know my screen name says LT i just don't feel like changing in) I love to buff jobs. I really enjoy shooting pictures and have a pretty good collection started since I got my camera last may. My girlfriend has gotten into it to, and I just bought her a camera for christmas. she has used mine before and taken some incredible shots so I figured she was ready for her own. Heres my info if anybody out there whats to get in touch with me.

Name Jason Houck
Email: jas9101@aol.com
fh Name: Lt.Houck
Barrington Fire Company Captain
South Jersey

[e33]

IN the video department I recommend "Buffalos Bravest" available thru FSP publications www.fire-police-ems.com (http://www.fire-police-ems.com) . This is a raw frontline video where you ride with a ladder co and the choef to several good workers and see fires before companies have gone into operation. Rescue made in one fire. Good unedited real action video...buy it!

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The opinions and views expressed herin are solely mine and not on the behalf of any department or organization I belong to.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Roger: Thanks for the GREAT report on the Kodak Fire Dept. in Rochester. Sounds like a great job. Cheers and happy new year. Vinny.

[kfdffrab]

Same to you and yours Vinny. It is a great job!!

[seagraves-100]

Go for it Vinny,its about time to start blowing our own horns with humor,tales,stories,tips and just about anything else we can think of.
seagraves-100

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