What's a C-fu? SeaFu?

[mdcook]

Okay, this one has me stumped. In response to Hurricane Irene, the State Mutual Aid plan was activated and one of the things being asked for from the uneffected counties are "C-fu's" or is it "Sea Fu". This is a term or acronym I have never heard of. What does it mean? I can understand why the OFPC was asking for Type 1 engines and crews, but does a C-fu have some thing to do with cellar and flooding? I would appreciate some helpful answers.

[Lewiston2FF]

Okay, this one has me stumped. In response to Hurricane Irene, the State Mutual Aid plan was activated and one of the things being asked for from the uneffected counties are "C-fu's" or is it "Sea Fu". This is a term or acronym I have never heard of. What does it mean? I can understand why the OFPC was asking for Type 1 engines and crews, but does a C-fu have some thing to do with cellar and flooding? I would appreciate some helpful answers.

SEFU is a Storm Emergency Fire Unit. Basically a 4WD vehicle with a pump, generator and tools for going to areas that have suffered severe weather and will be in need of assistance. I believe you can look up the requirements of a SEFU on either OFPCs website or SEMOs website.

[mdcook]

Oh, okay. That's a new one on me. Thanks.

[ChiefKN]

Wow, that is a new one for me too.

Do they get typed?

Type II SEFU?

I hear you get an egg roll with one.

[Lewiston2FF]

I laugh when I hear it too. I think of a lemur with long whiskers. LOL. But I've been hearing the term quite a bit recently. Actually since the October surprise storm we had where we got a bunch of wet heavy snow in mid october that shut down the area because trees were coming down left and right. Its basically a storm relief unit. I know when the requests go out from the state they give the requirements to be a SEFU. I am not sure they type and kind the unit its either on or it isnt. I actually think its the state and not FEMA that came up with the term.

[EastKyFF]

Wow, that is a new one for me too.

Do they get typed?

Type II SEFU?

I hear you get an egg roll with one.

And everyone knows that raw SEFU is called a SUSHI.

[pasobuff]

and in my world - this is a 'common' term.....go figure......

and yes, I DO prefer my SEFU as Sushi!!!!!

[Lewiston2FF]

and in my world - this is a 'common' term.....go figure......

and yes, I DO prefer my SEFU as Sushi!!!!!

Paso,
How far off was I on the description? I know we have gotten requests for them in the past but can only remember some of the requirements to be qualified as a SEFU.
Hope you're holding tight out there. Just got a request for engine and tanker crews to head east.

[pasobuff]

Paso,
How far off was I on the description? I know we have gotten requests for them in the past but can only remember some of the requirements to be qualified as a SEFU.
Hope you're holding tight out there. Just got a request for engine and tanker crews to head east.

Where East are they heading? Husband has been in Delaware County the past 3 days....

oh gosh...my reference material is out in the car - should probably take a look at it! ...been a while since I personally have had to spec one out..... my husband could probably tell me right off the bat.....

[Lewiston2FF]

I'm not sure. I know the units from Erie County were staged at SUNY Cobleskill. Not sure what the tasking will be for the next deployment. I think Fire protection for departments that have been wiped out.

[pasobuff]

I'm not sure. I know the units from Erie County were staged at SUNY Cobleskill. Not sure what the tasking will be for the next deployment. I think Fire protection for departments that have been wiped out.

Ok - that is about 20 minutes from me (if all roads are intact)....

[Rescue21D]

We have a crew in Greene County covering the Windham FD currently.

[pasobuff]

My husband told me today he had units) from Buffalo in Delaware County.....he is still down there (started @7am today) and is hoping to be home around 10pm. I'm waiting to hear if I am to get called in to anywhere this weekend.....drove through Rotterdam Junction today and it was heartbreaking to see all the damage.....

[Whitephantom]

Wayne County sent 7 units to Orange County and 5 to Rockland as well as one or two more to Greene. Most are back now as they usually only deploy for 72 hours, we have had a request for type 1 engines on stand by for Suffolk County.

[mdcook]

On Wednesday morning, August 31, our county all-call tones went out and the request was for SEFU's and Type 1 engines with full SCBA crews. No time of deployment was given. I have read that several counties here in the Finger Lakes have sent rope, water rescue, haz mat and EMS units to assist other counties. Now that the east-bound Thruway is more open, getting there should be a bit easier.

[pasobuff]

This is going to be a long-time operation....yesterday on the way home I drove through Rotterdam Junction - where there are still flood waters on the South side of the village...houses still under water, people starting to clean up - grapple trucks working to clear debris.....heartbreaking....th e gas station I used to stop at has been condemned (heard that on the radio this morning).....

Barns are starting to catch fire as the hay stored in them is drying and heating up.....one local farm lost 22 horses in the flash flood down in the Schoharie area.....who knows where they ended up....

The only 'good' thing about this is the low number of lives lost (6-7 I think?).....it could have been so much worse.....

[Lewiston2FF]

I was in the last day of Confined Space Tech class at the Erie County Training Center when the crews your husband saw were assembling and preparing to depart. That was sunday. The deployed Niagara County units I believe are headed out today. Not completely sure about that though. I have a friend in Rotterdam and she just got her power back. It sounds like a lot of damage. I can imagine the barn fires are going to be the worst because there will be so many of them. Part of me wonders if that is the reason behind the request for engines and tankers.

[pasobuff]

That and hte Fleischmans' Fire Department lost both its' engine AND tanker - is down to a brush truck from what I heard.....PLUS - water systems are compromised, resources are being used 24/7 - National Guard is doing overnight fire protection in some communities.....(according ot scanner traffic).....

I just got my weekend asignment - will be working the Fire desk for 4 nights....now trying to figure out my time sheet! Looks like 90+ hours for the week.....

[Lewiston2FF]

That and hte Fleischmans' Fire Department lost both its' engine AND tanker - is down to a brush truck from what I heard.....PLUS - water systems are compromised, resources are being used 24/7 - National Guard is doing overnight fire protection in some communities.....(according ot scanner traffic).....

I just got my weekend asignment - will be working the Fire desk for 4 nights....now trying to figure out my time sheet! Looks like 90+ hours for the week.....

I should've remembered about the water system issue too. Had flooding around here that tankers from acrossed the area were requested to assist with that issue. I know Keene lost their station, not too sure about their apparatus. It looks like its going to be a lot of work for a lot of people for some time to come. Fortunately the state of emergency has been declared so there is help paying for all of the work.
Stay safe down there Paso, maybe I will be able to be deployed in the next round if it comes.

[mdcook]

It is now Wednesday Sept. 7 and we have more rain. There is a flash flood warning posted for most of the eastern Finger Lakes area until Thursday morning.
My county's haz mat team sent some people as part of a regional decon team this past week end to the Mohawk Valley/Northern Catskill region. We have already been advised for another possible deployment this week end to either the same area or possibly toward Binghamton.
The latest word from OFPC is that they are still looking for Type 1 engines, Tankers, and SEFU's.
Is there any way we could send this water to Texas? They really need it.