NOVEMBER 2024...NYC BRUSH FIRES.

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This, while busy, is nothing compared to April 20. 1963. At one point, 80 companies were operating or relocated in Staten Island. In Brooklyn a Chief requested a fifth alarm on arrival. On the bells, an engine company tapped in service (4-4-4) as the eighth section in SI.

Between 11:47 am and 3:15 pm-

99-33-8183
88-33-2163
77-44-1543
77-33-1971
88-44-4026
88-55-4151
77-55-1657
77-55-1703
88-33-100
66-44-2952
77-55-2125

During this time period, FDNY denied a request by Bayonne for six engines for a fully involved plastics plant just across the bridge.
 
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The lack of use of the Super Pumper 2 is hard to understand. If anything, given the number of large fires lately the idea of havingSFFD HT-1 Hose Tender - Super Pumper.jpg a high-Capacity Pumper Similar to San Francisco F. Ds new unit, in EACH NYC Borough is something worth exploring. Reassign and current pumper from the units that run with the Satellites and replace them with new 5,000 GPM or greater capacity Pumpers. It works in San Francisco why not in other large cities.
Also, it is VERY necessary at any Brush/Interface/Forest Fire that one or more Safety Officer/s=Lookout/s be assigned to observe the fire conditions and any changes in wind directions or velocity. Also, the Safety Officer/Lookout is there to look out for any possible dangers such as fire damaged trees, tree roots, or the possibility or rock or boulders rolling down on member operating in hilly/steep areas. The Safety Officer/Lookout is also responsible noting viable escape routes for firefighters, operating. should conditions deteriorate. This Safety Officer/Lookout should be any TRAINED fire officer or firefighter, but any one is better than NO ONE. This concept comes from our Wilderness Firefighter brothers and Sisters.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired. (Also, former N.Y. State, "On Call" Wilderness Firefighter)
 
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The lack of use of the Super Pumper 2 is hard to understand. If anything, given the number of large fires lately the idea of havingView attachment 46423 a high-Capacity Pumper Similar to San Francisco F. Ds new unit, in EACH NYC Borough is something worth exploring. Reassign and current pumper from the units that run with the Satellites and replace them with new 5,000 GPM or greater capacity Pumpers. It works in San Francisco why not in other large cities.
Also, it is VERY necessary at any Brush/Interface/Forest Fire that one or more Safety Officer/s=Lookout/s be assigned to observe the fire conditions and any changes in wind directions or velocity. Also, the Safety Officer/Lookout is there to look out for any possible dangers such as fire damaged trees, tree roots, or the possibility or rock or boulders rolling down on member operating in hilly/steep areas. The Safety Officer/Lookout is also responsible noting viable escape routes for firefighters, operating. should conditions deteriorate. This Safety Officer/Lookout should be any TRAINED fire officer or firefighter, but any one is better than NO ONE. This concept comes from our Wilderness Firefighter brothers and Sisters.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired. (Also, former N.Y. State, "On Call" Wilderness Firefighter)
This is all reflected in the U.S. Forest Service "Ten Standard Wildland Firefighting Orders". In addition, there are 18 "Watch Out Situations".

I would hope they are all included in AUC #151.
 
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The lack of use of the Super Pumper 2 is hard to understand.

As an outsider it would seem to me that given the news coverage it won't take much for any would-be firebug to start causing havoc all over the place, might as well get the deluge assets out there.

Side note, it was interesting to see SAT-1 in operation at the Inwood fire last night, excellent use of drafting training and apparatus to soak down the area. I get the feeling the Satellites will continue to be busy while the dry weather persists.
 
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If anyone has a copy of the U.S. Forest Service "Ten Standard Firefighting Orders" please share them. I have some of them, myself and have used them in my role as a Safety Officer in my local Chester N.Y. Vol. Fire Dept.
Also, brothers and sisters please recognize the Value of Tower Ladders at major brush fires, both for highly movable large caliber hose streams, and as an elevated vantage point to observe fire conditions and spread.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
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If anyone has a copy of the U.S. Forest Service "Ten Standard Firefighting Orders" please share them. I have some of them, myself and have used them in my role as a Safety Officer in my local Chester N.Y. Vol. Fire Dept.
Also, brothers and sisters please recognize the Value of Tower Ladders at major brush fires, both for highly movable large caliber hose streams, and as an elevated vantage point to observe fire conditions and spread.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
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Like a lot of things in the fire service, The Ten Standard Firefighting Orders can be traced back to August 5, 1949. On that day 13 firefighters lost their lives along the Missouri River in Montana fighting the Mann Gulch Fire.

In 1992, Norman Maclean wrote the book "Young Men And Fire". This bestseller recounts the story of that day. Afterwards. Maclean returns to walk the fireground literally step by step- forty years afterwards. With the benefit of knowing how things end, he identifies where they were, what they did, and what they must have thought. He then analyzes the event in light of modern understanding of the dynamics of wildland fires.

His thought: By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late. They would never be able to outrun the fire behind them to the top of the hill.

A must read.
 
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The bigger BFU are probably best used in open marshlands with the cattails burning such as Great Kills park, SI and Gerristen in BK. Wooded areas not so much due to the trees.
 
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I saw members raking leaves away from the fire line. An old tried and true tactic for removing the fuel and letting fire line burnout. This works well with leaves on the forest floor - the same type of fires the members have been dealing with up in Inwood and several other city parks. BUT it is labor intensive especially in bunker gear. What works really well in these situations is a battery powered leaf blower. Amazing how much less taxing it is on the members and how much more quickly you can move down the fire line pushing leaves away to create a firebreak.
 
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Mar 30, 2023
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The lack of use of the Super Pumper 2 is hard to understand. If anything, given the number of large fires lately the idea of havingView attachment 46423 a high-Capacity Pumper Similar to San Francisco F. Ds new unit, in EACH NYC Borough is something worth exploring. Reassign and current pumper from the units that run with the Satellites and replace them with new 5,000 GPM or greater capacity Pumpers. It works in San Francisco why not in other large cities.
Also, it is VERY necessary at any Brush/Interface/Forest Fire that one or more Safety Officer/s=Lookout/s be assigned to observe the fire conditions and any changes in wind directions or velocity. Also, the Safety Officer/Lookout is there to look out for any possible dangers such as fire damaged trees, tree roots, or the possibility or rock or boulders rolling down on member operating in hilly/steep areas. The Safety Officer/Lookout is also responsible noting viable escape routes for firefighters, operating. should conditions deteriorate. This Safety Officer/Lookout should be any TRAINED fire officer or firefighter, but any one is better than NO ONE. This concept comes from our Wilderness Firefighter brothers and Sisters.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired. (Also, former N.Y. State, "On Call" Wilderness Firefighter)
Capt, the Super Pumper itself already doesn't see much work. Even if the Department bought another super Pumper, it would probably just be a spare.
 
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