Jim Mason's Comments

Next month McGrail will be in town and we are going to teach my guys our new SOP and Line Operations. We will be taking the remainder of the department through the school over the winter. Should be interesting. It has been years in the making, I'm glad we're finally able to pull the trigger on it. The biggest resistance I've faced is getting the absolute need for smoothbore operations in these types of fires but we're getting there. I'll let you know how the December school goes

I just teach High-Rise to my own guys. Our SOP is much like Chicago's. I've been able to attend you all's confrence before and loved it. Tried to go back this year but didn't have the funding. Maybe next year.

Ya, can't wait. You can't beat training that good only a couple hours from home.

Hi Jim. Interesting new topics. I really like them.
-Crazy how one conversation spawns another......
-Keep up the good work.
BRICK

Thanks Brother. Just trying to do a little good with the time I have.

Hey Bro,

You get the video I sent you?

Stay Safe,
Andrew

Hey Jim, sent you a message in the internal email here listed at the top of the page in the personal tool bar.

Jim,

Glad to be here :-) We receive 18 people on a first alarm assignment, which includes an ALS ambo, 2 trucks (1 is a FAST truck), 2 engines, a heavy rescue and a command car . Our primary vent is probably horizontal, but we have an preassigned vent group (outside and inside) and if command does not state his preference, then they make the decision on where. If we come across a VES situation, then our outside group handles it and if needed, then our inside group hooks up and works VES with them. We are located right next to South Bend, about 90 miles from you guys.

Bryon

Jim, Fire duty is slow. On average we can count on 1 or 2 working fires a month in a "good" year. Sometimes we get a good run of them and get our morale up and our tactics running smoothly and then the fires quit coming for a while. Such is life. Stay safe.

Hey Brother,

Good to meet you in Morris, I hope all is well in the "Windy City".

Stay Safe
Andrew

Jim, I'm happy to be here. I need as much help as possible when it comes to learning about our job. I'm from a combination department that is about 90% paid, myself included. We have about 10 volunteers these days and I didn't want to disrespect the effort that they put in by clicking the "paid fire department" option. So naturally we don't have the day/night staffing issues that other departments have. We have 5 houses with one company each and 4 of those houses have 4 firemen and the remaining house has 3 for now. We're hoping to add the fourth guy to that house in the next few years. All of the firemen are 24-hour. With vacation/sick days we are able to go down to 3 per truck except for our busiest house where the required staffing is 4 all of the time. Our volunteers do ride-a-longs as a part of their requirements for membership. The extra hands are always nice.
Anyway, thanks for having me. I'm really loving this community FireEngineering has set up. Stay safe, Doug.

Jim,

Thanks a lot for starting this group. I am taking a promotional exam in January. There is always a fire problem and these scenarios with your questions will help me out. Thanks again.

Hi Jim
I haven't forgotten you.I've been giving your queries some serious thought and will get back to you and the group.Harry!

FORWARD that should be!

FE is great to work with, they are the only ones I'll work with. Looking forwar to CSF!

Jim,

This is an excellent group! I am gaining alot on information and knowledge from everyone that contributes to the discussions. The discussions keep you thinking and adds to the tools already in the tool box. Hope all is well!!

Stay Safe!!

Joe

Hey Jim,

A pleasure, thanks for starting the group. I'll look forward to each topic. Yes, Dave is an old friend and I had the pleasure of arriving early at his 5-11 this summer. A long night with alot of work to do. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Art

Hi Jim
Actually I'm a past chief of the Otisco department but I'm still active and serve as president now.Otisco FD is a small rural department covering the eastern half of the town of Otisco. Amber FD protects the other half which includes a large portion of Otisco Lake,the eastern most Finger Lake.The town is in southwest Onondaga County ,whose principle metro area is Syracuse.

I think this site is a great way for us to train and to share our experiences with others. I look forward to learning from others. Yeah, Valpo is only about an hour or so. I hope everyone in the Engine that was involved in the crash is OK.