Somebody's not getting the message...

[jscott]

As for Dixie - she was originally supposed to be a "love interest" for one of the characters (that plot device was quickly forgotten), but who was she married to in real life? Dixie (Julie London) was married in real life to Dr. Early (Bobby Troupe) and was the ex of Jack "Dragnet" Webb, the executive producer. And I realize this has absolutely nothing to do with trains :) She was a fox! Scott

[zardoz]

OldArmy94

Having been an EMT and volunteer firefighter, I can tell you that tunnel vision is one of the most dangerous aspects of working in a pressure-packed atmosphere.  Emergency personnel are killed by other vehicles, "bad guys", downed power lines and all kinds of things due to this phenomenon.  It is something that you're trained to recognize, but it's still very difficult to overcome when things are happening.

Or this other danger:

The Associated Press reported that eight firefighters from the Lake Geneva fire department were injured when a bucket truck they were on came in contact with power lines while visibility was obscured by the thick smoke.

While the firefighters’ injuries were described as non-life threatening, one firefighter suffered serious burns and was expected to be sent to a burn unit.

Full story: http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/county_firefighters_give_aid_as_blaze_destroys_delavan_bar_7489838.html

[TimChgo9]

 

blue streak 1

Among other items --Since you have to carry a CDL to drive a firetruck the feds should require the CDL to be suspended for 5 years, If I drove a 18 wheeler and did this they can require suspension. That will short circuit the union.

I never needed a CDL to drive a fire engine when I was a firefighter, all I needed was a Class "B" license here in Illinois.  I have never heard of a CDL being needed to drive a fire truck.....Maybe it's different in other states. 

[blue streak 1]

TimChgo9

I never needed a CDL to drive a fire engine when I was a firefighter, all I needed was a Class "B" license here in Illinois.  I have never heard of a CDL being needed to drive a fire truck.....Maybe it's different in other states

A CDL is required to drive any vehicle of more than 26,000# for hire. The state of GA and other states around here takes that to mean that a paid fireman driver is for hire so therefore therefore a CDL for fire trucks over 26,000#. Granted many fire trucks do not meet that weight so drivers of those vehicles not required to have a CDL.

Part of the problem is that not all states have the same drivers' license laws and classifications. The laws only follow the US guidelines for commercial vehicles ( Tractor trailers, heavy trucks, intercity buses, etc) but allow just plain people to privately operate those vehicles in most states. I'm certain that the ladder truck that was discussed earlier was over 26,000# but have no idea if it was driven by a volunteer.

[dmcclendon]

Oooof...perhaps Operation Lifesaver should spread their message to Emergency Personnel in addition to through them

Operation Lifesaver has programs for Emergency Responders which addresses these very issues.

[rvos1979]

blue streak 1

A CDL is required to drive any vehicle of more than 26,000# for hire. The state of GA and other states around here takes that to mean that a paid fireman driver is for hire so therefore therefore a CDL for fire trucks over 26,000#. Granted many fire trucks do not meet that weight so drivers of those vehicles not required to have a CDL.

 

Say Wha??

I don't know of many fire trucks that come in under 26,000lb gross weight, except for grass fire rigs, built on 4wd pickup chassis.  Even a single axle medium duty fire truck would probably weigh close to the 30,000lb limit for two axles (12k steer, 20k drive, steer may have a 20k front axle and tires, though) with all the onboard equipment and water tank.

Pretty sad that such an expensive piece of equipment had to be wrecked to learn that lesson, though...

 

[TimChgo9]

 When I was a firefighter, both towns I worked for, and for that matter, town I dispatched for for 7 years all had strict policies on parking the fire engine on, or near railroad tracks. Our SOP manual even described the procedure for operations on, or near railroad  tracks. It was also standard practice that dispatch notified the railroad if we had any incident of any kind along the tracks.  We had a couple of spots where kids liked to light fires, and especially tried to burn discarded ties.   There was plenty of room along the tracks for us to travel if needed, but our officers liked to make sure the railroad was aware of our presence.  

Someone was not paying attention, plain and simple.  The Company Officer as well as the driver are at fault. SOMEONE should have noted that the truck was on the tracks and moved it.

[ChuckCobleigh]

From the humor thread today:

Kootenay Central

The Firemen were not happy when the Diesel came.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/22911112/index.html

[BaltACD]

ChuckCobleigh

From the humor thread today:

Kootenay Central

The Firemen were not happy when the Diesel came.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/22911112/index.html

Police not any smarter than the FD....just luckier that the Police car could move more quickly than the Fire truck.

[samfp1943]

BaltACD

ChuckCobleigh

From the humor thread today:

Kootenay Central

The Firemen were not happy when the Diesel came.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/22911112/index.html

Police not any smarter than the FD....just luckier that the Police car could move more quickly than the Fire truck.

That absolutely qualifies as one of those lifetime/career moments when the ony comment is an expletive deleated OOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSHHHHHHHHH-%#@%%% moment!

[samfp1943]

 

As Paul Harvey(paraphrased) used to say:   Here is the rest of the Story:

Linked here From March 1,2010 TRAINS Newswire:

"Train hits fire truck parked on tracks"

Published: March 1, 2010

"FTA"...A witness reported that someone screamed, "Train coming!" and four firefighters jumped in and tried to get the truck off the tracks, but were unsuccessful. Amtrak train 353, a 10:40 a.m. Pontiac departure for Chicago, struck Ladder 13, crushing it, then dragging it for a distance before stopping..."

Well the other shoe has fallen"

Today' s  Newswire  carries the rest of the story;

Amtrak sues Detroit for fire truck left afoul of tracks

Published: February 1, 2011

FTA: "...A firefighter attempting to move the truck was treated for a gash on his head, but no serious injuries resulted.

Amtrak says it suffered more than $75,000 in losses on account of the crash. The $600,000 fire engine was destroyed. .."

 

Linked here is the Thread from Mar 2010 :

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/170124/1867687.aspx#1867687

And that is what happens when Amtrak takes out a $600,000.00 AERIAL TRUCK!

 

[StillGrande]

Was that a whistleless crossing, or were we missing something from the video, because there is only one horn blast from the train before the crossing, and it seems to cover a lot of ground before the horn is sounded.