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The first engine company to arrive on the scene of a working fire is charged with extinguishment. New Rochelle Fire Department policy is for a quick interior attack on the fire whenever possible. This includes making quick entry to the fire building to find and extinguish the source or seat of the fire. Throwing water at smoke from outside a window will not put out the fire. The old adage is "you have to put the wet stuff on the red stuff." Of course every fire is different, there is no such thing as a normal fire. Initial fire line placement, method and location of the entry point, and fire line size are just a few of the variables that must be considered on every scene.
The second engine company to arrive on the scene of a working fire is charged with water supply to the first engine and then backup for the first crew in the building. The "usual" procedure for the second engine company is to stop at a hydrant closest to the fire and lay a 5 inch diameter supply line on the way to the fire building. This size supply line should be large enough to supply the first truck with water to spare. Once the second engine is at the fire building part of the crew will complete the hook up of the supply line to the first engine. The third engine is assigned to fill in any gaps, often stretching a 2nd or back up attack hose.
The first ladder to arrive at the scene of a working fire will assist the first engine with gaining access to the building, "forcible entry." Once entry is made the crew will do a quick search of all areas which can be entered. They are looking for victims and for fire. They will advise the engine as to where they should stretch hose lines. As they search, they will ventilate the building as they go opening windows to remove the smoke. The second ladder is assigned to search above the fire, while the first ladder crew searches the fire floor. If the fire is on the top floor, the second ladder crew will go to the roof to ventilate it. After both ladder crews have completed a primary and a secondary search they are assigned to open up the walls, ceiling, and floors to look for fire which may be burning out of sight.
The ladder operators (drivers) are assigned to position the truck to be able to use and if needed raise the aerial ladder. It is critical and often very difficult to position properly as it must be close enough to the building to reach it and due to obstructions, like parked cars, trees, overhead power lines and in some cases other emergency vehicles. Once that is completed the drivers team up to perform outside ventilation and to set up portable ladders, and lighting. Outside ventilation usually includes breaking the windows in the fire room from the outside. This ventilation will remove some of the heat from the fire area allowing engine companies to get close enough to extinguish the seat of the fire.
The ladder companies carry equipment that will assist with ventilation, forcible entry, search and rescue, and overhaul. Ventilation is important because it allows the super-heated toxic gases to escape and also allows the firefighters inside to do their work safer and more efficiently. All ladder trucks carry chainsaws and circular saws. These saws are used to cut holes into roofs and walls. To be able to get into a building you need the right kind of tools therefore ladder companies carry many different types of tools. A couple examples are the hydraulic rabbit tool, which pulls a door away from the jam, and tools to snap even the strongest pad locks. For search and rescue the technology is now available to have hand held thermal-imaging cameras. These cameras allow firefighters to see through the smoke and see the victims. Our department has one on each of our companies. Overhaul is basically cleaning up. Removing all the debris that was destroyed in the fire and make sure all hot spots are extinguished.
A new examination in the title may be requested and held at any time during the life of an existing eligible list. It is the responsibility of the candidate on the existing list to keep abreast of the examination schedule and to apply for and participate in the new examination.
At the time of establishment of the new list, a decision is made on whether or not to allow the existing list (over one year of age) to continue or to replace it with the new list. When the “old” list is continued, the new list “supplements” the old list until a predetermined date. The old list is used first.
Promotional examinations are restricted to current employees of the participating appointing authority who meet the service requirement and minimum qualifications as cited on the announcement. It is possible for current employees to take an examination both open-competitively and promotionally, and appear on both lists if they pass the examination. Candidates on promotional lists are canvassed first.
In the event that these contact methods fail or if the emergency occurs after our normal hours of operation, please call the New Rochelle Police Department at (914) 654-2300.
Please read up on the West Nile Virus and the Catch Basin Larvicide Program.
After those roads are clear, secondary streets are cleared and streets with moderate traffic. Lastly, all other streets, including cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets, are plowed. After a major storm, it may take two to three days for plow crews to clear all the streets.
The only way to avoid extra shoveling is to wait until the Public Works crews have done their final clean-up on the street.
For more information call the Public Works Office at (914) 654-2131 Monday thru Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Gray collection bins have been installed at the entrances of the following locations: New Rochelle City Hall, 515 North Avenue; the New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library Plaza; Super Stop & Shop, 2425 Palmer Avenue; and The A&P in the Quaker Ridge Shopping Center.