Detroit Fire Dept.

[Kid_Kobuk]

Just a question about the live feed through RadioReference to the Detroit Fire Dept and Police Dept. Why are there many more people listening to the Fire Dept as opposed to the Police Dept.? I would think the police would be more interesting.

[Hooligan]

There are probably more fire-geeks out there than police geeks, and while Detroit PD isn't really considered anything special to us police-geeks, fire-geeks all over the world are interested in Detroit FD due to the good old Detroit Appreciation Night (aka Devil's Night) arsons.

[Citywide173]

While Devil"s Night does have it's place in why fire buffs are listening, the fact is that the Detroit Fire Department is doing something that most fire department's aren't doing on a regular basis-fighting fires. Fire load is down almost everywhere due to better construction, better fire codes, higher occupancy rates, etc., but in Detroit, there are so many vacant buildings that fires are as commonplace as they were in the South Bronx during the late 60's and early 70's.

Detroit FD doesn't do EMS calls unless specifically requested, and probably sees upwards of 15-20 actual dwelling fires a day. The firefighters are some of the most aggressive I've ever seen, holding fires that would be 2 or 3 alarms here in the Boston area to the first alarm assignment. The city is on the map as one of the few places that still does the job of firefighting on a regular basis, and as such, draws the listeners. I've listened to Detroit PD a few times while out there, and although they have their moments, the majority is routine policework, which generally doesn't hold listeners for extended periods of time. Detroit FD, on the other hand, pretty much guarantees that you'll hear a company "stretching on a dwelling" within a few minutes of connecting, and the traffic that goes along with an incident.

[Kid_Kobuk]

Thanks for the answers. Another quick question...what does "stretching on a dwelling" mean?
New to listening to the live feed scanning. Any suggestions as to other PDs that would be more interesting than the Detroit PD?

[tusker305]

Stretching on anything (Dwelling, 4 flat, commercial building, auto, rubbish is pulling hose.More fire than just a Red Line. Something else you may hear is the term "Doubtful". Just means gonna go above the BOX ALARM ( 2 Engines, Truck,Squad,Chief. ) Ed you comming back anytime soon.

[feta92]

Basic Box Alarm in the D is 3 Engine 1 Truck 1 Squad and a Batt Chief

[gpp10x]

Originally Posted by tusker305

Stretching on anything (Dwelling, 4 flat, commercial building, auto, rubbish is pulling hose.More fire than just a Red Line. Something else you may hear is the term "Doubtful". Just means gonna go above the BOX ALARM ( 2 Engines, Truck,Squad,Chief. ) Ed you comming back anytime soon.

A Detroit Box Alarm is 3 Engines, Truck, Squad & Batt. Chief. Doubtfuls may not always go for an extra alarm or multiple but chances are good it will get extra companies.

[tusker305]

When did they add the third Engine on the Box. The commish added something to the department......wait ......just , wait a minute ..........I'm ok, I'm ok, I just gotta sit down for a minute, I'm ok.

[Jimmy252]

Originally Posted by Kid_Kobuk

Any suggestions as to other PDs that would be more interesting than the Detroit PD?

I enjoy listening to Los Angeles City Police Dept...generally it is routine police work, but there, you are likely to hear some sort of car chase/foot pursuit/shooting. something thatll keep you on the edge of your seat. But then again, listening does pay off, the detroit area has given me some pretty good chases that ive put onto my youtube.

[squad546]

Citywide173 has a couple points, but I'm not so sure on the "better construction" thing, newer construction has actually gotten worse! Sorry Ed!

[Citywide173]

I wasn't referring to better quality of the construction itself, I was referring to the better fire resistance of the materials. Blue board doesn't burn like wood and horse hair plaster.

[i5adam8]

Is EMS on the Detroit fire feed,or is that a whole separate talkgroup?

[rdale]

Which DFD feed?

[rcvmo]

Detroit DHS / EMD was a hoppin last "Angels night". There is much more community and large business involvement as "Eyes and ears" in the streets. I worked the DEOC last year with telecoms interoperating with RACES, CERT, and other Neighborhood watches in Detroit and subruban cities.
Lots of fire power there!!
rcvmo

[Citywide173]

Originally Posted by i5adam8

Is EMS on the Detroit fire feed,or is that a whole separate talkgroup?

Separate talkgroups.

[MPSCS]

Sometimes if you listen to DFD carefully, you can hear them stealing doors off abandon houses.

[tusker305]

MPSCS, That was a low blow. I know you know better. From an abandon house to a City Owned Firehouse. Cause every city official is too busy stuffing money in their pockets, rather than spend it on the city. Those guys will feel more pain over that door than all the elected officials will over stealing MILLIONS of dollars. It always amazed me, when guys save entire families, you never hear a thing, there's never video or it was the neighbors with a garden hose that made the rescue, Ya Right. Let the guys do something wrong. Boy its Breaking News for days.
I came here from Boston (followed a Girl). Back in the day every little boy wanted to grow up and be a fireman. Now they wanna be a thug or drug dealer and get the bling. And the news has the balls to say it's because youth have nobody to look up to. In Boston and New York and every other place in the world firefighters are respected and honored. Not in Detroit.
Detroit Cops, Firefighters, and Paramedics are some of the best in the world. You can't work in a war zone year after year and not be Great at what you do. It is a war zone, for many years Detroit had more murders then Belfast and Berut combined. Imaging going to work everyday on the Busiest Medic Unit in the Most Dangerous City in the country. 13,14 sometimes 15 hours of strait running (shift is 12 hours), 90 degree heat, no A/C, equipment that doesn't work, cold 2 hour old China 1 take out on the dash, that took 3 trys to get and you have had 4 bites of, and crap and abuse from almost everyone you meet. But doze off in the truck while your partner is in the store, and there is a story on action news on why tax dollars go to pay this bum for sleeping on duty.
Where was that camera 5 hours later and 4 blocks away when that same crew took an elderly man from his burning house. People need to give their heads a shake now and then, and think about what is real and what's important. Well that's my 2 cents. I don't know about the rest of you, but I think somebody around here should bring some cakes and/or pies to there local firehouse and say Thank You.
But that is just me.

[MPSCS]

Originally Posted by tusker305

MPSCS, That was a low blow. I know you know better. From an abandon house to a City Owned Firehouse. Cause every city official is too busy stuffing money in their pockets, rather than spend it on the city. Those guys will feel more pain over that door than all the elected officials will over stealing MILLIONS of dollars. It always amazed me, when guys save entire families, you never hear a thing, there's never video or it was the neighbors with a garden hose that made the rescue, Ya Right. Let the guys do something wrong. Boy its Breaking News for days.

Detroit Cops, Firefighters, and Paramedics are some of the best in the world.

Stealing that door as a replacement for the back door on the firehouse was just their excuse. Fox2 Problem Solvers went to the back of the firehouse where a new door had already been installed, so that was a pure lie. The fire chief even admitted these guys simply stole the door for personal reasons, nothing to do with the department needs.

Our local news constantly airs stories of heroic fire, EMS, and police! And you are correct in saying that Detroit Cops, Firefighters, and Paramedics are some of the best in the world. No argument there! But to make excuses for illegal activity because of what Detroit's elected officials do, is exactly why the citie's corruption has spread to an all time high! If they can do it, we can do it, attitude is B.S.!

People employed in Public Safety are working for the tax payers, being paid by the tax payers...being trusted by the tax payers. If they do something illegal, it should become breaking news! Again, looking the other way, sweeping it under the rug, is what's wrong with government today, at every level.

[tusker305]

Not making excuses, what these clowns did was wrong and stupid. My problem comes mostly with the local news media. Example; Ladder Company has a mechanical problem enroute to a fire and crashes the truck. How is the story told. "Actions of fire truck driver saves lives" or "Speeding fire truck causes havoc in local neighborhood. Then we interview "witnesses" who say, crazy, out of control, 60 mph, and describe the driver as wreckless. And don't forget to broadcast that the driver has gone to test for drugs and alcohol, but forget to mention that is SOP after a crash. So in the end what people here is Drunk Fireman crashes firetruck,destroys neighborhood, and HURTS PEOPLE. You are right attitude is B.S.! One night, Freezing Cold we were trying to get a dog stranded on the ice in the river.
Cold to the bone when we finally got him. A reporter Cheryl C. asks me "who is protecting the citizens while you guys are doing this" " should peoples taxes pay for things like this." Yup BS For Sure.
Don't get me wrong. I'm (speaking for Public Safety) not looking for a pat on the back. Just stop putting humans in inhumane situations, ignore all the good they do and then crap all over them when they make a mistake.

[MPSCS]

I understand your views. My post was more tongue-in-cheek humor, but maybe is was in poor taste. It wouldn't be the first time. Sorry for taking the thread off topic.