New Haven Fire Department

[izzyj4]

I am sure John Gustafson loved hearing 1 Alpha Truck 2 calling on that number.... He came up with 1 Alpha 18 & 1 Alpha 19 for the Squads (1 & 2 respectively)...Because the original plans were different.... On most of the portables their channel 4 is channel 2 talk-around (F-G Direct). The main sets has the code plug programmed that reflects the RR Database but the portables still have channel 1 talk around on channel 3 position & the aforementioned channel 2 talk around on the 4 position. One time, Pudge (RIP) gave me a phone number that was area code 535 & I cannot remember the rest of the number that translated to 911 in the PsAp across the hall from you.

I was there when Johnny G came up with 1-A-18 & 1-A-19, actually was a good idea. Kinda like 1A14 for Engine 4 back in the day. But it was so simple Squad 1 was quartered with Engine 8, hence 18, and Squad 2 was quartered with Engine 9, hence that & so simple. Thanks for the info on the radios, wasn't sure how the were set up.

Good ol' Pudge, glad I got to meet him before I started working down there. I can't remember the number either, I think its in "The Book" which a certain long time dispatcher / union steward has in her possession now.

I was "296" by the way.

Are all the guys assigned to Squads 1 and 2 working on Rescue 1? Seems like too many guys for one truck. Also during the Yale/ Harvard game NHFD was using 853.4125 Special Hazards Team Channel as their command channel. It was very active.

No, Rescue 1 is staffed with Squad 1's personnel (1 officer & 4 firefighters) per shift out of Whitney Ave quartered with Engine 8. Squad 2's personnel are staffing Emergency 3 (2 firefighters, one of which is a paramedic) out of Ellsworth Station with Engine 9 and the Officer & 1 firefighter are cross - staffing the SOC units (rehab or prime mover I believe) and HazMat 1 out of Central station (Grand Ave).

What is an SOC?

"Special Operations Command" - new rescue / special hazards service designation so to speak.

I know Squads 1 and 2 were also pumpers. Does Rescue 1 have any pumping capabilities. Doesn't look like it from the photos I've seen. I can only imagine what this vehicle cost the city.

Rescue 1 is a straight heavy rescue, no pump or water. Rumor has it that Engine 8 maybe getting Squad 2's 2011 Pierce Arrow XT rescue pumper to replace their Quantum engine (last one in front line service). Stand by to stand by on that one. They also changed the first alarm running rules. Initial Box alarm (first alarm / Signal 21) gets 3 engines, 2 trucks, rescue 1, and 1 Emergency unit. A working fire (Signal 73) gets a 4th engine company and the SOC added to the assignment. I think I have that right, or at least that is how I heard the response to the Quinnipiac Ave job the other day. I know a 2nd alarm gets two additional engines, Third alarm I believe is and engine & truck with mutual aid coming in to back up the stations and remaining NHFD units which get relocated to other stations. I think the third alarm or fourth alarm generates the duty call back. I'll double check it to make sure.

 

[leadjammer]

I was there when Johnny G came up with 1-A-18 & 1-A-19, actually was a good idea. Kinda like 1A14 for Engine 4 back in the day. But it was so simple Squad 1 was quartered with Engine 8, hence 18, and Squad 2 was quartered with Engine 9, hence that & so simple. Thanks for the info on the radios, wasn't sure how the were set up.

Good ol' Pudge, glad I got to meet him before I started working down there. I can't remember the number either, I think its in "The Book" which a certain long time dispatcher / union steward has in her possession now.

I was "296" by the way.



No, Rescue 1 is staffed with Squad 1's personnel (1 officer & 4 firefighters) per shift out of Whitney Ave quartered with Engine 8. Squad 2's personnel are staffing Emergency 3 (2 firefighters, one of which is a paramedic) out of Ellsworth Station with Engine 9 and the Officer & 1 firefighter are cross - staffing the SOC units (rehab or prime mover I believe) and HazMat 1 out of Central station (Grand Ave).



"Special Operations Command" - new rescue / special hazards service designation so to speak.



Rescue 1 is a straight heavy rescue, no pump or water. Rumor has it that Engine 8 maybe getting Squad 2's 2011 Pierce Arrow XT rescue pumper to replace their Quantum engine (last one in front line service). Stand by to stand by on that one. They also changed the first alarm running rules. Initial Box alarm (first alarm / Signal 21) gets 3 engines, 2 trucks, rescue 1, and 1 Emergency unit. A working fire (Signal 73) gets a 4th engine company and the SOC added to the assignment. I think I have that right, or at least that is how I heard the response to the Quinnipiac Ave job the other day. I know a 2nd alarm gets two additional engines, Third alarm I believe is and engine & truck with mutual aid coming in to back up the stations and remaining NHFD units which get relocated to other stations. I think the third alarm or fourth alarm generates the duty call back. I'll double check it to make sure.

Thanks for all that info. Up until recently a second alarm had two engines and a truck but since two truck companies are responding on the 1st alarm the second truck is already on scene.

 

[CentracomGold]

Thanks for all that info. Up until recently a second alarm had two engines and a truck but since two truck companies are responding on the 1st alarm the second truck is already on scene.

Yes, for the 2nd alarm the correct response are two engines & NO TRUCK plus the administrative support (Car 37, 38, 39, EMS-5, 50, 51, Safety Officers, Packs/Bottles etc & "Field Marshal"Fontana with the media of course) but since dispatch has gone to hell its really a pick-em. (New Haven PSAP leads state in erroneous dispatches BY A LARGE MARGIN), The proper dispatch is 2 trucks on every box & now two engines for each additional alarm. with a 3rd alarm getting the opposite Battalion Chief & Truck also. The 4th Alarm also fills out with additional Emergency Unit & the last truck & the off shift is called in for overtime (at least to fill 1 battalion chief, at least 2 Engines & 1 truck) with Mutual Aid pact is set up Hamden (at either 6's or 8's), East Haven (at 4's or 5's), North Haven (always at 10's) & West Haven (at 9, or 11).

 

[leadjammer]

Heard traffic on NHFD Channel 4 for the first time today. During a working fire in Fair Haven another box came in and all responding units were switched to channel 4.