Jack, I remember listening to the city back in the 70's. I often heard the term "Tac Ladder" used. Would this be an instance where the Engine was out and another alarm in the district needing an engine, say, for a trash fire or special assignment came in? Would they then use the Tac and the Ladder, much like the Task Force assignments that came later, and use the Ladder number instead of the engine?
It seems to me those designations were more in North Philly than anywhere else.
[quote name='Dave B.' post='158341' date='Oct 25 2007, 13:42 ']Jack, I remember listening to the city back in the 70's. I often heard the term "Tac Ladder" used. Would this be an instance where the Engine was out and another alarm in the district needing an engine, say, for a trash fire or special assignment came in? Would they then use the Tac and the Ladder, much like the Task Force assignments that came later, and use the Ladder number instead of the engine?
It seems to me those designations were more in North Philly than anywhere else.[/quote]
Dave,
The Tac Ladder was used when the Unit (engine) was out, usually at an extra alarm fire. If a Tac responded on a box that went to an extra alarm, they always tried to get the Tac off the fireground as quickly as possible. This was done so that they could cover their own box alarm territory or be sent to a station where the engine was at the fire and team them up with the ladder. You are correct with regard to the similarity between the Tac Ladder and the Task Forces of the 1990's. Reading the phrase "special assignment" brought back some memories.......
Interesting info on the drivers on the Philadelphia FD. Chicago at one time only had drivers/engineers on the engines. Regular FF's drove the ladder trucks. Thank you for the info on that and the use of the TAC units.
The Tac Ladder was used when the Unit (engine) was out, usually at an extra alarm fire. If a Tac responded on a box that went to an extra alarm, they always tried to get the Tac off the fireground as quickly as possible. This was done so that they could cover their own box alarm territory or be sent to a station where the engine was at the fire and team them up with the ladder. You are correct with regard to the similarity between the Tac Ladder and the Task Forces of the 1990's. Reading the phrase "special assignment" brought back some memories.......
Jack[/quote]
How many times could you hear during a 24 hour period something like "Squrt 8, Snorkle 2, 6th and Chestnut Sts, special assignment on box 1776?" Not being able to monitor the city anymore from Indiana, and not having a digital scanner when I am in the area, how do they dispatch those type of runs now?
[quote name='Dave B.' post='158590' date='Oct 26 2007, 17:52 ']How many times could you hear during a 24 hour period something like "Squrt 8, Snorkle 2, 6th and Chestnut Sts, special assignment on box 1776?" Not being able to monitor the city anymore from Indiana, and not having a digital scanner when I am in the area, how do they dispatch those type of runs now?[/quote]
The special assignments went away when the street boxes were taken out back in the mid 80's. Everything else is still the same as it's always been. They were supposed to change the box numbers to a system where each box began with teh number of the first due engine but that has been put on hold indefinitely. The only different dispatch now is the addition of a SOC company and a ladder as RIT on a working fire.
[quote name='Ladder 68' post='158649' date='Oct 26 2007, 21:09 ']What are the different dispatch assignment for the PFD? And what types of companies are SOC (Spec Ops Command) companies, Squads/Rescue?
Thanks.[/quote]
I'll only give the basic response for structure fires. Providing everything else would take up too much space.
Tactical Box - 2 engines 2 ladders 1 BC - response report of a house fire - can be upgraded to a full box - working fire gets 1 ladder as RIT, SOC company (squad or rescue), 1 medic unit
Box 4 engines 2 ladders 2 BC - response for larger structures, apartment bldgs, etc. - all hands gets 1 ladder as RIT, SOC companies - squad AND rescue, 1 medic unit, Deputy Chief, EMS officer
SOC companies are Squads 47 and 72, Rescue 1, Engine 78 at the Airport, the boats and the Haz Mat unit. Engine 78 does not leave the airport grounds.
Here are the shots as the New boat Named "Independence" arrives on Philadelphia yesterday around 17:30hrs. This is the 1st time in 52 years that the PFD has gotten a new boat. Again this is a PHILLYFIRENEWS.COM EXCLUSIVE.
1st the current fireboat the "Delaware"
Now for the Independence.
Ron Trout
EMT-Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Emergency Transport Team
[quote name='rontroutsa' post='160168' date='Nov 1 2007, 20:13 ']Here are the shots as the New boat Named "Independence" arrives on Philadelphia yesterday around 17:30hrs. This is the 1st time in 52 years that the PFD has gotten a new boat. Again this is a PHILLYFIRENEWS.COM EXCLUSIVE.
1st the current fireboat the "Delaware"
Now for the Independence.
[/quote]
Now that's what I call a wetdown!
Rich Dean, Butler, New Jersey, USA
Member of Kinney Hose Co. 1, Butler Fire Dept. since 1973, Fire Police Officer since 2000
Dispatcher at Butler Police Communications from March 1975 to July 2009
Secretary of North Jersey Volunteer Firemen's Association since 1980
Member of Tri-Boro First Aid Squad (volunteer ems) since 2000 as a driver
Member of many Yahoogroups, owner of some such as:
[post="0"]FirematicEvents Yahoogroup[/post]the place to for listing and discussion of any event by a public safety organization.
[quote name='B95MACKFIRE' post='160256' date='Nov 2 2007, 09:40 ']IT was a joke,worked on the harvey, retired FDNY boat and got asked many times how much water it carries ![/quote]
I guess the correct question would be "How much water carries the boat?"
I think the Delaware River and Bay holds about 68.9 billion gallons of water. I guess you'd only need a hydrant if you ran it into a mud bank. I'd hate to be the pilot explaining that one to the chief!
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