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 Yonkers, NY - Brightly polished and proudly displaying the "Y.F.D." decal, two new heavy duty rigs were officially unveiled as the newest additions to the Yonkers Fire Department (YFD) at a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon attended by the department's top brass including Fire Commissioner Tony Pagano and Mayor Phil Amicone.
The new rigs include a state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center that will coordinate inter-agency responses and communications efforts during large scale emergencies and a mobile "Fireblast" Training Simulator that is able to place firefighters in "live burn" scenarios during training sessions.
"Our fire department is one of the best trained and most responsive in the entire country," remarked Mayor Amicone, noting the YFD's second-fastest response time rating among major departments in the United States. "Yonkers' bravest deserve the best training and equipment available. These new state-of- the-art vehicles are only part of our commitment to those who've committed their lives to protecting others."
Fire Commissioner Tony Pagano added, "Firefighting ranks as the most dangerous profession in the country. That's why it's our responsibility to give our men top notch communications and training equipment that will enable them to fight fires more effectively and ultimately save lives."
The commissioner noted that inadequate communications systems were one of the major problems encountered by emergency workers during the 9/11 terrorist attack in Lower Manhattan. The Mobile Command Center will prevent such problems from occurring during emergencies in Yonkers as it has the ability to broadcast real time satellite signals back to the Emergency Operations Center from the field.
Details on each rig including capabilities, cost and funding are as follows.
Mobile Command Center
Cost: $520,000
Funding Source: City of Yonkers 2007 Capital Improvement Program
Manufacturer: MBF Industries, Sanford, Florida
Website: www.mbfindustries.com
Description:
This state-of-the-art mobile facility will enable the Yonkers Fire Department to coordinate multi-agency responses to emergencies such as major fires, industrial disasters, weather events or possible terrorist attacks. The onboard communications system facilitates real time satellite communications with the City of Yonkers Emergency Operations Center and equips emergency workers with multiple redundant apparatuses for in-filed communications.
There is no other mobile asset within the City of Yonkers that provides the combined capabilities found within this unit, which will serve as an asset for all emergency response agencies within the city in the event of a large scale emergency.
Capabilities:
-Dispatch Center - Serve as a backup dispatch for FD Operations utilizing standard phone lines or satellite receiver - can accommodate up to 4 dispatchers
-Field Command - for large scale emergencies or pre- planned events. Provide multi-media conference room for key personnel to meet on the scene
-Stream Video to the Internet - Audio/video can be streamed to the internet from any of the onboard sources. (Mast Camera, Microwave receiver, Specialty Cameras) MIS will set up a shortcut on specified computers to this link, e.g. Mayors Office, EOC, Commissioners Office
-Interoperable Communications - Utilizing the ACU - Mini can create up to three separate talk groups or seamlessly connect up to 6 separate frequencies. (Fire, Police, EMS, OEM, Hospitals)
-Provide redundant Command & Control Operations - Utilizing the latest in satellite & cellular technology with its on board generator can operate totally independent from outside support or can be supported by hardwired phone, data and electrical services or any combination
-Receive transmissions from County Police or other helicopter video sources - utilizing the microwave receiver can provide on scene images from helicopter
Equipment:
40" Plasma w/ Smart Board overlay; 32" LED (2); On Air TV Antenna; DSS Satellite receiver (2); Tracstar satellite system; Microwave receiver; 8 Voice over IP Satellite phones; 2 Tellular modems; DVD Player; DVR/VCR Recorder; 42' Mast w/ PTZ Camera Interoperable Gateway; ACU-mini; 4 - Work station - computers & radios; On Spot chains; 3 slide outs modules; 20 KW Generator; Shore power connection; 30 AMP Nite service connections; I/O Panel - HazMat Entry Link RX; Night Scan - Light Tower; Weather Station.
Fireblast Training Simulator
Cost: $400,000
Funding Source: FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Federal Grant
Manufacturer: Fireblast
Website: www.fireblast.com
Description:
This mobile unit will provide Yonkers firefighters with a mobile training environment to practice live burn drills, an ability that was previously unavailable to the YFD.
Capabilities:
-Flashover/rollover recognition and prevention training
-Interior fire attack
-Exterior fire attack
-Direct and indirect attack
-Fire behavior
-Search and rescue
-Vertical and horizontal ventilation
-Basement fire with staircase access
-Firefighter "Get Out Alive" Training
- Vertical confined space training
-Thermal Imaging camera training
Features:
-Portable 53' semi trailer
-On-board Propane supply (160 gal liquid)
-On-board generator and smoke machine
-Two burners
-Flashover/Rollover Simulation burner with integrated ignition system
-Multiple room configuration
-Basement Prop (below grade fire attack)
-Roof top ventilation prop
-Roof top safety railings
-Operator control room with observation
-Automated controls with touch screen (human interface touch panel)
-Color screen with data tracking and gas / temperature monitoring
-Operator controlled flame height and extinguishment with three flame modes
-Safety Interlocks
-Pneumatically raised roof prop with two positions
-Heavy duty OSHA compliant railings and stairs
-Automatic shut down
-Thermal Imaging Camera compatible
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