Automobiles are considered Antique if 25 years or older. Many of the ones you see at car shows are bright and shiny - beautifully preserved. They are brought out for shows but seldom used for demanding driving duties.
Last week, in the Republican American we read about such a vehicle - beautifully maintained - where the wheel fell off on the road.
I think we all would agree that for out family vehicles we would want to have them be as new as possible for demanding use on the highway with family and children. We certainly would not want our primary vehicle to be over 20 years old, no matter how well maintained or shiny it was.
How is emergency fire equipment any different?
That's why we have a vehicle replacement plan for such equipment. What happened to Middlebury's plan? I'll tell you. Doctor Edward B. St. John personally scuttled that plan. Plenty of money for new pinstriped green trucks to bring gravel to build cluster housing, but nothing for the fire department.
Don't blame Paul Perrotti for playing politics. Paul was asked to produce a vehicle replacement plan. He did it. He's championed it year after year. And year after year he has been derailed by Ed or his cronies.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A Message From "Taxpayer"
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12 comments:
Fire trucks sit in a garage 95% of the time. Cars are used everyday extensively.
Fire extinguishers sit on the wall 99.999% of the time. If you look at the side of the extinguisher you will see that it needs to be tested yearly and replaced after 10 years.
Or would you rather take a chance?
As ridiculous as this sounds, I think that the MVFD has done itself a disservice by keeping the fire equipment in "show condition".
Enlightened educated people know that equipment gets old and needs to be replaced. Educated people use the standards of the industry as a guide to equipment maintenance and replacement.
But the ignorant followers of ourmoneypit don't see anything beyond anger. They do not understand that volunteer firemen take pride in keeping the equipment in perfect condition. It is a foreign concept to such cretins who prefer to piss on anything they do not understand.
I'm not suggesting that the MVFD should change their behavior. Hell no. The pride and esprit de corps of the MVFD is an inspirational model and one of the fine things of our small town. If some of the Middlebury neanderthals don't understand - maybe it's time for their remediation. I've got a few suggestions for my next post.
Im waiting for your next post
I suggest the Judas Cradle for Remediation
The person is hung by an iron belt surrounding his upper waist, he is bound hand and foot, his legs are kept slightly open by a stick in such a way that he can only move them at the same time. He is hoisted over a pointed pyramid put on top of a rack. His legs are stretched out frontwards and joined with a rope at his ankles. The person is lowered onto the pyramid point that penetrates into the anus or vagina. Thus the victim, with his muscles contracted, cannot relax and fall asleep.
This seems to be the kind of remediation needed for followers of ourmoneypit. It comes from the Spanish Inquisition, in which it was quite effective.
I like your style
In today's Republican American there was a story about a well maintained Harley going strong after 60 years.
If one person can keep a motorcycle reliably running for 60 years, why can't the MVFD, with all its members, able to keep fire trucks going for 60 years? It's just a matter of proper maintenance.
While your statement is fundamentally true, there is a major fault with the arguement. Yes the trucks can be kept in top notch shape for use as an automobile, and win awards at car shows nad thigns of that nature, however there are safety issues at stake.
The firetrucks we have now are not crash tested with the exception of Truck 1 (1999) and probably Engine 6 (1995). What this means is that there are only seatbelts and thinly padded metal to protect us in an accident. There are only lap belts to restrain us in accidents, which means our entire upper bodies can be wrenched around in a collision causing serious if not fatal injuries.
Secondly, a tremendous amount of stress is endured on these vehicles for long periods of time. When the pump is engaged the engine could be running at 3000 RPM constantly (not like a car or motorcycle driving where the rpm will fluctuate).
Lastly, what was the total cost of maintaining the motorcyle. How much was poured into it to keep it in top notch shape. Eventually a cost benefit analysis has to be doen, in this case the cost or keepign these trucks in service far outweighs the cost of erpairing them.
If any town should have a fleet of antique fire trucks it should be Woodbury, "the antique capital of Connecticut."
Imagine what your fire insurance (part of your required homeowners insurance) will be when the underwriters find out that Middlebury isn't replacing old equipment. Your policy rates factors such as distance from hydrant, distance from fire station, and rating of your fire department. A lower ranking means your insurance rate goes up.
Save on taxes, pay more for insurance. Let Woodbury have the antiques. Middlebury should have reasonably modern equipment.
oh stop.....Homeowners Insurance has nothing to do with any towns equipment.
Greenwich has the same rate as Woodbury (foe fire insurance)
You ignoramus.
Woodbury is not trying to use antique fire trucks. That is the point.
Even an ignoramus should be able to understand this article on Risk Ratings.
Sip some more of that kool-aid. You are so delusional. If Deangelis says it, you believe it? Idiot!
"oh stop.....Homeowners Insurance has nothing to do with any towns equipment.
Greenwich has the same rate as Woodbury (foe fire insurance)"
This is about the most ignorant statement I have ever seen. It has EVERYTHING to do with equipment. Just go to Hartford or Milford, which are both Class 1 fire departments. They have the lowest premiums for fire insurance, both homeowners and business. Again, find out the FACTS before you make a silly-ass staement like this.........
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