I’ve seen several videos of the FDNY squads going down the street on emergency calls - and it seems like the rear doors are always open. I don’t remember ever seeing this before on the local, similar type rescue squads in Baltimore/Baltimore County MD. Why are the doors left open?
–SMM
Because it isn’t nearly as exciting a video if the doors were closed?
Lots of things you see on videos or TV are not the way it’s actually done.
Are these the kind of units you’re talking about (real life videos, not TV/movies)?
I’m not familiar with FDNY apparatus, but from what I see online, “rescue” and “squad” aren’t the same thing, so I’m not sure what you’re referring to.
This is exactly what I mean. In NY, each borough has one Rescue Squad, and they are called Rescue 1, Rescue 2, etc. I know that Rescue 1 is quartered in Manhattan. My question is why the doors at the rear are always open.
I also know that the FDNY has units called “Squads.” They actually resemble engine companies, and their rigs are modified pumpers. I’m not sure what duties they actually perform. Maybe someone on the boards will be able to answer that as well.
I am unable to answer the question as to why the apparatus have no door on the back. I would think having a door would be much safer and less of a chance for a person falling out, and the time difference for opening the door would be minimal.
Rescue Companies, in most departments, are the most highly trained firefighters, and usually have specialized, in depth training of high angle rescue, shoaring, and confined space rescues.
Watch the first video called special operations command, the other videos are just as interesting, however, that one may specifically answer some of your questions.
The barn they pulled out of answers the question. Those units, because of their size have what looks like a rollup (overhead) door. I would wager the door is powered, but that kind of door will be slower to operate and there is no free swinging door like on our smaller rescue units that must be closed.
The personnel sit (strapped) into jump seats. JMHO
If you look at the video link about the rescue units supplied by binjod, you will see the guys in the back of the rig are standing, moving around, and gathering equipment.
The simple answer is the same as it is for most fire service related questions - because they’ve always done it that way.
The older vehicles that were used for FDNY’s (or anyone else’s for that matter) rescues did not have a good ventilation system in the back, and had a certain “odor” to them. They were also very hot in the summertime. The best ventilation you can get in the box is to open the back door. Thus, the door was essentially never closed. Firefighters don’t change their ways, so the doors still stay open.
On every fire service vehicle I have used that was built since 1992, the truck will tell you that the back (or any other) door is open when the air brake is released, usually with a very loud chime and a large flashing red light over the front window in front of the driver. I’m not sure if such a device is in use on the five FDNY rescues. In most departments, driving with any door open is very much frowned upon.