Firefighters on Motorcycle?? SWEET

checho323 · September 24th, 2012, 09:39 AM

Here's the article from the LA Times:

Los Angeles firefighters test motorcycle response unit
September 24, 2012 | 6:23 am

Los Angeles firefighters are testing a two-wheeled way to respond to incidents in the traffic-snarled city: motorcycles.

The Los Angeles Fire Department's pilot motorcycle response team is a five-man unit being used to speed to the side of an injured victim, provide information to dispatchers and skirt traffic to scout fires and other problems.

The unit first rode during last year's "Carmageddon" closure of the 405 Freeway, and its next deployment is to take place during a follow-up closure this weekend, when workers will demolish the other half of the Mulholland Drive bridge overhead.

Fire departments serving traffic-snarled cities around the nation have adopted similar motorcycle teams to improve response times, staff special events and, in some cases, save lives and resources. As the L.A. Fire Department faces budget cuts and intense scrutiny over response times that lag behind national standards, some believe that a motorcycle unit could help the department.

The pilot unit features five off-road-capable motorcycles on loan from the Kawasaki Motor Corp. Each bike retails for about $6,300 and is outfitted with a defibrillator, a small fire extinguisher, various medical supplies and a handlebar-mounted GPS system. A dozen firefighters have undergone the necessary training, and a permanent unit could have up to 10 motorcycles and 28 riders, said Capt. Craig White, who first proposed the unit to the department.

White said he'd thought about creating a motorcycle unit for years, and last year's 405 closure -- shutting down 10 miles of one of the nation's busiest freeways -- presented the ideal test. The department already had a bicycle medic unit for events such as the L.A. Marathon.

Though the nightmare Carmageddon traffic jams that officials feared never materialized, the motorcycle unit had an opportunity to show what it could do earlier this month.
As a 70-acre brush fire stopped traffic on the 405 and caused the evacuation of the Getty Center, firefighter Greg Pascola and his partner reached the command post within three minutes -- even before helicopters could reach the site. They were handed radios and began to map the blaze, weaving between cars, hopping sidewalks and navigating narrow, curving mountain roads.

"At the time, we were the only ones out there to scout," Pascola said.

LAFD Chief Brian Cummings said motorcycles could be "one of the solutions" the department considers for improving response times.

"Do I see the motorcycles supplanting larger vehicles? No. There's always going to be a need to bring heavy equipment and large numbers of individuals," Cummings said. "They each have a role. They're each tools in the toolbox."

White, a motorcycle enthusiast since high school, said the unit's biggest selling point is its flexibility.

"Right now," he said, "we just want to see what we can do with them."

CThunder-blue · September 24th, 2012, 12:37 PM

That's awesome!

Reswob · September 24th, 2012, 12:48 PM

So who's taking bets on which bike they're using? The KLR 650 has a $6,500 MSRP, that's the closest I could find.

lgk · September 24th, 2012, 01:09 PM

Both the klr and ninja 650 would be good for this role.

CThunder-blue · September 24th, 2012, 01:14 PM

Probably the KLR since they mentioned the bikes are dual sports.

Jono · September 24th, 2012, 01:30 PM

KLR650 yo!

http://www.firehouse.com/news/107838...-to-ride-again

lgk · September 24th, 2012, 01:34 PM

skimmed too fast...

it appears that it is the klr.
good choice.

now if they had a kick start it would be awesome.

CC Cowboy · September 24th, 2012, 05:25 PM

Daytona has been using motorcycles in the fire department for years.

lostdaemon · September 24th, 2012, 05:45 PM

The KLR is a much better option given the dismal condition of the roads here in LA

I'm all for more bikes and less cars in this city!

Little Green Machine · September 24th, 2012, 05:53 PM

It figures that they would use Motorcycles to save Cagers doesn't it? Too bad the Cagers will never return the love!

CThunder-blue · September 25th, 2012, 07:16 AM

I doubt it matters to them who is driving what. I'm sure if it was your family member who was trapped in a car, you would be happy for the quick assistance. Why the hate for people who drive cars?

mustang5.0 · September 25th, 2012, 01:35 PM

i would totally do that.. but my wife would let me become a firefighter

arnoldc6 · September 25th, 2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang5.0

i would totally do that.. but my wife would let me become a firefighter

you mean wouldn't?
Sounds like you need a new wife...take mine
Mint condition, average mileage

IdRatherDrum · September 25th, 2012, 09:31 PM

Sounds awesome. Hopefully I can see them in my area.

mustang5.0 · September 26th, 2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldc6

you mean wouldn't?
Sounds like you need a new wife...take mine
Mint condition, average mileage

you are correct sir!!!
the one i have now is mint condition, very low mileage and will turn a large profit over a small investment.. ( shes still in school)

thanks for the offer.. will still consider adding to my fleet

her father is a firefighter that was in 9/11

September 24th, 2012, 09:39 AM	#1
checho323 ninjette.org guru Name: Checho Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Harley Street 750 Posts: 284	Firefighters on Motorcycle?? SWEET Here's the article from the LA Times: Los Angeles firefighters test motorcycle response unit September 24, 2012 \| 6:23 am Los Angeles firefighters are testing a two-wheeled way to respond to incidents in the traffic-snarled city: motorcycles. The Los Angeles Fire Department's pilot motorcycle response team is a five-man unit being used to speed to the side of an injured victim, provide information to dispatchers and skirt traffic to scout fires and other problems. The unit first rode during last year's "Carmageddon" closure of the 405 Freeway, and its next deployment is to take place during a follow-up closure this weekend, when workers will demolish the other half of the Mulholland Drive bridge overhead. Fire departments serving traffic-snarled cities around the nation have adopted similar motorcycle teams to improve response times, staff special events and, in some cases, save lives and resources. As the L.A. Fire Department faces budget cuts and intense scrutiny over response times that lag behind national standards, some believe that a motorcycle unit could help the department. The pilot unit features five off-road-capable motorcycles on loan from the Kawasaki Motor Corp. Each bike retails for about $6,300 and is outfitted with a defibrillator, a small fire extinguisher, various medical supplies and a handlebar-mounted GPS system. A dozen firefighters have undergone the necessary training, and a permanent unit could have up to 10 motorcycles and 28 riders, said Capt. Craig White, who first proposed the unit to the department. White said he'd thought about creating a motorcycle unit for years, and last year's 405 closure -- shutting down 10 miles of one of the nation's busiest freeways -- presented the ideal test. The department already had a bicycle medic unit for events such as the L.A. Marathon. Though the nightmare Carmageddon traffic jams that officials feared never materialized, the motorcycle unit had an opportunity to show what it could do earlier this month. As a 70-acre brush fire stopped traffic on the 405 and caused the evacuation of the Getty Center, firefighter Greg Pascola and his partner reached the command post within three minutes -- even before helicopters could reach the site. They were handed radios and began to map the blaze, weaving between cars, hopping sidewalks and navigating narrow, curving mountain roads. "At the time, we were the only ones out there to scout," Pascola said. LAFD Chief Brian Cummings said motorcycles could be "one of the solutions" the department considers for improving response times. "Do I see the motorcycles supplanting larger vehicles? No. There's always going to be a need to bring heavy equipment and large numbers of individuals," Cummings said. "They each have a role. They're each tools in the toolbox." White, a motorcycle enthusiast since high school, said the unit's biggest selling point is its flexibility. "Right now," he said, "we just want to see what we can do with them."

September 24th, 2012, 12:37 PM	#2
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	That's awesome! __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

September 24th, 2012, 12:48 PM	#3
Reswob ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Richmond VA Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black Posts: 627	So who's taking bets on which bike they're using? The KLR 650 has a $6,500 MSRP, that's the closest I could find. __________________________________________________ '08 Bonneville Black sold->'08 Ninja 250R \| OES Swingarm Spools \| EBC HH brake pads \| reflector delete \| no-cut brake light modulator \| DIY fender eliminator

September 24th, 2012, 01:09 PM	#4
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	Both the klr and ninja 650 would be good for this role. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

September 24th, 2012, 01:14 PM	#5
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	Probably the KLR since they mentioned the bikes are dual sports. __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

September 24th, 2012, 01:30 PM	#6
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	KLR650 yo! http://www.firehouse.com/news/107838...-to-ride-again

September 24th, 2012, 01:34 PM	#7
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	skimmed too fast... it appears that it is the klr. good choice. now if they had a kick start it would be awesome. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

September 24th, 2012, 05:25 PM	#8
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Daytona has been using motorcycles in the fire department for years. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

September 24th, 2012, 05:45 PM	#9
lostdaemon ninjette.org member Name: Mar Location: Los Angeles Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninjette Posts: 150	The KLR is a much better option given the dismal condition of the roads here in LA I'm all for more bikes and less cars in this city!

September 24th, 2012, 05:53 PM	#10
Little Green Machine Love my kittehs! Name: Bill Location: San Tan Valley, AZ Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 266	It figures that they would use Motorcycles to save Cagers doesn't it? Too bad the Cagers will never return the love! __________________________________________________ Do you play on XBL? Do you play Halo 4 or COD Black Ops 2? PM me and I will give you my gamertag!

September 25th, 2012, 07:16 AM	#11
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	I doubt it matters to them who is driving what. I'm sure if it was your family member who was trapped in a car, you would be happy for the quick assistance. Why the hate for people who drive cars? __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

September 25th, 2012, 01:35 PM	#12
mustang5.0 ninjette.org guru Name: E Location: 818 but i rep 516/631/718 Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 GIXXER 600 Posts: 381	i would totally do that.. but my wife would let me become a firefighter __________________________________________________ "You see it's not the blood you spill that gets you what you want. It's the blood you share, your family, your friendships, your community. These are the most valuable things a man could have."

September 25th, 2012, 09:31 PM	#14
IdRatherDrum ninjette.org member Name: Chase Location: California Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 225	Sounds awesome. Hopefully I can see them in my area.

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