Cambridge Fire Department's Newest Vehicle, The Gator

These are images of the newest vehicle used by the Cambridge Fire Department for accessing unusual spaces. It is called the Gator, manufactured by John Deere. Here is a link to more details of this six-wheel, four-wheel driven vehicle. It uses a diesel engine. Top speed is 20 mph. Cost about $12,000.

http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US/products/equipment/gator_utility_vehicles/traditional_utility_vehicles/t_series/th_6x4_diesel/th6x4diesel.page?



The John Deere Symbol is in the grille. 


Parked at the fire department headquarters station at Broadway and Cambridge Street


Six wheels, but only the rear four provide momentum 

Cambridge Fire Dept. Saves $500 Million Renovations At Harvard Art Museum

At about 7:00 PM on Thursday June 5, 2014 the fire alarm sounded at the newly renovated ($500 million) Harvard Art Museum, formerly the Fogg Art Museum. Artists in residence were required to evacuate the building, and wait under the direction of the Cambridge Fire Department for the all clear before re-entering the building. Engine 1 responded from the headquarters station one block away. Harvard University's Fire Services Unit was on scene, as well as a Cambridge Police unit. 



Engine 1 parked on Broadway outside of the renovated Harvard Art Museum.


Artists in residence waiting outside for the Fire Department's all clear. 


Harvard University's Fire Safety van parked in the rear of 85 Prescott Street during the fire alert. 


Engine 1 packing up its equipment and getting ready to return to station.


Cambridge Polcie Unit parked at the Fire Headquarters during the museum fire check.

Cambridge MA Taxpayers Contribute to Harvard University FAS Fund Raiser

Harvard University regularly uses city owned land which Harvard University officials call the plaza. On October 23, 2103 Harvard University's development office, added to the usual tent on the overpass, with extensions, and huge heating units, which can be seen in this photo essay. Also seen are Harvard University campus police who do not have legal jurisdiction over non Harvard University property. 

Cambridge City officials usually look the other way when Harvard University officials abuse their powers. But the city cannot extend the jurisdiction of private police which derives from a state statute. James Q. Wilson died in 2012 at 80. He originated the broken windows theory of policing which dramatically reduced serious crime in New York City by addressing minor crimes. If that method is applied to police, politicians and Harvard University officials the question arises what serious crimes are being ignored by ignoring minor crimes, and malfeasance, like HUPD policing without jurisdiction, fund raising on city owned land?

These images also show the large structure makes it impossible for emergency fire and police vehicles to get through on the overpass.

It is common  knowledge that local, state and US laws, especially inconvenient laws are optional in Cambridge especially for Harvard officials. See also

http://enoughroomvideo.blogspot.com/2013/10/boston-mayor-will-work-at-harvard.html

the potential conflict of interest which was noted if Boston Mayor Thomas Menino took a job at Harvard. But the Cambridge City Manager, for 31 years,  Robert Healy  is, (and other former Cambridge Mayors are) employed at Harvard University with the same alleged conflicts.

Images captured on Friday, October 25, 2013 at about 4:30 PM, by Roy Bercaw.

[From article]
The festivities will begin Friday evening with an invitation-only reception in Annenberg Hall, followed by a dinner in the Science Center Plaza. Saturday’s program will begin early with an 8 a.m. breakfast in the Plaza[. . .]
Saturday’s speeches, [. . .] will be followed by a luncheon in the Science Center Plaza

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/10/24/donors-descend-campaign-launch/

Donors Descend on Cambridge for FAS Campaign Launch
By MATTHEW Q. CLARIDA and NICHOLAS P. FANDOS,

Harvard CRIMSON STAFF WRITERSOctober 23, 2013


The monster tent erected on city land for the fund raising event for Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences on Friday, October 25, 2013.


Audio men preparing the equipment on the overpass.


Two Harvard University Campus police officers scanning the pedestrians and guarding the tent on city land. HUPD's jurisdiction ends at the university's property line according to state statute. The City government which enjoys doing favors for Harvard University cannot extend that jurisdiction. So what are HUPD campus officers doing on city land? Why aren't Cambridge police being paid for details? 


Hard to get a perspective on the enormity of this structure from ground level. 


One of six heating and cooling units for this tent.


These dials show the units can both heat and cool the tent.


Here's a side view of the heating unit in the narrow passageway left for pedestrians. 


Here's a view of the narrow passageway for a bicycle and pedestrians on city owned land.


HUPD campus officer turns away to hide his face.


You can see heavy glass doors for this tent just to the left of the man with the red cap. 


There is no passage at the west end of the overpass. Equipment and trucks block pedestrian passage. No way for emergency vehicles either. 


On the right of this image is the concrete barrier at the west end of the overpass. Fire and police vehicles cannot get through this end or on either side of the tent. Was this structure approved by any city or state safety agency? Looks like it was designed to permit the highest number of potential donors into the tent.


This shows how wide this structure is. HUPD officer hiding-his face can be see at top left of this image. 


These eight speakers will be used to broadcast the music from inside the tent to attract donors. 


Entrance to the tent which has a large screen almost the length of the tent divided into three screens for video during the fund raiser. There is a stage for the orchestra, the Mariachi band, and tables with chairs for the donors. 


This is a light structure for musicians outside of the tent continuing the mood as donors enter and leave the main event tent. Memorial Hall can be seen in the top right of this image. 


Looking west along the south side of this structure. On the left, about half way up in this image can be seen the covers for the electrical cables. Beyond that emergency vehicles cannot pass. Is this a potential fire hazard? 


This image is toward the science center of the east side of the structure. 


Another heating unit with equipment for the fund raiser. 


And another heating unit. 


Looking along the south side of the structure. Memorial Hall is in the center top. 


Harvard University moved the replacement temporary affordable housing plants for the local rodent population which resides on the overpass, city land.   


Concrete barrier at west end of the overpass, with truck and equipment blocking passage for pedestrians. 


Another view of the tent, affordable rodent housing and the Science Center in the top left of the image. 


Same view, images with length of south side of the tent.

Cambridge Fire Department Protects Harvard

In these images were captured on June 29, 2012 at Peabody Terrace,  a Harvard University graduate dorm in Cambridge MA. Harvard University police demand exclusive jurisdiction on Harvard property contrary to law. But when important events occur they need to call professionals to get the job done. Here HUPD arrived after the Cambridge Fire Department which responded to a call for help from residents of Peabody Terrace. Reports that the feared dangers were from bed bugs could not be verified.

Cambridge Fire Department Connection Hidden

Cambridge Fire Department connection at 387 Western Avenue is covered with bushes. The sign indicating its location is barely visible.

Cambridge Building hats

Memorial Hall's Top Hat Rests on Cambridge Rindge School of Technical Arts Building on Broadway


Memorial Hall and Cambridge Fire Department's Headquarters' Top Hats Peek From
The Roof of the Fire Department

Cambridge Water Main Break June 4, 2011

Saturday night June 4, 2011 a 30-inch water main broke on Broadway at Trowbridge Street in Cambridge MA. These images were captured at 6:30 AM Sunday June 5, 2011, as the clean-up began. Cambridge DPW employees were still working in the large hole dug to fix the water pipe. Also on site were Cambridge Water Department, Cambridge Police, Cambridge Fire Department and Mass Water Resources Authority. The private street cleaning service was present and began cleaning the two-inch deep mud from the sidewalk in front of the Library. The walk to the library front door was covered with mud to within 50 feet of the front entrance. The levee built to stop water from flowing into the parking garage under the library held. City officials reportedly expect to restore full water pressure by noon on Sunday June 5, 2011. A week later the hole was filled in, the pipe was repaired and the sidewalk was cleaned of mud.

Cambridge Police at Broadway and Ware Street



Street Cleaner Beginning on Sidewalk in Front of Library



The Levee Protecting The Library Garage



Hole in Street Opened to Repair Broken Water Pipe



Hole in Street Opened to Repair Broken Water Pipe



Pieces of Sidewalk Removed to Dig Bigger Hole



Angelo's Pizza Was Closed on Sunday Morning



One Piece of Construction Equipment



Brand New DPW Truck



Cambridge Water Department Automobile



Mud on Front Walk of Main Library



Cambridge Vehicles. Mud is Visible on Street and Sidewalk



Cambridge Police Traffic Van on Broadway



Cambridge Fire Department SUV



Cambridge Police at Broadway and Ellery Street



Street Sweeper Just Arriving



Water Pumps Still Working in Hole



Pumping Water and Scooping Dirt



Working With No Pizza



Mud Covers Some Crosswalk Stripes



Mud On Sidewalk



Big Foot Prints in Mud; Great Crime Scene



Mud Waves on Sidewalk



The Library Garage Levee




Sidewalk to Library Front Entrance All Cleaned Up



Temporary Fix to Hole Opened to Repair Water Pipe



Hole Filled in After Repairing Water Pipe



Hole Extended From Street Onto Sidewalk



Temporary Fix to Hole At Trowbridge Street and Broadway