FDVA356

They should also not have car seats in them !!!

It's abuse and a waste of tax payer $$$. Districts/Depts. need better accountability and with that restrictions. It's issued for business and this shouldn't be mistaken with personal business.

It's abuse and a waste of tax payer $$$. Districts/Depts. need better accountability and with that restrictions. It's issued for business and this shouldn't be mistaken with personal business.

It's abuse and a waste of tax payer $$$. Districts/Depts. need better accountability and with that restrictions. It's issued for business and this shouldn't be mistaken with personal business.

As of Monday, November 5, 2012 a crew from the Montrose and Castle Point VA FD's were deployed under the OFPC EOC requests. The crew of 5 Hazardous Material Technician's (split between both dept's to ensure adequate station coverage), deployed this am at 0600hrs for the Nassau County staging area. As of right now, the assignment is for DECON Operations for other Hazardous Materials Teams operating in the effected area's. At this time, both campuses are maintaining staffing without compromising normalcy at both campuses. Be safe and the VAFD's from CPFD/Montrose are glad to be able to assist in this time of need.
AC Ferguson: Montrose VAFD
"Protecting Those Who Served"

As of Monday, November 5, 2012 a crew from the Montrose and Castle Point VA FD's were deployed under the OFPC EOC requests. The crew of 5 Hazardous Material Technician's (split between both dept's to ensure adequate station coverage), deployed this am at 0600hrs for the Nassau County staging area. As of right now, the assignment is for DECON Operations for other Hazardous Materials Teams operating in the effected area's. At this time, both campuses are maintaining staffing without compromising normalcy at both campuses. Be safe and the VAFD's from CPFD/Montrose are glad to be able to assist in this time of need.
AC Ferguson: Montrose VAFD
"Protecting Those Who Served"

As of Monday, November 5, 2012 a crew from the Montrose and Castle Point VA FD's were deployed under the OFPC EOC requests. The crew of 5 Hazardous Material Technician's (split between both dept's to ensure adequate station coverage), deployed this am at 0600hrs for the Nassau County staging area. As of right now, the assignment is for DECON Operations for other Hazardous Materials Teams operating in the effected area's. At this time, both campuses are maintaining staffing without compromising normalcy at both campuses. Be safe and the VAFD's from CPFD/Montrose are glad to be able to assist in this time of need.
AC Ferguson: Montrose VAFD
"Protecting Those Who Served"

Yonkers Fire has a ladder company (Spare L-78) with a full crew (Officer and 3 FF) plus a Battalion Chief and Aide in Nassau, I believe in Baldwin. They are returning tomorrow at 0800 after a 72 hour deployment.
YFD Mobile Command has been in Citi Field, with 2 of our SOC members, for the last several days. It is expected to be there for a long time. It is being heavily utilized by various OEM / FEMA, etc.
We also have a Haz-Mat Task Force operating in Suffolk County out of the Islip Airport alongside a career FD Haz-Mat team there.It consists of 2 YFD Battalion Chiefs, and approximately 4 YFD Company Officers, and 15 or so YFD Firefighters, as well as 1 Officer and 3 Firefighters from Hartsdale Fire, and 1 Officer and 6 Firefighters from Greenville Fire. All or most of these members have been trained to the Haz-Mat Tech level, and some to Haz-Mat Specialist level.They finish their 72 hours tomorrow evening I believe. They have been doing a very significant amount of work, the details of which I do not have. Suffice to say that local opinion has been very positive and they have been requested to extend their deployment for at least 72 more hours.
However, in light of the coming Nor-Easter, our exhausted personnel as a result of the Hurricane Sandy mitigation- preparation- response, and recovery efforts in Yonkers, and the recovery work on Long Island, and our very undermanned department (40+ members under authorized strength due to a delayed class hiring), we have declined the request to extend the Haz Mat Task Force deployment. We will see what effect the coming storm has, and if still requested, and able, we will redeploy another Haz Mat Group.
This is a horrible situation for so many, but it is nice to see how readily most First Responders as well civilians give of their time, effort, and money to attempt to ease the suffering and return us all to some sense of normalcy.
Once again, I could not be more proud of my YFD brothers, many of whom suffered damage to their own homes, as well as extended loss of electricity, yet continued to rise to the challenge and performed admirably during the many events of this last week.

As of Monday, November 5, 2012 a crew from the Montrose and Castle Point VA FD's were deployed under the OFPC EOC requests. The crew of 5 Hazardous Material Technician's (split between both dept's to ensure adequate station coverage), deployed this am at 0600hrs for the Nassau County staging area. As of right now, the assignment is for DECON Operations for other Hazardous Materials Teams operating in the effected area's. At this time, both campuses are maintaining staffing without compromising normalcy at both campuses. Be safe and the VAFD's from CPFD/Montrose are glad to be able to assist in this time of need.
AC Ferguson: Montrose VAFD
"Protecting Those Who Served"

As of Monday, November 5, 2012 a crew from the Montrose and Castle Point VA FD's were deployed under the OFPC EOC requests. The crew of 5 Hazardous Material Technician's (split between both dept's to ensure adequate station coverage), deployed this am at 0600hrs for the Nassau County staging area. As of right now, the assignment is for DECON Operations for other Hazardous Materials Teams operating in the effected area's. At this time, both campuses are maintaining staffing without compromising normalcy at both campuses. Be safe and the VAFD's from CPFD/Montrose are glad to be able to assist in this time of need.
AC Ferguson: Montrose VAFD
"Protecting Those Who Served"

As of Monday, November 5, 2012 a crew from the Montrose and Castle Point VA FD's were deployed under the OFPC EOC requests. The crew of 5 Hazardous Material Technician's (split between both dept's to ensure adequate station coverage), deployed this am at 0600hrs for the Nassau County staging area. As of right now, the assignment is for DECON Operations for other Hazardous Materials Teams operating in the effected area's. At this time, both campuses are maintaining staffing without compromising normalcy at both campuses. Be safe and the VAFD's from CPFD/Montrose are glad to be able to assist in this time of need.
AC Ferguson: Montrose VAFD
"Protecting Those Who Served"

I agree with seling the truck, but bank the $$. VFD doesnt need an aerial with MFD and PFD less then 2 miles away. Just saying.

I agree with seling the truck, but bank the $$. VFD doesnt need an aerial with MFD and PFD less then 2 miles away. Just saying.

In a way to better services provided to our Veterans and neighbors, the Montrose VAFD has recently completed the NYS Advanced Hazardous Materials Technician course. To assist the NYS Hazardous Materials Bureau, the class was conducted with 8 members of the Westchester County Hazardous Materials Response Team. The week long 40 hour+ class consisted of two mornings of class room time and the rest of the week was focused on suit time performing various grueling tasks, metering, Identification/Research, Evidence collection, Decon and other valuable educational ways to handle incidents. Various Simulators were on site to provide the students a hands on approach to utilize there skills which was provided by the NYS Haz Mat Bureau. Some of the new skills the course provides includes the following:
1) Chlorine Kits ( A, B and C kits)\
2) Hot Tapping and Cold Tapping
3) Transferring Liquids and gases
4) Containment
5) Bonding and Grounding operations
6) Evidence collection
The course was a success and I would like to the members of the Westchester County Team that were able to attend the class with the VAFD. I would also like to extend a Special Thanks to the NYS Haz Mat Bureau and there well educated/professional instructors. The class will benefit all who attended and will also provide a higher level of training and service to our Veterans and neighbors. Keep in mind FDVA is available 24/7 to serve anyone who requests.
**Side Note: Castle Point VAFD (Dutchess County) also conducted this level of training 2 years ago as well.**
James E. Ferguson
Assistant Chief
Montrose VAFD "Protecting Those Who Served"

In a way to better services provided to our Veterans and neighbors, the Montrose VAFD has recently completed the NYS Advanced Hazardous Materials Technician course. To assist the NYS Hazardous Materials Bureau, the class was conducted with 8 members of the Westchester County Hazardous Materials Response Team. The week long 40 hour+ class consisted of two mornings of class room time and the rest of the week was focused on suit time performing various grueling tasks, metering, Identification/Research, Evidence collection, Decon and other valuable educational ways to handle incidents. Various Simulators were on site to provide the students a hands on approach to utilize there skills which was provided by the NYS Haz Mat Bureau. Some of the new skills the course provides includes the following:
1) Chlorine Kits ( A, B and C kits)\
2) Hot Tapping and Cold Tapping
3) Transferring Liquids and gases
4) Containment
5) Bonding and Grounding operations
6) Evidence collection
The course was a success and I would like to the members of the Westchester County Team that were able to attend the class with the VAFD. I would also like to extend a Special Thanks to the NYS Haz Mat Bureau and there well educated/professional instructors. The class will benefit all who attended and will also provide a higher level of training and service to our Veterans and neighbors. Keep in mind FDVA is available 24/7 to serve anyone who requests.
**Side Note: Castle Point VAFD (Dutchess County) also conducted this level of training 2 years ago as well.**
James E. Ferguson
Assistant Chief
Montrose VAFD "Protecting Those Who Served"

In a way to better services provided to our Veterans and neighbors, the Montrose VAFD has recently completed the NYS Advanced Hazardous Materials Technician course. To assist the NYS Hazardous Materials Bureau, the class was conducted with 8 members of the Westchester County Hazardous Materials Response Team. The week long 40 hour+ class consisted of two mornings of class room time and the rest of the week was focused on suit time performing various grueling tasks, metering, Identification/Research, Evidence collection, Decon and other valuable educational ways to handle incidents. Various Simulators were on site to provide the students a hands on approach to utilize there skills which was provided by the NYS Haz Mat Bureau. Some of the new skills the course provides includes the following:
1) Chlorine Kits ( A, B and C kits)\
2) Hot Tapping and Cold Tapping
3) Transferring Liquids and gases
4) Containment
5) Bonding and Grounding operations
6) Evidence collection
The course was a success and I would like to the members of the Westchester County Team that were able to attend the class with the VAFD. I would also like to extend a Special Thanks to the NYS Haz Mat Bureau and there well educated/professional instructors. The class will benefit all who attended and will also provide a higher level of training and service to our Veterans and neighbors. Keep in mind FDVA is available 24/7 to serve anyone who requests.
**Side Note: Castle Point VAFD (Dutchess County) also conducted this level of training 2 years ago as well.**
James E. Ferguson
Assistant Chief
Montrose VAFD "Protecting Those Who Served"

Mr. Flynn- in reference to your concerns, I totally understand but I have to say CEMS just like any other agency around us aims to provide the best patient care. If you need response times etc. you will have to get a hold of a CEMS officer as this isn't something I would have access to at this time. Prior to leaving the agency, times were being worked on and they were under the National standard of I believe 8 mins (if I remember correctly). I also have relatives and friends living in Croton and I can assure you that CEMS has put the community as the top priority, I can assure you of that. Just like Croton FD, CEMS is an excellent agency that delivers the best service to our neighbors. Like any other agency, items will always need attention, no ones perfect. If you have any other questions, check on the Village of Croton website and email one of the officers of CEMS if you have concerns or questions.
I have to agree though, it maybe time to look at some alternatives/changes to handle issues at hand, and if it's hiring a emt or crew so be it. But I'm confident that CEMS and the Village of Croton will make the best decision for the community.

I will be the third to say that I'm no longer a member of CEMS and hopefully CEMS officers will address this issue. If I had an idea of whats wrong it's part of the following:
Recruitment/Retention: as 3 of the ones commenting on this thread are EX members for whatever reasons I have to say the agencies need to be more proactive in retaining their quality members. Secondly, Recruitment is tough due to the requirements, training, maintaining EMT certification, times needed to be a member (calls, meetings, standby's, training etc)
Leadership??? Maybe an issue, possibly need to look at the big picture and make a change to make a difference.
Anyway, I have to say Croton EMS from the beginning has been a quality agency and this is probably just a bump in the road. Due to increased call volume, training etc. it maybe time to experiment and obtain idea's from other agencies that had or have a problem and work it out. Several volunteer EMS agencies have been proactive and decided to put career staff on the rigs (Peekskill, OVAC, Harrison, Somers) and it has had a dramatic difference in the level and quality of care. Believe me I'm not taking anything away from Volunteers as I'm a proud one as well, but something needs to be done to ensure timely patient care. In EMS, minutes could be the deciding factor in the ultimate definitive result of the emergency. As in life or death.
Hopefully this can remain a thread that can aid in the solutions of the issues on hand and not only help Croton but other communities facing the same issue.