xchief2x

Personally I think there should only be 1 training standard for all firefighters. I didn't use the word minimum simply because I firmly believe that in no way, shape or form you should be happy with the minimum. I currently have 40 years in my department and the only reason I have not been to our training center in a year or two is because I have pretty much taken all the courses offered that I care to take. I still participate in department training, albeit not as much as I would like as of late. In closing one of our senior members whom had a great deal of respect once told me that when you think you know everything it is time to get out before you hurt or kill yourself or someone else! These are words I live by!
Just my humble opinion.

Job well done by this officer, the good guys won. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery both your physical well being and your psycological health.

Job well done by this officer, the good guys won. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery both your physical well being and your psycological health.

Several years ago I took an EVOC course with Lt Mike Wilbur and during the course he asked How much time are you actually saving if you drive the speed limit as opposed to driving above the posted speed limit? The answer was not much. Every operator should be familiar with the NYS V&T Laws regarding the operation of emergency vehicles I can't remember the correct section right now but it is included as part f the NYS EVOC course. Seven years ago I was involved in a rollover accident with our tanker, the County PD did a reconstruction and found no fault with me (the driver), the rig or the roadway. To this day I blame myself only as I was the operator of the vehicle and I broke a cardinal rule of apparatus drivers which in my book is getting the rig and most importantly the crew to and from the scene safely. This accident and lawsuit should be a lesson to all operators, I am surprised that there was no mention of punative monies which comes from you out of pocket.

I hope we all agree there must be a higher level of personal accountability. I'm pretty sure I and others understand your point of view and aren't disagreeing, merely pointing out that sometimes it's not about just judging everyone as an individual. It's a nice thought, but the reality is the public very often doesn't do it, and it's they who are holding the purse strings and they whom we need to educate so they can see what the politicians are doing to the safety of their community. We all should be very aware that there are countless firefighters who are dedicated professionals to the craft amongst the volunteer ranks as well as far too many schlep-rocks amongst career personnel. I know the personnel in my department have had endless conversations about personal accountability and not doing anything at all that could hurt, especially during difficult times. It's not that these things shouldn't be the norm, rather than requiring special attention, but it kind of forces every member into policing each other as we all know the consequence of harming our public image.As for improprieties amongst career FD's? Of course there are, we like most of the work force, hire humans and have yet to figure out the perfect testing to ensure we keep out those who will end up doing harm. The problem with the knife cutting both ways is: Does it really? If some career guy is busted selling drugs does it harm the volunteers so much? Not likely, the public has a special place in their hearts for those of us whom they pay with their hard earned dollars and then we screw up. If the same guy is a volunteer, they'll blame the economy for his lack of work and the need to augment his finances.
Much or all of this flap was in response to Chief Flynn's statement that he'd like to see the story corrected to show the senseless actions were that of a volunteer chief. Most career jobs are trying to step up their games on all fronts to ensure the public sees them for the professionals they are. It's difficult to do this when the non-career departments are a large segment that cannot be managed and fight the very standards that would level the playing field. While most of us do not wish to drive a greater wedge between career and volunteer firefighters, at times like this we see the need to differentiate. While career personnel seek to differentiate themselves from people like the volunteer chief in the article, I'd think most volunteers would like to show the public why they and their department aren't like the same guy?

Several years ago I took an EVOC course with Lt Mike Wilbur and during the course he asked How much time are you actually saving if you drive the speed limit as opposed to driving above the posted speed limit? The answer was not much. Every operator should be familiar with the NYS V&T Laws regarding the operation of emergency vehicles I can't remember the correct section right now but it is included as part f the NYS EVOC course. Seven years ago I was involved in a rollover accident with our tanker, the County PD did a reconstruction and found no fault with me (the driver), the rig or the roadway. To this day I blame myself only as I was the operator of the vehicle and I broke a cardinal rule of apparatus drivers which in my book is getting the rig and most importantly the crew to and from the scene safely. This accident and lawsuit should be a lesson to all operators, I am surprised that there was no mention of punative monies which comes from you out of pocket.

Several years ago I took an EVOC course with Lt Mike Wilbur and during the course he asked How much time are you actually saving if you drive the speed limit as opposed to driving above the posted speed limit? The answer was not much. Every operator should be familiar with the NYS V&T Laws regarding the operation of emergency vehicles I can't remember the correct section right now but it is included as part f the NYS EVOC course. Seven years ago I was involved in a rollover accident with our tanker, the County PD did a reconstruction and found no fault with me (the driver), the rig or the roadway. To this day I blame myself only as I was the operator of the vehicle and I broke a cardinal rule of apparatus drivers which in my book is getting the rig and most importantly the crew to and from the scene safely. This accident and lawsuit should be a lesson to all operators, I am surprised that there was no mention of punative monies which comes from you out of pocket.

I hope to see more of these type responses and more departments setting up the greater alarm responses preplanned with 60 control. T really thing that the more progressive/aggressive Chiefs are doing it, but yet their are some departments that are tradionalists "We have always done it this way" that will never change. Just my humble opinion\thoughts.

This loser should be turned over to the brothers at FDNY Ladder 12 so they can have a nice serious chat with him! Just my opinion.

This loser should be turned over to the brothers at FDNY Ladder 12 so they can have a nice serious chat with him! Just my opinion.

This loser should be turned over to the brothers at FDNY Ladder 12 so they can have a nice serious chat with him! Just my opinion.

Matty O - You were one hell of a firefighter and 1 truly great friend, I was honored when you always called me uncle Gerry. To the brothers at the FDVA and the membership of Putnam Lake FD you are all in my thoughts and prayers. To his family I will always cherish the fact that I could call him my Friend. The 10th Battalion has lost one of the best. RIP brother, I will see you when the big guy calls me to join the Heaven FD.

Matty O - You were one hell of a firefighter and 1 truly great friend, I was honored when you always called me uncle Gerry. To the brothers at the FDVA and the membership of Putnam Lake FD you are all in my thoughts and prayers. To his family I will always cherish the fact that I could call him my Friend. The 10th Battalion has lost one of the best. RIP brother, I will see you when the big guy calls me to join the Heaven FD.

Matty O - You were one hell of a firefighter and 1 truly great friend, I was honored when you always called me uncle Gerry. To the brothers at the FDVA and the membership of Putnam Lake FD you are all in my thoughts and prayers. To his family I will always cherish the fact that I could call him my Friend. The 10th Battalion has lost one of the best. RIP brother, I will see you when the big guy calls me to join the Heaven FD.

Matty O - You were one hell of a firefighter and 1 truly great friend, I was honored when you always called me uncle Gerry. To the brothers at the FDVA and the membership of Putnam Lake FD you are all in my thoughts and prayers. To his family I will always cherish the fact that I could call him my Friend. The 10th Battalion has lost one of the best. RIP brother, I will see you when the big guy calls me to join the Heaven FD.

Jack- first off I love the keyboard commando thing. I was not questioning this site, I know they have rules and I know it is a privately owned and operated site which I for the most part enjoy. Like my esteemed colleague Tommy Mac said it gets under my skin when people weren't at an incident but yet they know what went on and have no problem being a monday morning quarter back. And the other thing that really ticks me off is the vollie bashing that goes on usually by 1 person. Fires don't burn any hotter, extrications aren't any different, just because you get a check for doing it. Firefighters are firefighters career or vollie and yes there are some in both types of dept. that should not be in this line of work. (if there are any spelling errors please forgive my stupid fingers.)

Matty O - You were one hell of a firefighter and 1 truly great friend, I was honored when you always called me uncle Gerry. To the brothers at the FDVA and the membership of Putnam Lake FD you are all in my thoughts and prayers. To his family I will always cherish the fact that I could call him my Friend. The 10th Battalion has lost one of the best. RIP brother, I will see you when the big guy calls me to join the Heaven FD.

Jack- first off I love the keyboard commando thing. I was not questioning this site, I know they have rules and I know it is a privately owned and operated site which I for the most part enjoy. Like my esteemed colleague Tommy Mac said it gets under my skin when people weren't at an incident but yet they know what went on and have no problem being a monday morning quarter back. And the other thing that really ticks me off is the vollie bashing that goes on usually by 1 person. Fires don't burn any hotter, extrications aren't any different, just because you get a check for doing it. Firefighters are firefighters career or vollie and yes there are some in both types of dept. that should not be in this line of work. (if there are any spelling errors please forgive my stupid fingers.)

I hope to see more of these type responses and more departments setting up the greater alarm responses preplanned with 60 control. T really thing that the more progressive/aggressive Chiefs are doing it, but yet their are some departments that are tradionalists "We have always done it this way" that will never change. Just my humble opinion\thoughts.

We are in no way, shape or form a CHIEF! We basically are a resource officer for the IC. Just my humble opinion! Some in my Battalion call me Chief but that is probably due to the fact I am dumb and served my dept. as Chief twice.

We are in no way, shape or form a CHIEF! We basically are a resource officer for the IC. Just my humble opinion! Some in my Battalion call me Chief but that is probably due to the fact I am dumb and served my dept. as Chief twice.

During an interview with news 12 a Chief stated "we had to let it burn through the roof so we could find it"

During an interview with news 12 a Chief stated "we had to let it burn through the roof so we could find it"

I just firmly believe that the members make the Chief not the other way around and someone already said it best we work for the community we serve!

I just firmly believe that the members make the Chief not the other way around and someone already said it best we work for the community we serve!