ems-buff

Let me tell ya a few things about them bastard dispatchers.....I know a little bit.
First off - it sucks. But it is OK too...
It is a GOOD living, but obviously not as "fun" or "glorious" as our police, fire, and even EMS counterparts.
The BIGGEST thing I have noticied in over 15 years "in the chair" is that EVERYONE in the field thinks they could do it better, or things could be done different. Everyone in a uniform has IDEALS, but dispatchers have PROTOCOLS. For the most part the voice ont he radio doesnt make those protocol, but we are bound to adhere to them. So if you get angry or frustrated - direct that to the policy makers, not the person on the other end of the radio.
We get it from every direction...and speaking from MY job, literally everyone is our superioir...I am the #5 on my job senority wise..I been around, yet even the newest, junior cop or fireman tells me what to do...but that is part of MY job...other agencies are different..they have a more structured, Dispatch Command..we are under the authority of the Police Watch Commander and FD Shift Commander...yet there is still a small army of Sergeants, Liuetenant, Captains, Chiefs, and Deputy Chiefs that can change it all with a simple command...
EVERY shift is run different - under the direction of the Watch Commander..so if you are like me, and work OT on different shifts..you had BETTER do i tTHAT bosses way..
You guys get to SEE your jurasdiction every day - you know it intimately..hell I been working in our City for 12 years and I dont know ALOT of the streets,..Yes, I know what police post they are on, who to send, and even what fire truck is first due - but I have been "lost" on the southside of our city as recently as last week..we dont get out to see it enough, if at all. Sure maps, and CAD are nice - but there is no subsitute for actual street time. Some agencies make "ride time" a part of training - and thats awesome.
"They dont give us enough info.." Yep...true. But we give you all of what we can get from our callers - which in an urban setting like mine - sometimes is just an address...if I had a dollar for everytime a caller said - "just send the M F'ing cops/Ambulance" I could retire to the Keys with George..LOL. And if we give alot of info - we are met with "headquarters - get off the air.." There is NO happy median it seems sometimes.
Dont get me wrong - I am NOT defending all dispatchers - I have worked with some real turds...but thankfully, for the most part - we weed them out. Not all...but alot..this job is not for everyone.
I will openly admit that this is NOT what I pictured myself doing...well, it is not what I wanted to do..anyone who knows me knows I should be on a firetruck for 40 hours a week, but I do not regret it one bit. I have a good life and make good money...I can support my family well, we own a house, 2 cars, and a dog...the American Dream, right? I am heads and shoulders above where my parents where at my age. I stay cool in the summer, warm in the winter, park in a secure parking agarge, and can surf Bravo for 8 hours a day. For that I am very thankful.
One of the things I cherish the most about my job is RESPECT. The guys on the other side of the radio - be it police or fire, appreciate me and the job I do..I take care of "my guys"..they know when the crap hits the fan in a foot pursuit that I am right there with them, and help is on the way. I know how the FD operates and usually have what the Captain requests done or ready to be done. I do my job well, because lives of cops and firemen depend on it. I have actually been written up for two commendations by Fire Lieutenants after tough, hectic, SCARY jobs for my actions in assisting them...both times they were denied because, "he is just a dispatcher...". Who cares....it's the RESPECT from those guys that mean more to me than ANY peice of paper signed by the Mayor.
So yeah, dispatching sucks..but it pays the bills. And I know that there are a few guys out there that know we really DO make a difference. So cut us some slack...or take the test and get "in the chair."

A young boy who is dying from Cancer has a Christmas Wish. That wish is to recieve Christmas Cards from Firefighters, Police Officers and EMS workers (I'm sure 911 dispatchers too).
This six year old boy is named Nathan. I guess he's a pretty brave kid. He may not be around for Christmas. You think we might be able to help him with his wish ?
His address is:
Nathan Norman
81 Dunivan Dr.
Rustburg, Virginia
24588

Time to move to duchess county.... They see more work there anyways lol :-P
Westchester County government is fooling themselves if they think they can operate with these levels... All it will take is for one person to die because of these changes and someone will sue...

Link to News 12 Story:
http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=338069&position=1&news_type=news

Link to News 12 Story:
http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=338069&position=1&news_type=news

Link to News 12 Story:
http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=338069&position=1&news_type=news

Link to News 12 Story:
http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=338069&position=1&news_type=news

To my brother and friend.. Charlie Chucky Mellilo... who was know on here at StOpGoBLue.... I love ya bro... Words can't even express the pain we are all feeling... I hope you found peace, and will watch over us... Keep us safe as we do our jobs. and know that we will always love and remember you... God Bless brother.....
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

To my brother and friend.. Charlie Chucky Mellilo... who was know on here at StOpGoBLue.... I love ya bro... Words can't even express the pain we are all feeling... I hope you found peace, and will watch over us... Keep us safe as we do our jobs. and know that we will always love and remember you... God Bless brother.....
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Chucky was my unoffical nephew, he always called me uncle Ang. In his younger years he always went on vacation with my family and my oldest son Angelo [ rescue 40 here] and was a brother to him, I called him kunckle head right up till yesterday and for those that new him would know why. He was family to me, R.I.P. MY Nephew.

To my brother and friend.. Charlie Chucky Mellilo... who was know on here at StOpGoBLue.... I love ya bro... Words can't even express the pain we are all feeling... I hope you found peace, and will watch over us... Keep us safe as we do our jobs. and know that we will always love and remember you... God Bless brother.....
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

To my brother and friend.. Charlie Chucky Mellilo... who was know on here at StOpGoBLue.... I love ya bro... Words can't even express the pain we are all feeling... I hope you found peace, and will watch over us... Keep us safe as we do our jobs. and know that we will always love and remember you... God Bless brother.....
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Oh.
And I also find, that those MOST critical of dispatching, and dispatchers, are those who have never spent a millisecond in "the chair".
EVERYONE has ideals, Dispatchers have protocols.

I will never forget, November 12, 2002, while watching 3rd Watch, my wife went into labor with out firstborn.
THAT was a great show!

i think they should bring back third watch....by far was the best show on tv and did a good job showing what the fdny and nypd do.

Date: 10/10/12
Time: 03:46 hrs
Location: Alfredo's Foreign Cars (showroom/offices), 2050 [or 2030, conflicting reports] West Boston Post Road, Larchmont, NY 10538
Frequency: 46.26, Fire 15; 33.96 (EMS), EMS 15; 154.755, 155.250 (VoL PD).
Units Operating: appx. 100 FFs --
Larchmont FD: 2222; E-33, 34, 35; TL-7; R-1 (Cascade).
Town of Mamaroneck FD: 2231, 2232, 2233; E-37; R-6.
Village of Mamaroneck FD: 2241, 2242, 2243; E-40; L-21 (standby in own HQ).
New Rochelle FD: 2302; E-21 (FAST); L-12 (operating on exposure #2 side).
Pelham FD: E-5.
WCDES: Cause & Origin (Zone #2); Bat 15.
Relocate- Greenville FD: Squad 15 (covering Larchmont HQ).
Town of Mamaroneck Ambulance District: 66-A2 (VAC), 68-A1 (BLS) (MEMS), 66-12 (EMS command), 66-13, 66-22, 66-61, 66-66, 49-M1 (TMAD).
Village of Larchmont PD;
Village of Larchmont DPW;
ConEdison.
Weather Conditions: Rainy, chilly.
Description of Incident: Large, powerful, smokey commerical fire started in car dealership supply area/showroom. Building and most cars inside destroyed with collapsed roof on CD side of structure. Searches negative. Multiple L/S/O. Eventually pulled out to perform exterior attack. No reported injuries.
Reported by passerby who saw smoke. Boston Post Road was closed from Weaver Street to Chatsworth Avenue for long period of time. Locals were advised to avoid area due to toxic fumes. Cause determined to be electrical originating in faulty storage room air compressor.
Reporters: Larchmont_Boy (briefly o/s); firedude (for times, rundown corrections and info); grantnet10 (for EMS rundown); merchaldo (for VMFD info and time); JP59 (for PFD and some NRFD info); news articles (for description); 25truck26 and turk182 (for RFD correction); Bish140 (for TMFD correction); vwwh1 (for GFD correction); three anonymous reporters (for most info, times, rundown, and ops details at bottom).
Writer: Larchmont_Boy.
News Articles: Journal News (more photos); News 12 / Newsday #1, #2; theLoop; Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch; Larchmont Daily Voice; CBS.
03:37 hrs: Larchmont PD Cars 424, 420 to 22 Cambridge Rd for an audible alarm.
03:38 hrs: LPD Car 424 requesting FD immediately to area of Boston Post Rd x Bonnett Ave for a smoke condition.
03:40 hrs: LPD Car 424 advises he has a smoke condition coming out of the Fiat Dealership on Boston Post Rd.
03:46 hrs: E-35, E-33, TL-7 dispatched to the area of 2050 Boston Post Rd for smoke from the structure.
04:01 hrs: Larchmont 10-75 Dispatched: TMFD 1 Engine & FAST, Bat 15, and EMS for a Commercial Structure Fire.
04:03 hrs: NRFD L-12 dispatched to scene.
04:03 hrs: Pelham dispatched to relocate 1 engine to LFD HQ.
04:25 hrs: 68-A1 on scene.
04:31 hrs: C&O Zone 2 dispatched to land line.
04:35 hrs: E-21 dispatched to scene as FAST.
04:46 hrs: VMFD dispatched. 2241 and E-40 on standby at LFD HQ [later called to lay in]. [L-21 standby in own HQ.]
04:50 hrs: C&O on scene.
05:30 hrs: Structure collapse on CD side.
06:37 hrs: Fire declared under control.
06:45 hrs: 66-12 handing over EMS Command to 66-13.
07:45 hrs: EMS released.
13:10 hrs: Larchmont FD cleared.
14:00 hrs: Boston Post Road and all other blocked streets opened.
Per a anonymous FF working o/s:
"EXCAVATOR BROUGHT IN DUE TO TRAPED POCKETS OF FIRE, BLOCKED OFF BY THE COLLAPSE. ONCE THE EXCAVATOR OPENED UP TL7 WENT INTO OPERATION WITH MASTER STREAMS AND 2 MONITORS WERE IN OPERATION AS WELL. WHEN THE MAJORITY OF THE POCKETS OF FIRE WERE K/D, TL7 E35 AND E34 RETURNED TO SERVICE. R1 WAS RECALLED TO THE SCENE AND LEFT ON FIRE WATCH WHILE OPERATING A MONITOR OFF THE HYDRANT TO WET DOWN SMOLDERING HOT SPOTS INSIDE OF THE COLLAPSE ZONE.
"lfd brought the first line into the building through a small door. shortly after lfd with tmfd assistance took the front windows and cut the roof up garage door with a partner saw. lfd brought a second line (2.5 inch) into the structure upon the door being cut. pelham fd brought a 2.5 as well and i believe tmfd was operating 2 handlines. we tried out best to make an aggressive interior push but it was too far ahead of us and we were met by intense heat and smoke, as well as, heavy fire conditions throughout. Smoke began rolling over and 2221 made the call to pull everyone out and go exterior. right call because the heat had warped a steel I beam and the 2/3 corner collapsed approx. 15-20 minutes after the building was evacuated. also rescue 1 cleared the scene around 2:30 (as it stayed on fire watch operating a monitor to soak hot spots."
On 10/12/12 morning:
"Larchmont responded to 2040 BPR on smoke from the rear this morning around 07:30. 2221 reported it was a hot spot in the fire building from the other day. E34 hit the hot spot and returned very shortly after"
Please PM me if you have any more information or corrections.

Many people have PMed and emailed mre asking about life "over there" in Afghanistan, so I thought I'd write a quick decription of how it is for those interested.
To start I am now assigned to Kandahar Airfield which, unlike all my previous jobs, is a NATO run base. At present I believe the British are the ones technicaly in charge of the base but almost all NATO countries and a few others are represented here. This makes for some interesting interactions as cultures do clash occasionally, usually with comic results fortunately. It is hot here, I mean really hot. Average temperatures this week have been just above 130 with the nights cooling down to a balmy 100 or so. It is also dusty here to the point that everything has a permant shade of tan covering it, no matter how often you clean it.
My FD here or to use it's proper name Kandahar Fire Crash Rescue Services is comprised of 60 men manning 6 crash trucks, 2 structural Engines and a Tanker along with a Chief and as they call them a Plattoon (our Depruty Chief or Shift Commander) Chief for each of the two shifts. Work schedule is 24 on 24 off or on average an 84 hour work week, which may sound like alot but trust me most would rather be working everyday as there isn't much to do otherwise. We do have a gym at the main station as well as a number of military ones throughout the base that we are free to use. There are 6 DFACs (dining facilites), 1 British, 1 French or Continental, 1 Asian and 2 American, the other I havent found yet but it is reported to be Arabic serving only Hallal food (similar to Kosher). The food itself is edible although as any former soldier can tell you, everything is cooked well beyond well done. Kandahar also boasts a Boardwalk which is just exactly what you'd expect it to be, a wooden sidewalk on which fromts a number of commercial establishments. We have a KFC and Friday's, 2 pizza joints although the term pizza is a bit of a stretch to anyone from our area, a Nathan's open 24 hours to boot a coffe shop and a French Deli/Patisserre. Along with the gastronomic choices there are a number of small "Haji" or locals run shops carrying everything from cigarettes to jewelery and trinkets to a full tailor shop that will make a hand tailored suit for you for about $250. There is also a Bazaar every Saturday with the ubiquitous bootleg movies as well as an impressive selection of junk, haggling a must.
About the FD itself aside from the above. Well I started at the main station, Station 1 which sits on the Airfield. Housed there are 5 of the 6 crash trucks and their attendant crews. I was assigned to Engine 3 one of the two structural units on base. Station 3 houses another crash truck on the opposite side of the runway. Station 3 is a luxuriously appointed Army tent with none of the comforts of home. Station 1 is more akin to a Stateside firehouse with an alarm room, offices, a large dayroom and sleeping quarters (3 to a room). The crash side of the house is busier here since much to my suprise Kandahar Airfield is the busiest single runway airport in the world with between 850 - 1000 inbound and outbound flights a week. And there is quite a wide variety of aircraft in and out of here including C-130s and C-17s, C-5s as well, F-16s, F/A/18s, Harriers, A-10s. We also get 737s, Antonov A-12s and the other really huge Russian one whose designation I can't recall as well as a few 747s. Choppers abound with Blackhawks and Chinooks, Cobras, and Apaches and a large contingent of old Russian machines like the Mil-8 and the Mil -10 for transpot duty. And of course the UAVs which are really quite impressive.
My current assignment is as the Crew Chief (Capt) of Station 2 "Southside". I have with me 4 crewman and our rig is a European spec'ed Rosenbauer from Germany. Needles to say that it takes a bit of getting used to with the pump in the rear and it's overall lack of hose and equipment by our standards, not to mention its all metric. I have a pump that in liters!! Damn Europeans now I have to do math.
Our first due is about 8 sq. miles with roughly 25,000 miltary and civilian residents. Building range from one and two story PEBs (pre engineered buildings) of metal and wood. wooden B and C huts (think ranch houses except it's many offices or sleeping rooms off a central hallway), tents of various sizes up to 200 x 75 and a large number of two story masonary barracks (think garden apartments). Along with these living areas we on the Southside enjoy the distinction of being what back home would be called the industrail side of town. The majority of the mechanical shops, warehouses, stortage facilities fuel points and motorpools are in our first due, along with a host of HazMat goodies. All in all it's a diverse and challenging district.
Now what makes KAFs Fire Department somewhat unique is the fact that we are comprised of a multi national force. There are Indians, Philippinos, South Aficans and a sizeable contingent of Brits. Then there's a few Canucks and representing the good ole USA is Nate who hails form the metro DC area and myself. While English is the required language I have found that it's use is somewhat impeded by the variety of accents in use. In fact I've found that I'll need to invest in an English to English dictionary to communicate with my comrades form the UK...LOL
One of the most common questions I get is, is it safe? Well safe is a relative term in a war zone. We do get regular presents of the 81, 120 and 240mm variety from our Taliban friends outside the wire and they do at times cause casualities. The last was a soldier a few months ago. Our towel headed friends also like to try and crash our party here often by trying to get through the wire. They don't get too far. In fact just prior to my arrival about 100 or so of them got their wish with a one way fast track ticket to meet Allah...isn't that nice for them. Hopefully their buddies will be right behind. Our boys here are more than happy to oblige that wish and we all support them. Vigilance is a necessity here, just like home complacency kills. We do all we can to stay safe, but the reality is, if your numbers up then it's up. Until then I and all of us have a job to do and we just do it.
Some may think this a noble or courageous endeavor, for that I thank you, but please give your kudos to those that really deserve it, the brave and dedicated men and women of our Armed Forces. These folks are as courageous as they come and they are in a sense our kindred spirits....they too put themselves at risk to protect and serve others, all of us here and back home.
In closing I would ask a favor from all who read this. As you go through your day stop for just a minute and think about those service members over here and what they are sacrificing for you and yours. And if it should strike you please find an organization that send things over and send something to a soldier, sailor, or airman here. It couild be anything, a letter, a card and damn tube of toothpaste...anything so that they know that you remember and support them. They will appreciate it more than you know. Freedom is not free and these folks are paying the price for our freedom, please don't forget them.
Cogs
________________
Peter Cogliano
Crew Chief Engine 2 "Southside"
Kandahar Fire Crash Rescue Services
Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan

2nd Capt / Asst. Training Officer
Belltown Fire Dept.
Stamford, CT

I agree with that. M/A in voli depts should be a list of qualified guys with a certain level of trainning. The question is, how do you police the guys responding to m/a jobs? there is a huge grey area

i'm not taking sides... im stating a fact.
ex #1 when pelham had a fire about 6-8 months back on Wolfes Ln. in a resteraunt, they called Yonkers, White Plains, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, Greenville, Mount Vernon, Eastchester, and New Rochelle.
there was a rediculous amount of aparatus at the scene. Reason being they needed manpower and wouldnt call voli depts. they got rigs with 2 men on them from career depts. You are taking aparatus out of service in your 1st due area, because you are using them as taxi cabs for 2 guys to the scene.

In lower westchester county, career depts. only request m/a from other career depts, many times skipping over several neighboring volunteer depts in the process. If all the career depts are exhausted, it is also not uncommon for career depts to request combo depts m/a with only the career staff and no volunteers.

there is a bigger issue then. the administration of these depts are flawed. the chief or commissioner should require a certain level of training for their members. Either way there are other reasons volis arent called to assist career depts. I'd be nieve to say otherwise

Here in Orange County, if I were the IC, whether it be a fire scene or ems, I could call for mutual aid from the moon before any neighboring department.
At what point should the decision about where my mutual aid comes from be made by someone who has no personal interest in whether or not you are paid or volunteer or if your company did or did not invite my company to your last BBQ?
If you need mutual aid, unless you require a specialized piece of equipment or team, would it not make sense to start with a closer department rather than one 3 districts or 25 minutes away?
Just wondering. What are your thoughts?

The steel, which came from the North Tower, was escorted to Croton Landing from Continental Village FD. It is being used as part of the Croton/Cortlandt 9/11 Memorial currently being constructed.
Continental Village 2131 & E232, Peekskill R134, Verplanck E128, Buchanan E161, Croton EMS 55B1, Croton FD 2081, E118, E119, E120, TL44, T10 & R18 as well as police units from Croton PD, NYSP and WCPD participated in the escort.
Here's one quick photo I took with my iphone of it being placed. For anyone interested, this memorial is going at the far north end of Croton Landing Park.

The soccer kids can run faster than other kids when the IP sirens go off.