jack10562

I did not want to interrupt the existing Carmel Structure Fire Discussion topic which is becoming more of an online condolence thread, however I'm curious and I understand the incident investigation is ongoing, but were there not any working smoke detectors in this house?
Could this be yet another multi-fatality incident where the loss of life might have been preventable?

YEP...WE'LL FILL YOUR POOL...IF THAT'S WHAT YOU REALLY WANT

This whole situation is disturbing from several angles:
First, and most obviously, the fact that someone in a position of authority would show such disregard for the lives and property he's sworn to protect. This really says something about human nature and what happens when people are granted role power - something to be very aware of in our lives as we move through them. Nobody is immune to this, though their judgment may prevent something as egregious as this incident from occurring.
Second, the fact that the volunteer side of the service, by nature, is potentially (e.g., has the capacity to be - NOT saying that it might be) more permissive of, and acts as less of a deterrent for, this behavior. That coupled with the fact that there are vastly more volunteers than career members makes the likelihood of the bad apples being on the volunteer side higher. But the thing that really disturbs me here is that some people take this opportunity to makes this a volunteer vs. career issue and paint it all with a broad brush that completely ignores the fact that people, especially firefighters (type A personalities), often take the path of least resistance by using shortcuts (usually very creative, efficient and effective on the fireground) to get the job done. Human nature.
My last point is that we still, as a community, seem to adhere to the idea that punitive measures will correct issues like this and training will prevent it. Did this individual know what he was doing was wrong? I'd be shocked if someone could prove otherwise. He just thought he could get away with it. How many people change lanes without signaling?
Is that allowed? Nope, but nobody cares because they can get away with it. Turn signals prevent accidents, save lives, etc. Yet people ignore them, refuse to use them. I'd bet some of the same people that come down on this guy for his recklessness don't use them - whether they earn a living in the fire service or not.
We should all hold ourselves to a higher standard, regardless of the legal consequences. The human consequences of life safety are much more significant and should be our first concern and highest priority responsibility.

Thanks for asking!
NFPA U.S. Firefighter Deaths in Motor Vehicle Accidents 2000-2010 shows 112 deaths to Volunteer Firefighters and 26 to Career Firefighters.
NFPA Selected Special Analyses of Firefighter Fatalities 1992-2002 states "Among those killed in incidents that occured while responding to, or returning from, alarms, were 251 members of local Fire Departments. Of these, 226 were Volunteer Firefighters and 25 were Career Firefighters."
We can infer from these statistics that property damage, injuries and death caused to innocent civilains is far higher in crashes involving volunteer Firefighters than career.
A simple Google search for "Firefighter Vehicle Accident" will show very many dramatic accidents which have occured. The overwhelming majority of these are identified as volunteer firefighters (I guess most media outlets realize the importance in regard to fairness and accuracy in identifying these drivers as volunteer Firefighters).
These stats are particularly troubling when it is considered that the majority of alarms requiring Fire Department response in the United States are to career departments.

The LoHud article I questioned did not indicate this was a department Chief's vehicle or that the operator was an assistant chief. The updated webpage now includes this information, that it was in fact a fire department owned vehicle.
Something else to ponder: I would think most insurance companies would reject any claims resulting from an accident that involved reckless operation on the part of the operator.
Speeding, crossing double-yellow lines, blowing red lights/stopsigns, all would surely get you a reckless driving summons under certain circumstances.
And, what's your point with stirring the pot, FFLieu?
Chief Flynn already stated there are instances where career ff's aren't exempt.

I always used to get ours filled at Stew Leonards in Yonkers. They always had the best price.

I always used to get ours filled at Stew Leonards in Yonkers. They always had the best price.

Is there a mysterious font-size bug? random posts have real tiny text, just like yours^
Keep pluggin' away!

Five Alarm Building Fire W/ 2 FF LODD
http://phillyfirenew...detail/6703.php
R.I.P.

Clicking on a link in a post used to open the new content in a separate browser window(tab).
It's a pain you-know-where, because now you have to navigate back to the site rather than just closing the new window(tab) when you're done there.
And as already mentioned, opening any topic takes you to the first post in the thread, rather than the page where the reader's last-read post was.
The smiley's won't open in the "more options" text editor toolbar...FF-11.0
Keep up the good work, Boss!

...in a matter of seconds!

At least the tow truck driver knew soon enough to bail out!

...in a matter of seconds!

At least the tow truck driver knew soon enough to bail out!

...in a matter of seconds!

At least the tow truck driver knew soon enough to bail out!

When you open a topic it brings you to the first post in the thread not the last post you have read.

Crime cop hit the nail on the head....I wish I could vote-up your post more than once!
Mostly though, I don't get why the City even needed to hold a "press conference" Just because some punk skel running from cops who were attempting to arrest him on an outstanding warrant, turned on the cops with a knife and left the cops with no choice but to respond with deadly force.
Then they totally failed to control the audience who clearly don't give a crap about civility. After the first audience outburst they should have turned off the mic, shut the lights and said "this press conference is over, go home, goodnight".

I recieved this in my email yesterday and felt it was appropriate to post here
********************************************************************************************
Dear Briarcliff Community,
The loss of John Mezzatesta cannot be measured. The turnout of people and their honoring of John over the last two days is a testament to the joy that he brought to everyone.
The Briarcliff Little League, the kids that John coached and anyone he touched will never forget his selflessness.
The Briarcliff Manor Fire Department has set up a fund that will go directly to the Family of John Mezzatesta.
Please make your checks payable to:
The BMFD Scholarship Fund
1111 Pleasantville Road
Briarcliff Manor, New York, 10510
Att: Officer Tom Farrington.
The Fire Department will send a letter to Rachel acknowledging your donation. If you have already sent a check to the 'John Mezzatesta Memorial Fund' then it will be dropped off with Officer Farrington and deposited in the BMFD fund.
Please contact me with any questions.
Thanks.
Arthur Hardy
President, Briarcliff Little League
This is an administrative e-mailbox for the Briarcliff Manor Little League. If you wish to contact Arthur Hardy (President, Briarcliff Manor Little League), please e-mail him directly at ArthurH99@optonline.net.

Tough day for so many today. Rest in peace John heard many good things about you. Condolences to the family.
The BFD brothers and sisters showed great heart and strength in not only attending thier own fallen brothers wake but also Lt.Tyler Rush of Elmsford. That spoke tremendously of the Briarcliff FD and their resolve and support.

Rest in Peace, Thoughts and prayers are with the family and BMFD. Having lost my 42 year old father when I was only 5, I can't help but feel for his young children. My words of encouragement for them are that the pain never subsides but life does go on, he will be watching over you with a smiling face as you make the most out of the long lives ahead of you. The tears will turn into smiles as great memories of your father fill you mind and as you continue to honor his legacy.

John Mezzatesta, 38, Lifetime member of the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, passed Wednesday morning, 3/21/12 surrounded by his family and loved ones.
John was diagnosed only last week with a glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive, malignant brain tumor.
In addition to his parents and two brothers, he leaves behind his wife and two young children.
Funeral Arrangements for John are as follows:
Wake
Sunday March 25,2012 2-4 and 7-9
Waterbury and Kelly Funeral Home
1300 Pleasantville Road Briarcliff Manor N. Y. 10510
Funeral
Monday March 26th 2012 10:00 AM
St. Theresa Church
1394 Pleasantville Road Briarcliff Manor N.Y. 10510
John was an absolutely fantastic guy and will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing him.
Rest in eternal peace, John.
*The family is requesting memorial donations in lieu of flowers*

We'll never know who these clowns heard commenting on the video are, but that doesn't really matter, they're just ignorant. Remove the audio and watch the action and see if there is anything worthwhile to learn from viewing that, by itself. Think about is there anything you would do, or do differently, if this was your call.
What IS important to remember, as already pointed out, is the fact that "cameras are everywhere" and whatever you do (or don't do) in public may be recorded on video and wind up out there on the Web for everyone to see.

John Mezzatesta, 38, Lifetime member of the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, passed Wednesday morning, 3/21/12 surrounded by his family and loved ones.
John was diagnosed only last week with a glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive, malignant brain tumor.
In addition to his parents and two brothers, he leaves behind his wife and two young children.
Funeral Arrangements for John are as follows:
Wake
Sunday March 25,2012 2-4 and 7-9
Waterbury and Kelly Funeral Home
1300 Pleasantville Road Briarcliff Manor N. Y. 10510
Funeral
Monday March 26th 2012 10:00 AM
St. Theresa Church
1394 Pleasantville Road Briarcliff Manor N.Y. 10510
John was an absolutely fantastic guy and will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing him.
Rest in eternal peace, John.
*The family is requesting memorial donations in lieu of flowers*

John Mezzatesta, 38, Lifetime member of the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, passed Wednesday morning, 3/21/12 surrounded by his family and loved ones.
John was diagnosed only last week with a glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive, malignant brain tumor.
In addition to his parents and two brothers, he leaves behind his wife and two young children.
Funeral Arrangements for John are as follows:
Wake
Sunday March 25,2012 2-4 and 7-9
Waterbury and Kelly Funeral Home
1300 Pleasantville Road Briarcliff Manor N. Y. 10510
Funeral
Monday March 26th 2012 10:00 AM
St. Theresa Church
1394 Pleasantville Road Briarcliff Manor N.Y. 10510
John was an absolutely fantastic guy and will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing him.
Rest in eternal peace, John.
*The family is requesting memorial donations in lieu of flowers*

John Mezzatesta, 38, Lifetime member of the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, passed Wednesday morning, 3/21/12 surrounded by his family and loved ones.
John was diagnosed only last week with a glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive, malignant brain tumor.
In addition to his parents and two brothers, he leaves behind his wife and two young children.
Funeral Arrangements for John are as follows:
Wake
Sunday March 25,2012 2-4 and 7-9
Waterbury and Kelly Funeral Home
1300 Pleasantville Road Briarcliff Manor N. Y. 10510
Funeral
Monday March 26th 2012 10:00 AM
St. Theresa Church
1394 Pleasantville Road Briarcliff Manor N.Y. 10510
John was an absolutely fantastic guy and will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing him.
Rest in eternal peace, John.
*The family is requesting memorial donations in lieu of flowers*

In short, often the disciplinary options available are laid out in a CBA.
As for this ever becoming public, I'm not so sure. Open Records Law, or more appropriately in New York the Freedom of Information Law does not always apply to law enforcement and firefighters in matters of personnel investigations.
See NYS Civil Rights Law Section 50 which reads in relevant part that records related to employment and promotion are generally not public records, and accordingly, are not releasable. Visit this link to read the full text.

I'm not sure I like the part near the end of the video where after the interior rooms are knocked down, an exterior hand line is shown being directed at the structure while personnel are still working inside.