jd783

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  1. jd783 liked a post in a topic by dwcfireman in Millions in tax dollars misspent by Yonkers firefighters union   
     
    They already do administer the funds.  The way it works is that the 2% funding is initially collected by the NYS Insurance Department(Insurance Law, Section 2118) (I would also like to indicate that this same law gives the State Comptroller's Office full authority to audit all fire department, district, and company treasury departments).  From there, the NYSID distributes the funds to the department/district, who in turn distribute it to the company(ies).  For the sake of this explanation, as both paid and volunteer fire departments receive 2% funding, labor unions representing firefighters and fire officers are considered fire companies.
     
    Now, the issue at hand about how to appropriately spend these funds is detailed in Sections 9104 and 9105 of the State Insurance Law.  Essentially, these sections state that the money must be spent FOR the firefighters and their families, such as to provide food and refreshments after drills and meetings, parades, and picnics; fire department tee shirts, jackets, and other apparel; furniture, air conditioning, and entertainment for firefighters at the fire house; annual awards banquets and holiday parties for fire company members; and radio receiving devices (pagers).  The list for what you CANNOT spend the money on is just as long, which includes paying for training courses, fire prevention, medical leave/benefits (although there is a caveat on that which I'll explain below), assisting disaster survivors, and paying for delegates to attend conferences/conventions.
     
    The caveat with medical leave and benefits can be legal if, and only if, the company has been approved legislatively for the funds to go to a benevolent association, in which then the money can be used to reimburse firefighters for medical expenses that they paid for out of pocket.
     
    This above information can be found at the below links:
    FASNY: https://www.fasny.com/pdfs/redhandbook.pdf
    NYS Department of Financial Services: http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/faqs/faqs_ft_fft.htm
     
    For more information about the legality of the collection and distribution of funds, you can also visit http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/ogco2007/rg070522.htm (this is another page from the NYS Department of Financial Services that includes the names of court cases to direct you to certain laws and court decisions that have created the current foreign insurance program).
     
    AND, if you fear that the State Comptroller is going to investigate your fire company next (don't worry, they'll get to you eventually  ), here's the link to the Office of the NYS Comptroller: http://osc.state.ny.us/localgov/firedist/faq.htm.  This site provides all of the information that you need to better manage your company's funds, prepare for an audit, and how to fix your financial problems.
     
    Don't sit around and wait.  Be proactive and prevent your department/company from being the next news headline.
  2. jd783 liked a post in a topic by FireMedic049 in Economic Study: Volunteer Firefighters Save NY Taxpayers More than $3 Billion Each Year   
    Yeah, most people would say that, but they also say stuff like you should always lay in and some other things that aren't always the best option.
     
    In this situation, the best place for the first engine is right in front in order to effectively utilize the deck gun to slow the progress of the fire.  From the view provided, it appears that it would be very possible for the engine to take a position along the curb at the end of the driveway and still leave plenty of room for the Tower that arrived to get a good position since there aren't cars in the roadway and overhead wires don't seem to be an issue.  In this case, the Tower didn't exactly take the address, so the engine wouldn't have necessarily been in the way anyway.
     
    Another possible scenario would be for the first engine to dump their tank thru the deck gun and then move forward to get out of the way for the Tower in front of the house.
    This is very true.  I had a similar experience a couple weeks ago working my side job on the ambulance.  Reported kitchen fire late morning on a weekday in a 2 story garden style apartment building.  That community is served by a volunteer department.  My partner and I were the first arriving unit (aside from police) 5 minutes after dispatch.  At that point, I don't believe any of the VFDs alerted for the call had a unit on the road yet.
     
    Upon our arrival, there was heavy fire venting out of a 1st floor window, middle of the row.  The 2nd floor window above had failed and that apartment was starting to catch and there was some light smoke from the eaves and roof vents of the common attic.  I would estimate it was at least 5 minutes after we arrived until the first fire unit arrived.  Which was actually the career chief of a combination department responding as the initial RIT, immediately followed by the 1st due VFD.  They brought their 75' quint with 250-300 gallons of water on board rather than one of their pumpers with at least 750 gallons of water.  This was important since it's well known that their water system in general is poor and known to be poor in this complex.  
     
    They arrived with 4 on the quint - Assistant Chief driving with 3 FFs who aren't exactly the A team.  I made the hydrant connection for them and my partner pumped their unit for the first hour or so (he was a former member of that VFD).  The fire was growing, but it was still possible to get a stop on it and hold it to the apartments already affected.  Well, 10 hours later as we left the scene, they had burned the roof off 2/3 of the building with significant damage to the living areas.  It was only 2/3 because they managed to get most of a trench cut done on the one side before getting chased off the roof, but they also started it about 10-15 later than they should have despite having the resources to do so.  They didn't even try on the other side. 
     
    The poor water supply was definitely a problem, but the combination of a slow response, initial personnel not really up to the task at hand and some initial strategic/tactical decisions that could've been better, resulted in a near total loss of the building (at least 24 apartments) rather than only a few apartments.
     
    In the aftermath, the focus of the public and media was the problems with the water infrastructure and linking that to the result of the incident with no consideration about the role that response time, proficiency of the fire department and the decision making played in the result that day.
  3. jd783 liked a post in a topic by bad box in Economic Study: Volunteer Firefighters Save NY Taxpayers More than $3 Billion Each Year   
    This video does a good job of showing what commonly happens when a house is on fire in an area not protected by a full time staff of on duty firefighters. By the time the fire department arrives, there's no home left to save.
     
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW70mP_bbfo
     
  4. AFS1970 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Mahopac Falls FD fatal fire.   
    Lets all look at the facts that are stated about this fire, Time of day 4am, location of the fire Kitchen?,location of victim bedroom. 
    Theory Food on the stove, resident wake to heavy smoke condition, over come by co
    I am in no way a supporter of the volunteer fire service, but this was a tragic event that could have happened in any municipality
    Im sure the responding agencies did all they could for the fire victim Thanks
  5. AFS1970 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Mahopac Falls FD fatal fire.   
    Lets all look at the facts that are stated about this fire, Time of day 4am, location of the fire Kitchen?,location of victim bedroom. 
    Theory Food on the stove, resident wake to heavy smoke condition, over come by co
    I am in no way a supporter of the volunteer fire service, but this was a tragic event that could have happened in any municipality
    Im sure the responding agencies did all they could for the fire victim Thanks
  6. jd783 liked a post in a topic by x152 in Village Of Port Chester Disbands Career FD   
    Wow, surprise?? 
     
    Funny how the truth starts to trickle to the surface?
     
    So much for the "financial" crisis spin??
     
    Good old anti-union animus alive and well.
     
    I am sure that the News12 story is only one of many to come. Careful, who you elect in your annual popularity contests, your vote may come back to embarrass you and your entire Department. 
     
    In this case, your vote will undoubtably cost your Village and Department enough money that the next gold laced fire truck or grossly oversized ladder truck that you were dreaming about ends up being built by Mattel.
     
    Hint...when these clowns wash out of another volunteer fire department, there is usually a good reason for it. Don't become the "Florida" of your local volunteer system and accept all of the trash that funnels down hill. 
     
    And for all of those that like to cry how the IAFF is running around with false claims of pamphlets on how to eliminate volunteers, Port Chester FD Volunteer Leadership has just provided an epic historical blunder that will resonate for decades the facts about who is trying to eliminate who.
     
    Nothing like the truth to ruin a good fantasy.
     
     
     
     
  7. jd783 liked a post in a topic by nfd2004 in Village Of Port Chester Disbands Career FD   
     
    If I read the above correctly, Five of the seven volunteer fire companies are willing to support those laid off career firefighters. If that is correct, "Hat's off to those Brother Firefighters who are willing to step up to the plate and do what is right". This could be a huge plus in their favor. Try to put yourself in those career firefighters shoes. They loose their jobs from what I am starting to realize over some political or power hungry individuals, who apparently have no concern for these firefighters or for the citizens who depend on them.
     
    If I were one of those laid off firefighters, I would make sure I never forget who supported me and who didn't.
     
    Of the Five departments whose members are supporting those laid off firefighters, is it possible for someone to post which departments they are. They deserve a "pat on the back and recognition" for what they are doing. Let the World know what True Brotherhood in the Fire Service is all about.  
  8. jd783 liked a post in a topic by PCFD ENG58 in Village Of Port Chester Disbands Career FD   
    My hands are still shaking over this . I was at Gulliver's  and as you all know to well that it is the early stages of the fire  that are the most critical and that night  we through firefighters after firefighters at the rescue side of it and  saved over 100 but that was when Engine 58 had a 2 man crew and Engine 59 had a 2 man crew because there where 16 on the job and the Volunteer side had men hanging off the rigs because there where no seats left to sit in. Port Chester is a very busy dept  and the call volume will burn out the volunteers going to the small calls like CO ,trash, brush, car, and what ever in the middle of the night . One of the Chiefs is a member on here .
  9. jd783 liked a post in a topic by Bnechis in Village Of Port Chester Disbands Career FD   
    It is clearly not a financial issue. Watch the village board meeting on their website.
     
    1) they state they want to add cops
    2) they state they failed to pass the tax cap override 30 days prior (as required by law)
    3) they stated they can only add cops if they cut the budget elsewhere (since they can't legally raise taxes)
    4) they started with a number of cuts, including the $600,000 in salary/benefits for the career firefighters 
     
    now here is is the kicker.......
     
    5) they included dropping the Rye Brook "payment" (with no explanation). This payment is approximately $1,000,000 for fire protection.
     
    So how many cops can they hire with this math? $600,000 - $1,000,000 = negative $400,000. In other words, the village will have to come up with an additional $400,000 to fund the FD. 
  10. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  11. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  12. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  13. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  14. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  15. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Yonkers Squad 11 on 10-30's   
    Rescue 1 is in service riding out of station 7 on CPA, they respond to all structure fires, smoke in the building ect. On a confirmed working fire 10-29 that is upgraded to a 10-30 Squad 11 is dispatched
  16. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  17. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  18. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  19. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  20. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Town Council Votes To Ditch Volunteers, Contract With Adjacent City   
    I feel for the volunteers but the company had 61 runs last year. Im sure a dept. like Pittsburgh can pick that up no problem. This will sting for a while but I'm sure its in the towns best interest , they could use the extra cash for law enforcement 
  21. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Yonkers Squad 11 on 10-30's   
    Rescue 1 is in service riding out of station 7 on CPA, they respond to all structure fires, smoke in the building ect. On a confirmed working fire 10-29 that is upgraded to a 10-30 Squad 11 is dispatched
  22. jd783 liked a post in a topic by kinkchaser in Mount Vernon To Hire Firefighters With Emergency Cash   
    Hope the new Mayor and Fire Commissioner work. on background checks, so as not to hire problems, Remember past actions are the best indicator of future actions. MVFD needs eleven new firefighters not eleven new problems.
  23. jd783 liked a post in a topic by turk182 in Rye Mayor: FD Needs Restructuring   
    "THEY'RE ESSENTIIALLY PAID DRIVERS". You are kidding right! Is that some kind of joke? Besides the fact that calling a career firefighter a " paid driver " is insulting what insight do you have in the Rye Fire Department that allows you to make that statement ?
    Rye's career firefighters are quite often the first firefighters on a scene, what do you think they do when they arrive, sit in the truck and wait for someone else to show up ? In case you are wondering the answer is NO. In 2015 Rye had 12 working fires, in everyone of those fires one of the guys working was on the first line in.
    In 2015 Rye started the year with 18 interior qualified volunteer firefighters by the end of 2015 that number had dropped to 14. In 2016 Rye's interior firefighter list is starting the year with 13 volunteers on it, those 13 will need to complete some very minimal training in order to remain interior qualified. Only time can tell where we will be at the end of 2016.
    The average response in 2016 was 5.58 firefighters per call. Now if you want to drill that down a little. There are approximate 88 days in the year when there will be four firefighters working(due to schedule and vacation). Monday thru Friday the career lieutenant works 9 to 5 and responds to all calls. Additionally anytime there is a incident of any real significance there is a automatic recall of career staff. So that 5.58 is not even real but that is the best number there is to answer your question.
    I am not trying to take anything away from the core group of volunteers we do have, they are a good group of guys that have busy lives outside the firehouse. i am not going to attempt to explain the dynamics of the membership, they are there to provide a service to the community and they do it to the best of there ability.
    Needless to say when the stuff hits the fan we are severely lacking appropriate manpower. The hope would be that the Mayors group takes that into account and takes whatever action may be needed.
  24. jd783 liked a post in a topic by antiquefirelt in Study: Tax Savings and Economic Value of Volunteer Firefighters in New York   
    At risk of unintentionally insulting volunteers, I might ask if the FASNY study took into account how much money would be saved in property/insurance losses if a paid staffed FD was there to effect more positive outcomes sooner? Not a knock on the potential quality of work that a VFD can accomplish, but a realistic view of how much different a fire looks at minute 4 vs. minute 12. Take the same firefighters put them in the station when the call comes in nearly every time, and see how that affects the outcomes.
  25. x635 liked a post in a topic by jd783 in Federal Probe: Mahopac FD Mising $5 Million Dollars   
    I live in Mahopac and did attend the town hall meeting, I found it informative . The meeting was attended by elected officials and Fire dept member and residents of Mahopac. The residents made up about 10% of the crowd. No change is coming to Mahopac in my opinion. This was the good old boys club at its best. I as a mahopac tax payer am annoyed that the dept as a whole has not offered a apology or explanation how this has happened. Its under investigation, cant talk about it. I feel 1 of the chiefs should write a letter to the local paper (Mahopac News) and explain. If I cashed my paycheck and dropped $5 on the way home from the bank I may not notice ,but if I dropped $500 I'm sure I would notice and the rest of my family also wonder where our money went this week. Before everyone forms their opinion of me let me say I am a paid fire officer and I do not believe the volunteer fire system works so my view is 1 sided, I do know several families that have volunteer firefighters in them and I can say they are stand up men and women who want to serve, but lets look into the latest UL fire studies on how todays fires burn hotter and give off more BTU's early in development and reach flashover quicker. I work in a large dept and we are in the firehouse waiting for a structure fire to come in and we still lose buildings and people. What are you really saving in a rural community with the reflex time it takes to get a piece of apparatuson scene with the needed manpower to start a fire attack. I know whats needed thank god most residents don't