Lucifer

I think it just stinks that a person who lives in a community that does not have a paid force has much less opportunity to get "on the job". Fair? Not! System needs to change so everyone has "equal opportunity".

If a person takes the test and lives in a community that does NOT have a paid force, is he/she at a hiring disadvantage because of where he lives? What happened to "equal opportunity" employment? Could this be a cause for a class action suit?

The NYS Constitution is written to prevent the old "Boss" Tweed type of government in the Tammany Hall days of NYC when the political appointments were based on patronage and graft, see excerpt below:

"The Civil service Law and rules and regulations promulgated there under implement the mandate of the NYS Constitution, Article V, section 6, which provides that: Appointments and promotions in the civil service of the state and all of the divisions thereof, including cities and villages, shall be made according to merit and fitness to be ascertained, as far as practicable, by examination which, as far as practicable, shall be competitive,..."

So what happened? How is it that anyone can be "appointed" as a Chief?

What would the Jury think?

What up with all the fires in Mount Vernon though. I feel like slowly but surely houses are just being wiped out.

There's always something burnin' in the Vernon!

What! a suspicious fire in Mt Vernon??

For us, I would describe the relationship as very strained, disconnected and sometimes embarrassing.

We all work for the People, and we need not forget that.

Heard the guy in the pic is a retired firefighter.

It would probably be prudent for Batt 19 or someone to conduct an AAR to identify shortcomings and to develop/modify SOG's based on lessons learned.

Job posting for firefighter in Ridgefield CT. File by June 24th

Link: http://www.ridgefieldct.org/content/46/74/166/default.aspx

What the heck is "par" staffing?

The right selection of members for a foursome to keep you at or under in a best ball format. Ha!

I just heard Stat Flight give a 22 minute ETA to an accident scene in Northern Westchester. With them relocated to Orange County, are trauma patients in No.Westchester/Putnam County not being delivered to a Level 1 Trauma Center within the "Golden Hour"? If not, what can be done about it?

You can't sue unless you violate a law. There is no law broken. You can't sue.

There are Federal laws about "Equal Opportunity" employment. If a certain practice is never challenged because "it's always been that way" then one might never right a wrong.

Are "out of towners" not given equal opportunity (discriminated against), to get on the job because of where they live??

I think that overall Fire/EMS is going to become neglected by DPS and more priority given to "Police issues." DES has done a great job with training and special services and built up the level of services they can provide. To me this seems like a full 360 degree turn and will ultimately hurt the fire service and the public. In regards to the special op's teams run by DES, how can you save money by cutting volunteers and using overtime to pay and backfill for police to perform the same job?

Well said. Why are police agencies always trying to encroach on the duties of the fire and EMS guys? Self preservation? If there is a serious concern about saving money, which there is, combine with other law enforcement entities such as Corrections, DA, Probation. They all deal with "bad guys". Kinda like one stop shopping. Could prove to be a model for other Counties to duplicate. Oh, I forgot, sandbox issues...

Just curious but could you post this letter so that we all know what the Fire Advisory Board's rationale regarding their opposition to this merger is.

I do not have it. The general premise is lets not rush to abolish the DES, Lets explore alternative possibilities that can decrease the overall County budget while still preserving the agency that has well served the various Fire/EMS agencies and not become part of a larger bureauracy that may have a different agenda/priorities.

A meeting was held at the DES tonight with Fire/ EMS and other invited stakeholders and County Executive Astorino. A presentation was made proposing the merger of DES into DPS. The Westchester Fire Advisory Board went on record and submitted a letter in opposition to the abolition of the DES and requested a careful look at alternative ways to save tax payer money by exploring ways to consolidate WC agencies and still preserve the existance of DES. All affected Fire and EMS agencies are urged to support this position and urge their local legislators to explore alternative proposals/solutions in order to preserve the existance of DES and still consolidate some County services to reduce the budget. The Fire/EMS community and the citizens of this County deserve no less.

Merge or Takeover???

doctors, lawyers, pilots, etc the test is after the training. Everyone then has the same knowledge base.

What a great idea! If you want to be a firefighter, you have to graduate from "firefighter school". Complete FF 1&2 w/ national certification, then you can sit for the test for what ever municipality is hiring. Kinda like working as a Paramedic or an RN. Ya' gotta be one first. The test could be job related based on K/S/A for FF I&II. Doesn't Florida do something like this?? Maybe NY needs to.

How about billing for mandated inspections?

When it gets to the time of the year for annual personal equipment inspection, put a loaded mousetrap in each coat pocket when you go off shift. They'll only try to "borrow" once.

You can not impliment good tactics at a working fires without knowing the type of construction. Knowing the type (fire-resistive, ordinary, frame) will dictate decisions and tactics. Where is this fire going and how is this fire going to get there?? How am I going to stop it? It all falls back on construction. Balloon?? Where are my lines going?? How am I going to remain "safe"?? Know your buildings! Key.

I'm retired but I did 1 Fire, 4 Public Service, 2 EMS runs. I did not fill out any NFIRS or PCR's

Bravo!!

Maybe it's time to start the 2nd phase of the consolidation feasability study. Do a serious, in depth analysis to determine if combining departments will in fact save taxpayer money for fire protection. If so, how much?? Many questions, few answers. Lets find out.

Well said there Frankie, We signed up to fight fires. Just because nobody's home doesn't mean it's no bodys home. If a fire appears to be in it's incipient stage and/or the IC's size up (risk/benefit analysis) deems that it's still within the capabilities of gettin in there and putting the fire out, Why shouldn't we? Because some governmental agency said not to enter an unoccupied structure and let it burn?? Bullshit! It's what we signed up for and what we do. When good Chiefs have good information they make good decisions. And those decisions should be based on their knowlege and experience. Not some governmental agency putting up a "Do Not Enter" sign.