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Read, digest, comprehend and then respond. If you do these things you'll realize that I have a lot more than negativity to bring to this topic. It's called constructive commentary. As for your writing; I'm not trying to insult you. I'm simply pointing out that if you want your point to be taken seriously, you should be able to string a properly constructed sentence together. No one is looking for perfection, but I have to read your post about 4 times to make sense of it. Part of a respectful argument is to address everyone here like well read adults.
As for PCFD/RBFD operation; why should be not discuss that here? Isn't that the point of this forum? What should be do, buff out to apparatus and incident photos all day? Or perhaps we should only give big pats on the back for a job well done after every incident. No, that's not what this is for. We have this forum and it allows us to do many things. We get to share photos, report incidents and most importantly, discuss operations in the hopes of improving them. If all of those things can't be done, than why are Seth and the rest of the staff killing themselves and spending money keeping this site open?
As for the RBFD issue, lets cut to the chase. Everything is not fine. Those guys are in a position of having to do too much with not enough. Sorry, but waiting for PCFD to show up is also not appropriate as a first due means of providing emergency service. How about night time? Do you REALLY think that the lone chauffeur of engine 59 thinks showing up in front of a building fire at 2 A.M. is fine? I DOUBT it. What do you think residents see? They see a big red truck and a guy killing himself to hook up to a hydrant or whatever, but then they have to wait a few LONG minutes waiting for people to arrive to actually fight the fire. That's B.S. for that fireman to be in that position and B.S. for the residents.
There are many ways to skin this cat, but the system as it exists now is in fact NOT working. It is not sufficient and it puts a lot of firemen and civilians in danger, let along property. This is not about the dedication of those who work or volunteer in this two department system. This is about not being provided with the tools or manpower to do the job. Why are you defending this system? Is it because, "this is the way we've been doing it for 175 years", as someone said? Well, I guess we should dust off the hold hand drawn pumpers because they worked fine a century ago, right? Why examine a system to look to improve it?
If this doesn't get through....nothing will. I'm going to put the soap box away for now....

Worried? No, not at all. However, if you'd like to make a credible argument, spelling and grammar are great building blocks.
Disrespectful would be saying, "Rye Brook FD and PD should be dissolved and all their members should be fired". I don't believe I saw anyone approaching that level of crass suggestion. The root of what is being discussed here is fire department operations of the RBFD. What the politicians have created here is the illusion of fire protection. Residents call 911 and big red trucks show up and no one knows that there are only two firemen who are going to have to put themselves through the ringer to accomplish a fraction of what needs to be done at a fire. First and foremost, this is detrimental to the safety of the members while working, as well as to any other emergency personal who may be called to work at the same scene. I mean, seriously, how much burden can you lay on the shoulders of two guys?! It's crazy! No, actually it's criminal.
Public safety isn't hard to justify. We know it and we all know that no one, not one single department, has the staffing that we should always have. The issue here is not what all of US think, but what can be accomplished in reality. All of us, along with the people we serve, deserve top quality emergency services provided by properly structured agencies. That means commanders (chiefs and line officers), support staff and last, but of greatest importance, the number of firefighters to get the job done. The sad reality is that RBFD probably won't suddenly hire a chief, enough officers and firemen to properly staff (at least) 1 engine and 1 truck, 24 hours a day. Could they afford it? Probably. Is that a wealthy community who's residents can take a tax hike? Yup! But, as the saying goes, "the rich don't get rich by giving their money away". They're wrong and they think that they'll never need the fire department, but things get awful ugly when you start looking at numbers.
The bottom line is this, that firehouse is very necessary, so lets talk about how to get those guys the proper tools (i.e. manpower) to do the job they're forced to do without proper manning. I believe, IMHO, that the only way for this to occur is (get ready, here's the buzzword again) CONSOLIDATION!!

If 7 departments are routinely called for a Private Dwelling fire, why not consolidate? You wouldn't need so many Chiefs and you would have more Firefighters. Chain of command would be more clear. Standard Operating Guidelines, Policies and Procedures, etc. would be in the same for all members operating on scene, etc.
What are the advantages, if any, to having so many small departments who are not capable of handling even small or medium size incidents on their own?

You are correct, the Rye Brook FD ff's work 7a-7p 7 days a week. They have no officers and they have no chiefs of their own. The Port Chester FD is always dispatched along with Rye Brook to all of their calls. (The Port Chester chiefs are in charge of the RBFD) They have a 2 man minumum for staffing, with I believe 4 men assigned to each (2) group. They have tried to get the Village of Rye Brook to hire more ff's so they may staff their station 24/7 without success. At 7pm 1 of the career Port Chester ff's drives his engine (59) and stays at the RBFD till the Rye Brook ff's return in the morning. Makes absolutely no sense, Rye Brook is mostly a bedroom community. Why would you want to reduce the amount of firefighters in your town during the hours when the most harm can come to the most people? Politicians can screw up anything.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/17/teacher-aid-obamas-jobs-plan_n_1015854.html
Maybe you guys who are claiming how the funding for this part of the jobs bill would have been paid for out of all our pockets missed this detail.
I cannot remember any other programs that ever helped fire departments other than AFG and SAFER. The AFG's that we got were instrumental in solving some serious health and safety issues my job had. The guys that hook up the exhaust systems to the rigs now before they back them into the firehouse probably take it for granted that they don't have diesel particulate matter on their plates and glasses in the kitchen. They might not have worked with the guys we lost due to strange and rare liver cancers.
SAFER has been key in rehiring laid off Westchester firefighters. Yes, it's temporary, but you know what? I'd take the two years of temporary while the municipality tries to get it's act together to keep the positions after the grant expires, instead of two years on the bread line.
I'm not sure how this part of the jobs bill interfaces with SAFER, if at all. If it is the entire SAFER funding that just got voted down the tubes thanks to the millionaire protecting Republicans and a few cross-over traitors of working people like Joe Lieberman, well shame on them!

I am not critiquing any specifics of the operation. I do have one question / concern though which I hope will provoke some thoughtful, respectful dialogue...why is it accepted practice that it is necessary for 7 Departments to respond to a private dwelling fire with no exposure issues, and another two Departments are relocated?
This seems to be the norm in Northern Westchester.
Might it not be time to seriously explore some regionalization and consolidation?

No one is worrying, in fact, people are applauding Somers Commissioners for exploring the possibility of providing a service that can only enhance the service that is in place. There is no bashing, only constructive ideas that others (mostly career firemen with decades of experience) are bringing to the table to help you out... free of charge. This is basically pro-bono consulting with limited information on your situation.
Let your ego aside, embrace the fact that people are looking out for you and trying to help, rather then throwing you to the dogs. You currently have unlimited time to make this work, and work well. I would rather have 1000 different people try and help so there are 1000 different viewpoints on the topic, then only 5 people with almost no diversity on an issue. If time was a pressing issue, which right now it does not appear to be, then you would need that 1 guy making all the choices. But since this is not a state of emergency, and this is a democracy, explore ALL of your options, truly weigh the pros and cons of every choice that is out there, and make a choice that works for your district, and serves your customers the best choice that THEY are willing to pay for.

Commissioner, I have enjoyed reading this thread and I have even learned a few things from some knowledgeable individuals. It seems that you are a bit resentful of this discussion regarding your department's operations and plans for the future being discussed. Why?
Please feel free to contribute your knowledge, experience and opinions to this topic.
Oh, and qtip...

If you are smart, you are taking notes being as the information being offered here for free, you'd have to pay for from a consultant.

I think many of my guys in Somers probably would risk their lives. I am putting it right here what I have said in the station many times. I am not going to leave my wife a widow or my kids fatherless in order to fight a fire in a fully insured unoccupied building. I don't want anyone doing it for my house, paid, or volley. My wddding album and family pics are digitized and stored off site for that reason, as are every important document I have (including insurance policy.)
One of our guys DID lose everything in a fire about 2 years back. Two family members were home. He was miserable. Be helped him salvage. He got a rental, and his new home on same spot is magnificent!
In terms of cutting Town services: Maybe you missed it: We have a p-t PD with no night shift. They get no pensions. Our Town does NOT collect trash, we each have to hire a garbage co, so no fleet of trucks, mechanics ets. Our Town hiway has lost 4-5 positions since I moved in, and has not bought a new truck in over 4 years- for a town bigger than Manhattan. We pretty much have 1 real town park that runs constantly. It's access road and lot are crumbling. They closed the skateboard park as they could not run it. Our town hall was built in 1825. Annual Town budget is about $11,000,000 for a population of about 19000 people, BUT the FIRE DISRICT budget NOT included in that, is $2.8 million. So fire/EMS costs consume about 20% of all tax money collected at the Town level, excluding school taxes (which are biggest of the 3 by far).
I am curious, Sir and others. Can folks on this thread discover the same info for their Towns? What are you spending on fire and EMS and what is it as a % of collected taxes?
Remember in NY cities have true departments budgeted out by their municipalities. Villages may have true departments or Fire Protection Districts, the latter of which are considered sort of a vender under contract (the Fire Company works under contract with the village to handle the work). Town's may have Fire Districts, run by commissioners that operate fully free of Town officials input. These Districts set their own tax rate and budgets and ops. They answer to no one except 1 time a year, 2nd Tues in December, when ONE commissioner is up for election. Polls open 6PM to 9PM most districts. Yes that is right a 3 hour window to vote, in the dark, in the cold, frequently in bad weather, about 10 days before Christmas. Good thinking. Not a worse scenario to keep the public home and turnout low.
FYI the NYS OFPC tells me the single exception to this law in all of NYS is the Town of Mamaroneck. They are a Town and a Fire district, where the Town officials act as Fire Commissioners also. No info as to how or why this was done. Any one know?

I guess it's up to the individual...I am a collector of lots of "stuff"...not a horder, mind you...just a lot of "stuff". I would like to know that the Fire Dept that covers my area gives me the best possible chance to save alot of that "stuff". Sure most of it can be replaced, some can't, but thats not the point. In the long run it's about "Peace Of Mind". Most folks dont think about that anymore in the world we live in today. My Gramps told me years ago, you can't put a price on "Peace of Mind". I'ts a shame in todays world most people would sell that away to save a few bucks. How much is peace of mind worth to you when you leave your family at home for the day? Sure sometimes things just dont work out on the fireground,it's part of the buisness, but wouldnt you want the very best chance available to you and your family of saving a life, your Home, or your "stuff" before the bell goes off?

Wow, I cant believe someone in the emergency services field would make a comment like that. I believe your talking from your backside when you state you dont expect anyone to save your house (any fire we RESPOND to we risk our lives). You would be miserable and broken, not just sad if your FAMILY lost THEIR house. The statements you make are driven by personal economics. Why not get the fire services you deserve and pressure the towns politicians to do their job and cut from NON Essential services etc.. to afford what is your right to be provided. How long have you been in this buisness?

Wow, I cant believe someone in the emergency services field would make a comment like that. I believe your talking from your backside when you state you dont expect anyone to save your house (any fire we RESPOND to we risk our lives). You would be miserable and broken, not just sad if your FAMILY lost THEIR house. The statements you make are driven by personal economics. Why not get the fire services you deserve and pressure the towns politicians to do their job and cut from NON Essential services etc.. to afford what is your right to be provided. How long have you been in this buisness?

Wow, I cant believe someone in the emergency services field would make a comment like that. I believe your talking from your backside when you state you dont expect anyone to save your house (any fire we RESPOND to we risk our lives). You would be miserable and broken, not just sad if your FAMILY lost THEIR house. The statements you make are driven by personal economics. Why not get the fire services you deserve and pressure the towns politicians to do their job and cut from NON Essential services etc.. to afford what is your right to be provided. How long have you been in this buisness?

Very well said. It made me think
You are correct in stating no one is risking their life to save some furniture and a flat panel TV and Bill may not expect the FD to save his home, but their are some other factors at work, which your post made me consider.
As a probie, I responded to a house fire at about 5am on a Sunday, it had been called in by a dog walker. I was on the 2nd due engine and upon our arrival we had a split level ranch with fire thru the roof and out many windows on the mid floor (kitchen,diniing/living room). Conditions were boarderline for an interior attack. The truck company forced the front door and then the garage. 2 cars were inside. That made everone think that the family might still be in there bedrooms. My LT. had us stretch a 2 1/2 to the front door and we made a push to the top of the stairs. We could not get down the hall to the bedrooms as conditions were bad and I kept feeling something hitting me (I found out later that it was roof slate, falling thru the attic. We were then ordered out and a ladder pipe knocked it down before we went back in. Once outside every window & the roof now had fire venting. I was not very hopeful for the family, when we pushed back down the hallway. It turned out that they were away.
What did we save? A bedroom and the family room in the basement. I remember gatthering some critical family items and putting them under a tarp. The letter from the family said we saved the 2 things they could not replace; The family photo albums and their family history files.
Fast forward to this summer, we had a house fire in the middle of the afternoon. Family was on the lawn as we arrived. Heavy fire on multiple floors. Our firefighters made an agressive search and attack which saved much of the home. I was at the CP when a FF came out with the families dog, unconsious and looking like a giant mop. EMS was able to revive the dog and the family made it pretty clear that what we did was the most important thing to them. They were insured and can rebuild, but you cant insure those things.
While insurance may help you rebuild, it will not make you whole.

Firefighters, career or volunteer, are not a commodity that you "buy." Would you phrase your wording similarly if you were talking about firefighters who happened to be black? Would you still consider saying "buy a dozen?"
I find your comment to be demeaning and degrading. No matter what our color; firefighters are not bought. We are human beings that perform in one of the few noble professions left in this country, along with police officers and other public servants.
Contrary to your opinion, most people when asked still consider firefighters and cops to be well worth the cost of their salaries. The majority of our citizens know there are only a certain few professionals, who when called upon are ready to risk everything to help, to undertake the function of protecting life and property that we swore an oath to perform.
You want to buy something, go to the grocery store.

I've seen home owners insurance discussed as well as not wanting anyone to risk their lives to save what you can rebuilt. That's a little short sighted, don't you think? What about when you wake up in the middle of the night and your exit is blocked by fire and smoke? No one is risking their life to save some furniture and a flat panel TV. We're here to save lives and to do that, you need to get in there and search and extinguish the fire. You might live in a single story ranch, but what about the guy who lives in the attic apartment who's windows are 30' off the ground? How about the person who is overcome by CO in their sleep and could still be rescued and resuscitated?
We're a tool box. Hopefully we're a bottomless one, and can mitigate whatever issue it is tasked with. If managed correctly (career or volunteer) we can be the best insurance policy money can buy. However, to do that we must respond quickly and with adequate staffing.

I reviewed this list and found a few issues:
Of 22 comparison points, 6 both do. So we are down to 16 services that 60 control will not do for SFD.....hmmmmmm lets look at them:
1)MOBILE TERMINAL DISPATCHING - Technically true, but we have figured out how it can be done.
2)MONITORING BUILDINGS VIDEO’S - True, but how important is that?
3)PROVIDE PAST CALL HISTORY - They do it for everyone else
4)PROVIDE HYDRANT LOCATIONS - They do it for everyone else
5)PROVIDE CALL HISTORY ALERTS - They do it for everyone else
6)PROVIDE CROSS STREETS - They do it for everyone else
7)DISPATCH ACCORDING TO SVFD SOG’S - They do it for everyone else
8)ANNOUNCE SPECIAL MESSAGES - True
9)SECURES BUILDINGS WITH 42 CAMERAS - True (but does not count, since it is basicly the same as #2
10)SECURING ALL DOORS REMOTELY - Wow, crime must be a real problem in that town, None of the city depts have this.
11)CONVERT MDT COMMENTS TO ALERTS FOR FUTURE CALLS. - They do it for everyone else
12)I.M. TO MOBILE TERMINALS - True, is this really important?
13)TURN ON THE FINGER READERS - Is this important? Our tone units can be set up so 60 Control can turn on lights, open doors, etc. I would think it could do this.
14)START RUN AND EVENTS NUMBERS FOR LOSAP - They do it for everyone else
15)24/7 EMERGENCY SAFE HAVEN FOR THE TOWN OF SOMERS - True. How many times has this been utilized?
16)IN HOUSE MUTUAL AID FOR NURSING HOMES AND DOCTORS OFFICE - They do it for everyone else What a huge stretch, this refered to the fact that WEMS is dispatching its own comercial ambulances to calls when SFD can't get out. Its claimed that this improved response time by 1 hour. When we have calls beyond the number of ambulances, 60 tones out mutual aid, including commercial services.
So of the 16 things that is claimed that 60 does not do:
8 they do
1 is a repeat
2 can be done thru other means
so we are now down to 5 minor things (and 1 may have never been utilized) How much does this cost the taxpayer?
Now I know a list of services that 60 Control has that SFD does not.........
"Never let the truth get in the way of a good story" - Snotty

Yes most have 1 full timer (who also work for the district) your list was 4 or 5 part timers and later you mentioned how little they each did. Also they often get paid much less than a firefighter and get a 401k not a pension,
Every career FD I know has to do this, at least till they get promoted (one reason to study).
Vary's from dept to dept. but, many of the items listed are done by career members. I know our guys have completely renovated kitchens, tiled, built BBQ's, painted, electrical work etc. And the few items listed can be contracted for (cheaper than hiring).
Brilliant
I pay about 45% less for home insurance, I cant compare fire vs. liability to yours, but I suspect the liability & theft should be abouth the same, and I do know that the difference in ISO ratings (2 vs 9) happens to be approximatly 56%.
Everyone in NYS who's fire insurance company is not in NYS also pays the 2%
Good question, its very hard to answer if that would do it or not. However, in the country the best rated dept. without hydrants and 100% volunteer (but with very solid manning)is an ISO 4 which would be a 40% savings.
Its clear that a department with a 9 (on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being no fire dept.) can do better. Will career personnel solve the problem? I don't know, because there are many other factors, but it is clear that change is needed.
60 Control's call volume is over 95,000 and SFD's is a little over 2% of 60's. If SFD's volume is too high/complex then how can they manage New Rochelle's which is 4.5 times more or Eastchester's which is about 2 times more. I guess the other depts don't have protocols, many of which were established and adjusted over the years.
I am not surprised by this attitude, 20 years ago the SFD Board stated that they did not want free paramedic service (paid for by IBM & Pepsi) and they stated that the reason was: "the residence of Somers don't want paramedics when they are having a heart attack, they want people they know to hold their hands as they are transported". Most of us at that hearing never expected that.

Thats about what I pay, but "fire and EMS" is at $435 and its a fully paid system. Plus I save on my ISO rating.
Then you are statistically way over due. I suspect a large number of SFD's calls are for other than structure fires. I hope no one you know ever has any other issues that a prompt response would be important.
And you've worked as a medic for how long?
Thats good, because it sounds like your expectations meet the current conditions.
Can you tell me: "What is the cost of fire protection"?

Doubtful will hold you "May" have to call more apparatus and "K" was sent at the end of a transmission (telegraph days) to indicate speaker was done waiting for you to reply or at least this is what I have been going with.
I see I need to speed up my typing. Belay my last!

So many thoughts on this so hopefully this is somewhat followable. The original poster was prompted to ask his questions based off the medal day book. So on that fact I will say this I think it is dangerous for most departments to attempt to operate like the FDNY. We have the ability to put a lot of firefighters on the scene very quickly and probably unparalleled. That combined with strong SOPs that spell out where everyone goes and what they do based on the building type and location of the fire put us in a unique situation. This is in no way a knock on any other department but I think your procedures and risk management need to be based on your staffing, experience level, and what you face. In a majority of cases I believe small departments should concentrate on putting all their initial effort on placing the first line in operation. Even in the case of people trappped unless you know exactly where they are the best course of action may still be to get water on the fire.
As for the can as a truck officer when I enter an apartment prior to the line which is frequently the case when the fire is on the upper floor since the engine will be delayed in the long stretch I usually bring the can firefighter with me and leave the irons firefighter at the door (inside holding the door closed). The can allows us to knock down fire very well. As long as the fire has not flashed over the can will have an impact. The can is very effective at pushing fire back and allowing us to close doors. And in the etreme cases where protection is needed to effect a rescue the can is handy. Passing fire is a very dangerous move and should probably be reserved for known victims.

For me the Can is taken for two reasons
1) To nip any small or incipient fires in the bud while investigating smells and bells. A Can can work well in dousing smaller fires or at least controlling them until the lines in place and working in the manner in which JohnnyOV explained.
2) And of far more importance the Can is used for the protection of the search team should they become jammed up. Their job isn't to extinquish the fire when it is going, it is to search the premises for victims and locate the fire if possible for the hose team(s). The Can is there to protect the search team should an area begin to light up on them. A series of sprays with finger over the nozzle creating a msity fog will generally disrupt the thermal layer in preflashover conditions just enough to make a hasty retreat, shutting the door behind you. Simply put there is no substiture for a handline in attacking a working fire, expecting a Can to do the job of a handline is foolhardy at best but frankly it's simply dangerous.
Cogs

I hope the tone out is house fire and not automatic alarm...Oh wait the career dept does not pick and choise, so the same response goes either way. Now if both are the same, why are the requirements for the insurance industry so different? For the last 107 years the insurance industry has required a minimum response of personel to reduce damage during a structure fire. The standard is drimatically different for staffing that is on duty in the fire station and members responding from home/work. For career depts (and vol with on duty in house staffing) the requirement is 12 ff's and 1 IC, for on-call (vol) its 36 ff's & 1 IC. The 3:1 ratio is on EVERY CALL. So to recieve the same rating vol. depts need 3 times the number of firefighters, does not sound like Mrs. Smith will have the same experience. These standards are based on national insurance claims for 100+ years and are the bases of trillions of insurance premiums.
Wow FF1 that takes just 2 weeks of the 14 week accadamy and we wont even allow someone with that level respond on a call. Yes many vol & career ff's have aditional training, infact it is required by state law for career depts. I have been an instructor for 25 years and I can tell you the difference in the training given is not the same. You may get the same certificate from OFPC, but there are many differences.
Lets do some Math: A probie in my dept. will be assigned to one of our busier engines, which respond to 2,000 - 2,500 even with shifts and vacation time our probie will respond to 400-500 calls per year. This is more than the total call volume for almost 1/2 the VFD's in Westchester. In addition all calls will be under the direct supervision of 1 or 2 officers, who will work 1 on 1 with the probie. How can you make this up in time?
As Jim Carrey said in the movie "Liar, Liar"..............and "the truth shall set you free"
You are correct, this is because we have massive duplication of apparatus, equipment, stations, etc.

We have the same annual turnover in our 3 collages, but we solved it by enforcing the NYS UFP&BC.
How can you claim you understood the potential, but still had a reduced response? Even better, you allowed your selves to be cancelled without actually confirming the cause of the alarm. Sounds like a duty to act and a failure of that duty. Your 1/2 way to that lawsuit and its not like fires have never been discovered after the FD was cancelled.
I did not respond with lights & Siren, responded after PD was on-scene and called a working fire (FD tones had gone out 2-3 minutes before) and parked up the block so as to not block fire operations. I was always surprised that I still arrived in time to do a full walk around the structure before the 1st due arrived. In each case I had atleast twice the travel distance as the 1st due engine.
You did not imply, you came right out and claimed members did not respond to these calls.
Yes the VFD's budgets are much lower, that does not mean they cost less. I have found many cases in Westchester where the per capita costs are much higher for VFD's. Also property owners pay much more (often over $1,000 more) in insurance for the honor of having volunteers. Was it Poor Richard who said "you get what you pay for"?
I know its hard for you to understand, but having only seen one side, you can not. Those of us who have done both understand there are major fundimental differences. This is not to take away from what those active volunteers do (and many are very dedicated, well trained, etc.), but it is not the same.
Just in the few post you have made in this thread, some of those differences are clear:
1) We can not ignor calls or pick and choise which are worthy of us responding to. As another poster put it tone it out as a worker or extrication and everyone shows up, but your AFA in the middle of the night...good luck. As a fire dept we all have a duty to Act, but only career and rostered volunteers have a duty to act, no one else in the eyes of the courts has that same duty to act.
2) We enforce the NYS Uniform Building & Fire Code, which a. respolves the problems you have addressed, by making the property owner comply with NYS law. The initial traning to enforce the code is 126 hours long, thats almost twice the time required to be a volunteer firefighter (and it does not include our fire training). We are also required to have ifia minimum of 24 hours of annual in-service training to maintain our code enforcment certification. Here's a little irony over the past 16 months I did 48 hours of codes in-service (24 in 2010, & 24 in 2011) and all of it was done in volunteer fire house meeting rooms. During those classes there was always a fire call or 2 and we would have to stop the class till the horn stopped. Everyone would look at their watch and wait. Around 8-10 minutes the 1st rig would respond, then in another 6-8 the 2nd and in at least 3 cases the ladder rolled after 18 minutes. The standards for career depts is all responding rigs on the road in 1 minute.
3) You stated that the public should understand that you do not man the fire station 24/7. Well here is a major difference. Why the hell not? My Father Lives in your (former) Fire District and pays high taxes for the privaledge and you can not garuntee a response, but those who pay very little or nothing in the Schroder St projects in Yonkers or on the south side of Mt Vernon or the Horton/Winthrop Projects in Ne Rochelle or the South Bronx or any other undisirable location in any city in America has a gaurunted response.
There are many other differences, but its clear you will never understand that we are light years apart. This does not mean their are not great VFD's and poor career FD's or that there are not well meaning and dedicated volunteers. But the two service delivery models, particularly in westchester are not even similar.