gamewell45

Allow me to add that they should be union jobs!

Also regardless of the fact that the buildings are owned by the municipality, if you are selling alcohol, regardless of how much your selling it for, you need a liquor license in NYS. The bottom line is alcohol and fighting fires don’t mix, especially driving a rig after consuming any amount.

Whiile it wasn't a major issue, the consumption of alcohol was banned from my firehouse years ago due to liability concerns by the Board of Fire Commissioners. In fact under the current rules still in effect, if you consume any alcolhol at all whether at home or anywhere else, your out of service for a miminum of eight hours. Most of us gave up drinking.

I would say, let the district fix the problems and move forward from this issue.

I would say, let the district fix the problems and move forward from this issue.

Very good posting.
Unfortunately, this happens on both sides of the fence. Most of us in the fire service realize or should realize that we are all on the same team and our primary function is to be there when the public needs us.
For whatever the reason, there will always be a minority of fire service members who enjoy stirring the pot if you will, which only causes animosity on both sides and is best served by not letting reactionary fire service members get under our skin. Instead, we should all be focusing on our obligation to protecting the public and let those who sit in the corner or in front of a keyboard casting aspersions fall on deaf ears. We'll all be much better for it. Just my two cents on the matter.

Just wanted to say a few words about the wake yesterday and the funeral today. All comments in this post are my own thoughts and comments and do not reflect my professional agencies/departments.
I wanted to thank the FDNY community and all other departments that were involved with the ceremonies today and yesterday. I thought both the wake and funeral service were very well organized and went very smoothly. Both had excellent turnouts. It was a great send of for Lenny and was great to see how many people came out to celebrate his legacy and to support his family during this very hard time. Having known Lenny for several years, I would expect nothing else of his friends and the people that knew him and worked with him.
I was amazed at how welcoming and friendly the FDNY community was. We invited them into the PFD HQ after the wake yesterday and had a "little" reception for the family and friends. I can not even begin to count how many FDNY members came up to PFD members and introduced themselves and thanked them for letting the FDNY into their house and treating them like family. Everyone was just so happy to be surrounded by people that also knew and enjoyed knowing Lenny. Today in NYC they returned the favor. It was truly an incredible display of the amazing sense of brotherhood and sisterhood that makes what we do so special.
RIP Lenny. You will be greatly missed but more important your legacy will be greatly honored.

My understanding was that over 1200 wristbands were issued at the gate to get in. A very proud feeling helping some one in need!

May our departed Brother find eternal rest and comfort in the lords kingdom.

Date: 07/21/12
Time:1940hrs
Location: 4 James Street
Frequency: HFD Disp/FG
Units Operating: HFD (Full dept response), DFFD, Batt 14 Coordinator, C&O, HPD, Con Ed
Weather Conditions: Clear/warm
Description Of Incident: Dryer fire in basement turned structure fire
Reporters: soboss34
Initial dispatch was for a dryer fire in basement. While enrt, PD retoned HFD with caller states smoke now on 1st floor. Upon arrival of 2184 and FD members, heavy smoke from D side exterior basement door and from chimney. 2184 requested redispatch for working fire. Checking basement windows shows heavy smoke with "blackout" conditions in unfinished basement. Upon arrival of 1st due engine and truck, entry was made into basement with a charged line and simultaneous venting of all basement windows. Fire in basement consisted of washer/dryer and extension to ceiling and into bays on D side wall of balloon frame home. Engine and truck crews on 2nd floor found extension and knocked down same. Fire was contained with 2 L/S/O and horizontal venting. DFFD on scene but released. C&O investigating. No injuries to FD or civilians.

Been driving jeeps (CJ-7) since 1980. Wouldn't buy anything else!

Agreeably many people do believe that fire will never strike them; they roll the dice and take their chances. The well-to-do have more money and as such may be willing to roll the dice more often then the average person since they have the means to rebuild and start over again.
Education on sprinklers and how they work might help to allay of some fears that people may have regarding water damage, but no matter how much education you offer, there will be those who will skirt the edge and take their chances.

IF YOU BELIEVE THE MAYOR

Don't take everything you hear in here to heart; take it from the source.

Don't take everything you hear in here to heart; take it from the source.

All monies donated to the fire company are used for expenses not covered by the fire district. When we send out our flyer ever year for donations, it is very specific and people are told what the monies collected are used for.
The fire districts books are always open and avilable at every Board meeting for anyone who wants to review them.

I guess when I get a call from a career fire department asking for a donation I shouldn't assume parties aren't held all conferences attended do not involve partying and other activities don't happen with their money

Would it be fair to characterize this man's complaint as being analogous to a career FF (or LEO) who wishes to remain an active employee, but doesn't want to be part of the underlying Union because he doesn't agree with it's fundraising/spending?

Well, I finally have to give you credit. Your posts are typically ill-informed, incomplete, and in most cases, just plagiarized. But, now your a self-admitted bigot. And on top of it, your incensed that more of us aren't as bigoted. Classic.

Firemedic beat me to the punch, but I gotta spout off.
I was initially very uncomfortable with the mandate that people buy product. Ignoring the FACTS that this mandate was initially a republican alternative to the single payer universal healthcare system championed by Clinton and was successfully implemented in Mass by Romney is just silly, but somehow the right and its blowhards have pulled it off. I say successfully in reference to Mass because it has lowered the per capita cost of healthcare for the entire state and has begun to shift spending from treatment to prevention. By all estimates the program is going to save the state money. The left and right just can't agree on how much.
I am no longer uncomfortable with the mandate because there are enough precedents of congress having the power to regulate our lives. If you want to go old school George Washington along with several original framers of the constitution passed legislation mandating health insurance for mariners and another bill requiring all able bodied men purchase and maintain a rifle and other necessary equipment in case they were to be called upon to serve in the militia. More recently congress can even tell you how much wheat you can grow on your property for personal use.
You're absolutely right, there has been little improvement in the home of the average american. That is going to be Obama's biggest hurdle to re-election. What numbers do you want? How about GDP?? From the first quarter 2008 through till the end of 2009 our economy shrunk in every quarter except 1 where we posted 1.3% growth. Since then, we've been positive every quarter and managed an average growth of 2.4%. Not the historical average of 3.25% but on par with the rest of the world. More specific to the average joe, lets see unemployment rates. Here, we hit a high of 10% back in 2009 and have slowly cranked that down to 8.2%. Almost every indicator of economic health took a massive dump in 2008 and they have all improved since then.
Some like to argue that any idiot could have managed the same gains because things were so bad they could only go up. No one can honestly say Obama's policies and theories have been given a fair and unhindered shot at righting the economy. He has been hindered at every turn by an obstinate congress that picks arbitrary fights (ie: debt ceiling) just to fight them. Things absolutely could have been worse. Who we can thank for that we won't really know until long after this election when all these moves have fully played out.
Hopefully through reading my posts you've recognized I'm more than willing to give credit to Republicans and criticize Democrats. In this case, Bush is very much responsible for much of the conditions that enabled the collapse. Clinton had his hand in there too, but Bush compounded problems and failed to act on earlier signs of trouble. Bush also set the tone for solution with his bank bailouts. I believe he had the right idea, but a very poor implementation that turned a lifeline into a windfall. Liberals are still blaming him because we are still crawling out of the hole generated by an economic meltdown and two unfunded wars.
Obama absolutely promised a lot more than he delivered. But as I and firemedic have pointed to before, Obama cannot do it on his own. Congress has to help. At the same time Obama burned a lot of opportunities to get other things done by sticking to healthcare reform. He also was forced to bail on some promises when the realities of the job met his hopes and dreams. A perfect example being Guantanamo. Rather than force through a campaign promise because he promised it, he took the hit and left the base in operation.
Its always depressing finding more people ignorant enough to hate someone because of a name or religion. I've seen first hand death in the name of many religions perpetrated by people from every variety of nation. Look at human history and none can escape a vile and murderous past. Yet you're so superior that you can pass judgement upon a person simply based upon their name? It is truly disgusting.
I have no doubt that obamacare if upheld by the supreme court will have a positive impact. I have seen what happens to people with no or insufficient insurance. I see the way the system waits until someone is completely crippled and removed from productive society before stepping in. Preventing health problems and treating them early is far more cost effective than managing all of the complications that lie down the road. It is not only cheaper but it maintains their ability to contribute to society. To continue to earn money and pay into the system. Health insurance only hurts when you don't need it.

I'm pretty sure the "Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act" (aka "Obamacare") has already been passed since the GOP are hellbent on repealing it. I can't say for sure what impact it will have on the "quality of our current healthcare", but I do know it's improved the quality of healthcare for many of the uninsured/underinsured in the Country. But, by all means let's throw out all these people like the weekly trash. I mean after all it has to be their fault that their job doesn't pay enough to afford coverage.

Agreed let the Charter "extinguish the endless fire battles", which brings me to revisit a concept I floated here a few weeks back which was, not suprisingly, universally panned by my career colleagues in Stamford. That concept is one of a representative Fire Commission, which there is still time to enact BTW.
So here's some food for thought on the subject:
Most see this as just another attempt to "protect" the volunteers. Well yes of course it is about protecting volunteers, but it is also about protecting all of Stamford's FFs and those we serve.
Much has been made of this as being a way for volunteers to maintain the status quo. It isn't about the status quo, it's about offering a voice for all the involved parties at the upper echelons of the administration divorced from politics for all "sides". Yes such a Commission would protect volunteers from a Mayor, like Malloy, who wants to destroy them, but guess what, it would also protect our career brothers from a future Mayor who wants to emasculate them as well. It is just as feasible that a Mayor could be elected who, being "fiscally responsible" aka New London and other towns, looks to cut jobs, "save money" and make a name for themself. Remember as envisioned thus far the Mayor will appoint the Dir. of PSH&W, the Fire Chief and the expanded Fire Commission and it's not a real stretch to imagine them all being lackeys as they have at times been in the past. It quite conceivable that down the road it will be the FD becoming the foil when a villian is needed, and with the volunteers "contained" and no longer "the problem" who's left?. Well I think you can figure that out. Remember under Malloy had the Charter not existed in it's present form, there would be no volunteers now...and as appealing as that may be to some the very same axe could easily swing the other way onto the necks of our career brethren. So with no avenue for appeals or recourse and political hacks and cronies making the decisions, it's a could very well be a done deal. And while it is true they offer a level of protection, ultimately CBA's only go so far....as many a dept has found out. Both "sides" in this have alot to protect and both need a means in which to do so. Both also bring much to the table...all the better if they have a venue in which to do so together.
In the end a cautionary word...careful what you wish for, you just might get it.....and realize it only when the knife is lodged firmly in your back
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Notwithstanding Albany, many volunteer departments in Dutchess have no desire to form a county FD.
While taxpayers can vote on a referendum to disolve the district, in many districts there most likely wouldn't be much support from the public in general; we have enough trouble getting the public out to vote very year for the commissioners election, getting them to vote to disband a district with in some cases, potential increased taxes isn't going to generate much support.