lt411

- Honestly, in my opinion we like to have a heads up of whats coming in and if we need to move people in order to open up a bed it's a lot easier to do it before you get there. Calling in a report doesn't necessarily change the treatment, but it can allow us to be a little bit more prepared for what is coming in, regardless of whether the patient is critical or not.

A couple last thoughts. We all do this because we love it. Love it by doing the job and RESPONDING to alarms. The biggest thing that promotes pride, from what I see, is RESPONDING to alarms.
How many runs did you have? How many runs did they have? We beat you!! We beat last years total!!!! We broke 500 for the first time, 1000 for the first time, 2000 for the first time!!!!!!!
How many workers did you have? That Dept just signed on with a house fire "ACROSS FROM", we are the FAST lets start heading to the firehouse!!!
Haven't we all heard this stuff before? I know the younger guys who are new to this and still have an unmolested, virgin, untarnished view of things hate it when there is no Chauffeur for the rig and they have to stand around. Thinking to themselves while responding to the fire house "I hope we get out for this one" You know the guys who still bust a$$ to get to the firehouse for the regularly scheduled automatic alarm at McDonalds. There are a lot of older guys who still have this fire burning in them and still love responding to the alarms.
With this in mind for the love of me I don't see how guys like this, the future of your fire companies, would not want to be a part of a larger organization. Would you rather do 200 calls a year or 1500 or more? Pride is in the numbers. Hell you like to play with the siren when your in the front seat, instead of 3 minute rides in your 2 square mile area, now you get to play with them longer responding in your new 20 mile district!!!!
The last time I said something about the "older" guys in certain organizations I got hammered with negative responses. However I still think in this case it is the older guys in certain departments who are holding back progress in this direction. Pride is not in t-shirts and jackets, but in numbers and activity. Training and workers. RESPONDING and getting the job done the right way.
Keep em' rolling and stay safe boys.

So many calls, one of the few that did not involve someones loss of property, life or severe injury... In 1994, I had the pleasure of being part of crew that delivered a healthy baby boy in their house. I still remember going back out to the bus to get the stretcher when the Mount Pleasant PD officer on scene told his dispatch "A healthy baby boy was just delivered, I need the official time." The dispatcher responded "0113 hours". At that point the officer looked up, it was also his shield number.

Night shift working Engine 58 with my partner Tom Z received a call over the house phone from a 80 year old woman it was midnight. She lived in the former Life Saver's factory building now Condo's on north main street. It was late October and was a cold night. She tried the super she tried the police who told her to call the fire dept. there not doing anything so she called us. My partner talked to her and calmed her down and gave me the thumb's up [meaning were going somewhere] as I was the operator of the rig . The problem that night is she was cold , in fact freezing as the 5x 8 foot factory windows were to much for her to close. 3 minutes later we where there, we closed the big windows for her and got a big kiss and a hug from her. One of my best nights on the job a simple helping hand for some one unable to do a simple task. I always new I can count on the Firefighters to come to my call for help she said. As we left the call we did not say a word to each other all the way back to the firehouse as the grin on our faces would not allow it. The next night we got a call again on the house phone and again it was her. She asked if the guys that came out last night were still on duty and if so can they come to my house again, well we did thinking this might be a problem starting to happen [freaquent flier] we rang the door bell and was meet buy the best apple pie you ever saw. We have the greatest job in the world guy's don't mess it up .

On the EMS side....
While working for Abbey Richmond in White Plains on a Sunday morning back in the early 1980's. I was assigned as the paramedic on the transport ambulance and was told to return to the office. My EMT and I were told to go do a 2 man ambulette from Longview Nursing Home in W.P. to Grace Church on Main St in W.P.
We were told that there were no ambulette drivers working and the transport had to be done. When we arrived ( in an ambulette ) we found a 106 y.o. female named Clara Beech. She was allowed to leave the nursing home only once a year on her birthday, and for medical services. Clara was as alert as a 40 y.o. and could see as good as anyone thru her coke bottle thick glasses. She was packaged and wheeled out to the ambulette. As we got outside she broke out in a song of praise for the beautiful day the Lord gave her on her birthday. Now off to Grace Church we went. When we arrived you would had thought the Pope was coming to the church. The church was mobbed. We wheeled her into church all the way to the front where she was the center of attention, which she ate up.
We left her there and returned 2 hours later to take her back to the nursing home. To see the joy on this woman's face more then made up for the fact that an A.L.S. bus was taken out of service for an ambulette call.
Well if you think it ends here it only half over.
Fast forward 1 year. I was again working Abbey W.P. this time on Amb-1. When I reported for work I checked the transport booking slips for the day. Right on top was the slip for Clara to go to church for her 107th birthday. Again it would take the transport A.L.S. ambulance out of service. I told the Transport medic that I'd do the ambullete call and he cover the city. He thought I was nuts but he agreed.
When we walked into her room at the nursing home ( which was only about a 10 bed nursing home) she looked up saw me and greeted me by my first name. She then said "so you came back to take me to church on my 107th birthday". I could believe she remembered me.
Off to church we went again and there was another mob at the church for Clara's birthday.
When we picked her up for the return she asked if we could drive around a bit. We drove around W.P. for about 30 minutes as she gave us a guided tour of how W.P. use to be around the turn of the century. That's the 1800's into the 1900"s. She grew up in W.P.
I don't know what ever happened to Clara, but I think about those two birthday ambulette trips to church often.

In over 30 years there are so many.
- Drowning, pool was like milk, couldn't see anything in the water, started a grid search. On second pass swan right into victim, scared the sh_t out me. Got him to surface. DOA w/broken
neck.
- Victim cut in half by train, half the body facing one direction the other half the opposite direction.
- Working to extricate two accident victims from an overturned car with my brother as it starts burning and hoping the engine arrives quickly.
- A deliberate hit and run at a bar, the victim had visible tire tracks across his body like you see in the cartoons. He had minor injuries.
- Advancing a line and having the ceiling cave in with me on one side and the rest of the team on the other.
- An EMS call to a seemingly normal, well cared for house with a BMW in the driveway, met by a stylishly dressed woman only to find it like an episode of hoarders on the inside.
- The actual and attempted suicides by drugs, guns, stabbing and hanging.
- The EMS call for a young man with an orifice impaled by a boat oar when he fell from the step ladder he was on while 'utilizing' the oar.
- Having to wrestle down a doctor with the police who became an EDP when he missed his meds for a condition no one knew he had. He cursed and fired all his staff on the way out. When
we got to the hospital there were scores waiting to help him.
- While at work, alerting the residents of a triple decker apartment house and carrying out a child as fire raced up the back staircase, going back to try to access an apartment with a potential
victim, fire too advanced, she wasn't home.
- Responding while on the rear step.
- SCBA for only a few.
- Getting one of the first Hurst tools in the County.
- Being there as my nephews came in and up in the ranks.
- Being in the station when a distraught and lost deaf woman came in for help. We calmed her down and had one of the guys lead her back to her house.
- Lots more, you forget more than you remember, but over the years you've helped a lot of people, most you didn't know which makes it all the better.
I once told the nephews, we're a small town, but be here long enough and you'll see just about everything, and I have.
There is no better calling

One line comes to mind here: Some appear to be letting perfect be the enemy of good. Meaning,striving to make the perfect RIT and meet perceived expectations we've decided that it's too much and therefore, nothing is done.
I've not really understood the special certification for RIT in some places. It's part of our basic firefighter 1&2 programs now (has been since 1999). Isn't anyone wearing an SCBA (legitimately) whose available better than nothing? If you can hold two SCBA firefighters outside with SCBA on, you have the beginning of your RIT. The only things we add to this equation is the specific set of tools designated for the RIT and more firefighters and an officer. Short of RIT packs, the rest of the tools are all things that are used routinely by properly trained firefighters.
Many FD's struggle and want to keep their best guys for RIT to ensure that if the brown stuff hits the spinny thing their better prepared, but doing so increases the chance of the same scenario by putting lesser experienced people inside in the first place. If you can rescue a civilian you have the basics of firefighter rescue. Higher risks due to circumstances? Probably, but all risks that you should be prepared for (trained) before you enter your first building fire.
Also if your RIT isn't doing something proactive you're either resource heavy or wasting the use of the crew. Our RIT assignments include many tasks that reduce the risks to interior firefighters. As long as they remain available to act, are not heavily taxed and do not breath air, they carry out tasks. Some tasks: laddering upper floors, removing locked doors (no bars on windows or shutter gates up here), monitoring conditions, assessing progress, and generally ensuring familiarity with the building.

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

I remember that day very clearly in a different way, my other sister calling me in the wee hours of the morning telling me that Mike got killed, my first thought was he got shot, it never occured to me that he got killed fighting a fire. I remember getting to his house and 3 of the kids were home, Jamie was in Rockland county playing softball, I took Michael (the oldest son) for a walk and had a talk with him, then sitting around the house watching Nick and Jen (6 and 3 at the time respectively) playing having no real idea that their dad was never coming home again, calling my brother in Michigan telling him the news. Then sitting in on the planning meetings with the Brewster FD so my sister Janet wouldn't have to. I remember that I talked with the members of my family that were in the fire service and to our Chief (I was serving our dept as 1st asst chief at the time) telling them that I can't do this anymore and that I was quitting the fire department and most of them felt the same way all the way to our family in Michigan. Then at the wake that was open to everyone at the middle school I went outside for some air (alright to be alone & cry) I saw what you see in no other walk of life, that huge sea of blue, cops & fireman from all over the tri state area and realized that I could never walk away from this and the best thing to do was to stick it out and try to do everything I personally could to keep this from happening again. When the funeral was over and we were trying to get back to the "new" normal I spoke with my Chief Bill Vlad about starting a FAS Team, the Chief not only gave me his ok but told me to do whatever I needed to do and to get whatever I needed to make this happen, so was the start of one of the first FAS Teams in Westchester and still one of the best in my opinion. Yes like my son said Mike "Satch" was a hell of a guy, anyone that knew him would have to agree he would do anything for you anytime. Mike and I had so much in common, both officers on the FD (my second time through the ranks), both of us police officers and both of us loved the same girl. It goes without saying that I miss you Mike and although you are gone from us here on earth you are still with me each and every minute of every day. Because of this incident I have made many great friends at the Brewster FD and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation where my wife and I go every year to volunteer for memorial weekend. We were so moved by the weekend in 1998 when Mike was one of the honorees that we had to get involved. RIP Brother we love you and miss you and I know that you will be there in March in spirit for Jamie's wedding. I know when I close my eyes that day I will see you walking her down the aisle with that huge Satch smile.

Twelve years ago today, June 22nd, Lt. Michael Neuner died in the Line of Duty fighting a house fire with the Brewster Fire Department in Putnam County. Mike was a Police Officer in the City of Peekskill, a former member of the Putnam County Sheriffs Department, Armonk and Patterson Fire Departments. My Uncle Mike was one of the funniest, coolest and nicest guys to ever walk this earth.

We remember you today and every day, Satch. You may be gone but you'll never be forgotten!

Excellent article! Be sure and read the several related articles about D.C. Laun and the rescue attempt he made. He gave total credit to the on-duty truck co. crew for making the "grab". The man is a true hero, at age 72, to be crawling into a flat to get to the victim, without gear or SCBA. The articles show that firefighters everywhere are a true brotherhood. All of us retired guys miss the job so much- you lucky ones that are still "active"- live the dream; stay safe; and never dishonor the profession.

Great, but sad article.

Read more: http://www.syracuse.com/kirst/index.ssf/2013/05/post_490.html

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

Yes, all the probies will be assigned to engine companies. For many years this was the routine, as the thought was that you should learn engine company operations before being assigned to truck company. As all engine co. members (other than the MPO) stay with their officer, its safer to have "all the ducks with the mama". When probies work in the truck, they are usually assigned " the can" (2-1/2 gal water ext.) and 6ft. hook so they will be with the officer. Still, the officer may lose their probie during the search operation. I remember when the probie from Lad.24 was lost during a search for the seat of the fire at Macy's Dept. store in Herald Square (34st and Bdwy). Macy's has high ceilings, and the heat and smoke were building up "on high",while the co's were searching. All of a sudden the smoke and heat dropped like a stage curtain, and the scramble to escape began. The probie got caught behind a sales counter, which only has a small way out- like a mouse in a maze. Fire never would have happened if the auto sprinkler system had been turned back on by the plumber when the repairs were finished. Unfortunately it was Prob. Firefighter Walter Smith's last fire.

Yes, all the probies will be assigned to engine companies. For many years this was the routine, as the thought was that you should learn engine company operations before being assigned to truck company. As all engine co. members (other than the MPO) stay with their officer, its safer to have "all the ducks with the mama". When probies work in the truck, they are usually assigned " the can" (2-1/2 gal water ext.) and 6ft. hook so they will be with the officer. Still, the officer may lose their probie during the search operation. I remember when the probie from Lad.24 was lost during a search for the seat of the fire at Macy's Dept. store in Herald Square (34st and Bdwy). Macy's has high ceilings, and the heat and smoke were building up "on high",while the co's were searching. All of a sudden the smoke and heat dropped like a stage curtain, and the scramble to escape began. The probie got caught behind a sales counter, which only has a small way out- like a mouse in a maze. Fire never would have happened if the auto sprinkler system had been turned back on by the plumber when the repairs were finished. Unfortunately it was Prob. Firefighter Walter Smith's last fire.

Yes, all the probies will be assigned to engine companies. For many years this was the routine, as the thought was that you should learn engine company operations before being assigned to truck company. As all engine co. members (other than the MPO) stay with their officer, its safer to have "all the ducks with the mama". When probies work in the truck, they are usually assigned " the can" (2-1/2 gal water ext.) and 6ft. hook so they will be with the officer. Still, the officer may lose their probie during the search operation. I remember when the probie from Lad.24 was lost during a search for the seat of the fire at Macy's Dept. store in Herald Square (34st and Bdwy). Macy's has high ceilings, and the heat and smoke were building up "on high",while the co's were searching. All of a sudden the smoke and heat dropped like a stage curtain, and the scramble to escape began. The probie got caught behind a sales counter, which only has a small way out- like a mouse in a maze. Fire never would have happened if the auto sprinkler system had been turned back on by the plumber when the repairs were finished. Unfortunately it was Prob. Firefighter Walter Smith's last fire.

Yes, all the probies will be assigned to engine companies. For many years this was the routine, as the thought was that you should learn engine company operations before being assigned to truck company. As all engine co. members (other than the MPO) stay with their officer, its safer to have "all the ducks with the mama". When probies work in the truck, they are usually assigned " the can" (2-1/2 gal water ext.) and 6ft. hook so they will be with the officer. Still, the officer may lose their probie during the search operation. I remember when the probie from Lad.24 was lost during a search for the seat of the fire at Macy's Dept. store in Herald Square (34st and Bdwy). Macy's has high ceilings, and the heat and smoke were building up "on high",while the co's were searching. All of a sudden the smoke and heat dropped like a stage curtain, and the scramble to escape began. The probie got caught behind a sales counter, which only has a small way out- like a mouse in a maze. Fire never would have happened if the auto sprinkler system had been turned back on by the plumber when the repairs were finished. Unfortunately it was Prob. Firefighter Walter Smith's last fire.

Jim was one of my Lieut.'s in Rescue 1 back in the 'late 80's. He always had a smile on his face; never got excited at a fire /emergency; he exuded confidence at all times, and made you feel very confident when we encountered some "hairy" situations. He was such a gentleman, that we sometimes (behind his back) called him "Father Jim". I remember when his son would ride with us on some weekend night tours- now he is Capt. of Rescue 3 in the Bronx. The tradition continues! Heaven now has another great officer for the Lord's Fire Brigade!

Part 3.
Disclaimer- my apologies for spelling and grammatical errors in previous and future posts- there is a lot to cover here and I don't have time or emergy to dot the i's and cross the t's- I hope I am making some sense to most of you nonetheless.
Here we go...I agree with the poster who stated that Empress is "clinically progressive" and who espoused the value of Empress' EMD pre-arrival instructions. However, I should point out that the "Haz-Mat Special Ops support to YFD" provided by Empress is done with equipment purchased with federal grant money (UASI and MMRS), and training conducted by YFD. The nature of this support is generally to provide a secondary technical decon only.
One point that was made by a brother YFD member, above, should be emphasized. Empress has so very many dedicated and professional members. However, the majority of these individuals do not spend the majority of their working lives in EMS, and particularly not with Empress, although some do. Many Empress employees move on to Fire or Police Department careers, elsewhere in emergency medicine, or on to other careers altogether. The Empress work force is nowhere as stable as YFD. This is just reality and I believe is pertinent. I won't give my opinion regarding the effect of a stable vs. a more transient workforce because it is just that, my opinion, and we all know what those are worth. However, these facts should be provided so that all of the stakeholders (particularly city residents) might be able to deternine relevance.