FFPCogs

Be a better global parter. Free the oppressed, feed the hungry, heal the sick and help the needy. All of those will do much more for American safety then any draft will ever do.

You mean like the billions we spend annually doing just that around the world, including in some of those very same places that are now in anarchy. The results of trying to buy security in those ways have proven to be less than effective to say the least.

So many wrong points here is is almost farsical.

Total non-story. Russians were operating in international waters and were intercepted by South Korean Air Force prior to an USS Reagan F/A-18C/Ds. Whipped into controversy by Fox News but totally par for the course.

Considering China is a mostly brown navy on the best of days again, there is no challenge to American power in the South China Sea unless you count unmarked obsticles which have sunk more navy ships in recent memory then any boomer, AShM or diesel-electric submarine since the Falklands.

You mean the deal to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East and replace the nuclear weapons material with power generating material? Sounds like a lot of peace to me. That $100 billion will do wonders modernizing their infrustructrue and spreading American goodwill in the region.

Japan or Guam maybe but only Russia can reach US mainland from their mainland. Good thing both Japan and S. Korea have AEGIS based missle defence supplied by the US military.

See US invasion and destabilization of Iraq and subsequent unrest, destabilization in Syria courtesy of G.W. Bush.

"Inscription on the Statue of Liberty"

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses, yearning to breath free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

-Emma Lazarus

See Iraq comments from above.

Invited by the Syrian Government and while bombing FSA positions, has more to lose from extremism and terrorism given its proximity to Syria and large muslim regions and population.

Hezbollah hasen't attaked Israel since the begining of the January and considering I drove the entire Lebanon/Israel border in May, there is not much to worry about there.

Not sure how you are calling them in disarray as they are actively competing with the US in the global oil market making American petro products uneconical to export. They are also winning in Yemen against the Houthi.

Died on a rescue mission rescuing hostages earning America more good will.

De oppresso liber.

We are not the only NATO forces present in country and the 9,000 is way less than the 100,000+ we had at the height of surge.

Interesting view, but obviously I disagree. I'm confident history, especially the history of the 20th century, shows that true security comes from military strength not negotiating with tyrants and fanatics . Far more often than not it is the knowledge that your adversaries possess overwhelming military force and the willingness and ability to project it that is the deterrent, not kind words and piles of cash.

Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die.

-Herbert Hoover

Sounds like you are signing up your son, and the sons of others, to die for an ideology they do not support.

At least ISIL brainwashes and indocrinates all of their youth before sending them to martyrdom.

There's a big difference between having a large standing military force ready to react to aggression and dying for an ideology or becoming a martyr. The strength of a free and democratic nation deters the aggression of those who would seek to destroy that freedom or impose their will on others. My son, of his own free will, is prepared to do his part to defend this country as a draftee if it comes to that. I do not call that brainwashing, I call that being an American.

You do understand ISIS and the current refuge crisis in Syria wouldn't exist had we not invaded Iraq and later interfered in the Syrian civil war right?

Be that as it may, the threats are real and growing, not unlike the Nazi's of the 1930's and finger pointing backwards doesn't change that. What happened yesterday to cause the rise of ISIS or embolden Russia, China, North Korea ect is over and done with and can't be undone. The problem now is what to do about the reality of today to secure our country now and in the future.

I realize this isn't fire related and may offend the sensibilities of some, but just sharing my thoughts on various sites on the state of our world today and what to do about it......

Russian bombers buzzing a U.S. carrier, forcing fighters to be scrambled to defend the ship. China's threats to deny freedom of navigation around the Spratly Islands and the adjacent shipping lanes. North Korea building ICBMs that will reach the U.S. mainland. Iran about to have access to $100 billion thanks to the recent nuclear "deal". Millions of "refugees" flooding Europe and soon to be heading here. A border so porous thousands enter the U.S. illegally every day. ISIS inflaming the Middle East and slaughtering thousands. The Russian military fighting in Syria. Hezbollah stepping up attacks on Israel. The House of Saud in disarray. An American Ranger killed in Iraq during a rescue mission. Troops to remain in Afghanistan indefinitely...and so on and so on.

What I'm about to say I don't say lightly, for I have seen first hand the horror of what war is and what war does to people. That said, with threats looming at every turn and growing stronger and bolder by the day, it is time to bring back the draft. Our national security and the safety of American citizens can only be guaranteed through strength...and that strength can only come from a military that is prepared. I fear that today we are not.

After the lesson of Pearl Harbor and horror of World War 2 our military was tasked with being able to fight two wars at once and that philosophy served us well and kept our enemies at bay. As time has passed we have drifted farther away from that philosophy in the mistaken belief that we "won" the Cold War and are untouchable. While we blissfully basked in our glory, the threats we face have grown ever more numerous and ever more dangerous. Well folks, the the Cold war never ended and new adversaries have since emerged and brought their war to our shores. It is time to awaken from our complacency and face the cold hard truth. We were the top dog only because we paid the price necessary to be it, but that willingness is slipping away. Ignoring the threats will not make them go away and fooling ourselves by denying they exist is even worse. I wish no one harm, nor do I wish to see our young men and women forced to serve needlessly, but if we continue in our ignorance because it's easier, than we will only reap what we have sown with the blood of our children and theirs.

And yes I have a personal stake in this. At 51 I'm too old to be drafted but I do have a son that is 15 and his life is more valuable to me than my own. My boy has no desire to serve in the military at present, and while that may change, it may not. Nor do I want to see my only son get shipped off to die in a foreign land. But this I know, if he were to be drafted than he would serve. And I know this because he is my son and we talk as men. So yes he would serve, in small part because I'd want him to, but in far larger measure because he knows what his responsibilities are as American. He knows and he understands that his freedom and the freedom of all Americans isn't free. He realizes that, like his grandfather before him, he may be called upon to risk himself now to face down our enemies so that his children won't have to later.

The idea of bringing back the draft is not popular, that's for sure, but the the evidence is there for those with eyes to see that makes clear it is necessary.

Perhaps it is in the firefighters union contract that they can drive?

Not trying to debate or accuse, I'm just an outsider looking in, but if that's the case who's putting self interest before public safety?

I don't get why volunteers can't drive any pieces of apparatus except for the rescue. Why?

My question exactly. Although to be fair I have no idea what kind of numbers they have for volly's in Larchmont. But I must say this, if they are able to cobble together a crew it is absolutely irresponsible to me that they don't let volly's drive the apparatus IMHO. And keep your "they're not trained to do it" nonsense. No offense to all you stellar drivers out there, but a monkey can be trained to operate a rig, so there's no excuse why firefighters...yes even volly firefighters...aren't.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Stamford-fire-chief-retires-assistant-chief-6570471.php

Sorry to see Pete go. He's been a good Chief and he's a good man. I trust he'll enjoy his retirement.

All the Best to Chief Roach when he takes the helm. Hopefully things will continue to improve and a better department will result under his guidance.

Today we remember the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the lives lost. As a firefighter I share in the sadness and anger of the families of the 343 FDNY members who were murdered. RIP fellas. But there is another part of the story I remember too. With all the grief and anger still felt and with first responders paying a heavy price now for the time spent working at Ground Zero we sometimes overlook the fact that our FDNY brothers, along with the NYPD and PAPD saved over 10,000 people that day, TEN THOUSAND. The heroism and dedication of all of these men and women knows no bounds and the sacrifices, of both the living and of those lost, were not in vain. To all of them I say THANK YOU.

God Bless all of them and God Bless America!!

Never Forget

I really don't see the advantage of the folding bucket? What does it do for? Save a little room? With a rig that size it's kind of just a drop in the bucket. It seems more of just a gimmicky novelty to me. Additionally what protection from heat might it provide the occupants of the bucket if its trying to pass or go above fire? I understand that they shouldn't have to rely on the bucket for protection but situations do arise where it could be necessary and could mean the difference between being safe and being seriously injured.

Metz is a very reputable aerial manufacturer with impeccable German engineering credentials, but it is also a European design based on European tactics...and therein as they say, lies the rub

Well I see one thing is done right...they're using the right type of nozzle for one of the only two jobs they're good for...the other being watering the lawn

Justifiably proud of what we accomplished, the Instructors who gave their time and most importantly the students, who persevered through the class. We now pass them on to the capable hands of the SFD training division for the FF-1 program at the Stamford Regional Fire School on Sept 8th

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news...#photo-8450440

As the title of the article states we are now going full bore to recruit new members, who will in their turn go through the Recruit program as well. To date we've had a better than expected amount of interest, which jumped yesterday due to the article, so with some hard work we should reach our goal of 75 new members this year.

I understand the nature of some FD's response areas makes POV response necessary, but there are ways to offset the "need" for members to get to the station or scene "hot" in a private vehicle. Chief among these is what volunteer EMS organizations have been doing for years...duty crew staffing. A crew of four in house will get that first rig on the road and on scene with a crew on board prepared and ready to work while the rest of the off-duty members are responding at a reasonble pace, and it will shave minutes off the response time to boot. Add in staffed mutual aid companies and the overriding need for members to speed around town, blue (or red, or green or whatever colored) lights flashing diminishes considerably...even if for only a part of each day.

It's 2015 well into the 21st century....maybe it's time to reevaluate HOW we volunteer as opposed to simply why. And here's one more bonus from a recruiting standpoint: if members know they only have to be available for set hours (where they can train as well), then that will relieve them of having to drop everything for every call and they can schedule the rest of their lives, i.e families, work, hobbies...whatever, while still providing what I truly believe is a higher level of service. A win win in my book.

To all who will be appointed - Congratulations!!!

Great advice...especially number 5

http://www.firerescue1.com/cod-company-officer-development/articles/2503778-5-things-a-company-fire-officer-should-never-say/

Fascism flourishes when the fear to speak your mind replaces the freedom to do so. Remember Nazism was "politically correct" once too.

To the "PC" police...

You may not like what I have to say, but I have the right to say it...you only have the right not to listen.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Thank you for the opportunities I've been given and the freedoms I enjoy.

Posted these on another site and they're just as appropriate here.....

You don't need to collect a paycheck to act professionally....NEVER, EVER settle for being anything other than the best you can be!!

Career, volunteer or anything in between, if you're in the fire service it doesn't get any clearer that this....

Very nice looking rig...the key here being nice looking. That thing would be a b!tch from a practical standpoint for working a fire....my God you'll get a nosebleed or a broken ankle trying to stretch a line. And while it might be serviceable (barely) in an industrial setting the sad fact is alot of municipalities are trying to outfit their FDs using the same ''one rig does it all" concept and it simply doesn't work. Bigger isn't better and whatever is saved in dollars is lost in practicality where it matters...on the fireground.

This all just shows that the true function of "the City that works" is dysfunction.

Now THAT my friends is a fire engine...I wish Mack was still in the fire truck business cuz if they still made 'em, they'd still be selling the venerable CF. Well at least this one looks like it found a good home.

Do we owe the public the truth about their fire depts. ability to handle a structure fire?

Yes we do, but more so we owe it to ourselves to be honest with ourselves. What I mean by this is that we are the greatest obstacle to solving the problem of inadequate responses and until we can admit that truth there is little hope of progressing. Like an alcoholic the first step in fixing the problem is admitting we have one and having the willingness to do what it takes to fix it. Most can readily admit to the first part, that there's a problem, but very few can honestly say they are truly willing to do what it takes to fix it. Oh sure, many will loudly jump on the consolidation bandwagon and proclaim that this is "the answer", until that answer involves them making concessions to serve the greater good. "We must consolidate, but my agenda is more important that yours", "we must consolidate, but don't change my contract", "we must consolidate, but don't touch my apparatus", "we must consolidate but don't take my rank" and so on and so on. Sadly, egos, agendas and a warped sense of self importance makes it virtually impossible to progress out of the tradition of putting ourselves first. And make no mistake we have always put ourselves first, otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion. The public will only get what they deserve when we put their needs above our wants....and that my friends is a tall order indeed.

So the state would stop subsidizing the training and the entire cost would have to be borne by the recipient (local agency)?

Kind of a damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario, isn't it? I mean either the state continues to subsidize and everyone pays or they don't and the individual towns have to bear the expense. Either way, the taxpayers are paying.

Or since the State of CT has no law or regulation stating that interior FFs must be certified, departments may have to just forgo the state certification program and handle training on their own as their budgets allow. Communities lose, instructors lose and worst of all new firefighters lose...thanks Dannell you a$$hole.

Properly analyzed and using real information not emotion or reliance on tradition, a regional, consolidated department would probably be far better equipped than we are today.

I have to say I agree with this assessment. As proof I would say just look to departments that took action and consolidated 15 to 20 years ago to see how they've fared over the long term in this aspect. To the best of my knowledge (which I freely admit is somewhat limited) there has been a major improvement to the allocation and use of apparatus and other resources.

Back to what's wrong with the site, there are lots of good criticisms and ideas to make things better, but we are just talking amongst ourselves and none of the ideas ever seems to get to someone who can effect change.

Well as I see it, that "someone who can effect change" is us. Talking is great and can be a useful exercise in spreading ideas, but when there's talking and no action it is nothing more than a exercise in futility and a hell of alot of wasted hot air. I often see posted here many views on who is responsible for our inability to progress, but what I rarely see is anyone pointing to themselves as the reason...it's the politicians, or the vollies, or the unions, in other words it's always someone else's fault. What we often neglect to even acknowledge is our own part in this situation. There's an old saying..."when you point your finger at someone else, there's always three fingers pointing back at you" (and if you don't believe it, try it). We, all of us, are creatures of the cultures which we are a part of. We accept that things are the way they are because it is "our way" or worse, we fear sticking our necks out lest our head gets lopped off and we become ostracized or "unpopular". The fact is the changes that need to happen take a level of courage, fortitude and steely determination to see them through that most lack, including me ...it is just too damn hard. So what then can we do?

Well for starters we can admit that we are the problem and not "them". We are our departments and if we are not where we should be, or if we are putting ourselves above those we serve, that is OUR fault, not someone else's. Paid or volunteer it doesn't matter, we are responsible for our actions or lack thereof and for the directions our departments take. Now some may chime in with the "I'm not in charge, so what can I do" argument and to be fair there is a level of truth to that, up to a point. But there is also the flip side which says that if you believe in something fight for it, stand tall while doing so and work to bring others around to your point of view. The truth is always the truth no matter how distasteful it may be and acknowledging that truth and accepting that we have to act on it is the only way change of the magnitude we're talking about here will ever happen.

Bottom line here...if you want changes then start doing something to make them happen.

I will share this for what it's worth. As many of you know there is a small but vocal group in Stamford that has some pretty strong views and ideas on how we can "fix" our FD problems. For the last six years this group has stood and offered up these "solutions" only to be beat down, ridiculed and told "that will never happen" from all "sides". Well with a good dose of perseverance and a steadfast adherence to the principle that we are here to serve...not to be served, we have started to see some small but significant changes start to make themselves known. Maybe the most important and in the long term, far reaching, of these is the new cooperative effort we have begun to recruit and train all of our new volunteer personnel collectively. Now for many this may seem a no brainer, but for Stamford this has been a huge leap forward and one many said could not and would not ever happen. The point is this didn't happen because some of us put our tails between our legs or put our heads in the sand, it happened because we stood firm in our convictions and weathered the constant barrage of negativity and personal vitriol heaped upon us. I don't know if we'll succeed in "saving" my beloved volunteers here, but I do know that we've made history and provided the best chance of doing so and we've done it for no other reason than it is the right thing to do.

Congratulations and best of luck as you move on to the next chapter in your life. No matter where you end up, I hope you'll be able to keep the fire service in your life and share all the knowledge, experience and wisdom gained in those 43 years with the next generation, for that is a priceless gift for them that shouldn't be wasted. Stay well and stay safe.

Not only does he deliver presents to all the good little boys and girls, he makes rescues at fires too, way to go Santa.....

https://gma.yahoo.com/watch-santa-cl...opstories.html

Here's a little Christmas cheer as a bonus.....


Santa is out making his rounds when he goes down the chimney and sees a little girl waiting for him who asks..."Santa can't you stay with me for awhile and have some cookies"? to which Santa replies..."ho ho ho gotta go, gotta deliver toys you know"

A little while later Santa goes down another chimney to find a little boy waiting for him who asks..."Santa can't you stay with me for awhile and have some milk"? to which Santa replies...."ho ho ho gotta go, gotta deliver toys you know"

A short time later Santa goes down another chimney to find the hottest most sultry, sexy naked woman waiting for him who asks..."Santa won't you stay and have a little fun with me right here on the floor"? to which Santa replies..."hey hey hey gotta stay, can't get up the chimney anyway"!!!




Merry Christmas all and may your day be filled with fun and laughter.