CLM92982

It's the education and training the individual receives that makes a difference. Maturity, not age, is the key. With that maturity comes an attitude of responsibility, something I didn't fully understand until I found myself mentoring others.
You can take EVOC and have an instructor that reads the powerpoint to you, throws numbers at you and then has you drive for maybe 20-30 minutes weaving around some cones. The general attitude of everyone in this environment: Is it over yet?
BUT - if you start the presentation with case studies that include photos of the accidents, the victims, the loved ones left behind - you'll increase the chances of grabbing your audiences' attention. Tell them how FF Smith crashed the Engine into a minivan and killed a woman driving her two kids and their two friends to soccer. Tell them how FF Smith was arrested and sent to jail, how he tried killing himself after being sued and losing everything, how his depression led him to lose his wife who took their son and moved away. MAKE IT HIT HOME FOR EVERYONE IN THE CLASS / DRILL.
When I was younger, a lot of the training given to me was a far, FAR cry from the guidance provided today. Thinking back to my Essentials class, I think I (and many others) showed up late, got out early, napped and basically didn't pay attention. When I took EVOC, I was a little older and just started to drive our apparatus. I only knew two things: I had to get to the firehouse first to drive and everyone moves for a fire engine going lights & siren. Man was I wrong! I was lucky to have Mike Wilbur as my initial EVOC instructor, who truly knows what he is talking about and isn't just reading me an Instructor's Manual. While I took some of what he said as "yeah, that can't happen here or happen to me" - I've learned over time that he was 100% right.
In the 14+ years I've been a driver, I have made mistakes driving our rigs and am thankful that none of those mistakes led to any accidents or injuries. I remember (and I know some of my other members know what I am talking about) driving our Engine to a Mutual Aid call once, with the pedal to the floor going over 70 MPH down a steep and pitched hill. I was convinced I was rolling the rig and killing everyone - luckily that didn't happen. When we arrived on scene, I was so upset with my driving that I was of no use to anyone. What if I did crash? What if I actually survived and had to live with hurting or killing all of my friends - and in a few of these cases - family members?!
Whether it's driving, pumping, doing traffic, or putting water on fires - we have to take it seriously and get the best teachers we can. We owe it to ourselves to be educated and ready for the worst days we'll have.
Sometimes, too, we have to play the role of the "bad guy" and tell someone they can't do something. Since I am not one of those people that looks forward to ever being told I can't do something, I dread when the time comes I have to tell someone that something they've been doing for a long time - or something their heart is set on - that they can't do it. But part of the job I was elected to do is to be that bad guy once in a while. I find myself sometimes thinking that it's amazing I have made it this long, and I can only hope others can learn from the mistakes I have made.
I ain't perfect - none of us are - but the bad decisions and the memories of "what the "f" was I thinking should help all of us to prevent others from making those same follies - and hopefully keep them alive another day.
If your drivers are fully aware of the ramifications that can and do happen if they have an accident, AND those sitting in the Officer's Seat are aware that they too could be held liable for the driver's actions - then by all means, let them drive.
I really hate to put it this way - but scaring the s*** out of your drivers is the best way to make them realize how huge of a responsibility it is to drive.

Today (6/10/2011) was Fleet Demo Day at Playland. Here are some of my pictures. If you enjoy my photos please comment of give me a rep, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

La Grange, assisted by Arlington, Beekman, East Fishkill, Pleasant Valley, and Union Vale operated at this structure fire at #11 Trinity Way. La Grange was dispatched shortly after 6:00 am for a reported structure fire at that address. LA Grange 47-11 arrived withing several minutes and encountered fire from the A-B corner of the structure with all the occupants out of the structure.....

Walking In.......

Wow....... I'm a little too late.....

Hmmm, "Small" house.......

Porta Tank operation out in the street......

La Grange Command (Career Chief Ward) in the neighbors driveway..........

Tired crowd at the front door.....

Firefighter/Medic Tom Martel was first due with 47-11 and was O/S in several minutes with heavy fire showing.....

Big houses and no hydrants...... East Fishkill 39-33 goes for water after dumping a load.....

Time for some air...... These guys made a great stop......

DCDER Deputy Fire Coordinator Keith Davidson and DCDER Fire Coordinator Kyle Pottenburgh were on the scene.....

Looking out towards the street.....

Around 10am on June 5th Garrison FD was dispatched to a MVA roll over on Rt9 and Indian Brook Rd. The vehicle drove thru the guardrail and ended up at the bottom of the culvert that runs under Rt9. North Highlands Fire assisted at the scene while Cold Spring and Continentail Village Fire Departments set up the landing zones for the 3 helicopters. Multiple Ambulances and ALS units were on the scene.

Nice craftmanship and very prominent way to honor 9/11
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110603/NEWS04/106030328/Brothers-9-11-Gate-gets-Mahopac-firehouse-dedication-tonight

Ok........ Here are some of what I shot...... The lighting conditions were tough because I was shooting into the sun most of the time and the front of the building was in a dark shadow in addition to the smoke......

First shot...... Yes, as dispatched, there is fire blowing out the windows..... A lot of it....... Hughsonville Chief Bruce Flowers is waiting for help to arrive after notifying DC911 of the fire which he discovered as he exited the Dunkin Donuts at the other end of the plaza.....

Wappingers 68-11 lays in....

Wappingers 68-11 gets set up....

Checking the exposures as lines get set up......

Thanks to the Wappingers Falls PD, the dogs and cats will live another day........

Getting ready for the first line.....

Lotta fire.....The fact that it's blowing out the front (Self Vented) eased the lateral spread and most likely allowed the pets to survive.....

Getting a 2-1/2 ready......

Wappingers Asst. Chief Tarquinio moves in with a line.....

Looks nasty.....

I apologize for the long post....... The photos tell the whole story that's why I'm posting so many...........
The New Hackensack Fire Department, Town of Wappinger/TransCare Medics, and the Dutchess County Sheriffs Office were dispatched for a "16yr old female that had fallen with a knee injury and is hemorrhaging on the bank of the Wappingers creek in the rear of 37 Helen Dr". Personnel arrived to find the injured female along with two others, one of which had a foot laceration, perched on a group of rocks in the middle of the creek. They were unable to make it back to shore due to their injuries, the strong currents, and the sharp and slippery rocks that lined their path back to shore.....As crews arrived and assessed the situation, the father of one of the girls as well as another friend of the girls, swam out to be with the original three now leaving firefighters with 5 people stranded in the middle of the creek. Due to the injuries to the two females and their location in the middle of the creek, the decision was made to abandon a simpler rescue and to request the assistance of the Arlington FD and their Swift Water Rescue Team (SWRT) in bringing everybody safely back to shore......

Initial personnel make their way down to the creek.....

The initial three girls in the middle of the creek.....

Suprise..... Without the knowledge or approval of the rescuers, the father of one of the three girls goes into the water......

and with difficulty, makes it to their location.... A short time later, another female would do the same thing leaving 5 individuals that needed to be brought back to shore....

A DCSO Deputy and TransCare Medic discuss the situation.....

With one safety line in place, crews wait for the arrival of AFD's Swift Water Rescue Team.....

AFD's SWRT makes the scene......

Did you order ten pepperoni pizzas? NKFD Fire Police father and son team Bernie and Doug Roe carry in the SWRT's inflatable raft.

AFD's SWRT members inflate the raft......

Time to move the raft down the narrow and rocky path to the shore...

Yesterday, on May 29th, Playland had its annual Veterans and Service Members Appreciation Day. Festivities included a performance by the West Point Concert Band, a Memorial Day Ceremony and a Helicopter demo by the United States Marine Corps. The demo included 4 different helicopters which were opened to the public. The USMC Soldiers were answering questions and going tours of the aircraft. Playland and The USMC did a great job with this event.

Chris,
You are correct, we do have a crew system, but it is utilized at night between the hours of 11 PM to 6 AM.
It is a system that works very well for us, as we average approximately 1,200 runs per year (600+ Fire & 500+ EMS).
Fire crews (Officer, chauffeur and four firefighters) are on duty for a week at a time. Crew members do not stay in the firehouse, but are responsible for responding on all fire runs during crew hours. They are also responsible for checking the rigs and all equipment on Sunday or Monday of crew week.
Non-crew members may respond as well.
Working fires or serious incidents are a general response.
EMS crews (Officer/EMT, driver, 2 additional EMTs) are nightly, with a different crew on duty every night. Crew members do not stay in the firehouse, but are responsible for responding on all EMS runs during crew hours. They are also responsible for checking the rigs and all equipment on Sunday or Monday on a rotating basis.
Daytime response isn't an issue due to a good response from a variety of members who are Village employees, shift workers, college students, young retirees or those who work in the Village and can leave their jobs.
Stay safe,
Syd Henry
Elmsford FD

I give the guy a lot of credit because he did not jump on the bandwagon or take an easy out. He seems to truly get it and very few non members do. As for the Utica guys hopefully they had some senior men to sit with at the kitchen table afterwards to reinforce what they already knew sometimes no matter what you do it's not enough sometimes which is a hard pill to swallow especially when children are involved.

I give the guy a lot of credit because he did not jump on the bandwagon or take an easy out. He seems to truly get it and very few non members do. As for the Utica guys hopefully they had some senior men to sit with at the kitchen table afterwards to reinforce what they already knew sometimes no matter what you do it's not enough sometimes which is a hard pill to swallow especially when children are involved.

Seth,
I want to thank you and everyone else for the kind words and best wishes. The accomplishments you credit me for achieving was a team effort. I have had some of the best officers that any chief can ask for, and this goes for the guys who aren’t even around anymore. When I was sworn in as assistant chief in 1996 I had set goal for myself and the officers and I set goal for our dept. I am proud to say 95% have been achieved and the other 5% are well on the way. As someone once said to me “leadership qualities are something you are born with” well I disagree with that statement. A true leader looks to learn, listen and educate others every day even when he or she is no longer the leader. Ralph Nader said it best, "The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers."
Thank you again, but make no mistake about it I maybe an EX or Past Chief but I will always look out for Yorktown and the fire service best interest.
Past Chief McGannon

For over a century, researchers have debated whether or not wood exposed to long-term, low-temperature heat sources can exhibit spontaneous combustion. Vytenis Babrauskas, author of Ignition Handbook, argues that ignition is possible for wood building members exposed to temperatures as low as 77oC (170oF) for long time periods (months to years). Due to internal heating (self-heating), a reactive char forms under oxygen-deficient conditions and eventually ignites as oxygen enters newly-formed cracks. Examples that we may encounter in the field include wood floor/ceiling assemblies penetrated by steam/hot water supply pipes or ducts. For the sake of comparison, external heating applies to the ignition of wood exposed to higher temperatures of around 250oC (482oF) for periods no longer than a few hours. Most causes of fire probably fall under this category.
For the fire investigators and chief officers out there, have any of you determined that a fire was caused by self-heating or pyrophoric carbon? Conversely, does anybody think that long-term, low-temperature ignition of wood isn't possible? My knowledge is limited, but I understand that this topic is controversial in the fire investigation community. For more information, click the link below.
'Pyrophoric Carbon' and Long-term, Low-temperature Ignition of Wood

The professional teamwork by YPD ESU, YFD RES1, SQ11, TL75, B2, Empress EMS and NYSP freed seriously injured victim whose arm was caught between steering wheel and tree. Vehicle was hanging around tree and had to be stabilized before any extrication could be performed. Members were concerned that any removal or re-alignment of vehicle would cause it to fall back down embankment.

Here’s a look at the EMS Units On-Scene
Car 5 Chief of EMS Command
Car 51 Manhattan Division Chief
Car 5C EMS Deputy Chief (Medical Branch)
Division Captain 2 (Bronx Div Captain) Deputy Medical Branch with Staging
Division Captain 4 (Queens Div Captain)
Conditions 20 (EMS Lieutenant) Triage/ front half of the bus
Conditions 15 (EMS Lieutenant) Triage back half of the bus. After triage began and units determined half of the patients were deceased this unit took the role of the Transport Officer.
Conditions 03 (EMS Lieutenant) Treatment Officer
Conditions 14 (EMS Lieutenant) Hospital Group Sector Officer
Conditions 53 (EMS Lieutenant)
M.E.R.V 2 (Bronx Major Emergency Response Vehicle)
M.R.T.U (Mobile Respiratory Treatment Unit)
L.S.U 2 (Bronx Logistical Support Unit)
L.S.U 4 (Queens Logistical Support Unit)
15Z (ALS Ambulance) 03V (ALS Ambulance)
20X (ALS Ambulance) 20Y (ALS Ambulance)
52V (ALS Ambulance) 52X (ALS Ambulance)
15A (BLS Ambulance) 20D (BLS Ambulance)
15G (BLS Ambulance) 52D (BLS Ambulance)
15I (BLS Ambulance) 52E (BLS Ambulance)
20C (BLS Ambulance)
FDNY Counseling Service Unit was at the scene and also at hospitals, EMS stations and firehouses.

Probie Class 1986
In this photo: , Marc Burrell, Tom Moriarity, Kevin Ferguson, Mike Johnson, Joe Narciso, David Mclean, Marty Gotte & Mark Mclean

The village I live in is currently exploring changing local elections to be in November instead of March. Some are arguing that this will take away the importance of their local election, as it would be overshadowed by the more publicized national and state elections. Personally I don't care either way because whether it's for local, presidential or firehouse elections, you can always find a flaw with each candidate. If you were to have Fire Commissioner elections at the same time as bigger elections, I don't think it would matter - most people around here just look at the fire department as "existing" and "there when they need them." The only ones that really ever make the effort to show up for votes pertaining to an FD are it's members, their families, the few supporters and the few haters. Most people don't pay any attention to us (paid or volunteer) until we inconvenience them with a road closure or have to help them.
So to say that you think most taxpayers wouldn't want to assume liability, you're giving them too much credit and assuming they're paying attention to us in the first place. More often than not in our village, citizens think we are paid because that's what they had in the city before coming here, and the way we conduct ourselves at every incident is with a level of professionalism that they should expect. Our rapid, capable and well-manned responses done by unpaid volunteers is commonly referred to as "the best deal in town" by our Village Board. We're there when we are needed and our community knows this, expects this and occassionally appreciates this.
Our operating and capital budgets are always at the mercy of our village, so "essentially," yes, we are under their control.
As for the way fire districts are run, I am not part of one nor do I have any interest in talking about them.

These are photos that I took at a 2 alarm fire back on 8-2-10 in downtown Louisville. I edited the photos to only show the apparatus that were on scene.
First on scene was H&L-1

Engine 11 pumping and attacking the fire.

Engine 5

Tower 2

Squrt 17

This is not text book, the engine is facing the wrong way, forcing the men to stretch around the rig, the truck and engine are nosed into one another, if the engine chauffeur had a bad hydrant he is now screwed and either has to back stretch 3 1/2" by hand to another hydrant or be supplied, and as far as the few guys you see RUNNING, slow down, act like you've done this before, can't help anyone if you break your back slipping on ice. Aside from that, good aerial placement, and this really isn't a long stretch at all, 5 lengths maybe 6 for good luck. Every stretch is harder without that fifth man though, 2nd due engine comes into play huge here, especially with the hassle of stretching around the rig.

The East Fishkill Fire Department responded to this structure fire on Fairview Road on the evening of Monday January 17, 2011. Upon their arrival, they had fire throughout the small residential structure and quickly knocked down the same..... East Fishkill was assisted at the scene by the Village of Fishkills FAST team.....

Firefighters arrived to find fire throughout the small structure.....

A EFFD fire policeman stands guard next to a downed live electrical wire that fell from the structure....

Firefighters work to vent the snow covered roof....

A side shot of the scene......

Watter opp's......

The roofs open.....

With their "new" quint in the background, EFFD Firefighter Savino changes the bottles on firefighters Conti and Birkler...... I have made several prints of this on my printer that are
24"H x 50"W and they look pretty sharp...........

The La Grange Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire on Miller Hill Drive on the bitter cold evening of January 17,2011. Firefighters arrived to find an active fire with fire venting from an exterior wall in a large two story residence..... A second alarm was requested which brought in additional tankers from Beekman and East Fishkill as well as East Fishkills FAST team..... Firefighters made quick work of the fire and clearly held the damage to a minimum.....

Walk up shot...... Wow, this was a big house.....

La Grange Deputy Chief Barry Ward runs the incident from his vehicle as two State Troopers leave the scene after helping firefighters with a what I believe was an uncooperative individual.......

Firefighters had fire from the side of the structure at two points upon their arrival.....

La Grange career firefighter Zittel overhauls the exterior wall.....

East Fishkill firefighters check for extension in the garage......

EFFD FAST team member Jeff Savino watches over the structure....

La Grange Deputy Chief Barry Ward calling the shots.....

Water opp's out at the street......

La Grange 47-32.... One of two new 3000 gallon tankers that La Grange recently took delivery of......

La Grange firefighters assembled for this quick group shot.....

The City of Poughkeepsie, Arlington, and Fairview Fire Departments operated in single digit temps at this fully involved structure fire at # 90 Hudson Avenue directly across from the Smith Street Housing project on Sunday evening January 23, 2011...... This was initially an exterior operation due to the amount of involvement upon arrival and the questionable structural integrity...... I believe the building was vacant/abandoned...... Arlington and Fairview were dispatched on the initial assignment due to the City operating at another alarm and were cleared from the scene as I arrived.....

From the front...... Access for Ladder 1 was heavily impeded by numerous overhead wires I/F/O the structure.....

Firefighters use a hand line to knock down the rear section of the structure.....

Time to move the hand line through the snow to the rear of the structure...............

Firefighters hit some fire from the #3 side...........

Pulling apart the rear.....

Making progress in the rear.....

Back out front....

Keep up the good work......

A City of Poughkeepsie Detective watches the operation as the Chauffeur for Engine 3 gets some time off his cold feet......

Deputy Chief Decker monitors the progress....

Date: 1/22/11
Time: 00:51
Location: 632 Anderson Hill Road "Full Moon Restaurant"
Frequencies: 46.26 / Fire 19 / 33.96
Purchase Units Operating: 2411, 2412, 2413, E238, E240, TL53, U10
West Harrison Units: 2501, 2502, E265
Town of Mamaroneck Units: 2232, 2233, E36 w/ FAST
Port Chester Units: 2393, E61, E64, L31
Harrison Units: 2162, 2163, E10
Mamaroneck Village Units: 2241, L21
Valhalla Units: 2482, R9 w/ FAST
Elmsford Units: L55 w/ FAST
Westchester DES Units: Bat 15, C&O Zone 2, Car 25
Weather Conditions: Cold (Damn cold!)
Description Of Incident: Fire in three-story frame OMD, restaurant with apartments above.
Reporters: Remember585
Writer: Remember585
Relocated to Purchase HQ: Armonk E286 / White Plains L34 (Changed over the course of the fire)
00:51 - Purchase dispatched for a Commercial Alarm.
00:55 - E238 on location.
00:57 - 2413 reports smoke in building, forcing door.
01:00 - 10-75 transmitted, Purchase retoned, West Harrison Engine, Town of Mamaroneck FAST, Bat 19 dispatched.
01:01 - Port Chester 1 & 1 to relocate Purchase HQ. E61 & L31 assigned.
01:05 - 2501 responding.
01:07 - 2502, E265 responding.
01:09 - E61 relocating. 2232, 2233, E36 responding.
01:12 - 2501 advising E265 to assist with hydrant.
01:13 - 2502, E265 on location.
01:16 - 2501 reports a 3-story frame, restaurant on first floor, apartments on two floors above, bring E61 to the scene. Heavy smoke from structure.
01:16 - Harrison to relocate Engine to Purchase for coverage.
01:19 - 2501 requesting L31 to the scene, backfill with another unit.
01:20 - 2501 advising 2393 to have L31 get the roof.
01:21 - Harrison Engine, Mamaroneck Village Ladder to relocate Purchase HQ.
01:22 - 2163, E10 relocating to Purchase HQ.
01:23 - 2412 responding. 2232, 2233, E36 on location.
01:25 - E10 dispatched Purchase College for water flow alarm at Performing Arts Center.
01:26 - Port Chester units dispatched to an Anderson Hill Road address for a water flow alarm.
01:30 - 2412 on location.
01:33 - Bat 15 requesting a Bee-Line bus to the scene. 2501 requesting another Engine to the scene.
01:35 - Port Chester E64 dispatched to the scene.
01:36 - 2241, 2242, L21 relocating to Purchase HQ. E64 responding.
01:38 - 2163 reports Harrison units clearing the college, 2501 requesting them into the scene, E64 to Purchase HQ.
01:40 - 2162, 2163, E10 on location.
01:41 - 60 Control advising 2501 that 2411 is coming with a delay.
01:45 - E64 out at Purchase HQ.
01:49 - Bat 15 requesting Greenburgh cascade unit to the scene.
01:54 - C&O Zone 2 dispatched. 2501 reports all units still operating.
01:55 - Bat 15 requesting the Valhalla FAST to the scene.
01:57 - Bat 15 requesting L21 to the scene.
02:00 - White Plains Ladder requested to Purchase HQ.
02:02 - 2482, R9 responding.
02:04 - 2411 is on location.
02:11 - R9 on location.
02:24 - Bat 15 reports fire is darkening down, 4 L/S/O, using all hands.
02:26 - L34 out at Purchase HQ.
02:36 - 2393 requesting EMS for an injured FF (eye injury I believe, transmission broken).
02:37 - Bat 15 requesting an additional ambulance to the scene for standby.
03:30 - Elsmford FAST dispatched to the scene.
03:31 - North White Plains Engine requested to cover West Harrison HQ.
03:32 - E64 requsted to the scene and on location.
03:33 - Armonk Engine requested to relocate to Purchase HQ. E62 & TL2 on standby in own HQ in Port Chester.
03:45 - E286 enroute to Purchase HQ. E75 enroute to West Harrison HQ.
03:49 - E75 relocated to West Harrison HQ.
03:54 - L55 on location.
04:08 - E286 out at Purchase HQ.
04:27 - 2411 reports the fire is under control.
04:30 - 2241, L21 in service.
04:36 - E36, L55 in service.
04:51 - L34 released from Purchase HQ.
04:52 - E10 in service.
04:59 - R9 in service.
05:10 - E61, E64 in service.
05:32 - E75 released from West Harrison HQ.
05:41 - Bat 15 in service.
05:45 - E265, L31 in service.
05:48 - E286 released from Purchase HQ.
06:28 - All units in service from the fire scene.
Lohud article

Another well written article that will fall on the deaf ears of the few. The average citizen, of all races and backgrounds, is not in favor of this ruling. Let merit prevail! I'm so sick of the whining and complaining when things aren't just handed to you in this city. Last week I was sickened watching the NY City Council hearing on the snow storm. Councilmembers wanted to know why Public Housing wasn't adequately plowed and shoveled...uh, to the residents: You get what you (don't)pay for. Other council members wanted to know why people in the "Welfare to Work" program weren't getting paid by sanitation when they showed up to shovel. Uh....'cause you're already getting public assistance and shoveling a little snow for it isn't the worst thing ever. Along the same lines, I love how the FDNY should mirror the population that it serves, like it has some obligation to offer city residents jobs. What? I always thought it was to hire the best from the candidate pool and provide the best possible service. Where would I get a crazy idea like that!?
Guess what!? Life isn't fair. You get an equal shot, a fair written exam. Actually, it's more than fair, it's a veritable bunt! However, someone loses! That's that. In fact, most people lose and you can't please everyone. End of story.
The Judge is still holding onto the final decision, impeding the city's ability to appeal. They will as soon as they have the ability.
***Crack*** There goes my soap box! Thanks for listening, rant over.