fire2141

All I want for Christmas is....... Enough money to purchase Engine 138.
Regarding the aforementioned new rig for Middle Hope (Orange), it appears that it will be a replacement for one of the twins. Legal notice published in yesterday's paper advertising their upcoming commissioners' elections, and also including a vote on whether to sell Engine 338 as surplus equipment.

as nice as it is, this picture saddens me as I was the chairman of that truck committee. At least it wasn't a total loss.

Mike was a really awesome guy. I worked with him back when he worked at NYCDEP. I can't say enough good things about him. This is a fitting tribute to him.

as nice as it is, this picture saddens me as I was the chairman of that truck committee. At least it wasn't a total loss.

 
http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/white-plains/2016/05/06/white-plains-pba-turns-squad-car-into-memorial/83930034/

I don't live in Rye Brook, but this would seriously bother me: (From Journal News)
 
"... the village will save $800,000 next year through eliminating base salaries totaling $600,000, as well as associated benefits, overtime and equipment costs, officials said."
 
So for eight full time positions, including benefits and other perks Port Chester is saving $800k by eliminating these positions.
 
"Rye Brook has paid Port Chester just under $1 million a year to staff the Rye Brook firehouse for a 12-hour overnight shift."
 
Okay, I'm not a mathematician, but Rye Brook has been paying Port Chester a million bucks for one half time position and Port Chester has been paying less than a million bucks for eight full-time positions.  So the Rye Brook contract pays for the entire paid Port Chester staff annually, but they still can't keep them on? Port Chester has made an annual profit of $200k thanks to Rye Brook! Anyone else see something wrong here?
 
Like I said in the first sentence, I don't live in Rye Brook, but if I were mayor, now that the contract has been breached I'd be doing the math that Port Chester has now supplied and sue going back to the original date of contract for the total amount they overpaid for the half-time position they were given.  There is obvious fraud here on many levels.  Port Chester is going to end up paying so much more on this one in the end... 

lets hope this doesn't turn into a big circle jerk like the rural metro fiasco 

That's a false comparison.  Many police departments don't have auxiliary officers, unlike many many fire departments that do have volunteers or only volunteers in many cases.  Although they may be volunteer, auxiliary police officers are not typically used for front-line policing.  They tend to be used in more of a "security" role for events rather than responding to 911 calls.

My hands are still shaking over this . I was at Gulliver's  and as you all know to well that it is the early stages of the fire  that are the most critical and that night  we through firefighters after firefighters at the rescue side of it and  saved over 100 but that was when Engine 58 had a 2 man crew and Engine 59 had a 2 man crew because there where 16 on the job and the Volunteer side had men hanging off the rigs because there where no seats left to sit in. Port Chester is a very busy dept  and the call volume will burn out the volunteers going to the small calls like CO ,trash, brush, car, and what ever in the middle of the night . One of the Chiefs is a member on here .

One of the interesting points of this fire was the statement that the union president made and antiquefirelt touched on.   PFD has a protocol that if the members are suffering from smoke inhalation they automatically receive the cyanid antidote.   They felt that too many times members and the public, that have smoke inhalation, may very well have been exposed to cyanid as a product of combustion. 
 
Cyanid can do more harm faster than the  diagnosis can be made in larger doses.  
 
News reports that the Capt was being seen in the ER and his vitals crashed.   If not for the fact he was in the ER, there may have been a different outcome.   
 
This may explain some of the sudden deaths of healthy individuals after fires.  I have never heard of anyone job related having cyanid in their system at autopsy, but is it ever looked for?  
 
The building the Capt was in was the attic of college off campus housing.  I don't think there would be much hazardous materials in that attic.  

I am going to say the evil word. CONSOLIDATION, we speak of this on Fire and EMS. Why not on Police? There are so many police departments within short distance of each other, why not merge them?

Looks like he s copying NYC. They do the same for many of the city agencies except you can see theirs.

Over the course of several years on this forum, there has been discussion over the allotment of Paramedic resources in Westchester.
 
As a former Paramedic, Firefighter, 911 Dispatcher, and scanner enthusiast, I'm tired of hearing ALS being dispatched to cut-and-dry BLS calls.  I believe the issue is deeper seated.
 
The way we currently do it is to send a Medic on everything no if, ands, or buts. But that has far reaching implications. We are going to face a Paramedic shortage at some point. Paramedic school is getting longer and more intense, and the people who want to put up with it and the low pay they get when they graduate is getting lower, while the cost to live around here is getting higher. Burning out Paramedics by having to go on these runs constantly is a real threat. Then there is the case of making the medic ride it in because BLS could only get a driver. We should not use this as a factor when dispatching Paramedics. 
 
Not to mention all the money that fuel costs and the wear and tear placed on the vehicles and equipment going to an 89 year old female who routinely pulls out her catheter. Some of money saved could be used to give Paramedics raises, which gives more incentive to be a Paramedic.
 
If EMD was properly used, and our dispatchers trained and trusted, we could utilize our resources better, saving them from the problems above.

I may be a bit biased, but to land a plane at 200mph on the pitching and weaving deck at night on an aircraft carrier takes the experience and guts that are needed to fly commercial rigs as well.  That's who I want flying me.

I may be a bit biased, but to land a plane at 200mph on the pitching and weaving deck at night on an aircraft carrier takes the experience and guts that are needed to fly commercial rigs as well.  That's who I want flying me.

Mack factory photo of Peekskill's 1929 Mack Model APDR Type 19 pumper.  This apparatus was delivered December 9th 1929 and was assigned to Washington Engine.  After many years of service, the truck served a second career at Camp Smith.  It was eventually sold to an individual in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Tomorrow, after 19 years in EMS, 14 of which as a Paramedic, all in the paid sector, with some of the best agencies around, and some of the BEST people in the profession,I am letting my NYS Paramedic certification expire.  I obtained my EMT through the EMT class given at Irvington VAC by Judy Mayer in 1997, EMT-I at Phelps with Barry Nechis in 1999, and my Paramedic cert was obtained at Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2003 (which at the time was the best Paramedic program in the nation).  I've been certified and credentialed in NY, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas, and National Registry over the years. I am currently happy in my current career, but I had hoped to work per-diem as a Paramedic, on the side, just because I enjoy helping people, the challenge, and keeping my skills up. Most recently, I worked a 12 hours shift Sundays at Garrison VAC (thanks to Allan, Derek and RIP Pat), as a paid EMT, just for some extra money and to stay relevant in EMS, a job I left because of my cert expiring and my role and dedication at my full time job increasing.
 
With this, New York state is one of the most difficult states to retain your certification. First off, the NYS DOH website is extremely unclear, murky, and outdated.  Even if you complete CME's and Call Audits, you can't do the pilot refresher if you're not affiliated with an agency that  participates in that. Additionally, the class refreshers I have found don't work with my schedule, and require a lot of time to complete and study. Add on top of that, the need to get REMSCO credentialing for each region you work in, and can't obtain it if you're not affiliated, and all that a REMSCO cert requires on top of everything else, . And to have to pay for a lot of that out of pocket. I'd love to continue working Paramedic per-diem as mentioned above, but it doesn't look like that's going to be possible, right now. I even considered refreshing as an EMT, but even that is a lot. Maybe one day an opportunity will come my way to refresh, but it doesn't look like that will be possible. It was also nice to have something to fall back on.
 
For comparison purposes, other states allow Paramedics to be licensed professionals, and not have to prove themselves every 3 years. Some agencies don't do the whole REMAC thing, and the agencies protocols and Paramedic direction are usually set by the EMS Physician at a hospital. Some allow you to plain challenge using a computer testing facility.  And with technology today, I could do all of my CME and Call Audits online.
 
So, tomorrow is going to be a sad day for me. As I said above, I would have loved to go back to WEMS or Empress per diem,  especially to help them when manpower is stretched thin with everything now, but NYS doesn't want to keep pace with EMS recertification trends, and technology, they just want to lump on more and more requirements and changes in protocols without making any type of progressive change to retain experienced providers or recruit new providers, such as truly accepting NREMT-P reciprocity and utilizing modern technology for continuing ed. With this, I think the coming years will see a Paramedic shortage in the state.
 
Sorry for my rant. I'm probably repeating myself here. I've had such a great experience working in EMS. I was trained by the best programs with the best instructor. I've worked for great agencies, for and with the greatest people, and have learned so much. Bill Rothschild is my mentor and EMS hero and has done tons for my career, along with so many other people. Empress EMS provided a terrific foundation for my career, something I'll always be appreciative and loyal to that agency for.  Stamford Hospital also molded my BLS career. UMass City Of Worcester EMS (MA), Norwalk Hospital Paramedics (CT), and UMDNJ Newark EMS (NJ) were great places to get experience as a Paramedic. WEMS was a great system and area to work in, with great people, and was very challenging. Scott and White (TX) and Williamson County EMS (TX) were great and interesting places and a different world.  I'm actually pretty devastated over this, but accept it. I also loved my careers as a career Firefighter and 911 Dispatcher. Hopefully I can return one day.
 
I've been through a lot personally throughout my EMS career, especially during the past couple years, navigating through divorce, serious illnesses and hospitalizations, and even homelessness on the streets of Los Angeles for a couple of months. Thank you to Daryn Baia for giving me a shot to restart my Paramedic career and a second time around at Empress when I first returned to NY after my divorce. Bill Rothchild for being Bill Rothchild. My brotha from another motha RWC130 for helping me get back to NY from LA and start again, and a place to stay until I got on my feet again to say the least. A shout out to the barrier door hating, Aerialscope loving great friend and big brother Matt Manfredi who has given me a chance after being homeless, and the stability, encouragement, and resources to rebuild my life, and have a great job at a great place that allows me a career in emergency services and use a skillset that keeps me challenged everyday, with the greatest coworkers, customers, and the coolest products (and best office in the place!), and having the security and reassurance of not needing a "fall back on" for the time being. Mad Dog. And my mom for all her support and my Dad and Grandmother for helping me from heaven. There are tons of other people I'm not forgetting, but it's too numerous to list here, including all my friends here.
 
Although I still work evenings and weekends sometimes, I will never miss the late jobs or posting, lol!
 
Thanks for listening.
Seth C Granville
 
 
 

 
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This would be awesome! I am starting to save my money........
 
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a28292/2020-ford-bronco-renderings/
 

Any idea what this unit will be used for? It IS NOT an ambulance. To my knowledge, it is the first time FDNY has used this vendor (Custom Truck And Body of Georgia, link below).
It also looks like a Chevy or GMC HD chassis.

FROM (and more build photos at): http://www.customtruckandbody.info/index.php/progress/fdny/

In most places conditions are so much different.
1) Buildings, exposures, population etc are generally much different.
2) Training requirements are much different. In most places today career firefighters are required to attend a fulltime 16-18 week recruit school before riding on any fire trucks. Usually, during each shift, some form of training or building surveys are done in order to keep their required skills proficient.
3) Career firefighters operate under a semi military environment. There is a chain of command that must be followed. If rules or policy is not followed, some form of discipline can be taken against that individual.
4) To become a career firefighter there is a written and oral testing process, along with a very intense medical and a difficult CPAT agility test to successfully pass. Later comes a character investigation done by most police departments. As we know, the numbers are very high for those that apply, yet few are chosen.
5) Promotions within the career fire service are very difficult as well. Many individuals spent many years studying for the test day. In addition there is usually an oral interview with a score rating. When it is finely over, few are chosen over the number of individuals testing. Sometimes, there is also special school requirements that must be completed within a period of time to maintain that officer level.
The end result is that in most cases, only the very best candidates are chosen. For that, the people who pay for these firefighters expect the very best of service. And rightfully so. Those people have every right to expect their firefighters to help them in their time of need. And for those firefighters to thrown themselves into danger if necessary. That is the trade off. And if you happen to be one of those career firefighters, because of that, you must fully understand, that you are held to a higher standard than most individuals. You drop the ball and every other career firefighter gets dragged through the mud because of your foolish actions. The public trust you to go into their homes and apartments when no one is home. They will even hand you over their sick baby because they trust you. There's no other job like it.
Does the public appreciate what VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS do. Of course they do. Those guys are out there doing a job to help the public in their most desperate moments. No matter what the weather is, they are out there. They give up a nights sleep and still are expected to go to their fulltime jobs to support their families the next morning. Some come from outstanding careers or backgrounds. They have even helped me too.
I was a career firefighter. I was a volunteer firefighter as well. A career for 30 years and volunteer for 5 years prior to that. During my years as a career firefighter, on a few occasions I worked with volunteer firefighters. They depended on me and I depended on them. Yet when it was over, "you stay on your side of the fence, I'll stay on mine". That's pretty sad actually. Just a few hours before, we were cold and wet together. We might have had a few pretty hectic moments together. I'm sure their family members worried about them, just like my family members worried about me. We attended LODD funerals together for volunteer firefighters and career firefighters. The fact is that the smoke and heat was always the same. Career Firefighters and Volunteer Firefighters share a lot in common. They share things that no other groups share.
If you were to visit my home town you would find a Civil War going on. Between career and volunteer firefighters. Should I try to hide it ? No. Although I am not at all proud of what goes on here, "I know we are NOT alone". The reality is this, we should respect each other for what you do. "Instead of Fighting, We should be Uniting". Maybe it's time to think that over a bit. Remember, there are no promises made of going home in this fire service business. Over the years I learned that because I attended so many firefighter LODD funerals.

Former Mohegan E-256 is heading to its original home town, but under new ownership. After faithfully serving the Palm Coast Fl. F.D. for 13 years, it has been purchased by the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association. I loaded it onto a trailer yesterday and it should arrive in Mohegan tomorrow afternoon.

I don't think anyone would doubt that getting out of the station quicker may improve your outcome. Of course there were/are plenty of times that calls have come in and our volunteer station happened to have a complement of personnel and we're on the road within the time it takes to suit up.
I'm just asking, but are there really that many more burned out hulks in the volunteer districts than in the paid districts? Oh, let me answer, NO.
So, as usual, it's about the money. $3 Billion in NYS about $140B nationally. That could be a lot of jobs. Provided the public is willing to pay.

I notice fewer & fewer people using the "Like This" button, now of course everyone is not going to "Like" everything but consider the contribution the person made to the topic.
As an example if a person creates an "Incident Alert" and they really take the time to put some details in the story please consider giving them some credit. I have seen some people who no longer post them because it appears no one cares.
If people post some photos of an incident and you like them let them know by hitting that "Like" button.
Good conversation started or comments you agree with in a topic give them some credit hit the button.
Just my opinion
Jim

I've been on both sides of the volunteer/paid argument having served as a firefighter in the military and as a volley for many years. With that being said I'm not biased one way or the other. The fire service in this country was built on the backs of men who volunteered for their communities. Is it perfect, no. The paid fire service from what I've read of late is also far from perfect. There have been many discussions on here about lack of manpower and over utilization of mutual aid, shoddy equipment and other caveats. Additionally studies of fires burning hotter is of equal consequence to both paid and volunteer. The point of this discussion was originally about misappropriated funds and the FD's apparently bloated budget. Can you imagine how large the budget would be with a paid compliment? Last I looked, Mahopac wasn't loaded with foundations. There has been many houses saved in your community. My question to you is, if you know what's so direly lacking and have a wife and possibly children, then why are you endangering yourself and family by living there?

I've been on both sides of the volunteer/paid argument having served as a firefighter in the military and as a volley for many years. With that being said I'm not biased one way or the other. The fire service in this country was built on the backs of men who volunteered for their communities. Is it perfect, no. The paid fire service from what I've read of late is also far from perfect. There have been many discussions on here about lack of manpower and over utilization of mutual aid, shoddy equipment and other caveats. Additionally studies of fires burning hotter is of equal consequence to both paid and volunteer. The point of this discussion was originally about misappropriated funds and the FD's apparently bloated budget. Can you imagine how large the budget would be with a paid compliment? Last I looked, Mahopac wasn't loaded with foundations. There has been many houses saved in your community. My question to you is, if you know what's so direly lacking and have a wife and possibly children, then why are you endangering yourself and family by living there?