SECTMB

The first time you treat a technical rescue, or any function we perform, as not a big deal, watch it become one. Nice job.

I don't know the answer, I am just asking, how far from the Millwood sub-station on 134 was this proposed station to be located? Any possibility of putting a Yorktown engine in with the Millwood apparatus and sharing?
And I couldn't help notice that the plans for the new Yorktown station did not include a bunk room. It seems none of the new plans or renovations for the volunteer stations I see include any accommodations for overnight
duty. I believe my old firehouse was renovated for over $1M and no provision for a bunk room, yet this past winter there were more weather related overnight standbys than any time in the past.
NY was lucky this week, Arthur, a category 2, stayed East. But not by much. Whether for future combo or paid or just now for standbys why do we not make allowances for bunk rooms? Some of the new builds have been huge and yet they can't find 150 sf for a room that can fit two bunk beds so four firefighters can be comfortable for an overnight.

This is what I was referring to when I talked about constructive criticism. Valid observations which can be used to effect a different and possibly better outcome at the next alarm.
I also agree, notwithstanding a later post, that a 2-1/2 would have been my choice. We have become too reliant on the easily accessible cross lay 1-3/4. If you have the manpower, again if, three guys with a 2-1/2 can put out a lot of room and contents fire quicker than a 1-3/4. Time change, at one time for basements and first floors, you always put a 2-1/2 into service.
I can't ever recall an alarm over my 37 years where an after action analysis wouldn't produce something that could have been done differently to achieve a possibly better outcome. Sometimes there are valid reasons for doing something in a way that does not translate to a video viewing as the entire scene can not be taken into account. That is why we should engage in constructive criticism not critical analysis. There is a difference.

This is what I was referring to when I talked about constructive criticism. Valid observations which can be used to effect a different and possibly better outcome at the next alarm.
I also agree, notwithstanding a later post, that a 2-1/2 would have been my choice. We have become too reliant on the easily accessible cross lay 1-3/4. If you have the manpower, again if, three guys with a 2-1/2 can put out a lot of room and contents fire quicker than a 1-3/4. Time change, at one time for basements and first floors, you always put a 2-1/2 into service.
I can't ever recall an alarm over my 37 years where an after action analysis wouldn't produce something that could have been done differently to achieve a possibly better outcome. Sometimes there are valid reasons for doing something in a way that does not translate to a video viewing as the entire scene can not be taken into account. That is why we should engage in constructive criticism not critical analysis. There is a difference.

Well, rather than taking the 'ripped apart' road, maybe it can be used for constructive criticism that may benefit all concerned at future incidents. Emphasis on the constructive.

I'm still trying to figure out why there is still a Greenville FD. Or for that matter Fairview or Hartsdale. It seems many of their calls requires mutual aid from one or the other, If ever there was a case for consolidation it would be these three folding in with White Plains. And, yea yea yea it probably has something to do with some antiquated BS laws that nobody ever seems able to change so this is just a throw away comment.
With regard to Squaaaad, maybe the dispatcher is a fan of Two and a Half men and this is a variation on Squaaaaaaab if you're familiar with that episode.

I hope that the media and public continue to exert pressure on the commissioners to provide a truthful answer to their decision to take out of service a first line apparatus and replace it with a spare or reserve. Obviously from the comments of the Chief and the assurances of the manufacturer and DOT and the information regarding their other apparatus, negate the stated reason for de-commissioning the apparatus. So with that excuse gone, what is their rationale now?
Too bad the commissioner who would speak was not more forthcoming regarding the closed door discussions, if there were any, prior to a vote regarding this issue. Perhaps its time for some new commissioners and the members of the department and their extended families should be active in finding and supporting new candidates for commissioner next time positions are available.
This appears to be a microcosm example of what is wrong with our 'public officials' right down to the most local of levels. Individual wants/needs/desires are put before those of the general population for which these 'public officials' are in office to serve.

I hope that the media and public continue to exert pressure on the commissioners to provide a truthful answer to their decision to take out of service a first line apparatus and replace it with a spare or reserve. Obviously from the comments of the Chief and the assurances of the manufacturer and DOT and the information regarding their other apparatus, negate the stated reason for de-commissioning the apparatus. So with that excuse gone, what is their rationale now?
Too bad the commissioner who would speak was not more forthcoming regarding the closed door discussions, if there were any, prior to a vote regarding this issue. Perhaps its time for some new commissioners and the members of the department and their extended families should be active in finding and supporting new candidates for commissioner next time positions are available.
This appears to be a microcosm example of what is wrong with our 'public officials' right down to the most local of levels. Individual wants/needs/desires are put before those of the general population for which these 'public officials' are in office to serve.

This is just one more example of the so many that confirms to me that we have gone past the tipping point. Common sense / practical thinking no longer factor into much of the decision making taking place these days.

Who would have thought, a hockey game broke out at a fight.

Who would have thought, a hockey game broke out at a fight.

Who would have thought, a hockey game broke out at a fight.

Who would have thought, a hockey game broke out at a fight.

Looks like an old Chrysler air raid siren.

According the the Incident report, Goldens Bridge responded with their tanker. I'm sure it must have been a 'satisfying' feeling to be able to return the assistance they received in their time of need.

Yada Yada Yada, I got to the part where they say there are flaws in the system and there is no point reading further. As if NYS's self serving, corrupt legistature will ever address a problem and come up with a reasonably correct fix.
Years from now they can run the same story and just change the numbers and names to reflect the current reality.

A news story earlier in the week mentioned that Marion County in central Florida is also experiencing retainage issues. The average firefighter is only staying for six years so they are losing their experienced firefighters.
Starting firefighter/EMT salary is just under $30K, firefighter/paramedic is just under $36K. in 2011 the union agreed to a 3 year salary freeze, new contract talks are set to begin shortly.

Before I was a firefighter, my father send us out with a shovel and we cleared the hydrant. I don't know who is 'responsible' but how hard is it to have whomever clears your snow away, clear your hydrant as well. You never know, you may be the one who needs the water.

Congressman Henry Waxman of California has announced he is retiring this year after 40 years in Congress. Since 1974 he has participated in shaping this country. He is not alone, his 40 years is not unusual. Whether you like his politics or not is immaterial. My point is that at what place in the timeline of serving in Washington do you lose touch with the people you were sent there to represent? At what point does it stop being about the electorate and start being about yourself?
All of the issues before Congress today have been the same issues before Congress for decades. Health care, immigration, spending, borrowing, education, whatever. They (Congress) never seem to some up with any solutions, just band-aid fixes. We are always in the waiting room, we never get to surgery to fix the problem.
But, we keep sending them back, year after year, term after term and the results are always the same. The only thing that seems to change is that the longer a person is in Congress, the more out of touch they become and the wealthier they become. It's remarkable how many enter with little assets and leave quite wealthy all on a 'reasonable' salary while maintaining homes in two locations? Insider trading for one way, illegal except for Congress. There have always been two sets of rules, one for them, one for the rest of the Country.
Anyway, I agree with the clip, we used to be the greatest nation, we could be again, once we get rid of those who have worked the system from within for the past 20, 30, 40 or more years. Same for the State Houses. Personally I would love to have a job with the pay and benefits and lack of accountability that they all enjoy.

Congressman Henry Waxman of California has announced he is retiring this year after 40 years in Congress. Since 1974 he has participated in shaping this country. He is not alone, his 40 years is not unusual. Whether you like his politics or not is immaterial. My point is that at what place in the timeline of serving in Washington do you lose touch with the people you were sent there to represent? At what point does it stop being about the electorate and start being about yourself?
All of the issues before Congress today have been the same issues before Congress for decades. Health care, immigration, spending, borrowing, education, whatever. They (Congress) never seem to some up with any solutions, just band-aid fixes. We are always in the waiting room, we never get to surgery to fix the problem.
But, we keep sending them back, year after year, term after term and the results are always the same. The only thing that seems to change is that the longer a person is in Congress, the more out of touch they become and the wealthier they become. It's remarkable how many enter with little assets and leave quite wealthy all on a 'reasonable' salary while maintaining homes in two locations? Insider trading for one way, illegal except for Congress. There have always been two sets of rules, one for them, one for the rest of the Country.
Anyway, I agree with the clip, we used to be the greatest nation, we could be again, once we get rid of those who have worked the system from within for the past 20, 30, 40 or more years. Same for the State Houses. Personally I would love to have a job with the pay and benefits and lack of accountability that they all enjoy.

While a professionally staffed 24/7 firehouse is the ideal, it is not going to happen any time soon in the smaller towns and villages of New York. The number of 'consequential' fires on a town by town basis will not justify the increase in property taxes to support a paid staff. While responses may be on the rise, many are due to automatic dispatch and most villages/towns have only one or two major fires annually, if any at all that would be considered major, and loss of life is thankfully rare.
That the apparatus goes out with empty seats does not take into account the number of members who, hopefully, will respond directly to the scene rather than the firehouse because of their proximity to the call location and their knowledge that the apparatus is already responding.
Whether from a central location or various locations, time of day, day of week, among other factors, determines your turnout. You never know the number or make up of your crew until it shows up. That's a drawback to the volunteer system, but apparently an accepted drawback in lieu of higher taxes to supplement full time staffing.
Automatic mutual aid could also be considered automatic 'cover your ass' but regardless, the practice increases the probability that a response will occur, either by the home department or the mutual aid department and that resources, ie: apparatus and manpower, will be available to address the nature of the call.
I'm out of it a few years now, but the level of volunteer training required and necessary today is vastly improved over when I began 40 years ago. Then, our physicals were 'turn your head an cough' and now it is a full on physical, soup to nuts and your level of participation is determined by the outcome. Likewise the variety and frequent availability of courses to continue to improve yourself are out there if you want to take advantage of them.
I have lived in two different locations with County Departments. The typical house is an Engine and a Rescue (Ambulance). 3 staff the Engine, 2 staff the Rescue. The number of houses and amount of apparatus pales in comparison to Westchester County but they get it done and done well from the times I have observed them in action.
Consolidation beyond automatic mutual aid needs to be on a case by case basis, as does adding or going to full time staff, depending on the make up of the areas to be protected. I can't see the elimination of the volunteer system any time soon given the onerous taxes already imposed on the citizenry, particularyl in Westchester.
Now, as far as EMS....the volunteer system has seen it's best years. Transition to full time services is the only answer to the repeat dispatches for EMS crews.

While a professionally staffed 24/7 firehouse is the ideal, it is not going to happen any time soon in the smaller towns and villages of New York. The number of 'consequential' fires on a town by town basis will not justify the increase in property taxes to support a paid staff. While responses may be on the rise, many are due to automatic dispatch and most villages/towns have only one or two major fires annually, if any at all that would be considered major, and loss of life is thankfully rare.
That the apparatus goes out with empty seats does not take into account the number of members who, hopefully, will respond directly to the scene rather than the firehouse because of their proximity to the call location and their knowledge that the apparatus is already responding.
Whether from a central location or various locations, time of day, day of week, among other factors, determines your turnout. You never know the number or make up of your crew until it shows up. That's a drawback to the volunteer system, but apparently an accepted drawback in lieu of higher taxes to supplement full time staffing.
Automatic mutual aid could also be considered automatic 'cover your ass' but regardless, the practice increases the probability that a response will occur, either by the home department or the mutual aid department and that resources, ie: apparatus and manpower, will be available to address the nature of the call.
I'm out of it a few years now, but the level of volunteer training required and necessary today is vastly improved over when I began 40 years ago. Then, our physicals were 'turn your head an cough' and now it is a full on physical, soup to nuts and your level of participation is determined by the outcome. Likewise the variety and frequent availability of courses to continue to improve yourself are out there if you want to take advantage of them.
I have lived in two different locations with County Departments. The typical house is an Engine and a Rescue (Ambulance). 3 staff the Engine, 2 staff the Rescue. The number of houses and amount of apparatus pales in comparison to Westchester County but they get it done and done well from the times I have observed them in action.
Consolidation beyond automatic mutual aid needs to be on a case by case basis, as does adding or going to full time staff, depending on the make up of the areas to be protected. I can't see the elimination of the volunteer system any time soon given the onerous taxes already imposed on the citizenry, particularyl in Westchester.
Now, as far as EMS....the volunteer system has seen it's best years. Transition to full time services is the only answer to the repeat dispatches for EMS crews.

While a professionally staffed 24/7 firehouse is the ideal, it is not going to happen any time soon in the smaller towns and villages of New York. The number of 'consequential' fires on a town by town basis will not justify the increase in property taxes to support a paid staff. While responses may be on the rise, many are due to automatic dispatch and most villages/towns have only one or two major fires annually, if any at all that would be considered major, and loss of life is thankfully rare.
That the apparatus goes out with empty seats does not take into account the number of members who, hopefully, will respond directly to the scene rather than the firehouse because of their proximity to the call location and their knowledge that the apparatus is already responding.
Whether from a central location or various locations, time of day, day of week, among other factors, determines your turnout. You never know the number or make up of your crew until it shows up. That's a drawback to the volunteer system, but apparently an accepted drawback in lieu of higher taxes to supplement full time staffing.
Automatic mutual aid could also be considered automatic 'cover your ass' but regardless, the practice increases the probability that a response will occur, either by the home department or the mutual aid department and that resources, ie: apparatus and manpower, will be available to address the nature of the call.
I'm out of it a few years now, but the level of volunteer training required and necessary today is vastly improved over when I began 40 years ago. Then, our physicals were 'turn your head an cough' and now it is a full on physical, soup to nuts and your level of participation is determined by the outcome. Likewise the variety and frequent availability of courses to continue to improve yourself are out there if you want to take advantage of them.
I have lived in two different locations with County Departments. The typical house is an Engine and a Rescue (Ambulance). 3 staff the Engine, 2 staff the Rescue. The number of houses and amount of apparatus pales in comparison to Westchester County but they get it done and done well from the times I have observed them in action.
Consolidation beyond automatic mutual aid needs to be on a case by case basis, as does adding or going to full time staff, depending on the make up of the areas to be protected. I can't see the elimination of the volunteer system any time soon given the onerous taxes already imposed on the citizenry, particularyl in Westchester.
Now, as far as EMS....the volunteer system has seen it's best years. Transition to full time services is the only answer to the repeat dispatches for EMS crews.

I got a kick out of reading the responses attached to the article. Most were of the mind that Cuomo should go. Really? This is NY we are talking about. Is there a more corrupt State governmental body in this Country? Maybe an equal or close, but certainly none more corrupt.
Cuomo or no Cuomo, Albany doesn't change, it just changes those who go there with the intention to make a difference for the better. As they say, power corrupts.
The bottom line here for the volunteers should be, if you expect anything other than the satisfaction of helping your neighbors, when you can, you will be disappointed.

I've always thought that it is a subjective response following an incident based on the perceived performance of the personnel on scene. We all know, or should know, if we did everything we could, and did it correctly, to minimize the damage to person(s) or property. Deaths, injuries and damage may be part of the equation, but our successful intervention to lessen their severity determines whether we rate a 'good' of 'great' job rating.
And, of course, we all should know when we didn't do things correctly and the outcome may have been different had our performance been better.