firedude

Date:1/12/13
Time: 1517
District: Ossining
Location: 62 North Malcom Ave X Anne Street
Units: [Ossining FD: 2331, 2332, 2334, E-96, E-97, E-98, E- 99, E- 101, Ladder 41, Ladder 42] [Croton FD: 2081, E-119(FAST)][WCDES: Battalion 11, Battalion 12, CC1 ][Ossining PD:][building Department:]
Stand By Units:[sleepy Hollow FD: 2312, Tower Ladder 38] [Millwood: 2253, Engine 247][Croton EMS: 55B1 (Relocate OVAC HQ)]
Frequency:46.26, Fire 12, Fireground 4, OFD Dispatch, OPD
Weather Conditions: Cloudy
Reporters:x4093k, peterose313

Description: Car Fire W/ fully involved structure as extension


1517 - Ossining dispatched for a reported car fire w/ extension
1520 - Croton FD FAST requested, 2332 O/S W/ 10-75
1524 - IC advises fully involved car fire with extension to structure, fully involved garage fire water ops settting up
1525 - Millwood 1 Engine Sleepy Hollow Ladder requested to relocate
1528 - 2 L/S/O knocking down fire, working on vehicle A.T.T.
1528 - Croton FD 2081, 119 O/S
1528 - Briarcliff EMS requested relocate 1 ambulance OVAC HQ
1529 - Briarcliff engine I/R OFD station
1530 - IC Updates 3 L/S/O, additional extension to another building, bulk of fire knocked down
1532 - Sleepy Hollow requesting 1 Truck from Tarrytown to relocate to SHFD HQ
1535 - County Car 1 notified
1539 - IC requesting building department ASAP
1541 - TL38, 2312 out Ossining FD
1548 - Building department O/S
1548 - CEMS 55B1 I/R OVAC HQ, requesting a full crew to stand by in CEMS HQ for Croton
1552 - Five Five B1 out at OVAC HQ
1607 - Overhaul in progress, fire under control
1608 - PD requested for traffic assistance
1612 - All Mutual Aid units released
1612 - 2312 advises Tarrytown units can return to their district
1614 - IC advises Croton FAST also released
PM W/ Further info, thanks.

Sunnyvale, CA has been doing this for a few years.

He's an EMT, a Firefighter, and a Police Officer. Sunnyvale, CA Style. by Department of Photography, on Flickr
NOT my photo, common shared through flickr

Date: 12/26/2012
Time: 17:47 (5:47pm)
District: Yorktown Fire District
Location: 1358 Kitchawan Rd (X McDonald Rd)
Units on Scene: [Yorktown FD: 2533, 2534, 2536, E270, E272, E273, T14, MA8], [Millwood FD: 2252, 2253, E247, T15], [Croton FD: 2081, T10], [Pocantico Hills FD: 2382, T12], [somers FD: T16] [Ossining FD: 2331, 2334, E98, U51 (FAST)], [WCDES: Bat 10, C&O Zone 4], [Yorktown VAC: 86B3], Yorktown Medic, Yorktown PD
Units on Standby in YHFD HQ: [Mt. Kisco FD: 2284, E103], [Mohegan Lake FD: L10]
Units on Standby in PHFD HQ: [Sleepy Hollow FD: E86]
Frequency: 46.26 (Dispatch), FIre 17, EMS 17, FG7, YPD, YVAC
Weather Conditions: Snow, 30 Degrees, icy roads
Reporters: firedude, fireboyny, x4093k, peterose313
Description: Chimney fire with extension to 2nd and 3rd floor of a 3 Story wood frame residential. Croton and Somers units were canceled enroute
Yorktown FD Article: http://www.yorktownfire.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=372
Yorktown Patch Article: http://yorktown-somers.patch.com/articles/firefighters-extinguish-yorktown-chimney-fire
17:47 Yorktown FD, Millwood Engine and Ossining FAST dispatched for a reported structure fire
12:50 E270 on scene, 3 Story residential, out with homeowner, nothing showing
17:52 2536 requesting a 10-75, fire in the fireplace, extended into a walls
17:55 2534 reports 2 hand lines in operations, fire extended to 2nd and possible 3rd floor
18:07 2533 reports all visible fire k/d, not u/c yet, using all hands
18:11 2534 reports fire is U/C, hold Millwood and Yorktown Tanker, return others
18:25 2534 reports scene is u/c, holding all units
18:34 2534 releasing all mutual aid units on scene, holding all Yorktown units

Full Powers and required training for NYS Peace Officers are in Criminal Procedure Law Article 2 (sections 2.20 & 2.30)
Rather than copy the whole law, here's a link: http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=@SLCPL0P1TAA2+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=55561855+&TARGET=VIEW
Roles and definition of Fire Police is Genral Municipal Law Article 10 (Section 209-c)
http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$GMU209-C$$@TXGMU0209-C+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=55561855+&TARGET=VIEW

This morning, my department was dispatched mutual aid to Wassaic, along with Amenia, and some Conneticut departments for smoke in a church on the NY/CT border.
A second alarm was transmitted to get adequate manpower and apparatus on scene in case fire showed itself. Smart decision IMO.
Anyhow...my son was with me, and he grabbed my iPhone and snapped a few pics...nothing exciting to us, but he was pumped to see "Dad in action!"...now be gentle...he's 10.

Date: 12-30-12
Time: 0430 hrs
District: FDNY Queens, JFK
Location: Brookville Blvd and Rockaway Blvd in area of JFK
Units: FDNY Rescue 4, Tac 2, MERV 4, (other FDNY units), NYPD, NYPD ESU, FDNY EMS
Frequency:
Weather Conditions: Cold below freezing, overcast, dark
Reporters: x635

Description: Car left the roadway and overturned, submeged in the water approx 4 ft deep in Jamaica Bay near JFK at the address above. 1 female pinned, 1 DOA, 2 other occupants with minor injuries, 2 occupants self-extricated and fled the scene. IC requested additional units for a water rescue. MERV 4 special call, Divers searched the water around the car for potential additional victims. 6 firefighters transported to hospital for hypothermia, several members rehabbed on scene. Driver taken into custody by NYPD and charged with DWI.

Date: 12/30/2012
Time: 11:00
District: New Rochelle Fire District
Location: Hutch Parkway NB @ Mill Road Entrance Ramp
Units: [New Rochelle FD: 2302, E23, E25, L13, R4, 30A3], [County PD: Harry 1, Harry 2, Sam 1, 45 Baker], New Rochelle PD
Frequency: 33.96 (FD Dispatch), 155.310 (County Police), 460.4625 (NRFD Citywide)
Weather Conditions: Clear, Cold, 31 Degrees
Reporters: firedude
Description: County Police received numerous 911 Calls of an overturned auto IAO Wilmot Road, Harry 1 on scene reporting 1 person still in vehicle and requested an ambulance. Driver was extricated and transported to Sound Shore Medical Center
11:13 Car 2302 reports 1 car MVA, in process of extricating, 1 person trapped in vehicle
11:24 Car 2302 reports driver has been removed, in hands of EMS
11:38 30A3 transporting 1 to SSMC
11:51 30A3 out at SSMC
12:10 All NRFD Units clear of the Hutch

Thanks Frank for your hard work in covering the emergency services events in the lower Hudson Valley! Your work is always outstanding.

For those that don't know Frank, he has been covering Westchester and beyond as a photgrapher for the Journal News and it's predecessors for over 30 years. He is mostly assigned to breaking incidents and emergency services-involved event. Frank is an ex-chief in North White Plains, and a member of Brewster FD. He is a legend in his own right, and the son of another legend, Frank Becerra Sr who was an artist for the Journal News predeccesors for decades. His dad's art was seen around the world. I can only imagine how proud Jr. makes his dad.

He was assigned by Journal News editors to the Newtown CT incident, where the photos he took were seen around the world, published by Gannet Affiliates worldwide and were also on the AP Wire. Watch what Frank was thinking behind the lens when assigned to this incident.

This must have been one of your toughest assignments yet.

Great Questions!!!
The reason we follow the minor ones is 3 fold:
1) OSHA / PESH also require us to follow NFPA Standards and they will give violations for failing to meet the minor one (but they have never enforced 1710, which they can only do under the "General Duty Clause", as there is no OSHA standard for manning. NYS DOL does not appear to be overly concerned with enforcement of the "General Duty Clause").
2) Liability - There are many documented legal cases where NFPA standards were used, but not 1 case on 1710.
3) Availablity/Liability - The minor items listed are often only available in NFPA versions or the chief must sign liability waviers to get around them. For examble we had red/white rear chevrons, when we purchased the 1st rig after the NFPA 1901 change to red / yellow our chief asked if we could keep it red/white and the manufacturer said only if he would sign a liability release. We got red/yellow.
The standard (as partially listed above) requires 3ff's and 1of per company minimum and 16 or 17 total (based on ladder ops) on the 1st alarm assignment. These numbers are based on a 2,000 sq/ft pvt. dwelling without a basement, larger structures require greater staffing.
The 2 reasons we do not enforce NFPA 1710 is 2 fold:
1) Because no department has been sued and/or lost. I always believed that if the insurance industry ever figures this one out we will be hit hard (i.e. 2 on a rig =50% complience, sue the FD for 50% of the loss).
2) 99% of Mayors, Managers, Counciles, etc. do not believe this is important so they do not fund (or cant afford to fund) 1710. The only other option for depts is CONSOLIDATION, and we all have learned that we would rather run short then go down that road.

Prohibition didn't stop people from drinking. The war on drugs hasn't stopped people from getting drugs. Tell me how stricter gun laws will stop the violence. Look at Chicago and thier murder rate yet they have tough gun laws. If a law abiding citizen wants to carry he/she should be able to. As far as the massacres? Tough one. Better mental health awareness, tougher jail sentences ( the perp that shot the brothers in Webster was a convicted murderer and should of still been in prison) to start. Maybe curtailing some of the violence on TV? Video games? Internet? And i mean in the home. Do kids need Grand Theft Auto? With all the sports games out there why the need for such a violent game?

I've held off on commenting on the gun issue for awhile as it is a sensitive subject.
I am a proud, legal gun owner. I obtained my NYS pistol permit in 2008 and own several handguns, as well as long guns.
I am in no way, shape or form a gun nut, but i certainly believe in a persons right to carry.
As a legal gun owner, i will say that the gun laws are very flawed, especially in here in New York. The laws seem to vary County to County and Judge to Judge.
Personally, i think that the gun laws need to be re-vamped and updated, instead of putting new laws on the books.
Finger printing, background checks and references are great, but wheres the Psychological exam? As a gun owner, i would gladly adhere to such testing (god i hope i'd pass). In my opinion, this would be a good start.
Add a psychological exam to the process for EVERY applicant. Even better, make ALL Permit holders under-go a psych exam every 1-2 years. This would A) ensure the permit holder is of sound mind and 2) make the State some revenue as you could charge for such exams (i would gladly pay such a fee).
I feel that the basic pistol safety course could use some updating, but its certainly a good start.
If you are granted an unrestricted permit (full carry), you should be held to a much higher standard (IMO). On top of the existing process, you should have to qualify (such as LEOs do) on the range to be granted the unrestricted. You should also then have to re-qualify each year.
Many of my gun owning brethren may not agree with me or think this is overkill, but i firmly believe it would be a good start and would benefit us all.
I will give a quick example of how the law is skewed here in NY;
I work part time as a Court Officer and have been for several years now. I received my NYS pistol permit through Westchester in 2008 and changed to Orange when i moved here.
After living in Orange for about 2 years, i applied to amend my permit to an "unrestricted." I had to take the day off of work and go before a judge on a Friday morning. I was well dressed and nothing but courteous and professional. I spoke of my background, as well as my training in regards to firearms. After each pause in my speaking, the judge would say things such as "so" or "ok and?" By Monday afternoon i had a letter from the County denying me of an unrestricted permit. The judges "reasoning;" there would be one more gun on the streets.
I know of civilians with little to no training in firearms who have been granted unrestricted permits. Is this an issue? I certainly believe so.
Do i believe that a gun is the end-all, say-all for self defense and protection? Absolutely not. This is where maturity, common sense and experience come into play.
There will be times when and where a gun just isn't the answer. Your best line of defense will always be your brain. If you can walk away or talk yourself out of an incident, then you should do so. If and when an incident arises that warrants the use of a firearm, you better damn well be ready to not only use it, but deal with the consequences. There will be times when you are caught off guard and will not be able to draw your weapon in a safe and timely manner. Again, this is where your brain, common sense and training come into play.
All this said, i would much rather have the (legal) option to carry a firearm if i so desired than to be unarmed and defenseless.
Not to sound cliche, but i'd also rather be judged by 12 than carried by six.
In the words of Kenny Rogers, "you got to know when to hold em' know when to fold em."

In response to a friend's Facebook comment, in which he stated that the United States should 'take ALL guns away from everyone,' I posted this in his comments:
I bring this topic up in light of the recent event in West Webster, NY where four firefighters were shot at, killing two and injuring the others. And again in Alabama, where firefighters were fired upon...And New Jersey, where a prisoner got hold of a weapon and fire upon police officers. I have always been a firm believer in the Second Amendment, and I exercise that right as a law abiding citizen, and want to know others' opinions on the subject.
Are people on this site un owners? What is your take on gun control? What do you think is causing these massacres? What do you think should be done to make not only our job, but Americans in general, safer?

Chassis painted and the super single wheels installed

Date: 12/26/2012
Time: 17:47 (5:47pm)
District: Yorktown Fire District
Location: 1358 Kitchawan Rd (X McDonald Rd)
Units on Scene: [Yorktown FD: 2533, 2534, 2536, E270, E272, E273, T14, MA8], [Millwood FD: 2252, 2253, E247, T15], [Croton FD: 2081, T10], [Pocantico Hills FD: 2382, T12], [somers FD: T16] [Ossining FD: 2331, 2334, E98, U51 (FAST)], [WCDES: Bat 10, C&O Zone 4], [Yorktown VAC: 86B3], Yorktown Medic, Yorktown PD
Units on Standby in YHFD HQ: [Mt. Kisco FD: 2284, E103], [Mohegan Lake FD: L10]
Units on Standby in PHFD HQ: [Sleepy Hollow FD: E86]
Frequency: 46.26 (Dispatch), FIre 17, EMS 17, FG7, YPD, YVAC
Weather Conditions: Snow, 30 Degrees, icy roads
Reporters: firedude, fireboyny, x4093k, peterose313
Description: Chimney fire with extension to 2nd and 3rd floor of a 3 Story wood frame residential. Croton and Somers units were canceled enroute
Yorktown FD Article: http://www.yorktownfire.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=372
Yorktown Patch Article: http://yorktown-somers.patch.com/articles/firefighters-extinguish-yorktown-chimney-fire
17:47 Yorktown FD, Millwood Engine and Ossining FAST dispatched for a reported structure fire
12:50 E270 on scene, 3 Story residential, out with homeowner, nothing showing
17:52 2536 requesting a 10-75, fire in the fireplace, extended into a walls
17:55 2534 reports 2 hand lines in operations, fire extended to 2nd and possible 3rd floor
18:07 2533 reports all visible fire k/d, not u/c yet, using all hands
18:11 2534 reports fire is U/C, hold Millwood and Yorktown Tanker, return others
18:25 2534 reports scene is u/c, holding all units
18:34 2534 releasing all mutual aid units on scene, holding all Yorktown units

going to a jersey shore dept that lost their apparatus during sandy

Date: 12/26/2012
Time: 17:47 (5:47pm)
District: Yorktown Fire District
Location: 1358 Kitchawan Rd (X McDonald Rd)
Units on Scene: [Yorktown FD: 2533, 2534, 2536, E270, E272, E273, T14, MA8], [Millwood FD: 2252, 2253, E247, T15], [Croton FD: 2081, T10], [Pocantico Hills FD: 2382, T12], [somers FD: T16] [Ossining FD: 2331, 2334, E98, U51 (FAST)], [WCDES: Bat 10, C&O Zone 4], [Yorktown VAC: 86B3], Yorktown Medic, Yorktown PD
Units on Standby in YHFD HQ: [Mt. Kisco FD: 2284, E103], [Mohegan Lake FD: L10]
Units on Standby in PHFD HQ: [Sleepy Hollow FD: E86]
Frequency: 46.26 (Dispatch), FIre 17, EMS 17, FG7, YPD, YVAC
Weather Conditions: Snow, 30 Degrees, icy roads
Reporters: firedude, fireboyny, x4093k, peterose313
Description: Chimney fire with extension to 2nd and 3rd floor of a 3 Story wood frame residential. Croton and Somers units were canceled enroute
Yorktown FD Article: http://www.yorktownfire.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=372
Yorktown Patch Article: http://yorktown-somers.patch.com/articles/firefighters-extinguish-yorktown-chimney-fire
17:47 Yorktown FD, Millwood Engine and Ossining FAST dispatched for a reported structure fire
12:50 E270 on scene, 3 Story residential, out with homeowner, nothing showing
17:52 2536 requesting a 10-75, fire in the fireplace, extended into a walls
17:55 2534 reports 2 hand lines in operations, fire extended to 2nd and possible 3rd floor
18:07 2533 reports all visible fire k/d, not u/c yet, using all hands
18:11 2534 reports fire is U/C, hold Millwood and Yorktown Tanker, return others
18:25 2534 reports scene is u/c, holding all units
18:34 2534 releasing all mutual aid units on scene, holding all Yorktown units

Continental Village Fire Department along with Garrison and Putnam Valley FDs operate at a Chimney fire with extension on Monday Morning.

1974 Mack CF600
1000/1000
Cecil Fire Department
Monroe Township (Gloucester County)
New Jersey
Served as Engine 2951 / 2959 (Reserve)
Now Privately Owned by RWC130

Date: 12/25/2012
Time: 10:48
District: White Plains
Location: 30 Midchester Ave (Between Hartsdale Ave & Prescott Ave)
Units: [White Plains FD: 2512 (IC), E66, E70, E71, L32, R88], White Plains EMS, White Plains PD
Frequency: 453.500 (WPFD)
Weather Conditions: Clear, 35 Degrees
Reporters: firedude
Description: Working Structure Fire, 2 L/S/O
10:48 WPFD Units dispatched to 30 Midchester Ave for smoke coming from the windows and dryer vent
10:43 Car 2512 reports working fire, stretching lines
11:02 Car 2512 reports Fire is k/d, companies are opening up, will hold with current assignment

Click here to read the Incident Alert regarding this job
Strong work by County PD Officer James Rosselli and Officer Matthew Cohn, who were the first on scene minutes after the initial call and made the rescue. The woman could have very easily drowned. Also props to the Yonkers DPW crew who was nearby and witness the event, and removed the victim from the other vehice, which was also taking on water.
Special thanks to the current 307 for sharing the photos! They depict the scene after both patients were transported to the hospital.

I don't believe that anything we signed on to do should be based on the perks we feel we are entitled to. The "I'm volunteering my time and should be rewarded" attitude is destroying volunteer FD and EMS organizations. Doing it because you want to do it and you like doing it for the right reasons should be the only reason you do it.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I am sure the majority in my shoes would echo this sentiment. I became Chief of my department because I wanted to opportunity to help my department better itself. I am given a car to help me do my "job" which to me means responding to calls, meetings, training, equipment pickup/delivery and other department business. When I know I will be out of town for an extended period of time (24+ hours) I always leave the car with someone else or keep it in town so it is available if needed. If we know there's a weather event happening or something else is expected that we planned for, I will even leave my car with someone during the 12 hours I am at work. The way I look at it is that the car is my department's - not mine.
The sooner all of us realize that what we do is for our organization and not for ourselves, the sooner we can make progress.
/Rant

Would you look past this if that Chief's vehicle was delivering donations to Newtown? What if he was buying gifts to bring to a Children's Hospital here in Westchester? This is such immature, cry baby bullshit.
For the record, I don't agree with the abuse of a take home car, but since nobody knows the facts here - let's stop speculating.
FACT: Some municipalities issue take-home vehicles for all kinds of staff members, including PD, FD, DPW and management folks.
FACT: Many of these municipalities don't have rules or regulations concerning the uses of these vehicles, and frankly don't even care.
FACT: A Westchester Fire Chief in Connecticut may be closer from point A in Westchester to point B in Connecticut then if he went to another location within Westchester County.
FACT: I see police officers, fire chiefs/commissioners, EMS officers, DPW bosses and governement officials using their take home cars for all kinds of things.
FACT: I never lose sleep over any of this. Neither should any of us. The same guys who are union firefighters that will come here asking all of us to "put aside our volunteer and paid BS" to help them keep their jobs also commonly take jabs at volunteers for dumb s*** like this. You can't play it one way all the time then flip it around and not expect people to call you out on it. Does it bother anyone else that WE are all our own worst enemies?!
Does it bother anyone else that Westchester County is literally a laughingstock to fire departments (paid and volunteer) outside of this area because of our never-ending bickering and dick-measuring contests?
Ugh!
Note: edited for grammar and layout improvement.

Most of the "chiefs" in Westchester are VOLUNTEERS are you saying that these men and women should stay in their district or vicininty 24/7 365? They have one or two assistants who I am sure are made aware of the fact that the chief and his vehicle will be out of district for a specific amount of time. The proximity of highways between CT. and Westchester are such that just about any chief can respond from CT. to a Westchester district in 20 min or less in emergency mode. This was not a "commuter" issue..which I don't agree with...but one of a little R and R. We all see everyday "commuters" on the highways driving all kinds of "official" vehicles back and forth to work and we all know MOST OF THEM are abusing the system...you should be attacking them..not the VOLUNTEERS that give up so much of their day to day lives to protect the communities so the real 'COMMUTERS" have a house to come home to. amen

No, Safety has been shut down due to funding. There has always been a Ops Chief, the new car is to be used by SOC personnel for daily routines and responses. SOC operates during daytime, or on call after that.

"Working structure fire" where does this fit in?