firedude

Police/Fire Audio From The Shooting

Don't forget to pray for the first responders also!!

For background, that Trooper was an Emergency Dept R.N. prior to joining the NYSP, so he has considerable experiance.

Date: 12/14/12
Time: Approximately 0930
Incident Type: Shooting in an Elementary School
District: Newtown (Sandy Hook Section)
Location: Dickenson Drive
Units: Newtown Police, Sandy Hook FD, Newtown Ambulance, CT State Police (Troop A, Troop L, ESU, Aviation, Bomb Squad)
Frequency:
Description:
Shooting reported at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the Sandy Hook section of Newtown, CT. Initial reports from WTNH and the News Times have at least one student and one Police Officer injured.

Shooting has stopped, but there are still searches underway from the sound of it. Supervisors requesting Bomb Squad to conduct a search but there is no credible threat of IEDs at this time.

Triage and family reunification are located at the Sandy Hook firehouse.

Other local schools are beefing up security as a precaution, including Danbury.

Still developing, thoughts and prayers to everyone involved.

Outside agencies I've seen:

EMS:
Valley EMS
Derby Storm Ambulance
Oxford EMS
Campion Ambulance
American Medical Response (AMR)
Ansonia Rescue and Medical Services (ARMS)
Southbury Ambulance

Law Enforcement:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Monroe Police

This brings up a sore point for me, that alarm companies rarely have actual information that is useful to either dispatchers or responders in making such a decision. After an experience in my old VFD when a large and seemingly reputable alarm company canceled a call, so the 1st due engine downgraded the response only to arrive and be met with the statement from the homeowner, "it was only a small fire" I am extremely suspicious of anything I get from them. When working in dispatch and an alarm company calls to cancel either a burglar or fire alarm (including CO) I have started asking for 3 things.
#1 the name of the keyholder who canceled the alarm. You would be amazed at the number of times the alarm company has only a first name or only a last name yet accepted a cancellation from Bob or Mr. Smith.
#2 is that keyholder on premises or not. Especially in a city where many residents work out of town, knowing that the homeowner is in NYC in an office building means that he really is not qualified to cancel any alarms in CT right now.
#3 What set off the alarm / reason for cancellation. I would say that 8 or 9 times out of 10 the only reason is that they got the password. Sometimes we are lucky enough to get, it was probably the cleaning lady (from that out of town keyholder).
So how does this factor into silent dispatch for the FD, well you are going to a fire alarm I just sent you to. All of a sudden I call the responding Chief and say that the alarm company is trying to cancel. Now in my city we never cancel fire alarms but will downgrade to a single engine, but that decision is being made on faulty information most of the time. So what would you do? Would you turn off the lights and siren? Then you get there to a fire because some guy reached on his cell phone while vacationing across the country knew the password was teddy bear.
Now same scenario and I relay to you that the alarm company is trying to cancel based on an off site keyholder who can give no cause for the alarm. Now you have some info (or at least a confirmed lack of it) to work with.
Maybe even the lucky third option. The alarm company is trying to cancel, homeowner is home and reports accidental activation due to steam from a shower. Now we have enough credible info to work with, all the switches go off some units head back to the barn and we reduce the risk to the public, our people and even our equipment.

Maybrook Fire District - Engine Company No. 1, Inc.

2012 Spartan ERV Star Series Pumper 425hp Metro Star Chassis

1500 GPM Darley Pump w/ CAFS
1000 Water Tank / 40 Foam Tank
20Kw Smart Power Gen
Amkus Ultimate System

And youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5cxpRRmCg8

Currently airing on MSG, MSG +, Palladia and several other channels as well as live global stream on the internet is the 121212 Concert for Hurricane Sandy victims live at MSG. To donate you can call 1-855-465-HELP (4357) or go to www.121212concert.org They also have a live stream (Free of charge) setup there. It started at 7:30 and goes until 12 midnight.

Date: 12/11/2012
Time: 1718hrs (5:15pm)
Incident Type: HazMat Spill
District: Bedford Hills Fire District
Location: 307 Bedford Road (@ Bedford Police Department)
Units on Scene: [Bedford Hills FD: 2031 (IC), 2032, 2033, E199, TL57, R10, MA9], [WCDES: 2001, 2003, HazMat 1, Bat 16], Bedford Police
Frequency: 46.26 (Dispatch), Fire 16, 155.250 (BPD)
Weather Conditions: Mostly Cloudy, 40 Degrees
Description: Inside odor found to be a sulfuric acid spill down a sink
Reporters: firedude
1718hrs: Bedford FD E199 & TL57 dispatched non-emergency to Bedford PD HQ for an inside odor invest
1720hrs: 2031 requesting R10 & MA9 be added to the assignment
1725hrs: 2031 requesting HazMat team to respond for a sulfuric acid spill down a sink
1742hrs: HazMat 1 responding
1859hrs: 2032, TL57, R10, MA9 returning to service

Just some additions / corrections to the IA.
Date: 12/11/2012
Time: 1323hrs (1:23pm)
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire
District: Croton Fire District
Location: 96 S Mt. Airy Rd (Between Glengary Rd and Georgia Ln)
Units on Scene:
Croton FD: 2081, 2082, E118, E119, E120, T10, R18
Ossining FD: 2331, 2334, TL42, U51
Montrose VAFD: 2571, 2574, E225
Buchanan FD: 2551, U12
Croton EMS: 55B2
Cortlandt EMS: 88B2
Ossining EMS: 74A1, 36M1
WCDES Units: Battalion 10, C&O Zone 4
Other: Croton PD, NYSP, Croton Water Department, Con Edison
Units on Standby:
Montrose FD: 2273, E121
Yorktown FD: L51
13:23 - Croton Full Department Response for Reported Structure Fire. 2081 responding.
13:24 - 2082 responding.
13:25 - 2081 on location, heavy fire showing from a 1.5 story wood-frame structure, 10-75.
13:27 - Ossining FAST, Buchanan Cascade, Croton, Cortlandt and 36M1 EMS units dispatched along with Battalion 10.
13:29 - Command reports 1.5 story wood-frame dwelling, heavy fire in basement and first floor, all occupants are out of the house.
13:40 - Bat 10 reports heavy fire conditions, 4 L/S/O, requesting E225 from Montrose VA to the scene.
13:46 - TL42 from Ossining to the scene.
13:49 - Bat 10 reports heavy fire conditions, now has 5 L/S/O.
13:50 - Con Ed Electric on scene, killing main. Bat 10 reports unit operating from exterior.
13:55 - Interior operations resuming.
14:17 - 88B2 to Phelps with one for possible smoke inhalation (civilian).
14:34 - Bat 10 reports all visible fire knocked down, probable will hold per Command.
14:45 - Bat 10 reports fire is under control.
15:07 - Ossining FAST & U12 released.
15:35 - TL42 released.
16:01 - E225 released.
16:19 - All Croton units in service, Command terminated.
On arrival, we had heavy fire coming out of the D-side basement windows, the C-side entrance to the basement and fire showing on the first floor. Crews mounted an aggressive interior attack along with a brief exterior attack, using handlines in the basement, first floor and attic as well as the exterior. We pulled the men back briefly to hit it from outside and regroup, then pushed on with coordinated roof ventilation.
The occupants of the home included two elderly parties that were assisted from the home by other family members and a work crew at a neighboring house. I give credit to these guys for getting everyone out of the house, as this fire took off with great intensity and speed.
The report from the occupants and C&O indicate candles in the basement fell and created a fire involving the bed, books, and other combustibles in the room. The gentleman in the basement ran upstairs and got everyone out of the house. (Thank God).
I'd also like to point out the understated usefulness of our Mutual Aid Coordinators - not just ours (Battalion 10). As the IC I was able to worry only about my units on scene, and anything I needed relayed to 60 Control or any apparatus requests, all I had to do was have Battalion 10 handle it. I know a lot of Chiefs and Incident Commanders feel the need to try and do everything, but this way worked SOOOO MUCH BETTER than other times where I tried to juggle both task.
If you have a fire in this county and don't have the luxury of an Aide, take advantage of the MACs (Battalions). That's what they're there for - not to run your call but to help you manage it.
On behalf of the Croton Fire Department, I'd like to thank our Mutual Aid partners from Ossining, Montrose VA and Buchanan for their assistance on scene, as well as the coverage units from Montrose and Yorktown. Also, thanks to Croton, Cortlandt and Ossining EMS for being there.
Lastly, thanks to the men of the CFD that were there today. You guys always make me proud.
Thanks.
Chief John Munson
Croton FD

You don't need a "hard" quantitative reading. You need to do what most other states already do. Couple accepted signs of impairment (through trained/experienced observation and standardized field sobriety testing) with qualitative lab values to provide the basis for prosecution.
Been done that way successfully all this time, these laws permitting possession won't change that fact.
And no, I don't predict a huge increase in DWI accidents. The people who might take advantage of this change in public policy are already smoking marijuana now.

Date: 12/11/2012
Time: 1323hrs (1:23pm)
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire
District: Croton Fire District
Location: 96 S Mt. Airy Rd (Between Glengary Rd and Georgia Ln)
Units on Scene: [Croton FD: 2081, 2082, E118, E119, E120, R18, T10], [Ossining FD: 2331, 2334, E98, TL42, U51 (FAST)], [Montrose VA: 2571, 2574, E225], [Buchanan FD: 2551, U12 (Cascade)], [Croton EMS], [Cortland VAC], [Ossining EMS], [Tri-Village Medic], [WCDES: Bat 10 and C&O Zone 4], [Croton PD], [NYSP], [Croton Water Dept.], [Con Ed]
Units on Standby: [Montrose FD: E121], [Yorktown FD: L51]
Frequency: 46.26, Fire 10, EMS 10, FG10, Croton PD
Weather Conditions: Partly Sunny, 47 Degrees
Details: 1.5 Story wood frame ranch style with heavy fire shwoing on arrival, 5 L/S/O
Reporters: firedude, x4093k, peterose313, SKE#2HAHN, Remember585
1323hrs: Croton Dispatched to a reported structure fire
1325hrs: Car 2081 on scene requesting a 10-75, 1.5 Story with heavy fire showing
1326hrs: Croton 10-75 Dispatched (Croton Re-tone, Ossining FAST, Buchanan Cascade, Croton EMS, Medic, Bat 10)
1445hrs: Fire under control per IC
1619hrs: Command Terminated, all units back in service
Additional Info from Croton FD Chief: http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php/topic/47998-croton-fire-121112-additional-info/
LoHud Article with Photos/Videos: http://www.lohud.com/proart/20121211/news02/312110084/croton-hudson-home-damaged-by-fire?pagerestricted=1
Ossining-Croton Patch Article: http://ossining.patch.com/articles/fire-on-mount-airy-road-in-croton

Photos of some of the apparatus that were in the parade. Fire Departments in the parade were Yorktown Heights, Millwood, Mohegan Lake, Leonia. Yorktown DPW and a few other organizations (including the Lakeland High School State Championship Field Hockey team) also participated. I believe there were a total of 22 participants. There was some pretty dense fog patches at times which caused all the flashing lights to be super saturated.
More can be found on my photo page here: The Westchester Scene Photography

A rabbi, a con-ed worker, and a priest walk into a bar...............

I'd personally like to see the Deputy Fire Coordinators have a say in an agencies mutual aid run card. Hopefully this would eliminate some of the bias and calling favorites.

Hillbright Terrace , NYCNewsGuy vid:

Every time one of these treads comes up, I'm always reminded how comparatively smooth police mutual aid operates here in Westchester.

In Putnam County, Echo Level calls which encompass CPR calls automatically gets the FD dispatched to provide additional manpower along with EMS. Most of the FD's here provide EMS (there are a few exceptions), but so far I have not heard any complaints about it. So far we have been dispatched a few times, the extra hands makes it easier to get equipment in and out. Also lets the EMTs assist the medic more efficiently if someone else who is already trained in CPR, is doing the compressions/respirations

Date: 12/4/12
Time: 14:56
Location: South Riverside Avenue and Brook Street
District: Croton EMS/FD
Frequency: 46.26 / EMS 10
Units: 2081, 2082, 2083, E119, R18 / CEMS 5514, 55B2 / OVAC 36M1, 74B1
Weather Conditions: Warm, Sunny
Reporters: Using All Hands
Writer: Using All Hands
14:55 - Montrose VAFD E224 on the scene of two-car MVA, requesting EMS/FD/PD.
14:56 - Croton EMS, 36M1, R18, E119 dispatched.
14:59 - 2081, E119 on location. 2081 w/ Command.
15:00 - 55B2 on location.
15:02 - Command reports two-car MVA, no entrapments, up to 4 patients.
15:03 - 36M1 on location.
15:06 - Command requesting 74A1 from Ossining.
15:16 - Command placing the incident "Under Control."
15:23 - 55B2 to WMC ALS w/ 1 Patient.
16:05 - All units in service from the scene, Command terminated.
74B1 also went to WMC - times unknown.
http://www.lohud.com/article/20121206/NEWS02/312060107/Ossining-man-77-dies-injuries-Croton-crash?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

Firedude -The deputy coordinators do not have the authority and niether does the county DES, New York is a home rule state and as already stated the AHJ has the right to call whoever they wish or set up their run card/greater alarm policy anyway they wish as well. I only wish that all Chiefs take advantage of the CAD at 60 control and set up their greater alarm response card.

1) It would more likely just change the bias. 2) Under ICS, the coordinators are "resource officers" and the AHJ is the person with the responsability for those operating at an incident.
3) If a responder or equipment are injured or lost there may be liability that under your concept would switch from the requesting agency to the county.

I'd personally like to see the Deputy Fire Coordinators have a say in an agencies mutual aid run card. Hopefully this would eliminate some of the bias and calling favorites.

Chassis is headed to paint, let the construction begin.

As I complete my second full year as Chief of the West Harrison FD. This program is probably my proudest achievement. To see these men work and the interest they take in my Department and the fire service is second to none. This is the future of this Department, and the future for this community. I wholeheartedly commend my Program Coordinators/ Advisors, for the time and effort you put into this program and Thank my Junior Members for being there... Nice Job, boys!!