38ff

If we are dispatched, we will come. If the PD gets there first and it's minor and dispatch tells us so, we would slow down our response. We wont return to quarters unless told by the FD IC on scene, or we get there and evaluate. We trust our PD agencies, but belive in the "trust, but verify" motto.

Im going to fill out the paperwork for Code 3 when it is all done. I talked to someone there, they sounded pretty interested, but Im sure they get tons of calls like that all the time.

My dept rolls at a minimum a heavy rescue and engine as per SOP. If the IC wants more, all he needs to do is key the mike. If the PD or EMS wants us there, we're a radio call away and happy to come. The excuse for us not to be there is because they didnt feel our presence was required. We've operated this way for a long time, and it works well for the PD, FD, and EMS in our town, as everyone is in agreeance with the plan.

The above posters comment of "find new or better people", well I find that easy to say, but hard to do.....

I agree with V85's statement of how his dept runs. If a dept goes out to every fender bender, it's putting alot of apparatus at risk, and will lead to member burnout. My dept does not run EMS. My dept operates in a similar fashion to V85's. We have a great relationship with the PD, and they (and county dispatch) know when we may be needed, and also when we arent.

With the Foam Pro system that is prepiped on an engine, all the MPO needs to do is start water flow as normal, then hit a button to turn the Foam Pro system on, then select the percentage of foam. Upon shutdown, hit the button again, drain the drain, and thats all thats "different" than flowing water normally. A Foam Pro rep came to our dept, gave us a classroom and practical instruction. It's easy to use, and there is no excuse not to use it.

Pump outs, while far from "cool" are excellent PR with the community, and we have found that residents do not forget when it is time for our yearly fund drive. Our pump out plan is one apparatus with a crew, no lights/no siren, with a trash pump that is used ONLY for pump outs. We give some pointers to the residents about sump pumps and the like, and have found that most take it and we only go to the house once, as the homeowner heeds our advice. Durring storms whem we have multiple pump outs, an officer will triage the calls, and the worst (highest water/electrical/furnace) get done first, and we go from one to the next, trading out crews as needed.

Nice to some more of my stuff on the fallen heroes bike.

It's not a ploy. It's real deal. I am a vendor to OCC for some items, (did you see the recent episode where they launch the motorcycle with the Bungee cord? I supplied the Bungee cord).. I go to the shop occasionally. Unfortunatley, it is very real. The really crazy thing is that I was told that since the split, the ratings are at an all time high...

We have a Foam Pro system on 2 of our engines, they work great. One suggestion if your going to retrofit a Foam Pro system onto a truck, spring for the extra $ for the onboard refill pump. The external one is a bit cumbursome.

The network didnt destroy them, the greed did.

I can only imagine what Walter would of said about this when he was dispatching for KEC-625 back in the 90's.....

The election date is set by the state. The board can vote to add more positions, and elect more commissioners as they do normally. Howevere, I am not aware of any boards that have more than 5 members.

Yes, but it will have to wait until I get back home on Tuesday.

All, The Central Hudson people came to the station today to survey it. Basically will retrofit every florescent light fixture in the place under this program. What they do is replace all magnetic ballasts with electronic ones, and replace all bulbs with new energy efficent ones. Even if your station has been "upgraded" in the past, they come and check to see if newer "stuff" is needed, and replace them. It's 100% free for govt ovned buildings. Why every govt owned business serviced by CH isnt signed up for this, I dont know.

As long as everyone on the board has the best interest of the taxpayers in mind to improve fire suppression service and firefighter saftey, while keeping taxes under control and making wise purchases, it will be good for everyone. As far as "pushing" for change, it's really very easy. The senetence starts out with "I make a motion to...." Get a second and a majority vote, the motion passes and it's done. Not hard at all.

ever see the laws about the public speaking at a District Meeting??? They can speak, but the board doesnt (by law) need to respond.

Every state is different. Also, there is a book put out by James Publishing, its called the NYS Fire District Officers Guide. It's basically a "how to guide" on running a district and what the responsibilities are of the district, the fire co, you name it. The binder is 3 inches thick, and updated every year with regards to new laws and opinions of the state comptroller. It's $$ well spent if your a commissioner or an interested member of a Fire Company.

Bacically, the fire commissioners can do what ever they want (within the law of course) and quadruple the taxes, all with a 3 out of 5 (or majority of the # of commissioners on the board) vote. They only people they must answer to is the State, and the taxpayers. The yearly audit only covers the finacial and administrative end of the district (paperwork, legal postings, payments, purchasing proceedures, ect) it doesnt cover the "big red truck" end of things. You can have a fire company that doesnt know which end of a hose to use who is lead by Mickey Mouse himself, but as long as the district has all the paperwork end of things in order, you get a passing grade from the state.

A fire DISTRICT is a political subdivision of the state of NY. It operates independently of whatever town government it's fire company serves. There is no contract, as it is the districts responsibilty (as dictated from NYS) to provide fire protection to the geographic area that the fire district covers. As far as "offical" interaction with the town, all that needs to happen is the fire district sends the town the "collect this much in taxes for us this year" and the town send the tax check to the fire district in January, as the town has the responsibility (as dictated from NYS) to collect taxes from the taxpayers for ALL the taxable entities (fire, sewer, water, ect districts) that exisit in the geographical area covered by the town. The district provides fire protection any way they see fit. Most do it thru voluneteer companies, but if the district wants to go paid, the commissioners vote on it, and as long as there is a majority vote, it will happen. The fire chief of the fire company answers to the district commsioners. The fire COMMISSIONERS are NOT officers or employees of the town, or any other political subdivison. They are elected just like mayors or town councilmen. Basically, districts answer only to the state and the taxpayers. Places like New Paltz, their fire company is contracted by the town, and thats NOT a fire district, so the fire company answers directly to the town's mayor/councilmen.

Anyone know how many calls the City of Newburgh has, and how many are workers?

It keeps the exhaust away from the pump operator????

A picture of the hose bed from a few weeks back, when I was test fitting the wood decking that was made by a friend who loves woodworking. There is 100 feet worth of 2.5 inch on there. The other side will have a shelf 1/2 way up so 2 handlines of 200 feet are ready to go. Also visible is the over head rack that holds the 12 foot roof ladder, 20 foot extension ladder, 10 foot pike pole, and 2 lengths of 4 inch hard suction. Whoever thought of the factory hose bed design, well, I dont know what they were thinking.. It came with 100 feet of 2.5 inch, and 700+ feet of 1.5 inch. Your not going to lay in very far with that.. I modified the position of the hose bed divider to get 2 200 foot hand lines, and according to my math, 500-600 feet of 2.5 inch. The reel trailer carries another 800 feet of 2.5 inch.

Thanks for the good words. If you guys want, I'll post up pictures of the 1945 WWII Willys Jeep and Bantam trailer I restored a few years back. Hose straps are a good idea. I have a bunch.. As for a modeling company, do you mean like Code 3? Thats a great idea..

Another small victory today.. The equipment basket above the hose bed is finally mounted, after getting the correct straps made up. One interesting side note.. I got the straps that support the basket off the cross pieces made on a multi zillion dollar Flow Jet machine.. Why?? Because anyone can make them out of stock and a drill press, so I had to be different, and have a friend who happens to run the Flo Jet and other milling machines for a very well equipped company he works for. Cool stuff... One step closer to being done and ready for Muster season!