FF398

Metro North Fire-EMS
New Car 2643
2016 Ford Expedition SSV

Special thanks to Chief Sweeting for the photo opportunity.
 

 
 
 

First and foremost, the incident, and the outcome, sucks.  I do not believe anything anyone did or tried to do last night would have made a difference.
 
Going back a few years, maybe 2009-2010, a Response Plan was developed by the "Westchester Marine Emergency Response Association" along with Westchester County Department of Emergency Services.  That plan basically called for a three-tiered response to all Hudson River incidents, meaning the area of jurisdiction - as well as the next closest agency to the north and south - would be dispatched.
 
From a MOS standpoint with my FD, this is an "OK at best" approach.  During my time as Chief we modified this to include Rockland units, since many incidents happen to fall on or beyond that imaginary line that divides Westchester & Rockland.  At the time, according to this "plan" we attempted to utilize Marine 22 (I think) as a radio channel for all FD, PD, etc. vessels to communicate during river operations.  When we had a river incident that fell under our Command, we always tried to steer everyone on to this channel, since we should all have this capability.  I could be wrong but this sticks out in my memory, and it was designated to keep Marine 16 open for emergency traffic.
 
Last night's incident is just another reminder that when someone dials 911 from a cell phone, it's truly a crapshoot as to where they really are vs. where they think they are.  And this doesn't just apply to waterways - a lot of cellular 911 calls for land based incidents require some searching to find them.  Because of this, it highlights the benefit of starting out resources from different angles.
 
Since Rockland switched to their new radio system, communications on the river have suffered.  But there's no reason why the four counties (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam & Orange) can't develop a plan to always work off the VHF Marine radios.  Afterall, as boats, we should all have them and the signal is decent.  Command vehicles should also install this capability.
 
The frequency of incidents, and the complexity of them on the Hudson River is only going to increase the demand for our services.  There needs to be a standard of training for boat operators, crew members and people responding and playing command.  If EMS is getting on a boat, they need proper training too.  It's 2016 and the fact that the same stupid stuff continues to happen irritates me, because we should be well-trained, well-prepared and have pre-plans developed where we can all work together and provide a professional-level of service.  
 
The days of letting the first people to the dock get on the boat needs to end, and the Chiefs of all of these FDs with river response responsibilities need to work all of this out.
 
Additionally, I think it's time for the FDs that are going to be in the marine operations game to seriously look into grants to get the training we all need and the proper vessels to do what is needed.  We all can't stand around, holding our d**ks waiting on County PD or someone else to get there when someone's life is in the balance.
 
 
 

 
You didn't have to be there last night to hear what was going on if you were monitoring multiple Westchester and Rockland frequencies. IN FACT, if you were on scene, you probably couldn't hear everything that was going on.
 
 
And that right there is part of the problem.

First, I want to preface this by saying the dispatcher at 60 Control who handled this incident did an EXCELLENT job coordinating everything given the situation. It was almost mind boggling to try and keep track of everything and he nailed it.
 
For those that didn't monitor, there was a cardiac arrest involving a crew member on a tugboat in the Hudson River. The tugboats location was static, but had to be determined further. It was one worst incidents I've ever heard logistically play out just given the fact that there was no coordination by any unit with anyone else. Everybody was freelancing, and everybody wanted to play. There was no concrete information about which boat had EMT's or Medics. It was, literally and this was stated on the radio several times, whoever got to the boat first got the patient. No one knew who was the true incident commander, and there was no true command.  Rockland couldn't communicate with Westchester and vice versa in a timely or efficient manner. Both Rockland and Westchester were basically both working the same incident completely separate from one another with no idea of who was doing what.
 
It also should have been kept in mind that it was pitch black out, and the current very strong, with heavy winds. You had rescue boats swarming from each directions with limited to no awareness of anyone else in the area. Responders putting other responders in danger.

The inefficiency, to say the least, could have made the difference in the outcome of a cardiac arrest. I get everyone wants to help, but sometimes you're doing more harm then good.
 
And, at the very least, Westchester and Rockland need to develop a better system of interagency incident command and training, especially since there seems to be a very large overlap of jurisdiction. There should be numerous drills and tabletop exercises on a regular basis, as well as a single channel for Hudson River incidents that is primary and a dedicated tactical channel that both counties can access.
 
60 Control needs to be able to have the authority to control units, such as to stand down units or give specific commands in a situation like this where no one else is capable of taking charge over such a widespread area.
 
Another thought. Westchester DES needs to appoint a Marine Battalion that is familiar and capable of coordinating incidents on the Hudson, and capable of taking command of multiple jurisdictions and equipped with Rockland radios. Or appoint WCPD SOD as primary command and coordination since they have better resources.
 
Quite frankly....one of the major issues was that no one could take personal blame  for the situations....it was the circumstances at play.
 
AGAIN...EXCELLENT JOB BY THE 60 CONTROL DISPATCHER, who made the best of what and who he had to work with! It was almost mind boggling to try and keep track of everything and he nailed it.

5/15/85 Mt Vernon Snorkel 1 at 4th Alarm on 4th Ave & 2nd St and Millwood Squrt in 1996 White Plains parade.

Information from the https://www.facebook.com/MTVFC1/ Milford Township FD Facebook Page:



Stay tuned to http://www.EMTBravo.com for further information

So we see an increasing trend of full size pickups with caps for fire service command vehicles. I think the concept makes a lot of sense. My question is when using these rigs for a Paramedic Response Unit is there an issue with equipment being stored in the bed of the vehicle without heat? I understand that the vehicles are normally stored in a conditioned garage but emergency vehicles spend a lot of time out of quarters sitting at scenes and outside the hospital. The issue with fluids and medications freezing would be a concern to me. Is there a feature that provides heat to the bed? I know utility bodies used for paramedic response rigs will have heated compartments.

I know they aren't that new anymore, but I forgot to post them when they were. These are the new FDNY Haz Mat Tech units second pieces, produced by Ferrara on 2015 Ultra chassis. They are all paired with Squad or Engine companies, and for the most part, replace Step Vans. The one picture is going to Engine 165 on Staten Island, which has a Squad pumper....but isn't a Squad Company....yet.
Hazardous Material Technician Unit 165
2015 Ferrara Ultra

Nope.
It almost seems like it would take an act of Christ himself to have that rolling asset respond to anything other then drills. Shameful.

It is a combination fire brigade (Paid & Vol.). All are Metro-North employees and as AFS1970 pointed out, the volunteers come from a variety of different crafts and positions on the railroad.
The paid Fire-EMS Officer position was posted earlier this year http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php/topic/51126-mta-metro-north-fire-ems-officer/

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.thedrive.com/article/1333

FDNY
New Brush Fire Unit 7
2015 International Workstar 4x4/KME
Shop # IM16002
Assigned with Engine Company 266 in the Rockaways

From what I heard so far, Verplanck is looking to purchase a new tower ladder in the near future. Apparently, the articulating platform they currently have, did not suit their district as well as they had hoped.

Let's get to the bottom line. An individual who did not meet the physical standards of the FDNY was nonetheless graduated and placed into service. That individual, ten days into their career, has suffered a significant and no doubt career ending injury. This individual will now be on medical leave which will eventually become permanent disability leave and the taxpayer will support this individual for the the rest of their life. This was a line of duty injury to a person who could not meet the physical requirements of the job but was, for the sake of diversity, allowed to advance.

Why does this just have to be an "unfortunate coincedence" and not the predictible result that comes from lowering (or ignoring) performance standards in order to achieve a diverse workforce regardless of fitness/ability to actually do the job?

Montrose FD will be replacing their current Utility 68 (1999 Dodge Ram 1500) with a 2016 Ford F-550/Marion body. Delivery expected sometime in the fall.

Montrose FD will be replacing their current Utility 68 (1999 Dodge Ram 1500) with a 2016 Ford F-550/Marion body. Delivery expected sometime in the fall.

and members wonder why no one is on this site anymore. at least this wasn't a paid vs volunteer bashing. good job!

Ossining Engine 97 -2014 Spartan ERV.

Call it what ever you want, but at only 1,000 gallons and no side or rear dump valves and no direct tank fills in the rear and NFPA says that's an engine.

From what I heard so far, Verplanck is looking to purchase a new tower ladder in the near future. Apparently, the articulating platform they currently have, did not suit their district as well as they had hoped.

From what I heard so far, Verplanck is looking to purchase a new tower ladder in the near future. Apparently, the articulating platform they currently have, did not suit their district as well as they had hoped.

If you can't read the simple damn directions on a written test, why should you be hired? If everyone complains that it's "sooooo easy", why is this even a question? Sounds like you don't know how to follow simple written instructions.

All dependent on the service your town expects from its fire department. You get some of these tiny towns out west in the middle of nowhere, where you get 2 guys in traffic vests and hard hats because the community contracts its "fire service" out to a couple of yokels in a wagon from 1950 that barely runs.
Are most of our politicians/residents ignorant to the level of service their fire departments actually provide in comparison to what they're paying for it? Absolutely. But I'll bet the same happens for the police, DPW, and education services as well.
All that being said, you're absolutely right. Its not a career/volunteer issue if you have a 100% union career department that only has 5 guys split between an Engine, Truck and Ambulance? Guess what, you can't handle a fire without mutual aid. If you have a volunteer department with 3 stations, 4 engines, 2 rescues, 2 ladder trucks, and 9 Chief cars, but you can only get 6 guys for a fire at noon on a Tuesday, 5 of which are old enough to collect social security? Same deal.
I'm not sure if its reasonable for a town of 10,000 people to pay for enough staffing for a full NFPA-compliant response of 12-14 Firefighters for a residential structure fire. (Source) All the more reason to consolidate to one combination department. Less equipment, standardized training and SOPs, and you ensure that everyone in the area gets the same level of service for their dollar.