FF398

Amazing...... someone notices that four calls went unanswered in Croton, and asks, very innocently enough, if anyone knows why. Two pages of thread later, people are coming out of the woodwork to declare that Croton EMS needs fixing, when not one fact was shared as to what the real, factual reason was for the lack of response in the first post. Not only does Croton apparently need paid EMT's, but we really ought to be talking about consolidation and regionalization! Maybe all Croton needed today was a good mechanic, but we don't know that, do we?
Perfect example of the rush to judgement and advancing one's own personal agenda without bothering to learn the facts.
I have no affiliation to Croton EMS, but I hope someone from that agency speaks up and at least puts on record what the real situation was today.

There's some other agencies out there that are in far worst shape. I guess because they're not on 46.26, it doesn't count?
Even if both of the Croton ambulances were crewed the other day, two calls would have went to Mutual Aid.
Should an ambulance show up everytime it is dispatched? Yes. Is it a reality when you do not have paid staffing, you lack available volunteer resources and most of your members can't afford to live in the jurisdiction they belong to? No.
The issue here shouldn't be aired out on this forum. If someone has a legitimate concern about the response capabilities of Croton EMS, then contact Croton EMS direct.
That is all.
Here is their contact information: CEMS

Ironically, Croton EMS had two calls at the same time, at the same place around 12:30 this morning. They covered both, then went on to cover one for Peekskill and one for Mohegan.
The system is flawed, not so much one agency.

I will be the third to say that I'm no longer a member of CEMS and hopefully CEMS officers will address this issue. If I had an idea of whats wrong it's part of the following:
Recruitment/Retention: as 3 of the ones commenting on this thread are EX members for whatever reasons I have to say the agencies need to be more proactive in retaining their quality members. Secondly, Recruitment is tough due to the requirements, training, maintaining EMT certification, times needed to be a member (calls, meetings, standby's, training etc)
Leadership??? Maybe an issue, possibly need to look at the big picture and make a change to make a difference.
Anyway, I have to say Croton EMS from the beginning has been a quality agency and this is probably just a bump in the road. Due to increased call volume, training etc. it maybe time to experiment and obtain idea's from other agencies that had or have a problem and work it out. Several volunteer EMS agencies have been proactive and decided to put career staff on the rigs (Peekskill, OVAC, Harrison, Somers) and it has had a dramatic difference in the level and quality of care. Believe me I'm not taking anything away from Volunteers as I'm a proud one as well, but something needs to be done to ensure timely patient care. In EMS, minutes could be the deciding factor in the ultimate definitive result of the emergency. As in life or death.
Hopefully this can remain a thread that can aid in the solutions of the issues on hand and not only help Croton but other communities facing the same issue.

As the driver of SFRD Engine 1 this morning I just want to say that ALL precautions were taken while we were operating at a fully involved vehicle fire. The vehicle that was on fire was located in the breakdown lane of I-95 southbound. CSP had two patrol cars on scene , both with their emergency lights operating, both blocking the breakdown lane. As we approached the scene I positioned the engine approximately 75' short of the fire and at an angle that took control of the center and right lanes of I-95. CSP had also put out road flares to warn southbound vehicles of the hazard. Second due SFRD Engine 6 arrived shortly thereafter and also blocked the right two lanes of I95. During the incident the left lane of I-95 remained open and vehicle traffic was passing the scene at full posted speed limit (55) and at much greater speeds, in my estimation.  After extinguishment Engine 6 was clesared and Engine 1 remained on scene. The crash ocurred as the damaged vehicle from the fire was being loaded on a flatbed wrecker. The impact was immense! The tractor trailer continued down I95 approximately 600 yards after impact. Fortunately all three firefighters and our Officer were unhurt by the impact or flying debris. One of the CSP Troopers was hit by debris and was transported to Stamford Hospital for minor injuries. The tow operator was uninjured. The impact from the tractor trailer lifted the rear of the apparatus 1-2' off the ground and forward approximately 4'. The vehicle's maxi brake was applied as well as the rear tire being  chocked. All members were wearing high reflective safety vests over turn-out gear. The cab and trailer suffered signifigant damage as well. The SOG's developed by the SFRD concerning apparatus placement at vehicle fires DEFINATELY prevented injury to SFRD personel. <br>

I'm in one of those departments still operating on 46.26, and will answer for us. I don't know what other departments' reasons are, but here's ours.
1. The trunking coverage here isn't perfect. On our mobile radios, we periodically get the "Out of Range" messages. This is attributed to the terrain we are in, with low valleys along the Croton River and on Route 9. Our upper village (Grand Street area) is also a weak area, not only for the trunking system, but even our own repeater. We have submitted these concerns in the past, I don't know if anything has been changed or adjusted.
2. If we do go to Fire 10, a concern we have is how would our members responding to the firehouses know if and when the rigs are responding, how would they hear updates and other important transmissions. I know some places have patched or linked their trunking talkgroup to an alternate frequency so guys can hear it, and this is an option we have been exploring.
3. There are times when our 3 Chiefs are not available to respond to calls, and/or the vehicles themselves are not available. Our Deputy Chiefs may be covering us, but they lack trunking radios. When we plan on leaving town for any extended period of time, we give our car to a Deputy Chief (or another Officer). Some have suggested giving them portables, but people have to realize the trunking system is designed to work with mobile radios. And at nearly $3,000 apiece, we can't afford to issue a mobile radio to every DC.
4. We've also discussed using another low band frequency, such as 46.06, for rig/control communications. Again, the issue comes up of our members hearing rigs responding and other updates. Luckily, most of our pagers are two frequency, and we might be able to make it work. The sole downfall in my eyes is that there is no tower in this area currently on 46.06. And if we have a Mutual Aid job, we're still going to be moving our IC to Fire 10, so it's almost not worth it.
5. We spent quite a bit of money a few years back to create our own repeater system on 46.26 and a stand alone ops channel. If we do anything, we want to incorporate these existing systems into any change we make, so as not to waste that money.
I hope that answers some questions.