idlewildvfd

By John Sullivan

Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 07/10/13

GREENVILLE — The secretary of the Greenville Fire District has quit, protesting the board majority's conduct in its pursuit of a nearly $1 million ladder truck.

"I don't feel that the current chairman or the attorney have the best interest of the people of Greenville in mind, and I cannot be a part of that," wrote Lisa Emanuelle, the fire district secretary, in a resignation letter submitted on June 25.

Emanuelle was referring to Chairman Scott Holowach, who along with Greg Einsfeld and Jack Coogan, and the board's lawyer, Frank Simeone, have been under fire from a public increasingly concerned about the prospect of the town buying a 75-foot-tall ladder truck in a town with no buildings even half that tall.

Holowach took over as board chairman in May after he, Einsfeld and Coogan stripped Commissioner Paul Witkowski of the board leadership for obstructing their attempts to pay for the fire truck.

On June 11, residents and town officials delivered a petition with more than 600 signatures calling for a special referendum on the planned purchase. Just two days later, at a hastily-convened meeting, the commission withdrew a former board approval of the purchase, effectively quashing the call for a referendum.

It was Emanuelle's job to properly notify the public about the June 13 special meeting.

The state's Open Meetings Law requires she post such notice in highly visible public offices and that news media be contacted.

The former secretary said she did neither.

Asked about the proper notice requirement at a Tuesday fire board meeting, Holowach said he personally put up the notices on Town Hall and fire district doors. However he did not notify the press, as that job is relegated to the district's attorney, Scott Dow, from Simeone's firm. "I just assumed he (Dow) did it," Holowach said.

Dow did not respond to emails asking about the media call.

According to a press release drafted by Simeone's firm, the decision by Holowach, Einsfeld and Coogan to cancel the ladder truck purchase stemmed from a realization that the district did not have enough money to pay for it. According to the release, that realization occurred on June 11

Emanuelle, however, contends Witkowski and fire district Treasurer Fran Multari warned the three commissioners about the insufficiency of funds more than a month prior. The three commissioners went forward with resolutions to both transfer money and purchase the ladder truck, anyway, while also removing Witkowski as the fire board chairman, she said.

Emanuelle accused Simeone's firm of siding with the three majority commissioners in the dispute, noting that the law firm wrote the resolution to remove Witkowski from the chairmanship. Dow, who was not at the Tuesday night meeting, did not respond to emailed questions about the allegation.

Date: 05/24/2013
Time: 10:12 AM
Incident Type: Structure Fire
District: Washingtonville
Location: 120 Helms Hill Road x Round Hill Road
Units: Washingtonville (full department); Salisbury Mills TA557 & E546 t/s; Maybrook TA211, Campbell Hall E903, Monroe E537, South Blooming Grove E587 & Woodbury E525 (FAST) t/s; Chester E914 to fill site (hydrant next to old Spears Lumber on Route 208), Cornwall E404 & Coldenham TA203 s/b Washingtonville; 36-15, 36-103, 36-109 t/s; Orange & Rockland t/s
Frequency: Fireground A
Weather Conditions:
Reporters:

Description: Working structure fire, 2 story private dwelling.

Other then this fire company what was the last company/dept in the area to form? I'm thinking Paid-Ryebrook (Westchester County), volunteer-Kiryas Joel (Orange County)?

Kiryas Joel was the last department formed in Orange County (2000).

I can't read the article because of TH-R's subscription policies, but does anyone know when this company will be operational? Do they have apparatus and a bay yet? Are they certified by OFPC?

Article text:

New Mount Hope fire squad wins contract - Town Board cuts 87-year ties with Otisville

By James Nani

Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 05/14/13

MOUNT HOPE — The protracted battle between Otisville, Mount Hope and local firefighters ended Monday night with the town board choosing to contract with the newly formed Mount Hope Fire Company, ending its 87-year-relationship with the Otisville Fire Company. The board voted 4-1 to enter into a three-year, $312,924 contract with the Mount Hope Fire Company, with only Councilman Michael Bell voting against it during a packed meeting that had people peeking through the windows to glean the final decision. There was no public comment period. The new company was formed in February by about 25 fed-up firefighters who jumped ship from Otisville over years of what they say are grievances with the Village of Otisville, whose village board members also are the commissioners of the fire department. Vincent Cappola, who's staying with the Otisville Fire Company as an assistant chief, said about half its manpower will be diminished because of the decision. Otisville Mayor Brian Wona said he's already commissioned a study to help determine the worth of the village's fleet of fire vehicles in case some need to be mothballed, though he said they'll still have 14 active members. "I think we'll rebound from this and go through open recruitment," Wona said. With contract in hand, the Mount Hope Fire Company now will have to scramble to secure engines, ladder trucks, a medical vehicle and all the necessary fire equipment before its contract begins June 1. Members said they've already secured promises for some equipment to be donated from fire houses from Long Island and Pennsylvania. But they'll still have to use an old cow barn on Finchville Turnpike for a fire house until they can get a mortgage for a proper fire house. Mount Hope Fire Company member Wayne Melton said eventually they hope to form a fire district, where fire commissioners will be able to go straight to taxpayers with their budget, as opposed to a fire protection district, which will require budget approval from Mount Hope. "We've been trying for this for 20 years," said Lou Dodd, president of the new company. "I'm happy that we can finally move forward."

Are there any regulations they need to comform with through the county in order to begin fire protection services?

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130514/NEWS/305140323/-1/NEWS

What is this piece of equipment used for?

Record Online's daily poll today is tied to this article. Below is a screenshot with the results thus far.

Considering the number of positions, both interior and exterior, that citizens could volunteer for, I am saddened by the results.

Montgomery did indeed take delivery yesterday, and both rigs were placed in service this afternoon. Is that a record?

The "Legal Notice of the Week" (or so it seems lately) is for Mechanicstown, seeking bids for a new pumper.

Yes, they are in-service to my knowledge. Montgomery has been posting pictures on their Facebook profile today of the new engines drafting and doing driver training. Looks like Mechanicstown E-118 might be the engine being replaced? It is the oldest in the fleet, unless they are adding.

Date: 04/28/2013
Time: 7:50 PM
Incident Type: Emotional disturbed/suicidal person
District:
Location: Country Club Heights, iao Wiley's Field
Units:
Frequency:
Weather Conditions:
Reporters:

Description: Code Red Alert sent out by Town of Montgomery Police for residents in the area of Country Club Heights to remain in their homes while authorities attempt to apprehend a suicidal subject that may be a danger to others.

Update at 10:10 PM: Another Code Red Alert just released. Police are going door-to-door on Homestead Avenue searching for subject. He is reported to be possibly Hispanic, mid-late 20s, white t-shirt and black basketball shorts. He may have multiple lacerations and previous reports of him having a firearm are not accurate. Police are attempting to obtain the suspect's name and/or next of kin

New Montgomery Engines 219 & 223 will be delivered this Saturday, April 27, according to Montgomery's Facebook profile.

I've heard that Maybrook is spec'ing out another engine to replace 215 that will be a twin to recently delivered Engine 210.

Montgomery Engine 219 "In Production" pictures: http://www.ferrarafire.com/CustomerSupport/InProduction/InProduction.html

Montgomery Engine 223 "In Production" pictures: http://www.ferrarafire.com/CustomerSupport/InProduction/InProduction.html

Washingtonville Engine 582 "In Production" pictures: http://www.ferrarafire.com/CustomerSupport/InProduction/InProduction.html

Looks like Washingtonville is going with a new black over red paint scheme with their new engine

The previous Engine 210 was a 1970 American LaFrance Series 900. I will see if I can dig up a picture or two of it to post.

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

What are you looking to get for each? I am interested in the mOntgomery mug - my Dad used to be a Lieutenant and President of that company when I was a kid.

Good afternoon.

Thanks for your interest in the beer steins. I would say $30 would buy the stein (including priority mail shipping). Let me know if you're interested.

I am interested in selling my copy of "Orange County Firemen-In-Service." For those that may not be familiar with the book, it was produced in June 1976, coinciding with the United States Bicentennial as a tribute and memorial to the firefighters of Orange County. It was produced though a joint effort between the Orange County Volunteer Firemen's Bicentennial Committee, Orange County Fire Advisory Board, Orange County Firemen's Association, Orange County Fire Chief's Association, Orange County Fire Police Association and the Orange County Ladies Auxiliary Association.

It's a nice piece of county firefighting memorabilia and includes pages for each fire department in existence at the time of publishing, with history, members, pictures, etc.

If anyone is interested in purchasing the book, please send me a private message. I no longer volunteer/live in the county, so I really have no use for it any longer. I am posting it here prior to listing it on eBay or Craig's List.

I'm not looking to make a huge profit off the book, so send me an offer.

I am interested in selling my copies of the Orange County Volunteer Firemen's Association Annual Parade books. I have 2 different books, one from the 1992 convention held in Maybrook and the other is from the 1998 convention held in Monroe.

These books are nice pieces of county firefighting memorabilia and include pages for OCVFA officers, the official parade formation, photos and ads from other fire departments and private businesses. Each book also contains a fold-out centerfold with a group membership photo of the host department.

If anyone is interested in purchasing these books, please send me a private message. I no longer volunteer/live in the county, so I really have no use these any longer. I am posting it here prior to listing it on eBay or Craig's List.

I'm not looking to make a huge profit off these books, so send me an offer.

I have a few beer steins and glasses collected over the years from various Orange & Ulster County fire department wet downs and other celebrations that I am interested in selling.

I am willing to sell them individually or as a lot. Below is a list of the items for sale, followed by pictures of each.

• Circleville Fire Co. - 25th Anniversary 1947-1972 glass mug (I have 2 of these)
  
• Montgomery Fire Department - July 30, 2000, wet down for Truck 221 beer stein
  
• Plattekill Fire Department - September 16, 2000, wet down for Engine 47-10 plastic cup
  
• Monell Engine Company (Washingtonville Fire Department) - Building Dedication, February 22, 1975 glass mug
  
• Maybrook Fire District - 75th Anniversary 1914-1989 beer stein (#193)
  
• Maybrook Fire District - 77th Annual OCVFA Convention & Parade, September 17-19, 1992 beer stein
  

I no longer volunteer/live in the county, so I really have no use these any longer. I am posting it here prior to listing it on eBay or Craig's List.

I'm not looking to make a huge profit off these items, so send me an offer.

Was that an active industrial park or an abandoned building?

Given the temperatures/wind, where did the IC locate the ICP? I can't imagine just standing outside for hours in teens and single digits.

Orange County Emergency Management has their mobile command post on scene, so ICP is not outside.

Mask service unit is former Walden, NY Rescue 246. A 1987 Chevrolet/ Swab.

Let's see...

Transport patient in a PD vehicle to the medical center and possibly save his/her life or wait for an ambulance in one of the worst snowstorms in recent years and risk the patient dying...you make the call.