EMTbravo

Members,
We have appointed JJB531 as Moderator and Staff Member. JJB531 brings his leadership ability to this forum, and will be helping us in "Keeping It Professional".
JJB531's post on "Keeping It Professional":

On behalf of the EMTBravo.net staff, Welcome Joe! Thanks for joining our team!
Seth G
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com

Members,
We're proud to announce our newest website and endeavor, http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com
We hope to use this site to bring EMTBravo back to it's roots. On this site, you'll find a simple listing of benefit and charity events, training and seminars, and other relevant news, events, and information in a simple, easy to read format.
To submit news or an event, please email:
news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com
We hope you like our newest endeavor!
Sincerly,
Seth G.
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com
http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com

I live in Somers. I am an FD member. I own my home. I pay about $10,000 in property taxes a year. About $500 are fire and EMS taxes (it says "fire and EMS" on my tax bill).
My home is made out of wood and there are no hydrants in my immediate neighborhood, though a recent water project put one in about 1800 feet away. At age 45 I have never had a fire in my home. I have never been in a structure that caught fire. (other than going as a fireman) No one in my family (brother, sister, mom, dad) has either. I have never met anyone that has been rescued from a fire. I have absolutely no expectation that under currant conditions a fire in my home would be extinguished in a manor that would save anything of value. We in Somers do not use the F.I.T. devices that allow 1 man to knock down a fire.
I do not want anyone risking their lives to save my house. It is insured. I have no ability to pay yearly taxes to fund a crew of firemen that may or may not be available (due to calls) to come and successfully/unsuccessfully save my home. I am told that the "loaded cost" of 1 fireman is about $140,000 per year (salary, pension, workers comp, OT for vacation/training, days off, sick time etc) So a small ( 4 guys- gotta have 2 in 2 out, right?)crew will cost me about 1/2 million dollars a year. Our Somers Town Budget is about $11 million dollars/year. The SFD budget is about 2.8 million, though they have managed to save over 4 million in various special accounts. (I have heard of tax and spend, but the SFD taxes and puts it in the bank!) So $500,000 every year in costs for the small daytime crew represent about a 20% increase in spending for the District. That is about $250,000 PER FIRE for the roughly 2 working fires we average a year. Yes it will be sad if my home burns. Even sadder if I and/or my family is home when it does. I have 7 smoke detectors ($7 each) and about as many extinguishers. For $500,000, I will step out the window into fresh air, walk across the kitchen bump-out roof, and jump the 9 feet, hopefully into deep soft snow (most fires are in winter). Since I am a 10 minute firetruck drive from the main station, I would probably have to do that anyway.
I am really sorry. I would love to see everyone get a great job as a paid fireman. I would love to have a standing army of highly trained and well equipped first responders in our four stations staffing 2 ladders, 5 engines a heavy rescue and a tanker. May as well throw in the scuba truck and ATV thingy too. I simply don't have the money it would cost to do that. As the "buyer" in this transaction, I am afraid I can't afford it. I will be careful to not overload any wires. I will keep the chimney clean. I will hope for the best. At 45 years old, I will be moving into assisted living in another 30 years or so. Hopefully I'll make it, house intact, then they can hire as many firemen as they want.

Members,
We're proud to announce our newest website and endeavor, http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com
We hope to use this site to bring EMTBravo back to it's roots. On this site, you'll find a simple listing of benefit and charity events, training and seminars, and other relevant news, events, and information in a simple, easy to read format.
To submit news or an event, please email:
news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com
We hope you like our newest endeavor!
Sincerly,
Seth G.
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com
http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com

Members,
We're proud to announce our newest website and endeavor, http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com
We hope to use this site to bring EMTBravo back to it's roots. On this site, you'll find a simple listing of benefit and charity events, training and seminars, and other relevant news, events, and information in a simple, easy to read format.
To submit news or an event, please email:
news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com
We hope you like our newest endeavor!
Sincerly,
Seth G.
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com
http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com

Members,
We're proud to announce our newest website and endeavor, http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com
We hope to use this site to bring EMTBravo back to it's roots. On this site, you'll find a simple listing of benefit and charity events, training and seminars, and other relevant news, events, and information in a simple, easy to read format.
To submit news or an event, please email:
news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com
We hope you like our newest endeavor!
Sincerly,
Seth G.
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com
http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com

Members,
We're proud to announce our newest website and endeavor, http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com
We hope to use this site to bring EMTBravo back to it's roots. On this site, you'll find a simple listing of benefit and charity events, training and seminars, and other relevant news, events, and information in a simple, easy to read format.
To submit news or an event, please email:
news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com
We hope you like our newest endeavor!
Sincerly,
Seth G.
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com
http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com

Members,
We're proud to announce our newest website and endeavor, http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com
We hope to use this site to bring EMTBravo back to it's roots. On this site, you'll find a simple listing of benefit and charity events, training and seminars, and other relevant news, events, and information in a simple, easy to read format.
To submit news or an event, please email:
news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com
We hope you like our newest endeavor!
Sincerly,
Seth G.
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com
http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com

Members,
We're proud to announce our newest website and endeavor, http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com
We hope to use this site to bring EMTBravo back to it's roots. On this site, you'll find a simple listing of benefit and charity events, training and seminars, and other relevant news, events, and information in a simple, easy to read format.
To submit news or an event, please email:
news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com
We hope you like our newest endeavor!
Sincerly,
Seth G.
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com
http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com

Members,
We're proud to announce our newest website and endeavor, http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com
We hope to use this site to bring EMTBravo back to it's roots. On this site, you'll find a simple listing of benefit and charity events, training and seminars, and other relevant news, events, and information in a simple, easy to read format.
To submit news or an event, please email:
news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com
We hope you like our newest endeavor!
Sincerly,
Seth G.
Executive Director
The EMTBravo Group
seth@emtbravo.com
http://www.emtbravoIMPACT.com

At the request of many members of this community, we decided to remove the "FDNY Activist" video.
Although this does constitute censorship, and I'm sure we'll be accused of that at some point, but we are acting on the request of multiple active members of this community. We listened, and pulled it.
Although everybody is entitled to their opinion, and to express it in different ways, we also took into account the timing of when this video was released, which was apparently on purpose.
Seth G. , on behalf of the EMTBravo team
If anyone has an issue or questions regarding this issue, please email me at seth@emtbravo.com or use our contact system.

At the request of many members of this community, we decided to remove the "FDNY Activist" video.
Although this does constitute censorship, and I'm sure we'll be accused of that at some point, but we are acting on the request of multiple active members of this community. We listened, and pulled it.
Although everybody is entitled to their opinion, and to express it in different ways, we also took into account the timing of when this video was released, which was apparently on purpose.
Seth G. , on behalf of the EMTBravo team
If anyone has an issue or questions regarding this issue, please email me at seth@emtbravo.com or use our contact system.

At the request of many members of this community, we decided to remove the "FDNY Activist" video.
Although this does constitute censorship, and I'm sure we'll be accused of that at some point, but we are acting on the request of multiple active members of this community. We listened, and pulled it.
Although everybody is entitled to their opinion, and to express it in different ways, we also took into account the timing of when this video was released, which was apparently on purpose.
Seth G. , on behalf of the EMTBravo team
If anyone has an issue or questions regarding this issue, please email me at seth@emtbravo.com or use our contact system.

A couple of housekeeping items for the Incident Alert Live Shoutbox
1. Rules of the forum still apply in the shoutbox
2. Members SHOULD NOT give advice, opinions, or self moderate to other members via the shoutbox on what should be considered an Incident Alert or shouldn't. Additonally, the shoutbox is not the place to discuss this. If you have concerns about an IA or Shout, please contact a staff member-that's what WE are here for. However, feel free to use this thread for any general complaints, ideas, etc.
3. With the above in mind, PLEASE use common sense when using the shoutbox. An automatic fire alarm IS NOT appropriate for the shoutbox. The shoutbox is meant to post potential incidents, heads up, times when there isn't enough information for an Incident Alert, simple breaking incident discussion etc.
4. Again, routine calls such as automatic fire alarms, simple MVA's, everyday calls- they don't need to be posted in the shoutbox or at all. PLEASE USE YOUR BEST DISCRETION WHEN TRYING TO DETERMINE IF AN INCIDENT IS SHOUTWORTHY.

The Dobbs Ferry Fire Department recently responded to an early morning fire in a single family residence. The fire originated in several plastic garbage pails outside the structure up against the house. The fire transmitted up the outside of the structure under the eaves and into the attic. The homeowners, who were asleep were unaware of the fire until they were awakened by the smoke detectors inside the house. The house suffered considerable damage in the attic and roof areas.
The C&O team made a determination the fire was the result of sponaneous combustion associated with wet charcoal. The homeowner reported several days earlier he accidently got water on a bag of charcoal. Thinking the charcoal was no good he disposed of it into a plastic pail with a lid. This was done two days before the fire.
I have had experience with spontaneous combustion fires associated with thinners,lacquers and linseed oil soaked rags disposed of into sealed containers. I have never seen or heard of this condition with charcoal. The C&O team reported it has to do with the compressed state of the charcoal and the chemical reactions that occur when the charcoal gets wet and begins to heat up.
Has anyone had a similiar expericence with charcoal? This was a new one for me and my department.

Effective immediately, any criticsm or "Monday Morning Quarterbacking" based on photos posted on this forum will not be tolerated. This type of activity turns active members and contributing photgraphers away from this forum. If you wish to ask a question about the incident, please start a thread. However, it must be about the department or incident and not anything based on the photos. Criticism also must not be disguised.
If you start a thread criticizing an incident in any way based on photos, it will be an immediate 2 week member suspension
If you make a post critisizing the incident based on the photos, it will be a immediate one week member suspension.
Negative comments will not be tolerated. More to be explained tommorow.
If you have ay questions, please PM x635 or email me at seth@emtbravo.com
Thank you for your cooperation
Seth

*************MORE TO FOLLOW TOMMOROW******************

Effective immediately, any criticsm or "Monday Morning Quarterbacking" based on photos posted on this forum will not be tolerated. This type of activity turns active members and contributing photgraphers away from this forum. If you wish to ask a question about the incident, please start a thread. However, it must be about the department or incident and not anything based on the photos. Criticism also must not be disguised.
If you start a thread criticizing an incident in any way based on photos, it will be an immediate 2 week member suspension
If you make a post critisizing the incident based on the photos, it will be a immediate one week member suspension.
Negative comments will not be tolerated. More to be explained tommorow.
If you have ay questions, please PM x635 or email me at seth@emtbravo.com
Thank you for your cooperation
Seth

*************MORE TO FOLLOW TOMMOROW******************

Members,
You've probaly noticed the "Incident Alert Live" box at the top of the forum index.
We're experimenting with this feature. It is still in beta stage.
It is to be used for putting out incidents in real time, even minor incidents. For example, someone can post in the box "Ardsley responding to a car fire on the New York State Thruway" or to inquire about incidents, such as "What does Somers have?".
Please also note this DOES NOT replace the Incident Alerts!
Please let me know how you like this feature. Any and all feedback is appreciated!
(NOTE:If you don't like it, click on "My Prefs" on the box and you can choose not to display it)
-Seth G.
Director Of Development, EMTBravo

Drill school "Pompier ladder" City Of White Plains Fire Department.

Thanks, Tim,
The ladder pictured was the first Maxim ladder in the fleet.

It was/is on Old Orchard St. the road behind the Stop & Shop in NWP.

Because if every dept. does not have at least one of everything, Westchester will be in danger of losing its status of highest taxed county in America.
Most of the fires in northern Westchester have difficulty deploying a ladder fast enough to get into position ahead of the 1st due engine. Once blocked out it is useless. The main reason for this is that without inhouse staffed units the 1st priority is (and has to be) to get the 1st due engine out. In much of the non hydranted districts the next critical unit is the tanker. By the time enough members assemble to get the ladder out, its to late.
I know some will then say, if they had a quint it would be the 1st unit and problem solved, except the comprimises needed to make a quint work, mean it will show up with too little hose, not enough water and not enough ground ladders. Its better to get a dedicated truck from another company on AUTOMATIC AID to every fire call. That way you get a proper engine response to attack the fire and a proper truck response to do truck work.

I started the original thread about that organization, in fact it was picked up of EMT bravo, and reposted on an FDNY site, it appears some of those members were maybe going to forward the organization to the Fire Marshalls for investigation. The discussion has alot of merit as people with wind breakers getting beyond firelines and possibly wanting to do harm to responders. Please reopen the thread.
Rick Dempsey

I'm not familiar with that system, but probably not. IamResponding.com looks like a 3rd party "middle man" solution.
FireWatch is an official project of the Rockland County 911 Center aka 44-Control. What you see on that site is being fed directly from the CAD system at 44-Control in (just about) real-time.

Thanks, Seth, I'll be sure to pass it along to the PTB at 44.
Between the "official" live audio feeds on RadioReference.com that are connected directly to Control's console and stream right out of the radio room, and now this online CAD site, Rockland is really trying to do right by its all-volunteer fire service.