LineCapt

A friend who works for news station asked me about this on a tip she received about a Bee-Line driver listening to some sort of fire or police radio and texting while doing it. The rider apparently rides this line frequently and this happens all time, and the rider supposedly has video. If this is true, what reason would a Bee-Line driver have for monitoring let's assume 60 Control? I figure IF this is true the driver is a probably a buff who is going to lose his job once this comes out. It's kind of a hard story to make up.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/told-basically-drop-dead-angry-new-york-resident-pols-fuming-elongated-wait-sandy-relief-money-article-1.1231206#ixzz2Gq9ZZFjB

So why won't the city let you? I can't understand how this relates to staffing, why would minimum staffing be dependent on the first responder program?

Well said. If YFD could do a better job at EMS, then why wasn't it ever pursued? They are not saying they are going after fires. Nor are the telling you how to fight fires. And these guys have much more to lose. An average YFD firefighter makes over $100,000 a year with great pay, benefits, and a pension after 20 years. Empress Paramedics make an average of $40,000 a year, and most have to work a second job and overtime to make ends meet. They have a lot more to lose if they contend with Local 628. Chief, please know that I "Qtip", and I enjoy reading the insight you bring. Just because I'm discussing it with you, it doesn't mean anything more, like some other responses.

So, if there is a structure fire or the FD is busy in Yonkers on firematic stuff, does YFD send an Engine to cover each empty stations so that FD will be at EMS calls just as quickly?

Why doesn't the FD start their own EMS service, or petition to, if they believe they provide a better service and a faster response?

This firefighter is disgusting. I don't know or care who he is, but what "Brother" would attempt to get ahead off the backs of his fellow "Brothers" who actually studied for the examination? If you're dumb as rocks taking tests but an excellent firefighter, it's still wrong. The process is based on the ability to take a test, not firefighting knowledge, experience, or skill. (which I think it should be based on). But it is the way it is, and he should have prepared better. At the very least, this firefighter should be demoted and his salary should be docked until he pays back all the extra money he earned under the Captain rank. I hate to see anyone lose their pension, and I don't know where he is in his career, but he should be fired, unless those kinds of morals and ethics are acceptable to the people he answers to. And if the person he cheated off of was knowingly involved, they should face discipline as well. If the list is voided, I know I'd be suing this guy!

Frankly, I'm suprised there isn't any sort of 9/11 tribute on the front page.

Which Deputy retired?

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110716/NEWS01/107160332/Hudson-River-boaters-plan-protest-say-marine-units-overdo-safety-checks?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110819/NEWS02/108190332/Yonkers-fire-union-claims-public-safety-threatened-without-new-Ridge-Hill-firehouse?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Westchester County, New York

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110805/NEWS02/108050378/Supreme-Court-dismisses-suit-seeking-Mount-Vernon-fire-chief-s-ouster?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Frontpage|s

If HME made a midmount tower, that would have been the choice for replacement (joking). But just drive down the Post road...there's a nice new Aerialscope in Darien.......

In Westchester, one of the biggest issues I see are response times, both FD and EMS. While their are a variety of factors, including career and volunteer first due apparatus, geography, etc, how can a proper response time be determined? Hopefully this never happens, but for example only your house is burning down, and you know it can be saved by a swift response, how long do you want to wait? And, how can response times be enforced, if any, and not altered by "clock stopper" responses, such as the arrival of a Chief in a non-suppresion vehicle? Who's job is it to take a stand and say "this is unacceptable" and things need to change? As far as manpower, an engine can get there in 3 minutes, but not have enough personel to start suppresion.

I hate brush fires, this is 100x bigger then anything I would have to deal with probaly ever! Great job on the photos.

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110613/NEWS02/106130316/Peekskill-fire-union-city-spar-over-alleged-threat?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

One would think they would have gone with something larger and more specialized like this for their rescue: http://www.svitrucks.com/apparatusdetails.asp?apparatusid=260 New Rochelle and Stamford are KIND OF similar....but Stamford's bigger but has a smaller rescue? I'm sure Stamford's apparatus comiteee did the best they could with the funds and contract they had to work with.

Has Hartsdale Tower Ladder 15 returned to service? Have a friend in Wisconsin who said it's been sitting there for months. Also have heard Hartsdale will be keeping the non-NFPA compliant rear mount 1976 Seagrave Ladder as a reserve? http://www.gufalocal1586.org/single_pic.cfm?PicID=239493&galleryID=1483&gallery=Fire%20Calls

2nd what lalautze said.... You think people would be much more outwardly appreciative of your work on this. I have no idea about the technical stuff that you had to deal with, but I already notice the site is much faster on this new server. Thanks again Seth AND staff for your dedication to this site.....it really is an invaluable resource to this community.

Doesn't Tarrytown has a fleet made up almost entirley of E-Ones?

I think you made a momentary lapse in judgement, you seem to always like to play "devils advocate"- but calling them boneheads went too far. You need to retract or apologize. I don't post often on here or get involved in debates, but that comment was competly out of line. These guys should be applauded, not "scrutinized".

Can that be considered texting while driving? Even so, aren't emergency personel exempt during the course of their duty?

I don't understand why there is only one foam trailer for the whole county? I know Yonkers has a truck filled with an assortment of foam, that can be applied using any engine, along with some other special foam equipment. New Rochelle, I believe, was looking at a foam unit a few years back, if I remember correctly. And why was this shift made- I believe it was in Fairview? Where are they going to station it in White Plains? I know I-287 runs through White Plains, but Hawthorne and Ossining have both made use of the foam trailer, too. So, again, why aren't there more? Thanks to Chief Fitz for the information

Get well soon, Steve!!

Happy Birthday guys!