TR54

While there are plenty of times I am happy I was not being taped it is the world we live in. So lets learn frome others mistakes. At car fires like this there is very little to gain but much to lose. The dangers at car fires are extensive and the byproducts of a burning car are probably the worst thing we come in contact on a regular basis. Don't rush, wear everything, use the reach of the stream, and approach at an angle. There was a recent article in Fire Engineering by a member of the YFD which hit the important stuff in depth. I did say very little to gain because they are good for training new members. Your nozzle team gets to work as a team on air to put out a fire. Have the forcible entry team work as a team and get the hood (after the fire is knocked down and bumpers and struts cooled) with the irons (it builds team work with the irons).

Larchmont Fire Department featured in my own copy from Fire Engineering Magazine. Also listed are other Westchester County NY Fire Departments proudly using Mack Fire Apparatus to protect residents.

Fire #1
87 Brook Street "Nappy Auto Collision & Repair"
Croton FD Units: 2082, 2083, E118, E119, E120, TL44, R18
Montrose FD Units: 2271, TL8
Ossining FD Units: 2332, 2334, E98, U51 (FAST)
Buchanan FD Units: 2553, U12 (Cascade)
Croton EMS: 5511, 55B2
Cortlandt EMS: 88B2
Ossining EMS: 36M1, 7405
WCDES: Battalion 10, C&O Zone 4
RELOCATED TO CROTON: Montrose E123, Yorktown L51
Info: CFD full assignment dispatched at 16:09 for heavy smoke coming from the building. CPD (who could see it from their HQ) updated as working fire right after dispatch. Fire in rear of 100 x 150 two story autobody shop with apartment above. Cars 2082 & 2083, E118 on location within 3 minutes, E119 & TL44 one minute after, E120 & R18 two minutes after that. Crews made entry and put two 2 1/2" lines to work, while simultaneously opened up the roof on the single story shop garage, conducted searches and laddered the building with portable ladders. (Truck had no access due to downed wires and trees). A 2nd Truck was requested (Montrose TL8) to position in the rear on Terrace Place and to assist opening up. Main body of fire knocked down 20 minutes after arrival, under control 40 minutes after arrival. Mutual Aid companies picked up at 17:25, all units off the scene at 18:52. One occupant to the hospital with smoke inhalation.
Fire #2
702 Half Moon Bay Drive
Croton FD Units: 2084, E120
Montrose FD Units: 2271, 2274, E123 (Cancelled en route & sent back to CFD for coverage)
Yorktown FD Units: 2534, L51
Ossining FD Units: 2332, 2334, E97, E98, U51 (FAST) (Cancelled en route)
Croton EMS: 55B2
Cortlandt EMS: Cancelled en route
WCDES: Battalion 10 (AKA 2084) & C&O Zone 4
Info: CFD, E123 and L51 dispatched for a basement fire at 18:11. E120 & L51 on location at 18:16 with smoke showing and sprinkler activated. Initial crews found fire in basement level being contained by sprinkler, 10-75 requested. 2084 had the command, L51 had the aerial to the roof as a precaution. The 10-75 assignment was cancelled enroute as the fire was knocked down quick. 1 L/S/O - fire contained to basement level storage room. All units up at 19:45.
On behalf of the Croton FD, THANK YOU to Ossining FD, Montrose FD, Yorktown FD, Buchanan FD, Croton EMS, Croton PD, Croton DPW, Cortlandt VAC, Ossining EMS and of course - 60 Control - for an awesome job! Thanks for the continued support.

Why did they have to shut down the opposite 2 lanes for a simple upright of a truck? Seems unprofessional to me and a little bit of an outdated technique. Glenns should get a bigger truck. Like the red one on the site here. Nice excavator

Hi everyone
I am a recent retiree from the Dist in question. You all know by my nickname, who I am. I have read the post on this subject and can agree with some and wonder about others.
I went to the Commissioners meeting last night and was surprised at the conversation that took place. Since this was a public meeting I can discuss what most of the meet was about. There are training problems here, the Commissioners have tried without success to train 100% of the volunteers FFs. They have tried for over 2 years to get everyone in sync with the state and federal standards. They have let FFs go and now they have the wolf at the door and must expel members and notify them by certified mail. These infractions are mostly for noncompliance(OSHA, Repritor test, bail-out, policy, Etc) The Commissioners discussed at length and were disappointed that not all volunteers made the grade after 2 years.
I can no longer make suggestions as a FF, but as a concerned citizen. I can only tell you how I feel and my experience with this district. As a CFF I did not like when Police Officers or Career firefighters from other Depts volunteered here and I knew that if I went to thier jobs to volunteer it would be a differant story. I was told by one career firefighter that he volunteered because he'll never make rank at his job, but could be a chief here. The one eyed man is king in the land of the blind. This CFF also had better benefits then I and better pay, but did not mind stepping on my toes when it came down to benefits for me and my family. Which made me very defensive of my job.
After speaking to some CFFs and VFFs I now know that there has been problem at most of the recent fires. The blame game is going around in circles. There was a shortage of FFs to launch an interior attack and the few VFFs that could respond at least you were there. I am not going to second guess any decissions that were made by IC because I was not there. He made decissions on what he had and what he seen.
Standard staffing at this time is:
2 CFFs @ HQ(L35,E25?,R32)
1 CFF @ Sta-2(R75,E253,L10)
1 CFF @ Sta-3 (R80,E254)
1 CFF @ Sta-4 (U11,U50,E25?)
There has been cutbacks and there has not been any CFFs hired in almost 7 years. Is this a sign of the times I don't think so. Times were good and they still refused to hire. Guys say here that CFFs shortages are a sign of the times, well stand back and think are you working more, maybe a second job, whatever, your availablity to respond is alot less. They'er 7 positions that should be covered 4 shifts and 3 vacation floaters. There used to be 3 till 60c took dispatch 1 was dropped from HQ. As CFFs retired or transfered to other depts vacation floaters were put in permenent posts all openings are now covered by OT. OT will probably be the next complaint that the CFFs make to much. We all know that we went into this career for love and not the money. The CFFs that work @ Sta 2,3,4 are alone for their entire shift. The work force is shifting from 20s thru 40s to late 30s thru 50s, this is a problem. Without that shot of young blood more injuries and more absenteeism will happen causing a financial problem for the district.
As a concerned citizen I would hope that the career ranks are returned to there full strenght. That the second Lieutenant position be replaced so that the strain of training 32 CFFs and 60 or so VFFs to standards could be accomplished in a timely manner. They are other concerns that I have but these seem to be the most pressing at this time. By bringing the training standards for VFFs up to regulated specks this would make a more harmonious fire district for everyone.
There are facts and opinions in this post if you wish to call me out on any of these please do. I will try to answer your intelligent questions.

Bad News all the way around. People are reluctant to call the FD as it is. Can you amagine if they were going to get billed for money they don't have. Residents would end up paying with their lives.
Even billing for activated alarms is poor when life safety is involved. Case in point - A Store manager reset the alarm bells with customers inside. He told them "It goes off all the time , just keep shopping " Then he meets the FD at the door still claiming it was a malfuction. It was not - fire in the restroom. Criminal simply criminal. :angry:

Date: 02-08-10
Time: 1430hrs
Location: 25 Young St. c/s Oregon Rd.
Frequency: 46.26/LMFD Ops
Units Operating: Cars 2268 (career Capt), 2261, 2260, E257, E258, L35, Peekskill FASTeam, Buchanan U12 (cascade), Mohegan VAC, NYSP, Putnam Valley FD W/(1) engine to the scene, Yorktown FASTeam, WCDES C&O Zone-4, Con Edison.
Weather Conditions: Cold, windy
Description Of Incident: Working Fire
Reporters:
Writer: BFD1054
1430hrs-E257, E258, L35 dispatched to above address for the possible structure fire.
1433hrs-E257 on location advising smoke shwoing.
1434hrs-E257 advising confirmed working fire. Car 2268 requesting 1st alarm assignment.
1435hrs-E257 requesting E258 to grab a hydrant. Car 2260 en-route.
1436hrs-Lake Mohegan re-toned for the working fire, Peekskill FASTeam to the scene, Mohegan EMS to the scene. Car 2261 responding. Car 2268 on location.
1437hrs-Buchanan FD dispatched; request for Utility-12 (cascade) to the scene.
1438hrs-E258 requesting a re-tone for additional manpower. Car 2261 requesting Putnam Valley to the scene with an engine and manpower.
1444hrs-Car 2268 advising Car 2261 that they will need Peekskill's FASTeam to go to work, they will need a 2nd FASTeam. Car 2261 requesting a 2nd FAST.
1445hrs-Car 2261 on location. 60-Control dispatching Yorktown FD; request for their FASTeam to the scene.
1451hrs-Car 2261 requesting a progress report from interior crews. Unit advising that they are opening up the ceiling at this time.
1453hrs-Car 2268 requesting roof ventilation.
1533hrs-Continental Village requested to re-locate (1) engine to Mohegan's Hollowbrook Station - Oregon Rd.
1534hrs-Montrose requested to re-locate (1) engine to Mohegan's Furnace Woods Station - Croton Ave.
1535hrs-C&O Zone-4 Unit 1404 en-route.
1540hrs-Montrose FD Car 2271/E121 re-locating.
1552hrs-Car 2261 placing the fire under control.
1725hrs-Car 2261 requesting Town of Cortlandt Code Enforcement & Water department to the scene.
1726hrs-Car 2261 releasing Yorktown & Buchanan, holding all others.
1747hrs-Car 2261 releasing Peekskill.