somebuffyguy

Again, its much more complicated than that. Just because the department is understaffed doesn't mean they're automatically hiring. They may be understaffed by 15 (And I have no idea where you got that number) but if they only have the budget to send two to the academy, they're hiring two. Hirings depend on a whole bunch of factors, so understaffed or not, its no guarantee. My best advice is to keep taking tests wherever you can and don't count on one department hiring you. But best of luck with Mt Vernon.

Let's not jump ahead of ourselves here. Yes there will be a class this fall, but that does not mean Mt. Vernon has plans to send recruits to it. All they've done so far was notify people that they've passed the test. That's only the first step. They still need to canvass, do agilities, interviews, background checks, medical exams etc. There's no way that's all happening in three weeks. Besides that, unless I'm mistaken, Mt Vernon has residency preference. Meaning Mt Vernon residence will all have to be processed before anyone else is. So if 1,000 residence passed the test, they all have to get processed before a non-resident does. Agility tests cost money, meaning that they aren't going to be doing these tests for people they won't be hiring. If you're not a resident don't expect to be taking the agility anytime soon. I'm not saying you won't ever get a call, but if you do it will take some time. Don't expect to be called for the first class, that's just how it is.

It's pretty doubtful Mt Vernon will make it to the non-residents, however without knowing how many took it and passed who knows. If you're really interested in finding out I'd suggest FOILing the list.

Would Medevac really have been necessary in this situation? According to google maps its 21 minutes from that corner to the med center. Were there any circumstances that required it?

I have a few questions about this that hopefully someone with more insight can answer. First, regarding Villages, how involved is the Village board usually in the hiring process ? I've always been under the impression that the department (usually the Chief) held an interview and passed their recommendations up to the Village board, who usually went along with the Chief's decision. Is it common for a Village board to outright disagree and vote against a Chief's choice for a position ? People here are making it out to seem he just didn't get picked and the department chose somebody over him, when really he was selected for the position and the board over ruled it. Someone here had also suggested that with his score he should get picked up by another department. Besides County Police, how many departments don't use a residency list? Is it possible Sleepy Hollow is his only real chance ?

Just curious, does anyone happen to know what the rank of "Surgeon" was exactly?

From the WC mutual aid agreement : Besides Yonkers and New Rochelle, name one department in the county that follows this. I'm also curious, has anyone ever filed a complaint regarding Mount Vernon's use of mutual aid as is stated in the agreement ?

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/375228500 I was always under the impression that the VAFD was an entry level position. However it requires Firefighter II, Pump Operator, Hazmat Tech, EMT-B and other certifications to even be looked at. Does anyone have any insight as to how the hiring process for the VAFD works ?

http://www.firehouse.com/news/11569537/university-of-texas-study-says-too-many-firefighters-are-overweight?utm_source=FH+Newsday&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS140705002 Interesting article. How many departments (career or volunteer) have fitness programs ? Career firefighters are required to be in shape when they get hired (CPAT) but do any departments have their firefighters retake it, 5,10, 20 years down the road ? What do your departments do to promote fitness ? My volunteer department gives reimbursements for gym membership, but has no real way of testing its firefighters fitness. Any ideas ?

Thanks for the input, but I'm really looking more for what departments do and can do to improve fitness in their ranks. While fitness really needs to be taken up by individuals its become pretty clear from the numbers that firefighters aren't getting themselves in shape. Departments need to to start taking action to change it. That is a little ridiculous considering how much more likely it is for a firefighter to be injured on an emergency scene. I can understand that they're trying to avoid liability, have the members at your department looked into a gym reimbursement plan?

For anyone on the fence about this test, Chicago is second only to FDNY in staffing and hasn't held a test since 2006, so expect the next one to be around 2022. Does anyone know anything regarding their hiring process? Such as residency preference, veteran's preference, diversity quotas and all that?

http://www.statter911.com/2014/06/13/dc-firefighter-suspended-refusing-crime-patrol-outgoing-chief-ellerbe-calls-insubordination/ What a great idea...

Scores are out, does anyone have any insight as to how this was scored ?

My FD uses IamResponding as well, never heard of a GPS feature. Is that an extra feature or are we just over looking it ?

Any idea if Port Chester is moving beyond their residency list ? As I understand it they reached the 75's on the list with their last hirings. Are there many more left on their list ?

Word on the street is Peekskill has sent out letters. However, canvassing letters does not necessarily equal hirings.

I really don't agree with saying conducting a size up and setting up command is "doing nothing". If he made visual contact with a victim at a window and could've gotten them out then by all means go ahead and do it. It makes no sense however to say a Chief should go into a building by himself on a report of someone inside. If he gets himself killed because he went in without any backup, what does that accomplish ? Considering Hartsdale is only 4.5 square miles and has two stations, I highly doubt it took very long for their initial crews to get on scene. Either way, they made the save so I'm not going to knock how they did it.

Noticed there's no mentioning of veteran's credit for this exam. Is that common ?

Well, the original Westport thread was started by a Chief at Westport, so I'd try there http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php/topic/50433-westport-ct-fire-entry-level-exam/

Agreed to everything 16fire5 says. One line that particularly bothered me was "Leaders lead from the front, and cowards lead from behind their men". Your job as an officer isn't to be upfront doing the work, its to make sure your firefighters do their work safely and properly. Would Eisenhower have been a more effective leader if he was the first to step foot on Normandy? I get pretty annoyed with this whole "coward" idea as well. Personally, until I'm shown otherwise, anyone who's in this field is not a coward. This whole macho way of thinking doesn't help anybody. "Oh its getting pretty hot in here, I'm running out of air and this fire isn't going out. Better not get out of here or I'd be a coward". Here's a crazy idea, instead of everyone going " to the front" how about just do YOUR job. If you're the engine company boss, do your job and supervise your crew on the line, don't "lead from the front" and take the nozzle from a kid who could use the experience. I'd much rather my IC was "leading from behind" and actually had a scope of the incident so he could look out for everyone's safety.

http://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=af83d51f31393800&from=api&q=Fire+title%3A%28%22Fire+Chief%22+or+%22Firefighter%22%29&l=NY&atk=18mcnsq1f0mqh7be&sclk=1&sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5W-O9jEvXvB_tT-uIVWta9o2Y0FVBc0TBZs6bkIg29P7gM2kXaRPDFBCdGO4yUrJCTqrl9pqdcUuk84gLOYAxGJ7kCsDX2AoZuZZSSyC-a5-TIVxKfZyXFd79acdruRb60Bqt7Nzg55KYvxjBMqB1-8MamDih8SWgrycGhJcTKp16LbZBlYwJ-PmV25uHcSPu8eidbQzR4vCBvv-4kROX0Ipqd0Yolm5ZK_V8Ls3_vL_ru_uvEkIs7ivekG1y-h0PpINN-xIZSXDVK1MIGiNXn1s9TkcJHo06p0mJ1mHYbN62HuMg_F Has anyone heard of this schedule before, 24 on 24 off ?

The link said it was posted by usajobs.gov try searching there for the application.

That is true, but 18 year olds in the military have to finish high school before they can serve. Also being in the military is a career, volunteer FD is not. While they are making a great sacrifice, it also helps them put their lives in order. Trying to balance finishing high school with a VFD can be very distracting, and I don't see how anyone these days cannot agree education should come first. I can't speak for all volunteer departments, but I'd have to say from what I've seen more departments suffer from their older members saying "well I have work in the morning, can't go." rather than their high schoolers not showing up.

Not to be a downer, but this helmet's got 2 years left correct ?

Date: 4/11/14 Time: 01:06 Incident Type: Structure Fire Location: 91 Bedford Road ( Whispering Pines Flower Shop) District: Chappaqua Description: Fire in all floors of 2 1/2 story flower shop. Two lines stretch inside, later switched to exterior ops. 01:06- Report of large fire in rear of structure 01:10- 2062 on location requesting 10-75 01:16- 2062 requests 1 ladder from Mt.Kisco FD 01:19- 2065 Requesting C&O to scene 01:21- Con Edison Gas/Electric requested 01:22- 2 L/S/O per Bat. 16 01:34- Bat. 16 requesting Red Cross 01:35- All members pulled from building, beginning exterior operations 01:43- Millwood engine on standby requested to scene 01:44- Bedford Hills FD requested to standby in Chappaqua HQ 01:55- 1 ladder pipe, multiple exterior handlines in use, opening up from exterior 02:02- Building department notified by PD 02:17- 3 exterior lines in operation, 2nd truck company working 02:18- Per Bat.16 "Fire still remains doubtful" 03:42- Fire darkening down 05:18- Per 2061 situation under control 10:04- All units back in service Units: Chappaqua: 2061,2062,2063,2065,TL-27, E144, R23 Mount Kisco: 2284,TL-14, E105, U13 Millwood: 2252,E247, Pleasantville: 2371,2373,E260 WCDES: Bat. 16, Cause and Origin Zone 5 Pleasantville PD Chappaqua Vac: 54B1,54B2 WEMS: 45M1 Standby Units : Bedford Hills FD *Thanks to ac316su for sending me corrections.