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It looks like the only a****** here is possibly yourself. I agree with the majority of the posts here and it is a proven fact that the vast majority of the Volunteer Fire Service elections are pretty much popularity contests and thats garbage. A member can have every class and certification in the book but the bottom line is some people have no business being an officer or chief period. It shouldnt even be a question agencies should and obviously need to have requirments for positions and need to stick to them and just dont "bend them" or make exceptions. Turn-over in the ranks in agencies because "thats just how it is" is Bull****, If they work and are willing to stay put and continue to have the drive to do the job the right way...leave them and groom others to do the right thing, not blow it on a "Filler". The respect of your members toward a potential canidate for the drive of doing whats right for the common good of your district/department/company, citizens, and safety of the membership is paramount. I'd go out on a limb and have to say that maybe it just wasnt your turn and it might be time to start making more training videos.

i think in the above discussions we are confusing being "listed" as a FAST team in 60 control versus having most if not all members trained in FAST; and also where you obtain that training. I know in my volunteer FD we require FF1 & 2 and encourage going further such as FAST, Rescue Basic plus, etc. We also do CPR/First Aid initially and annually and refresh our HM, rescue, FAST, Bailout, etc. annually. We don't run EMS but have many EMT's and do go on some EMS assists. We have many department members that are fire instructors or highly experienced firefighters that can do instruction at the company level for FAST and most everything else, but can't issue a county or State certificate which is not a problem to us as our fire commissioners are the AHJ, but going to other places, we prefer having those certificates on file to cover a legal situation outside of our normal district/battalion. Initially like many, our FD was listed as a FAST team. For some (unknown to me) reason we fell off that list. We have a great department and generally we get out with 5 FF on an engine and 6 FF on a ladder or rescue (Our rescue is a rescue-pumper as majority of rescues are car related and fires are possible with the rescue). Do we have our moments where we have less or don't get out as fast as we like? yep. I don't know of any FD that doesn't have that problem sometime during a shift. Unfortunately volunteer shifts are 24/7. But well over 90% of the time we are on our mark and get two engines and ladder (and more) out to our structure fires. We send less to other type fires so maybe only one or two units are needed on those type of calls. I prefer going to fires in our district as we run riding positions and so I know pretty close to exactly what to expect each apparatus & team to do and accomplish. Going to MA is more difficult as we usually send only one, possibly two apparatus and under the command of others that work "differently". Again we are very structured, however, we adapt to going to other FDs that are less structured. We also have a standing order to all to stand-by at HQ if one apparatus has left as we may need more. And standing by in another's HQ in case of an alarm...seems we can do the same standing by in our HQ and cover both districts based on the next alarm, so we avoid going to just standby at one house or district (but will go if asked). Volunteer houses and most career houses do not have the manning as in years past.
There are a few volunteer and career FD's that don't have a manning problem. That is due to the the community make-up, and taxpayers and leaders being ABLE to afford full coverage. However, most cannot afford this coverage regardless of what you may think ( i.e. Westchester most taxed, richest, having funds, should be able to afford best protection, etc, etc.) without a sizable tax increase which would not fly regardless of "what we want". So slowly FAST teams became hard to field to have a full team standby often times several towns over, and not your usualy MA area. This means a FD that is running thin already, or helping other nearby FD's with temporary manning issues, has to question fielding a "listed" FAST team at 60. I agree you should be asking for more "fire teams" at staging rather than using the on-scene FAST team, just when everything is "heating" up and they are needed most as a FAST. I also think if you are a career firefighter and live in a volunteer community, you should run with your local VFD instead of complaining why don't they clean up their act, do better, etc..as all volunteer live or work in that community...and have other careers....so put aside the differences and join. I know this will fall on deaf ears to many on here that are career which is a shame, or worse (Oh MY!!) you will beat me up verbally on this chat...hmm..If I only had feelings they would be hurt!!!...but hey, being in a coma for the past 5 years as someone suggested recently on another post..has it's advantages.. (actually I choose not to answer on EMT bravo to avoid just such remarks and pissing on each others well polished shoes as I have Irish blood in me too)
My opinions and remarks are solely my personal opinions and are not necessarily the opinions or position of my fire department or other teams I am associated with.

Personally i think part of the problem is with the terminology commonly used Such as "mutual aid" which I feel is used to mask the problem that plagues our area.
From what I was originally taught and understood was that "mutual aid" meant 1) you needed additional resources such as manpower, or additional apparatus to assist you at the scene. 2) you need a specific reasource that you or another agency/department don't not have 3) you are already committed to a incident or whatever and need "mutual aid" to handle an additional call while you operate at your initial incident.
But, what I see "mutual aid" used for around here is a loophole to cover up the all but true actuality of what many have pointed out here that calls are going unanswered. I would like to see is the term (FTR) "Failure To Respond" used which would keep agency's/ departments more accountable for their inability to perform their primarily function and respond to emergencies within the acceptable standard. If that were actually used the facts would be presented front and center to the public and state that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Otherwise it just seems like this problem will continue to fly under the radar and put the public and first responders In danger.
Just my 2 cents.

Would you look past this if that Chief's vehicle was delivering donations to Newtown? What if he was buying gifts to bring to a Children's Hospital here in Westchester? This is such immature, cry baby bullshit.
For the record, I don't agree with the abuse of a take home car, but since nobody knows the facts here - let's stop speculating.
FACT: Some municipalities issue take-home vehicles for all kinds of staff members, including PD, FD, DPW and management folks.
FACT: Many of these municipalities don't have rules or regulations concerning the uses of these vehicles, and frankly don't even care.
FACT: A Westchester Fire Chief in Connecticut may be closer from point A in Westchester to point B in Connecticut then if he went to another location within Westchester County.
FACT: I see police officers, fire chiefs/commissioners, EMS officers, DPW bosses and governement officials using their take home cars for all kinds of things.
FACT: I never lose sleep over any of this. Neither should any of us. The same guys who are union firefighters that will come here asking all of us to "put aside our volunteer and paid BS" to help them keep their jobs also commonly take jabs at volunteers for dumb s*** like this. You can't play it one way all the time then flip it around and not expect people to call you out on it. Does it bother anyone else that WE are all our own worst enemies?!
Does it bother anyone else that Westchester County is literally a laughingstock to fire departments (paid and volunteer) outside of this area because of our never-ending bickering and dick-measuring contests?
Ugh!
Note: edited for grammar and layout improvement.

Many a good times back in the day from Pville to Baltimore with Lenny...a straight up good guy with such potential and drive for life...Condolences to Pleasantville Fire and his Colleagues at FDNY EMS Sta.7

Many a good times back in the day from Pville to Baltimore with Lenny...a straight up good guy with such potential and drive for life...Condolences to Pleasantville Fire and his Colleagues at FDNY EMS Sta.7

Many a good times back in the day from Pville to Baltimore with Lenny...a straight up good guy with such potential and drive for life...Condolences to Pleasantville Fire and his Colleagues at FDNY EMS Sta.7

I don't have an issue with career firefighters. I have an issue with you.
I, and so many more people, have grown tired of you only speaking up on these forums to beat your drum and stand atop your soapbox to deem all volunteer fire departments as incapable, lying, deceitful organizations. You think because you use big words and generally have ample grammar in your posts, that all of us are blind to your obvious dismay for the majority of us.
The issues ongoing in the Irvington FD are being beaten to death here with no true resolve. I agree with you that it's noble of the gentleman involved to stand for what he believes in. Just as I think anyone who stands up for what they believe in is honorable, because let's face it, too many people would rather not take a position on something and join the majority (drink the Kool-Aid, if you will).
Anyone that doesn't see you for who you really are and for the views you have of us evil volunteers is either naive or blind. We aren't perfect, not a single one of us is, but do you really, honestly think that coming on here and playing your game is solving anything? And am I alone on these forums to think that this story in Irvington is going to have little or no impact on anything?
There's so many more things in this world and in what we do that need our attention. And for me, those issues are ensuring we all are offering the best fire prevention training, fire safety education, strict code enforcement and adequate response to any emergency we're called upon - regardless of the community, department and whether or not those sworn to do these tasks is paid, period.
You're an intelligent man from what I can tell, with a wealth of knowledge and experience that could help better the fire service. Do you really think spending your time trying to dissect and disassemble the volunteer fire service is helping ANYONE?
Good day to you, sir.

Engine 113 was the source pumper at the dry hydrant on Oscaleta road. E113 fed E112 and E140 that were the relay pumpers in line up to the fire scene. During the operation of the Tower Ladder 57, Tanker 2 was used to supply the master stream. I hope this clears everything thing up for the brothers that were not on the scene and are monday morning quaterbacking rural water operations...... Us up here in the North county do not always have the luxury of having those red things every 500 feet. Sometimes we need to get down and dirty and actually lay out an entire bed of hose.

Congrats to the Brothers & Sisters of Millwood on a long overdue Bond Passing for there New Headquarters....