fdalumnus

As I recall Providence Fire and their Health and Safety group of their Union was on the forefront of ensuring firefighters and fire victims were evaluated and treated for cyanide poisoning due to its presence in most structure fires. Hopes and prayers for the Capt and other Brother's at PFD. 

SPAAMFAA National Convention & Muster hosted by the
Fairchester Hose Haulers of the Hudson Valley
Middletown, New York (Orange County)

ANTIQUE FIRE TRUCK SHOW & MUSTER
Saturday August 13, 2016

Fire Truck Motorcade starts at 9 AM at the Middletown High School.
Line Up/Apparatus Operator Meeting at 8:30 AM
Motorcade proceeds thru Middletown to the Leider Fire Truck Warehouse *Muster Site*

LOCATION:
2618 Route 302
Middletown, NY 10941

Fire Truck Show, Fire Flea Market, Food, Music,
Scale Model Display, Demonstrations and 
Firefighter Competitions....

-Midnight Alarm
-Water Barrel
-Bucket Brigade
 
Hundreds of Fire Trucks will be on display including the F.D.N.Y. Super Pumper

10 AM - 3 PM

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - FREE ADMISSION

FHH Website: http://www.fairchesterhosehaulers.org/ 

FHH Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FairchesterHoseHaulersMuster/
 
PRINT OUR MUSTER FLYER & INFORMATION
2016-SPAAMFAA-Summer-Conv_Muster-Brochure (1).pdf
 
ANY FIRE DEPARTMENT OR PRIVATE COLLECTOR WHO WOULD LIKE TO DISPLAY
ANTIQUE FIRE APPARATUS PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECT RWC130@aol.com

This would have been a perfect use for the mobile communications vehicles if they could be on scene in a reasonable amount of time. 
 
However, I have a simpler idea: As Rockland and Westchester have repeaters (trunked systems), In theory what is heard at 44 control and on the site should be the same quality of broadcast. Why can't a radio of each others trunk system be installed at the two control centers and when you have an operation such as this bridged together? This would permit all units at a scene be connected together thus only 1 radio would have to be monitored and everyone would be on the same channel. Many departments were cross banding their radio systems before the trunk system was established.
 
 

a pulse

Let's be perfectly clear about this: the so called "logistical mess" was confined to the Westchester side of things last night.
 
So the incident was going on for approx 45 mins before other Westchester agencies were dispatched.  And Westchester was the mess? Verplank was the only Westchester agency on the initial dispatch and they were dispatch by 60 Control. I'm failing to see what was wrong there.
 
Rockland units (Sheriff's marine unit, Stony Point FD marine unit, EMS on land) were all coordinated very well through 44-Control on Rockland's trunked system, including all involved agencies in direct communication on the Interop 1 talkgroup when necessary.  The Sheriff's marine unit was in constant contact with Coast Guard Sector NY on Marine 16, and also had direct contact with the tugboat.  They were also the first unit to board the vessel to provide aid. Stony Point's fire chief and marine unit were in direct and constant contact with the Sheriff's marine unit.
 
Notwithstanding the fact that the location was initially mis-reported and it took some time for the correct location to be determined (it happens, especially at night on the river), there were no issues otherwise with the Rockland side of things.
 
Then why call in Westchester?
 
Note that this incident was on the Rockland shore, and that 44-Control notified 60-Control more or less as a courtesy than anything else.  Somehow, that turned into 60-Control dispatching just about every fire dept marine unit in the county, along with the WCPD marine unit.
 
44 Control requested Westchester to Dispatch Verplank. It wasn't until approx 45 mins later that everyone else was dispatched to help find the "missing tugboat". You forget that someone was in distress? 
 
Perhaps the real issue here is that it appears that Westchester units are allowed to self-dispatch, with no one actually managing resources. That does not happen in Rockland.  If 44-Control doesn't dispatch you, then you do not respond, plain and simple.
 
Not sure where you get your information but you should research more.
 
 
 
I was monitoring Fire 10 on the Westchester trunked system, and it was painful. You have a fire chief assuming command on the opposite shore 5 miles away from the actual incident? Really?
 
Yes there should be a IC on both sides of the river when multiple agencies are working the incident. Are you joking me?
 
Next time maybe Rockland doesn't bother to notify Westchester at all when the incident is on the Rockland shore. If garbage like last night is the norm for Westchester, and no one can control the response, then just stay home. 
 
Hey instead of trying to Monday morning QB this why don't you be part of a solution instead of the problem.  
 
 
 
Jybehofd and Bnechis like this  Like this   Quote

Maybe he just has a friend in the decal business.

I understand when companies or governments want to reinvent their logos, but where's the originality?

First, I want to preface this by saying the dispatcher at 60 Control who handled this incident did an EXCELLENT job coordinating everything given the situation. It was almost mind boggling to try and keep track of everything and he nailed it.
 
For those that didn't monitor, there was a cardiac arrest involving a crew member on a tugboat in the Hudson River. The tugboats location was static, but had to be determined further. It was one worst incidents I've ever heard logistically play out just given the fact that there was no coordination by any unit with anyone else. Everybody was freelancing, and everybody wanted to play. There was no concrete information about which boat had EMT's or Medics. It was, literally and this was stated on the radio several times, whoever got to the boat first got the patient. No one knew who was the true incident commander, and there was no true command.  Rockland couldn't communicate with Westchester and vice versa in a timely or efficient manner. Both Rockland and Westchester were basically both working the same incident completely separate from one another with no idea of who was doing what.
 
It also should have been kept in mind that it was pitch black out, and the current very strong, with heavy winds. You had rescue boats swarming from each directions with limited to no awareness of anyone else in the area. Responders putting other responders in danger.

The inefficiency, to say the least, could have made the difference in the outcome of a cardiac arrest. I get everyone wants to help, but sometimes you're doing more harm then good.
 
And, at the very least, Westchester and Rockland need to develop a better system of interagency incident command and training, especially since there seems to be a very large overlap of jurisdiction. There should be numerous drills and tabletop exercises on a regular basis, as well as a single channel for Hudson River incidents that is primary and a dedicated tactical channel that both counties can access.
 
60 Control needs to be able to have the authority to control units, such as to stand down units or give specific commands in a situation like this where no one else is capable of taking charge over such a widespread area.
 
Another thought. Westchester DES needs to appoint a Marine Battalion that is familiar and capable of coordinating incidents on the Hudson, and capable of taking command of multiple jurisdictions and equipped with Rockland radios. Or appoint WCPD SOD as primary command and coordination since they have better resources.
 
Quite frankly....one of the major issues was that no one could take personal blame  for the situations....it was the circumstances at play.
 
AGAIN...EXCELLENT JOB BY THE 60 CONTROL DISPATCHER, who made the best of what and who he had to work with! It was almost mind boggling to try and keep track of everything and he nailed it.

From 2006, and it's still in active frontline service.
 
 
DETAIL PHOTOS: http://www.emtbravo.com/NorotonHeights/NorotonBOT.html
 

 
 
DETAIL PHOTOS: http://www.emtbravo.com/NorotonHeights/NorotonBOT.html

So the town is actually investigating options for EMS.  They should be commended for that!  Most towns rely on the provider, whether VAC, VFD, commercial, mixed, or whatever, and provide no insight or guidance whatsoever.  Let's face it, any municipal service should have oversight, even EMS.
 

If you still believe that, you must still be wearing 3/4 boots and fireball gloves.
The GFD has become a career department supplemented by the volunteers simply by call volume alone. It is totally unreasonable to expect volunteers to staff ALL 4000 plus incidents a year. Can't be done.
The majority of the ACTIVE volunteers are great people with a true desire to serve. But there are still a few "members" who consider the career staff "paid drivers" and will stand on their soapbox complaining that they are being picked on for being held to minimum standards regarding training and accountability. These "members" still conduct backroom politics to block funding and department policy changes because they don't want to lose their fiefdom.
Don't get me wrong. There are career staff who can be difficult to work with also. Not everybody is a model employee. But at the end of the day, both career and volunteer staff are there to help the citizens. But when you go to lengths to block funding or conduct backroom deals so you can retain your status you are doing the community and yourselves a disservice.
Before anyone says that I am volly bashing, I got my start in the volunteer fire service 40 years ago in one of the Greenwich fire companies (Sound Beach). I never forgot where I came from. I still retain that membership to this day. And I also volunteer in the town where I am currently residing for over 25 years. I also served 25 years on the career staff in Greenwich. So I think I am entitled to give my opinions since I have witnessed and dealt with the after effects of these situations first hand over the years.
So, the comments made by the above post still tell me that those members are still out there. They will stop at nothing they continue to block any kind of improvement that would benefit both the volunteer and the career staff and most importantly the citizens of Greenwich.
 
 

So is anyone aware of any truth to this?  Besides a Facebook rant and copied email from a HEMS insider, have there been any news reports, statements from the town or anything that suggests this is accurate?

It's the town's prerogative to contact for services within their borders so the notion that they don't have any right to review HEMS financial statements or discuss service(s) provided is nuts.  They provided $550,000 to the "VAC" this year so it's clear the town has a stake in it. 
 

This weekend, our "Blast From The Past" features Bedford Hills Mini-Attack 9, which went through a major refurbishment in 2004.
 
Special thanks to Cutty 630 and Hooks057 for the photos and info.
 
FROM THE ARCIVES. http://emtbravo.com
 
Here's the feature:: http://www.emtbravo.com/Spec2/MA9Refurb.html
 
Don't Forget to hit the "Like" button if you're emjoying these seris and want to see more.

From the EMTBravo.com archives. Photos originally posted to Protection From The Past-Cutty630 Archives 3-27-05.
 
Mount Kisco-Business District
Major Emergency Structure Fire
South Moger Ave 11-25-1996
Photos By, From, And Thanks To The Archives Of Cutty630
 
http://emtbravo.webspaceforme.net/News/CuttyMK/CuttyMK.html
 
If you want to see more EMTBravo.com Blasts From The Past from our archives, please hit "Like" on this post.

All you have to do is look within your own departments and see that the number of active members, and I mean real actual active members, is not as many as a couple of years ago, less than a few years ago, even less than a decade ago.  For all the reasons that have been identified within these forums the ranks of volunteers is dwindling.  Certainly the way departments are dispatched affects this.  
 
How many times can you drop what you are doing to respond to an automatic alarm that turns out to be caused by steam from a shower or dust from construction workers? Or to be cancelled before you even get off the ramp?
 
And, everything now requires an ambulance.  The public has been over educated to dial 9-1-1 for even the most minor maladies.  It seems nobody gets to the hospital under their own steam these days. 
 
Eventually it will have to become all paid.  Since I left Westchester I have lived in three Southern counties that provided paid fire/EMS-Paramedic services.  Palm Beach County has some pretty pricey areas like Westchester but the other two were/are not nearly as wealthy as Westchester.  If they all can provide paid fire/EMS to their citizens, so can Westchester.  
 
And for those who keep bringing up that laws and fire districts and all that prevent changes, well, change the laws for the benefit of the people.  That's what legislatures and legislators are for.
 
 

The first step is admitting one has a problem, and since agencies can't or won't do that even after the 3rd or 4th tone out.
 
the leadership in most agencies do not want change! 

Yes, He is correct, but it does increase the odd's by "Exposure"
 
Here is a more practical read:
 
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/09/our-toxic-homes/404722/

 
I have a ton in the EMTBravo archive. I'm going to make these "Blasts From The Past" a regular feature I think. I have a lot of not only incidents from the past decade, but incidents going back several decades from the "Protection From The Past" archive.  Maybe I will try and post a feature every Saturday.

According to the state DOH website CFR classes are 48-60 hours, EMT is 150-190. I'd say "waste of time" is pretty subjective. It really depends on what this person intends to do with it. 

 
 
A little blast from the past here, 14 years ago. Former Forum Admin Truck 4 produced this awesome feature and there are no words I can say of how appreciative of him for this. 2004 was a busy and tragic year in Westchester.  Links in the Incident Alert dicussion thread do not work but I will update those soon. Click on the links to view the Incident Alert. I'm proud that we have a searchable database of 14 years worth of topics that you can research.
 
If you want to see more EMTBravo.com Blasts From The Past from our archives, please hit "Like" on this post.
 
Incidents were selected by a panel of EMTBravo.com moderators and select members by vote and also ranked based on, with no factor holding any more weight than another, size and scope of incident, response to incident, loss of life, effect on response, training and operating policy. EMTBravo Network Incident Alert Moderator Truck4 Created And Developed The Idea For This List, As Well As Compiled, Ranked, And Wrote All The Information. Special Thanks To Truck4 For His Work On This Project, And To All Who Participated And Supported This Project.
 
 

Perhaps they should make all things equal.  Like this coverage and training!

Snarky comment aside, how do you provide coverage to volunteer FF?  It's pretty straightforward on the career side but who pays on the volunteer side?
 

And just in case great craft beer and BBQ wasn't enough of an incentive, the following are just a couple of the prizes that will be going to the winning team:
 
-The team will get to brew a beer with Captain Lawrence Brewing for next year's Hudson Valley Craft Beer Week
 
-The team will film an episode of Firehouse Kitchen TV with Ray Cooney  
 
If you or someone you know is interested, email me forkandhoseco@gmail.com and please spread the word.  
 
Stay safe, eat well,
AJ

Why does it have to be volunteers only? Why can't NYS legislation just keep firefighters as equals in these matters?

I think this is a good idea, for no other reason that a chief officer needs to be aware of this type of situation in order to effectively manage this type of incident. Granted LAFD is large enough, that the chief of department will probably not be the IC at all but the most major of incidents, but it is good to have an understanding of Mayday / RIT issues that comes from somewhere other than a textbook or a classroom.
 
I know chief's that were chiefs already when RIT became a regular thing. They have never done any training like this in a live setting. These are also the chiefs that most often reassign "those guys just standing around" to other duties. I have to think it is because they lack the basic concept. It seems like LAFD is taking a step in the right direction to accomplish this.

 
While I agree with you on this, there's no better leader than the one that gets out there and does the same training as everyone else.  Yes, the chief needs to worry about those meetings, the safety issues, the rig maintenance, etc.  But, every once in a while, a great leader needs to get out there and show that he/she still has the skills and can still do the job.  This is partly because the chief still needs to know how to do the ob, especially in a day and age where science is proving different fireground conditions, equipment is becoming more integrated and innovative, and just to keep the skills up in general.  A great leader needs to be just as reliable on the fireground as followers.

The other thing that is great about this is the chief is showing that he hasn't left the workers in the dust.  He hasn't forgotten about them and the work that they do.  A lot of career chiefs just settle into their offices and never go back into the line of duty.  But, if you go out there and show the front line personnel that you can still do the job, you earn their respect 1,000 times over.  The firefighters know that you can still do what they do, and that you haven't become just a political desk jockey.
 
The fire service needs leaders, not bosses with bright white coats and helmets.  Lead by example, lead with courage!