GAW6

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  1. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by FF1 in Tax Watch: Hartsdale fire's undisclosed thousands   
    that's actually false. there are laws that specifically outline how 2% and fundraising money can be spent. 
  2. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by Oaks in Tax Watch: Hartsdale fire's undisclosed thousands   
    It's Hartsdale's decision how they spend their 2% money. Not anyone else's.
  3. EmsFirePolice liked a post in a topic by GAW6 in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    I am sure whomever you are, you have started this post to "stir the pot". Yes, Hawthorne FD has been doing numerous mutual aid calls for Pleasantville VAC. Again, since I do not know who you are or where you are from (profile is very vague), perhaps you do not know a lot of history. I can fill you in:
    1. Pleasantville is currently taking steps to cover costs to pay for per diem EMTs. The annual budget for PVAC is $169k - to cover costs to run (3) ambulances and a rehab unit - not to mention equipment, insurance, etc. Not to mention, PVAC covers (2) Fire Districts - Thornwood and Pleasantville - who have a combined annual budget of almost $2 million.
    2. For many years, Hawthorne had problems covering calls to which PVAC covered many and a couple of PVAC members (one being myself) were made "mutual aid members" of Hawthorne FD ambulance and would cover their calls.
    3. When Hawthorne FD had a handful of interior firefighters, Thornwood FD was on automatic mutual aid. No one complained about the taxpayers covering this.
    4. If Hawthorne is worried about paying for their EMTs out of taxpayer money, are they doing anything to recruit new members?
    I will be more than glad to answer any further questions you may have.
  4. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by FD7807 in Study: Tax Savings and Economic Value of Volunteer Firefighters in New York   
    The volunteer model is not perfect but it continues to work
  5. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by fire2141 in Federal Probe: Mahopac FD Mising $5 Million Dollars   
    I've been on both sides of the volunteer/paid argument having served as a firefighter in the military and as a volley for many years. With that being said I'm not biased one way or the other. The fire service in this country was built on the backs of men who volunteered for their communities. Is it perfect, no. The paid fire service from what I've read of late is also far from perfect. There have been many discussions on here about lack of manpower and over utilization of mutual aid, shoddy equipment and other caveats. Additionally studies of fires burning hotter is of equal consequence to both paid and volunteer. The point of this discussion was originally about misappropriated funds and the FD's apparently bloated budget. Can you imagine how large the budget would be with a paid compliment? Last I looked, Mahopac wasn't loaded with foundations. There has been many houses saved in your community. My question to you is, if you know what's so direly lacking and have a wife and possibly children, then why are you endangering yourself and family by living there?
  6. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by Morningjoe in Federal Probe: Mahopac FD Mising $5 Million Dollars   
    Now there's a reasonable response to an entire organization because of the acts of one man.
  7. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by KelliPVAC in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    Hi, sorry I'm a little late on this post. I am the new Captain of PVAC. We are working on correcting our problem. If you have any questions, please send me a private message.
  8. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by Quickness in Sleepy Hollow EMS Refusing To Accept Mutual Aid?   
    It was only for an EDP, not a medical emergency. That can wait shouldn't be going by ambulance anyway.
    And the title shouldn't read Sleepy Hollow refusing mutual aid if it was only one call and they didn't refuse anything.
  9. O075 liked a post in a topic by GAW6 in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    Presently not billing; in the process of setting up a billing system.
    What bid are you referring to?
  10. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by nydude2473 in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    Not to try and nitpick but 5 ambulances to cover all of the Town of Mt. Pleasant? That's a lot of stretching of resources I think. How could it work if a call drops in Pleasantville and the bus located there is on a call and the only available one is in Sleepy Hollow. Then, a call drops in Sleepy Hollow and their bus is on that job and a bus from Valhalla has to come cover. To me that doesn't make sense. Sleepy Hollow gets a lot of calls and might need two buses while let's say Hawthorne might only need one, just saying. No one knows the right number. I know what you're saying is just an estimate but just because some place else that is comparable in size has those capabilities, doesn't mean it can work in this equation. The communities are different in population size. One solution can't fix that. A solution for Hawthorne and Pleasantville might not work somewhere else. And about the flycars, if they were mentioned as Mt. Pleasant, those are more than likely new Transcare flycars because I know they have the designation as Mt. Pleasant Medics.
  11. EmsFirePolice liked a post in a topic by GAW6 in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    I am sure whomever you are, you have started this post to "stir the pot". Yes, Hawthorne FD has been doing numerous mutual aid calls for Pleasantville VAC. Again, since I do not know who you are or where you are from (profile is very vague), perhaps you do not know a lot of history. I can fill you in:
    1. Pleasantville is currently taking steps to cover costs to pay for per diem EMTs. The annual budget for PVAC is $169k - to cover costs to run (3) ambulances and a rehab unit - not to mention equipment, insurance, etc. Not to mention, PVAC covers (2) Fire Districts - Thornwood and Pleasantville - who have a combined annual budget of almost $2 million.
    2. For many years, Hawthorne had problems covering calls to which PVAC covered many and a couple of PVAC members (one being myself) were made "mutual aid members" of Hawthorne FD ambulance and would cover their calls.
    3. When Hawthorne FD had a handful of interior firefighters, Thornwood FD was on automatic mutual aid. No one complained about the taxpayers covering this.
    4. If Hawthorne is worried about paying for their EMTs out of taxpayer money, are they doing anything to recruit new members?
    I will be more than glad to answer any further questions you may have.
  12. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by RANDY45 in Fist Fight Between Yonkers Fire Commisioner And Lieutenant At Christmas Party   
    Some mentioned were big posters on here, often very critical of others, and very outspoken about what is right and wrong. Where are they now
  13. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by CaptainCharisma in 11 firefighters injured in Yonkers blaze   
    There is something seriously, seriously wrong with a department's safety and training procedures if this many firefighters are getting hurt at every fire, or something else is going on, like union issues.
  14. EmsFirePolice liked a post in a topic by GAW6 in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    I am sure whomever you are, you have started this post to "stir the pot". Yes, Hawthorne FD has been doing numerous mutual aid calls for Pleasantville VAC. Again, since I do not know who you are or where you are from (profile is very vague), perhaps you do not know a lot of history. I can fill you in:
    1. Pleasantville is currently taking steps to cover costs to pay for per diem EMTs. The annual budget for PVAC is $169k - to cover costs to run (3) ambulances and a rehab unit - not to mention equipment, insurance, etc. Not to mention, PVAC covers (2) Fire Districts - Thornwood and Pleasantville - who have a combined annual budget of almost $2 million.
    2. For many years, Hawthorne had problems covering calls to which PVAC covered many and a couple of PVAC members (one being myself) were made "mutual aid members" of Hawthorne FD ambulance and would cover their calls.
    3. When Hawthorne FD had a handful of interior firefighters, Thornwood FD was on automatic mutual aid. No one complained about the taxpayers covering this.
    4. If Hawthorne is worried about paying for their EMTs out of taxpayer money, are they doing anything to recruit new members?
    I will be more than glad to answer any further questions you may have.
  15. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by LTNRFD in Empress EMS is the New Provider Of 911 EMS for the City Of New Rochelle   
    This is what is wrong with the step child of emergency services. When any municipality puts EMS out to bid you do not get stability in service. Over the years every system goes through a cycle. The lowest bidder. Now most of the current EMS employees of TransCare NR will be looking to switch over to Empress. Thus losing seniority and pay grade. This is no way to maintain quality EMS personal.
    EMS must be part of the municipality just as Police and Fire is. EMS must be the third service.

    There will never be stability in EMS when there is a profit to be made.
  16. EmsFirePolice liked a post in a topic by GAW6 in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    I am sure whomever you are, you have started this post to "stir the pot". Yes, Hawthorne FD has been doing numerous mutual aid calls for Pleasantville VAC. Again, since I do not know who you are or where you are from (profile is very vague), perhaps you do not know a lot of history. I can fill you in:
    1. Pleasantville is currently taking steps to cover costs to pay for per diem EMTs. The annual budget for PVAC is $169k - to cover costs to run (3) ambulances and a rehab unit - not to mention equipment, insurance, etc. Not to mention, PVAC covers (2) Fire Districts - Thornwood and Pleasantville - who have a combined annual budget of almost $2 million.
    2. For many years, Hawthorne had problems covering calls to which PVAC covered many and a couple of PVAC members (one being myself) were made "mutual aid members" of Hawthorne FD ambulance and would cover their calls.
    3. When Hawthorne FD had a handful of interior firefighters, Thornwood FD was on automatic mutual aid. No one complained about the taxpayers covering this.
    4. If Hawthorne is worried about paying for their EMTs out of taxpayer money, are they doing anything to recruit new members?
    I will be more than glad to answer any further questions you may have.
  17. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by ex-commish in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    Hawthorne has a contract with Empress EMS for coverage 24/7. In my recent years on the board of fire commissioners I did not see any attempt to recruit people for EMS. They have however recruited a fair amount of firefighters. If I recall paid ems was supposed to be temporary until either we recruited more volunteers or sought other means of providing EMS coverage which I was a proponent unfortunately fell on deaf ears with some of my colleagues on the board. And GAW6 is absolutely on point when she says PVAC was bailing us out thanks to them our calls were being covered
  18. EmsFirePolice liked a post in a topic by GAW6 in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    I am sure whomever you are, you have started this post to "stir the pot". Yes, Hawthorne FD has been doing numerous mutual aid calls for Pleasantville VAC. Again, since I do not know who you are or where you are from (profile is very vague), perhaps you do not know a lot of history. I can fill you in:
    1. Pleasantville is currently taking steps to cover costs to pay for per diem EMTs. The annual budget for PVAC is $169k - to cover costs to run (3) ambulances and a rehab unit - not to mention equipment, insurance, etc. Not to mention, PVAC covers (2) Fire Districts - Thornwood and Pleasantville - who have a combined annual budget of almost $2 million.
    2. For many years, Hawthorne had problems covering calls to which PVAC covered many and a couple of PVAC members (one being myself) were made "mutual aid members" of Hawthorne FD ambulance and would cover their calls.
    3. When Hawthorne FD had a handful of interior firefighters, Thornwood FD was on automatic mutual aid. No one complained about the taxpayers covering this.
    4. If Hawthorne is worried about paying for their EMTs out of taxpayer money, are they doing anything to recruit new members?
    I will be more than glad to answer any further questions you may have.
  19. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by nydude2473 in Hawthorne Mutual Aid To Pleasantville VAC   
    With things being the way they are these days, I don't know how successful a "Mount Pleasant" EMS would be. You already have three different BLS/ALS providers in some of those communities. There are already contracts with these groups and I highly doubt anybody wants to lose out on money. Sadly, that's what it comes down to these days, it's never about the needs of the community.
  20. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by unleashedff248 in Controversy Emerges At The Somers Fire Commisioner Election   
    There's far more than meets the eye on this. You want to figure out why there's manpower issues look to the district. The Chiefs are doing the best they can with what they're given. They're all dedicated and competent individuals with many years of experience.
    To some degree. There are still many active and dedicated individuals who keep the department running, though some indeed fit your description.
    From what I understand the situation is being misrepresented in the media. It is not that bad that the State would intervene. There are still many experienced and active members in the department. However due to political issues some members avoid taking leadership positions.
    Something does need to be done about the infighting and ingroup/outgroup BS going on though. An aligned and cooperative District and Chief's Office/Department would be a great start. Hopefully something can be done soon.
  21. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by firegui in Controversy Emerges At The Somers Fire Commisioner Election   
    I see a lot of people talking here and from what i see all are anonymous, Well I am not i am an ex chief past commissioner of the Somers F.D., residents both member and non members of the F.D, felt it was time for a change. Unfortunately the petition time was missed so we had to do a write in which is 100% legal and a voters right. The people who backed the candidate are tired of the way the Somers Fire District is doing things , You can speculate all you want here but unless you are in the department and live it you don't know.To say the upcoming Chief is not qualified is a bunch of crap!!! The person next in line to be chief holds all of the qualifications required by the SFD and then some. He is also a certified fire inspector and holds the qualifications to be a building inspector. He is currently, and no disrespected intended to the other two chiefs, the ONLY qualified INTERIOR firefighter " bailout certified" in the chiefs office. The qualification he lacks is butt kissing 101 as he stands up for the members and what he believes. The fire district has done some very questionable unethical things recently. Which is why it was time to change the board the person elected id the first in a long time non member of the / a fire department. So a different and open minded perspective can be brought in. I wish her the best of luck and will happily support her.
  22. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by Viper in 226 Linda Ave - All The Time   
    Ideally, yes and I agree. On the same token, volunteers are taking time away from their personal lives and families, something that's increasingly difficult to do. Add on top of the fact these facilities give nothing back to the community, yet tax their resources immensely. How's the guy who's lived in that district for 50 years and is a homeowner who's having a legit heart attack going to feel when he has to wait for a mutual aid ambulance because this one facility has called for the 5th time today for a stubbed toe because the facility nurse called in sick or is on vacation so their protocol is to call EMS instead of covering her shift. That's not fair to anyone.
  23. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by ex-commish in 226 Linda Ave - All The Time   
    The police as well. Besides having to have to respond to fire and ems calls they are up there frequently for assaults, robberies and other crimes. While agree the frequent flyer calls are a waste of taxpayer money there is still a duty to respond. Biggest problem is the administrators at Cedar Knolls have their heads in the clouds and don't seem to want to deal with any issues.
  24. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by x635 in Animals can get help from EMTs in emergencies if bill passes   
    I agree. I've seen cases where EMT's have been fired for treating but mostly transporting injured animals. I think a law is needed to give a crew permission, when necessary and available, to transport the animal to definitive care if no other resource/method is available.
  25. GAW6 liked a post in a topic by STAT213 in Animals can get help from EMTs in emergencies if bill passes   
    So all those animal rescues we've all done....we've been breaking the law?? I'll go turn myself in now.
    And those pet oxygen masks on my engine? Those are illegal?
    We don't need more laws. We need more common sense.