x129K

Nonsense
It's about respect.
To become a Chief, IN MOST CASES, one must pay their dues, earn the respect of their peers, and work their way up the ladder. Years....training...tests...other's confidence...ALOT has to happen to get the white hat.
I don't care - vollie or career...once a Chief, always a Chief. You can add bugles to your collar, but you can never take them away.

Well, I didn't want to sully up the Dutchess thread, but I've been wanting to say FACEBOOK SUCKS for a long time. Reading that thread just gave me a reason to say it here.
I'm kinda flabbergasted by some of the comments over there. There are quite a few career guys here who make it a point to NOT bash volunteers. I count myself in that group. I've made friends with guys from both sides of the equation through EMTBravo.
Seth, I think if you want to try and bring members back who may be MIA these days, a good place to start would be to eliminate the "rep scoreboard." I love giving out rep points. I have to say, I have felt very gratified that people respected some things I have had to say or post, and gave me points. But I feel like my position on the "scoreboard" makes people NOT respond to things I post now. KEEP THE REP POINTS. Just do away with the scoreboard. PLEASE. This way we can give a good post a positive boost, and everyone can feel equally respected when that happens.
I know a few very smart and wise firemen and officers who come on here. One is just starting to bring his knowledge to the board. He worked in some of the busiest fire companies in the world, and also served as a volunteer in every rank from fireman to Commissioner. He doesn't distinguish who he is passing his experience and knowledge on to, career or volunteer it doesn't matter. That's the way most of the guys I know with far more experience and knowledge than I will ever have approach the volunteer/career issue. And I have always chosen the same path, just don't tread on us, and we won't on you. It's just a mutual respect thing that's all.
And some volunteers shouldn't be so sensitive when a guy like Chief Flynn starts asking questions. Right away they take it as bashing. It is about trying to see improvement in delivery of service to the people we serve/d. Career guys fight to improve the fire service. Some guys are more "in your face" style than others. But those guys can teach you a lot if you can let your guard down.
In closing I'd like to say once more how much I think Facebook sucks.

Another overlooked note to this story, from Lowell is:
Ladder-4, Engine-4 and Rescue-1 were all shut down the night tour of the fire, half of the normal first alarm assignment.
I'm willing to bet the Fellas could'a used the "extra" hands.............!!!!!!
http://www.firerescue1.com/labor-issues/articles/893903-Mass-fire-union-wants-end-to-station-closures-after-fatal-fire/
More links to Fire, scroll down a few....
http://www.thesunblog.com/policeblog/

Watch live video feed of the Chilean Mine Rescue Operation: http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews#utm_campaigne=synclickback&source=http://www.emergencystream.com/video_streams/National/CBSNews1_1.html&medium=522594

Clearly you fail to understand how EMS in the rural areas often rely on licensed fire responders at all levels to begin care. Having started in a small rural community where the closest mutual aid ambulance was 20 minutes out, I can attest that having members properly equipped to assist patients is not a disservice of any sort. Aside from administering oxygen, bleeding control, assisting with EPI-pens, spinal immobilization, CPR and even defibrillation are often performed by first responders with success. Not to mention being able to assess the situation and ammend the response appropriately.

Nothing that most of us have not seen... but you can tell the cold weather is coming to the North East. Here are a couple of PHOTOS from a recent alarm of a person that had fallen and was feeling dizzy in the New Hamburg Fire District when they responeded the portable CO meter went into alarn while tending to patient in the residence, firefighters conducted a investigation and came across a 20 pound propane tank feeding a portable heater in the home to keep the house warm. When I approached the home owner to explain the concerns for the home onwer and firefighters the home owner statement was "Money is Tight"

They were "The Greatest Generation of Firefighters" to ever live. They grew up during the Great Depression, Most fought in WWII, Came back to build America, and Fought the Fires during the Busiest time in History.
And as for your question as to "Do they make them like that anymore" ? I say; "That mold has been broken".

Out of curiousity - why were the police BOLO'ing for it...same thing for bears...why tie up emergency resources for animals that were here long before us??
Yes - it is different to see a moose or bear - they are NOT common here (bears ARE common in Dutchess BTW...they have established a very healthy population)
Just let them be...and enjoy their presence..

True...but imagine the size of them backstraps with some cold Blue Mountains!

X129 I think you and me should go down and Bolo for it.... I would have to put a addition on the house and some support beams....

As the driver of SFRD Engine 1 this morning I just want to say that ALL precautions were taken while we were operating at a fully involved vehicle fire. The vehicle that was on fire was located in the breakdown lane of I-95 southbound. CSP had two patrol cars on scene , both with their emergency lights operating, both blocking the breakdown lane. As we approached the scene I positioned the engine approximately 75' short of the fire and at an angle that took control of the center and right lanes of I-95. CSP had also put out road flares to warn southbound vehicles of the hazard. Second due SFRD Engine 6 arrived shortly thereafter and also blocked the right two lanes of I95. During the incident the left lane of I-95 remained open and vehicle traffic was passing the scene at full posted speed limit (55) and at much greater speeds, in my estimation.  After extinguishment Engine 6 was clesared and Engine 1 remained on scene. The crash ocurred as the damaged vehicle from the fire was being loaded on a flatbed wrecker. The impact was immense! The tractor trailer continued down I95 approximately 600 yards after impact. Fortunately all three firefighters and our Officer were unhurt by the impact or flying debris. One of the CSP Troopers was hit by debris and was transported to Stamford Hospital for minor injuries. The tow operator was uninjured. The impact from the tractor trailer lifted the rear of the apparatus 1-2' off the ground and forward approximately 4'. The vehicle's maxi brake was applied as well as the rear tire being  chocked. All members were wearing high reflective safety vests over turn-out gear. The cab and trailer suffered signifigant damage as well. The SOG's developed by the SFRD concerning apparatus placement at vehicle fires DEFINATELY prevented injury to SFRD personel. <br>

The rig was positioned between on-coming traffic and operating fire personnel. The rig took the hit and not the personnel.
All Stainless Body.
Way too early to tell if will be repaired or disposed of.
The 2002 HME (former E4) will be utilized.
Fire Trucks can be repaired or replaced. The 4 Fire Fighters working on the other side of the impact zone can not!
A good visual example of why we need to place "big red" between us and them.

Date: 09/29/10
Time: 9:20 PM
Location: Saw Mill Parkway -> Rumsey Rd -> Side Streets -> Yonkers Av -> Midland Av -> McLean Av
Frequency: WCPD, YPD
Units Operating: YPD 2nd Pct, 3rd Pct, 4th Pct, ESU, 900, 300, Westchester County PD and Aviation, Empress EMS, County Towing
Weather Conditions: Cloudy
Description Of Incident: Vehicle pursuit by County PD off Saw Mill through Yonkers until supsect vehicle rammed YPD car on Mclean Av near Central Av. Suspect in custody, transported by EMS to WMC, officers injured transported for treatment. Vehicle possibly stolen, plates improper.
Reporters:
Writer: VelcroMedic1987

Date: Sept 26th, 2010
Time: 10:59 am
Location: 42 Rivera Trail
Frequency:
Units Operating: Plattekill, Modena, Cronomer Valley, Orange Lake, Coldenham, Clinotondale, Mobile Life, UCATF, Central Hudson
Weather Conditions: Overcast
Description Of Incident: Reported Working Fire, Initial Report of Smoke and Flame Showing
Reporters/Writer: Cman473
10:59 am, Co # 47 and Cronomer Valley w/ Truck 301 Dispatched for Reported Structure Fire 42 Rivera Trail
11:02 Car 1 and 3 On scene Reporting Smoke Showing
11:03 Command reports fire on 2nd floor, heavy smoke smoke, transmit 2nd Alarms.
On 2nd Alarm;

Modena w/ 1 Tanker and Manpower
Coldenham w/ FAST Team
Orange Lake w/ 1 Rescue to Stand By at Station #1
Clintondale w/ 1 Engine to Stand By at Station #1
Central Hudson for a Power Cut
UC ATF Investigation
Town of Plattekill Building and Code Enforcement to the Scene

11:03 Engine 1, 2 and 645 Responding
11:04 Engine 3, 4, FP 36 and 647 Responding, Car 2 On Scene
11:10 Command requests ALS to Scene for Tenant w/ Smoke Inhalation
11:11 Command Reporting Active Fire B/C Side and C Side Bedrooms, Approx 100' x 35' 2 Story Brick and Wood Frame.
Engine 1; 3 Lines to work, 1-2 1/2" and 2-1 3/4"
Truck 301 Operating on Roof to Vent
Engine 2 and 3 Water Supply and Tanker Ops
Engine 4 for Manpower and Support Equipment
36 For Traffic
645 and 647 Rehab and Medical
Modena 40-20 Tanker ops
Coldenham FAST
11:15 Orange Lake Requested to the Scene for Water Supply Operation on Old Unionville Road to Supply Tankers, not to use New Unionville as Water was not sufficient
11:28 Fire Appears to be out, checking for extension and overhaul; via Car 4 to Operations
11:41 Final; Fire Knocked down, Overhaul
12:3o; Mutual aid released, Keep Orange Lake and Clintondale for Stand By
13:13 In SVC In Quarters
Final Report of Investigation; Accidental, Started by Space Heater igniting mattress and contents.
Heavy Smoke Dame to 2nf Floor, Heavy Fire Damage to room of origin. Water Damage to 1st floor. 10 people displaced.
Good Job By all, Fast knock Down, No Injuries to FF's. Plattekill Alone had 52 members On Scene.
Car 3

Exactly as "fun" as it may be to the local volley's go in and fight fire, they must stand next to their brother firefighters and support them in their time of need.

We had similar compartments in a medic flycar I use to work on and it made the tail heavy and the front end to light. use to cause lots of front end spins particularly in bad weather. so we ripped it out. You would be shocked how much all that plywood costs.
While they look very nice and orginized, why is it the very busy depts (Im thinking major cities) dont have them and you never see the chiefs car in front of the building?

Hillcrest FD - New Sqaure area of district.
2 story frame well involved upon arrival.

I know the PD and the FD can always get along but i think the NYS government makes it difficult for anyone to ever get along with them !!!

Just a few things, first off I think that the majority of us agree that any additional warning lights on any vehicle to keep members safe is a great thing. Second, I think it is a COMPLETE waste of time to pass laws that regulate what color lights go on which emergency vehicles, each department should put whatever color lights they deem necessary for the safety of their members.
As far as the posters who were complaining about the local PD's not following "the law" You guys are kidding right ? Why would you even care what color lights the PD uses, the fact is that we have had blue lights for years and we will continue to use blue lights because as we have established in this thread, blue lights give advanced warning to drivers. Do you really think a cop would walk up to the driver of a fire truck and give him a hard time for the color lights on his light bar, NO because we have better things to do besides worry about the color of a light and so do you guys.
The best example of PD using blue lights is the NYSP. The went from all red to having some blue lights on their bars and to me it makes a huge difference when you see them on the highway.

Sounds like a classic you against me! LOL
Volunteer Officers are one of my pet peeves..... elections are a historically and well documented flawed system...a popularity contest. But I digress...
MY OPINION, is that a measley 3 years in a department is not enough to be a good canidate for leadership...5 is better, but still....it needs to be based on experience and training...
Everybody wants to race up through the ranks and be a Chief.....at what costs though? Are you REALLY the right person for the job/position you are in?
What about the Officers that get voted out every other year because the pissed some guys off, while doing their supervisory duties? Been there....more than once..
What these guys coming into a department dont think about - when you put on that Officer helmet...is you are ultimately responsible for the guys on that scene....if you order them into a building that isn't safe, because of your inexperience and FAILURE to recognize dangers...be prepared to deal with a negligence suit...and those guys that DO realize this...pull members out of buildings prematurely and go defensesive way to early!
Guys - forget the shiny white shield - get some real fireground experience first - it can ot be replaced by classroom training! Let yourselves grow into being a true leader, get experience, respect....the rest will come when it is time.
I coud go on all day about this........
EDIT for random thoughts;
"Beware the 21 year old Fire Chief"
I would like to see TWO year terms for elected Officers
I beleive in at LEAST 5 years of junior officer terms before moving up to a Chief; 5 years as a Lieutenant and Captain...
Once you make it to Officer - BE ONE! Supervise.....you should not have a nozzle, hook, saw, Hurst Tool, etc in your hand unless a lack of manpower dictates you must work! Let your FIREMEN do it...and supervise them. A recent picture posted on here shows a vollie Lieutenant on a roof with a saw, with 3 guys backing him up....Hey Loo - give up the saw, and monitor conditions on the roof! Your guys will love ya for letting them "Do Work" and you will gain supervisory experience...actions like that do not go unnoticed by senior guys...

I've often thought the same exact thing. Then it dawned on me, if you have two years at 2nd Assistant Chief, two years at 1st Assistant Chief and those two years as the Chief, that gives you six years to make progress - assuming the ones ahead of and behind you are on board. The bottom line is that a department needs to have goals that they want to achieve, for example, "we want every member trained in extrication." (This is just a hypothetical statement!) The three Chiefs have to agree on this objective, develop a plan to get it done and actually implement that plan.
As Line Officers in most departments, we aren't exposed to the administrative side of the department. We know little to nothing about budgets, disciplinary action and all of the little things outside of the fire scene. PAPERWORK - something as simple as putting a date, times, location, nature of call and actions taken - literally intimidates people. When I was Captain and I did my monthly reports, there were so many run sheets with no narrative. So many people don't realize that these "annoying" run sheets may save your a** down the road. Take five minutes to write down as many details as you can. It doesn't happen often, but occassionally a homeowner or an insurance company may want to know information about an incident, and if it isn't written down, perhaps you didn't do it!
I'm glad to see that this thread has continued to stay positive, with feedback from so many people. Good job, Bravo'ers!

yes, we contained it to the master bedroom in the CD corner and it had just broken through to the attic but didnt get to run on us. the fire self vented through the skylights, which i believe helped it from coming out of the fire room.

Sounds like a classic you against me! LOL
Volunteer Officers are one of my pet peeves..... elections are a historically and well documented flawed system...a popularity contest. But I digress...
MY OPINION, is that a measley 3 years in a department is not enough to be a good canidate for leadership...5 is better, but still....it needs to be based on experience and training...
Everybody wants to race up through the ranks and be a Chief.....at what costs though? Are you REALLY the right person for the job/position you are in?
What about the Officers that get voted out every other year because the pissed some guys off, while doing their supervisory duties? Been there....more than once..
What these guys coming into a department dont think about - when you put on that Officer helmet...is you are ultimately responsible for the guys on that scene....if you order them into a building that isn't safe, because of your inexperience and FAILURE to recognize dangers...be prepared to deal with a negligence suit...and those guys that DO realize this...pull members out of buildings prematurely and go defensesive way to early!
Guys - forget the shiny white shield - get some real fireground experience first - it can ot be replaced by classroom training! Let yourselves grow into being a true leader, get experience, respect....the rest will come when it is time.
I coud go on all day about this........
EDIT for random thoughts;
"Beware the 21 year old Fire Chief"
I would like to see TWO year terms for elected Officers
I beleive in at LEAST 5 years of junior officer terms before moving up to a Chief; 5 years as a Lieutenant and Captain...
Once you make it to Officer - BE ONE! Supervise.....you should not have a nozzle, hook, saw, Hurst Tool, etc in your hand unless a lack of manpower dictates you must work! Let your FIREMEN do it...and supervise them. A recent picture posted on here shows a vollie Lieutenant on a roof with a saw, with 3 guys backing him up....Hey Loo - give up the saw, and monitor conditions on the roof! Your guys will love ya for letting them "Do Work" and you will gain supervisory experience...actions like that do not go unnoticed by senior guys...

Sorry Dan i forgot to add you are right about the popularity contest of elections why put somone in the position who can do it when you can have somone who is horrible at it to do the job . when you running for office lol.

John, I will develope a officers course and provide it at the county level.