Geppetto

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Posts posted by Geppetto


  1. Make that two -

    North Stamford fire stirs controversy

    12/30/2010

    By TOM EVANS

    Stamford Times

    STAMFORD -- A Christmas night fire on Wallenberg Drive that took more than 16 hours to bring under control has again stirred up issues of what fire coverage will mean under the plan proposed by Mayor Michael Pavia....

    http://www.thestamfordtimes.com/story/496826

    &

    Keatley: Christmas Blaze Exposes Fire Plan Flaw

    By Chandra Johnson Greene

    Stamford Patch

    December 29, 2010

    http://stamford.patch.com/articles/keatley-christmas-blaze-exposes-fire-plan-flaw


  2. The Hobbit - Danbury Style

    Dec. 27--DANBURY -- The History Channel sent a production crew to the city to find out what local firefighters carry in their pockets.

    "They had a lot of stuff in their pockets," said producer Brian Leonard.

    The History Channel will feature Danbury firefighters on TV's "Modern Marvels," a program about technology and "manmade wonders," according to its Website.

    They will be in one of a special series of episodes called "What's in Your Pocket?"...

    http://www.firehouse.com/news/top-headlines/history-channel-will-highlight-conn-firefighters

    x635 likes this

  3. Firefighters explain situation to residents

    By Barbara O’Brien

    Buffalo News

    12/14/10

    ...The town and the three fire companies — North Boston, Patchin and Boston — have yet to sign contracts. Firefighters have asked for a three-year contract, while the supervisor has offered one year.

    Previous contracts have allowed the terms to continue for up to two years if there is no agreement. But fire protection is in doubt because the Town Board in August terminated the contract as of Dec. 31. ...

    http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/southern-erie/article283366.ece


  4. Fire Chief Paul Milositz explains how mutual aid decisions are made and responds to criticism.

    By Christian Camerota

    Wilton patch

    12/15/10

    In the comments section of our Monday article on the fire that seriously damaged Portofino Restauarant, some readers were questioning how and why certain area fire departments came (or didn't) to Wilton's aid....
    ..."We have six people to do the job of 16," Milositz said. "So sometimes it's difficult. You do the best you can with the resources you have."

    http://wilton.patch.com/articles/the-method-to-wiltons-mutual-aid


  5. Is one fire department possible in Stamford?

    Stamford Advocate Editorial

    Friday, December 3, 2010

    We have consistently stated that a city like Stamford should have a single fire service, with one chain of command, populated by paid and volunteer firefighters.

    It would give a modern city like Stamford the fire protection it needs -- and is not currently getting -- and still honor the great tradition of volunteer firefighting in Stamford....

    ...We don't like saying it, but the mayor does make a convincing case as to why one citywide fire department is not practicable -- at least not now....

    ...It's not the ideal, but it definitely would be better than what we currently have. And could be the first step toward a unified department in the future.

    http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/opinion/article/Is-one-fire-department-possible-in-Stamford-858951.php


  6. Mayor unveils costs for proposed fire department merger

    Jeff Morganteen

    Stamford Advocate

    Wednesday, December 1, 2010

    STAMFORD -- City lawmakers on Wednesday night received the long-awaited financial details of Mayor Michael Pavia's plan to merge four of the city's five volunteer fire departments into a single fire company, a broad proposal announced nearly six months ago following weeks of meetings by a task force the mayor appointed.

    The new department will cost $8.2 million in its first year -- $6.7 million of which goes toward hiring 58 paid personnel, including a full-time chief and fire marshals -- and will be funded by a special service taxing district, according to an 23-page packet given to city legislators during a meeting Wednesday night with the Public Safety and Health Committee of the Board of Representatives....

    http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Mayor-unveils-costs-for-proposed-fire-department-852363.php


  7. Firefighter Pay Questioned

    Report: Chiefs in Greenburgh, N.Y., Earn More Than Counterparts in Bigger Cities

    Wall Street Journal

    November 17, 2010

    By MICHAEL CORKERY

    Chiefs in three fire districts in Greenburgh, N.Y., earn an average of $207,358, as much as 30% more than their peers in larger cities such as New Rochelle, according to a report by a citizens' group that wants to combine some administrative functions to save money....

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704312504575618842936161902.html?mod=WSJ_NY_LEFTTopStories


  8. I am surprised that both sides are intrigued that I have chosen to respond once again. I have on more than one occasion offered up both information and advice; my guess is that history is quickly forgotten. The fact remains that a new distinct facet of information was introduced, and as always, it is my belief that all parties should know as much information as possible, to make an educated conclusion.

    Concerning information, a check of the minutes of the Long Ridge Fire Company; as they are posted on the Stamford Web page, shows an entry concerning the "Union" making inquiries under the FOIA. I just wonder if they will make more headway than the former evil empire/Malloy administration in gathering what they seek.

    Back to oblivia -

    http://www.cityofstamford.org/filestorage/25/64/1168/100757/122154/LRFC1110.pdf


  9. There seems to be some new discussion in regards to the Stamford Plan. As a long term provider of the press that has hit this forum, the election of a new governor in Connecticut seems to be what prompted this "new" wave.

    It is my understanding that the present proposal for a new "Stamford Volunteer Fire Department" is going to require the combination of the resources of the Long Ridge, Belltown, Turn of River and Springdale Fire Companies/Departments. As has been discussed so MANY times, each of these separate agencies exist as legally formed bodies and are given sovereignty over their areas. The City of Stamford charter recognizes their existence and provides funding, to whatever extent, for them to operate. That being said, and it is well known, that funding is one of the major issues. How well, the city provides that funding, has been at odds seemingly forever.

    What has not been discussed, and appears to be may be lost on some, is that the existence of the above listed companies/departments, comes from being chartered by the State of Connecticut. Like any corporation, paperwork must be filed at the state level and a hefty amount of i's dotted and t's crossed before the state issues the associated documentation. As is similar in most states, the combination, consolidation, merging or termination of these corporations, would require some "paperwork" at the state level. And with that in mind, it appears that the creation of a new SVFD existence charter would also require some assistance at the state level. Perhaps the changing of the guard in Hartford will indeed have an effect on this latest proposal.

    Just as Pete Townshend wrote it - "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."


  10. 4 Phoenix firefighters commit suicide in 7 months: Fire chief says changes coming

    PHOENIX - They are heroes. They save lives.

    The 1,600 sworn members of the Phoenix Fire Department risk their own lives to battle fire, offer medical assistance, pull accident victims from vehicles and administer CPR to drowning victims.

    While they handled close to 150,000 calls for help from the public in 2009, nothing could have prepared the Phoenix Fire Department for the internal tragedy happening within their ranks. Four firemen have killed themselves in a span of seven months....

    http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/four-phoenix-firefighters-commit-suicide-in-seven-month-span%3A-fire-chief-says-changes-coming


  11. NWTN Today

    Chris Menees, Staff Reporter

    September 30, 2010

    South Fulton’s fire chief was assaulted Wednesday in the aftermath of a fire where firefighters were unable to respond because the property owner had not paid a rural fire subscription fee....

    ...explained that the property owner was not a paying member of the rural fire subscription service offered to county residents by the City of South Fulton. He said as per city policy, established by city ordinance, the call was declined and the city’s fire department could not respond....

    He said the South Fulton Fire Department did respond to a request to protect the property of the adjacent property owner, who is a member of the rural fire subscription service.

    Vowell said county residents do not have guaranteed fire service since there is no countywide fire department to cover rural areas, but many municipalities offer rural fire coverage to residents in specified coverage areas for a nominal annual fee. South Fulton’s fee is $75....

    http://www.nwtntoday.com/news.php?viewStory=46801


  12. Daily Freeman

    September 28, 2010

    BEACON – A consulting firm has recommended the City Council create a hierarchy of a fire administrator and volunteer fire chief, and consolidate its three firehouses into one to better serve the 4.5-square-mile city and its 14,000 residents.

    “This is going to be an emotional issue,” said Mayor Steven Gold after Marc Morse of MMA Consulting Group of Brookline, Mass., summarized a 65-page report before an audience of about 35, many of them firemen....

    http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/09/28/news/doc4ca1e8c909cbc795672016.txt


  13. Ridgefield Patch

    Cathryn J. Prince

    September 25, 2010

    To be honest we violate regulations all the time," said Westport Fire Chief Christopher Ackley. "If there is a fire and there are only two men on the scene, they're both going to go in."

    Unable to meet certain national staffing standards, some area fire chiefs are sounding the alarm....

    http://ridgefield.patch.com/articles/tight-budgets-risk-firefighters-safety-violate-standards