ex-commish

Get better

The kids need to know somehow the effects of heroin. As a retired correction officer of 25 years I have seen many addicts go throuring tygh some of the most horrific withdrawls....banging heads on walls, shaking, puking, scratching the paint off the walls, ramming their headhs into steel bars, crying, etc in a setting where no one really cares wether you live or die. They need to know heroin will either get you dead or locked up. Instead of trying to mess with the 2nd amendment or trying to ram this new common core program in the schools money needs to be spent on programs to deal with this. I also know a few kids that have died in the past from herion and the effect left on the families is horrible.

Putting aside the politics of this I am sure most of you drop more than $24.00 in a bar or on t-shirts and other things. And I agree the salaries mentioned are outrageous but the $24.00 will not stop me from going and honoring those who died on that horrific day.

^{Was it necessary for Lohud to expose publicly the details of his death?}

^{May he rest in peace.}

I remember a time when you thought people were mad at you if your balls were not being broken. Now you have to worry about saying something to someone and next thing you know you are the target of a lawsuit or charges wether internal or external

I remember ears and eyes open....mouth shut unless you had a question...at least that's the way it was 34 years ago.....say this know you could end up with harassment charges.

Non-issue. Sounds politically motivated to me. I have seen worse. Good luck to the couple.

In reading the article I see the decision to suspend him was 4-3. I feel the suspension was excessive. It's not like he took the bus for a joy ride or was driving drunk. He took an oath to save lives and he made a decision based on what was best for the patient. While I wont comment on another agency's SOP's I will say I would sided with the 3 that voted against suspending him. I hope there can be a resolution to this that will have a good outcome for all involved especially the public.

God Bless

Doesn't surprise me in the least that he did this. Business as usual.

RIP

RIP

_{There is nothing more valueable than having that senior guy there. I am 50 and been in the fire service for 33 years and I still look to my senior guys for advice and guidance}

We as a Nation do that every four years, Should we abolish that election as well?

While I understand the context of your question most elected officials are not charged with making immediate life and death decisions like fire officers are and those that maybe usually rely on the advice and expertise of someone who has the training and experience to do so.

Again...it is almost 2014 and we are still electing those who will have to make life and death decisions

I worked with Doug at the fire training center. He was a true professional and gentlemen. I learned a lot from him and he helped me become a better instructor. I wish him all the best of luck on his retirement.

Sore subject with me brother, can I please vent a little to all of you??

We had our "popularity contest" (elections) last Monday night. I have been serving for the past three years; 2 as Captain and one as assist chief which I held proudly. This past year, our two captains finaly finished their FF1 training, one even took the FF2 as well (thats right folks we had 2 captains serving without basic training. They based their qualifications on being able to work all equipment and knowing the department...) This year for nominations one of the two Captains and another member were nominated over me for 1st assistant, I was nominated for nothing. The other current Captain was nom for 2nd asst. Both current Captains have no officers training and very little if any experience as interior firefighters. I was beat out by someone fresh out of FF1 with no experience all because I was making a push to change things, focus more on safety and upgrading equipment and the department obviously didnt like that so they voted me out.

That bothers me, and the more I make a stink about it the more they get in my face and tell me its done so live with it. Another more experienced member 35 years in the service made inquiries into their training records and they have next to nothing besides FF1 and 2 yet our SOP's require FF1 with 5 years in the department, EVOC, Haz-Mat Ops, FBAA/Principles, and at least 2-3 officers courses like NIMS 700, ICS 100, 200 etc etc. They have none of these.

Who can I contact that would get the best results to fix this issue? FASNY? OFPC (or do they even handle stuff like this) local government? State government?

It realy sucks too since we just moved into our first house, in this district so I cant move to another area with a better department...

Sorry for the rant, just realy bothers me to no end...this backwoods redneck volunteer we-dont-have-to-follow-the-rules BS thats going to kill someone if not changed....help.

Moose I am in total agreement with you. It is 2013 and we still elect officers. As far as FASNY or OFPC there is nothing they can really do being we all operate under home rule especially when it comes to officer selection and training and I do not believe either organization would want to get involved in local dept operations.

Show me palm trees and tiki bars than we talk

While it breaks my heart to see a young life taken like this I am glad to see there were people with big hearts that made his short life full of excitement. May God rest the soul of this young warrior who fought a tough fight and comfort those left behind. Hug your kids!

Very noble thing to do

Very thoughtful project. Good job chief!!

FAST / RIT is not supposed to be a special op's resource or a special team, county team, select group of folks who are trained differently or to a higher level than other firefighters, etc. FAST / RIT skills are necessary for EVERY firefighter every bit as much as any other firefighting essential functions are. When a MAYDAY is transmitted, IMMEDIATE action by knowledgeable, skilled firefighters is required. FAST / RIT operations are often required very early on during an incident, obviously we all need to be ready to perform appropriately and immediately when a firefighter requires assistance due to entrapment or medical condition while in a hazardous location. FAST / RIT training absolutely needs to be a requirement for new firefighters prior to certification. Currently certified firefighters who are not FAST / RIT certified should be required to attend the course and become certified. Firefighting is not a game, a passtime or a hobby, it's about life and death. Those who don't see it that way need to find a different calling.

Well said

What is the feeling on fire district commissioners serving as fire company officers ( captain, president, etc). Although not illegal I think it is wrong and is a conflict of interest especially if you have a power hungry person who wants to run everything.

Best of luck

I believe a letter went out recently that it is being explored.