billy98988

It is with great sadness that the Lake Carmel Fire Dept announces the passing of former Lieutenant Marcus Sorbellini (39 y/o). Marcus was involved in a one car motor vehicle accident in Beekman early Sunday morning where he died instantly. The passenger was air lifted to St. Frances in Dutchess with non life threatening injuries.
While I am on the web site to post about our member and the loss his four daughters now have I am here to extend my sincere gratitude to the men and women of the Beekman Fire dept and Ambulance as well as the Troopers and Medics that were on scene. From what I have gathered talking to a few of you that were on scene it was horrific and there is nothing in the world anybody can say to take those images away. All I can say is keep your head up and keep moving forward your brothers and sisters in Lake Carmel are thinking about you too and we are here if you need us.
Arrangements are as follows: Thursday 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Cargain Funeral Home, Fowler Ave, Carmel. Fire Dept will be paying their respects to the family at 7pm in uniform. The Funeral will be at St James on Rt 52 in Carmel on Friday beginning at 11am internment to follow at Raymond Hill Cemetery on Rt 52 in Carmel.
Chief Shawn Madsen
Lake Carmel FD
www.lcfd.com

Job, Worker, Goin' to work, DO WORK!, J O B, Stretching on a dwelling, OSW, Going Good, All Hands, Confirmed Worker, Burner, Suit Up!, Dumpin' The Monitor, 10-75, and my favorite; Shake and Bake Boys, We Got A Barbecue!

Great topic, dwc!

In regards to the Houston incident,

Spoke to a friend. As usual, the media is manipulating this situation, exeggerating what happened, and reporting based on ignorance of the fire service.

When firefighters arrived, and during the duration of the incident, it was not known if anybody who lived inside was present. The house had been "renovated" several times and was falling apart, the electricty was turned off, mail was piled up at the door, the landscaping was overgrown, and, at the time, there were no cars in the driveway. The house was an extensive Colliers Mansion-hoarding situation. The victim was buried under a huge pile of debris, includingg large parts of the structures. and his body was basically disingrated. Neighbors didn't know anybody who lived in the house, and several neighbors believed the house was vacant as multiple neigbors stated they hadn't seen anyone in months at that house. There was no sign that squatters were living in the house, as the kitchen was stripped, no food, and no running water meant no toilet. No way to find the signs of elimination. The body was found by chance by Arson Investigators following the burn pattern.

The "mother" came the day after, and immediately retained a lawyer who happened to be also on scene with a neighbor who was supposefly a client in an unrelated case...., who, in turn, called the media.

We all make mistakes. This was a crappy situation for the firefighters. The guy was dead when they got there from smoke inhalation, and with the conditions and information stated above, we can't take an entire structure apart and remove all debris during the searchs. And in Colliers Mansion conditions, it's most likely that victims may put themselves in risk of not being found during a fire. And, during the searchs, firefighters were keeping getting buried when the piles of crap that lined the hallways kept falling on them, complicating their search. Overhaul may not be extensive enough to even find any fire victim in the conditions stated above, especially when there's no one on scene or no information to find out about people living in the house (the IC followed all leads that he could get). Also, it was treated as an arson and the scene was secured until daylight the next day. When doing overhaul evidence must be preserved as best as possible.

So, instead of the media emphasizing how clutter can kill you, they turn a cheek to all the facts, glaze over what the conditions were inside the structure and blame the villians in this story....the firefighters. It's situations like this where I'd love to put the reporters and neighbors in a turnout gear and a donned SCBA and let them search through those conditions, and see what they come up with.

And really, does any firefighter want to NOT find somebody?

As for the FD, it's a really strong combination department located, like their name, is a northwestern suburb of Houston, TX. Several members are also career guys in some of the busiest companies in Houston.

http://www.northwestfiredept.com/NWSite/NwFrame.html

Thanks Frank for your hard work in covering the emergency services events in the lower Hudson Valley! Your work is always outstanding.

For those that don't know Frank, he has been covering Westchester and beyond as a photgrapher for the Journal News and it's predecessors for over 30 years. He is mostly assigned to breaking incidents and emergency services-involved event. Frank is an ex-chief in North White Plains, and a member of Brewster FD. He is a legend in his own right, and the son of another legend, Frank Becerra Sr who was an artist for the Journal News predeccesors for decades. His dad's art was seen around the world. I can only imagine how proud Jr. makes his dad.

He was assigned by Journal News editors to the Newtown CT incident, where the photos he took were seen around the world, published by Gannet Affiliates worldwide and were also on the AP Wire. Watch what Frank was thinking behind the lens when assigned to this incident.

This must have been one of your toughest assignments yet.

Would you look past this if that Chief's vehicle was delivering donations to Newtown? What if he was buying gifts to bring to a Children's Hospital here in Westchester? This is such immature, cry baby bullshit.
For the record, I don't agree with the abuse of a take home car, but since nobody knows the facts here - let's stop speculating.
FACT: Some municipalities issue take-home vehicles for all kinds of staff members, including PD, FD, DPW and management folks.
FACT: Many of these municipalities don't have rules or regulations concerning the uses of these vehicles, and frankly don't even care.
FACT: A Westchester Fire Chief in Connecticut may be closer from point A in Westchester to point B in Connecticut then if he went to another location within Westchester County.
FACT: I see police officers, fire chiefs/commissioners, EMS officers, DPW bosses and governement officials using their take home cars for all kinds of things.
FACT: I never lose sleep over any of this. Neither should any of us. The same guys who are union firefighters that will come here asking all of us to "put aside our volunteer and paid BS" to help them keep their jobs also commonly take jabs at volunteers for dumb s*** like this. You can't play it one way all the time then flip it around and not expect people to call you out on it. Does it bother anyone else that WE are all our own worst enemies?!
Does it bother anyone else that Westchester County is literally a laughingstock to fire departments (paid and volunteer) outside of this area because of our never-ending bickering and dick-measuring contests?
Ugh!
Note: edited for grammar and layout improvement.

Now I have to buy my wife a Christmas present...was holding out...

I think I see zombies........oh wait, one of them just got up for another cup of coffee. Never mind

The hacker group Anonymous has been launching attacks against their websites, social media etc. They even posted all of the members personal information online.

Just some additions / corrections to the IA.
Date: 12/11/2012
Time: 1323hrs (1:23pm)
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire
District: Croton Fire District
Location: 96 S Mt. Airy Rd (Between Glengary Rd and Georgia Ln)
Units on Scene:
Croton FD: 2081, 2082, E118, E119, E120, T10, R18
Ossining FD: 2331, 2334, TL42, U51
Montrose VAFD: 2571, 2574, E225
Buchanan FD: 2551, U12
Croton EMS: 55B2
Cortlandt EMS: 88B2
Ossining EMS: 74A1, 36M1
WCDES Units: Battalion 10, C&O Zone 4
Other: Croton PD, NYSP, Croton Water Department, Con Edison
Units on Standby:
Montrose FD: 2273, E121
Yorktown FD: L51
13:23 - Croton Full Department Response for Reported Structure Fire. 2081 responding.
13:24 - 2082 responding.
13:25 - 2081 on location, heavy fire showing from a 1.5 story wood-frame structure, 10-75.
13:27 - Ossining FAST, Buchanan Cascade, Croton, Cortlandt and 36M1 EMS units dispatched along with Battalion 10.
13:29 - Command reports 1.5 story wood-frame dwelling, heavy fire in basement and first floor, all occupants are out of the house.
13:40 - Bat 10 reports heavy fire conditions, 4 L/S/O, requesting E225 from Montrose VA to the scene.
13:46 - TL42 from Ossining to the scene.
13:49 - Bat 10 reports heavy fire conditions, now has 5 L/S/O.
13:50 - Con Ed Electric on scene, killing main. Bat 10 reports unit operating from exterior.
13:55 - Interior operations resuming.
14:17 - 88B2 to Phelps with one for possible smoke inhalation (civilian).
14:34 - Bat 10 reports all visible fire knocked down, probable will hold per Command.
14:45 - Bat 10 reports fire is under control.
15:07 - Ossining FAST & U12 released.
15:35 - TL42 released.
16:01 - E225 released.
16:19 - All Croton units in service, Command terminated.
On arrival, we had heavy fire coming out of the D-side basement windows, the C-side entrance to the basement and fire showing on the first floor. Crews mounted an aggressive interior attack along with a brief exterior attack, using handlines in the basement, first floor and attic as well as the exterior. We pulled the men back briefly to hit it from outside and regroup, then pushed on with coordinated roof ventilation.
The occupants of the home included two elderly parties that were assisted from the home by other family members and a work crew at a neighboring house. I give credit to these guys for getting everyone out of the house, as this fire took off with great intensity and speed.
The report from the occupants and C&O indicate candles in the basement fell and created a fire involving the bed, books, and other combustibles in the room. The gentleman in the basement ran upstairs and got everyone out of the house. (Thank God).
I'd also like to point out the understated usefulness of our Mutual Aid Coordinators - not just ours (Battalion 10). As the IC I was able to worry only about my units on scene, and anything I needed relayed to 60 Control or any apparatus requests, all I had to do was have Battalion 10 handle it. I know a lot of Chiefs and Incident Commanders feel the need to try and do everything, but this way worked SOOOO MUCH BETTER than other times where I tried to juggle both task.
If you have a fire in this county and don't have the luxury of an Aide, take advantage of the MACs (Battalions). That's what they're there for - not to run your call but to help you manage it.
On behalf of the Croton Fire Department, I'd like to thank our Mutual Aid partners from Ossining, Montrose VA and Buchanan for their assistance on scene, as well as the coverage units from Montrose and Yorktown. Also, thanks to Croton, Cortlandt and Ossining EMS for being there.
Lastly, thanks to the men of the CFD that were there today. You guys always make me proud.
Thanks.
Chief John Munson
Croton FD

Am I alone in seeing the problem with this?

I am f****** disgusted by what I just saw on the news about this story. I watched brave cops rush an attempted murder suspect with total disregard for their own safety and then I saw them have to deal the the lembhard family who rushed the cops and made the scene more chaotic. - ** For those of you who weren't aware, this clown who got locked up today is the brother of the other clown that NPD was forced to shoot earlier this year.
This is a scenario that we deal with all the time, family members instead of standing back, come up and get involved, many times physically leading to their arrest also.
I also saw that f****** ambulance chaser sussman who i believe was wearing a bullet resistant vest, right in the middle of the whole thing.
These a******* said that they were in the house voluntarily and were not held hostage so if the orange county DA had any stones, he would charge them all with obstruction !!!!!!
I'm glad the brothers from the NPD, OCSO, NYSP and USMS are all ok and there is now one less lembhard to prey on the citizens of orange county.

Al was a member of the Montgomery Fire Department with my father, when he was a Lieutenant way back in the day. I used to love hanging out at the firehouse with him and the guys before my parents divorced.
Timeframe for those familiar is during the construction of the current MFD Firehouse...although I have alot of fond memories of the old, brick firehouse they were in before that.
I know Bob Pressler is a Chief over there now...someday i would like to go visit. I have alot of my father's MFD memorabelia.
Interesting side story, and I apologize for getting off topic; Montgomery had an old ladder truck, beleive an International or a ford...in any event, I rode along with my Dad when he delivered it...to a Dutchess County department, Yes, the JH Ketcham Hose Company....MY company now...it was also the first ladder truck I ever climbed, during essentials, may back in 1990.

Got the answer. These are spring well hydrants. These hydrants have a pump at the bottom of the pipe in the well. The well pump needs a power source so an electrical cord is attached to the pumper as it is hooked up to the hydrant. Since some of the areas in the North Fork don't have a good water supply.
Mattituck and Cutchouge have the special built pump and electrical connections for these hydrants. Go to the link here for pics and the explanation: www.cutchoguefiredept.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=324

Here is a copy of a letter I just sent to Governor Cuomo:
Dear Governor Cuomo,
I am appalled by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s decision to go forward with ING New York City Marathon just 6 days after the worst hurricane in over 100 years, which has decimated parts of New York State, New York City, and parts of the east coast of the United States. Bloomberg's claim that it will not impact rescue and recovery efforts one bit, is laughable at best. I am a New York City Police officer, and since the day that Hurricane Sandy hit New York I have worked twelve hours day. I have put aside my life and my families problems in order to maintain law and order in the City of New York, and was fully aware that situations like this would occur when I signed up to take the exam to become a police officer. I am one of the more fortunate ones, I only lost food in the refrigerator, some of my coworkers were not as fortunate. Several have lost their entire possessions, one, Artur Kasprzak, gave his life while off duty to save 7 lives. In addition, I have worked the Marathon in years past, and can tell you from firsthand experience it takes a lot of police officers to staff this event. In Manhattan, there are often anywhere from 8 to 12 police officers per block to keep the crowds back, and prevent them from crossing into the path of marathon runners. Just where does the city get all the officers to staff this event, and continue to provide enough officers to patrol the rest of the city? It orders a large number of officers, and supervisors to come in and work their day off. Most years this is not a problem, but due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy, and resulting problems, police officers are now handling additional duties such as traffic in intersections with no traffic lights, additional patrols in areas with no power, and providing security to gas stations to prevent the outbreak of violence as stations run out of gas with the earliest possible deliveries to be on Saturday. Tensions are running high in some parts of the city, as some people no longer have electricity, food, gas, and even running water in some cases. Bodies are still being recovered as I write this. Mass Transit has not been fully restored, mandatory carpooling to enter Manhattan has been instituted to lessen the effects of bridges and tunnels that remain closed. Now we are going to close more roads, and take more police officers off the street to protect a marathon? People are fighting over gasoline in parts of the city, does the Mayor think that some of these same people who are stressed over getting the basic necessities are going to stop their fighting and applaud the marathon as it closes more streets, stores, and places a greater burden on them so that the city can make some money from the Marathon. Some people will point out that just ten days after 9/11 Major League Baseball was playing games at Shea and Yankee Stadiums which became a source of hope. While the effects of 9/11 were widespread, and in some cases still felt today, the physical damage was confined to the World Trade Center. People could go to a place where they felt safe, their homes, have something to eat, go to the store and buy items they needed and travel pretty much as they pleased. Today in some areas of the State, and New York City, these same people no longer have homes, are wondering where there next meal will come from, and be able to take a hot shower in a place they feel secure in. I am not saying to cancel the Marathon, but perhaps this is not the right time to hold this event, and it should be rescheduled into the future. How can you justify the large number of road closures, police officers reassigned, and basic items such as bottled water, high calorie snacks, and other supplies such as blankets when some many of our fellow New Yorkers are lacking these basic items? Members of the New York National Guard, and other states National Guards are working to bring vital supplies to New York, to help stabilize and eventually recover from what the worst natural disasters to ever impact the State of New York. Many New Yorkers are working with their insurance companies and FEMA to begin the recovery process, and now Mayor Bloomberg’s actions are telling the people of New York, that money from tourists running in a marathon is more important to the city (and State) than they are. Please, use your power as governor to implore Mayor Bloomberg to reschedule the marathon. The impact from the marathon is just too much at this fragile time.
Sincerely,
Kurt Von Dietsch

Vails Gate Fire Dept sent an engine w/ manpower to Nassau County.

To call it hype at this point is premature. There's still a lot of latitude in the forecast models and the error range has been 175 NM. That's a huge range! Regardless, even if the storm hits the Delmarva Peninsula, we will be right in the path of the rotation of the storm and during a full moon.
People I'm talking to are likening this storm to the nor'Easter of 1992 that hammered our region; this storm could be every bit of that and then some. 1-2 inches or rain causes flooding and this has the potential to bring twice that.
Don't be too quick to blow this off.

Date: 10-15-12
Time: 1745hrs
Location: Caesars Ln
Frequency: Base-5
Units Operating: VGFD Cars 1, 2, 3, 7, R480, E481, E479, NWEMS, NWPD
Weather Conditions: Raining
Description Of Incident: Car down embankment w/Entrapment
Reporters: BFD1054
1745hrs-Base-5 alerting Vails Gate; reported MVA w/Entrapment.
VGFD Car-1 arrived on scene and established Command. Car-1 advised responding units that there was a single vehicle down an embankment and into a tree with (1) person entrapped.
R480 arrived and used the winch and chains to stabilize the vehicle, Its crew then put the cutters and spreaders into operation to cut the roof and passenger-side door.
E481 then arrived and assisted w/stabilization and staging of tool's.
E479 was re-directed to Station-1 for coverage.
Due to the rain at the time of the accident and throughout the incident, operations were made more difficult. The vehicle came to rest against a tree on the driver-side, but at a precarious position on the embankment.
Crews had to use extra precautions when operating and moving equipment as footing became an issue due to the soft ground.
VGFD, NWEMS and NWPD all worked together to make for a swift rescue and patient removal.
The driver (sole occupant) was then removed to a backboard and placed in the care of NWEMS.

http://www.lohud.com/article/20121012/NEWS03/310120128/Happy-ending-Ramapo-cop-can-attend-his-wedding?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
update

http://www.lohud.com/article/20121012/NEWS03/310120128/Happy-ending-Ramapo-cop-can-attend-his-wedding?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
update

John,
Below is the section directly out of the NYS Fire code regarding knox boxes. In the town that I am a C.E.O. for we require the installation of knox boxes on any new commercial structure and we require the installation of a box on any building that the FD has had an issue waiting for a key holder. In the city I work for they have a city ordinance in addition to the state code requiring it on any commercial property.
Just make sure that you have a well spelled out policy covering how the knox box master key is secured, inventory of the master key and who has access to the master key.
KEY BOXES
§F506.1 Where required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is
restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is
necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the code enforcement
official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved
location. The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to
gain necessary access as required by the code enforcement official.
§F506.1.1 Locks. An approved lock shall be installed on gates or similar
barriers when required by the code enforcement official.
§F506.2 Key box maintenance. The operator of the building shall immediately
notify the code enforcement official and provide the new key when a lock is
changed or rekeyed. The key to such lock shall be secured in the key box.

Complete list is up, from #1 - #40,864
http://bloximages.ne...07f3cf4.pdf.pdf
ctrl (button) + f for find. Type in your last name, and boom, list number and score. Good Luck

http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2012/October/05/TNbrg_police_shoot-05Oct12.html

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121005/NEWS/121009850

http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2012/October/05/TNbrg_police_shoot-05Oct12.html

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121005/NEWS/121009850