BFD1054

Very true chris, definately a very sad thing to hear! Unfortunately, these things happen all over, all of the time! I really don't know the whole story and the true reason why this proposal was rejected not only once, but numerous times, but it sure is a bad situation! Sometimes you get these commissioners who are members of the community and are only interested in saving money, but who knows if that is the case here. It can be hard sometimes when you try and show the public that as time goes by and things change (i.e. population, building sizes), more room may be needed to house equipment. I know in Buchanan, we had to sell a rig (E-162) when we took delivery of the new U-12, due to the fact that we had no room! So it goes without saying, we would love to see some sort of addition on the firehouse, but who knows if it will ever happen! As far as the punishment for the chiefs, i thought it was a little silly, but that was up to the discretion of the commissioners. What the 3 chiefs did may not have been appropriate, but you have to admit it was pretty funny! Chris, as you said, it must be soo frustrating for them, and we have all been there, but it definately wasn't the smartest thing to do, nor was it a good way to handle the situation!

Thank you chris & Seth for all of the info, i definately apprecite it! I was checking out thier webpage and i came across Croton Falls Chiefs car. I really like the "pull-out" cargo area on that Explorer, that makes it soo much easier to access equipment and keep things a bit more organized! And chris, i didn't realize how much Pound Ridge had used Gowans, so that definately says something about them! And as Seth said, i definately like the idea of them being a local company for all the reasons that Seth had stated! The last rig we purchased (2003 E-One) was built in Florida, and our apparatus committee only got the chance to visit/tour the E-One plant once. Having a rig built more locally opens up so many more doors for a fire department. Its soo much nicer to be able to see the rig being built as often as possible, rather than once or twice. This way, you can keep updated on the progress of the rig, plus any ideas you may have to upgrade/customize the rig, would be easier to accomplish when youo can actually see the rig. Anyway, thank you guys for your quick response to my post and all of the info on Gowans! It will be interesting to see if any other Westchester depts. decide to use them in the near future!

Man, what is this world coming to? Will EMT's & Medics now have to become Tactical trained & carry Glocks or S&W's? It used to be police officers that got no respect, but everyone loved firemen & EMS workers. Now, no emergency service worker gets any respect, its unbelievable! It was good to see that the skell in this incident got charged with assaulting a police officer. But as alsfirefighter said, what about the EMT? Where is the justice for that poor, innocent EMT? I would really love to know what she did to warrant this guy to slap her, i'm willing to bet it was nothing! Ihave nothing at all against police officers, but they shouldn't be the only ones that have laws protecting them! I'm all for the charge of "assaulting a police officer," but i'd also love to see a charge that includes all emergency service personnel! Seth made mention of Boston...sounds to me like the City of Boston knows what they're doing! Hey, even if "assaulting a police officer" was a higher charge than that of another emergency service worker, that would be a start! For those of us who are involved in EMS & even fire, we have all seen different situations such as the incident posted. I remember being on a call with Peekskill EMS and the patient, an intox male, tried to swing at our female EMT. Well, he picked the wrong woman to mess with! Alsfirefighter would know who i am talking about, her initials are DB and she is one tough cookie! Well, she ripped into this guy something fierce and refused to treat him until PD restrained him! So, it can and will happen to people in the EMS & Fire fields, so where is the law covering assault on us?

Found this webpage dedicated to Mack CF fire apparatus, figured i would share it with all of you! It has some really nice pictures, hope you all enjoy it! http://www.angelfire.com/pa4/cfgallery/

vfdeng126, thats too bad about M-1, that was a real nice fire-boat! Its a real shame that it happened, let alone the timing! The summer months are approaching real fast, and that is always a busy season for you guys with the river! Anyway, sorry to hear the bad news, and hopefully you can keep us updated. But as alsfirefighter said, you guys are some tough SOB's, so i know you will manage and figure something out!

Seth....good point, i guess the class did come to me lol! But yes, EMT certification is an excellent thing to posses! As Seth stated, for you firefighters out there, no matter of your dept. runs EMS or not, you should still highly consider taking an EMT course! Hey look at it this way, EMT is a shorter class than the Firefighter-I program that you now have ot take, if thats any consulation! My department runs a first-responder system where we are dispatched along with Cortlandt VAC to EMS calls during certain hours. There are many times when the FD is there before the ambulance arrives, so it definately helps to have someone with EMS experience with you. To respond to EMS calls, our guys must have a minimum of CPR/AED! On one occasion, i ended up doing CPR with a Police Officer before EMS arrived because the other 2 guys on our rescue had no training. That is why we now require minimum training! But as Seth said, no matter if you are in Fire, EMS or Law Enforcement, it wouldn't hurt at all to have CFR or EMT. As firefighters we are faced with many different situations, and many of them may require emergency medical care. Another way to look at is that its nice to have the same certification as EMS workers do, so that when we work with them on jobs like MVA's, we know what they need to do and we can assist. Hey, if you get your EMT cert, thats one more class/certification that you have over other people! It is also good for people who aren't involved in emergency services! My girlfriend would love to become an EMT because she is going into education as a profession and EMT would look good on a resume, not to mention it may come in handy one day. And for all of you out there who are still in High School and looking to further education (which you should definately do!), EMT is worth at least 5 college credits! Anyway, just something to consider! I have been wanted to get my EMT cert for a long time now, and the perfect opportunity has arrised and i am going to jump on it! Also, not to ramble, but some of you out there may also want to consider getting involved in EMS if you are not already! EMS is a great way to get involved in emergency services, help your community & feel good about yourself! Seth, thanks for the support bro! Maybe i will look to hire you and your expertise as a tutor lol!

Thank you to everyone who looked into CFR/EMT classes in th area and who replied to my post! I truly do appreciate it! I have recently found a class that will be held close to where i live and also fits my schedule perfectly! If anyone is interested, the class will be held at the Cortlandt Community Ambulance Corps. Registration must be completed by May 18th. See more on the class in the EMS forum under CCVAC EMT class! Again, thank you everyone for replying to my post, i appreciate the help!

Seth, again you've added some great points! We all know that there are some people that just can't get along, but like you said, we all have to suck it up for the sake of getting a job done! If a group gets along and can just team up and work together, it makes it a whole lot easier to accomplish tasks! I'd have to say that freelancing is one of my biggest pet-pieves on a scene! For example, i can't stand it when i see guys that are supposed to be doing truck work, are instead doing interier attack on a hand-line! Things like that are big problems that need to be dealt with! For one, if you are not doing the job you were assigned to, then who is? Another problem is accountability. If you were assigned to the roof, but decided to "jump" on a hand-line, the IC may not be aware of that. Now, you can't be found and someone has to now try and locate you! Now, getting to your points about officers. Back in January, i ran in an election for 2nd Lt, and i won the election. I would hope that people voted for me based on thier knowledge of my training and experience and so on. I must say however, that i really like your ideas for "promotions." An election is good, but more should be done for one to be appointed/elected an officer. I definately like the idea of at least an interview with chief officers, that way they can get a feel for why you think you deserve the position as well as to see how you perform under pressure during the interview. A promotional exam would be good to. It may be a good idea to not only "make-up" an exam with some officer related questions, but maybe confer with members of career departments to see what is asked on thier promotional exams to help better the exam. Again, wanted to add my thoughtsand opinions.

Hey Muns.....Fireground Chaos??? Chief Has Arrived On Scene, right? Kidding aside, you make some excellent, valid points as usual my friend! The sad part is that unfortunately as you said, most of us can't say that we haven't been to such a call. The pager goes off and the adrenaline kicks in and everyone goes crazy! No matter how many times you tell guys to slow down and think, they're always going to go back to the adrenaline rush. i think that we are all guilty of doing this at least once or twice, its a natural reaction. The thing is, we have to try and stop that and start some organization! Your points, 1-4, are very well put together! I like the idea of pre-planning, and it doesn't hurt to do this as often as it takes, especially with commercial occupancies that may change more often. In our response area, we have the Westchester Industrial Complex, a very large complex with around 30, give or take, businesses occupying it. The complex houses everything from a bus company to an auto body shop & even a Con Edison shop! Our Fire Marshall & 1 of our Lt.'s are in the process of updating our pre-plans for the complex to assist us when responding to an alarm there. One thing to take into mind is that there are only 2 hydrants in the complex, 1 on the A exposure and one on the D exposure, and they are from a private water source. With that in mind, we know an extensive hose-lay may be required from the main road, which was once done for a Haz-Mat incident. With a building like that, we will have to be updated on the businesses that come and go from the complex, this is where the pre-plans will hopefully help, but may need to be updated quite often. Your point #2 is also great! Its good to have SOP's/SOG's in place, but educating the guys on them is much more important, they are only good if people are aware of them! Point #3 has to be one of my favorites =D>. I have about 6 years in the department, and i know that i have more classes than plenty of the members that have 10 or 15 years! Again, age and time in the department doesn't necessarily mean anything! I've said it before and i'll say it again, training is everything! I don't care how old you are or how long you've been in the department, you should be training to keep updated and familiar with the various aspects of firefighting! You gotta love the old timers that pride on thier length of membership and say things like "i've been in this department for 20 years" and :blahblah:. Well, just because you have 20 years, doesn't mean you've always been training! As far as point #4, i'll say it again...training is everything! I get sick of hearing all the excuses why guys can't make drill or can't take classes! Hey, if you're volunteer, nobody can force you and they sure as hell can't fire you! But when it comes down to it, training may be the only thing that saves your life, a fellow brother's life or anyone elses for that matter, and that is why i personally try to train as often as possible! As you said, if you can't "make" a drill, read about a topic! Pick up Firehouse or Fire Engineering magazine and read it, i have learned a lot from those magazines! Even just reading on someone elses' experiences, bad or good, may be a big help! Anyway, sorry for rambling on! I just think my buddy John made some excellent points and i just figured i'd reiderate and throw in my 2 cents!

Date: 04-27-04 Time: 1535HRS (TOD) Location: 37 Fulton St. c/s Cross St. Frequency: 46.26 Units: Hartsdale, Fairview, full assignments Description: Fully involved building fire. Writer: BFD1054 1537HRS-Car 2151 requesting second alarm, bringing Greenville to the scene. White Plains FD also assigned to this job, unknown units. 1546HRS-Car 2151 requesting 1 & 1 to cover Greenville.

Bedford FD's Dive Team was also assigned to this incident.

Taken today from the New York Post 04/26/04 April 26, 2004 -- Eighteen firefighters were injured as they battled a raging blaze on the top floor of a Bronx apartment building yesterday. Some 140 firefighters rushed to the three-alarm inferno at 2585 Grand Concourse after a 911 call came in at 11:45 a.m. "It was a very serious fire," said FDNY spokesman Bill Green. "The firefighters had to use four hand lines to put it out." The fierce blaze was finally brought under control at 1:20 p.m., he said. Green said the injured firefighters were taken to Cornell and Jacobi hospitals. Four had minor burns, five had more serious burns and the remainder various joint and back injuries. Terrified residents of the six-story building described a dramatic explosion in one apartment, understood to be home to a family of four that was out at the time of the blaze. "Something exploded above me in the living room," said Angelica Grullon, who lives in the apartment below. "Then someone banged on my door and I ran out." Grullon's tearful sister, Zoraida Cardona, who shares the apartment, said she was just grateful no one had died. "Everyone I know is alive," she said. "Everything else is all right." The FDNY is still investigating the cause of the blaze.

That Concord Chassis looks real nice! Looks like it would make a pretty good rescue-pumper as well. It almost has an American La France Cab look to it.

WAS967, this was another cool site i found dealing with Miami-Dade FR using motorcycles, even has a picture! I also believe there was an article on this topic in Firehouse Magazine a few months back, but i was unable to find it. It seems like a very interesting idea, i'm curious to see how well it will work for them. :-k I'm sure the insurance must be outrageous, i would hope they get a break lol! http://www.americanmotor.com/news.cfm?newsid=2119

FDNY SQUAD Company 288 (Queens) involved in an MVA w/injuries en-route to a call. Squad 288 was responding lights & sirens activated when this accident occured. *Note: Squad 288 is one of the rare apparatus in the FDNY fleet that is equipped with a Federal-Q2b! If they had the Q going, its hard to believe they couldn't be heard lol! http://www.wnbc.com/news/3086388/detail.html

CFD320, i think you have hit the nail on the head! Everything you covered was absolutely right! I to have talked to people to see if they would be interested in joining the FD, and i get the same answers over and over again. Its bad enough that departments have a hard time recruiting members, but then to tell them they have to take over a 100 hours of training off the bat is crazy. When i first joined, i to took the 36 Hour essentials, and i'll admit i thought that was a bit much at the time. Now i truly realize how important it is to train, so i take as many classes as possible and actually enjoy most of them. As you said, people have jobs & families, and don't have 2 free nights a week for the Firefighter-I course, which is totally understandable. I very much agree with you that there are plenty of things for guys to do, not everyone had to be initial attack on the knob. We have guys that don't like heights, so we don't make them do much ladder work. Theres guys that don't feel 100% comfortable going interior, so we use them for exterior work, which can be just as important. We even have guys that would just rather drive than anything else, which is fine by me, because i hate driving! So there are endless jobs in the fire service, but unfortunately, active firefighters must have minimum training regardless. Personally, i feel you can never have enough training and you should always continue your fire training, because its that training that may save you or someone else some day! Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way & some feel that since they are volunteer, they shouldn't have to go through so much training. I also agree that there should be more in-house training, it keeps guys up to date & helps them learn thier departments equipment. Anyway, really just wanted to say that you had an excelent post, many great points! Training is everything & there is plenty for everyone to do!

Date: 04-13-04 Time: 1604HRS (TOD) Location: 3655 Old Crompond Rd. Frequency: 46.26 Units: E250, L35, U40, Car 2261, 2266. Description: KEI-603 Mohegan dispatched E250, L35 & U40 to 3566 Old Crompond Rd. for a possible structure fire. 1607HRS-U40, E250 10-19, U40 reporting smoke showing. 1609HRS-L35 10-19. 1610HRS-Car 2261 requesting update from any interior unit. 1611HRS-Car 2263 10-17. 1615HRS-Car 2261 transmits a signal 10-30, holding all units, Co's checking for extension. 1635HRS-Car 2261 reports L35 clearing shortly, holding E250 & U40 is available from the scene. 1640HRS-L35 10-8. 1654HRS-As per Car 2261, all Mohegan units going 10-8/10-2. Writer: BFD1054

Date: 04-13-04 Time: 1935HRS (TOD) - 2201HRS Location: Purchase College, Anderson Hill Rd. Frequency: 46.26 Units: E239, E240, TL53, R30, U10 Cars 2411 (IC) & 2413, W. Harrison Car 2501, E267 on s/b PFD HQ. Description: Purchase FD dispatched to Purchase College, Maintenance building for an electrical fire, SUNY PD to meet FD at the gate. Writer: BFD1054 1941HRS-TL53 10-19. 1942HRS-Car 2411 10-19, advising smoke showing, requesting E239. 1943HRS-E239 10-17. 1946HRS-E239 10-19, Car 2411 advising E239 to stage behind TL53. Car 2411 also requesting R30 to come directly into the scene, needed for lighting. 1948HRS-Car 2411 requesting Harrison VAC to respond w/1 Ambulance for possible smoke inhalation. 2006HRS-Car 2411 requesting Con-Ed Electric to the scene. 2008HRS-Co-Ed Electric notified & responding, negative ETA. 2017HRS-Car 2411 requesting West Harrison to re-locate (1) Engine to Purchase HQ. 2018HRS-Car 2501, E267 re-locating Purchase FD HQ. 2022HRS-Car 2411 requesting all additional manpower at HQ to respond to the scene. 2025HRS-Purchase U10 10-19. 2026HRS-Car 2501, E267 out @ Purchase HQ. 2046HRS-Car2411 requesting refreshments (ice-water) to the scene. 2128HRS-E239 10-8. 2130HRS-As per Car 2411, West Harrison E267, Car 2501 can stand-down, return to thier quarters. 2201HRS-As per Car 2411 (Command), all Purchase units going 10-8/10-2.

Chris, don't worry, i took no offense in the "Buff" remark, believe me lol! I think we are all little bit of buffs in some way, shape or form! When i am around the house & have my scanner on and something catches my ear, i try to monitor the incident & go from there. At least i only listen now, instead of running out the door when i heard any local department get a job lol! But thanks for the comments/support, and i will do my best to stay buffy and type fast!

Congrats on the approval for a new E119, but its almost bittersweet lol! The current 119 is such a mint rig, and i doubt i'm alone in saying this, but i will definately miss seeing that rig around! Also, any ideas on what manufacturer you will go with? As far as T10 goes, people have said its too bad about the rig being so damaged, but i am just glad to hear everyone was ok, the rig can be replaced, people cannot. On the topic of T10, it will definately take awhile to repair/replace, so are there any plans to assist response, such as mutual aid?

Truck4, i am not positive, but i had heard this was going to be a totally new rig all together. I've heard from several sources that they are looking at a large RV-style unit, such as Greenburg, Mount Vernon and the County PD's have. Maybe they'll use that old rig as a food/ice cream truck to pay for the new rig! All kidding aside, i am definately glad to hear the County has this plan off the ground and are moving foward with it. Its good to see that we are going with the times & getting a decent field comm unit. Maybe some of the network members that work for DES & have posted on this already can confirm what i had heard?

Hey Tommy, nice post, i definately hear ya there! At the Bannon Ave. Apartments fire (2/18/04), i needed a 2nd hand-line to the top floor like ASAP, but myself, nor another Lt. that was with me could raise anyone on the radio. Well, that same Lt. told me to wait a second & i watched him walk away and go toward a window overlooking the A exposure, where the Command post was. Well, next thing i knew, he was yelling down "hey,we need another f***ing hand-line up here now!" Within a minute or so, we had another hand-line brought up! So, we can all laugh, but as far as communications go, whatever works best at the time may be your best option. Not that it has all that much to do with the topic, but just thought i'd give ya a laugh! But i am definately glad to hear that the County's Comm Unit is up and running! May be a sign that the County is heading in the right direction....foward!

http://www.1strespondernews.com/webpages/n...bc-cc39971737ea

Tommy, best of luck to ya! They couldn't have picked a better guy. Not only do you have the time/experience in the EMS service, but you are also very well known & liked in area emergency services! For those of us who know you, we also know that you won't take any crap & you'll do what it takes to get a job done! Again, congratulations & best of luck to you in your new appointment!

Chris, i'll let ya in on my secret lol. I usually minimize EMTBravo on my computer while i do other things & when i hear an update i type it in. Sometimes i'll write down quick notes on a pad when i'm not near my computer & i'll go back & post it all. But when you're a member of a relatively slow department, such as mine, you have all the time in the world to be a buff lol! Plus, if it can't be me or my dept. on the radio, i might as well listen to others! Another secret is that i used to dispatch for the Somers Fire District. So when there was a call & you had 6 engines, i truck, 2 utilities, 3 ambulances & about 10 officers signing on at once & you had to keep record of that info, you learned short-cuts lol! I am exagerating a bit of course, but you get the point!