BFD1054

YOU ARE KIDDING ME WITH THIS NONSENSE RIGHT?????
I'm going to reply to this post point by point.
1. This punk is not underage as you say.. In NY, 16 and over go to the county jail and 15 and under go to woodfield cottage so he is in the county jail and will serve his time in New York State Prison...he is very much of age and will answer for his crimes as an adult.
2. Just because this kid tells as story about being afraid for his life, you believe it right away? Did it ever occur to you that he needed a story to cover or try to explain his actions and that is the tall tale he came up with ? You make a bold statement that he was clearly not of sound judgement or mind when the event occured... HOW DO YOU KNOW ?? Are you his shrink, social worker, parent or friend ? No, so it seems that you aren't qualified or able to make that statement. You coming to this kids defense is sickening !!!
3. This is a very strong case, he made statements, they saw him in the stolen car and he was pulled from the stolen car after he struck Officer Osso's vehicle... what more evidence do you need ?? I've been a cop for 12 years and have dealt with the DA's office nonsense many times.... they will give a plea to anyone just to save money and get an easy conviction to keep the conviction rate up.
4. This seems like a fair trade to who ??? Maybe to you but not the rest of us... I don't know what world you live in but in my world, when a cops gets hurt there are no fair trades ... the lives of my brothers and sisters aren't available for fair trades ... when a cops gets hurt or killed there should be swift judgements and harsh penalties, NOTHING LESS !!! The example you gave of a DWI sentence with a fatality doesn't apply because the laws are different when it comes to crimes against on duty police officers, a little fact I guess you over looked.
5. You say that maybe complete justice isn't in everyone's best interest ?? THE ONLY JUSTICE SHOULD BE FOR P.O. OSSO, HE IS THE VICTIM HERE - END OF STORY - there doesnt need to be any second chances for this punk kid, he made his choices and he made his bed and now he goes to jail. My Hope is that this kid rejects the deal and is found guilty at trial and is sentenced to the maximum for his crimes.

Officer Osso suffered horrific injuries. This perp, no matter how troubled he is a perp who not only critically wounded a cop but also put other lives in jeopardy as well. This perp deserves more than 7 years in fact should do twice that. We have to stop justifying why people do things and make them accountable for thier actions.

And what is any different in this tragic case than what happens virtually everywhere? The former chief spoke. He's apparently a city fireman. **When he tried to bring the fire department up to OSHA standards he was asked to resign by the current mayor. **Edit: according to the report in lohud.
I remember having to fight to get the air quality in our firehouses cleaned up. We had two members who died young of strange cancers. You'd think it was a no brainer that the department would take the air quality issue head on. Yet we faced a hostile administration at the time. I was told by a commissioner, "We can do one firehouse per year"; wonderful when you have five stations. So we fought them, we got the money from FEMA and we got it done, **** them.
Time and again, OSHA standards are taken lackadaisically by those who are "in charge." And if this is the case in Tarrytown, the investigation will reveal who, what, where. What a damn shame, what a waste of two human beings lives.
This is the purpose of a union having a Health and Safety Committee. Those on the committee have got to fight, become "unpopular" (sometimes even the ones you are fighting FOR turn on you), yet at the end of the day you can go home and say at the very least you did your best for what is right. Some things are worth fighting for.
So many advances in safety on the job come from the employees pushing the administration to get it done. It should not be this way, and in many places with progressive leadership, it is not. Those lucky enough to have a chief or a supervisor, or a mayor who will actually do things properly (I don't care if it's for CYA or actually because they care) should not take it for granted. Just get it done.
Too late for two more guys. Rest in peace.

Unit rundown:
Continental Village FD - R39
Peekskill FD - 2341, 2346, R134
Garrison FD - 15-1-1, 15-3-1
Peekskill VAC - 7511, 75B1, 75B3 (75B4 on standby in quarters)
Peekskill FD/ALS - 39M1, 39M2
Garrison VAC - 32-7-2
Putnam Medic 1
West. Co. Battalion 17
**I tried to PM BFD1054 but it wouldn't let me.**

UUUUGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MICHEAALLL

WOW, just WOW....What are these clowns thinking?
What the hell is going through these morons heads? Whats with the Chiefs and officers for allowing this? Whats wrong with OTHER Chiefs, Officers, FF's, EMT's, LEO's for not speaking up? On top of all of that, what the hell is the driver of the rig thinking?
Thanks Bogota FD for making the Vol fire service look like crap once again! Absolutely disgusting!

WOW, just WOW....What are these clowns thinking?
What the hell is going through these morons heads? Whats with the Chiefs and officers for allowing this? Whats wrong with OTHER Chiefs, Officers, FF's, EMT's, LEO's for not speaking up? On top of all of that, what the hell is the driver of the rig thinking?
Thanks Bogota FD for making the Vol fire service look like crap once again! Absolutely disgusting!

There's a difference between riding on an apparatus roof and consuming adult beverages after the event. If the apparatus operators are drinking, yes it is a big no-no. If the apparatus is supposed to be in service and the crew is drinking that's also a big no-no. But if the parade go-ers are just that, parade go-ers, what does their recreating after the parade have to do with being unsafe and unprofessional during the parade?

I would be willing to bet they waxed the bejeezez on that roof in the morning just before they left for the parade.
If you are going to ride up there, you want it nice and slippery in case the driver stops short.
Hopefully, the Bogota Ambulance Corps is next in the line of march and not riding the roof of the bus.

Why can't the municipalities in the greater NY area get their act together?
Now we had NINE I think brothers from WPFD layed off. Talk is of possibly more coming out of Westchester. These are and would be the junior guys who have the most recent proby school.
Now out of 300 spots, couldn't the municipalities come up with a creative offer to the City of NY whereby these guys could somehow get a shot at a job? I mean we got fully trained brothers here. It's almost like mutual-aid is it not?
In another world, and if not for special school districts and the power they yeild with parental support, Westchester could be another Borough of the City of N.Y. If not for the way they drew up the original county lines and decided where to put those arbitrarly lines; New Rochelle is attached to the Bronx. Mt. Vernon is attached to the Bronx, Yonkers....
Now the big job is hiring three hundred while the smaller jobs have lost and could possibly lose more members. Right next door. This is where those arbitray lines, drawn over a hundred years ago, still have an effect. And it isn't good.

There's nothing wrong with the guys and gals in the firehouse going on a trip together. If the Chief knows that a large number of his/her members are skipping town for vacation or whatever, then they should come up with a plan to ensure coverage of calls at home.
We routinely take companies out of service for training and have our other companies and/or Mutual Aid coverage in place.
Last month, many of our Officers and members were out of town at a function. We put a Captain in charge with a Chief's car, and took ourselves out of service for Mutual Aid for a few hours. The one call we had during this six hour period was handled without needing anything additional.
All it takes is some planning. If you know you're going to be short, make sure you have a plan in place to pick up for that shortfall.
Don't assume calls will get covered - MAKE SURE OF IT.

Okay, here it goes. I must apologize for my post as i assisted in the "hi-jacking" of this thread, so im sorry if i upset anyone. Kenny started the thread to discuss the parade and the subsequent winners at said parade. I would probably be pissed if my thread was taken off-topic.
However, with all due respect Captain, i see you quote "somebody is going to be sued," which i will assume is a shot at my post. If you think for a second that this is a "NON-issue," or it will NOT happen, i will beg to differ. You stated that as a Chief Officer, you always ensure that your district is covered and i commend you for that, as it is our responsibilty to do such. However, there are plenty of agencies that do NOT pre-plan for coverage and that is the issue. Again, this could have/should have been a seperate thread. I mean no disrespect to you, just making my point clear.
As for Montrose at the convention...they always look sharp and have plenty of marchers, so it comes as no surprise that they took home a trophy. I still think the guys and gals in Maroon look much better though, but i guess im biased .
Stay safe

Unfortunately the only "judge" some seem to worry about is the parade judge.

More importantly, who ISN'T going and actally in town protecting their residents?
To those of you going, have a good time, but don't drink so much that you end up being pulled out of the Lake!

Wow, that means another FD recently in the news could almost have gotten 2 engines for the price of one.

I still do not undertsand why the 2006 Squad 11 had to replaced after 4 years of service ??? was there problems with it ???
I understand the normal FDNY apparatus life is 10 years. So while we are complaining about another FD purchasing a rig for 600 K, and has a design life of 20 + years, I am sure the 300 K ( ? ) spent on the old Squad 11 for 4 years, was not invested well...

Date:05/24/2010
Time:~15:15
Location: Windsor Hwy. IFO Gallagher Trucking
Frequency:
Units Operating: New Windsor Fire & EMS, City of Newburgh Engine 3, Truck 1, & Car 4, 36-14, Vail's Gate E478 to set up a LZ, COH 1 Rescue standby New Windsor, City of Newburgh hire back for T10.
Weather Conditions:
Description Of Incident: Full Size van vs. Tractor Trailer with extensive extrication.
Reporters:
Writer:
Go easy it's my first IA.

Parades!!!

Wait a second, there are demerits for sobriety? That's interesting but how does anyone stay in line after complying with that rule!

Nope, just trying to figure if its the biggest, longest, most expensive most lights or one that actually was designed to fight a fire.
After reading the rules, thats not one of the requirements.
The rules are very interesting. NFPA and OSHA standards are easier and simpler. A lot of work went into these. Lets look at a few:
"Judging will not be performed within fifty (50) feet of any corner, at any sharp bend, at any steep grade, or at any encumbrance in the Line of March, except by those judging Apparatus. No judging will occur while a unit is stopped, stopping or starting."
So lets throw out safety and most dept. SOP's. Amazing that no judges have been run over.
"Talking, Waving, Laughing, Chewing Gum, Sobriety, Smoking. Ten (10) demerits each."
Yep, you never see these things at a parade.
"10- Haircuts and beards shall be neat and well kept. If the hair is not neat trimmed or is disheveled it is subject to five (5) demerits. There is no rule on hair length. The rule refers to appearance."
Beards are ok in the fire service?
"1 - All apparatus and vehicles must drive to rear of last group. Maximum spacing is twenty (20) feet from last group and twenty (20) feet between each apparatus and vehicle. Two (2) demerits each."
20 feet, sounds like tailgating to me, what does traffic law say on this one?
"16- Missing equipment will be subject to three (3) demerits each."
How do they know whats missing?
"17- Refreshments or non-firematic equipment are not permitted on apparatus or vehicles. Five (5)demerits."
So who carries the beer? THis also explains the MCI's that have occured at a few parades when everyone drops from the heat.
"18- Current dated inspection tags must be on extinguisher. Two (2) demerits each."
I guess these depts don't actually use extingushers to fight fires with
"21- Additional demerits for Pumpers: Covered hose beds Ten (10) demerits (Full covers need not be completely removed, but must allow hose bed viewing for inspection.)"
In violation of NFPA Standards.
And the one the explains why depts in Westchester can never consolidate: "Two or more Departments marching together as One Unit are disqualified."

This whole situation has me completely dumb founded. WTF is all I can think to say about this situation. I have served in this profession for 23 years to this point, both as a very active volunteer and now a very involved career member in my current department. I am appalled at what is taking place in Stamford with this career vs. volunteer nonsense. This has to be the final straw in the battle as far as I am concerned. This chief officer has gone too far and after a complete investigation on this fire, he should be removed from the fire department. We, in the fire service, took an oath to protect LIFE and PROPERTY. This officer violated that oath, and therefore should be removed. He returned auto aid career companies to a reported fire while not even on scene-GROSS Negligence. I also read that three members were hurt at the scene, as they successfully burned the roof off a seven thousand (7000) + square foot home because of EGO. No excuses necessary on this issue, period. He was wrong in returning any company before the arrival of units, period. This action is on tape-no one can hide the fact it happened. I can now see that the citizens in the north end of Stamford should be concerned for their safety. One destroyed home can be replaced, but what is next from the EGO ridden volunteers companies that return manpower? Stop the career vs. volunteer battling, before you kill someone…. He returned highly trained personnel, members were injured at this incident, and he should be held accountable for it. We in the service have heard that size-up starts long before the incident. Strategic and tactical decisions on the fireground are made on the FIREGROUND, not before arrival to the scene. Returning units before arrival of trained personnel goes against the basic fundamentals that the most junior member in the fire service are taught. The members of LRFCo should be ashamed of themselves over this incident. The other volunteer departments that continue to battle with the city departments need to take notice of this incident and this battle needs to stop. Someone needs to get these groups together and figure out how to work side by side. I want to emphasize that I am not bashing anyone personally. I will not take sides in the battle of whom or what service is best in Stamford, CT as I do not live there. They need to figure that out themselves, but this incident has shown a complete disregard for the mission of the fire service as a whole.

There are actually 4 different departments within Salamanca, only the City of Salamanca are IAFF, between recall and vollies calls get covered. The county is quite rural with approx. 38 fire departments, mutual aid is used frequently between them.

Considering all the other FD's that don't comply with OSHA and/or PESH and meet NFPA requirements I guess that's not an overwhelming critera for consideration.

Actually...to photographers; it IS a big deal....
ALOT goes into getting a good shot at an emergency scene....to "swipe it" and not give credit is shitty.