Turborich

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Posts posted by Turborich

  1. Posted

    Well Rich, you almost got it right.

    Chelsea is covered by Beacon (bls) in most of the Fishkill area, Alamo has a small section of the Fishkill part and Transcare has the Wappinger section.

    Glenham is not switching to MLSS; they are covered by Beacon and receive ALS from Alamo

    There has been no contract change for Rombout, (the Town supervisor won't allow that! (she sits on Health quest board (the parent of Alamo, Vassar, ect.)

    The Village of Wappinger’s switched to MLSS early last month.

    Other wise you did a good job!

    Waa... everyone's a quarterback... :):):lol:

  3. Posted

    Might I suggest picking up the latest copy of fire apparatus journal.. in it there is a profile of a department in West Virginia I believe that makes it's money by having an on site restaurant and amusement park, as well as owning its own construction equipment and carnival rides to contract work outside of district. All proceeds made go to the 23 member department!!!!!!

    Another REALLY cool thing is that they incorporate their equipment with their operations... i.e. the flatbed that they use to transport the carnival rides and construction equipment doubles as a tractor for a 6000 gallon tanker.

    Check it out!

    Rich

  4. Posted · Edited by Turborich

    I used the red Norman Hall book avail @ Amazon, Borders, or Barnes and Noble.... it was a little much, although I'd rather be OVER prepared than under prepared. I do agree with above though- all of the tests are different and the best way to prepare is to brush up on basic mathematics, mechanical aptitude, and reading comprehension.

    Alot of the questions are common sense, but if you look too far into them you'll get jammed up.... just skip and go to the next and come back to it if it gives you a REALLY hard time.

    The one thing that will work for you automatically is if you are just out of high school or college (or still in for that matter). Over time if not testing regularly or in the mind set of testing you lose the prowess needed to make "paper decisions" and tend to look at things in a more practical approach than in a "testing mindset".

    Either way in short, the Norman Hall book worked for me.... LOL

    Rich

    FF/EMT-P

  5. Posted

    Sloper + Alamo = Slammo!

    More like Slow-Mo... hahahhaa

    But as far as Dutchess here's a coverage list by fire district (ALS and BLS-B/C I'm Bored)

    A-Alamo

    NDP-Northern Dutchess

    TC-Transcare

    MLSS-Mobile Life

    EMPIRE AMBULANCE-*has no municipal contracts in Dutchess but handles 911 work @ nursing homes, VA, etc..

    31-Amenia-NDP

    1 BLS

    32-Arlington-MUNICIPAL ALS

    2 ALS 24/7, 1 ADDL. ALS 7A-5P WEEKDAYS OTHERWISE BLS, 1 SPARE AMB, *UP TO 3 ADDL MEDICS AVAIL DURING DAYTIME HOURS IF NEED BE.

    33-City of Beacon-A-FLYCAR BASED @ BEACON VOL. 81-87

    3 BLS (AND BLS FLYCAR)-BEACON VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE

    34-Beekman-A-24/7 CONTRACT W/ALAMO-34-72

    1 BLS

    35-Chelsea-TC/A

    36-Dover-NDP

    2 BLS- 1 DAYTIME BLS BUS PROVIDED BY NDP (36-73)

    37-Dutchess Junction-A-(BEACON'S FLYCAR)

    38-East Clinton-A/NDP

    1 BLS

    39-East Fishkill-MLSS

    2 BLS

    41-Fairview-A

    2 BLS

    42-Village of Fishkill-MLSS

    43-Glenham-A-SWITCHING TO MLSS

    44-Hillside-NDP

    RHINEBECK BLS M/A FOR BLS

    45-Hughsonville-TC-UNDER TN/WAPP. CONTRACT

    46-Hyde Park-NDP

    1 BLS

    47-Lagrange-MUNICIPAL ALS

    2 ALS DAYTIME, 1 ALS/1 BLS NIGHT

    48-Milan-NDP

    1 BLS

    49-Millbrook-A-6A-6P IN HOUSE CONTRACT ALS BUS 49-73/OTHERWISE ALS UNIT FROM PK

    2 BLS

    51-Millerton-NDP

    2 BLS

    52-New Hackensack-TC-UNDER TN/WAPP. CONTRACT

    53-New Hamburg-A

    54-Pawling-A-24/7 ALS BUS 54-73

    55-Pine Plains-NDP

    1 BLS

    56-Pleasant Valley-A-5A-5P CONTRACT ALAMO ALS BUS 56-73/OTHERWISE UNIT FROM PK

    2 BLS

    57-City of Poughkeepsie-A

    58-Red Hook-NDP

    1 BLS

    59-Rhinebeck-NDP

    1 BLS

    61-Rhinecliff-NDP

    1 BLS

    62-Rombout-A-SWITCHING TO MLSS

    63-Roosevelt-A

    1 BLS

    64-Staatsburg-NDP

    1 BLS

    65-Stanford-NDP

    2 BLS

    66-Tivoli-NDP

    1 BLS

    67-Union Vale-NDP-24/7 ALS COVERAGE 67-73

    2 BLS

    68-Village of Wappingers-A-SWITCHING TO MLSS

    69-Wassaic-NDP

    1 BLS

    71-West Clinton-NDP

    1 BLS

    Doesn't include contract work @ nursing homes, industrial facilities, correctional facilities, and what not... that's just way too much (like the above isn't) <_<

    BTW Sloper-Willen was one of the greatest places to work EVER in EMS.

    OK I'm done kthanksbye

  7. Posted

    All of the Putnam County Fire Departments are volunteer.  Phillipstown EMS has either a paid driver or emt or combination.

    Paid P/T Driver/EMT- I was one of the original 4 hired :D - AWESOME place to work as a tech and they pay well compared to any other commercial agency. It's all 911 work and an AWESOME lil' town. Top notch equipment for a VAC too (ie. LP12 AED HAHAHAHA) !

    Rich

    FF/EMT-P

  10. Posted

    Ok so here's some summative + definative info on career positions in the D.C. for the n00bs-

    Municipal Fire Depts. that have career staff (all are combination.. including City Fire.. which does have one Volunteer who has seen more fire than most of us combined)-

    The Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response

    Arlington

    City of Beacon

    Fairview

    Lagrange

    New Hackensack (1)

    Pleasant Valley (3 FFs)

    City of Poughkeepsie

    Other paid positons-

    Castle Point (DOD)

    IBM Poughkeepsie (Grubb + Ellis)

    IBM East Fishkill (IBM)

    The Correctional Facilities (not really career Fire staff but staffed by paid C.O. employees mostly) (NYS DOC)

    Dutchess County Airport (Maintenence also I believe)

    The IBM facility jobs are completely different from each other, the East Fishkill facility has IBM hired FFs (a resume, a spot from attrition, and a prayer will get you hired there), the Poughkeepsie site contracts with Grubb and Ellis... an independant contractor (who is the one with the ads in the paper).

    Castle Point is a DOD job (Department of Defense) which would be announced on the DOD website (so watch it closely).... Resume job... and follow all directions closely regarding the resume outline and interview process (the feds don't screw around).

    Airport ARFF crews are Maintenence/refueling crews from my understanding that are cross trained (these guys really have their stuff together though...lots of training)... not really sure about the particulars about the job (whether independant contractors or actual airport employees). Anyone in the know please interject...

    As far as the municipalities they are Civil Service positions... thus residence preferred and you must be on the firefighters list. To get on this you must take a test offered by the Dutchess County Department Personnel every ~4 years. You must be over 18 years of age. The test is announced on the Dept. of Personnel's website a few months before testing, and the date and test is the same as Westchester's test. You must score a passing grade and then, if in a preferred position in a district (score and legal residency... and yes, they do check residency and are STRICT), you must pass a physical exam called the FPAT (Firefighter Physical Ability Test... alot like CPAT) every year to stay on that list.

    If all checks out and you are fortunate enough to get a canvass letter you go to the interview (and either before or after MUST pass a mandatory physical + drug screening).

    Then you get the job and go to probie school... sounds easy right? :D

    Anyway, there are also positions at the 911 center (Dutchess County 911 and City of Poughkeepsie) for dispatcher... this is also a great job and also a civil service residency preferred position with about the same process (with slightly alternate testing procedures and sans physical agility test) than firefighter.

    And then there's always Commercial EMS... If you are dead set on working in the D.C. you can work your way up seniority in any of the commercial EMS companies and get a shift in one of the following towns as a 911 only municipal contract provider;

    Beacon Volunteer-Alamo

    Beekman-Alamo

    Dover- Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP)

    East Fishkill- Mobile Life (MLSS)

    Fairview-Alamo

    Village of Fishkill- MLSS

    Millbrook- Alamo

    Pawling- Alamo

    Pleasant Valley- Alamo

    Union Vale- NDP

    Wappingers (Town of- Hughsonville, Chelsea, New Hackensack)- Transcare

    I think that's all for EMS, but that's subject to change with contractural negotiations, funding, the direction of wind :D, etc.... There are also municipal COVERAGE areas for the above providers but are not dedicated 911 busses to that municipality and are subject to relocation (although even some of the above are not always DEFINATELY DEDICATED due to the system status management concept).

    Oh well, hopefully that will clarify any questions.

    -Turbo

  12. Posted

    Some very cool things on the ALF tower there... there was an AWESOME side compartment design with closet hooks,axes, k-tool, blah, blah, blah that was a triple board design... really optimized space... IDK if the attachments worked but I have pics..

    They must like NY Pikes... they had 7 in the rear compartment (along with an assload of ground ladders (I think they had 2 35'!).

    Only pet-peeve about that truck and most of the ALF/LTIs that I've seen is the fact that the controls for the jacks are on the officer's side of the apparatus, thus making it impossible to make sure you aren't crushing something (or someone) on the other side.

    Syosett's rescue was bad a**... lots of cool stuff on that rig

    Oh well, a good show I thought.

    Rich

  14. Posted · Edited by Turborich

    In Dutchess I believe the only Sutphens are :

    New Hamburg 53-45 1986 100' Tower Ladder

    Unionvale 67-14 2005 pumper

    City of Beacon 33-12 1994 pumper

    Rombout 62-12 1995 pumper & 62-45 1990 100' Tower Ladder

    Amenia 31-17 is a Sutphen on a Freightliner chassis

    Dovers Ladder -Wrecked

    Hyde Park 46-45 is a nice new (04) mini-tower (75ft)

    Red hook used to have a nice Sutphen tower.. but replaced it with an equally nice new pierce mid mount in '03

    No engine in Poughkeepsie anymore... they got rid of that when they purchased the new E-1

    ok i'm done

  17. Posted

    Union Vale Fire District up here in Dutchess has a truck with a reel for dispensing LDH. Inserted is a picture of their truck outfitted with a hose reel.

    I will post the stats of how much LDH this carries, and numeric of the truck when I find it out.

    UnionValeHoseTruck.jpg

    "Lazy Lay!" - Union Vale 67-81 - 5000' 5in

    What about your 39-81!

    Those are the only two in Dutchess County... I know Kent Ct. (Engine 60) is a VERY impressive 82 Oren with two reels on it.. i'll post pics when I get a chance.

  18. Posted

    Squads have a lot of changes on the rigs.  One major one as far as hose goes is that they only have three beds. One 1 3/4, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. 

    They also have a much diffrent compartment layout.  If you goto code3's website you can look at some of the models and see the changes.

    Oh yeah.. looking @ the c3 Sq. 61 right now as a matter of fact.. wondering about the current hoseloads on the squads though...

    3 1/2 in hose? never heard of it... Oh well... I'll go back to my upstate LDH state of mind :)

    I think it's so interesting to hear the ideology behind firefighting in the city... It's like a totally different world down there. Think about it though... about the only FD above the city (that I can recollect) that doesn't have preconnects is Mount Vernon (on the new engines at least)... aside from that just about every dept. has @ least 2 crosslays and 1 preconnect off of the back... interesting reasons why they do (n't do) it.

    The idea is great though, I mean, If you take away the preconnects it leaves no margin for error. The apparatus placement O/S is taken care of automatically secondary to water supply (IF the 1st due is forced to reverse lay), and the worst that can happen with the 1 3/4 or 2 1/2 line is you just add to the line prior to charging... thus taking the guess work out of advancing preconnects at structural fires.

    So, since we're all on our soapboxes, do you guys (if first O/S) tend to hit a hydrant or wait for the 2nd due? If not waiting do you lay a length of supply-> an appliance (water thief/gated wye/manifold) ->handline or something else for a taxpayer or multi-story residential?

    I would love someday to see some sort of SOGs/SOPs just for shits and giggles... is that info in that super buff "operational reference guide" that was put out a few years ago?

    May be getting over my head here... but just wondering (eh... this should certainly be enough to start the week off) :)

    Rich

  19. Posted

    True enough,  but often it isn't when they "can" operate in front, its just that they will because it's easier. This is also why you see engines parked in front of the building when they shouldn't be! The crosslays often get lines up with the front door, taking the truck's spot. A little discipline can correct this or get rid of the preconnects which cause all sorts of problems with hose stretching.

    "There are too many variables here in NYC to use pre connects. "

    We all have many variables, but the foremost variable is the wishy washy decision making processes and the lack of disciplined training. Preconnects are easier, but better? No way! Too many times the line is too short but becuase it works 8 of 10 times we pull it all 10 times. Most newer firefighters don't even grasp the concept of estimating a hose stretch!.

    OK thats enough to start the week off!

    Thanks for the input guys.. I appreciate it... definately ends a heated debate we all have been having "upstate" here.

    Hey HM1/288... the squads have basically the same setup as the engines right?

  20. Posted

    Call it a silly question, but I've never noticed crosslays on any FDNY engine (and unless their in the small compartment near the pass. side pump panel there's no room for them). If not why.. there has to be some important reason that we all aren't thinking of. Also, does FDNY run anything preconnected off the rear?

    Call me a newbie (or an anti-buff) but I've never really took the time to look at an FDNY engine too close, a couple of the guys up here at work were wondering/arguing and I just figured we may all need some enlightenment.

    Rich

    FF/EMT-P

  22. Posted

    I have a Leather New Yorker that I've had for years and it's always been black.  Although I like the black it is now, higher ups in the dept feel it should change colors come the new officers next year.  I was wondering if there was any special technique, paint, or info needed to safely paint a leather New Yorker.  Thanks to all!

    Then SCREW EM'!!!

    Just get a white shield or somethin' It's your helmet and if you like it black keep it black (unless it's a strict dept. policy)... besides it shows you never forgot your roots and lead by example (use that as your excuse)!

    As a jake I would have more respect for the LT/Capt/Chief that kept his black helmet and just changed the shield than I would one with a shiny new white one...

    for christ's sake you dirtied it over the years... could you imagine how long it would take you to turn that white helmet black again!?! :D

    Rich

    FF/EMT-P

  23. Posted

    Found it interesting that my department got called mutual aid with our FAST a few months ago to Patterson. We had a nice 30-35 minute trip, got to the scene, sat around for 5 minutes, adn then got returned.

    HAHAHAHA.. Ya know... I must say I found it interesting that my volunteer dept. (PVFD) was called as a FAST team to EFFD just a month ago and did the same thing... literally :D

    Oh well.. same idea.. if the closest FAST/RIT is OOS or put to work you bring the closest (or in our case the first recollected... no offense to Steve) to your scene.

    Good stuff though... I must say it's nice to see that more Depts. in the Hudson Valley are taking the reigns as far as FAST/RIT with proper training/equipment/etc.... kinda gives you more faith in the service, regardless of whether you're paid or volunteer.

    Rich

    FF/EMT-P