Remember585

Today was the first time since I joined the FD in 1992 that the wind blew my helmet off of my head!

In my own opinion, it's cheaper and easier to use Dawn dish soap and water then to buy training foam.

While I see the humor in it, I also see some serious negligence by the firefighters. 1. All of these apparatus are here, what is left for emergency responses? 2. Say an incident comes up that would require the use of that foam? Oops, we used it to prove a point, sorry. 3. Lighting fires in the streets? Come on. 4. Blocking streets and causing a public hazard, not smart. Like it or not, public servants are held to a higher standard, and this is bordering on moronic. If it occurred here, people would of went ape sh1t! But, I do think it is funny and probably got some peoples' attention. Hopefully whatever it is they're seeking is met and done so before more shennanigans occurs.

As a guy who bleeds blue for the G-men, I have to say that I quite enjoyed watching the J-E-T-S today...Jets End Their Season! Not a bad year for Sanchez, now it's time to watch Farve send the Saints packing.

In all seriousness, is it me, or is the majority of this "moving water" just look like rotor wash? The Firefighter doesn't seem like he has much of a battle walking to the dog... This is just my observation with my crappy eyesight, thanks.

Thanks!

Was Elmsford actually there or were they asked to leave and go standby in Fairview? I've heard conflicting stories...

Good job Chris! BTW - What's that fur on your face?!

Which Department has the black gear and Metro helmets? Good stop, good pics. PS - TR54, new gear?!

Well put HFD23! I also agree with you, Slayer61, that a FAST / RIT Unit should have minimum equipment, some form of SOPs and proper training. In the past, these items have been discussed on these forums but don't ask me where! Just building on what the others have asked / replied, what equipment does your FAST carry and what equipment should be minimum? I'll start... we use an Engine primarily because we have three of them, and because the majority of our trained Team members come from this company. Some of what we carry: (1) Stokes (1) TIC (1) Quick-Vent Chain Saw (1) Partner Saw with wood (multi-purpose) blade (1) Stihl Saw with metal blade (metal and concrete abrasive blades also on rig) (1) Battery-powered Sawzall (1) Electric Sawzall (4) Steel hooks (6' & 8') (3) Pairs of Irons (1) 8 Lb. Sledge (1) Hydra-Ram (1) Man Down Pack Several Search Lines & Tie Lines Several Other hand tools (K-Tool, A-Tools, Closet Hooks) 300' Rope with 3:1 MA setup Each man has a radio, PPE, SCBA & flashlight(s). There's a lot more equipment on this rig, but these are the most commonly grabbed tools. We always perform a 360 of the fire building, and will clear anything blocking egress points. Other tasks we do include throwing ground ladders and performing accountability (as best as we can). One Member is always detailed to the Command Post and monitors Fireground transmissions, and generally we put one team (at least two) in the rear of the building and keep another out front.

Jeez. Get well soon, Sarge. It's scary to think how you can actually lay there helpless, possibly dying, undiscovered for hours.

Don't let local politicians read this, they'll start an airspace tax!

Amen FJP! I also like those post-call BS sessions. The guys in my house STILL will do a call at 2AM and sit around the firehouse until the Sun comes up. I like the family feel of the firehouse. You may hate a guy today, but at the next fire or bad call, you might buy each other coffee afterwards! I like when a paid guy doesn't forget his roots and still vollies. I miss the days when it was OK to actually take pride in your company or your department, and not be ashamed of what you do. I miss the days of the inter-company sh!t talking. It was never meant to be vindictive, but it gave you more pride and drove more people to try harder and do better. As FJP said, now everyone is so thin skinned that you almost have to have an attorney next to you, giving you a nod, before you break someones balls. I miss some of the guys that used to be around but have left us either because of personal reasons or too much BS in the firehouse. I miss sled riding in the Stokes during snow standbys. I miss the days when apparatus had personality. Seems that newer rigs lack it. I miss going to calls and people thanked you. Now they want to know why your apparatus are in front of their house, why we opened a hydrant to make sure it works, why a Chief parks in their driveway when the call is across the street and.... And, most of all, I miss the days of riding in the open jumpseats, standing up ( ), screaming through town and people waved or looked on in admiration. Now they cover their ears and shake their heads in dismay because they don't want to hear us as we respond to someone's emergency. Thank you public.

Not that it really matters, but I thought the message I heard was (to the effect of), "All Westchester departments below 287 are to respond to Manhattan, and all departments north of 287 are to report to the Bronx for assignment." I was in the Officer's seat of our Rescue, trying to help my driver use the cell phone to get in touch with his wife, who was working downtown that day, so it might be a foggy recollection.

Yes. Didn't mention it because I didn't want to steer this thread off track and I assumed it was the generally accepted practice.

Date: 1/4/10 Time: 09:45 Location: 484 Main Street Frequency: 46.26 Units Operating: 2502, 2504, E265, E267, TL9 / Purchase 2412, E240 Weather Conditions: Cold, Sunny Description Of Incident: Fire in bathroom of private dwelling. Reporters: Remember585 Writer: Remember585 10:00 - Fire under control. 10:05 - E240 relocating to WHFD HQ.

Never considered AFFF, always seen the chains used and/or chimney flares. We treat it is a structure fire, which means a full assignment is dispatched. Our Truck has the chains, and we keep metal cans to clear out a fireplace on both the Truck & Rescue. Everyone gets off the rig for any inside smoke, chimney fire, CO call with PPE and SCBA. The Officer (or someone else at their discretion) brings the TIC and Gas Meter in from the Engine Companies. Active chimney fire, dry line to the roof. Any smoke in the house or sign of extension, a line to the front door. Why not, right?

Not that I have to answer your question, but I will. Will I line up to get it? As of now, probably not, because a part of me thinks it won't even be there, and the bigger part of me doesn't want it. Will my opinion change, perhaps. If you are referring to me as a hypocrite, you don't know me. You're probably one of those gun-ho types who thinks all of these organizations and associations that suck dues money from the unknowning or those who actually think their dues go towards the bettering of the volunteer fire service. At least most of those guys who put money in to these associations don't pretend it's something more then it is, and go to the freeloads they've rightfully paid for. People that generally think FASNY and other groups are helping us, are the hypocrites. Take the dues money and go on a dinner cruise or something, rather then fund better training for everyone.

Actually, we have a pension system. But at the rate things are going, we'll have to work up to the day we die to actually see it, then it will be too late!

The LOSAP system is an insult to those that joined for the right reasons. I find those that base their participation in a fire department solely to "earn" their LOSAP points aren't worth a fraction of those that come around because they joined to help their communities. The volunteer fire service needs true firefighters, not members on paper. As soon as we all realize this then maybe we could earn some respect from the career brothers. Volunteer Fire Associations, no one in specific, harp on the "strength in numbers" thing, yet they don't make much effort to improve us as firefighters. More time and money is spent fighting for "rewards" that we shouldn't even be thinking about then pushing us to better train and prepare for the emergencies we're called upon. The majority of our department is no longer using blue lights, mostly because they draw attention to you and the public doesn't care. Like my Dad said earlier, we shouldn't have joined if we were looking for rewards. If you want rewards, buy a credit card or get cable TV. Although now you won't get the Food Network...

If I remember correctly, DES purchased (by way of grant $$$?) several adapters and they keep them at DES, so in the event of a Mutual Aid event in NYC, units can obtain this equipment and take it with them.

I think, and this is my own opinion, that the fact Spano prided himself on how Westchester County "handled" the 9/11 tragedy is further proof how out of touch with reality he is. We're in a county where municipalities can't even coordinate sharing services or utilize Mutual Aid without debate and resistance, yet he and other blow-hards thought we did a good job that day? Please. There are some advancements that have been made that we should appreciate. We have common fireground channels, which for years we lacked. Like it or hate it, we have the trunked radio system which allows us all to communicate with each other from one end of the county to the other, should we have a disaster that requires it. We all know how things went down that day, and I doubt anyone really thinks it went well. I recall us first putting our ambulance on standby, then a request for our Rescue to report to the Fire Training Center. From there we went to one firehouse in the Bronx, then to another in Harlem, and then we went home. One of our Engines provided coverage in the Bronx, something our guys were proud to help with, but I don't think a single one of them has ever claimed that "they responded on 9/11 to the WTC." We, like all of you, answered that call willing to do what was asked of us, and I am sure if it happened again, we would be there in a heartbeat. It really makes me sick, however, when someone uses the deaths of thousands, including 343 firefighters, to make themselves look good. These people (politicians, not leaders, as it's a huge difference in my eyes) should all be punched in the face 343 times for the way they disrespect the deceased. So long Andy, you won't soon be forgotten.

Not knowing anything about Dutchess County, but speaking of our own neighborhood... Just a couple of thoughts running through my head. 1. You should have the courtesy to send at least what you would expect when making the request yourself. 2. Relocates should be treated like a scene response, because you could very well end up going to the scene. 3. On a COUNTY LEVEL, we should all be sending the same minimum crew, whatever we all decide upon. 4. Don't abuse the system. I know some places lack personnel to handle "simple" incidents, and call upon Mutual Aid to cover them while they handle something "simple," which (for paid and volunteer guys) can become a nuisance. 5. If you can't provide a minimum crew of capable, QUALIFIED personnel, MAN UP and state you can't handle it. It's more respectable not to send a crappy crew then it is to response / relocate with one. A while ago, the Chiefs in our Battalion met and had a discussion as to what the minimum personnel expectation should be per apparatus. We have lived up to our end of the "suggested policy," and when we call for assistance we would expect the same. (Luckily we've had it) Every call we go to, whether in our own neighborhoods or on Mutual Aid, is a reflection on the organization as a whole. Sending a lack of personnel or a group of unqualified personnel makes you look like a group of unconcerned, "living in fantasyland" misfits. If you relocate with a sub-par crew and you're dispatched to another emergency that you can't handle...who loses? Not to mention it could trigger a heated EMTBravo discussion, as we've seen before...

Croton EMS - 804 Calls.

May 2010 bring you all everything you are looking for! Happy New Year!!!! "Roundhead"