Fireman488

As far as I know the Career departments don't set the standard - in NYS - OFPC sets the standard - and I beleive there are 2 standards one for Career and one for volunteer? If everyone followed the same standard it would be a level playing field. For Firefighters and Officers.

Wow! Do you know what company this is? Washington Engine??

Lt. Andy Fredericks, FDNY, Seminar & Exhibits 2013
Hosted by the Elmsford Fire Department

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Registration, exhibits and refreshments begin @ 7:30 AM
Program 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

“Fireground Sizeup”

Presented by
Deputy Chief Mike Terpak
Jersey City Fire Department

Proceeds donated to
Lt. Andrew Fredericks Scholarship Fund
Lt. Tyler Rush Memorial Scholarship Fund
Burn Care Everywhere http://www.burncarefoundation.org/
Firemen’s Home, Hudson, N.Y. www.fasny.com


Pre-registration: $35, at the door: $40
www.regonline.com/seminar13

Westchester Marriott Hotel
670 White Plains Road (Route 119)
Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591

For overnight accommodations, please call Marriott Hotel reservations @ (800) 882-1042
and ask for the Elmsford Fire Department seminar rate.


For additional information, please contact:

Syd Henry at shenry@elmsfordfd.com or (914) 490-1981
Joe Dorio at jdorio@elmsfordfd.com or (914) 536-2235

Website: www.elmsfordfd.com/seminar.php

Strictly clarifying exactly what happened at this incident.

With all due respect to this quote.
The Elmsford Fire Dept responded on mutual aid to this incident with an Engine Company, fully staffed with 6 interior firefighters, arriving on the scene in approximately 5 minutes after being dispatched. We had just returned to quarters from a previous non-storm related run.
The I/C assigned our personnel to search the above mentioned premises. We had completed our primary search; and had verified that all utilities were secure when the above mentioned mutual aid arrived.

Truly the Greatest Generation.

I know I will get crucified for saying this - but here goes.
As a long-time member of the forums, and as someone who generally doesn't hold back my opinions, I have frequently found myself on the receiving end of what I call "over-moderation."
My recent banishment from here came on the heels of a thread I started, begging people not to hijack the thread or turn it into the all-too-common paid vs. volunteer debate. Almost immediately after starting the topic, some chose to go the route I didn't want it to go, I became irritated (some call it pissed off) and fired off. When I went back and forth with someone openly about this, I got banned (I don't know if he did or not, but that's not the point). I then sent a message to the Moderators both here and on my Facebook page with some choice phrases. I spent a few months banned from here, but as you can see, I am back (for now).
Putting aside my personal opinions of certain people running these forums, I still enjoy them for the most part and honestly feel they are an invaluable tool to all of us - provided we use them the right way. I know I've given Seth my word that I will try harder to brush certain things off and not engage in some of my previous behaviors, but I know I'll probably slip up again. I am a very, VERY opinionated person, passionate about what we do with a fairly decent amount of experience and training to support what I say. I've seen friends and family hurt or worse doing this stuff and can only hope that some of the things we talk about on public forums like these will make all of us smarter and more cognizant of the dangers we face.
Another thing to consider...
As others have said in the past, sometimes we just need to put our "big boy pants" on and develop a thicker skin for the criticisms and advice of others. Nobody is perfect, especially me, and we all make mistakes. As members of the emergency service community we're one big family - like it or not - and even though we may constantly fight about things, we still (usually) can pull together when the chips are down. We go through a lot of bad things together and a lot of good too - but we need to put certain stuff off to the side and keep the forums on track to do what they're meant to do, help us all do our jobs better and safer, and to stick with one another when we need it most.
The fire service is a great part of our country's culture and I am so very glad to be a part of it. I've made countless friends doing it, and even more so from just this forum. I know that we all think our own way of doing things is always better than the other guys, but it isn't always the case and coming to online resources like this with an open mind can (and does) help all of us.
Last thought...
In this month's Fire Engineering there's an article on fire department social media policies. I think every Chief, Commissioner and Officer should take the time to read it and understand it. I know I learned a few things reading it which will change certain feces I occasionally spew from my mouth and on to my keyboard!
Thanks for posting this George!

I served 8 years between the VA & NY National Guard.... I am very Proud to see that my son has joined the United States Army!

With all due respect to this quote.
The Elmsford Fire Dept responded on mutual aid to this incident with an Engine Company, fully staffed with 6 interior firefighters, arriving on the scene in approximately 5 minutes after being dispatched. We had just returned to quarters from a previous non-storm related run.
The I/C assigned our personnel to search the above mentioned premises. We had completed our primary search; and had verified that all utilities were secure when the above mentioned mutual aid arrived.

Strictly clarifying exactly what happened at this incident.

I have been on both sides of this fence.
Sometimes there's a fine line between helping and being a hinderance.
You really have to know the difference.
Some do and some don't.

I have a 2010 GMC Terrain, 6 cylinder, which gives you a lot of power. About 15 mpg around town; in the 20's on highway trips.
A lot of nice features: In dash bluetooth, GPS, Onstar systems. Good quality sound system.
All wheel drive really good in the snow.
Rear seat slides back and forth. Rear seat backs fold down for cargo space.
Good buy for the price.

All this discussion regarding training and minimum knowledge requirements is all well and good, however, (and there is always a however) how many departments have minimum PHYSICAL requirements, other than being able to show up for a call or drill, or class,... and MAYBE fog-up a mirror ...
How many places have real department "physicals" other than the bare-bones minimum documentation required for wearing a respirator, and maybe monitoring blood pressure, vision, hearing, but what about testing a firefighter for strength, and even endurance, for working under at times dangerous and physically stressful (exhausting) working conditions?
How many times does someone have to take/ pass a CPAT? Once, to get hired? annually?
I know (today) I would not be able to run up several flights of stairs with full gear, pulling a hose line, even when I (thought I) was in pretty good shape it would be a fairly decent challenge. And now I'm nearing the upper edge of my profile age bracket.
The majority of firefighter fatalities is coronary related. 44 percent, in fact. Heart attacks. (based on a USFA 1990-2000 study)
Something to think about, is all.
Get in shape, stay in shape.
[/soapbox]

Thanks Seth. The weather report is favorable for a change. Pre-registration is close to 300. We have two terrific speakers. Should be a good day!!

Thanks Seth. The weather report is favorable for a change. Pre-registration is close to 300. We have two terrific speakers. Should be a good day!!

Wouldn't planning ahead (pre-planning), knowing your district, knowing your own resources and having knowledge of available Mutual Aid resources be the grounds for calling or not calling in more help?
Let me try to explain this better...
I know my own district fairly well. I know where we have hydrants, where we don't, where I can send units to find water. I know (just by growing up in my town and driving around it) what areas have new construction, which are illegal multi-families with probable ballong construction and exposure issues. I know that certain streets are barely wide enough for our rigs to pass on a normal day and which are impassable when we get snow.
If I get dispatched to a structure fire in our district, the wheels in the ol' noodle start spinning. Based on my information from dispatch, updates from the PD, the location, the time of day, the weather and a few more things - I know whether we need more help right away or if it's something that should be manageable with our usual first alarm resources. If it's in a building that presents itself to be more complex to us or if we encounter exposure issues or some other gifts from Mr. Murphy, then I know I can call for resources to the scene to stage.
But, to be humble and honest, if you give me a "bread and butter" private dwelling fire in one of the capes or ranch homes we have in town - I don't think I'm going to need more to the scene then we already get on a first alarm. In some cases over the years I have called an extra Engine or a Truck to fire scenes because I needed manpower or I wanted to be proactive and have them there in case things went south. But I don't think I'm going to start calling stuff to the scene to stand around if the potential of putting them to use is minimal.
Fire away.... but that's my opinion.

Pride gets people hurt. Not calling mutual aid for pride reasons is stupid. Having FF"s in staging might not only be for relief purposes but it can also be there if things get out of hand. A good IC anticipates that things MAY get out of hand. Do not fault someone for thinking ahead or thinking with the worst case scenario in mind.

Fire Guard Commander gloves.
Our Department uses a variety of gloves, but I still prefer the Fire Guard Commander.

I have two comments.
1. Ironic that today firehouse.com has an article on firefighter obesity!
2. You guys, and you know who you are, tell me some more about the greater levels of training and competency of paid 'professional' departments.
Oh yea!!!

Yawn.... more paid vs. volunteer crap. It's the gift that keeps on giving, Clark...

I'd still suggest that they be trained to the EMT-Basic level if for no other reason then the likelihood of injuries to their associates. Whether it be fireground, during training, or whatever the environment, having the extra knowledge could prove beneficial.

Dispatchers on duty:
JBE had the tour,
251,253,277,284, and 769(Brand New Probie)
We got hit with an all hands, about 5 minutes before this one came in, down on Fort Washington Avenue and W 161 St.
Watchline was going till about 4:30 Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures go down, aerial ladders go up. Jinxed myself really good last night.

Absolutely correct!!!
We have been using 0.5% Class A foam (not CAFS) for about 5 years on virtually all types of fires: structure, vehicle, dumpster, brush, etc. and the difference is like night and day: Much faster knockdowns, much less water required and no rekindles (incomplete extinguishment).

Elmsford Fire Dept.
Fire: 561
EMS: 485

Elmsford Fire Dept.
Fire: 561
EMS: 485