Monty

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Posts posted by Monty

  2. Posted

    For good or bad, this is a new thing in Connecticut. http://recruitment.iosolutions.com/Online-Job-Applications/Fire-Job-Applications/Connecticut-Firefighter-Testing-Consortium.html

     

    3 or 4 departments that you could easily commute to from Westchester. First step is generally significantly higher than NY, but step increases are smaller.

     

    This does say that departments may have additional requirements. At very least you'd want to have CPAT. EMS certification would open up more options too.

  4. Posted

    I know nothing about this job, I just got an email alert on it today:
     

    Highlights

    • Email: usaccommodations@globalfoundries.com
    Summary of Role:

    GLOBALFOUNDRIES Fab10, East Fishkill, NY is seeking several individuals to join there expanding Emergency Response Team. This individual will be required to have previous leadership skills, assigning tasks and follow up to completion. This individual will also be expected to assist in facilities work, gas cylinder changes, central utility plant operations and be flexible to learn new assignments.
    • *Please note: You will be required to work a 12 Hour Alternating Work Schedule "AWS" as directed.
    Essential Responsibilities:

    · Control and extinguish fires

    · Rescue people endangered by fire

    · Reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards

    · Respond to confined space incidents, EMS and Hazardous Material Incidents

    · Perform Fire and Life Safety Inspections

    · Assist with Building Tours and highlight issues that violate NFPA codes

    · Perform all activities in a safe ad responsible manner and support all Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements and programs

    Required Qualifications:

    · High School Diploma and or GED Equivalent or Military Experience

    · Prior experience as Firefighter or Volunteer Firefighter

    · Must be an active interior firefighter in a recognized volunteer fire department

    · Must possess a current and valid driver's license

    · Must possess each of the following licenses/certifications:

    · New York State Emergency Medical Technician

    · New York State Firefighter I

    · New York State Confined Space Rescue Technician Level

    · New York State Hazardous Materials Technician – Basic

    · Language Fluency – (Written & Verbal)

    · Physical Capacity Demands – ability to lift over 125 lbs.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    · Excellent communication skills

    · Prior experience working with up line management staff

    · Problem solving skills

    If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at usaccommodations@globalfoundries.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

    An offer of employment with GLOBALFOUNDRIES is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screen, as applicable and subject to applicable laws and regulations.

    GLOBALFOUNDRIES is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

  5. Posted

    Full details of the position can be found at http://www.wiltonct.org/jobs/.

     

    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
    This position is responsible for maintaining all Fire Department apparatus, appliances, and other related equipment in a state of immediate readiness on a 24 hour per day basis and for all related budgetary and clerical duties pertaining to the Fire Department.
    Work is performed primarily in the main Fire Station. However, work at fire scenes, at the second Fire Station located in North Wilton, and on the road to address equipment emergencies is also required. Additionally, travel may be required both within state and to other states to view potential and actual apparatus and other related equipment purchases
     
    Starting salary: $66,413 to $72,995 DOQ
     
    MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
    • High school diploma or equivalent;
    •   Valid Connecticut CDL license required;
    • Thorough knowledge of fire apparatus, pumps, aerial devices, multiplex electrical systems, hydraulic rescue tool systems, power take off and transmission equipment, and components;
    • Certified Emergency Vehicle Technician (F1 Maintenance, Inspection and Testing of Fire Apparatus, F3 Pumps, and F5 Aerial Apparatus) certification at time of or within six (6) months of start of employment;
    • Thorough knowledge of fire and rescue (minimum Connecticut Firefighter I, Certified Pump Operator, and EMT Certificate) preferred.

  7. Posted

    I was just going to post this too. Some interesting comments. Wonder if Buffalo FD has headsets now? Wonder what the union has to say about this and the use of headsets?

    Interestingly there is no mention of the union in the article - wonder what their stand is. Did the lawyer just go out to all the firefighters and invite them to sue? And do they have proof of above normal hearing loss?

    I believe we should be protected as much as possible and we should be compensated for on the job injuries - but this seems like maybe it's stretching it.

    x635 and FirNaTine like this

  8. Posted · Edited by Monty

    My experience is primarily with OFD, who work well with both agencies - and has members from both agencies. As a resident I have been happy with the Town PD, WCPD and OPD.

    Personally I feel confident that the service will remain at least as good - I doubt I'll see any tax savings but I'm sure that policing will be less for the Town by going with OPD. I haven't analyzed the reasons for the quotes but maybe the average WCPD makes more than the village? Maybe the County has more overheads? Extra time / gas coming from their barracks?

    As for the OT vs straight pay for a new officer, I'm not sure there is that much difference when you take in to account the benefits of a new hire (vacation, holiday pay, medical etc).

    I don't know the real significance, but OPD was recently re-accredited. FWIW, they also have an excellent, humorous and informative presence on Facebook - which it seems many in the community appreciate.

  9. Posted

    http://www.firehouse.com/news/11694709/hydropower-plant-seeing-250k-from-fire-companies-for-damage

    Sept. 19--A Greenwich hydropower plant is seeking up to $250,000 from the fire companies that fought a fire at an old paper mill nearby because of alleged damage they caused to the power plant.

    The claim alleges that firefighters "intentionally, willfully and recklessly" caused water to flow into the power plant's "powerhouse," causing damage that took the plant offline. It seeks restitution for repairs for damaged electronic, mechanical and computer equipment and lost revenue.

    The power plant's manager had asked fire personnel to avoid discharging water toward the plant as the fire was being fought, according to the claim.

    Among those named are the Middle Falls Fire Department, in whose fire district the county Route 53 mill sits, and the towns of Easton and Greenwich and village of Greenwich. All of the fire departments that responded as mutual aid, and the municipalities where they are located, were also named.

    Seems like this is a case of throwing everything against the wall to see if it sticks. My guess is that they think they'll get a settlement from some of the parties involved. I hope they don't. It will be interesting to see how it plays out though. Isn't this what you pay insurance for? And as for mutual aid in NY - I thought all the liability was with the home department (unless maybe gross negligence).

    x635 likes this

  10. Posted

    I wonder if 60 Control could make some money doing something like this? :huh: I believe Westchester departments are able to use 60 Control through the county taxes - but maybe they could make some money dispatching for bordering counties? Danbury just put out a new contract, how about other Ct departments? I believe the other NY counties have their own county control but maybe there's some room for other agencies?

  13. Posted

    I wonder how many firefighters staff the engines. Why does the engine go out of service if it loses it's medic? If one of the engine's is down a rider and is out of service, then the other FF(s) just get to kick back? How about combining the out of service engine with another so they have one engine in service instead of (potentially) two out of service engines?

    As was mentioned, our whole business is 'What If'. It's someone's job to balance this risk of What If - and presumably based on history, the administration decides this is the best value for the buck. How much is the taxpayer willing to risk? And willing to pay?

    I don't know if Peekskill falls under NFPA 1720 or 1710 - it might be interesting to see how they fare with the appropriate standard.

    Yes, Peekskill may be a time bomb - but so is hurricane preparedness, Indian Point, etc. Which is the bigger one? Personally, my money is on another Sandy.

  15. Posted

    Good advice. He gave you a break by citing failure to obey a traffic control device rather than running a red light. What is worth more, your lost time or the money to pay the fine?

    Problem was - I didn't run the red light. The Judge was smart enough to realize this. She questioned the PO after his statement to confirm that I was turning left and had a green light. When he said yes - she dismissed the case (on lack of evidence or something similar to that).

    I am very happy that it was dismissed even with my time spent preparing for it and fighting it.

    However, I was pissed that I got written the ticket in the first place for something I didn't do - but I'm big enough to get over that, eventually :)

    10512 likes this

  16. Posted

    So, to follow up on this. I went to the DMV today, had a bunch of photos, extract of the V&T law, some news articles. Judge heard the PO's testimony and dismissed the summons without me saying anything!

    I did upset the judge a bit afterwards as the PO was clueless as to why the ticket was dismissed and I tried to explain my understanding of the situation.

    10512 likes this

  17. Posted

    Saw this article out there. To the average Joe, I can't believe this is doing much for the (positive) image of the local Department. Of course, there's more to the story. No contract for a year and a half - although I don't think by itself that isn't too unusual.

    The job of opening the overhead doors at the firehouse to let the vehicles in and out used to belong to the Fire Department’s dispatchers. But in May 2010, the city transferred those dispatching duties to the Police Department and installed a remote-control garage door opener at the police desk. Firefighters could still open the doors themselves with a button on the wall inside the firehouse.

    In December, the city took the step of placing garage door openers inside all fire vehicles, like the ones many drivers have inside their cars. Fire Chief Thomas J. Passuite issued official guidelines detailing use.

    I know it can be a slippery slope once duties are transferred, but you think that you are going to get much sympathy from the public because it takes an extra second or two to open the door for yourself?

    I don't know the rules in NY but I'm pretty sure where I work, the losing side may have to pay costs of the other party. I don't know if the local really believes they are going to win - or if they just have deep pockets.

  19. Posted

    Thanks for the useful advice. I have to go to the Bronx soon, so I'll plan on continuing south with my camera. If it turns out that the intersection is the way I think it is, I'll document it with the camera and use that to help me fight my case.

    First off, find out how wide the median is.

    You posted that you believe the median is only about 20 feet.

    If you go into court and tell the hearing officer you "think" or "believe" the median is about 20 feet, you may lose.

    If you can measure it, or look up somewhere to find out exactly how wide it is, you can now tell the hearing officer exactly how wide it is. You then have a much better chance of winning. In the street view, I know that it looks less than 30 feet, but you have to convince a hearing officer, if he hears exactly how wide it is, it just sounds better.

    "Thinking" or "Believing" something in court is not going to win it for you.


    If you can answer those two questions to your favor, and you do not mind going to Manhattan for the hearing, go for it.

  20. Posted

    I was heading South on Broadway, with a green light, I turned left and pulled in to the median to turn on to 84th St.

    Traffic was heading north so I waited about 20 seconds for the two lanes to be clear. I then crossed the northbound lanes onto 84th street.

    The light for Broadway was still green, the light for 84th was red.

    The P.O. said I went through the red light at the median. Its not a great image but it might help http://binged.it/1ga88UF

    From what I've seen the light for the cross street only applies if the median is greater than 30 ft wide - I believe the median here was only about 20 ft wide - so the light for 84th is irrelevant.

    I've since found this http://www.wnyc.org/story/left-turn-mystery-solved/ - I believe I was completly in the right but doesn't everyone say that :).

    I'm thinking it is worth pleading non-guilty and see if I can get it dismissed. I don't think it can be any worse than pleading guilty other than the time taken in court / TVB. I suppose I could just spend the bucks on a lawyer but I hate to think how much that is and whether they have that much better odds.

  21. Posted

    So, yesterday I went with the family in to New York. I had a green light and turned off Broadway on to 84th. Half way down the block a patrol car appeared with its lights on. He said I blew the red light when I was in the median. I ended up with a 1110A - failure to obey a traffic control device.

    Looking in to it, I found this article from the NY Times:

    Under New York State and City traffic law, a crossing at a divided highway is considered one intersection if the median is less than 30 feet wide. Crossings with a median strip 30 feet wide or more are considered two intersections, and these medians should have their own signals requiring a stop on red if making a left turn.

    The median dividing Broadway is generally about 20 feet wide, said Scott Gastel, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Transportation, adding that, in the absence of any contrary signals, left turns at those intersections are permitted if it is safe. But there are exceptions. At some of the narrower medians, the Transportation Department places “Stop Here on Red” signs. Where there is such a traffic control sign covering the median itself, the driver must wait for a green light before completing the turn.

    Now, before this, I'm not sure on a wide median I would know to wait for the cross street but in this case I didn't need to. I even looked at google maps and it doesn't show any sign of markings or signs.

    I'm thinking of pleading non-guilty but have no experience with the process in NYC. Any thoughts?

  25. Posted · Edited by Monty

    Date: 1/22/14
    Time: Approx 17:30

    Incident Type: Structure Fire
    Location: 5 The Terrace

    District: Katonah
    Units: Katonah, Mt Kisco FAST, Bedford Hills 1 Engine & Tower Ladder. Croton Falls South Salem 1 Engine to Katonah HQ

    Description:

    17:32 10-75 Called

    17:35 Cmd Advises no fire, house full of smoke. Suspect furnace issue

    17:37 South Salem request to cover Katonah cancelled

    17:38 Croton Falls engine requested to standby at Katonah HQ

    17:43 Status update - did have a dryer fire. Fire is extinguished, dryer is out of the building. Holding all units.