SRS131EMTFF

I for one appreciated the update on a famous case in the emergency services that was well publicized... and I don't have an anti-police agenda??

F-Shop?
I have 1 light in my car but I use it pretty regularly, its really only useful at one intersection along a major route in town and then along that route to the fire house. About 3/4 of the time people move out of the way....the other 1/4 are usually the d-bags and the usual oblivious drivers...
The difference for me with the light verse without the light can be about 5 minutes considering the amount of time I normally wait at that intersection waiting for traffic to let me go.

Yes. Two words: High Standard. While I am a firm believer in due process, in instances where public trust is violated or members of the public services are implicated in nefarious activities it must be dealt with accordingly. We are emergency service workers and are held to a higher standard than the general public, it doesn't say "man accused molestation in firehouse", it says "firefighter accused of molestation in the firehouse". You can be fired from a job due to an arrest regardless of whether it is warranted or a conviction is served, why should this be any different? I am willing to bet somewhere in the rules/regulations of the department/district/town there is a code of conduct that was violated with the arrest/implication of a crime. Like I said, higher standard.
If accusations are enough to make politicians resign, sports teams lose funding/season or people lose their jobs then it is enough to at least cause their forced resignation. If they have any self-respect/honor I would hope they would have done it already.
If we disagree, so be it...

Yes. Two words: High Standard. While I am a firm believer in due process, in instances where public trust is violated or members of the public services are implicated in nefarious activities it must be dealt with accordingly. We are emergency service workers and are held to a higher standard than the general public, it doesn't say "man accused molestation in firehouse", it says "firefighter accused of molestation in the firehouse". You can be fired from a job due to an arrest regardless of whether it is warranted or a conviction is served, why should this be any different? I am willing to bet somewhere in the rules/regulations of the department/district/town there is a code of conduct that was violated with the arrest/implication of a crime. Like I said, higher standard.
If accusations are enough to make politicians resign, sports teams lose funding/season or people lose their jobs then it is enough to at least cause their forced resignation. If they have any self-respect/honor I would hope they would have done it already.
If we disagree, so be it...

Many people have PMed and emailed mre asking about life "over there" in Afghanistan, so I thought I'd write a quick decription of how it is for those interested.
To start I am now assigned to Kandahar Airfield which, unlike all my previous jobs, is a NATO run base. At present I believe the British are the ones technicaly in charge of the base but almost all NATO countries and a few others are represented here. This makes for some interesting interactions as cultures do clash occasionally, usually with comic results fortunately. It is hot here, I mean really hot. Average temperatures this week have been just above 130 with the nights cooling down to a balmy 100 or so. It is also dusty here to the point that everything has a permant shade of tan covering it, no matter how often you clean it.
My FD here or to use it's proper name Kandahar Fire Crash Rescue Services is comprised of 60 men manning 6 crash trucks, 2 structural Engines and a Tanker along with a Chief and as they call them a Plattoon (our Depruty Chief or Shift Commander) Chief for each of the two shifts. Work schedule is 24 on 24 off or on average an 84 hour work week, which may sound like alot but trust me most would rather be working everyday as there isn't much to do otherwise. We do have a gym at the main station as well as a number of military ones throughout the base that we are free to use. There are 6 DFACs (dining facilites), 1 British, 1 French or Continental, 1 Asian and 2 American, the other I havent found yet but it is reported to be Arabic serving only Hallal food (similar to Kosher). The food itself is edible although as any former soldier can tell you, everything is cooked well beyond well done. Kandahar also boasts a Boardwalk which is just exactly what you'd expect it to be, a wooden sidewalk on which fromts a number of commercial establishments. We have a KFC and Friday's, 2 pizza joints although the term pizza is a bit of a stretch to anyone from our area, a Nathan's open 24 hours to boot a coffe shop and a French Deli/Patisserre. Along with the gastronomic choices there are a number of small "Haji" or locals run shops carrying everything from cigarettes to jewelery and trinkets to a full tailor shop that will make a hand tailored suit for you for about $250. There is also a Bazaar every Saturday with the ubiquitous bootleg movies as well as an impressive selection of junk, haggling a must.
About the FD itself aside from the above. Well I started at the main station, Station 1 which sits on the Airfield. Housed there are 5 of the 6 crash trucks and their attendant crews. I was assigned to Engine 3 one of the two structural units on base. Station 3 houses another crash truck on the opposite side of the runway. Station 3 is a luxuriously appointed Army tent with none of the comforts of home. Station 1 is more akin to a Stateside firehouse with an alarm room, offices, a large dayroom and sleeping quarters (3 to a room). The crash side of the house is busier here since much to my suprise Kandahar Airfield is the busiest single runway airport in the world with between 850 - 1000 inbound and outbound flights a week. And there is quite a wide variety of aircraft in and out of here including C-130s and C-17s, C-5s as well, F-16s, F/A/18s, Harriers, A-10s. We also get 737s, Antonov A-12s and the other really huge Russian one whose designation I can't recall as well as a few 747s. Choppers abound with Blackhawks and Chinooks, Cobras, and Apaches and a large contingent of old Russian machines like the Mil-8 and the Mil -10 for transpot duty. And of course the UAVs which are really quite impressive.
My current assignment is as the Crew Chief (Capt) of Station 2 "Southside". I have with me 4 crewman and our rig is a European spec'ed Rosenbauer from Germany. Needles to say that it takes a bit of getting used to with the pump in the rear and it's overall lack of hose and equipment by our standards, not to mention its all metric. I have a pump that in liters!! Damn Europeans now I have to do math.
Our first due is about 8 sq. miles with roughly 25,000 miltary and civilian residents. Building range from one and two story PEBs (pre engineered buildings) of metal and wood. wooden B and C huts (think ranch houses except it's many offices or sleeping rooms off a central hallway), tents of various sizes up to 200 x 75 and a large number of two story masonary barracks (think garden apartments). Along with these living areas we on the Southside enjoy the distinction of being what back home would be called the industrail side of town. The majority of the mechanical shops, warehouses, stortage facilities fuel points and motorpools are in our first due, along with a host of HazMat goodies. All in all it's a diverse and challenging district.
Now what makes KAFs Fire Department somewhat unique is the fact that we are comprised of a multi national force. There are Indians, Philippinos, South Aficans and a sizeable contingent of Brits. Then there's a few Canucks and representing the good ole USA is Nate who hails form the metro DC area and myself. While English is the required language I have found that it's use is somewhat impeded by the variety of accents in use. In fact I've found that I'll need to invest in an English to English dictionary to communicate with my comrades form the UK...LOL
One of the most common questions I get is, is it safe? Well safe is a relative term in a war zone. We do get regular presents of the 81, 120 and 240mm variety from our Taliban friends outside the wire and they do at times cause casualities. The last was a soldier a few months ago. Our towel headed friends also like to try and crash our party here often by trying to get through the wire. They don't get too far. In fact just prior to my arrival about 100 or so of them got their wish with a one way fast track ticket to meet Allah...isn't that nice for them. Hopefully their buddies will be right behind. Our boys here are more than happy to oblige that wish and we all support them. Vigilance is a necessity here, just like home complacency kills. We do all we can to stay safe, but the reality is, if your numbers up then it's up. Until then I and all of us have a job to do and we just do it.
Some may think this a noble or courageous endeavor, for that I thank you, but please give your kudos to those that really deserve it, the brave and dedicated men and women of our Armed Forces. These folks are as courageous as they come and they are in a sense our kindred spirits....they too put themselves at risk to protect and serve others, all of us here and back home.
In closing I would ask a favor from all who read this. As you go through your day stop for just a minute and think about those service members over here and what they are sacrificing for you and yours. And if it should strike you please find an organization that send things over and send something to a soldier, sailor, or airman here. It couild be anything, a letter, a card and damn tube of toothpaste...anything so that they know that you remember and support them. They will appreciate it more than you know. Freedom is not free and these folks are paying the price for our freedom, please don't forget them.
Cogs
________________
Peter Cogliano
Crew Chief Engine 2 "Southside"
Kandahar Fire Crash Rescue Services
Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan

2nd Capt / Asst. Training Officer
Belltown Fire Dept.
Stamford, CT

Firefighter lauded for rescue in W. Haverstraw
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110606/NEWS03/106060324/Firefighter-lauded-rescue-W-Haverstraw?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
"Among a pool of nominees, the New Jersey & New York Volunteer Firemen's Association has chosen Andrew Kolesar, 38, a former fire chief of the West Haverstraw Fire Department, as the recipient of the 2011 Joseph Costello Firefighter of the Year award. It was the highest honor in this year's awards ceremony held during the association's 98th annual convention Friday."
"Kolesar grasped Patterson's air-pack straps, pulled him out of the room and slid with him down the stairs, where they met with two other firefighters."
STRONG WORK BROTHER, MAKES US ALL PROUD.

Strong work gentlemen, you make us all extremely proud of you and our profession. Your modesty is overwhelming and humbling.

Strong work gentlemen, you make us all extremely proud of you and our profession. Your modesty is overwhelming and humbling.

paint jobs do not improve visibility. If all the lights and reflective striping don't do it, no color is going to make a difference. The additional cost of painting the car is compounded by the additional cost of repairing these cars.
When they are slashing budgets and laying people off, every wasted dollar matters.

Another one of Astorino's brilliant ideas I am sure. Hire your friends with giant raises, cut services and spend unnecessary money on going from white to white and blue stripes....all while Westchester remains the highest taxed county in the nation....

Taken about 4 hours ago.

Tradition is wearing your company patch with absolute pride; Progress is not letting that pride get in the way of effective, real service for those who ask for it.
Tradition is doing your job; Progress is doing your job and more.
Tradition is listening to the senior mans stories and learning from them; Progress experiencing your own and passing the lessons down about new dangers.

Rye has 2 Seagrave 110ft'ers
http://public.fotki.com/lfd171/westchester_county_fire/rye/

EZ Pass is a different story. You can choose not to have EZ Pass, so if you're cheating on your wife on the other side of the bridge, she won't be able to use that information in divorce court. However, there is no option other than to drive (in most non-urban cases). P.S. I'm not married, so this example doesn't apply to me.
I don't buy the idea that "if you're not doing anything wrong, there's nothing to worry about". If my license plate data were grabbed by someone, maybe an unscrupulous cop or someone who was able to hack the database, they would be able to tell that my house was empty between 2 certain times every day or week and rob it.
As a nation, we were willing to give up a lot of freedom after 9/11 with the Patriot Acts (which should also be challenged for constitutionality). People are starting to realize that their liberties are being stripped from them by government and technology one by one and are fighting to get them back. Just this week, Texas has passed a law to make the "pat downs" of airline customers illegal. Good for them!

Consider this an official response from the department involved.
VelcroMedic1987, After reading your post It is clear that you were not in attendance and should probably refrain from your negative comments as they are mostly inaccurate.
First off if you were there you would know that the rig was not in reverse, it was moving forward at about 3 mph getting staged by the event organizers. The 87 year old gentleman was bumped by the rig as he walked in front of it while it was moving and sustained a facial laceration when he fell down. Nobody was "run over" ! He was never in intensive care and was actually released by the hospital and is at home currently.
This was during the set up for the event and not after it was over. That being said, none of the public was even there yet so rest well, no poor children will be traumatized.
And by the way, nothing was "swept under the rug", It was fully investigated by the police agency within this jurisdiction.
The department has been in contact with the gentleman and wishes him a speedy recovery.
Nothing more will be said on this forum by the department involved and any questions should be directed to Chief Ed O'Connell at 914-227-0233.

Finally some justice for the 343, 37 and 23 as well as the almost 3000 innocents killed 9/11/2001. Hell is to good of place for this scumsucker. batt2 is right on the money, he may have 72 virgins but I know there are 343 out there just rallying for a fight. I will take 343 vs 72 any day.
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Good news: There will be 40 virgins waiting for him.
Bad news: Paddy Brown, Ray Downey and a bunch of their friends are also waiting for him.

Read the article on lohud about the FBI profile for FF arsonists and tell me there is not someone that fits that profile in every department...
Additionally, the article on FF arsonists in Lower Hudson Valley left off what I though was a rather glaring example from a few years ago...

Fort Worth, TX. Quint 9

Fort Worth, TX. Ladder Tender 9

Fort Worth, TX. Truck 1

Fort Worth, TX. Engine 1

Fort Worth, TX. Quint 12

Fort Worth, TX. Engine 12

Pump panel on Fort Worth Engine 12

ALL PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF TASK FORCE 7
I have about 15 more photos that I need to down load. Hopefully this will do you guys for now. Enjoy!!

I am not here to argue republican/democrat with you but I do have a question.
In what way does a social contract/compact align itself with a communist society? How is it worse than anything else mentioned to date?
In a nutshell if you are not familiar, a social contract/compact was a concept initially described by french enlightenment thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau in which he argued that government had an obligation to protect its citizens, thus a social contract. If you want to live here, you have to agree with our rules and we will protect you using them.
If you read the Preamble to the US Constitution:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
It is the entire idea of a social contract.
If you read it carefully it has some interesting statements: provide for the common defense; promote welfare; secure our posterity....
I guess they must have been communists too....

I am not here to argue republican/democrat with you but I do have a question.
In what way does a social contract/compact align itself with a communist society? How is it worse than anything else mentioned to date?
In a nutshell if you are not familiar, a social contract/compact was a concept initially described by french enlightenment thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau in which he argued that government had an obligation to protect its citizens, thus a social contract. If you want to live here, you have to agree with our rules and we will protect you using them.
If you read the Preamble to the US Constitution:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
It is the entire idea of a social contract.
If you read it carefully it has some interesting statements: provide for the common defense; promote welfare; secure our posterity....
I guess they must have been communists too....

Screw the family of DJ Henry. I for one am sick of their sh*t. He tried to run down a police officer and died in the process. Boohoo but I dont lose any sleep on it. I congratulate PO Hess for this award and commiserate the split second decision he made, while that decision needed another individual life, the decision was made to protect the officers life and public safety in general.

Yes, but those two examples are very different from widespread investigation/prosecution of police. In the first example, you admit (and seem to consent) to profiling, and in the second, that was an opinion, a far stretch from any official policy or action of the DoJ. So to make a blanket statement that the DoJ is being overly aggressive against law enforcement seems unfounded (just my opinion).

Screw the family of DJ Henry. I for one am sick of their sh*t. He tried to run down a police officer and died in the process. Boohoo but I dont lose any sleep on it. I congratulate PO Hess for this award and commiserate the split second decision he made, while that decision needed another individual life, the decision was made to protect the officers life and public safety in general.

Screw the family of DJ Henry. I for one am sick of their sh*t. He tried to run down a police officer and died in the process. Boohoo but I dont lose any sleep on it. I congratulate PO Hess for this award and commiserate the split second decision he made, while that decision needed another individual life, the decision was made to protect the officers life and public safety in general.