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It is clear that Pete is only trying to use this thread in order to try and create new friction to the situation. Poising questions to rank and file members of the Stamford Fire and Rescue Department about the future direction of their Department serves absolutely no purpose.
It is akin to asking the average soldier at the Food Court in Afghanistan what he feels about the strategic plan and future US operations with the Karzai government. While he/she may have an opinion, unless they are also a member of the Joint Chiefs or Centcom, it is really irrelevant. As a soldier, he/she will follow the direction and orders of their superiors (i.e. basic military chain of command).
While you can use the term “free exchange”, this forum is not the official word or position of the Stamford Fire Rescue Administration. I am fairly sure that you know how to get to 629 Main Street or the meetings of the Charter Revision Committee at 888 Washington Boulevard.
I would bet that the people serving in their official capacities at those locations would be the proper authority and route for you to find answers for this new “regime” (interesting choice of words). Unless you would rather troll for anonymous opinions from those that have absolutely nothing to do with the strategic decisions of an organization that does not yet exist.

It is clear that Pete is only trying to use this thread in order to try and create new friction to the situation. Poising questions to rank and file members of the Stamford Fire and Rescue Department about the future direction of their Department serves absolutely no purpose.
It is akin to asking the average soldier at the Food Court in Afghanistan what he feels about the strategic plan and future US operations with the Karzai government. While he/she may have an opinion, unless they are also a member of the Joint Chiefs or Centcom, it is really irrelevant. As a soldier, he/she will follow the direction and orders of their superiors (i.e. basic military chain of command).
While you can use the term “free exchange”, this forum is not the official word or position of the Stamford Fire Rescue Administration. I am fairly sure that you know how to get to 629 Main Street or the meetings of the Charter Revision Committee at 888 Washington Boulevard.
I would bet that the people serving in their official capacities at those locations would be the proper authority and route for you to find answers for this new “regime” (interesting choice of words). Unless you would rather troll for anonymous opinions from those that have absolutely nothing to do with the strategic decisions of an organization that does not yet exist.

Trying a case in front of the US Supreme Court and other expenses associated with this case do not come cheap either.

My memory is still pretty good and I can recall the BFD Aerialscope being used quite nicely at fires in Stamford. Before, we get into a nice “beasty contest” here, although some are longer, the BFD truck succeeds in its ability to position.
Most recently at a fire on Minivale in Springdale, where it positioned on a neighbor’s driveway and a couple of inches off of the neighbor’s house (I have a nice photo of it, but can’t find it). East Main Street in 99, Canal Street in 07....and plenty of others.....I am not going to let my SFRD bias get in the way of giving credit where it is due.
And I think there was a lot of internal support from the SFRD members to get an Aerialscope for the new T1, prior to an executive decision made to get the Sutphen???
Now back to the first question, why is it being auctioned? Was this the Department’s decision or opinion....no (need I say more).

Kinda surprised at some of the discussion here. Should anyone in Westchester or lower Fairfield County be surprised or not aware of the potential for an aircraft incident?
I did not need to sit through a class, get a pamphlet, or read a buff site, to realize that there is potential for an incident in this area. I guess one could just look up and listen at any given time and see a host of aircraft on the approach, in transit, or taking off.
I also would like to applaud AlpineRunner for mentioning that the smaller type of aircraft need to be handled for what they are...small vehicles, that happen to be in the air, rather than on the pavement.
Their size and fuel capacity is not that far from a large SUV or super-duty truck (or less). Why it is necessary to roll a surge of apparatus to an incident involving a small aircraft is disproportional to an understanding of the multitude of types of "aircraft" that may be found.
By some of the rationale that I have read here and other forums, would we dispatch the same response automatically to a report of a school bus rollover on a local road? or a report of a commercial bus collision on 287?
I recently was on scene at a Cessna crash in the central Connecticut that was handled with one Engine and one Rescue from the local FD. Interesting to note the differences in the response protocol between the two incidents. Just some food for thought?

Kinda surprised at some of the discussion here. Should anyone in Westchester or lower Fairfield County be surprised or not aware of the potential for an aircraft incident?
I did not need to sit through a class, get a pamphlet, or read a buff site, to realize that there is potential for an incident in this area. I guess one could just look up and listen at any given time and see a host of aircraft on the approach, in transit, or taking off.
I also would like to applaud AlpineRunner for mentioning that the smaller type of aircraft need to be handled for what they are...small vehicles, that happen to be in the air, rather than on the pavement.
Their size and fuel capacity is not that far from a large SUV or super-duty truck (or less). Why it is necessary to roll a surge of apparatus to an incident involving a small aircraft is disproportional to an understanding of the multitude of types of "aircraft" that may be found.
By some of the rationale that I have read here and other forums, would we dispatch the same response automatically to a report of a school bus rollover on a local road? or a report of a commercial bus collision on 287?
I recently was on scene at a Cessna crash in the central Connecticut that was handled with one Engine and one Rescue from the local FD. Interesting to note the differences in the response protocol between the two incidents. Just some food for thought?

I know I will not make many friends with this sentiment, but I am sure that their need for this type of articulating platform is almost as great as their need for 10 person cabs.

Which is exactly why the facts of the story should be affirmed prior to public rants.
I have known the Fire Fighter in question as a friend for over 20 years and have no doubt to HIS integrity. Much like 99.9% of the people pushing this boycott, I was NOT present when the issue arose.
I am just amazed at how quiet HE is about this and how many OTHER people are running hastily all over the internet without having much detail.
My organization has worked with these establishments on numerous occasions and have found them to be very friendly to assisting public safety officers. I would hate for the actions of one or two morons to be portrayed as being part of an organized discrimination campaign by a business.
Looking at what I have heard and read, there appears to be something missing from story. In 2011, for a large business to openly refuse entrance to people because they are of Asian decent, seems to be like trying to put your tongue on the third-rail?
I could be wrong, but was there any attempt to sit-down with a representative of management (and I am not talking about the bar manager on duty that night) trying to discuss the issue before this thing was shot out of the canon?
With respect to my quiet and humble friend, it appears that it may have been more prudent and systematic steps that could have been taken, prior to others using his face and background with a viral internet surge.
Every organization has its misfits, morons, criminals and malcontents (the Yankees have a full roster). However, it is stretch to suggest that the Company is condoning the behavior without the Company having an opportunity to be aware of the behavior and discipline/terminate those responsible and make amends with those harmed.
The internet posts and Facebook pages were created by Sunday at noon, this incident happened on Saturday night. Kind of hard to allow for a response or answer to a complaint and allow for information to be digested or processed.
Kind of like prejudicing an entire Fire Department or Police Department because of one bad member or Officer.

Which is exactly why the facts of the story should be affirmed prior to public rants.
I have known the Fire Fighter in question as a friend for over 20 years and have no doubt to HIS integrity. Much like 99.9% of the people pushing this boycott, I was NOT present when the issue arose.
I am just amazed at how quiet HE is about this and how many OTHER people are running hastily all over the internet without having much detail.
My organization has worked with these establishments on numerous occasions and have found them to be very friendly to assisting public safety officers. I would hate for the actions of one or two morons to be portrayed as being part of an organized discrimination campaign by a business.
Looking at what I have heard and read, there appears to be something missing from story. In 2011, for a large business to openly refuse entrance to people because they are of Asian decent, seems to be like trying to put your tongue on the third-rail?
I could be wrong, but was there any attempt to sit-down with a representative of management (and I am not talking about the bar manager on duty that night) trying to discuss the issue before this thing was shot out of the canon?
With respect to my quiet and humble friend, it appears that it may have been more prudent and systematic steps that could have been taken, prior to others using his face and background with a viral internet surge.
Every organization has its misfits, morons, criminals and malcontents (the Yankees have a full roster). However, it is stretch to suggest that the Company is condoning the behavior without the Company having an opportunity to be aware of the behavior and discipline/terminate those responsible and make amends with those harmed.
The internet posts and Facebook pages were created by Sunday at noon, this incident happened on Saturday night. Kind of hard to allow for a response or answer to a complaint and allow for information to be digested or processed.
Kind of like prejudicing an entire Fire Department or Police Department because of one bad member or Officer.

Which is exactly why the facts of the story should be affirmed prior to public rants.
I have known the Fire Fighter in question as a friend for over 20 years and have no doubt to HIS integrity. Much like 99.9% of the people pushing this boycott, I was NOT present when the issue arose.
I am just amazed at how quiet HE is about this and how many OTHER people are running hastily all over the internet without having much detail.
My organization has worked with these establishments on numerous occasions and have found them to be very friendly to assisting public safety officers. I would hate for the actions of one or two morons to be portrayed as being part of an organized discrimination campaign by a business.
Looking at what I have heard and read, there appears to be something missing from story. In 2011, for a large business to openly refuse entrance to people because they are of Asian decent, seems to be like trying to put your tongue on the third-rail?
I could be wrong, but was there any attempt to sit-down with a representative of management (and I am not talking about the bar manager on duty that night) trying to discuss the issue before this thing was shot out of the canon?
With respect to my quiet and humble friend, it appears that it may have been more prudent and systematic steps that could have been taken, prior to others using his face and background with a viral internet surge.
Every organization has its misfits, morons, criminals and malcontents (the Yankees have a full roster). However, it is stretch to suggest that the Company is condoning the behavior without the Company having an opportunity to be aware of the behavior and discipline/terminate those responsible and make amends with those harmed.
The internet posts and Facebook pages were created by Sunday at noon, this incident happened on Saturday night. Kind of hard to allow for a response or answer to a complaint and allow for information to be digested or processed.
Kind of like prejudicing an entire Fire Department or Police Department because of one bad member or Officer.

Which is exactly why the facts of the story should be affirmed prior to public rants.
I have known the Fire Fighter in question as a friend for over 20 years and have no doubt to HIS integrity. Much like 99.9% of the people pushing this boycott, I was NOT present when the issue arose.
I am just amazed at how quiet HE is about this and how many OTHER people are running hastily all over the internet without having much detail.
My organization has worked with these establishments on numerous occasions and have found them to be very friendly to assisting public safety officers. I would hate for the actions of one or two morons to be portrayed as being part of an organized discrimination campaign by a business.
Looking at what I have heard and read, there appears to be something missing from story. In 2011, for a large business to openly refuse entrance to people because they are of Asian decent, seems to be like trying to put your tongue on the third-rail?
I could be wrong, but was there any attempt to sit-down with a representative of management (and I am not talking about the bar manager on duty that night) trying to discuss the issue before this thing was shot out of the canon?
With respect to my quiet and humble friend, it appears that it may have been more prudent and systematic steps that could have been taken, prior to others using his face and background with a viral internet surge.
Every organization has its misfits, morons, criminals and malcontents (the Yankees have a full roster). However, it is stretch to suggest that the Company is condoning the behavior without the Company having an opportunity to be aware of the behavior and discipline/terminate those responsible and make amends with those harmed.
The internet posts and Facebook pages were created by Sunday at noon, this incident happened on Saturday night. Kind of hard to allow for a response or answer to a complaint and allow for information to be digested or processed.
Kind of like prejudicing an entire Fire Department or Police Department because of one bad member or Officer.

Which is exactly why the facts of the story should be affirmed prior to public rants.
I have known the Fire Fighter in question as a friend for over 20 years and have no doubt to HIS integrity. Much like 99.9% of the people pushing this boycott, I was NOT present when the issue arose.
I am just amazed at how quiet HE is about this and how many OTHER people are running hastily all over the internet without having much detail.
My organization has worked with these establishments on numerous occasions and have found them to be very friendly to assisting public safety officers. I would hate for the actions of one or two morons to be portrayed as being part of an organized discrimination campaign by a business.
Looking at what I have heard and read, there appears to be something missing from story. In 2011, for a large business to openly refuse entrance to people because they are of Asian decent, seems to be like trying to put your tongue on the third-rail?
I could be wrong, but was there any attempt to sit-down with a representative of management (and I am not talking about the bar manager on duty that night) trying to discuss the issue before this thing was shot out of the canon?
With respect to my quiet and humble friend, it appears that it may have been more prudent and systematic steps that could have been taken, prior to others using his face and background with a viral internet surge.
Every organization has its misfits, morons, criminals and malcontents (the Yankees have a full roster). However, it is stretch to suggest that the Company is condoning the behavior without the Company having an opportunity to be aware of the behavior and discipline/terminate those responsible and make amends with those harmed.
The internet posts and Facebook pages were created by Sunday at noon, this incident happened on Saturday night. Kind of hard to allow for a response or answer to a complaint and allow for information to be digested or processed.
Kind of like prejudicing an entire Fire Department or Police Department because of one bad member or Officer.

Which is exactly why the facts of the story should be affirmed prior to public rants.
I have known the Fire Fighter in question as a friend for over 20 years and have no doubt to HIS integrity. Much like 99.9% of the people pushing this boycott, I was NOT present when the issue arose.
I am just amazed at how quiet HE is about this and how many OTHER people are running hastily all over the internet without having much detail.
My organization has worked with these establishments on numerous occasions and have found them to be very friendly to assisting public safety officers. I would hate for the actions of one or two morons to be portrayed as being part of an organized discrimination campaign by a business.
Looking at what I have heard and read, there appears to be something missing from story. In 2011, for a large business to openly refuse entrance to people because they are of Asian decent, seems to be like trying to put your tongue on the third-rail?
I could be wrong, but was there any attempt to sit-down with a representative of management (and I am not talking about the bar manager on duty that night) trying to discuss the issue before this thing was shot out of the canon?
With respect to my quiet and humble friend, it appears that it may have been more prudent and systematic steps that could have been taken, prior to others using his face and background with a viral internet surge.
Every organization has its misfits, morons, criminals and malcontents (the Yankees have a full roster). However, it is stretch to suggest that the Company is condoning the behavior without the Company having an opportunity to be aware of the behavior and discipline/terminate those responsible and make amends with those harmed.
The internet posts and Facebook pages were created by Sunday at noon, this incident happened on Saturday night. Kind of hard to allow for a response or answer to a complaint and allow for information to be digested or processed.
Kind of like prejudicing an entire Fire Department or Police Department because of one bad member or Officer.

Good points as usual Barry.
And to further the points, I have had the privilege of attending numerous IAFF functions across this country (Convention, Safety, Leadership, EMS, Human Relations, etc).
In all of the time that I have spent attending and meeting with Union members from 2 countries you know what subject does not get discussed? Volunteers.
Sorry to disappoint, but kind of funny how those that have never attended the conferences or been affiliated with the IAFF, seem to have such an understanding as to what their priorities are.
What do we talk about at conventions and seminars? Little things like: staffing, collective bargaining rights, internal funding initiatives (the NASCAR sponsorship and debate was always entertaining), safety studies, safety awareness, and lots of networking amongst folks that share a common love of the job. Guess what, much of the work that is funded through these studies benefits all fire fighters, not just IAFF members.
The infamous By-Law provision that is so endeared by the anti-IAFF crowd has been around for decades and does not deal with volunteer fire fighters exclusively. For those that have bothered to read it, there is also a prohibition on work as a part-time fire fighter, Police Officer, ambulance service, and some other related fields.
I guess the same animosity used by the volunteer contingent could be echoed by Police Chiefs and AMR executives? Yet, the volunteers are hogging this one just for themselves? (Invite the cops, they will feel left out, those AMR guys are cheap and probably will stiff you on the bar tab.)
Also, I should mention that I do not agree with the IAFF or anyone (including my wife) dictating what I do. However, I do understand why these provisions exist and continue to exist after many years. In my experience, while my local might be somewhat tainted about the concept of volunteering, the only issues ( or tensions related to the issues) have arisen when members of the Local were placing themselves within the confines of a Department or organization with a chartered IAFF Local.
I do not need an IAFF By-Law to tell me how wrong and/or stupid that is.
** PS - For those still confused about FLSA...I would highly recommend the document "Managing Volunteer Fire Fighters for FLSA Compliance: A Guide for Fire Chiefs and Community Leaders" published by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (not the IAFF!). The Federal Government wrote the laws, so you will have to blame them for this and not the IAFF. Sorry again.

Just thought I would chime in....
Although I have significant disagreement with Pete regarding some of his remarks and positions, he has always remained calm, courteous, and professional when debating this issue here or when interacting in person.
If you want to beat-up his opinion or position, try and do so without going personal. Yes, I find his remarks somewhat obtuse to my beliefs, but his general poise and tact could be a lesson for others involved in this debate (I am not referring to those debating here).
Just trying to keep the discussion where it should be.
PS - Geppetto starting to come out of his shell, could his true identity soon be revealed??

Sage:
Taking the "Collective Bargaining in the Workplace" 3 credit elective class at the University of New Haven does not make you a labor or legal expert.
You are entitled to your opinion, but until you have some experience in dealing with labor issues or working within a Union, you should avoid statements indicating your facts, because they are far from factual.
The Waterbury situation was by no means automatic and was based upon year's of fiscal mismanagement. The State Oversight Board and subsequent abolition of existing labor agreements in Waterbury was created by an act of the Connecticut Legislature and not some language in existing in law.
The Union's responsibility is not subjective to your perceived opinion of what their mission should be.
The Union's responsibility to their membership is based upon the direction and collective will established by a particular Union.
Meaning....every Union may differ based upon the where majority of their players feel as to take them.
Not being a member of the Newark PBA, I have no idea what basis was made for not opening a contract or accepting give-backs. However, I can be certain that the facts behind the Police Union's rationale will not be found within 1 or 2 articles from the local press rag.
There is usually a lot more to a story such as this and I pretty sure that the future of those 167 Officers was weighed heavily prior to any decision being made.

The rig was positioned between on-coming traffic and operating fire personnel. The rig took the hit and not the personnel.
All Stainless Body.
Way too early to tell if will be repaired or disposed of.
The 2002 HME (former E4) will be utilized.
Fire Trucks can be repaired or replaced. The 4 Fire Fighters working on the other side of the impact zone can not!
A good visual example of why we need to place "big red" between us and them.

The rig was positioned between on-coming traffic and operating fire personnel. The rig took the hit and not the personnel.
All Stainless Body.
Way too early to tell if will be repaired or disposed of.
The 2002 HME (former E4) will be utilized.
Fire Trucks can be repaired or replaced. The 4 Fire Fighters working on the other side of the impact zone can not!
A good visual example of why we need to place "big red" between us and them.

The rig was positioned between on-coming traffic and operating fire personnel. The rig took the hit and not the personnel.
All Stainless Body.
Way too early to tell if will be repaired or disposed of.
The 2002 HME (former E4) will be utilized.
Fire Trucks can be repaired or replaced. The 4 Fire Fighters working on the other side of the impact zone can not!
A good visual example of why we need to place "big red" between us and them.

FireMedic: The proposal is nothing new and just another scam. It is the same garbage this guy has been proposing since the day he magically returned as Chief in 2002.
He has had one agenda and one goal as Chief.......get rid of the City Fire Fighters in his Station and give jobs to himself and his handful of faithful minions.
From unlawful transfers, to the barricading of apparatus from entering the building, to the attempted installation of illegal surveillance cameras in crew quarters, his entire tenure has been consumed with every conceivable attempt to harass the career staff working in his Station.
Anyone from Stamford is well versed with this personality and his behavior and actions should make any Firefighter blush with embarrassment.

FireMedic: The proposal is nothing new and just another scam. It is the same garbage this guy has been proposing since the day he magically returned as Chief in 2002.
He has had one agenda and one goal as Chief.......get rid of the City Fire Fighters in his Station and give jobs to himself and his handful of faithful minions.
From unlawful transfers, to the barricading of apparatus from entering the building, to the attempted installation of illegal surveillance cameras in crew quarters, his entire tenure has been consumed with every conceivable attempt to harass the career staff working in his Station.
Anyone from Stamford is well versed with this personality and his behavior and actions should make any Firefighter blush with embarrassment.

FireMedic: The proposal is nothing new and just another scam. It is the same garbage this guy has been proposing since the day he magically returned as Chief in 2002.
He has had one agenda and one goal as Chief.......get rid of the City Fire Fighters in his Station and give jobs to himself and his handful of faithful minions.
From unlawful transfers, to the barricading of apparatus from entering the building, to the attempted installation of illegal surveillance cameras in crew quarters, his entire tenure has been consumed with every conceivable attempt to harass the career staff working in his Station.
Anyone from Stamford is well versed with this personality and his behavior and actions should make any Firefighter blush with embarrassment.

Alpine: Is this "Stamford" information coming from Stamford City Fire sources or is this scuttlebutt from people from outside Stamford Fire and Rescue who have like to start problems by manufacturing their own stories and history (there is quite a bit of that going around.....)
I am pretty abreast of most SFRD and Union issues and I have NEVER heard about a concern whether SPD takes the old Mack R2 and makes it into an ESU truck.

Alpine: Is this "Stamford" information coming from Stamford City Fire sources or is this scuttlebutt from people from outside Stamford Fire and Rescue who have like to start problems by manufacturing their own stories and history (there is quite a bit of that going around.....)
I am pretty abreast of most SFRD and Union issues and I have NEVER heard about a concern whether SPD takes the old Mack R2 and makes it into an ESU truck.

Seth and all, thanks for the kinds words and props.
I still keep in touch with the patient and I am happy to say that he is doing extremely well. Having done CPR on countless occasions in more than 20 years of EMS experience, this was one of the very small percentile of patients that literally comes back with little or no long-term effect from the arrest. It is nice to see such a positive outcome and to such a good guy.
Getting an award is nice, but there are plenty of other people on my job that do great things every day that go unnoticed and are probably more deserving. The greatest acknowledgment that I did receive came from the family of the patient this past August. The family had a large family reunion weekend to celebrate their Dad's/Grandpa's second chance and during the reunion took a family photo that they all signed and sent to me in card saying "thanks for letting us have this weekend", there really is no award better than seeing something like that.....
Thanks again-
MTP