Bnechis

One reason Bob that at least up here you see 4 or 5 departments for M/A is water supply. You work in an are with Hydrants. Depending on the size of the structure and the distance to fill you may need 4 or 5 tankers. Also with the length of some of these driveway and back roads you have some huge distance to go with hose you then need to set up a water relay. I've been in homes up here with driveways as long as streets and streets that are no wider than driveways.

We have set up here when a report of a structure fire comes in the no mater who's district, all 3 departments get toned for tankers and stand by for additional manpower. Usually another department supplies a source engine to fill the tanker. I also see consolidation of some of the vol. departments though. I have seen it take too long getting trucks out. The territorial thing has got to end to protect the public. We have an area that there are 2 departments who dispute so its a joint response. Solves the problem.

I strongly agree that auto aid and mutual aid have a major roll in the fire service and in non-hydrant areas it is even more important.

That being said, a few weeks ago, I read an news article in the local rag and what caught my eye was a recent evening (8pm) bedroom fire (with extension to a second bedroom) that required the response of 8 fire departments to have sufficient personnel. The host department has 2 front line engines, 1 ladder and assorted other resources. and has 3 career ff's onduty.

All of these depts have a combined fleet of 25 engines, 5 ladders, 5 tower ladders, 6 rescues, and 24 chiefs cars (#'s are as close as I can figure). the value of this rolling stock is almost $22 million.

If any dept, needs that much MA (7 MA plus the host) to handle, what is everyone sending? If we look at NFPA 1710, they want 18 personnel (15 in 1st alarm, 1 ladder operator, and 2 addition for FAST).

Since the host had at least 3ff's plus chief the remaining 7 departemnts send what 2 each?

I was not there, and I hope this does not come across as picking on the host or any of the MA depts, but it appears to me that something is very wrong.

When the tax revolt hits...how do we justify what we spend? And what our capabilities really are.

there is a study being conducted right now to consolidate 9 depts in lower westchester. IF it ever were to become a reality, it would increase personal responding in the 4 minute time frame, and the 8 minute time frame NFPA suggests. The way i see things, and this is my opinion only, Most of Westchester County Vol Depts are such a smokescreen, that something has to be done. The patch on your apparatus says FIRE DEPT, yet when a fire occurs, 5 -10 depts are called to put it out. I understand the need for an outside FAST, but for your bread and butter 2 1/2 story frame, to tie up that many resourses, then it is time to look at the reality of the fire service you are supposed to be providing your taxpayers. If it does require 5-10 depts to field a team safely, then CONSOLIDATION IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION

Thanks for the Humble Opinion.

Thank You. It will be used toward the replacment of Rescue 4.