firefighter36

Well here's another quick update from always sunny Kandahar Afghanistan.
The past week has seen us relatively busy running about 5 calls a day on the structural side of the house. Most of these are smells and bells calls which have turned out to be nothing. My conrades on the crash side have had a few calls as well a day, mostly hot brakes although they did get an engine fire on a fully armed Harrier yesterday. All turned out well.
Now for us structural boys yesterday was for us a busy one. 15 calls ,only two of which involved any actual fire though. Both of these were vehilcle fires. The first was a Humvee with the engine compartment going, which was doused immediately. The other was a large "Jingle" truck/tanker hauling fuel. A 'jingle truck" by the way is what the locals use to transport material. They are so called because the exterior of the vehicle is adorned with small bells and murals depicting any number of religious or cultural scenes. Anyway this particular Jingle had the cab rolling good and impinging on the loaded tank on arrival We hit the cab fire while cooling the tank and all ended well...for us. The driver on the other hand lost his indentity cards in the fire as was thus escorted off base by the MPs after a brief interrogation.
We have had a number of rockets come in of late. no injuries or fatalities and only minor damage. During these episodes we are routed to the sector points closest to the impact zone to stand by, under cover of a bunker of course, until the all clear is given and we then do what needs doing. Of course in the event of injuries we are expected and have in the past responded into the "hot" zone while under fire. But of late that hasn't been necessary.
I also got the opportunity the other day to go to a part of the base I had not yet seen. This is on the Northside. As we drove along checking our EMPs (emergency water points) in the 125 degree midafternoon sunshine it dawned on me that "hey, we at the wire". And sure enough we were, not more that 10ft from Talibanistan. I watched as some local shepards tended their flocks a mere 100 ft away. They waved and we waved back and everyone was all smiles....of course I was thinking something entirely different like "is this guy trying to find a hole in the wire"? Well not to worry there were guard towers aplenty and guards to man them too. But it did make for an interesting afternoon diversion.
One more note and this is a sad one. Yesterday saw two ramp ceremonies next door to the main fire station on the airfield. We happened to be there for both occassions so I attended with the permission of our Chief. For those who do not know, a ramp ceremony is held when the body of one of our soldiers is loaded aboard an aircraft, in this case C-17s, for his final trip home. While one of these ceremonies was ongoing I saw two medivacs choppers as well as a C-130 dropping off more wounded. Our Fire Station is adjacent to the hospital. It is these tragic events that bring the reality of what our boys endure here front and center. God Bless em.
Unfortunately I don't have any pictures as of yet to share, but when I do I will post them. Of course due to security we are extremely limited as to what we can and cannot share, but I'm sure you all understand.
Thanks to all for serving back home, especially my fellow " Belltown Boys"...ATW since 1928
Stay Safe
Cogs

Before i comment any further, i'm just going to say that you and i fundamentally disagree about this, and that's fine. Additionally, i don't know the area, situation or politics to comment specifically - my comments are general as they relate to greater issues (and i think that this is an issue for many communities).
I guess i just don't understand what you're proposing. Should we tell the residents who live in this area of question not to call 911 or that their emergencies are not emergencies? Does constantly responding to nursing homes, urgent care facilities or elderly living complexes over and over and over again wear on the provider? Sure it does. Just like going to automatic fire alarms wears on firefighters and responding to burglar alarms wears on police officers. That doesn't mean you don't have an obligation to respond and that doesn't mean that those emergencies are less important than a street job or those in a private residences. If this is not fair, don't volunteer. Volunteers have just as much an obligation as their career counterparts do to respond to emergencies - regardless of how big or how small/insignificant.
If a Somers EMT (using this name only for the sake of the discussion) is at home when his/her pager goes off and hears a job for heritage hills (insert any frequent location here) comes in and he/she doesn't go because of the location and this forces the medic or a security member to ride the job in or results in that job going mutual aid, then tell me - where does the problem lie? Is it with the caller? Is it with the Somers EMT?
This is not a Somers problem, this is a county-wide problem. As EMS runs go up - the hodge podge patchwork that is EMS in this county begins to tear at the seams. I think the issue is, is that these local solutions are just too expensive. Something is going to need to change at the county level before any of this goes away

They have asked for this every legislative session for the past 18+ years. It has never even made it to the floor. While anything is possible, I would not hold my breath.

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

You know this is what I hate about the fire service. Which way do we want it? Do you want to be dedicated professional firefighters who don't receive a paycheck or do you want to be well intentioned neighbors who may or may not be able to put out the fire or rescue a loved one who don't receive a paycheck.
It can't be both ways. You can't demand equal treatment on the one hand while you're saying don't they understand we're volunteers and don't want to show up at BS calls.
Are they clueless or is your FD clueless about public relations. If people think that the FD is staffed it's your job to tell them otherwise.
I'm so tired of the complaints about being treated differently because you're volunteer and then demanded that you be treated differently because you're volunteer. Do it right, do it professionally, do it promptly and it won't matter whether you're paid or not.

M Ave will agree with this I think....even though you may be able to sleep at work on some jobs, its NOT the same deep sleep you will get in your own bed in your own home. That said, I think the heart rate jump M describes is even worse with volunteer firefighters doing a home response in the middle of the night. I have been knocked out of a deep sleep with my heart pounding on routine alarms, not to mention those house fires with the key words we all love to hear "vicinity of", "next to" and so on. Talk about going from 0 to 90 in nothing flat. This alarm came in about 5am. Something to think about.
As for physicals we give an OSHA physical every year for members 40 and over. Once every 2 years for ages 30-39, and every 3 years for ages 18-29.

From a risk management standpoint, lowering standards in the name of recruitment and retention is dangerous. The mere fact that an agency can put lives at risk for permanent disability/dismemberment/death rather than adhering to an acceptable physical and safety standard, even minimal can make for a costly operation in the long run. With watchdog groups, politicians and others crying for fiscal prudence, is that a risk that fire commissioners, councilmembers, etc. should take?
Paid or volunteer, the stakes are real and the job is dangerous. We can all agree to that. The most precious and hard to come by resource in the fire service are people. on the career end, they are the most expensive part of the budget, and in many volunteer outfits, new members are hard to come by. Making sure we have trained personnel who are in shape to handle the combat conditions of firefighting is a big deal. Christopher Brennan talks about the Metabolic Calorie Burn of Firefighting operations in his new book, and on his blog www.thefireservicewarrior.com Check it out, the facts he presents are staggering.
At the local and company level, any department/company/municipality/fire district/etc. should provide members with access to health and diet coaching, physical training, and a gym. This is a great use for that 2% insurance money. The key here is prevention. As M'Ave pointed out, the informal study done in NYC shows a big stress on cardiac health, and that stress is not temporary, but cumulative over years of service.
What can we do for line personnel? We can sell ourselves and our brothers and sisters a culture change. We can eat well in the firehouse, if we try. Drop the doughnuts and coffee (i indulge from time to time too) step back from the TV room after your downtime, and get on the treadmill or in the gym for part of your shift or standby duty. Come to work hydrated, stretched, and ready to go into combat, because that is the reality of the work, career or volunteer. None of the resources above are any good if we don't make the commitment to live healthy and keep ourselves ready for the worst at all times. A culture change can be hard to sell, but when it comes to overall health of firefighters, it should be a no brainer.

From a risk management standpoint, lowering standards in the name of recruitment and retention is dangerous. The mere fact that an agency can put lives at risk for permanent disability/dismemberment/death rather than adhering to an acceptable physical and safety standard, even minimal can make for a costly operation in the long run. With watchdog groups, politicians and others crying for fiscal prudence, is that a risk that fire commissioners, councilmembers, etc. should take?
Paid or volunteer, the stakes are real and the job is dangerous. We can all agree to that. The most precious and hard to come by resource in the fire service are people. on the career end, they are the most expensive part of the budget, and in many volunteer outfits, new members are hard to come by. Making sure we have trained personnel who are in shape to handle the combat conditions of firefighting is a big deal. Christopher Brennan talks about the Metabolic Calorie Burn of Firefighting operations in his new book, and on his blog www.thefireservicewarrior.com Check it out, the facts he presents are staggering.
At the local and company level, any department/company/municipality/fire district/etc. should provide members with access to health and diet coaching, physical training, and a gym. This is a great use for that 2% insurance money. The key here is prevention. As M'Ave pointed out, the informal study done in NYC shows a big stress on cardiac health, and that stress is not temporary, but cumulative over years of service.
What can we do for line personnel? We can sell ourselves and our brothers and sisters a culture change. We can eat well in the firehouse, if we try. Drop the doughnuts and coffee (i indulge from time to time too) step back from the TV room after your downtime, and get on the treadmill or in the gym for part of your shift or standby duty. Come to work hydrated, stretched, and ready to go into combat, because that is the reality of the work, career or volunteer. None of the resources above are any good if we don't make the commitment to live healthy and keep ourselves ready for the worst at all times. A culture change can be hard to sell, but when it comes to overall health of firefighters, it should be a no brainer.

In light of a recent and tragic L.O.D. death, along with others that I'm familiar with, I'd like to know what kind of health monitoring exists in the volunteer fire service today. I know when I joined a VFD 12 years ago, I had to go through an OSHA physical and it was fairly comprehensive. However, members only had to have this physical every 5 years. Additionally, as long as one passed the pulmonary function test and could duck walk, you were okay to continue on. More than a few guys of "generous proportions" were allowed to continue to serve. I've read too many stories and known too many people who have suffered injury and very sadly death and it can be directly attributed to their physical health.
At work, we have to have an annual physical which includes pulmonary function, EKG, heart rate on a stair master, eyes, ears, typical vitals and a full blood work-up. Members who's heartrate is too high, have hypertension, extremely high cholesterol or are excessively overweight, ect, are removed from full duty status and assigned to work somewhere where they can work on these problems without risking their health.
The Job did a casual study some years ago where members would work a normal tour while wearing a heart monitor. These members, in good health, had extremely large swings in heart rate. At times, they went from a rate in the 60's to a rate close to 200 in seconds. This is what happens when you're resting and then the tones drop and the housewatchman tells you it's a phone alarm for fire and people are reported trapped.
I know we walk a fine line in the VFD of wanting to retain members without placing too much strain on their personal lives. This is a tough balancing act, however, we might be shying too far away and ignoring very real health concerns. We need to protect our members and their families.
This is highly stressful and dangerous work. We don't need to make it more-so by not protecting ourselves.
What is being done? What can be done differently?

From a risk management standpoint, lowering standards in the name of recruitment and retention is dangerous. The mere fact that an agency can put lives at risk for permanent disability/dismemberment/death rather than adhering to an acceptable physical and safety standard, even minimal can make for a costly operation in the long run. With watchdog groups, politicians and others crying for fiscal prudence, is that a risk that fire commissioners, councilmembers, etc. should take?
Paid or volunteer, the stakes are real and the job is dangerous. We can all agree to that. The most precious and hard to come by resource in the fire service are people. on the career end, they are the most expensive part of the budget, and in many volunteer outfits, new members are hard to come by. Making sure we have trained personnel who are in shape to handle the combat conditions of firefighting is a big deal. Christopher Brennan talks about the Metabolic Calorie Burn of Firefighting operations in his new book, and on his blog www.thefireservicewarrior.com Check it out, the facts he presents are staggering.
At the local and company level, any department/company/municipality/fire district/etc. should provide members with access to health and diet coaching, physical training, and a gym. This is a great use for that 2% insurance money. The key here is prevention. As M'Ave pointed out, the informal study done in NYC shows a big stress on cardiac health, and that stress is not temporary, but cumulative over years of service.
What can we do for line personnel? We can sell ourselves and our brothers and sisters a culture change. We can eat well in the firehouse, if we try. Drop the doughnuts and coffee (i indulge from time to time too) step back from the TV room after your downtime, and get on the treadmill or in the gym for part of your shift or standby duty. Come to work hydrated, stretched, and ready to go into combat, because that is the reality of the work, career or volunteer. None of the resources above are any good if we don't make the commitment to live healthy and keep ourselves ready for the worst at all times. A culture change can be hard to sell, but when it comes to overall health of firefighters, it should be a no brainer.

There are a few single trucks left around the job. In Manhattan, Ladders 3, 8, 20 and 25. In Brooklyn, Ladder 102. Lastly, in Queens, Ladder 116.
Moving them in with Engines doesn't accomplish what they're looking to do. Rigs and buildings might seem expensive, but it's manpower that actually costs something significant. The reason moving single Co's doesn't do what they want is, they're looking to close companies and still be able to have response times APPEAR the same. Although, they don't take into account how much longer it takes the 2nd or 3rd due units to arrive. Nor do they factor in the fact that a truck might get into a box and have no engine for 30 seconds, a minute or maybe longer. We're talking about a dangerous game of fudging numbers and the mayor is getting warmed up.
As for the 5th man, we've been without the Door Man since Feb. 1. Don't worry.....there's only been a few dozen fire deaths since the city effectively doubled the amount of time it takes to stretch into a building.....
Interesting that 3 years ago the city said, give us the 5th man or we're going to have to close fire companies. Now he's got the 5th man AND gunning for companies.
As for layoffs, no there won't be any. We're at least 300 under headcount right now. Some closings would effectively eat up that difference, in the short term. We're not going to hire for another 18-24 months minimum.

Tradition has nothing to do with strategy, tactics, thermal imaging, smooth bore tips, and so on. It is about respect for those who came before us by doing our jobs in a certain manner. It is a jargon that any fireman would quickly recognise as ours. They are not fire trucks, they are Engines and Trucks, and they are housed in quarters on the apparatus floor (not the garage). To test tradition in your firehiuse, try this: Leave a $100 bill and a cupcake on the kitchen counter. Turn around, and the cupcake will be gone. Turn old and gray and the $100 will still be there.
Tradition has its place. It doesnt impede progress. It helps us make progress,even at the worst of times.
“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrifice.”
Chief Edward F. Croker

Much like my mother's rule, and for that matter every woman's rule for China, bath towels, etc.
Buy two clipboards...one for everyday and a good one for when guests come to town.
C'mon, helicopper, I bet your nnother had the same rule and strictly enforced it.

"Only" 2 heavy rescue companies? If a place like New York City Can get by with 5, given the call volume, I'm sure that they can get by with 1. While all of these 12 departments seem to have no shortage of equipment (kudos to their commissioners for equipping their departments as best they can), the overwhelming posts here seem to indicate a lack of "human capital" i.e. staffing. Having an excellent fleet means nothing if the companies aren't staffed and cannot respond and effectively mitigate emergencies.
Disclaimer: My only experience experience up there is driving by most of these fire stations in my travels.

Plain and simple.

"Only" 2 heavy rescue companies? If a place like New York City Can get by with 5, given the call volume, I'm sure that they can get by with 1. While all of these 12 departments seem to have no shortage of equipment (kudos to their commissioners for equipping their departments as best they can), the overwhelming posts here seem to indicate a lack of "human capital" i.e. staffing. Having an excellent fleet means nothing if the companies aren't staffed and cannot respond and effectively mitigate emergencies.
Disclaimer: My only experience experience up there is driving by most of these fire stations in my travels.

Shady as fudge and a poor excuse to get manpower. If you want career men, hire them as such.

I beg to differ. Rummagers are above the awareness level but below the operations level although they think they are smarter than ops level people.
President Obama is trying his best to increase the number of rummager teams across the nation. He heeps raising taxes and national debt. He got us a new health care plan and collective bargaining will soon be a thing of the past. He's ignored the highest gas prices ever.
I think that in less than a year all cops, FF's and EMT's will be rummagers too.

Regarding Liability, let me just say that this is the USA. You can sue almost anyone for almost anything.
You can win with a ridiculous premise (MacDonalds sold me a hot cup of coffee that I spilled in my lap while driving).
You can lose with a perfectly sound argument (FDNY has spent millions to recruit minorities but still can't hire off the list).
It's all up to a jury who could be made up of those loonies that you meet every day on those "strange" calls, or by a judge who has been out of the mainstreamm of society for so long that he doesn't have a clue.
Every lawsuit has three winners: The guy that won...and two lawyers.
That makes "Are you liable" a rhetorical question.

It's a little bulky, but the Mini 5 is remarkably easy to program with free software and a $10 cable from ebay. I can't set the time on my microwave but I was able to reprogram a M5 with four completely different settings for two different FDs in under 60 seconds my first time trying.

I would definitely think that staffing is the reason why the Pelham stick was not raised. The fact that 2 guys arrive ( I think that's the # )at a job makes you decide your priorities. #1 forcible entry for the engine company, #2 search of the fire floor for victims and locate the fire for the engine company, #3 search above the fire for victims and vent, and #4 open up. Does not leave a lot of time for the LCC to stick the house. In New Rochelle our assignments are as follows for PD's and multi dwelling ( non high rise ) First due truck, officer and jump seat ff force entry search fire floor, first due chauffeur does a walk around looking for things the IC may need to know ( fire location from outside and victims hanging out windows or who have already jumped ) Second due truck, officer and jump seat ff go to the floor above and search while the second due chauffeur hooks up with the first due chauffeur and ladders the building with ground ladders or the sticks. Third due if needed picks up the slack, opening up, more ground ladders, secondary searches. Pelham is up against it as soon as the bells go off and truly have to "do more with less".

Thankfully this speech has resurfaced. To me this speech should be a mandatory part of every firemen's training. Here's the links. I suggerst that if, like me you believe as the LT does, you save it before it is again disappears under the assualt of the safety zealots. Part 1 http://www.4shared.c...ue_Values_.html Part 2 http://www.4shared.c...ue_Values_.html Thanks LT for saying what needs to be said. Cogs

Found this story about a Japanese FF that made the ultimate sacrifice during the tsunami and his comrades. I think it shows that firemen are firemen the world over.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110405/wl_asia_afp/japandisasteraccidentnucleartsunamifirefighter
Cogs

If you hear that, they ran out of fuel 3 days ago, since the Urea tank holds enough for 3 full tanks of diesel fuel.

While college degrees and coursework may not provide an individual directly with job skills, they do provide workers with critical thinking and communication skills that are useful in any line of employment, especially in ours. As public and political pressure increases, we need leaders, who can represent our services accurately, and use critical thinking and communication to get the job done. Also, it is worth mentioning that a great deal of NYS and NFA training classes also count for college credit...