firefighter36

time for me to weigh in on this one--again stating it is just my thoughts.
There is or should have been a system in place to file for 207-A related injuries and or illnesses. if he missed a dead line or wasn't aware of what to do--that becomes a union issue.
The one year out sick is a decision on the Districts part-- after one year(unlimited sick) the District has the right to send you to THEIR doctor and get a opinion on whether the firefighter can work or not. If he CAN'T he is then entitled to a medical disability--- that amounts to 1/3 of his salary or his last 12 months which ever is higher.
He would then be able to register for social Security disability for medical expenses. To be denied this opportunity is just wrong on the District. Unless I am missing some important information.

I wish the brother from EFD, L-916 much luck. Rich will tear the District apart. I know my president already reached out to Shawn in regards to this situation. This has got MaryLou Conrow written all over it. She is an evil individual coming to a job near you, beware. But as grotesque as a person as she is, she's not the one making the decision to fire FF Maldari.
The article seems pretty clear cut and firing FF Maldari on an "off the line for one year" technicality seems petty, unethical, immoral and plain right stupid. Is there more to this story?
Good luck brother Maldari, we're in your corner.

It is election time. I think Westchester firefighters need to get together for some good ole fashion picketing. It could be you next!!!

Time for a rally ?

It was a very busy week for me but I am pleased to announce that my
1974 Mack CF will be featured in the movie NON-STOP with Liam Neeson.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024469/
I was also cast as an extra and got to drive my rig in the movie as a Firefighter/Chauffeur.


Movie should be out in February 2014

-flashlight of some sort
-Gerber knife
-first aid kit
-get home/ go bag stored in car
-Wherever legal: Springfield XD-S .45ACP (5 & 7 round mags are still legal in NY this week)

45ACP, because shooting twice is just silly.

phone
wallet
pager
springfield xd .40 sub compact w/tach light and laser w/2 10 round clips an 1 in the pipe
or
ruger sr9 w/2 10 round clips an 1 in the pipe depends on what clothes have on that day
spring asset flip knife

-flashlight of some sort
-Gerber knife
-first aid kit
-get home/ go bag stored in car
-Wherever legal: Springfield XD-S .45ACP (5 & 7 round mags are still legal in NY this week)

Brotherhood can take on a number of different aspects. Yes without doubt firefighters talking and doing firefighting activities is surely a big part of it, but how about a few others like:
When a member or spouse/ family member of a member is sick long term or gets deployed their fellow members help them out with things like,
*shopping
*yard work
*house cleaning
*babysitting or...
*How about actually taking 15 minutes out of our busy schedules to visit the guy/gal in the hospital
*or if need be a little financial support for the members family to help get them through and...
maybe even something as simple as an ear if it's needed
Here's a good one too - Treating the members you don't like as well as the ones you do...a little respect goes a long way
I think you get the idea

I fear Brotherhood has lost out to technology. The ability to have one's personal life literally at ones fingertips 24/7/365 ensures that is the priority 24/7/365. The camaraderie , Brotherhood and sense of family I found as a proby is lost since gone, taken one small step at a time, though in pretty short order.
When I started at my career position we had two computers used for entering basic NFIRs reports and typing official letters. We arrived at work at least a half an hour before the shift to ensure the off going guys didn't get stuck on a BS run that would mess up their plans. We all gathered at the dayroom table to discuss any pertinent FD issues that arose in the past 48 hours, and then typically drifted to anything of interest we'd done, heard or seen in the same time period. We knew each other on a personal level. We were allowed one phone call home in the evening not to exceed 10 minutes (we had but 1 business line). You'd call home say good night and unless it was an emergency, hope that you didn't get a call from outside. We all gathered at every "scheduled" break and ate meals together. Strangely 15-18 years ago we rarely shared a meal as one, we merely ate our own things at the same table at the same time. That changed almost as a reaction to the loss of time together a few ears after I started. Nonetheless we all, had nothing better to do than keep each other entertained. We constantly played practical jokes on each other, frequently gather to smoke on the bay floor (designated area at that time, when we not as health conscious). We'd practically beg our Chief to regale us with stories of jobs and his war experiences (best story teller ever!). We'd watch the same TV at night and for the morning news. We were tight. Every shift was tight and due to stricter staffing rules we had to swap more often so we had reason to be tight with other guys too. When we came to work, we left everything else at home, very little from home affected us unless it was a personal issue that had an affect on a guys' focus (impending divorce, financial crisis, death in the family) the day to day stuff had to wait until the next day, period.
Of the past 15 years we first started to get better computers, which at first only allowed games, so we started to lose a few people to video games once in a while, but for the most part it was unnoticeable. Then came the internet, and that's when we started to lose guys for hours, sometimes whole tours we'd only share time on calls or community work. Maybe here's where we started to do the communal evening meal that at least brought all shift members to the same table for an hour or so. Then we seemed to find the end of the internet and people grew bored with it. It became a nice tool, but less exciting unless looking for something specific.
Somewhere along the way, cellphones became smaller and mainstream and suddenly guys were hiding on the floor at night arguing with the wife or other people. Our home lives came to the station. Suddenly, all the day to day issues, were confronting guys while they were at work. We struggled to keep up with the changing technology with rules that tried to at least ensure actual work was unaffected, but alas, that didn't work, changes were far too rapid. Requests for emergency time off for this and that increased, personnel were often scattered to the far ends of the building quietly dealing with their home/life issues instead of watching TV, sharing stories or otherwise congregating together.
And today all the technologies collide to nearly obliterate anyone's sense that they can come to work to get away from everything else. Facebook has inserted people back into to each other lives, but on a far less personal level. People know things about each other but given they can read this and get the info indirectly they have ample opportunity to express their true views without the person being able to explain or defend themselves. Now we see far more snickering and back stabbing amongst "brothers". Many Facebook users see the guys/girls spouses opinions and actions and suddenly have their opinion on that, something that used to be somewhat off limits. Smartphones ensure all of this takes place wherever/whenever the member is. Our crews still meet at the dayroom table in the morning and share information, as soon as FD interests are gone, it generally devolves to "did you see what, so and so posted?" or "if I was married to that .....I'd ....". Most mornings there's 8-12 people sitting around, but only 2 or 3 are talking and the rest have their faces buried in the smartphones. Firefighters are far less likely to come in early for another, instead coming in at literally the last minute, still chatting away to whomever was more important at 0658 in the morning.
We still eat the evening meal together but typically it's pretty quiet as one or two people text their way through dinner. We had to make a rule that talking on personal phones was done outside the dayroom otherwise you could watch TV or remotely converse. Yep, a rule that addresses common courtesy. Still in the evening those who have gravitated back to the dayroom to watch TV, now do so with an Ipad on their lap and constantly are convinced the rest of us need to see whatever stupid thing was sent to them or posted on a Facebook page, totally oblivious that others might actually not care.
Sorry, Moose, this wasn't a positive story of Brotherhood. Maybe I'm "old" or just don't find myself interesting enough to Tweet or be on Facebook, and while I think we the Brothers and Sisters allowed this to happen, it's technology that killed Brotherhood. While this is what I see from the career side, I imagine that on the volunteer/call side, the technology has become a time drain that hurts volunteerism, as people spend far more time using the web media to stay up on all things that used to be none of their business. The hardest part is that I now realize how much I miss the more personal interaction with those I work with and the job is becoming much more of a job. I used to want to go to work, now I'm ambivalent, I'd likely take far more time off if other duties wouldn't just pile up on my desk. I find myself looking for projects to reinvigorate my attitude, and this is a common feeling among many of members with 10-12 year or more on the job.

I think Firemoose827 it's because of the World we now live in where like many have said you can't offend anyone anymore and have to constantly be "politically correct" for fear of being sued and labeled a racist. Tradition in the F/S is practically dead which is sad. Like one member posted in the other forum also, everyone now receives a trophy and as a result can not accept failure and to be told their no good at something and if they are will head right to the powers to be to complain. This all trickles down to the moral on the job where nobody wants to participate in anything anymore. Another big reason why I see the Brotherhood disappearing is because of the quality of individuals Depts. are hiring. Depts. now seem to be more concerned with "Quantity" then "Quality" for fear again of being labeled racist/biased towards certain individuals and groups and have lowered their "STANDARDS" to attract these individuals. As a result those members who are 100% dedicated towards their Profession get discouraged having to work with these incompetent individuals who for the most part are just there for a paycheck and don't want to associate with them either on or off the Job, especially when these individuals don't get reprimanded for their unacceptable actions/mistakes on and off the Job but almost seem to be rewarded and left alone. After awhile it gets discouraging to those who really do care and try and do the" right" thing and as a result everyone is out for themselves and the "Brotherhood" is now in the toilet. JMO

I wanted to find out what everyones thoughts were on brotherhood in the fire service and maybe hear some memories of what a good strong brotherhood should be like.
Brotherhood to me is dead. I dont see it anymore and if it is claimed to be alive its fake and only for certain "Cliques" in the department; if you are not a member you dont exist.
The fire service should be a second family, which is why we call each other "brother" or "Sister", but you should MEAN what you say, and ACT as family and not just talk a big game.
When I was young and on Long Island with my father in my first department, I was constantly at the firehouse with him since I was in diapers. Most of the membership had actually changed my diapers or babysat for me or picked me up from school once when my dad was hurt bad in a construction accident where he works and brought to the hospital to my mother who was already there. Then a bunch of them STAYED at the hospital until my dad was stable, running errands for my mom, getting my mom, brother and I food...It was a true family.
When I became a member upstate it was a different world. I was a member for 9 years when my 2 year old son passed away, and only 2 members; thats right, only TWO members came to my sons funeral. None of them came to the hospital when he was there, or to our house to see if we needed anything...it was not a family.
I am in department number 4 now, and the last department I will be in because we just got our first house. But the department has very little "brotherhood" and as a chief I am trying to change that. I am trying to get more department functions, and trying to get the members to call each other more and help each other more. But you can't force something or order something like brotherhood on your members, it needs to be genuine and from the heart and meant for the entire department, right down to that annoying guy who keeps irritating the hell out of you at drills and meetings.
Brotherhood...Does it still exist in your area?

Maybe Castle Point will buy one.......................................

Yes. As an assistant chief, if I call for mutual aid for tankers and manpower...I want that manpower to be ready, able and trained to fight fires. Usually you will get a mix of members; some interior, some exterior, even some who are brand new members that have new turnouts on (but cant use them) and are basically good for "gopher" duties only. And in some cases you get more explorers riding the rig then firefighters.
Same for accident scenes; I shouldnt have to ask if you are trained to extricate someone from a vehicle, if you dont have AVET then you shouldnt be on the rescue truck when it rolls to an MVA.
My bitch for years has been to adopt the same standards as EMT's in our state. They have to go through a certification process involving training (classroom and hands on), and two tests in order to receive your license. Then you have to re-cert every three years. THATS the way it should be for firefighters, but I feel a good re-cert term for us would be five years. Show up, demonstrate you still know the basic skills in the training facility, take a test and your re-certified. Fail...and you have to re-take the training. Lots of people hate the idea, yet they still bitch on these forums that training standards should be taken more seriously state wide for firefighters....I feel this idea is a good option; is it the ultimate cure for the problem? Never. But its a good option that should be considered and revised to suit our needs.
But I agree; same training for every firefighter, paid or volunteer, big city or small rural farm community with one engine and 6 members. Same across the board so every "firefighter" on scene can do every task required of them.

The 1st Amendment is what it is and I support it 100%.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
As we can see it guarantees freedom of speech and assembly ...even offensive, disrespectful and down right idiotic speech by a gathering of libelous lunatics. But far better to let these A-holes gather and spew their nonsense, blocked in the streets by the multitude exercising their freedom of assembly, than to open the door to government censorship and the freedoms we would lose (and one could argue the present Administration is bent on taking)

I think its paramount that everyone who belongs to a labor union, whether or not your private or public sector to oppose this proposed repeal. It would mean the literal enslavement of the public sector workers that would be suject to the whim's of administrators and politicans currying votes. I'm not public sector, but i'm private sector union and I know the damage it can do to a union; It's tantamount to putting a knife into someone with their back turned away from you. The playing field has to be level. It has to be stopped at all costs.

Today I have learned that a true legend has passed away after a long battle with Cancer. Her name is Irene Gremmert and she was a paramedic I had the honor and privilege to work with. For many of us in the Emergency Medical Service community she was at times a "Mom" to all of us. Irene had one of the most important skills that someone in EMS can have. Empathy. She could empathize with her patients and understand where they were coming from. She had an unmistakable laugh that was infectious spreading smiles far and wide. I will remember cleaning ambulances, amazing response times, the art of listening to Iron Maiden while driving to a call, and having fun at work because life is too short and to demanding to let work bog you down.I will miss you Irene. May you rest in peace and look over us as we go out there and do work.

Thank you!
My goal is simple. Make EMTBravo better and a place where all of us involved in Emergency Services enjoy visiting.
EMTBravo has some very loyal members and it's time to tap into that for some suggestions in making improvements.
We are nothing without YOU the members.
All I ask for is support.
Feel free to e-mail me with any suggestions for improvements, compliments or complaints. I will try to address each and every one.
Rob

As Senator Greg Ball said last night... "Lets stop this insanity and repeal this bill!!"

Good Afternoon,
Throughout my time reading and posting on EMTBravo, I have seen several posts regarding civilian firearms ownership and NY Gun Laws. Recently, I became and NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor. I have been teaching NRA Certified Pistol Courses in Dutchess County, and have several more scheduled for the summer and fall. In December, my company will also be offering the Utach Concealed Carry Permit Course.
We conduct courses for people who are applying for their pistol permits (non-shooting) as well as Persons with pistol permits who wish to familiarize themselves with their firearms, or wish to upgrade their target and range permits to carry permits. We have state of the art training aids to help students learn pistol marksmanship skills. My goal as an instructor is to make competent, responsible, and most importantly SAFE shooters.
Attached is a course schedule. You can register via my website, www.NYPistolPermit.com, and if you mention EMTBravo, you will get a discount.
Also, if you are part of an organization who wishes to host a non-shooting course, contact me and we will work out a solution to use a safety course to raise funds for your organziation. Feel free to PM me on here, or email with any questions.
Mark Bendel
MB Firearms Safety Training
www.nypistolpermit.com
mbfirearms@gmail.com
MB Course Schedule.pdf

Good Afternoon,
Throughout my time reading and posting on EMTBravo, I have seen several posts regarding civilian firearms ownership and NY Gun Laws. Recently, I became and NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor. I have been teaching NRA Certified Pistol Courses in Dutchess County, and have several more scheduled for the summer and fall. In December, my company will also be offering the Utach Concealed Carry Permit Course.
We conduct courses for people who are applying for their pistol permits (non-shooting) as well as Persons with pistol permits who wish to familiarize themselves with their firearms, or wish to upgrade their target and range permits to carry permits. We have state of the art training aids to help students learn pistol marksmanship skills. My goal as an instructor is to make competent, responsible, and most importantly SAFE shooters.
Attached is a course schedule. You can register via my website, www.NYPistolPermit.com, and if you mention EMTBravo, you will get a discount.
Also, if you are part of an organization who wishes to host a non-shooting course, contact me and we will work out a solution to use a safety course to raise funds for your organziation. Feel free to PM me on here, or email with any questions.
Mark Bendel
MB Firearms Safety Training
www.nypistolpermit.com
mbfirearms@gmail.com
MB Course Schedule.pdf

Good Afternoon,
Throughout my time reading and posting on EMTBravo, I have seen several posts regarding civilian firearms ownership and NY Gun Laws. Recently, I became and NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor. I have been teaching NRA Certified Pistol Courses in Dutchess County, and have several more scheduled for the summer and fall. In December, my company will also be offering the Utach Concealed Carry Permit Course.
We conduct courses for people who are applying for their pistol permits (non-shooting) as well as Persons with pistol permits who wish to familiarize themselves with their firearms, or wish to upgrade their target and range permits to carry permits. We have state of the art training aids to help students learn pistol marksmanship skills. My goal as an instructor is to make competent, responsible, and most importantly SAFE shooters.
Attached is a course schedule. You can register via my website, www.NYPistolPermit.com, and if you mention EMTBravo, you will get a discount.
Also, if you are part of an organization who wishes to host a non-shooting course, contact me and we will work out a solution to use a safety course to raise funds for your organziation. Feel free to PM me on here, or email with any questions.
Mark Bendel
MB Firearms Safety Training
www.nypistolpermit.com
mbfirearms@gmail.com
MB Course Schedule.pdf

If you run one to Foxwoods, let me know, I'll set up a tour for of the firehouse for you.

Some firehouses are in neighborhoods with incredible foot traffic. Some are close to tourism centers. The attention can be very flattering and having a good relationship with the visiting public is good for the image of the fire service.......and t-shirt sales! Kidding aside, I assure you we all value the attention to some degree for it's importance on many levels. However, if you're visiting a firehouse, don't over stay your welcome. I've had out of towners stop by and it's great for a bit. A little tour, a chat and then that's it. Example: 54 engine and 4 truck are in the theater district. They run like crazy, like 5,000+ runs for the engine and 4,000 for the truck. Squeeze in a drill period in the afternoon and evening, a couple of meals and you're not left with a lot of time in the day.....
P.S.- I'm a buff. I resent that term being associated with this skank.