crk830

Ny10578. Do you have any children?

Norwalk's headquarters is slated to be demoed starting in December (hopefully)so all of the companies from here will be moving over to the shops were the tanker was stored. So the number one reason we gave it back to NC was to create room for the front line pieces. It also sat idled for the last three years or so not going on one call and the plans that we did have for it in the beginning all sort of fell through due to time and money reasons.

For the highway, hazmats and other areas of the town where there were long hose lays I believe was the original intentions. I have to search the forum archives when it was located to Norwalk. Unless Joe C. can explain the ET's use better.

We're using the Hastings Tiller as a training unit right now. Norwalk hasn't had a tiller in over thirty years so a lot of driver training is being done on the spare (which is mint condition). Our new KME tiller will hopefully go into service in May or June once we get a large enough pool of drivers. Once that happens the Hastings Tiller will stay as a training unit and became a spare ladder as the second or third back up if needed. The Rescue that Hasting is getting is our number three spare for rescues. We are very lucky to have a talented mechanics division, Scott Plank and his crew can make almost anything out of nothing. This rescue is on a spatan chassis (1990 maybe) we had three of our engines refurbed in 2005 (guessed at the year). This was the best of the old chassises and Scott got a hold of an old New Canaan rescue body and had it placed on this chassis. The rescue is in good condition and am sure will serve them well for a long time to come. Am not sure if this link will work am trying to find a better picture will post it when I find it check on page 2 bottom left.

http://local830.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_pics.cfm&viewmode=thumb&galleryID=2196&gallery=Norwalk%20Fire%20Apparatus%20Shots

I apologise for not posting sooner but we have been busy up here as of late.

Thank you for your support during this terrible time. We appreciate all the members coming up and giving our fallen brothers a fitting sendoff.

For anyone interested Bridgeport Firefighters Local 834 has set up a fund for the families at www.local834.org

If people are interested in buying memorial shirts for $15 with all profits going to the families let me know. We are talking about doing sales thru the mail via PAYPAL.

Stay safe

Lt Nick Esposito

Bridgeport Fire Department

The Local834.org web site is now taking on line orders. Here is the link that should bring you to the page.

http://www.local834.org/index.php/2010/08/last-alarm-memorial-t-shirts-now-for-sale-online/

This is from the Bridgeport FD facebook page in case anyone wants to order anything. I stopped by today and a few of the guys said that there is at least one other T-Shirt design and possible a third one in the works. When I hear or see anything about the other ones I will let you know or if Lt. Esposito aka FFNick knows when or how to order am sure he'll post it also.

Stickers - $5.00 EACH

The Memorial Stickers for LT Velasquez and FF Baik are available for purchase for $5.00 EACH.

LT Giovanni Sanzo is the person responsible for distributing the stickers. To purchase the sticker, please send him all your information (Name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, quantity of stickers) and any other correspondence to Gman339@gmail.com or he can be contacted at (203) 231-0766.

.

___________________________________________________________________

Memorial T-Shirts - $15.00 EACH

The LT Velasquez/FF Baik Memorial T-Shirts are available for purchase. Each shirt is $15.00 EACH, with assorted sizes available for men and women. All proceeds will be to support the Baik and Velasquez families.

FF Ceferino Rivera of the Bridgeport Fire Department is the person responsible for producing and selling these shirts. FF Rivera has been active with the department for the past 22 years, and has been supplying Bridgeport firefighters with work and novelty t-shirts and hats for many years. FF Rivera is known affectionately throughout the fire department as the "t-shirt man."

To make a purchase, please send your name, mailing address, telephone number, eMail address and any other correspondence regarding your purchase to jriverafrn@comcast.net.

Services today. God Rest.

I just returned from the first service. Couldn't make the second one due to child care issues. There were many departments there that had members attend. Charleston S.C. must have had at least ten or more. Quite a few from DC and Kentland . A few from Toronto, Calgary. Along with Boston, Worcester. FDNY had a great turnout along with Yonkers and other Westchester departments. I would be surprised if any Ct. departments were there. So many others that came to show what a brotherhood we have (Policer officers were well representative in the crowd also). FDNY had a team there (along with Waterbury) that seem to run the funeral at the churches. Talking to one of the Lt's from that team he estimated that 3,500 to 4,000 people attendee the first funeral. The first mass didn't get over till almost one o'clock but considering the amount of people the transportation seem to go fine. It is always a sad day when we have to bury a Brother and two on the same day is worst. May the two brothers Rest In Peace and always watch over the rest of us!

I'm going to try and change the direction of this thread for a bit here...does anyone have any POSITIVE feedback on the subject?

Yes something positive out of this video was that no one died this time using these tactics. In ten or twenty year when cancer sets in we can revisit this and wonder why no SCBA was being used.

CRK830 - Captain, thank you for posting the information.

Also, I am still hearing there is going to be a public memorial at Harbor Yard Friday afternoon after the private funerals for both men. Information will be posted as it becomes available.

I do believe as you will see below that the funerals are not private any more. As I get more "official" information I will try and pass it on. City's all through lower Connecticut from Greenwich to West Haven up to Danbury are covering the Bridgeport stations so that all of their personal can attend the service.

All personnel who plan on attending the funeral should stage at Steele Point at any time after 0700 hrs. Members will be bused to the two funerals from Steele Pointe and will be transported to the post funeral gathering at Harbor Yard and final transport back to Steele Point.

Directions from I95 Northbound

Take exit 28 for CT-127/E Main St

0.2 mi

Turn right at CT-127 S/E Main St

Continue to follow E Main St

0.2 mi

Turn right

240 ft

Steel Point

Bridgeport, CT 06608

(Guys from CT, if you hear the offical word from BFD, please feel free to post it up. Thank you)

Private funerals for our fallen BFD firefighters will be held separately on Friday afternoon, July 30th. Calling hours for the public will be held on Thursday, July 29th for both firefighters:

Wake

LT Steven Velasquez: 12 PM - 4 PM at Klein Memorial Auditorium

at 910 Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport.

Funeral: St. Augustine’s Cathedral

359 Washington Avenue

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Friday, July 30, 2010

10:00 a.m.

Burial: Lakeview Cemetery

Boston Avenue

Bridgeport, CT

FF Michel Baik:

4 PM - 8 PM at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home

419 White Plains Road Trumbull.

Funeral: St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church

5458 Park Avenue

Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604

Friday, July 30, 2010

2:00 p.m.

Burial: Lawncroft Cemetery

Black Rock Turnpike

Fairfield, Connecticut

The Congregation of Firefighters, a service open to all firefighters, will be held Friday, July 30th at the Arena at Harbor Yard, 600 Main Street in Bridgeport after the second funeral service.

Wow, I love how everyone dismisses a younger member's claims. Like not one of the veteran guys have seen an organization acting like a current members only club? Come on. Personally, I have witnessed and or heard of this happening often and regardless of the original poster's issues, it needs to stop. In a time where work weeks are increasing in hours and jobs are harder to find, volunteers are harder and harder to come by. Every organization that even thinks of asking for someone to sacrifice their time should be doing everything they can to allow volunteers to give their time, not throw up antiquated and prideful barriers. I understand response times, but if a member can get there in a good time, who cares wheres he's coming from?? If my organization relied on members who lived in there area, guess what we would have three members, all the rest come from outside the area, and some from signifigant distances. If companies are worried about response times, make members coming from a longer distance stand full tours in house so their response time won't be an issue, and as a matter of fact the response time of the company would be better b/c there's memebers at the house. Everyone always complains about volunteers killing xyz service...how about current administrations????

I believe most of the replies were about his know it all attitude and I know more than you do. He set the tone for this discussion and now has to face the criticism. As for the residence issues,each company has it own policies. I believe he is talking about Darien Ct and knowing members in all three of there departments I know first hand they all have some what liberal policies. It sounds as if he made his bed and now has to sleep in it by pissing people in those departments.

That is exactly what's happening to me!!! My town has three volunteer fire departments, each in their own district. The fire department that I live closest to I am reluctant to join for personal reasons.

I have been into firefighting a long time, I know quite a few contacts in the fire service in high positions, and I know the job and what I'm doing practically inside and out, even more that most guys on the job today. In my opinion, it's not right, but unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anything that I can do about it, other than to put in an application to that department, as well as the one in my district, and just see what happens.

This isn't a good way to win many friends here on this board or in any Department. As for your town and the three departments I know many people on all three of them and you must have pissed off more than a few people to get "black balled". It has been said many times here at your age it is best to just shut up and learn take in everything you can even if you think you may know more than they do. How do you "know the job" if you aren't on a department? Watching TV shows doesn't count

Congrats to Lt. Coppola who will now be know has Capt. Coppola. Joe was just promoted to Captain On Monday April 19.

Good Luck Joe....less firefighting more desk work and more headaches.....

http://www.thehour.com/story/485215

I believe the application said that they have 1 opening right now

As of right now we have 8 vacancy's. Over the next 24 months there will be at least 10 to 15 retirements, that doesn't mean that the city will hire to fill them all. The powers to be say it is cheaper to pay overtime than fill all of the vacancy's.

Unless the whole thing was staged. I hope it's not the case, but it's been weird that there's been no leads at all. I was already thinking about these things a few days afterwards.

A news conference is scheduled at 4 pm today. The state police team that was investigated the scene is meeting with the chief now. Matt's family will be told of the finding first before it is released to the public. No matter what they find it is a sad day and week for the department.

With the tragic shooting of the Norwalk Police Officer this morning, I noticed that both NYC and Westchester Police helicopters responded to aid in the search for the suspect.

Granted, Westchester County PD's Chopper can be there within moments, as we share a border, but does southwestern CT have a dedicated Law Enforcement helicopter available 24/7? You would think with the high crime cities, such as Norwalk and Bridgeport, the expanses of some jurisdictions, the Long Island Sound, and I-95, that CT SP would at least have one dedicated to the major part of the state. Especially with a major international helicopter manufacturer and repair/refurb facility located within the county!!

Seth, I was working last night and once I heard the call I had the scanner on. The Ct. State police chopper was OOS. The next resource that PD IC asked for was Westchester Country with an Appox. 45 minute ETA. I believe that Westchester Country suggested calling NYPD who had an 30 minute ETA. We sent an engine to the closest high school to light up the area for both landings. Norwalk PD sent an officer up in each bird and each chopper left a portable that was sent to the command post. Our FD had an engine and our rescue on scene for the duration, our last unit cleared today around 14:30 hours.

First red engines and now this...what ever happened to tradition? Next you'll abandon the trolley schedule as a basis for the shift change.

One more tradition that is leaving with Jim. Red Suspenders, Jim always wore them with his pants during the day. The only person that was left in the department that did.

GOOD LUCK

Jim

Stamford is similar to Bpt. Vacancies are filled by:

1. Have an eligible FF or LT who is on the appropriate promotional list act in the higher capacity

2. Hire an OT Lt or Capt if there is: a. OT and b. that person has low enough hours to be hired

3. If neither of the above can be met then the vacancy is filled by seniority.

We do have a minimum of sworn officers that must be on-duty at all times. If we fall below that then either vacation will be cancelled or more likely an officer will be hired back on OT.

In Norwalk we have to hire (overtime) rank for rank Ie: Capt for a Capt, Lt for a Lt, often the officer has to move from one station to another to cover the job. If we are unable to fill the vacancy that way we than go to anyone that is on that promotional list. After that we will go to the seniority method, senior Capt to DC, senior Lt to Capt, than Senior firefighter to Lt. Anyone who acts in a higher rank receives a small amount of extra pay in addition to their regular overtime rate, $12.00 from Captain to Dc, $11.00 Lt. to Captain and $10.00 FF. to Lt. As a last resort we will hold over someone in that rank position. In my twenty years we have yet to run short all of the jobs get covered one way or another. Having minimum man power in the contact is a great thing, at least until the city over hires which can be another whole topic.

Chris

engine one is going to be the first new red engine in the city

than the rescue and truck co's i believe are going to go out to bid if they allready havent yet.

Engine 1 (Spartan) will be be in the city sometime in April and yes it will be solid red with the striping still to be determined. The Rescue should be going out to bid early summer and hopefully a new truck will survive the buget cuts and start the planning stages soon. As for the new Ferrara "soda" truck it is coming from the state or a homeland security grant, we already have a "Prime mover" (Pierce / Freightliners) and a state decon trailer.

Hope that helps a little

Chris