helicopper

At last, some GOOD news today....

Nice job Trooper/RN!

For background, that Trooper was an Emergency Dept R.N. prior to joining the NYSP, so he has considerable experiance.

Just some additions / corrections to the IA.
Date: 12/11/2012
Time: 1323hrs (1:23pm)
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire
District: Croton Fire District
Location: 96 S Mt. Airy Rd (Between Glengary Rd and Georgia Ln)
Units on Scene:
Croton FD: 2081, 2082, E118, E119, E120, T10, R18
Ossining FD: 2331, 2334, TL42, U51
Montrose VAFD: 2571, 2574, E225
Buchanan FD: 2551, U12
Croton EMS: 55B2
Cortlandt EMS: 88B2
Ossining EMS: 74A1, 36M1
WCDES Units: Battalion 10, C&O Zone 4
Other: Croton PD, NYSP, Croton Water Department, Con Edison
Units on Standby:
Montrose FD: 2273, E121
Yorktown FD: L51
13:23 - Croton Full Department Response for Reported Structure Fire. 2081 responding.
13:24 - 2082 responding.
13:25 - 2081 on location, heavy fire showing from a 1.5 story wood-frame structure, 10-75.
13:27 - Ossining FAST, Buchanan Cascade, Croton, Cortlandt and 36M1 EMS units dispatched along with Battalion 10.
13:29 - Command reports 1.5 story wood-frame dwelling, heavy fire in basement and first floor, all occupants are out of the house.
13:40 - Bat 10 reports heavy fire conditions, 4 L/S/O, requesting E225 from Montrose VA to the scene.
13:46 - TL42 from Ossining to the scene.
13:49 - Bat 10 reports heavy fire conditions, now has 5 L/S/O.
13:50 - Con Ed Electric on scene, killing main. Bat 10 reports unit operating from exterior.
13:55 - Interior operations resuming.
14:17 - 88B2 to Phelps with one for possible smoke inhalation (civilian).
14:34 - Bat 10 reports all visible fire knocked down, probable will hold per Command.
14:45 - Bat 10 reports fire is under control.
15:07 - Ossining FAST & U12 released.
15:35 - TL42 released.
16:01 - E225 released.
16:19 - All Croton units in service, Command terminated.
On arrival, we had heavy fire coming out of the D-side basement windows, the C-side entrance to the basement and fire showing on the first floor. Crews mounted an aggressive interior attack along with a brief exterior attack, using handlines in the basement, first floor and attic as well as the exterior. We pulled the men back briefly to hit it from outside and regroup, then pushed on with coordinated roof ventilation.
The occupants of the home included two elderly parties that were assisted from the home by other family members and a work crew at a neighboring house. I give credit to these guys for getting everyone out of the house, as this fire took off with great intensity and speed.
The report from the occupants and C&O indicate candles in the basement fell and created a fire involving the bed, books, and other combustibles in the room. The gentleman in the basement ran upstairs and got everyone out of the house. (Thank God).
I'd also like to point out the understated usefulness of our Mutual Aid Coordinators - not just ours (Battalion 10). As the IC I was able to worry only about my units on scene, and anything I needed relayed to 60 Control or any apparatus requests, all I had to do was have Battalion 10 handle it. I know a lot of Chiefs and Incident Commanders feel the need to try and do everything, but this way worked SOOOO MUCH BETTER than other times where I tried to juggle both task.
If you have a fire in this county and don't have the luxury of an Aide, take advantage of the MACs (Battalions). That's what they're there for - not to run your call but to help you manage it.
On behalf of the Croton Fire Department, I'd like to thank our Mutual Aid partners from Ossining, Montrose VA and Buchanan for their assistance on scene, as well as the coverage units from Montrose and Yorktown. Also, thanks to Croton, Cortlandt and Ossining EMS for being there.
Lastly, thanks to the men of the CFD that were there today. You guys always make me proud.
Thanks.
Chief John Munson
Croton FD

Employers can enforce pretty much any drug standard they want for their employees, regardless of state and federal legality of the substance.
For example, alcohol is legal, and if your employer forbids alcohol consumption or being under the influence while working, they could take whatever action they choose against someone testing positive.
Regarding companies that do have drug/alcohol policies, the rules are always spelled out and employees are informed of all employer-banned substances and the consequences of testing positive for any of those.

You don't need a "hard" quantitative reading. You need to do what most other states already do. Couple accepted signs of impairment (through trained/experienced observation and standardized field sobriety testing) with qualitative lab values to provide the basis for prosecution.
Been done that way successfully all this time, these laws permitting possession won't change that fact.
And no, I don't predict a huge increase in DWI accidents. The people who might take advantage of this change in public policy are already smoking marijuana now.

I'm split on this. Do I think more people should be involved in elections? Sure, if they have any idea what they're talking about. But do we want people just voting because theres a "D" or "R" next to their name during a general election?

Please note that I make the following comment from behind sufficient, ballistic protective, tactical cover:
If this is such a big issue maybe its time to get rid of fire districts and make them part of the municipality, instead of making the FD a separate political entity. Our department did just that after financial problems made a district financially unsustainable.

I'm not sure of your background or experience but you are treading on very thin ice with the volunteer/career comments. Please DO NOT start a career vs. volunteer debate; see the forum guidelines for an explanation on why we won't tolerate that.
As for your question...
I don't give a damn if the crew coming to help my local FD when my house is on fire is career or volunteer SO LONG AS they're properly trained and equipped to do the job and have the appropriate numbers of personnel. If it's a career truck with one FF or a volunteer truck with five guys but only one "qualified" FF, you can keep 'em.
What is the benefit of "local knowledge" when you have fire blowing out the windows in an ordinary construction building? The engine guys know how to stretch hose no matter what street they're on and the ladder guys know how to ventilate the building regardless of its address? Getting there may be a momentary issue but with GPS, computers, smart-phones, maps and, oh yeah, the radio if all else fails, they're going to get there.

Sorry to go off topic but why wouldn't you want to be trained in at least CPR???? You may need it on a family member or friend.

I don't know, but maybe feeling that she betrayed the future King is pretty devistating.

"and entering into a world where putting out the fire with water may not always be the best thing"
Wrong wrong wrong. If we have learned anything in the past few years it's get water on the seat of the fire fast and first.
There is only one reason the manufacturers are selling you foams, rapid, slippery water, penetrating juices, surface tension breaking potions, little grenades that are thrown in the window, and on and on.
It's because they are unable to sell you WATER!
Once manufacturers realize that people are drinking bottled water at a cost per gallon that is greater than the price of gasoline, and that they can buy the same NYC tap water for pocket change, they will then be able to sell us water, the universal solvent.

Andy, I know you are aware of it, but even though it is not required, each volunteer department could adopt it. Could it be standardized? Yes.
Could it be done on a county or regional level? Yes
Would it chase away volunteers? I do not know, but if you cant dedicate a minimum of 2 hours of training per week (or 8 hours per month) then you are of no use to the fire dept. and maybe chasing those that cant be bothered away is a good thing.
Could it be run at DES? Yes, but funding might be an issue.
The volunteer service and the communities it protects will continue to suffer until FASNY has a total rethink of what it fights for and against.

I know apple pie is "all-American", but I would like to try the orange souffle if YFD is buying.

Must be nice to have only one training standard

Every time one of these treads comes up, I'm always reminded how comparatively smooth police mutual aid operates here in Westchester.

But the mutual aid resources aren't operating in a vacuum, unless they're responding all alone to an incident in another jurisdiction. The IC, with the local expertise, should direct the incoming companies and give them what they need to know.
Wouldn't it be helpful if everyone knew the buildings and their fire protection systems in their own jurisdictions before we worry about the high rises in three of the cities in the county (that are built to much more stringent codes than 90% of the buildings in the county)?

I'm not sure of your background or experience but you are treading on very thin ice with the volunteer/career comments. Please DO NOT start a career vs. volunteer debate; see the forum guidelines for an explanation on why we won't tolerate that.
As for your question...
I don't give a damn if the crew coming to help my local FD when my house is on fire is career or volunteer SO LONG AS they're properly trained and equipped to do the job and have the appropriate numbers of personnel. If it's a career truck with one FF or a volunteer truck with five guys but only one "qualified" FF, you can keep 'em.
What is the benefit of "local knowledge" when you have fire blowing out the windows in an ordinary construction building? The engine guys know how to stretch hose no matter what street they're on and the ladder guys know how to ventilate the building regardless of its address? Getting there may be a momentary issue but with GPS, computers, smart-phones, maps and, oh yeah, the radio if all else fails, they're going to get there.

I'm not sure of your background or experience but you are treading on very thin ice with the volunteer/career comments. Please DO NOT start a career vs. volunteer debate; see the forum guidelines for an explanation on why we won't tolerate that.
As for your question...
I don't give a damn if the crew coming to help my local FD when my house is on fire is career or volunteer SO LONG AS they're properly trained and equipped to do the job and have the appropriate numbers of personnel. If it's a career truck with one FF or a volunteer truck with five guys but only one "qualified" FF, you can keep 'em.
What is the benefit of "local knowledge" when you have fire blowing out the windows in an ordinary construction building? The engine guys know how to stretch hose no matter what street they're on and the ladder guys know how to ventilate the building regardless of its address? Getting there may be a momentary issue but with GPS, computers, smart-phones, maps and, oh yeah, the radio if all else fails, they're going to get there.

I'm not sure of your background or experience but you are treading on very thin ice with the volunteer/career comments. Please DO NOT start a career vs. volunteer debate; see the forum guidelines for an explanation on why we won't tolerate that.
As for your question...
I don't give a damn if the crew coming to help my local FD when my house is on fire is career or volunteer SO LONG AS they're properly trained and equipped to do the job and have the appropriate numbers of personnel. If it's a career truck with one FF or a volunteer truck with five guys but only one "qualified" FF, you can keep 'em.
What is the benefit of "local knowledge" when you have fire blowing out the windows in an ordinary construction building? The engine guys know how to stretch hose no matter what street they're on and the ladder guys know how to ventilate the building regardless of its address? Getting there may be a momentary issue but with GPS, computers, smart-phones, maps and, oh yeah, the radio if all else fails, they're going to get there.

I'm not sure of your background or experience but you are treading on very thin ice with the volunteer/career comments. Please DO NOT start a career vs. volunteer debate; see the forum guidelines for an explanation on why we won't tolerate that.
As for your question...
I don't give a damn if the crew coming to help my local FD when my house is on fire is career or volunteer SO LONG AS they're properly trained and equipped to do the job and have the appropriate numbers of personnel. If it's a career truck with one FF or a volunteer truck with five guys but only one "qualified" FF, you can keep 'em.
What is the benefit of "local knowledge" when you have fire blowing out the windows in an ordinary construction building? The engine guys know how to stretch hose no matter what street they're on and the ladder guys know how to ventilate the building regardless of its address? Getting there may be a momentary issue but with GPS, computers, smart-phones, maps and, oh yeah, the radio if all else fails, they're going to get there.

I'm not sure of your background or experience but you are treading on very thin ice with the volunteer/career comments. Please DO NOT start a career vs. volunteer debate; see the forum guidelines for an explanation on why we won't tolerate that.
As for your question...
I don't give a damn if the crew coming to help my local FD when my house is on fire is career or volunteer SO LONG AS they're properly trained and equipped to do the job and have the appropriate numbers of personnel. If it's a career truck with one FF or a volunteer truck with five guys but only one "qualified" FF, you can keep 'em.
What is the benefit of "local knowledge" when you have fire blowing out the windows in an ordinary construction building? The engine guys know how to stretch hose no matter what street they're on and the ladder guys know how to ventilate the building regardless of its address? Getting there may be a momentary issue but with GPS, computers, smart-phones, maps and, oh yeah, the radio if all else fails, they're going to get there.

I'm not sure of your background or experience but you are treading on very thin ice with the volunteer/career comments. Please DO NOT start a career vs. volunteer debate; see the forum guidelines for an explanation on why we won't tolerate that.
As for your question...
I don't give a damn if the crew coming to help my local FD when my house is on fire is career or volunteer SO LONG AS they're properly trained and equipped to do the job and have the appropriate numbers of personnel. If it's a career truck with one FF or a volunteer truck with five guys but only one "qualified" FF, you can keep 'em.
What is the benefit of "local knowledge" when you have fire blowing out the windows in an ordinary construction building? The engine guys know how to stretch hose no matter what street they're on and the ladder guys know how to ventilate the building regardless of its address? Getting there may be a momentary issue but with GPS, computers, smart-phones, maps and, oh yeah, the radio if all else fails, they're going to get there.

I'm not sure of your background or experience but you are treading on very thin ice with the volunteer/career comments. Please DO NOT start a career vs. volunteer debate; see the forum guidelines for an explanation on why we won't tolerate that.
As for your question...
I don't give a damn if the crew coming to help my local FD when my house is on fire is career or volunteer SO LONG AS they're properly trained and equipped to do the job and have the appropriate numbers of personnel. If it's a career truck with one FF or a volunteer truck with five guys but only one "qualified" FF, you can keep 'em.
What is the benefit of "local knowledge" when you have fire blowing out the windows in an ordinary construction building? The engine guys know how to stretch hose no matter what street they're on and the ladder guys know how to ventilate the building regardless of its address? Getting there may be a momentary issue but with GPS, computers, smart-phones, maps and, oh yeah, the radio if all else fails, they're going to get there.

Tis the season...

Tis the season...

I have had many an experience with the homeless and a lot don't want items, they want the cash to buy their booze or drugs. A large number are pure scam artists, content with the lives they live, not wanting a home or job. Mental illness runs high in this population but lets face it being homeless has to take its toll on even the most sane individual. I once had a man ask for money in the Bronx for food because he was hungry while outside a McDonalds. While inside I bought a cheeseburger meal and handed it to him assuming the meal would be the right thing to do. He proceeded to throw the bag on the ground, curse me out and tell me that I should have given him the money, that he did not need my hand out. To this day that image has always stuck in the forefront of my memory. My gesture of a meal was a "handout" but my cash was not. Go figure.