AFS1970

Date: 02/04/2017
Time: 14:52
Location: 90 Morgan St
District: SFD-5 (Woodside)
Channel: Ground 2, SPD Main
Weather: 33 / Mostly sunny
Units: SFD: E5, E1, T1, R1, E2 (Haz Mat), U4 (IC), U6 (Safety)
          SPD: 44 (South Hold), 28 (West Hold), 10 (Hold Sergeant), 4B46
Writer:  AFS1970

Description: Car rolled into side of building, shearing off the gas main to medical office building. E5 reported a major gas leak, Special Call for Safety Officer. Eversource (Gas Company) requested Priority 1. SFD activated fire alarm to evacuate building. Gas main shut off & companies checking for further leaks on interior & exterior. SPD cars designated as hold units are in service during shift change for emergency calls but do not use normal beat designations only car numbers.

Date: 02/04/2017
Time: 14:52
Location: 90 Morgan St
District: SFD-5 (Woodside)
Channel: Ground 2, SPD Main
Weather: 33 / Mostly sunny
Units: SFD: E5, E1, T1, R1, E2 (Haz Mat), U4 (IC), U6 (Safety)
          SPD: 44 (South Hold), 28 (West Hold), 10 (Hold Sergeant), 4B46
Writer:  AFS1970

Description: Car rolled into side of building, shearing off the gas main to medical office building. E5 reported a major gas leak, Special Call for Safety Officer. Eversource (Gas Company) requested Priority 1. SFD activated fire alarm to evacuate building. Gas main shut off & companies checking for further leaks on interior & exterior. SPD cars designated as hold units are in service during shift change for emergency calls but do not use normal beat designations only car numbers.

Should've never been taken away in the first place.    

Ok guys....point taken...didn't mean to imply abuse...with staffing what it is ,we all need each other...

personalities over principles ?
 

This is a joke right. ????   That man has seen more in an hour than most people see in their careers.   

If that is all that happened, suspension was not warranted.
 
 

, Date: 1-31-16
Time: 1205hrs
Location: 203 Mamaroneck Ave C/S Maple Ave
District: White Plains FD
Battalion: 19
Channel: White Plains FD
Weather: 29F, snow
Units:        White Plains FD   Engine 65, Engine 66, Engine 67, Engine 70,  Engine 71, Ladder 32, Tower Ladder 6, Rescue 88, Car 2512 (IC), Car 2513, Car 2514
                 Fairview FD          Engine 175 (Relocate White Plains Station 2), Car 2121
                 Hartsdale FD        Tower Ladder 15 (Relocate White Plains HQ, redirected to the scene), Car 2171
                 Empress EMS       A-1, A-2, Supervisor
                 White Plains PD   Car 9, Car 11, Car 9, ESU Truck 1
                 WCDES                County Car 4
Writer:  x635

Description: Working Fire in a 4 story occupied multiple dwelling (located directly behind a taxpayer) with rear located adjacent to municipal parking lot
 
12:04  Car 2513 reporting smoke showing from the area prior to dispatch, investigating. Dispatch advising receiving multiple calls
 
12:08 Car 2512 on scene smoke showing, working fire on the 4th story of 4 story OMD. Car 2512 requesting 2 additional engines, an additional truck, Rescue 88 be added to the assignment and mutual aid relocate 1 Engine and 1 truck.
 
12:09 Car 2512 requesting Ladder 32 position and set ladder up to the rear of the building, Tower Ladder 6 to take the front of the building and set up. Chief Nichols will have command of the front of the building
 
12:11 Engine 67 has the hydrant at Maple and Waller.
 
12:12 Car 2512 requesting Engine 70 take the attack from the rear of the building
 
12:15 Car 2514 advising he will be covering all other calls within the city
 
12:17 Car 2512 requesting additional Engine (71) and Truck to the scene. Car 2514 stating Ladder 34 is not in service, need firefighters to put it into service. Tower Ladder 15 currently on a relocate at HQ to respond and set up in front of the building.
 
12:18 Car 2512 reporting initial knockdown, 1 line working in the attic area of a 60x100 4 story brick multiple occupancy,  still have fire and smoke showing from the rear, exposure #3one company working on the roof, one Ladder set up in the front and one in the rear, second line being placed into service, independent hydrant secured
 
14:30 Fairview Engine 175 released from standby, Hartsdale Tower Ladder 15 in service from the scene and returning
 
Notes: Ladder 34 out of service due to lack of manpower

 

 
 It was a Lose/Lose Deal. Hopefully in time, that could change.
 
My guess is that at these Live In Firehouses, "someone needs to be in charge". Someone who is willing to make sure everything is under control within those four walls. A kind of Lt/Capt thing. Not just a title but with the authority and responsibility to enforce the rules. With the understanding that if things should go sour, this guy owns it. Therefore there should be some incentive for a responsible person to accept this.

 
MONROEVILLE VOL FIRE CO #5 LIVE-IN PROGRAM
 Operating for over 30 Years
15 Miles East of Pittsburgh, PA.
URBAN AREA – LOTS OF EMPLOYMENT OPPURTUNITIES
FIRE STATION AMENITIES INCLUDE:
Laundry Facilities, Full Kitchen, Large Dayroom, Study Area’s, Free High Speed Internet
VERIZON FIOS TV, Printers, Copiers, Access to fitness facilities
 
NO RENT ! NO UTILITIES ! NO EXPENSE TO LIVE HERE
 
HIGH CALL VOLUME BRINGS EXPERIENCE - TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
 
REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED 
 PRO-BOARD OR EQUAL  FIREFIGHTER 1 & EMT
*may change upon needs
 
General Live-In FF/EMT Requirements
 Full Time Live-In / Minimum 5 Nights a week
Work with fellow live-ins to maintain FIRE / EMS staffing as best as possible
Perform bi-weekly, and as needed, station duties
 
CLOSE TO NUMEROUS COLLEGES AND TRADE SCHOOLS
 
Point Park University - Duquesne University, University of Pittsburgh - Carnegie Mellon University,
Westmoreland Community College, Rosedale Tech, Wyotech, Pittsburgh Technical College,
Center for Emergency Medicine, Paramedic Program  
 
 
 
 
CCAC FIRE VEST COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
 
SIMPLE APPLICATION PROCESS
 
FUNDS UP TO 65 COLLEGE CREDITS 100%
SOME FEES MAY NOT BE COVERED
 
MULTIPLE PROFESSIONAL TRADE CERTIFICATIONS & DEGREES ELIGIBLE
PARAMEDIC / FIRE SCIENCE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / NURSING
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
MULTIPLE WELDING PROGRAMS
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TRADES
HEATING AND AIR
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
IRON WORKER / PLUMBING
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGY
PLUS MANY OTHERS
 
GUARANTEE OF 5 YEAR COMMITMENT
TO MONROEVILLE VOL. FIRE CO #5
FROM START OF SCHOLARSHIP.
 
“COMMITMENT”  
 
IS DEFINED AS MEETING THE FD ACTIVITY / POINT REQUIREMENTS
AS DEFINED BY THE FD CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
100 Points per year (Calls / Drills / Meetings)
 
THE COMMITMENT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE APPLICANT TO BE A LIVE-IN FF THE ENTIRE TIME
 
 


www.mvfd5.com

Contact Deputy Fire Chief Chris Grimes
412-372-7725 or 412-372-4444

MEMBERSHIP5@MVFD5.COM or cgrimes@mvfd5.com
 
SEE ATTACHED FLYER FOR INFO AND PICTURES
 
-- CURRENT -- LIVE-IN - QUAD FOLD - 9jan2017.pdf

Cool article I found yesterday on the Malone family, whom have extensive involvement in the Elmsford and Fairview Fire community.
 
 
FULL ARTICLE:
http://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/06/nyregion/at-fires-the-whole-family-responds.html

Congrats! Very nice tribute over the air!
 
 
 

I have a different spin on this incident.  Lets forget who called who   and I am asking this of anyone at the scene,  what did you do?  Was it readily obvious that it was refrigerant that was leaking,  or had already leaked (puddle on the floor),  was the area metered by a 3 or 4 gas meter prior to hfd arrival?  and what were the results of that.  (decreased o2 levels), was the erg book used asap?  what did the HFD meters tell you when they were used?  And what did you do to mitigate the incident?  Lets learn from a haz-mat call   thanks. 

We all have to stop acting like 5th graders and act like adults who know better , To not call an agency because they don't call you is stupid, foolish, and deadly. Sooner or later you will be called out and be held responsible for by passing agencies.  Boooohoooo they didn't call me. So I am not calling them waaawaaawaaa. Total stupidity 

Alot is being made here of proper staffing and I too agree that staffing should be a priority, but my comments are more directed at departments that use 2 in 2 out to justify not acting when action is necessary. One of the benefits of my particular kind of firefighting "career" is that I get to work with guys from just about everywhere and the fact is there are now departments that do NOT risk to save a life and they use 2 in and 2 out as one of the reasons for their inaction. It's not about showboating or being a cowboy or a tough guy, it's about doing what we are here to do when it counts...when lives are in the balance and there is a chance we can make the difference. Bottom line in my book, there is no excuse for not acting when someone's life is savable...period. It is my belief and my experience that 2 well trained, knowledgeable and safely aggressive firefighters can make the attempt to at the very least contain the fire to give those trapped a better chance at survival and they can do this based on all they know to make the judgement that the risk is worth it. Unfortunately it is also my experience that there are firefighters out there now (and maybe not here but they are out there) that are being trained that they should not act without "proper" staffing even if they could make the difference...and I'm sorry but that to me is completely contrary to our primary mission.

 
Since you brought up what happened in Valhalla I am going to put in my 2 cents. You mention why not call Fairview or White Plains. This happens constantly especially in districts which volunteer/career departments border each other. Why should Valhalla call Fairview? If Fairview had a fire would they call Valhalla even if it was 1 block outside of the Valhalla fire district? The answer is no. Rather, Valhalla stands by in Fairview headquarters (this is a fact). So, I don't blame Valhalla for having West Harrison being next up on their card.
 
It is very evident and happens constantly, another example being when Greenville had a fire that was 3 blocks out of the Ardsley fire district that went to a multiple alarm. Some of the departments that responded - Larchmont, White Plains, New Rochelle, Pelham. Not to mention, Eastchester and Pelham Manor stood by in Greenville headquarters. Need I say how ridiculous that is? I can name about 5-10 departments off the top of my head that are closer.

Sounds like to me that this incident was appropriately handle and no more criticism should be made.  This seems like a isolated incident that required a special resource and that was requested and responded and handle it as needed,  end of story.
 
Those with criticisms, if they are so involved and have such expect opinions and knowledge ought to think about joining their local fire department if they want to help out so much.
 
Don't criticize those who decide and make your lives safe everyday by these proper decisions, but embrace that they are doing a job and doing it correct.
 

I don't know much about this incident only what I read here. However it seems to me that this was not a bad call by the IC.
 
If I were on scene, and needed a specific piece of equipment, and I call the closest one (VA) but they are unable to deploy. I now have to find a suitable replacement. As all emergency scenes are time sensitive, the choice is start looking in case there is one closer or call for the one further away that I know exists (HFD), is in service and can deploy rapidly. Oddly enough what nobody is commenting on is that this resource was known because the VFD IC was an off duty career FF in HFD. This is something that is frowned upon my many here but it may have been a big factor in getting the appropriate response in a timely manner.
 
As for leaving a district diminished, that can happen at any time for any call. That is why there are plans in place for mutual and/or automatic aid. That is why there are contract provisions for OT callbacks. That is why there are run cards, no matter how they were devised.
 
As for letting departments pick who they want, I am generally against that. We just put considerable effort into redoing our tanker run card in Stamford. Up until a few years ago this was handled by the IC calling for individual departments. Now we have a list that includes ETA's and goes up to 20th due. As a dispatcher I should have the list of resources. An IC should be able to tell me he wants 5 tankers and know that I will get him the closest 5 available tankers. However the IC should not care what name is on the door.

I don't know much about this incident only what I read here. However it seems to me that this was not a bad call by the IC.
 
If I were on scene, and needed a specific piece of equipment, and I call the closest one (VA) but they are unable to deploy. I now have to find a suitable replacement. As all emergency scenes are time sensitive, the choice is start looking in case there is one closer or call for the one further away that I know exists (HFD), is in service and can deploy rapidly. Oddly enough what nobody is commenting on is that this resource was known because the VFD IC was an off duty career FF in HFD. This is something that is frowned upon my many here but it may have been a big factor in getting the appropriate response in a timely manner.
 
As for leaving a district diminished, that can happen at any time for any call. That is why there are plans in place for mutual and/or automatic aid. That is why there are contract provisions for OT callbacks. That is why there are run cards, no matter how they were devised.
 
As for letting departments pick who they want, I am generally against that. We just put considerable effort into redoing our tanker run card in Stamford. Up until a few years ago this was handled by the IC calling for individual departments. Now we have a list that includes ETA's and goes up to 20th due. As a dispatcher I should have the list of resources. An IC should be able to tell me he wants 5 tankers and know that I will get him the closest 5 available tankers. However the IC should not care what name is on the door.

FF1 while I agree with you that any fire department should be able to provide basic services to their community, like in your example a room and contents fire, but I don't think that HAZMAT qualifies as basic.  It is a specialty response not unlike high angle, swift water, confined space and collapse.  I haven't lived or responded in Westchester in over a decade so I can't speak to what departments are carrying as far as HAZMAT equipment anymore, but if specialized monitoring equipment was needed and Hartsdale was the closest agency who  possessed it, AND they participate in the same mutual aid agreement as the other departments in the county, then they were the most appropriate to respond.
 
It is important to look at the suburban counties of the NY Metro area in context to how fire/rescue/EMS services are provided elsewhere in the country.  There are hundreds of fire departments that don't have ladder trucks because their response area doesn't demand one.  They rely on a neighboring department to provide truck company ops if they are needed.  There are hundreds of departments that don't have rescues because their response area doesn't need one.  They might have a basic set of tool on an engine, truck or support vehicle for a routine door pop but if a significant accident occurs the heavy squad/rescue from a neighboring department would be alerted.... The duplication of resources in the NY Metro with everyone having their own large aerial (mostly towers), a heavy rescue, etc. etc. is actually diluting the talent of firefighters in the county.  There are very few northern Westchester departments during my tenure that did all things well.  Bedford Hills was probably the most well rounded and did a good job of proving suppression, truck company ops, FAST, rescue and water supply.  If you plopped Westchester down in PA, OH, VA, WV, TN, KY, NC, SC the number of specialty apparatus duplication would be cut significantly and you'd see a lot more fire department that just ran as engine companies with truck and rescue services coming from their larger, busier neighbors.  This brings me to another of your comments that with minor modification I 100% agree with...
 
Run cards.... Each department should supply the county with their preference for mutual aid for each foreseeable type of incident up to the 4th alarm.  The dispatching agency (in this case) should indeed have full discretion as to which units are dispatched based on availability, other ongoing incidents and any other mitigating factors unknown to the department that is requesting mutual aid.  It used to drive me bonkers when I'd hear chiefs on the air requesting "an engine from here, and a truck from there".  They should simply have to say "strike the second alarm or give me the next due truck/engine/rescue"  The reason why each department should be able to provide a list of preferences (and that should be all they are...preferences) is due to their knowledge of their district and how individual apparatus from another department would best fit.  For example a box for a particular school may have geographic and structural characteristics that warrant the use of a rear mount tower over a mid mount so if possible the m/a truck dispatched should fit the department preference.

Because they'd be ridiculed by people on this site for not calling a closer department that has the capabilities. 

 
Im sure HFD will either recoup the cost involved from YHFD or will absorb the costs as part of its budgeted mutual aid expenditures. 
 
My understanding is that the HFD has a proactive automatic/ mutual aid plan in place with several of its neighbor fire districts/ departments. Im sure it's fire protection was not reduced.
 
 
The HFD Capt /YHFD I.C. knew what resourses he needed to mitigate the situation and got them to the incident in a timely manner.
 
 Perhaps unusual but effective.
 
 
 
 
 

Date: 01/21/2017
Time: 19:32
Location: 15 Deepwood Dr
District: Long Ridge
Channel: Ground 4, Tac 3 (Water Supply)
Weather: 47 degrees & foggy
Units: Long Ridge: E71, E74, K78, R77, 714 (Lt), 715 (Lt), FM710 (C&O), C711 (Chief)
          Turn of River: K68       
          Stamford: E9, E8, E5 (Tanker Fill), E7 (RIT), T2, R1, U4 (Deputy Chief/IC), U1 (Chief), U2 (Asst. Chief), U11 (Asst. Chief), U121 (Mechanic), U8 (Safety), FM101 (C&O)
          Belltown: E41 (Special Called)
          Banksville: K7, 2581 (Water Supply)
          Pound Ridge: K3, 2402
          SEMS: M1
          SPD: 4A29, 4C10, 8S3 (Sergeant)
Writer:  AFS1970

Description: Neighbor reported house fire. Long Ridge Lt. arrived on scene and confirmed working fire. Tanker from TRFD en route shortly thereafter. Additional Tanker from Banksville called also. 1 Firefighter fell through a floor. All crews pulled out of building. Additional engine special called for relief. 
*** Stamford uses K as unit designation for tankers. For consistency I also used it for Banksville & Pound Ridge despite Westchester not using that designation. ***

Date: 01/21/2017
Time: 19:32
Location: 15 Deepwood Dr
District: Long Ridge
Channel: Ground 4, Tac 3 (Water Supply)
Weather: 47 degrees & foggy
Units: Long Ridge: E71, E74, K78, R77, 714 (Lt), 715 (Lt), FM710 (C&O), C711 (Chief)
          Turn of River: K68       
          Stamford: E9, E8, E5 (Tanker Fill), E7 (RIT), T2, R1, U4 (Deputy Chief/IC), U1 (Chief), U2 (Asst. Chief), U11 (Asst. Chief), U121 (Mechanic), U8 (Safety), FM101 (C&O)
          Belltown: E41 (Special Called)
          Banksville: K7, 2581 (Water Supply)
          Pound Ridge: K3, 2402
          SEMS: M1
          SPD: 4A29, 4C10, 8S3 (Sergeant)
Writer:  AFS1970

Description: Neighbor reported house fire. Long Ridge Lt. arrived on scene and confirmed working fire. Tanker from TRFD en route shortly thereafter. Additional Tanker from Banksville called also. 1 Firefighter fell through a floor. All crews pulled out of building. Additional engine special called for relief. 
*** Stamford uses K as unit designation for tankers. For consistency I also used it for Banksville & Pound Ridge despite Westchester not using that designation. ***

Date: 01/21/2017
Time: 19:32
Location: 15 Deepwood Dr
District: Long Ridge
Channel: Ground 4, Tac 3 (Water Supply)
Weather: 47 degrees & foggy
Units: Long Ridge: E71, E74, K78, R77, 714 (Lt), 715 (Lt), FM710 (C&O), C711 (Chief)
          Turn of River: K68       
          Stamford: E9, E8, E5 (Tanker Fill), E7 (RIT), T2, R1, U4 (Deputy Chief/IC), U1 (Chief), U2 (Asst. Chief), U11 (Asst. Chief), U121 (Mechanic), U8 (Safety), FM101 (C&O)
          Belltown: E41 (Special Called)
          Banksville: K7, 2581 (Water Supply)
          Pound Ridge: K3, 2402
          SEMS: M1
          SPD: 4A29, 4C10, 8S3 (Sergeant)
Writer:  AFS1970

Description: Neighbor reported house fire. Long Ridge Lt. arrived on scene and confirmed working fire. Tanker from TRFD en route shortly thereafter. Additional Tanker from Banksville called also. 1 Firefighter fell through a floor. All crews pulled out of building. Additional engine special called for relief. 
*** Stamford uses K as unit designation for tankers. For consistency I also used it for Banksville & Pound Ridge despite Westchester not using that designation. ***