johnvv

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Posts posted by johnvv

  2. Posted

    Congratulations to the Commissioner for stepping up!

    I love the quote from Common Council Dennis Power-

    "In doing so, Power said, the commissioner handed the unions something they had been requesting for 30 years, while they gave almost nothing in return."

    The Firefighters are working the same amount of hours as when they worked the 10/14 hour shift. Why should they have to "give up" anything?

    Politics at its finest!

    By the way, the Union had supported Mr. Powers in past ellections. This is what they get for their efforts!

  4. Posted

    I'm sure there are many competent and responsible people who reside in Mount Vernon that would make excellent firefighters. The problem is as always- Politics. That is what lowered their hiring standard a while ago and needs to be changed.

    As we all know, Mount Vernon is an extremely busy and undermanned fire department. What I'm sure angers the real firefighters on their job is that the open firefighter positions they already have will now take much longer to fill . On the good side, at least they got rid of the incompetent firefighters before they ended up on the job filling up space in the fire houses for the next 20 years.

  6. Posted

    I'd never tell another firefighter how to wear his/her airpack with the waistbelt buckled unless they were under my command. I always tried to set a good example to others by wearing my gear as taught.

    What I do know is if the firefighter without his waist strap secured needs to be rescued, the process of transfering the airpack harness to a rescue harness is more difficult. Trying to find a strap which is not buckled, and not close to the waist area in a low visibility/ high heat enviroment is much more difficult if the rescuer has to fumble around trying to find the strap. This increases the amount of time to effect the rescue and puts puts both firefighters at risk.

    For me, I will always wear the waiststrap buckled - not just for my safety, but for the firefighters who may need to rescue me someday.

  7. Posted · Edited by johnvv

    What is interesting here is that most of these Common Council members were supported by the WP Police and Fire Unions in the past. Its also interesting that one of the reasons that the $ is tight is because the same Council members who voted down this contract were the same ones who allowed developers to build in the city, and be given huge tax breaks for the next 15 years.

    Those tax breaks will now be made up on the backs of the FD and PD. Its business as usual in WP.

  8. Posted

    Can you put a price on training that a firefighter will carry for the rest of his career? The training a new firefighter he gets at the Academy will directly affect the safety of himself, and the others he will work closely with on fire scenes. Very few career departments in Westchester Co (and I can only think of 2) have the resources to adequetely train their new firefighters. The Academy Staff has never been more prepared to handle the task. They have the personnel and resources to provide the best training available.

    I'd say you can't put a price on this invaluable training. In fact I'd say its priceless. Its been proven in the past- you skimp on training in the fire service, and someone gets hurt- its that simple.

    To the Chiefs- Spend the money, and think hard before considering to train your Probationary firefighters in house. Remember that your Probationary firefighters are the future of your Dept. Get their Career started on the right foot.

    Just my thoughts-

    Good luck and a safe and fulfilling career to the lucky Firefighters in the Fall Academy!

  10. Posted

    The NIOSH Draft Report for the 9 Line of duty deaths that occurred in Charleston has been released. For those interested, this Draft Report containes the facts of the incident, and the reccommendations for change will be released at a later date. As I always say, the only thing worse than a Firefighter fatality, is not learning from one when they occur.

    The link is: http://static.wciv.com/niosh.pdf

  13. Posted

    FYI-

    Solar Panels produce DC current (at a lower voltage). The DC voltage then inverted from DC to AC either by means of an inverter, or by charging batteries that run a generator. In Westchester County, a disconnect means for a solar system that back powers electricity to the utility company has a disconnect located by the house meter. The equipment needed for the solar panels is usually located by the main service panel in the home.

    Hope this helps-

    A wire Twister

  16. Posted

    Remember- Stick to the basics-

    1) SCBA emergency skills- Set up a makeshift course with tables to allow firefighters to work on A) reduced profile B) Full escape. Do these skills in real time W/ their vision obscured, and in real time, calling the mayday with radios.

    2) Ladders- Use buildings in your response area (which you have recieved prior permission) to practice throwing ladders at for a variety of scenarios. Have the firefighters set up a bangor ladder. You may not need to use this ladder an an emergency incident for many years, but when you do, at least they will have a clue on how to do it.

    3) Communications- On those nasty nights when the weather dictates you won't be able to train outside, using Powerpoint, collect photos of structure fires.Using radios, have firefighters give first on scene size-up reports. Also have them identify the different types of building construction, and the hazards they present.

    4) EVOC- Set up a vehicle obstacle course at a local parking lot and have your drivers practice emergency vehicle manuvers.

    Stick to the basics because the lack of these skills hurt and kill many of our Brother and Sister firefighters. If you want more ideas, take classes at the WCFTC, see the evolutions the instructors do, and use them with your Dept.

    I hope your Dept. appreciates your effort to provide quality fire training. I know the fire service and your fellow firefighters do. Training is the only way to reduce the number of LODD's that sadly never seems to go down year after year.

  17. Posted

    How about this question-

    Does anyone know of any Corporation, Company, Builder, or Developer who has ever provided any additional passive fire protection features into a building to assist firefighters who were not mandated by some City or Town entity? They only provide the protection that is mandated. They couldn't care less about us, unless by providing some safety features into their buildings reduces their insurance premiums.

    For this reason I believe no fire department personnel should make tactical life safety decisions based on possibilities, ONLY PROBABILITIES in un occupied structures. Remember the first mission of the fire service is Life Safety- and that includes our personnel. We should not accept tradeoffs of firefighters for civillians.

    As for the events that occurred in SC- I grieve for my Brothers. I hope that the building owner, and occupancy owners grieve as well for the part they played in the deaths of our brother firefighters.

    History has shown that the fire service is reactionary when there is large loss of lives at fires. I hope that this fire in SC is a catylyst to people to make the changes necessary to help reduce lost lives at fires. Lets not have these firefighters die in vain. Make changes through actions, and awareness, and your training.

  18. Posted

    An exellent thread!

    I would like to add one additional job related issue with fog nozzles and standpipe operations. In older apartment buildings with standpipes, we have found (through testing) that in some buildings, above certain floors heights, it was impossible to get the required psi that a fog nozzle requires. That was the reason we have smooth bore nozzles on our standpipe packs.

    I understand that that pressure can/will be supplemented when the next arriving engine connects to the FDC. The problem is the time between the first arriving engine company operating off the standpipe system, and the arriving engine connecting to the FDC. It would be great to have the FD feeding the FDC prior to engine companies utilizing the standpipe system, but that isn't reality in my department.

    Another issue that comes to mind is debris in a standpipe system. Debris in a fog nozzle can drastically effect the GPM and stream. A smooth bore nozzle is less apt to clog.

    As for the debate between smooth bore and fog nozzles, it will go on forever. Is firefighter training an issue...yes, but that dosen't solve the psi issue in our older standpipe systems, only equipment will.

    Welcome home, LarryALB

  20. Posted

    When Con Edison is requested to disconnect the electrical service to a building, they usually cut the service laterals at the pole before they enter the building. This is helpful to fire investigators because the service equipment is left intact, allowing better examination of the equipment as a possible fire cause.

  21. Posted

    Any of you remember or still use those pike pole-like things for moving downed wires?  I remember one department near us that had them and I always thought to myself that it was a disaster waiting to happen.  Luckily they got rid of them and to my knowledge nothing went bad.

    When Con Edison is requested to disconnect the electrical service to a building, they usually cut the service laterals at the pole before they enter the building. This is helpful to fire investigators because the service equipment is left intact, allowing better examination of the equipment as a possible fire cause.

  23. Posted

    I'm sure that most firefighters on this site would agree that consuming alcohol on duty is a no-no. I think the real question is whether you are a paid or non-paid firefighter, when are you "on duty"?

    I have a simple answer to this question. If you are wearing fire department issued gear (or uniform), you are on duty. Whether you are harmlessly having one beer after a parade or funeral, you can thank past firefighters actions for creating the public perception that all firefighters are drunks.

    Want to drink after a parade or funeral? Wear a non descript tee shirt under your uniform shirt, carry the telephone number of a cab service and enough money for them to take you home.

  24. Posted

    Seth,

    I was happy to be a part of the start of your fire career. I wish you all the fullfillment the fire service can give to you.

    While I read your blog, it occurred to me that no probationary firefighter is allowed to become a permenant part of their Company until you have your Probie Dinner! Did you forget to add that in your blog?

    Hey Hartsdale FD.... Surf and Turf Dinner on the soon to be ex probie!

  25. Posted

    Please allow me to clarify a few things:

    1) The SSO class is being scheduled because departments are asking for the class to run. The WCFTC tries to provide what training Chiefs ask for.

    2) Over the past few years, the bulk of the Instructors time has been spent providing Firefighter 1 programs. Each year over twelve FF 1 courses are delivered.Westchester County put more Firefighters through the FF1 program than all the other counties in NY state combined! Again, this is what the Chiefs requested.

    3) There is probably a need for more fire training programs to be delivered due to the high demand. Although the WCFTC is a great facility, there are only so many classrooms and equipment available to run these programs.

    4) If you have certain concerns regarding programs delivered at the WCFTC, voice them to your Chief, and have him attend the next DES meeting scheduled for June 20 at the WCFTC.