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I agree, as long as they're obviously OOS (which they indicate that the tanker used is a spare), its a good, harmless way to get their name out there, raise money, interact, and perform a community service. They even post pool saftey rules right below the advertisement. The money raised appears to go directly to buying their rigs, so its a win win for all I would think. I don't think this is any different than renting space in quarters or holding a bake sale or any other fundraiser/community outreach program.

I have two comments: 1. Cassidy is once again exaggerating. The fact is some of his members do act like children (anyone remember the drunken chair to the head fight incident?) and I'm sure there are "inappropriate" materials posted. While these "children" do not rep FDNY as a whole, they are still members and their actions do reflect, esp when it reaches the public eye. 2. While I am a fan of decorating lockers and posting personal material, the firehouse is city property, and more importantly a working enviornment home to a community of people w/ varying beliefs and backrounds. The fact is what one finds funny or takes pride in might offend someone else. I hate broad sweeping policies like this, but w/ such a large dept, you can't cater to everyone's whims so a baseline needs to be set. I agree the city probably overdid it in their methods of discplining a small amount of people. I would have inintiated a department wide survey to see how widspread violations really were; since I doubt the entire department was in violatoin as the media portrayed, I would have dealt with violations on an indivual basis just like any other infraction. Bottom line, the city backed down on the mass cards and flags (the important stuff), the union should do the same.

I don't know if somthing like this has been brought up before but here goes...So a kid dies while running across railroad tracks after grafittiing signal equipment. Now in today's paper, the family is vowing to sue the city and LIRR for negligence. Before people start calling me cold and hard hearted: the death is very tragic and regettable and I wish his family peace. However, at what point do we take responsibility for our actions? Could there have been more fences? I'm sure. But, its illegal to tag up, its illegal (not to mention dangerous) to be on the tracks, how fair is it for us to pay for this, when unfortuantely this senseless death was 99.9% the fault of the victim??? I know nothing can take away from this family's pain, but is this really the course of action to pursue? Would it be more effective and do more honor to this childs memory by advocating or organizing volunteers to raise money for and help build fencing? I am anxious to see what other people think.

If you read the first user review, it appears to indicate that it's available as a 6 season box set in the US. I know its not in stores, thats for damn sure cause i've been looking, and even have amazon set to tell me when it becomes available. However, I do recall seeing it on the net once, I held off buying it for fear of the regional thing. I'll try to find it again. I totally agree, what backwards person invented this region dvd system????

It's been several months...does anyone in NYC have any info regarding the badge controversey? Is the DA's office still pursuing the prosecution? More importantly, any word on the bill passing the NYS assembly?

I have not heard anything either. The bill was A10287, it was in the Assembly last year, however, as I did not remember the number offhand, I checked the NYS Assembly website, and it is now nowhere to be found. The bill was basically adding provisions to allow the DOH to create and issue badges for EMT's and medics to carry. I guess it didnt pass, which really sucks. I guess some more letter writing and phone calls are in order.

Sorry, browser double posted.

Not a FF, but EMTs are faced w/similar issues. Not many buckle up while riding in back w/ a patient yet it would seem logical and prudent to do so. Those who I ask indicate that if it is not simply laziness, it is due to a desire to be mobile while tending to the patient. The current squad bench design does not lend itself to a good combination of saftey and pt care. Seatbelt use in my ambulance companies is mandated.(and I'm pretty sure its state law as well) Enforcement is the responsibility of the crew chief and driver. Beyond that, there is no oversight. As for design, the pretty sure the AEV saftey concept ambulance, (http://www.aev.com/uploads/safetymod.pdf) produced in conjunction w/ AMR are being produced with a 4 point harness similar to a jet or other high speed vehicle. As someone who has been saved by a fellow EMT catching me when the ambulance stopped short, I'm not sure how conducive these are to patient care, but if I can reach the patient with one on, I'm all for it! When I took CEVO recently, I was informed by the instructor that this would be becoming the industry norm for all new ambulances w/in a few years. Like X152 i think seat belts are extremely important. I find it hypocrital that we can lecture the public on its "benefits" and not use them ourselves when there is a good chance we will be engaging in higher risk driving. I realize this is not FD related as the origional post, but the issue is similar and the concern equally important. If this needs to be re-posted in a seperate EMS thread, I welcome that.

Offcourse he did, them and alot of other things. The Lt. sure didnt mince words. However, given the extreme disdain many NYPD (especially ESU) have for FDNY, it was sort of no bid surprise.

I would think that the NYPD would be the hardest to get a used vehicle from. However, I do recall an instance about 3 or 4 years ago where an agency bought a used larger ESU truck from the NYPD (for a very good price w/ extras if memory serves). I don't know if there was special circumstances or connections involved but I'm pretty sure the agency was Kierys Joel Hatazalah. If you don't have any luck direct w/ NYPD perhaps you could ask around w/ them.

In my agencies, the few times notes are given, they are always done through dispatch via a land line. The only time cells are used is if we are operating w/o a dispatcher. I too dislike the use of cells and consider it a backup, nothing more. What I do find is that certain only trauma centers are receptive to notifications. I have had other hospitals hang up on my dispatcher in the middle of a note or give me blank stares and have no staff or equipment ready when I walk in with a signifigant case. As far as I am aware, NYC does all notes through dispacthers, and the only communication between hospitals and road crews is on the cell for OLMC w/ medical directors. I wonder if the breakdown is overusage; in school I don't recall being taught 2 types of notes, yet on the road there seems to be 2 types of notes, emergency and courtesy. (i.e. we're coming in with a obese patient, or our patient has slightly irregular vitals yet appears stable). If a hosptial recieves a great deal of these a day, where the response would be a simple acknowledgment, could it turn them off to the more important calls? In a larger metropolitan area such as NYC, I think the current system is adequate, and while it could benefit from things such as Boston's comm system, I think this would be of greater help in rural areas where longer tx's are the norm.

Here in NYC, that is not an issue as each Engine Co. is a CFR Co. with all new FF's being trained and rated as CFRs. Each rig carries O2, defib, and basic medical supplies. I do support the idea of training FF's with a basic level of first aid, for several reasons including being first due and LODD prevention. As for cost, it might be more effective to train one or two people on each tour. At the very least, I do believe that a course in symptom recognition/MI prevention would benefit everyone. Too many times we read accounts that involve members suffering MIs long after an incident, in quarters or at home. Now granted, the symptoms may not be immediate, but as the old axiom says ffs, emts (insert profession) make the worst patients. Addtionally, CPR courses list, denial is one of the common symptoms of caridac trouble. If an inservice of this nature can be provided, this can add another layer of protection, early detection! I 100% agree w/alsfirefighter, our professions are stressfull and require a healthy body. It is important to maintain a realistic knowlege of ones own abilities in relation to age, strenth and health. We've all seen pictures of MOS who look like they could not fufill the job duties or should not be on an active scene. Stay safe.

The truck is dispatched to larger incidents, if I recall usually 3rd alarms and above. It goes to provide rehab for fire crews and to assist w/ displaced families etc. As for dispatch, I'm not sure if its self or officially assigned, but I know the driver (one person, sometimes an EMT) carries a radio issued by FDNY and has a official FDNY designation. I believe this unit is on call 24/7. I am curious to know the boundaries if any, of its response because I have heard of them going pretty far into Westchester and upstate.

While I'm sure we've all had our share of nuts and callers that drive us up the wall, I'd say this this lady might have a problem; she's lonely. There are free services that will call lonely and homebound people once a week. So if you've had your fill of Rosanna one night, perhaps transfer her to one of these services instead; just a thought. I am not judging anyone, I too have had several amusing moments b/c of the public but this solution would probably be more fitting of our professions, and from the sound of it better for some of our ears as well?

This is an interesting issue. Basically as alsfirefighter said , EMTs operating on their own w/o an ambulance are funtioning as a sort of quick/first response service. (an existing level of response in many states) Whether or not an EMT takes the necessary steps to form such an organization in order to take per-diem jobs like this is another story. I know many EMTs who chose to work side jobs like this at sporting events, school events etc... Many of them carry their own personal EMT liability insurance. I think the most important things to remember here are 1. Document everything just as you would on a regular ambulance call (you can't use a PCR since those have to be submitted) but, medical accident reports are available at sporitng goods stores. 2. Operate w/in your local protocls w/ proper supplies (obviously controlled substances are out including meds because you are not certified to possess then independent of a ambulance service) 3. When in doubt, or meds or ALS are needed, call for an ambulance immediatly!