firecapt32

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

Lets not forget in all of this "Stuff" the fantastic job the Brothers did that night under these extreme circumstances--. rescues were made-- civilians were saved--firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Mt Vernon.
To any firefighter pulling up on a scene and being told that people were trapped in side--chills run up and down your spine--your training kicks into high gear and you go to work doing the best you can. Those firefighters and Officers that night were sworn to protect the citizens of Mount Vernon and they did it to the best of their ability. 2 men 3 men it didn't matter - people were trapped and they went to work, knowing full well that at any time it could be them in trouble...it didn't matter- they did it any way. For that the people of Mt Vernon should be proud of firefighters and Officers of FDMV.
Let politics take its course--it will all shake out--but FDMV did a yeoman's job that night.
Just my thoughts

I do believe that all Chiefs have a chance to review to their running card or rather now it might be called their CAD and decide before the S**t hit the fan just who they want responding to their department.
Then it is all laid out for the dispatchers. All the IC has to do is say give me a second or a third or cover my quarters, its all laid out. The coordinators on arrival to a multiple alarm fire, informs the IC as to what he has at the scene(in mutual aid) what he has covering(in mutual aid) and if he requests and additional men or equipment. He then becomes a liaison between the IC and the County for any additional equipment or apparatus or other recourses that the IC may require.
In conclusion it is pretty simple the Chiefs just have to keep a current CAD, but having said that-- there might be alarms in other places which then we would depend on the professionalism of the dispatchers to make correct decisions and keep everyone informed.
That's my two cents on the situation

I do believe that all Chiefs have a chance to review to their running card or rather now it might be called their CAD and decide before the S**t hit the fan just who they want responding to their department.
Then it is all laid out for the dispatchers. All the IC has to do is say give me a second or a third or cover my quarters, its all laid out. The coordinators on arrival to a multiple alarm fire, informs the IC as to what he has at the scene(in mutual aid) what he has covering(in mutual aid) and if he requests and additional men or equipment. He then becomes a liaison between the IC and the County for any additional equipment or apparatus or other recourses that the IC may require.
In conclusion it is pretty simple the Chiefs just have to keep a current CAD, but having said that-- there might be alarms in other places which then we would depend on the professionalism of the dispatchers to make correct decisions and keep everyone informed.
That's my two cents on the situation

I do believe that all Chiefs have a chance to review to their running card or rather now it might be called their CAD and decide before the S**t hit the fan just who they want responding to their department.
Then it is all laid out for the dispatchers. All the IC has to do is say give me a second or a third or cover my quarters, its all laid out. The coordinators on arrival to a multiple alarm fire, informs the IC as to what he has at the scene(in mutual aid) what he has covering(in mutual aid) and if he requests and additional men or equipment. He then becomes a liaison between the IC and the County for any additional equipment or apparatus or other recourses that the IC may require.
In conclusion it is pretty simple the Chiefs just have to keep a current CAD, but having said that-- there might be alarms in other places which then we would depend on the professionalism of the dispatchers to make correct decisions and keep everyone informed.
That's my two cents on the situation

Went to the funeral at St.Patrick's and to see the Avenue packed with people and the endless sea of blue representing Fire Fighters from seemly all over the world was amazing, the unforgettable sight of the coffins coming down Fifth Ave in formation on brand new Mack pumpers has stayed with me to this day.
For students of Firefighting much can be learned from this fire. There is a book out "23rd Street Fire " well worth the read

time for me to weigh in on this one--again stating it is just my thoughts.
There is or should have been a system in place to file for 207-A related injuries and or illnesses. if he missed a dead line or wasn't aware of what to do--that becomes a union issue.
The one year out sick is a decision on the Districts part-- after one year(unlimited sick) the District has the right to send you to THEIR doctor and get a opinion on whether the firefighter can work or not. If he CAN'T he is then entitled to a medical disability--- that amounts to 1/3 of his salary or his last 12 months which ever is higher.
He would then be able to register for social Security disability for medical expenses. To be denied this opportunity is just wrong on the District. Unless I am missing some important information.

time for me to weigh in on this one--again stating it is just my thoughts.
There is or should have been a system in place to file for 207-A related injuries and or illnesses. if he missed a dead line or wasn't aware of what to do--that becomes a union issue.
The one year out sick is a decision on the Districts part-- after one year(unlimited sick) the District has the right to send you to THEIR doctor and get a opinion on whether the firefighter can work or not. If he CAN'T he is then entitled to a medical disability--- that amounts to 1/3 of his salary or his last 12 months which ever is higher.
He would then be able to register for social Security disability for medical expenses. To be denied this opportunity is just wrong on the District. Unless I am missing some important information.

We have 58 Fire depts. in Westchester and many have trouble getting enough trained firefighters on scene. Many have more equipment then they can ever manage to get out the door and this situation puts the public & firefighters in danger.
I suspect nothing will change until a multi fatality fire AND a lawsuit against the fire dist /municipality and/or the chief(s).
Its really sad that depts are not willing to solve this problem.

The only Fire Departments NOT dispatched by 60 Control full-time (at least the last time I worked) were Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Fairview, Hartsdale, Hastings, Irvington, Mount Vernon, Ossining, Somers, Tarrytown, White Plains, Yonkers & Montrose VA.
EMS Agenices that do not get full-time dispatch from 60 Control are White Plains, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Yorktown Medics, Ossining Medics, Mount Pleasant Medics, Montrose VA, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Greenburgh PD, Harrison, Hastings, Irvington, Sleepy Hollow, Ossining, Pleasantville, Port Chester/Rye/Rye Brook, Scarsdale, Somers, Tarrytown, Valhalla & Yorktown.
Why an agency doesn't seek county dispatch - that's their choice. In many cases departments have valid reasons to stay with their own way of doing things. For others, it's a lack of understanding the advantages offered to them.
Want my opinion on the whole system.... Send me a private message...

1- NYS Fire Instructors cannot teach any courses any where with out approval of OFPC. So the problem isn't with the Instructors its with OFPC.
2- NYC along with OFPC set the standard for Departments coming into the City.
3-Westchester has been assigned the Bronx--this is from FDNY and OFPC.
4-Each responding member is entered into the computer system to check credentials. Westchester meets at the Yonkers raceway to check in then gets a assignment. No one goes into the city with out being checked in first -or they will be subject to arrest by NYPD.
5-Limited apparatus allowed into the City---5 man eng--5 man trucks as per FDNY and OFPC.
6-LI covers Queens and Brooklyn same deal as Westchester and I believe NJ covers Staten Island if needed same as everyone else.
As for who trains with who -- why cant the Departments request departments with similar training... Example if your department is at a "job" and is tied up for a while and you need coverage---and you do EMS runs. You need a department with fire and EMTS and a EMS system to cover you. Why should you bring in any department that isn't up to your standards. If you have high rise buildings why bring in a department that has a 4 story height limit in their town or has never trained on high rise fires. Thers a lot to consider here.

all firefighter one classes whether given by the State or the County must have OFPC approval no matter who is paying. That is not happening to a local department OFPC will be hard pressed to authorize a "special" FF1 class for any department. Then every department will want a "special" class just for them--can you see the nightmare happening. Even if you hire an outside company to teach FF1 to get the state to approve it is almost impossible--I say almost because you can never say never in this world.
Westchester has I believe 10-13 state fire instructors and state Hours have been increased for the year plus a cadre of County fire Instructors all capable of teaching FF1 and many more courses.
Lets not forget that a FF1 is like 90 hours and most instructors tack on safety and survival so its over 100 hours--that's a lot of commitment. I know one state fire instructor that did a FF! one night a week!!! took 1/2 a year to complete. don't hang me on the hours they are approximate
when I talk about commitment --- firefighter one classes start out with between 20- 25 students and end up with between 15-20 some do not even bring a book do not read the assignments or just cant do the work(physically). Fire instructors teach to the standard of the State--when a student cant make that standard-- they get dropped. their local department can keep them as firefighters (AHJ) but no certificate of completion is given.
again just my thoughts make the standard--keep to the standard we are sworn to protect the citizens of our community. We can no longer " just get by" we need to improve and move forward. The past is nice to look at and reminisce about but lets not make it our future.

all firefighter one classes whether given by the State or the County must have OFPC approval no matter who is paying. That is not happening to a local department OFPC will be hard pressed to authorize a "special" FF1 class for any department. Then every department will want a "special" class just for them--can you see the nightmare happening. Even if you hire an outside company to teach FF1 to get the state to approve it is almost impossible--I say almost because you can never say never in this world.
Westchester has I believe 10-13 state fire instructors and state Hours have been increased for the year plus a cadre of County fire Instructors all capable of teaching FF1 and many more courses.
Lets not forget that a FF1 is like 90 hours and most instructors tack on safety and survival so its over 100 hours--that's a lot of commitment. I know one state fire instructor that did a FF! one night a week!!! took 1/2 a year to complete. don't hang me on the hours they are approximate
when I talk about commitment --- firefighter one classes start out with between 20- 25 students and end up with between 15-20 some do not even bring a book do not read the assignments or just cant do the work(physically). Fire instructors teach to the standard of the State--when a student cant make that standard-- they get dropped. their local department can keep them as firefighters (AHJ) but no certificate of completion is given.
again just my thoughts make the standard--keep to the standard we are sworn to protect the citizens of our community. We can no longer " just get by" we need to improve and move forward. The past is nice to look at and reminisce about but lets not make it our future.

all firefighter one classes whether given by the State or the County must have OFPC approval no matter who is paying. That is not happening to a local department OFPC will be hard pressed to authorize a "special" FF1 class for any department. Then every department will want a "special" class just for them--can you see the nightmare happening. Even if you hire an outside company to teach FF1 to get the state to approve it is almost impossible--I say almost because you can never say never in this world.
Westchester has I believe 10-13 state fire instructors and state Hours have been increased for the year plus a cadre of County fire Instructors all capable of teaching FF1 and many more courses.
Lets not forget that a FF1 is like 90 hours and most instructors tack on safety and survival so its over 100 hours--that's a lot of commitment. I know one state fire instructor that did a FF! one night a week!!! took 1/2 a year to complete. don't hang me on the hours they are approximate
when I talk about commitment --- firefighter one classes start out with between 20- 25 students and end up with between 15-20 some do not even bring a book do not read the assignments or just cant do the work(physically). Fire instructors teach to the standard of the State--when a student cant make that standard-- they get dropped. their local department can keep them as firefighters (AHJ) but no certificate of completion is given.
again just my thoughts make the standard--keep to the standard we are sworn to protect the citizens of our community. We can no longer " just get by" we need to improve and move forward. The past is nice to look at and reminisce about but lets not make it our future.

I'll put it this way. We need a 2.5 hose worth of training dollars to flow so instructors can get paid to teach MORE classes, but we are getting a booster line's worth. The state runs the pump panel......

1- NYS Fire Instructors cannot teach any courses any where with out approval of OFPC. So the problem isn't with the Instructors its with OFPC.
2- NYC along with OFPC set the standard for Departments coming into the City.
3-Westchester has been assigned the Bronx--this is from FDNY and OFPC.
4-Each responding member is entered into the computer system to check credentials. Westchester meets at the Yonkers raceway to check in then gets a assignment. No one goes into the city with out being checked in first -or they will be subject to arrest by NYPD.
5-Limited apparatus allowed into the City---5 man eng--5 man trucks as per FDNY and OFPC.
6-LI covers Queens and Brooklyn same deal as Westchester and I believe NJ covers Staten Island if needed same as everyone else.
As for who trains with who -- why cant the Departments request departments with similar training... Example if your department is at a "job" and is tied up for a while and you need coverage---and you do EMS runs. You need a department with fire and EMTS and a EMS system to cover you. Why should you bring in any department that isn't up to your standards. If you have high rise buildings why bring in a department that has a 4 story height limit in their town or has never trained on high rise fires. Thers a lot to consider here.

Great idea--aint going to happen as long as there are organizations that are still in the dark ages as far as firefighting is concerned.
Lowering standards or worse not having any borders on criminal intent. Having taught some firefighter one classes in the last few years I can tell you one thing--- class starts out with 20-25 in the class. Last session maybe 16-17. Very few are willing to take a National firefighters one test, because departments do not require taking one.
communities do not send in untrained police--they send them for 16 weeks of training. Yet theses communities use their AHJ to say the fire department is doing the best it can with what it has-- not reality. minimum of Firefighter one-- SET A STANDARD work toward the STANDARD. Put money in the budgets for training not one million dollar pieces of fire apparatus. Those that have the training should DEMAND more form their departments .
Standards should be set for becoming firefighters/ fire officers/fire chiefs -- plane and simple. While I am at it STANDARDS should be set for any one driving fire department vehicles.

How many departments are just not doing any thing? OSHA/ Physicals/Mask fit testing (cant tell you how many are send to FF1 with out a mask fit or physical but do have the sheet signed by the chief) Bail out systems/ haz mat requirements/ BBP standards. Turnout standards being ignored.
sorry for the rant but this is a great topic and can get a lot of interest-- just believes it falls on deaf ears sometimes.

Great idea--aint going to happen as long as there are organizations that are still in the dark ages as far as firefighting is concerned.
Lowering standards or worse not having any borders on criminal intent. Having taught some firefighter one classes in the last few years I can tell you one thing--- class starts out with 20-25 in the class. Last session maybe 16-17. Very few are willing to take a National firefighters one test, because departments do not require taking one.
communities do not send in untrained police--they send them for 16 weeks of training. Yet theses communities use their AHJ to say the fire department is doing the best it can with what it has-- not reality. minimum of Firefighter one-- SET A STANDARD work toward the STANDARD. Put money in the budgets for training not one million dollar pieces of fire apparatus. Those that have the training should DEMAND more form their departments .
Standards should be set for becoming firefighters/ fire officers/fire chiefs -- plane and simple. While I am at it STANDARDS should be set for any one driving fire department vehicles.

How many departments are just not doing any thing? OSHA/ Physicals/Mask fit testing (cant tell you how many are send to FF1 with out a mask fit or physical but do have the sheet signed by the chief) Bail out systems/ haz mat requirements/ BBP standards. Turnout standards being ignored.
sorry for the rant but this is a great topic and can get a lot of interest-- just believes it falls on deaf ears sometimes.