firefighter-70

I agree with the quote in the article, most of these "issues" are just poor attempts to demonize the law enforcement community as a whole. Those who seek to discredit the police at every opportunity continue to ignore that police officers are our neighbors, friends, family and normal human beings, not some group of robotic storm troopers out to impose Draconian laws on unsuspecting people. Again and again they continue to make excuses for people who commit crimes by deflecting and changing the topic. I'm not ready to vilify or exonerate the Ferguson Officer, but I think he and his department (and the community) deserve a fair shooting investigation and one free of political spectacle as this situation has become.

I agree with PDs needing the proper weapons for the many given situations they might find themselves in. The problem I have is with any law enforcement agency that uses US Armed Forces combat uniforms for use against civilians. They are not members of the Armed Forces period. They might work great but the fact is police officers are here to protect and serve the public, what people expect to see are professional wearing PD blue or what ever color local LE wears. Not Army or Marine combat uniforms worn in the field. I'll even agree they can wear the ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet) for superior head protection but it should be painted blue.

Mt.Vernons union president clearly stated on news 12 that they agree with Yonkers union that Mt Vernon abuses the mutual aid system regularly. He also said as long as neighboring depts continue to send units into Mt Vernon why would they hire?

This is a fact! FDMV hired 8 Firefighters in 2013 for the fall Academy, 5 are through the Academy and on the line. 3 did not make it, is the city planning to hire 3 to replace the loss, NO!

In the past year 7 or 8 civilians died in fires within the city, I believe this exceeds the murder rate in Mt Vernon. What will the city do? Bets are nothing! Mutual Aid will cover its man power shortages! Mayor Davis thanks you.

@firnatime....Are you volly or career? Just curious because your profile is vague. Maybe if we knew who you were your post might be more meaniful. Bnechis is respected fire officer in a career department and im sure has seen more fire than you have. If we all had 5 man engine companies (like FDNY) or put 50 FF on a first alarm (like FDNY) than none of this would be a concern. We don't and can't. I think you need to take a look at FDNY history. Reverse stretch is not done because its better at every job, it's done to make room for the trucks because space is an issue.

Bnechis knows FirNaTine, and probably knows that FirNaTine has been in just as many fires if not more then he, will let Barry answer that. Reverse lay and forward lay both have pros and cons, I think we can agree on that.

After all - "For the most part we have a good Fire Department" :-)

Haha Jody, yeah "For the most part" my knees, back, neck and other parts of my body are doing ok! But as you know, regardless of what our leadership may say we'll still step up and put on those turnouts, step into the rig and give it well more then 110% when we step out on the fire ground for fire duty. By all accounts we know you all broke your _$$ trying to get the Urena family out. FDMV is fortunate too have Professionals like you, your DC and the entire 1 Group. Its very hard to measure at times just how successful your actions are when you get the people out, and the public does not know because it wasn't flashy and did not made the news as in most cases in the Vern, ??? But at the end of the day when you look to your left and right, you'll still have your brothers standing next to you ready to step into the next bag of worms you're handed, too do the very best you can with what you've got!

Date:10/30/13

Time:1st job 0923- 2nd job 1033 - 3rd job 1806

Incident Type:10-26 working fires

Location:1st job 45 S.15th Ave/2nd job 50 Forester Ave/3rd job 61 Washington Blvd

District:

Units:ENG3,ENG4,ENG5,ENG6,L-1,L-2,R-1, Eastchester L-15 w/Asst Chief

Description: Working fires at all three locations. Units packed up and were redirected to other fire scenes. Mutual aid received from Eastchester, New Rochelle and Pelham. Busy few days for FDMV!

No, he won't. The LT would be in charge, and I'd still thank him for his service.

It used to be (30 yrs ago) 5 extra points for Vets and 10 extra for Disabled Vets. I wonder if that isn't a better system for getting the most qualified people. Maybe even 10 and 15 extra points since the military background is a great advantage for discipline, experience, and work ethic. But a veteran with a 70 over a civilian or non-deployed reservist with a 100 isn't the best deal for the public.

The first thing is a "Non - Deployed Reservist" (meaning never deployed after basic and advanced training to a hazardous duty / hostile fire zone or on active duty) is not classified as a "Veteran". Reservists that have only attended training, and never deployed or entered active duty do not receive points or other benefits (Civil Service) currently as the system is set up in most if not all states. A veteran is defined as one who has served honorably on active federal duty for more then 90 days for other then training. Not everyone in the military is cut out to be Infantrymen. I think the same holds true with the fire service, not everyone in the military is cut out to be a firefighter. Hell we have firefighters that aren't cut out to be firefighters.

What most people don't know is the unemployment rate for our returning veterans is 14-18 percent (DOL stats). This is accepted as a low figure, its most likely closer to 20-25 percent. These men and women are our nations most presious resource, your sons, daughters brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers. They stood up and raised their right hand and served in harms way when the nation called. With the best of intentions they are returning to there lives changed forever from what ever they endured. Some have sacrificed their lives, other their health and countless others presious time away from their families that they will never get back (missed birth of a child, birthdays, graduations and holidays) many have deployed more the 6 times. Its not easy to be told you can't go home because the team needs you. So if a veteran gets hired over another non-veteran by what ever system they use I vote yes for it. And I can't be sure but I'll bet none of them scored a 70 to get on the job. Yes some cities gets it, most do not. I tip my hat to the city of Boston and thank them for looking out for the next greatest generation.

So, the 3rd Truck Co. in the Vern is normally OOS? Which one? FDMV Ladder 2?

No, the Rescue goes OOS first, followed by L-3 if the manpower drops. The Commissioner is saving the city dollars while placing the citizens and Fire Fighters at extreme risk. MVPD OT is wide open, they order officers on OT every day. 10 Fire Fighters go down with injuries and only 2 fire fighter were ordered to the scene. The commissioner was heard saying he'll just close down fire houses to avoid paying OT. High temps played a huge role at this fire. The fire had a head start, the first arriving engine and truck companies with the battalion made 2 saves with no time, no time to spare. The houses were 3 1/2 feet apart with a fence running between that 3.5 feet. Great ground ladder placement saved the day for the trapped victims which had to be lead down the ladders.

FOOD AND DRINKS AT MAGGIE SPILLANES AND THE BAYOU !

FACE PAINTING AND FIRE APPARATUS FOR THE KIDS !

GRAMATAN AVE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE PARTY, PLENTY OF PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE MUNICIPLE LOT ON GRAND STREET

LIVE STRONG !!!!!

This is a great area of Fleetwood. This will be a great family event!

A great family and a great firefighter. Please support the Montana family.

Since this made the papers security has been verified.

Not trying to sensationalize what we do here but this article is just a reminder for those that might be interested in coming over that this is a war zone and we are never too far from the violence.

KABUL, Afghanistan — At least 20 people have been killed in suicide attacks in southern Afghanistan, authorities said Thursday, including seven civilians who died when a bomber blew himself up near an airport used by the U.S.-led coalition.

The attack near the entrance to the airfield in Kandahar — Afghanistan's second-largest city and the traditional heartland of the Taliban insurgency — occurred Thursday afternoon when a suicide bomber detonated a white Toyota Corolla, said Zalmai Ayubi, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Two children were among the dead, authorities said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on its website. The insurgents said the target was a convoy of foreign nationals who were leaving the airfield, which is one of the largest bases used by the NATO coalition. Many civilians use the busy entrance as well, however.

An additional eight civilians, including a woman and two children, were reported wounded. The explosion destroyed four civilian vehicles and two fuel tankers, Ayubi said, but it couldn't be determined whether the tankers belonged to NATO forces.

The picture below was taken shortly after the blast and we are working in the area behind the two soldiers in the background (as indicated by the black arrow I've added to the pic [pardon it's crudeness]). As you can imagine the scene was gruesome with body parts and shredded and burned vehicles strewn a good distance from the epicenter. While we try to be professional,...and well dispassionate, in doing our duty out here I have to admit that for all of us there this particular scene was also extremely infuriating. What kind of degenerate animals target kids?

The wounded were in rough shape and included 2 more children, but thankfully our quick response got them to the staff at Role 3 (the base trauma hospital) who worked their magic and all will survive.

Here's a pic from a Canadian newspaper and it's caption:

A U.S. soldier keeps watch at the site of an explosion in Kandahar Jan. 19. A suicide bomber killed seven civilians, including two children, and wounded eight in an attack on the main gate of the Kandahar Air Field used by international and Afghan troops in southern Afghanistan, Kandahar governor's spokesman Zalmai Ayobi said.

Photograph by: AHMAD NADEEM, REUTERS

Is your crew assigned to provide Fire protection on Kandahar Air Field or are you on a FOB or Camp near KAF?

Might be able to help you with this. PM me and we can talk.

FDMV BN-2 & Truck 3 at Appx 2250 hrs found remains on second floor rear of fire building. Very tough job, outstanding effort made by FDMV.

I too have seen this up close and personal. A firefighter with another Company on the stairs behind us broke out the window behind us on the landing which brought the fire over our heads within seconds. We were attempting to get control of the door to the fire apartment when the fun started. Coordinated effort is a must to keep all firefighters safe, freelancing puts us all more at risk!

When I first got on I was told that " if it gets too hot to take a window" Well that doesn't always work too well. If you take the wrong window you can get somebody killed. Maybe yourself. Taking the wrong window can spread the fire. If your venting from the outside and start taking the wrong windows you can kill somebody inside or spread the fire vertically or horizontally. Anyway its not as simple as saying " if it gets too hot take a window. I've seen the results of what happens and what it turns into. But when done right with some coordination it can save lives and get everybody back to the firehouse sooner and safer. Go to 3min 30 sec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZzQibzeWtY

The problem with foreign aid is that the US government has no mechanism or apparatus to ensure that the billions we dump into our "national interests" overseas actually makes a difference. The money rarely, if ever in the worst cases, gets to the people and programs who need it the most.....it often becomes bolus of cash for corrupt leaders and/or regimes.

Sadly NGOs (non-governmental organizations) tend to be far better about putting cash to work and making a difference on the ground. Look @ some of the work the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation has done in terms of AIDS/immunizations/hunger.

That might be true in some cases but mil to mil foreign aid I've seen is not in the form of money, it's in the form of equipment. NGOs back fire all the time. As an example I've been down range at vehicle check points checking in on Soldiers when they have pulled over NGO trucks which had drugs, weapons, and even young girls for sex slaves being trafficed for sale. The UN has the same problem if not worse. "USAID" is the agency that in most cases hands out US civilian aid in what ever form. I have seen some of their snafus, but in most cases the project was completed to standard.

I stand by my post. I said foreign aid was tens of billions of dollars and it is. I still think it should be reduced (not elminated).

Foreign aid is in the billons without question. What should be asked is "whats foreign aid pay for?". Its used to further our national interests whether it be civilian directed aid or militay to military aid. In many cases it's given to the foreign nation with conditions requiring them to purchase american made equipment which I have seen first hand (this does put americans to work). Many times the aid is in the form of weapons that are no longer used by US forces or DOD. These weapons can be anything from the M60A3s/M1 Main Battle Tanks (as seen in Egypt)to out dated US kevlar helmets seen worn by many countries through out the world. Civilian aid also comes in many forms such as AIDS prevention to dam construction to create irrigation to produce crops for consumption for foreign nations. If its used to further the interests of the United States i'm in. If its wasted on BS that does little or nothing concerning US interests then cut it like a towed jumper.

At least this time they are getting something for one of their old trucks. Not like the old Rescue.

The Mack 75' Tower Ladder being sold has seen many fires in Mt. Vernon. It was front line / first due for many years and then was made a spare. It predated high tech sensors and always worked when you turned the high hat and pressed the start switches. You could tuck it into some very tight places. It will be missed.

What companies did Mt. Vernon use at the scene?

Anybody have a rundown.

FDMV E-3,E-4,E-5,E-6, TL-1,L-2,L-3,BN-2

From what i heard FDNY was on scene first and operated, went to a 3rd alarm for FDNY. Mount Vernon came after and also operated. After most of fire was out I think FDNY turned over things to MVFD.

FDMV arrived as FDNY was stretching in, not after FDNY went to 3rd alarm. FDMV Deputy Chief on arrival coordinated and took control of exposure on Sanford Blvd and 11th Ave.

I disagree, they are both the same age and yes one is a soldier and has tons of training (but honestly how much is driving), who says that Johnny Smith doesn't have a certain level of dedication to the fire department just as the soldier does to the armed forces? Every fire department can qualify and certify a younger member just the same, you have to sit on the member and make sure he or she can do the job right, you can also send them to classes as well for this. We also send these same younger members like yourself into a burning building and say hey go rescue those trapped people and how many hours of training did you get 100?

Also driver's only spend the time enroute to and from a call worrying about the other drivers really, then once on scene the driver worries about the same things you do and maybe more (hazards, residents, assignments and size up) and you as the crew should also be keeping an eye out on the road too incase you see something the guys up front dont. The biggest issue is how much training the department mandates the driver no matter what age, if the trainer doesnt think the person is ready they don't get put on the list until they are. Make a mandated and a curriculum for driver training and those that you know wont act and operate safely dont get the ok.

I also have question for all those regarding fire calls, your the first piece of apparatus from your station responding aside from the chiefs to a residential alarm, or an inside smoke or an mva w/ injuries when do you use the siren when do you not? My fd there is a few that refuse to use the siren and upon intersections controlled by a stop light will give the air horn a tap or two, why I have no idea but lemme tell you it is very frustrating and nerve racking when your going through multiple stop lights in the middle of the day for an mva or a inside smoke and a tap of the air horn is all you hear because the officer and driver both "can't hear the radio".

"(but honestly how much is driving)" This comment makes me assume you are not in the armed forces, at least not in the last 10 years. I can only speak for the Army, I know that the other services have very similar driver training programs. We certainly pick the more mature 18-21 year olds whenever possible. Soldiers that are drivers go through hundreds of hours of driver training before deployment. Those that tell you they did not some how slid under the requirement, and were most likely cheated out of the training because a leader failed this Soldier. Some don't pass and are reassigned to other duties. In addition to real driving hours, all drivers attend training with the crew members in simulators. These are not toys but state of the art mock ups of the equipment to be used down range. Soldiers lives are very important to us. We spend the coin to give them the best chance in combat to protect our freedoms.

an ex-officer is one that non-officer firefighters can look to for guidance because of their experience and service. i dont see any reason why you would ask this stupid question.

OK, got it on the guidance because of their experience and service part. Why do you have to put EX - anything on your hat or helmet? If you know he is an Ex-Chief just seek his guidance if needed.

Put the chains on at 1000hrs this morning by order of the working Deputy. City streets with poor snow removal,loaded with slush. Makes for a fun night!!!

I've been told that Departments that have high rises do not use foam do to the standpipe systems. They stated that they are not reliable past 10 + floors. I'm not sure this is fact, but would like to see it put to the test. NYC, Yonkers, White Plains, NewRoc and the Vern have high rises. None to my knowledge use these "CAF" systems. I asked several FDNY Officers who made the reliability comment I mentioned earlier. They said they had tested foam with marginal results.

I thought there were only 3 snorkels in westchester county and bedford hills had snorkel 1 and i thought mt. vernon was snorkel 2 and verplank was snorkel 3. Can someone correct me if im wrong and fill me in.

Mt.Vernon has its own City numbers for FDMV. It does not use county numbers within the City. Mt. Vernon Snorkel 1 is what most refer to this truck as. Trust me when I tell you that the Snorkel from Mt. Vernon fought a hell of lot of fires in and out of the City.

Maybe we can go through a pat down or body scanner to get into the Chili Cook off!