post4031

Chris,
We got hit pretty hard here and during the height of the storm there were very few plows on the road. We have two vehicles outfitted with plows that were busy responding to alarms so apparatus and ambulances could get to the incident locations.
From the onset of the storm to now we have recieved approx. 75-80 alarms. Also, we were extremely busy getting the elderly and invalids to shelter. We sustained heavy tree damage and most of the town was out of power and still is.
Our Town E.O.C. was open however it was basically a center for fire department operations and we did have communications with the PD.
We recieved a request from the Dutchess EOC for the snowmobile to transport water and blankets to stranded motorists and check the welfare of the occupants, also to transport them to a shelter. We responded within 15 minutes to the request along other neighboring departments.
There was no Unified Command to my knowledge with the exception of the communications between the fire departments. The Thruway Authority and NYS Police requested our assistance and were the authority over the incident. We did have contact with some units on scene but no command structure to my knowledge.
By the time we received the request the Thruway Authority had already started to redirect motorists through turn arounds to the eastbound side and off the highway. We were prepared to transport stranded motorists to a warming center at our HQ's until shelter was established. Most refused to leave their vehicles and the Troopers were not forcing the issue.
The storm severly taxed our resources and the resources of our area. We had members in stations from Thursday afternoon until Saturday evening when we sent as many as we could home and returned to stations Sunday morning.
Given the scope of the storm and the damage it caused I do believe we did as much as we possibly could and if there was a true medical emergency we would have made every attempt to get access to the patient. Just an example we had to remove one resident in a rowboat with a few guys acting as reindeer because nothing could get to where he was located. I am thankful for the dedication of our department members and their willingness to rise above the obstacles they face.
If you have further questions feel free to PM me
Scott Post

Bravo!!! Points I was trying to make earlier but you did a MUCH better job....you must be a fast typer!!

Can't say i agree. Bunch of good, seasoned, City providers will be moving on with this change. As a side bar MLSS has wanted this contract forever....we hated it when they opened up their station in the city limits and would consistently buff 911 jobs. I remember on occasion where a City FD Captain reamed the MLSS crew out for their buffing efforts. Obviously my loyalty lies with the Alamo holdovers (now TC) and it upsets me that they will either have to move on or go through another change of shirts...those that regularly work out of the city are loyal, dedicated, enthusiastic and have great working relationships with FD and PD. It's going to take time for things to re-formulated.
Oh well, such is par for the course in Dutchess county

Just a few quick things to help here
1) Yes because Volunteers get VFBL (because it is under the workers comp law), the Dept of Labor sees them as employees
2) Jr firefighters and Explorers are two very different groups. Jr firefighters are members of fire companies ages 16-18. They are covered under VFBL and so the are also covered under the Labor Laws. Explorers (Venturing) are non-members of fire compaines who are under the guidelines of the Boy Scouts, are from the age of 14 to 21 and are sponsered by a fire company. They are not covered under VFBL or NY State Labor Laws. Both groups are very different in what they can and canot do because of this difference.
3) OFPC allows Jr firefighters to take FF1 and other courses, but they do not allow explorers to take part in classes.

Anytime there is a backup the town becomes jammed with traffic thanks to the GPS. This was another problem during the snowstorm as people were getting off and creating another incident on local roads because they got stuck, ran off the road, etc.

No criticism taken...I agree 100% with you. It could have been managed better by the State especially since this snow fell in a localized area. More resources could have been brought in to assist with that specific area and the local departments that were getting slammed already could take care of their own problems.
Scott

Chris,
We got hit pretty hard here and during the height of the storm there were very few plows on the road. We have two vehicles outfitted with plows that were busy responding to alarms so apparatus and ambulances could get to the incident locations.
From the onset of the storm to now we have recieved approx. 75-80 alarms. Also, we were extremely busy getting the elderly and invalids to shelter. We sustained heavy tree damage and most of the town was out of power and still is.
Our Town E.O.C. was open however it was basically a center for fire department operations and we did have communications with the PD.
We recieved a request from the Dutchess EOC for the snowmobile to transport water and blankets to stranded motorists and check the welfare of the occupants, also to transport them to a shelter. We responded within 15 minutes to the request along other neighboring departments.
There was no Unified Command to my knowledge with the exception of the communications between the fire departments. The Thruway Authority and NYS Police requested our assistance and were the authority over the incident. We did have contact with some units on scene but no command structure to my knowledge.
By the time we received the request the Thruway Authority had already started to redirect motorists through turn arounds to the eastbound side and off the highway. We were prepared to transport stranded motorists to a warming center at our HQ's until shelter was established. Most refused to leave their vehicles and the Troopers were not forcing the issue.
The storm severly taxed our resources and the resources of our area. We had members in stations from Thursday afternoon until Saturday evening when we sent as many as we could home and returned to stations Sunday morning.
Given the scope of the storm and the damage it caused I do believe we did as much as we possibly could and if there was a true medical emergency we would have made every attempt to get access to the patient. Just an example we had to remove one resident in a rowboat with a few guys acting as reindeer because nothing could get to where he was located. I am thankful for the dedication of our department members and their willingness to rise above the obstacles they face.
If you have further questions feel free to PM me
Scott Post

Chris,
We got hit pretty hard here and during the height of the storm there were very few plows on the road. We have two vehicles outfitted with plows that were busy responding to alarms so apparatus and ambulances could get to the incident locations.
From the onset of the storm to now we have recieved approx. 75-80 alarms. Also, we were extremely busy getting the elderly and invalids to shelter. We sustained heavy tree damage and most of the town was out of power and still is.
Our Town E.O.C. was open however it was basically a center for fire department operations and we did have communications with the PD.
We recieved a request from the Dutchess EOC for the snowmobile to transport water and blankets to stranded motorists and check the welfare of the occupants, also to transport them to a shelter. We responded within 15 minutes to the request along other neighboring departments.
There was no Unified Command to my knowledge with the exception of the communications between the fire departments. The Thruway Authority and NYS Police requested our assistance and were the authority over the incident. We did have contact with some units on scene but no command structure to my knowledge.
By the time we received the request the Thruway Authority had already started to redirect motorists through turn arounds to the eastbound side and off the highway. We were prepared to transport stranded motorists to a warming center at our HQ's until shelter was established. Most refused to leave their vehicles and the Troopers were not forcing the issue.
The storm severly taxed our resources and the resources of our area. We had members in stations from Thursday afternoon until Saturday evening when we sent as many as we could home and returned to stations Sunday morning.
Given the scope of the storm and the damage it caused I do believe we did as much as we possibly could and if there was a true medical emergency we would have made every attempt to get access to the patient. Just an example we had to remove one resident in a rowboat with a few guys acting as reindeer because nothing could get to where he was located. I am thankful for the dedication of our department members and their willingness to rise above the obstacles they face.
If you have further questions feel free to PM me
Scott Post

Chris,
We got hit pretty hard here and during the height of the storm there were very few plows on the road. We have two vehicles outfitted with plows that were busy responding to alarms so apparatus and ambulances could get to the incident locations.
From the onset of the storm to now we have recieved approx. 75-80 alarms. Also, we were extremely busy getting the elderly and invalids to shelter. We sustained heavy tree damage and most of the town was out of power and still is.
Our Town E.O.C. was open however it was basically a center for fire department operations and we did have communications with the PD.
We recieved a request from the Dutchess EOC for the snowmobile to transport water and blankets to stranded motorists and check the welfare of the occupants, also to transport them to a shelter. We responded within 15 minutes to the request along other neighboring departments.
There was no Unified Command to my knowledge with the exception of the communications between the fire departments. The Thruway Authority and NYS Police requested our assistance and were the authority over the incident. We did have contact with some units on scene but no command structure to my knowledge.
By the time we received the request the Thruway Authority had already started to redirect motorists through turn arounds to the eastbound side and off the highway. We were prepared to transport stranded motorists to a warming center at our HQ's until shelter was established. Most refused to leave their vehicles and the Troopers were not forcing the issue.
The storm severly taxed our resources and the resources of our area. We had members in stations from Thursday afternoon until Saturday evening when we sent as many as we could home and returned to stations Sunday morning.
Given the scope of the storm and the damage it caused I do believe we did as much as we possibly could and if there was a true medical emergency we would have made every attempt to get access to the patient. Just an example we had to remove one resident in a rowboat with a few guys acting as reindeer because nothing could get to where he was located. I am thankful for the dedication of our department members and their willingness to rise above the obstacles they face.
If you have further questions feel free to PM me
Scott Post

So.... this guy struck a nerve or two. What happened to all of the guys who always cry about this being an open forum for discussion? Yeah, maybe the guy had a score to settle for some reason that none of us will ever know, and it is unfair to criticize a fill the boot event, but can anyone honestly sit out there and say that they have never had any of this kind of stuff happen in their house? C'mon guys, as many of you are so fond of saying, "QTIP"

This guy is his own worst enemy when it comes to being taken seriously. "Firefighting attracts a lot of immature people, who feel they don't need to grow up." OK, that's fair. Hell, I might even be inclined to agree. Then he goes on to list a few examples that back up his point, but what's with the rest of that list? A fill the boot to benefit Muscular Dystrophy? It sounds like conditions might not have been optimal (where I live, excessive fill the boot events caused the city to put an end to them altogether), but to count that as a "childish act?" Really? Also, that "loose change" that's "shaken down from motorists" adds up. I think my union cleared 5 figures for a few hours worth of effort.
As for some of the other examples, they're despicable acts that go way beyond immaturity. This guy needs to go back to journalism school.

I noticed in reading the IA on the Croton Falls Fire that it was dispatched at 1605 and at 1617 the Somers Ladder was "waiting for more manpower"...(12 minutes after the initial response) What does this mean exactly? Is this ladder part of the initial assignment? Were there other ladder companies responding? How long after 1617 did this ladder company actually respond and with how many personnel? This was on a weekend afternoon. I'm surprised that there would be any problem with manpower. Is there an issue with having an adequate number of responders in this area too?

Let's face it, this is EMTBRAVO... it will always be like this... I just hope when the shoe is on the other foot and questions are asked, they will not be deleted, and others are not bashed for asking questions... Like it or not, we are all in GLASSHOUSES, and one day we may be in the hot seat...

Excellent job Croton Falls, seems like a quick knockdown, and use of the tankers, could you elaborate, on the use of the tankers, since many Northern Communities rely on them. Excellent job.

Amen FJP!
I also like those post-call BS sessions. The guys in my house STILL will do a call at 2AM and sit around the firehouse until the Sun comes up.
I like the family feel of the firehouse. You may hate a guy today, but at the next fire or bad call, you might buy each other coffee afterwards!
I like when a paid guy doesn't forget his roots and still vollies.
I miss the days when it was OK to actually take pride in your company or your department, and not be ashamed of what you do.
I miss the days of the inter-company sh!t talking. It was never meant to be vindictive, but it gave you more pride and drove more people to try harder and do better. As FJP said, now everyone is so thin skinned that you almost have to have an attorney next to you, giving you a nod, before you break someones balls.
I miss some of the guys that used to be around but have left us either because of personal reasons or too much BS in the firehouse.
I miss sled riding in the Stokes during snow standbys.
I miss the days when apparatus had personality. Seems that newer rigs lack it.
I miss going to calls and people thanked you. Now they want to know why your apparatus are in front of their house, why we opened a hydrant to make sure it works, why a Chief parks in their driveway when the call is across the street and....
And, most of all, I miss the days of riding in the open jumpseats, standing up ( ), screaming through town and people waved or looked on in admiration. Now they cover their ears and shake their heads in dismay because they don't want to hear us as we respond to someone's emergency.
Thank you public.

Just a suggestion, see if there is a service company in your area and ask them if they will do a training session for your department. This way you get to learn about all the mechanical workings of the system from a technician that works on them everyday. If possible conduct the drill right at the location get some hands on.
Scott

The chains we used to carry were a long (40' or so) chain in a bucket (later switched to a canvas bag with shoulder strap) with four or five smaller (12" or so) chains on a ring at one end. You'd yank the chain up and down as you raised and lowered it, and the little lengths on the bottom would rattle around and clean the buildup off the inside of the chimney flue.
We got rid of them some years back, and now run with the "baggie bomb" method, which has worked very well for us. We also like to carry a spray bottle (Windex-type) in the kit, and I've put out a fire or two with it. The steam produced by the mist does a great job without damaging the flue. And it's WAY cheaper than a chimney nozzle. I even put one out once with the homeowner's Windex bottle, before the rig arrived. She looked a little startled when she looked in and saw me rummaging under the kitchen sink. I said, "I need to borrow your Windex." She was like, "Uh - okay." then I dumped out the Windex, refilled the bottle with water, and she started laughing when she caught on.

You can not impliment good tactics at a working fires without knowing the type of construction. Knowing the type (fire-resistive, ordinary, frame) will dictate decisions and tactics. Where is this fire going and how is this fire going to get there?? How am I going to stop it? It all falls back on construction. Balloon?? Where are my lines going?? How am I going to remain "safe"?? Know your buildings! Key.

Hello All,
I have been a member of this forum for sometime now and normally do not post much. I come on here and read updates on incidents, check out what's new and have learned a thing our two in some of the discussions that have taken place. I thought this was a really great site for members of the fire and emergency services to come together and exchange information.
I feel the moderation team does a good job in keeping things relatively calm. However, lately there have been threats made on service providers and topics, questions and discussions that always end up taking the tone of career vs. volunteer. Some members have been allowed to continually stir the pot in multiple topics.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and freedom of speech is wonderful thing, but does all these topics/discussions need to take this tone? It is conterproductive and quite unproffessional. Every department is different, every area is different and each of our systems operate different. Let's be respectful of each other, respect each others roles and move on to some quality discussion that would benefit us all.
I wish you all in the Fire/Emergency Services(Career or Volunteer or Both) a prosperus and healthy New Year!
Stay Safe!
Scott Post

I don't post on here often, and when I do I keep my posts to a minimum. I like to get involved in debates about sensitive issues just as much as some other members do, but I don't get involved in serious debates on this site because you say one thing and right away 10 people are crying that you're bashing or criticizing. Quite frankly, it's a turn off for a lot of people who may be able to contribute positively to the forum, but don't want to get all mixed up in the nonsense.
I don't think that outright attacks should exist in this forum. I don't think this forum should become the equivalent of an NYPD Rant type forum where a bunch of disgruntled emergency services personnel talk about who is the worst paramedic, or the laziest cop, or the buffiest firefighter. I think this forum should remain a constructive place for local emergency services personnel to debate and discuss the issues that exist in emergency services, whether at the local or national level. Chris192's post in the other thread related to this topic is a perfect response I think... if only I could put it so eloquently, but honestly I don't care much about being eloquent.
Emergency services personnel generally have Alpha/dominant personalities. They're leaders, they face things that the general public does not face, and we do things that the general public does not do. Having an alpha personality means sometimes you have to grow some thick skin. If someone throws a jab at volunteers, don't cry about it. Come up with an educated rebuttal that disputes what that member is saying. Problems exist across the board with paid, volunteer, and combination departments. Discussing these problems is not bashing, it's a discussion to talk about the problems that exist. If you don't like the fact that your agency has faults that someone pointed out in this forum, get over it. Maybe the points brought up here are valid points, so instead of crying about it, do something about it. Make necessary changes, ask how things can be improved, ask what you can do to bring your agency up to the recognized standards.
The simple fact is that in an area where there is so much diversity amongst its emergency service personnel, there's always going to be conflict and debates. Just because someone's views on a certain person, agency, service, or method of doing things aren't your own views, as JFLYNN says, QTIP.
I can only hope that too many members of the general public don't read the nonsense that goes on here. Some of the threads are fantastic, with great input from a lot of educated and experienced individuals. The moderators do an excellent job of weeding out posts that are not constructive.
While I don't personally know you Seth, I know you value this forum for what it is and I know that you and the staff have put a lot of time, effort, and money into creating this forum. All I can say is, don't let all the petty complaints and other nonsense get to you. If people have a problem with things that are said here or topics that arise, let them move on, and find another forum where everyone holds hands and sings songs around a campfire. If they choose not to move on, then they are going to have to learn not to be so sensitive and grow some thicker skin.

1)Empty the fire box.
2)Check for extension.
3)Gain access to the roof and flue.
4)If fire is present in the flue, Chimfex once or twice, then chains if still not out we have chimney nozzles. To my knowledge it has only been used once in a masonry chimney that was already shot and needed to be replaced. That was years ago, 99% of the time Chimfex and chains does it.
Never heard of plastic baggies and dry chem....neat idea.