Jybehofd

there is always more then one side to a story, but at first if a chief orders you to do something as simple as to not use department issued equipment on your facebook page.  Would you go and cry to a news station about it? or take it down then meet with said chief and talk about whats going on? 
 
If i was the chief and this happened. I would expect to meet with them or set up a meeting about having pictures of department equipment posted on a personal facebook page.  to me it sounds like there was an issue in the past that brought this about, im guessing it was bad media.  
 
if i was getting married and wanted to announce something like that using the fire department equipment i would put it past the chief and fire commisioners before i would post a single thing.  
 
Image is everything theses days, cops going out and doing acts of kindness and recording it, i that most of the cops doing good videos, that are recorded by there partners or themselves is given department permission before its posted on line.  What the public posts is out the any and all departments control.   just look at any of the numerous videos people post about police.   I only mention police because well they are a hot topic in social media.  I admire cops, some days i wish i was one.  
 
this is also a good read about millionals 
http://www.forbes.com/sites/taitran/2016/02/21/a-millennial-response-to-an-open-letter-to-yelp-ceo-takeaways-for-millennials-and-companies/#7672fae433a6

the article is not looking at the big picture but blaming that nys going to more of a national standard is wrong and driving volunteers away...  maybe you should look at why volunteer numbers are going down.  i know in my old department, they lack the number of volunteers and thoses with the right training/experince in the department to fill the ranks of chief.  yes getting jrs in is good but keeping them is the trick, why do they leave the town? cost of livinig? work? yes some get jobs out of state, but a good chunk leave because they can't afford 2k a month for a room, and forget about them being able to purchase a house in the town. high 700k to a million.  i've heard of great ideas out side of ny where volunteer departments and agencies had homes, for single members they would pay the utilies equally and be responsible for responding to calls more then the average i believe, im not too sure.  i heard somewhere around 15% annually as a minium, im sure im wrong. but its something that would help and keep the members in town, and in the department and agencies. 
 
taking steps backward and reducing the standard of care to less then what it is today is not the answer. making classes more flexible could help too.  

That was satire, right?
 
I know that it wasn't, but stuff like this is typical of where we are these days.  People expect a prompt, professional response from EMS when they or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, but they don't want to actually put up the money necessary to put that in place.
 
The problem isn't so much the increasing training requirements.  The problem is that too many are still trying to look at this in terms of what's convenient for the providers and not what's best for the patients.  EMS has progressed significantly over the past 4 decades in the care that we can bring to a patient's doorstep.  This increased capability necessitates increased training in order to effectively provide it.  We are no longer "ambulance drivers" scooping patients up and racing to the hospital.  We are now pre-hospital medical professionals bringing the ER to the patient, particularly at the Paramedic level of care.
 
If the requirements for providing this level of care have reached the point where the care can no longer be reliably provided by an all or largely volunteer staff, the solution is not to lobby the state to decrease the amount of medical training for providers.  The solution is to start treating EMS as the medical profession that it now is.
 
If that means a tax increase to do so, then suck it up buttercup.
 
 
 
 
 
 

there is always more then one side to a story, but at first if a chief orders you to do something as simple as to not use department issued equipment on your facebook page.  Would you go and cry to a news station about it? or take it down then meet with said chief and talk about whats going on? 
 
If i was the chief and this happened. I would expect to meet with them or set up a meeting about having pictures of department equipment posted on a personal facebook page.  to me it sounds like there was an issue in the past that brought this about, im guessing it was bad media.  
 
if i was getting married and wanted to announce something like that using the fire department equipment i would put it past the chief and fire commisioners before i would post a single thing.  
 
Image is everything theses days, cops going out and doing acts of kindness and recording it, i that most of the cops doing good videos, that are recorded by there partners or themselves is given department permission before its posted on line.  What the public posts is out the any and all departments control.   just look at any of the numerous videos people post about police.   I only mention police because well they are a hot topic in social media.  I admire cops, some days i wish i was one.  
 
this is also a good read about millionals 
http://www.forbes.com/sites/taitran/2016/02/21/a-millennial-response-to-an-open-letter-to-yelp-ceo-takeaways-for-millennials-and-companies/#7672fae433a6

Not the best pic but here's the brand new ALS 301(Micom ID) 3004 (hospital ID) 2016 Chevy Crew cab (unknown who did the cap) at Englewood hospital ER

the chief made a policy.  chain of command.  it may be stupid but its something they should have talked to the chief and powers to be prior to bringing it to the media, now they will have a bigger issue. 
 

the chief made a policy.  chain of command.  it may be stupid but its something they should have talked to the chief and powers to be prior to bringing it to the media, now they will have a bigger issue. 
 

the chief made a policy.  chain of command.  it may be stupid but its something they should have talked to the chief and powers to be prior to bringing it to the media, now they will have a bigger issue. 
 

the chief made a policy.  chain of command.  it may be stupid but its something they should have talked to the chief and powers to be prior to bringing it to the media, now they will have a bigger issue. 
 

There's alot of problems with operation north of the washington bridge on the hudson river.  The biggest is the correct rescources.... its not there.  I've seen the police and fire boats on the river.  They can't handle a large to major incident in 5 foot seas.  yes the hudson can and has experienced seas that big and alittle bigger.  Someone needs to get a 50-60 foot steel or alumiun boat similar to what NYPD has. Without a jet drive, either direct drive shafts.  A large 500 to 1500 GPM pump that can also be lined up to send a suction hose over to a vessel with a plumped fire monitor and a portable one. In addition to a manifold set up to run hand lines.  Along with portable pumps, gas, or electric, 3cm and 10cm radars, FLIRR, 2 VHF radios with DSC, ECDIS, DGPS two units, 2 trunk radios (since ems and fire are on different bands), radios for rockland and nyc NYPD avaition and marine units.  Below deck a "med bay" one or two M tanks, BLS supplies minus the drugs. a PAD. Rescue equipment: scoop with vertical and horizontal lifting straps, a PECU (portible exothermix cuting unit), 2 peri-jet dewater, Foam and lots of it. 500 gallon min. with appriorate nozels and attachtments for monitors. standard fire fighting tools, haligan, axes, crowbars, sledge hammers, wedges, cribbing, along with multiple fire extinguishers, co2, dry chem, pkp, 
 
this is just some of the things that should be availible at a moments notice on the hudson river.  think and prepare for the worst...  a loaded barge with gasoline vs a fully loaded ferry in a good storm.   it can happen don't say it can't.    its just a matter of time before agencies along the river get caught with there pants down and its not going to be good. yes FDNY and NYPD will step in but FDNY will take a while to get the big boats up the river, NYPD aviation will be on scene very fast with divers. and the NYPD patrol boats will come too in time, probably faster then the bigger FDNY boats. But there newer boats are fast now, not like the firefighter.  
 
you might say why only receational boats and some tug boats go up and down the river... yes they do along with some commercial ships from time to time.  how will the recources availible now assist a crew of 15 on a ship with a large engine room fire ?  anchor the vessel in the channel? put her in a soft bank? call for tug boats that have barges alongside?  
 
The new tappen zee bridge is going to be higher, that means bigger ships can come up the river.  they will no longer be restricted by air draft, the river is about 30-35 feet deep in the channel in the shoal spots... a litte dregging and that can become 50 feet.   I don't think a massive surge of ships will come up the river but an occationaly a big ship can and more then likely will.  plan on it. 
 
thats my rant for now, mind you i am in the merchant marine, a paramedic, and a vol. fire fighter for some years. 
B Fleming

There's alot of problems with operation north of the washington bridge on the hudson river.  The biggest is the correct rescources.... its not there.  I've seen the police and fire boats on the river.  They can't handle a large to major incident in 5 foot seas.  yes the hudson can and has experienced seas that big and alittle bigger.  Someone needs to get a 50-60 foot steel or alumiun boat similar to what NYPD has. Without a jet drive, either direct drive shafts.  A large 500 to 1500 GPM pump that can also be lined up to send a suction hose over to a vessel with a plumped fire monitor and a portable one. In addition to a manifold set up to run hand lines.  Along with portable pumps, gas, or electric, 3cm and 10cm radars, FLIRR, 2 VHF radios with DSC, ECDIS, DGPS two units, 2 trunk radios (since ems and fire are on different bands), radios for rockland and nyc NYPD avaition and marine units.  Below deck a "med bay" one or two M tanks, BLS supplies minus the drugs. a PAD. Rescue equipment: scoop with vertical and horizontal lifting straps, a PECU (portible exothermix cuting unit), 2 peri-jet dewater, Foam and lots of it. 500 gallon min. with appriorate nozels and attachtments for monitors. standard fire fighting tools, haligan, axes, crowbars, sledge hammers, wedges, cribbing, along with multiple fire extinguishers, co2, dry chem, pkp, 
 
this is just some of the things that should be availible at a moments notice on the hudson river.  think and prepare for the worst...  a loaded barge with gasoline vs a fully loaded ferry in a good storm.   it can happen don't say it can't.    its just a matter of time before agencies along the river get caught with there pants down and its not going to be good. yes FDNY and NYPD will step in but FDNY will take a while to get the big boats up the river, NYPD aviation will be on scene very fast with divers. and the NYPD patrol boats will come too in time, probably faster then the bigger FDNY boats. But there newer boats are fast now, not like the firefighter.  
 
you might say why only receational boats and some tug boats go up and down the river... yes they do along with some commercial ships from time to time.  how will the recources availible now assist a crew of 15 on a ship with a large engine room fire ?  anchor the vessel in the channel? put her in a soft bank? call for tug boats that have barges alongside?  
 
The new tappen zee bridge is going to be higher, that means bigger ships can come up the river.  they will no longer be restricted by air draft, the river is about 30-35 feet deep in the channel in the shoal spots... a litte dregging and that can become 50 feet.   I don't think a massive surge of ships will come up the river but an occationaly a big ship can and more then likely will.  plan on it. 
 
thats my rant for now, mind you i am in the merchant marine, a paramedic, and a vol. fire fighter for some years. 
B Fleming

First and foremost, the incident, and the outcome, sucks.  I do not believe anything anyone did or tried to do last night would have made a difference.
 
Going back a few years, maybe 2009-2010, a Response Plan was developed by the "Westchester Marine Emergency Response Association" along with Westchester County Department of Emergency Services.  That plan basically called for a three-tiered response to all Hudson River incidents, meaning the area of jurisdiction - as well as the next closest agency to the north and south - would be dispatched.
 
From a MOS standpoint with my FD, this is an "OK at best" approach.  During my time as Chief we modified this to include Rockland units, since many incidents happen to fall on or beyond that imaginary line that divides Westchester & Rockland.  At the time, according to this "plan" we attempted to utilize Marine 22 (I think) as a radio channel for all FD, PD, etc. vessels to communicate during river operations.  When we had a river incident that fell under our Command, we always tried to steer everyone on to this channel, since we should all have this capability.  I could be wrong but this sticks out in my memory, and it was designated to keep Marine 16 open for emergency traffic.
 
Last night's incident is just another reminder that when someone dials 911 from a cell phone, it's truly a crapshoot as to where they really are vs. where they think they are.  And this doesn't just apply to waterways - a lot of cellular 911 calls for land based incidents require some searching to find them.  Because of this, it highlights the benefit of starting out resources from different angles.
 
Since Rockland switched to their new radio system, communications on the river have suffered.  But there's no reason why the four counties (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam & Orange) can't develop a plan to always work off the VHF Marine radios.  Afterall, as boats, we should all have them and the signal is decent.  Command vehicles should also install this capability.
 
The frequency of incidents, and the complexity of them on the Hudson River is only going to increase the demand for our services.  There needs to be a standard of training for boat operators, crew members and people responding and playing command.  If EMS is getting on a boat, they need proper training too.  It's 2016 and the fact that the same stupid stuff continues to happen irritates me, because we should be well-trained, well-prepared and have pre-plans developed where we can all work together and provide a professional-level of service.  
 
The days of letting the first people to the dock get on the boat needs to end, and the Chiefs of all of these FDs with river response responsibilities need to work all of this out.
 
Additionally, I think it's time for the FDs that are going to be in the marine operations game to seriously look into grants to get the training we all need and the proper vessels to do what is needed.  We all can't stand around, holding our d**ks waiting on County PD or someone else to get there when someone's life is in the balance.
 
 
 

There's alot of problems with operation north of the washington bridge on the hudson river.  The biggest is the correct rescources.... its not there.  I've seen the police and fire boats on the river.  They can't handle a large to major incident in 5 foot seas.  yes the hudson can and has experienced seas that big and alittle bigger.  Someone needs to get a 50-60 foot steel or alumiun boat similar to what NYPD has. Without a jet drive, either direct drive shafts.  A large 500 to 1500 GPM pump that can also be lined up to send a suction hose over to a vessel with a plumped fire monitor and a portable one. In addition to a manifold set up to run hand lines.  Along with portable pumps, gas, or electric, 3cm and 10cm radars, FLIRR, 2 VHF radios with DSC, ECDIS, DGPS two units, 2 trunk radios (since ems and fire are on different bands), radios for rockland and nyc NYPD avaition and marine units.  Below deck a "med bay" one or two M tanks, BLS supplies minus the drugs. a PAD. Rescue equipment: scoop with vertical and horizontal lifting straps, a PECU (portible exothermix cuting unit), 2 peri-jet dewater, Foam and lots of it. 500 gallon min. with appriorate nozels and attachtments for monitors. standard fire fighting tools, haligan, axes, crowbars, sledge hammers, wedges, cribbing, along with multiple fire extinguishers, co2, dry chem, pkp, 
 
this is just some of the things that should be availible at a moments notice on the hudson river.  think and prepare for the worst...  a loaded barge with gasoline vs a fully loaded ferry in a good storm.   it can happen don't say it can't.    its just a matter of time before agencies along the river get caught with there pants down and its not going to be good. yes FDNY and NYPD will step in but FDNY will take a while to get the big boats up the river, NYPD aviation will be on scene very fast with divers. and the NYPD patrol boats will come too in time, probably faster then the bigger FDNY boats. But there newer boats are fast now, not like the firefighter.  
 
you might say why only receational boats and some tug boats go up and down the river... yes they do along with some commercial ships from time to time.  how will the recources availible now assist a crew of 15 on a ship with a large engine room fire ?  anchor the vessel in the channel? put her in a soft bank? call for tug boats that have barges alongside?  
 
The new tappen zee bridge is going to be higher, that means bigger ships can come up the river.  they will no longer be restricted by air draft, the river is about 30-35 feet deep in the channel in the shoal spots... a litte dregging and that can become 50 feet.   I don't think a massive surge of ships will come up the river but an occationaly a big ship can and more then likely will.  plan on it. 
 
thats my rant for now, mind you i am in the merchant marine, a paramedic, and a vol. fire fighter for some years. 
B Fleming

There's alot of problems with operation north of the washington bridge on the hudson river.  The biggest is the correct rescources.... its not there.  I've seen the police and fire boats on the river.  They can't handle a large to major incident in 5 foot seas.  yes the hudson can and has experienced seas that big and alittle bigger.  Someone needs to get a 50-60 foot steel or alumiun boat similar to what NYPD has. Without a jet drive, either direct drive shafts.  A large 500 to 1500 GPM pump that can also be lined up to send a suction hose over to a vessel with a plumped fire monitor and a portable one. In addition to a manifold set up to run hand lines.  Along with portable pumps, gas, or electric, 3cm and 10cm radars, FLIRR, 2 VHF radios with DSC, ECDIS, DGPS two units, 2 trunk radios (since ems and fire are on different bands), radios for rockland and nyc NYPD avaition and marine units.  Below deck a "med bay" one or two M tanks, BLS supplies minus the drugs. a PAD. Rescue equipment: scoop with vertical and horizontal lifting straps, a PECU (portible exothermix cuting unit), 2 peri-jet dewater, Foam and lots of it. 500 gallon min. with appriorate nozels and attachtments for monitors. standard fire fighting tools, haligan, axes, crowbars, sledge hammers, wedges, cribbing, along with multiple fire extinguishers, co2, dry chem, pkp, 
 
this is just some of the things that should be availible at a moments notice on the hudson river.  think and prepare for the worst...  a loaded barge with gasoline vs a fully loaded ferry in a good storm.   it can happen don't say it can't.    its just a matter of time before agencies along the river get caught with there pants down and its not going to be good. yes FDNY and NYPD will step in but FDNY will take a while to get the big boats up the river, NYPD aviation will be on scene very fast with divers. and the NYPD patrol boats will come too in time, probably faster then the bigger FDNY boats. But there newer boats are fast now, not like the firefighter.  
 
you might say why only receational boats and some tug boats go up and down the river... yes they do along with some commercial ships from time to time.  how will the recources availible now assist a crew of 15 on a ship with a large engine room fire ?  anchor the vessel in the channel? put her in a soft bank? call for tug boats that have barges alongside?  
 
The new tappen zee bridge is going to be higher, that means bigger ships can come up the river.  they will no longer be restricted by air draft, the river is about 30-35 feet deep in the channel in the shoal spots... a litte dregging and that can become 50 feet.   I don't think a massive surge of ships will come up the river but an occationaly a big ship can and more then likely will.  plan on it. 
 
thats my rant for now, mind you i am in the merchant marine, a paramedic, and a vol. fire fighter for some years. 
B Fleming

There's alot of problems with operation north of the washington bridge on the hudson river.  The biggest is the correct rescources.... its not there.  I've seen the police and fire boats on the river.  They can't handle a large to major incident in 5 foot seas.  yes the hudson can and has experienced seas that big and alittle bigger.  Someone needs to get a 50-60 foot steel or alumiun boat similar to what NYPD has. Without a jet drive, either direct drive shafts.  A large 500 to 1500 GPM pump that can also be lined up to send a suction hose over to a vessel with a plumped fire monitor and a portable one. In addition to a manifold set up to run hand lines.  Along with portable pumps, gas, or electric, 3cm and 10cm radars, FLIRR, 2 VHF radios with DSC, ECDIS, DGPS two units, 2 trunk radios (since ems and fire are on different bands), radios for rockland and nyc NYPD avaition and marine units.  Below deck a "med bay" one or two M tanks, BLS supplies minus the drugs. a PAD. Rescue equipment: scoop with vertical and horizontal lifting straps, a PECU (portible exothermix cuting unit), 2 peri-jet dewater, Foam and lots of it. 500 gallon min. with appriorate nozels and attachtments for monitors. standard fire fighting tools, haligan, axes, crowbars, sledge hammers, wedges, cribbing, along with multiple fire extinguishers, co2, dry chem, pkp, 
 
this is just some of the things that should be availible at a moments notice on the hudson river.  think and prepare for the worst...  a loaded barge with gasoline vs a fully loaded ferry in a good storm.   it can happen don't say it can't.    its just a matter of time before agencies along the river get caught with there pants down and its not going to be good. yes FDNY and NYPD will step in but FDNY will take a while to get the big boats up the river, NYPD aviation will be on scene very fast with divers. and the NYPD patrol boats will come too in time, probably faster then the bigger FDNY boats. But there newer boats are fast now, not like the firefighter.  
 
you might say why only receational boats and some tug boats go up and down the river... yes they do along with some commercial ships from time to time.  how will the recources availible now assist a crew of 15 on a ship with a large engine room fire ?  anchor the vessel in the channel? put her in a soft bank? call for tug boats that have barges alongside?  
 
The new tappen zee bridge is going to be higher, that means bigger ships can come up the river.  they will no longer be restricted by air draft, the river is about 30-35 feet deep in the channel in the shoal spots... a litte dregging and that can become 50 feet.   I don't think a massive surge of ships will come up the river but an occationaly a big ship can and more then likely will.  plan on it. 
 
thats my rant for now, mind you i am in the merchant marine, a paramedic, and a vol. fire fighter for some years. 
B Fleming

There's alot of problems with operation north of the washington bridge on the hudson river.  The biggest is the correct rescources.... its not there.  I've seen the police and fire boats on the river.  They can't handle a large to major incident in 5 foot seas.  yes the hudson can and has experienced seas that big and alittle bigger.  Someone needs to get a 50-60 foot steel or alumiun boat similar to what NYPD has. Without a jet drive, either direct drive shafts.  A large 500 to 1500 GPM pump that can also be lined up to send a suction hose over to a vessel with a plumped fire monitor and a portable one. In addition to a manifold set up to run hand lines.  Along with portable pumps, gas, or electric, 3cm and 10cm radars, FLIRR, 2 VHF radios with DSC, ECDIS, DGPS two units, 2 trunk radios (since ems and fire are on different bands), radios for rockland and nyc NYPD avaition and marine units.  Below deck a "med bay" one or two M tanks, BLS supplies minus the drugs. a PAD. Rescue equipment: scoop with vertical and horizontal lifting straps, a PECU (portible exothermix cuting unit), 2 peri-jet dewater, Foam and lots of it. 500 gallon min. with appriorate nozels and attachtments for monitors. standard fire fighting tools, haligan, axes, crowbars, sledge hammers, wedges, cribbing, along with multiple fire extinguishers, co2, dry chem, pkp, 
 
this is just some of the things that should be availible at a moments notice on the hudson river.  think and prepare for the worst...  a loaded barge with gasoline vs a fully loaded ferry in a good storm.   it can happen don't say it can't.    its just a matter of time before agencies along the river get caught with there pants down and its not going to be good. yes FDNY and NYPD will step in but FDNY will take a while to get the big boats up the river, NYPD aviation will be on scene very fast with divers. and the NYPD patrol boats will come too in time, probably faster then the bigger FDNY boats. But there newer boats are fast now, not like the firefighter.  
 
you might say why only receational boats and some tug boats go up and down the river... yes they do along with some commercial ships from time to time.  how will the recources availible now assist a crew of 15 on a ship with a large engine room fire ?  anchor the vessel in the channel? put her in a soft bank? call for tug boats that have barges alongside?  
 
The new tappen zee bridge is going to be higher, that means bigger ships can come up the river.  they will no longer be restricted by air draft, the river is about 30-35 feet deep in the channel in the shoal spots... a litte dregging and that can become 50 feet.   I don't think a massive surge of ships will come up the river but an occationaly a big ship can and more then likely will.  plan on it. 
 
thats my rant for now, mind you i am in the merchant marine, a paramedic, and a vol. fire fighter for some years. 
B Fleming

Let's be perfectly clear about this: the so called "logistical mess" was confined to the Westchester side of things last night.
 
Rockland units (Sheriff's marine unit, Stony Point FD marine unit, EMS on land) were all coordinated very well through 44-Control on Rockland's trunked system, including all involved agencies in direct communication on the Interop 1 talkgroup when necessary.  The Sheriff's marine unit was in constant contact with Coast Guard Sector NY on Marine 16, and also had direct contact with the tugboat.  They were also the first unit to board the vessel to provide aid. Stony Point's fire chief and marine unit were in direct and constant contact with the Sheriff's marine unit.
 
Notwithstanding the fact that the location was initially mis-reported and it took some time for the correct location to be determined (it happens, especially at night on the river), there were no issues otherwise with the Rockland side of things.
 
Note that this incident was on the Rockland shore, and that 44-Control notified 60-Control more or less as a courtesy than anything else.  Somehow, that turned into 60-Control dispatching just about every fire dept marine unit in the county, along with the WCPD marine unit.
 
Perhaps the real issue here is that it appears that Westchester units are allowed to self-dispatch, with no one actually managing resources. That does not happen in Rockland.  If 44-Control doesn't dispatch you, then you do not respond, plain and simple.
 
I was monitoring Fire 10 on the Westchester trunked system, and it was painful. You have a fire chief assuming command on the opposite shore 5 miles away from the actual incident? Really?
 
Next time maybe Rockland doesn't bother to notify Westchester at all when the incident is on the Rockland shore. If garbage like last night is the norm for Westchester, and no one can control the response, then just stay home.

They took a bit of a road trip but here's JFK's medical center 2016 Ford E350 /Medix  Unit E23 doing a special transport JFK's located in Edison NJ

death and taxes the only things with 100% gaurentee that will happen to you in life. 

death and taxes the only things with 100% gaurentee that will happen to you in life. 

death and taxes the only things with 100% gaurentee that will happen to you in life. 

This is what is wrong with the step child of emergency services. When any municipality puts EMS out to bid you do not get stability in service. Over the years every system goes through a cycle. The lowest bidder. Now most of the current EMS employees of TransCare NR will be looking to switch over to Empress. Thus losing seniority and pay grade. This is no way to maintain quality EMS personal.
EMS must be part of the municipality just as Police and Fire is. EMS must be the third service.

There will never be stability in EMS when there is a profit to be made.

honestly doesn't look anything like a load test... looks more like a slow parade.

now thats a load test
http://www.iowadot.gov/research/pdf/newsmarch2010.pdf

did i see that right it can use dry chem thought the front monitor?

did i see that right it can use dry chem thought the front monitor?