nfd2004

As most in the fire service outside the Port Chester area, many of us really don't know too much about it. But for those that have been around awhile, this is what we know and remember most. For those who were not around, this is the shocking story that put the Village of Portchester, NY on the map for a very long time. Apparently the local city officials and leaders of that local fire service were not around or they have completely forgotten about this. This story woke up a lot of places to just how dangerous and quickly a fire could spread. I'm sure if you lost a friend or family member that night, you wouldn't forget it either. Or if you were one of the lucky ones who was there and recovered after your hospital stay. Yes, today better building codes and fire protection systems have played a huge part in the reduction of this kind of event. But as we so often see, "there are no promises made in this fire service business". I hope this link works. If not it should direct you to the web site for a search. www3.gendisasters.com/new-york/1099/port-chester,-ny-dance-hall-fire,jun-1974

Of course I find this unbelievable of how a place like Port Chester, NY could eliminate its skeleton crew of firefighters. I find this very hard to believe because in this day and age, we all know it is a national trend that the volunteer fire service is NOT attracting the numbers like it used to. That is a sad fact, but with todays economy that is a fact of reality. I live in the eastern half of Connecticut. It is an area of mostly rural towns but with two or three smaller cities. Many of those surrounding towns have been forced to hire some type of fire fighters due to the fact that those volunteer numbers are dwindling. Just within the last ten years, the following rural towns have been forced to hire some type of career fire staffing: 1) Montville 2) Waterford 3) Colchester 4) Voluntown 5) Canterbury 6) Preston In some cases, they have been forced to hire MORE than just one driver. Preston hired three, Colchester is up to five (I believe). Montville and Waterford has added evening shifts. Within the area are two casinos (Foxwoods and Mohegan) as well as the U.S. Federal Sub Base Fire Department who have their own staffed fire departments that also are used to protect these surrounding areas. More towards the middle of the state, the smaller Town of Portland, Ct has contracted with the staffed City of Middletown to provide one engine company on a routine basis for fire emergencies. Apparently all of the above realize how important it is to provide some type of fire protection for their areas. Is it a fully staffed fire department ? Of course not. In some cases the fact remains these are only skeleton crews and there is still a much needed force of a volunteer system of firefighting. But for a fire district or town to take a step backwards like this is putting its citizens at a greater risk. I would think that would be a liability issue for this district should a serious event occur. I am reminded of a very serious fire that took the lives of 24 young victims the night of June 30, 1974 at a place called "Gullivers" right here in Port Chester, NY. One of the worst fires in our nations history. Apparently that is all forgotten about now.

Way back around 1984/85 I made a trip out to the West Coast. My wife and I took a two week vacation. Part of that vacation for me was to see the difference in the fire service here in the northeast and the City and County of the Los Angelus Fire Depts. I had spent several days with both departments as a buff and a firefighter from the northeast part of the U.S. Of course we compared notes. They could not relate to what it was like battling a good job in sub zero temperatures. But I also noticed that they didn't have any fat firefighters like myself and a few other guys around here. That led me to ask them how is that possible. They could not believe that we had no program designed to keep firefighters fit. One guy who had been on the job at that time about 22 years, had told me that is all he knew. He said since he had gotten on the job, just about every evening, the members made up a HUGE salad and was "take all you want". Every body seemed happy with that. I told them how I had won several eating contest in my firehouse for eating the most. I guess they could see that looking at my body. That became one of my main interest in my trip. They were doing the Task Force and Strike Team kind of thing before some places here thought about it. But the northeast still had the much higher fire potential with it's old, very closely packed older buildings. Each L.A. member was weighed once a month by the battalion chief within the district. Records were kept. When it came to a firefighter being overweight, that member was put into what was called "The Fat Man Club". He/she was required to loose TWO pounds a month until they met the proper weight. I was told that after three months and those two pounds were not lost, action would be taken against that member in the form of a suspension. I was told that members in the past had actually been suspend for that offense, and the union agreed. Of course there was also on duty classes given on the importance of proper weight as a firefighter. In addition every morning after checking the rigs, 2 hours was set aside for exercise and clean up. My first visit to a firehouse was to Task Force 3 in downtown L.A. City about 10:30 am. A member answered the door wearing gym shorts and a tee shirt. I told him I was a firefighter from Connecticut and could I get somebody to pull out the rigs for me to take a few pictures. That member told me to come back in about two hours, which I did. I asked them about the exercise and they said "It's mandatory". Then they told me how each day, the guys took turns leading the exercise class in the firehouse or fire station as they put it. They also said if there was a park nearby, the guys go there to run. "I couldn't believe it". They even sent me their entire department manual on eating right and physical fitness. As for my wife while I was visiting fire stations, she spent her time at Venice Beach. After seeing some of those slim, muscle bound, tanned up guys walking around, I don't think any woman would have a problem being there.

The question in my mind remains. "How can we be sure this was done by firefighters within the Fairfax County Fire Department". With so much at stake here, how can the department assign it's own officers within the department to conduct this investigation ? I would expect an outside agency to be more involved. Is it true that her husband or ex husband is a state trooper ? And if so, if this was going on, why didn't he seek a salutation to this kind of cyber bullying behavior early on. Working directly with the fire department ? I find it hard to believe that no one made mention to her about this cyber bullying going on. Or brought it to the attention of a high ranking officer. In this fairly large department made up of both career and volunteer firefighters, no one spoke up about it ? As a retired firefighter I would like to tell a true story where a group of 9 firefighters almost got fired for something they didn't do. Apparently a relocated company brought in a few ladies to pose topless in this firehouse. It was very clear where these pictures were taken. When they appeared on the internet, the chief as well as the mayor was furious. They started an investigation and somebody was going to loose their job. As it turned out, the night those pictures were taken, there was a RELOCATED company in that firehouse from ANOTHER DEPARTMENT. The original members were out fighting a fire when all this happened. They had nothing to do with those pictures. But before that was learned, the local newspaper was all set to write up the story. City Hall was ready to get rid of the entire shift working at that firehouse. I don't remember how it was narrowed down to that particular night of the fire, but as it turned out, the guilty parties got away with it and no mention of that ever again. I know I will never forget how myself and eight other firefighters almost lost our jobs because of some idiots who thought it was funny to post pictures of women topless inside the firehouse we worked in. And the guilty parties got away with it too, adding to the insult. We were all considered guilty then too by City Hall and the Fire Chief. Until somebody proved that those firefighters were not even in that firehouse when those pictures were taken. Before that, eight innocent firefighters were about to be fired.

Exactly "v85", that is my point. And reading those comments posted, most believe it came from members of the fire department. How does any chief know that. My user name is "NFD2004" on here. But I can be any name I want and say anything under an entirely different personality if I wish. Should we believe everything that somebody, like "Mr 1234" or "Mrs ABCD" writes on some Fairfax County web site. How do we know it's not somebody from Calif or Alaska posting those remarks. I think to assume these comments were made by members of that department is unjust. I would hope that firefighters today have the brains to understand that this kind of thing could cost them their jobs or worse. On the other hand, could someone have many of their friends post bullying statements in hopes of covering up something or trying to blame someone else. Welcome to the unknowns of cyber world. Where you can say anything you want about anybody regardless of whether it is right or wrong. And the victim has no way of knowing who or where it came from.

Was the bullying comments made "BEFORE" her death or "AFTER". Was this a suicide or a murder ? Is there any signs leading to the fact that she would want to commit suicide ? Did any members who worked with her pick up any ideas of such activity ? Bearing in mind that generally, firefighters deal with the public in suicide attempts. Who made these comments on that site and when ? Should bosses or leaders in any occupation focus on this type of behavior ? Could this become more prevalent in todays cyber world of unknowns ? A lot of questions do come up.

Some 54 years ago it is still the most Tragic Day throughout the Fire Service of Connecticut. That day on April 3, 1962, when FOUR Norwich, Ct Firefighters lost their lives in a chemical explosion which occurred on Forest St in that city. It is known as the Van Tassel Explosion taking the lives of Fire Captain William Sheridan, Firefighter Leonard Counihan, Firefighter Edward Ramano, and Firefighter Carl Burke. The only two firefighters to survive this explosion were Firefighters Thomas Demauro, who has since passed on, and Fire Lt Thomas LaFrenere. Retired Lt Tom LaFrenere had to face what no other firefighter in the State of Connecticut had to face. The loss of Four of his Brother Firefighters at one incident. Here is Lt LaFrenere as he talks in 2012 at the dedication of a Firefighter Memorial on the 50th Anniversary of that Tragic Day in April, 1962. Part 1. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN1BPGG1FY8 Part 2. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5frVersO0Ag 50th Anniversary Memorial Dedication at Norwich (CT) Fire Headquarters in April, 2012 www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdkfWu1D6wI

Thank you "kinkchaser". This confirms that when it comes to public safety over politics, the POLITICS are the winners. They have absolutely no concern for public safety, only their own political future. Then when a 22 year old, or the like, makes a very foolish fire ground decision, causing injury or worse, people will wonder why. And by the time the city/town faces a serious lawsuit over such a case, the chief officer and those political officials are long gone. Meanwhile the damage is done and the rest of the taxpayers foot the bill. As long as Rye, and places like Rye, are willing to accept that fact, let them drop the requirements to a third grade education and just 3-4 weeks as a firefighter. That just might open the door for others as well.

Thank you to our EMTs and Paramedics for the work you do. In the cold of winter or the heat of summer. We all depend on the job you do. I would like to give special thanks to the EMTs and Medics who saved two of my very close friends within the last two years. Both retired firefighters and both in cardiac arrest from a serious heart condition. Yes, they are alive today because of the kind of work you do. There are countless others alive today because of you. What would we do without you. This is a small example of what you do. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmMX6g6MoWU

I think that is probably very true and it happens in a lot more places than just Rye, NY. Aside from being some kind of joke, it is really pretty scary to think that this actually goes on. Add the fact that "Chkpoint" says; the 2nd Asst Chief is 22 years old and never been in a fire, I think the citizens of Rye are in some big trouble. Do the people know this and are they willing to accept that ? Making on the spot serious decisions involving people and firefighters lives takes experience and good judgment. I know that I didn't have close to those qualities at 22 years old. However, I think I was smart enough not to even consider it. The people as well as the firefighters in that department should give this some serious thought. This 22 year old Asst Chief might be a great guy, but it just doesn't look too good to me.

Okay, I wasn't aware of that. Next question I have related to this then "If Ingram DID have a serious incident, who did they rely on for mutual aid" ?

Based on what I read here, "annexing", is probably the way to go as "x635" says in his above post. Even with 28 members on the rolls, as "bigrig77" says, how many could actually respond to a serious incident if needed. I'm sure Pittsburgh must respond anyway as a mutual aid company. Is it fair to say that the mutual aid goes the other way as well. My guess is it probably doesn't. Seeing people cry at loosing their fire department which served this area for several years is very sad. But crying for some unfortunate person or family who may die in a fire if things stay the same could be much worse. It just doesn't make any sense to continue to operate in this type of system. It is wishful thinking but the reality is that it just cant be done. The people of that town really have much more to loose if they decided to continue as is.

How do we "THANK YOU for what you do" ? I am glad you are out there and what would we do without you. "I know I couldn't do it". I respect you for what you do and I'm on your side. Here is a video to try and explain what I mean. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA4eblPMBaA

"ex-commish", I respect you as well for being the parent of a son who is a police officer. I don't know how any mother or father, or husband or wife of a police officer can sleep at night. "I couldn't do your job either". I would worry all the time. I have a neighbor down the street who also has a son working as a NYC Police Officer in the projects of the Bronx. I've told him just as I have told you. It doesn't have to be one of our largest crime ridden cities either. It could very well be on some lonely dark road in the middle of nowhere. We really never consider the families of these police officers and how they must deal with the person they love going to work in one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. I have the highest respect for both you and your son and I am not ashamed to say that at all. I feel the same way about families of firefighters and our military. When a police officer makes a mistake, we hear about it on every TV channel out there. But we don't hear about the risk they take or the conditions they must deal with every single day or night. We just write it off as "it's just their job". Personally from what I've seen out there, "I think they're pretty good at doing their job".

For all those Cop Haters out there, "so what do you think about this one" ? http://www.fox26houston.com/news/113167630-story Also, I would just like to add, "I'm not a cop and never was". I have no relatives involved in working law enforcement. I'm just glad they are out there protecting me from the "low-life skells" that roam our unsafe streets every day and night.

There are many more serious issues going on within the ranks of the Providence F.D. They are currently understaffed by about 25 % of their entire department. An entire shift. The mayor of Providence illegally broke their contract between the firefighters and the city by ORDERING these firefighters to go from a 42 hour work week to a 56 hour work week. Many senior firefighters and officers have left as a result of this. There is mandatory orderback and guys are just wiped out. I know of one firefighter who told me he worked 103 hours. Another worked 83 hours. And that is the "norm" NOT the exception. Physically they can't do it anymore. Several younger members have decided to leave the job creating even more of a problem. Currently, I believe this problem is in the hands of the courts. But it's going to take time. Even if that were to be settled today, it is going to take time. I don't think there is any active hiring list and it has been that all new firefighters attend a very long, intensive probie school which includes operation of all apparatus as well. Also, that training now takes place in the City of Boston as the training building has been condemned in Providence. The moral within the department is horrible. As a buff for about 40 years, it has never been this bad. They are one of the busiest departments in New England and they also run seven ambulances throughout the city. I have never seen any department face conditions like this. Yet they continue to provide fire protection and medical response without hesitation. They are beyond what I would call a group of dedicated firefighters. And as I understand it, this all happened because they did NOT endorse this current mayor. A mayor that had the balls to show up at these fires wearing a white fire department bunker coat. In an effort to try and relieve the problem this is what is being done. (hope the link works) http://wpri.com/2016/04/01/seeking-80-new-firefighters-providence-pleads-case-for-massive-federal-grant/

News story: http://wpri.com/2016/04/01/providence-fire-captain-recovering-at-ri-hospital-following-eaton-street-blaze/

Thank you "LTNRFD" for reporting this story. The day of this incident there were TWO separate major fires within hours of each other. Each in large 3 1/2 story frames and involving the close exposures on an extremely windy day. The first major fire was on Eaton St which went to a General Alarm (above a Fifth Alarm). The second major fire only a few hours later was on Laurel Hill Ave and went to a Fourth Alarm. I have been a buff chasing the Providence Fire Dept for about 40 years and I never remember a day like that. Except for maybe in the 1980s when the Fourth of July nights used to go crazy catching several building fires. But nothing like these two major jobs within hours of each other. In addition, I was told by a member of that department with 21 years on the job, he never remembers a day like that either. The City of Providence, R.I. with a population of about 170,000 people operates 14 Engines, 8 Ladders, 1 Heavy Rescue, along with 7 Ambulances. They are one of the busiest departments in New England. Many mutual aid companies were called into Providence from the surrounding cities and towns. They have had a very good mutual aid system in place for many years in that area. I met Fire Captain Fontaine of Ladder Co 1 about three months ago. He is a Great guy and into the job. The day of this event, the union president reported that he is in critical condition in the ICU at Rhode Island Hospital.

We have the Basketball Hall of Fame. We have the Baseball Hall of Fame. Even the Wrestlers Hall of Fame. But is there a Firefighters Hall of Fame. This video might be about as close as it gets. And as the Firefighters Prayer says in it's final sentence, "Pray for them as they go past, every ride could be their last". Thanks for the job you do. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdhkUiortjI

Here is an interesting video that I thought might explain the kind of person Rye might be looking for as the next fire chief. Although this chief does seem to be quite educated. www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCFKMjiTme0

Do the citizens of this place who depend on their fire department know this ? Do they know that this is the guy that will be responsible for spending their tax dollars when it comes to fire protection ? Do they know that this is the guy that is going to be responsible for life and death decisions involving their family members and friends ? My last question is, "Is this a hoax or some kind of April Fool joke" ?

Pete, aka "FFPGogs", The concerns are much deeper than I ever expected. If changes don't come about soon, under current conditions, the City and it's fire department leaders are leaving themselves wide open for some legal action to be taken. In addition people, including firefighters could get hurt or worse. I do believe this entire project is going to take much longer than I first expected. Facts are coming out that go much deeper than originally thought. When the lives of citizens, as well as ALL firefighters, are put at risk, something must change to correct such a serious issue. A simple answer has been put right in front of them, but some refuse to accept it. As I see it in this early stage, the blame goes directly on the local politicians and the leaders of the fire service. And NOT at all on it's firefighters, who are out there doing the job required of them. At this point, nothing else really can be said.

That is so TRUE. I am involved in the improvements of the fire service in my own city here in Connecticut. I have no interest in any political future for myself. Just trying to make overall improvements for the benefit of the people this fire service in which it serves. What a NIGHTMARE it has been. As the topics come out, more and more problems seem to arise. The number one issue being the politicians are only concerned of "Their Own Political Future". If and when any story does finally come out, I hope to share it with all here. The firefighters as well as the citizens they are assigned to protect have been put at risk due to self promoting politicians and fire service leaders who also are only apparently concerned of their own status and well being. I have taken on this project "on my own" having No Political ties. My only concern is for the people who depend on this fire service. It has certainly been a learning experience for me. I expect this to be a very long process and one that may bring out many more issues than what first had appeared.

I was one of the guys that thought you could judge a guy by the way his helmet looked. Up until only the last couple of years, I would laugh at somebody for washing their gear. I laughed when I saw guys fighting a car fire wearing their air packs. Then one day I saw this video put out by the Boston Fire Department. A very busy department that caught a lot of work back in "The Day". The kind of place where as a buff (up there called a spark) I saw a lot of fires and the guys on the job saw a lot of fires too. At the time, being a firefighter in a much smaller city, I was kind of envious of the way "their" helmets looked. Then I saw this video and I started to think a little bit different. I also saw some articles written that said fighting fires today is a little bit different than it was 30-40 years ago. A lot of wooden furniture had been replaced with plastic furniture. I knew that was correct by some of the things in my own house. What happen to these Boston firefighters of my generation could probably happen a lot easier today. If one article said I should wash my gear and one didn't, I think today I would go with the "washing it". I don't think I would want to go through what these guys or their families went through. Maybe some of you have already seen this. But it is probably worth repeating. Knowing what I know now, I would rather NOT take the chance. Who cares if I look like the new Probie on the rig. www.statter911.com/2015/05/04/cancer-kills-firefighters-watch-this-message-from-Boston/

Just as a side note, about 10 % of JetBlues entire staff are retired police officers and firefighters. I flew JetBlue about a year or so ago. The entire airplane was entertained by a male airline stewart. I thought to myself this guy belongs in the kitchen of a firehouse with his class act. I told him I was a retired firefighter and said that jokingly to him. He got me aside as I was leaving and told me "he is a retired firefighter from New York City". Great guy and the passengers loved him. Best flight I was ever on. More recently, a very close good friend of mine, a battalion chief I know, is retiring from the FD to begin his training with JetBlue as a new employee. For me, it's nice to know that we have these kind of people up there in the air with us. I am confident in their ability to perform their duties. And don't forget, those chosen for the job compete against everybody from throughout the country. Not an easy job to get.