61MACKBR1

Another argument for a complete consolidation of all Emergency Services (Fire and EMS [and eventually Police]) into 1 "Consolidated and Unified" Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Operation (Thus, as I have posted countless times on EMTBRAVO.net, you would be able to ensure ample coverage, elliminate redundancy and waste, and get rid of all of the buracratic political red tape.
I just would take a few prominent individuals within both the County and the State of New York to have the "balls" to say enough with the HOME RULE, enough with Union Interference, and enough with Local Municipality Political Holdings and Egos.

Barry - Will NRFD be using the former Engine 22 (2004 American LaFrance/RD Murray 1500/500) as the replacement for the current Spare Engine 17 (1998 Spartan/RD Murray 1500/500). And, if so, would NRFD just simply sell the 1998 Spartan/RD Murray off at auction?

In 1975, Yonkers FD had a 405 uniform force that was running 13 engine companies, 7 truck companies, and 1 rescue company



In 2015, Yonkers FD had a 459 uniform force that was running 11 engine companies (including Squad 11), 6 truck companies [ladders] and 1 rescue company

In 1975, Yonkers FD had a 405 uniform force that was running 13 engine companies, 7 truck companies, and 1 rescue company



In 2015, Yonkers FD had a 459 uniform force that was running 11 engine companies (including Squad 11), 6 truck companies [ladders] and 1 rescue company

We can debate manpower questions until the cows come home. In my opinion, like what has been done successfully in other "Counties" throughout the United States, if Westchester County could finally come up with an agreed upon "Consolidation Plan" resources, equipment and manpower could be allocated and made available for the entire county to use. HOWEVER, to make this a reality, a number of large hurdles (or buildings) needs to be address, such as:
1) The ellimination of the "HOME RULE" that currently exists throughout New York State (which is probably the # 1 hurdle to overcome)
2) "REQUIRING" that every firefighter in the county are trained and have the SAME FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATIONS that are required, regardless of whether or not they are currently a Paid FF or a Volunteer FF
3) Ensuring that every aspect of this CONSOLIDATED DEPARTMENT meetings all ISO/NFPA/OSHA requirements to the letter (No Exceptions)
4 Realize that with any Consolidation Plan, while the number of firefighters most likely will not change, the number of chiefs most likely will be reduced (you most likely will not need as many chiefs/assistant chiefs to run a County-Wide Consolidated Program (thus dealing with the Officers Union in each respective current jurisdiction, which will be another major hurdle to overcome)
5) Dealing with all of the Local Politicians, who like to have control over every little aspect of their respective communities
6) Dealing with the UNIONS which will be the final and last major hurdle to over come.
Can it happen? Yes. Will it happen in our lifetime? Probably Not

We can debate manpower questions until the cows come home. In my opinion, like what has been done successfully in other "Counties" throughout the United States, if Westchester County could finally come up with an agreed upon "Consolidation Plan" resources, equipment and manpower could be allocated and made available for the entire county to use. HOWEVER, to make this a reality, a number of large hurdles (or buildings) needs to be address, such as:
1) The ellimination of the "HOME RULE" that currently exists throughout New York State (which is probably the # 1 hurdle to overcome)
2) "REQUIRING" that every firefighter in the county are trained and have the SAME FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATIONS that are required, regardless of whether or not they are currently a Paid FF or a Volunteer FF
3) Ensuring that every aspect of this CONSOLIDATED DEPARTMENT meetings all ISO/NFPA/OSHA requirements to the letter (No Exceptions)
4 Realize that with any Consolidation Plan, while the number of firefighters most likely will not change, the number of chiefs most likely will be reduced (you most likely will not need as many chiefs/assistant chiefs to run a County-Wide Consolidated Program (thus dealing with the Officers Union in each respective current jurisdiction, which will be another major hurdle to overcome)
5) Dealing with all of the Local Politicians, who like to have control over every little aspect of their respective communities
6) Dealing with the UNIONS which will be the final and last major hurdle to over come.
Can it happen? Yes. Will it happen in our lifetime? Probably Not

In 1975, Yonkers FD had a 405 uniform force that was running 13 engine companies, 7 truck companies, and 1 rescue company



In 2015, Yonkers FD had a 459 uniform force that was running 11 engine companies (including Squad 11), 6 truck companies [ladders] and 1 rescue company

In 1975, Yonkers FD had a 405 uniform force that was running 13 engine companies, 7 truck companies, and 1 rescue company



In 2015, Yonkers FD had a 459 uniform force that was running 11 engine companies (including Squad 11), 6 truck companies [ladders] and 1 rescue company

In 1975, Yonkers FD had a 405 uniform force that was running 13 engine companies, 7 truck companies, and 1 rescue company



In 2015, Yonkers FD had a 459 uniform force that was running 11 engine companies (including Squad 11), 6 truck companies [ladders] and 1 rescue company

Thanks Barry - I knew that you would make everything much clearer. NRFD has for sure, set the pace recently, in ordering and putting into service, fire apparatus that both meet the stringent NRFD specifications as well as getting the "Most Bang For Your Buck" (of course, the American LaFrance rigs being put to the side ).

Thanks Barry - I knew that you would make everything much clearer. NRFD has for sure, set the pace recently, in ordering and putting into service, fire apparatus that both meet the stringent NRFD specifications as well as getting the "Most Bang For Your Buck" (of course, the American LaFrance rigs being put to the side ).

Along with FDNY, Mount Vernon FD has 2 - Ferrara's in service (Engine 3 & Engine 4). Is FDMV having issues with their 2 Ferrara's as well? (I am sure that YFD has looked extensively into the recent Maintenance History of the Ferrara Ultra (FDNY & FDMV) as part of their Bid Specification and review prior to award of the contract)

Any where do you suppose the Federal Dollars to fund such grants come from? (They just don't say "print some money for this grant" !). It comes from taxpayer dollars (yours and mine). So the statement that non local or regional tax dollars were used, really doesn't make any sense, as "TAX DOLLARS" were used to fund the grant. And who pays into these "Tax Dollars"? You, I and everyone else. So we all should have a say into how our tax dollars are spent and used and to ensure that it is being used "Wisely and Effectively" and not used to be wasted on a piece of apparatus that just sits in a Garage in Valhalla. I say "Maximize" its potential use (As an Mass Casualty Unit Ambulance and Transportation Unit and not just as a unit to Mass Transport Nursing Home Patients)

Barry - You continue to "Tell It Like It Is" (Until people who have the "Power To Initiate Change" put laws in place within New York State to force "Standardization" in Response, Personnel, and especially "TRAINING !!!" (for both the Career and Volunteer Firefighters) we will never have a common ground to work off of throughout Westchester County

Barry - You continue to "Tell It Like It Is" (Until people who have the "Power To Initiate Change" put laws in place within New York State to force "Standardization" in Response, Personnel, and especially "TRAINING !!!" (for both the Career and Volunteer Firefighters) we will never have a common ground to work off of throughout Westchester County

You hit the nail squarely on the head. We spend a lot of money (how it is paid for is irrelevant) on shinny equipment that is paraded out by a local politician that shows how he/she cares for his/her constituents. After the dog and pony show, said modern wonder sits rotting somewhere and may not be ever used again. But we can say we are prepared for the next big one. Grant money should be used in a way that maximizes its return. If a vehicle is needed, make it so it has multi functions. Grants for upgraded turnout gear- fine.

That was my point exactly in response to an earlier post about it not being local tax money.
Taxes are taxes and waste is waste..

Even if the primary use is to evacuate hospitals and nursing homes, I see no reasons why they could not also be pressed into service in a MCI for treatment. In the past we have used school buses or transit buses to transport large numbers of people. I am old enough to remember when every U.S. Mail truck was convertible to an Ambulance and all had the "CD" logo on them because they were Civil Defense resources. How is it superior to put an EMT on a school bus than on an METU?

I absolutely agree that "if" the County of Westchester - Department of Emergency Services, has in its possession a METU apparatus, housed at the DES Facility on the Grasslands Campus, then that unit should be designated as the "Primary" METU Unit dispatched for all "Central Westchester County Mass Casualty Incidents" manned with personnel trained to handle and support such requirements (be it trained personnel from the County DES and/or Trained Emergency Service Personnel from Westchester County Medical Center). The Yonkers PD METU should be used for all Southern Westcheter Mass Casualty Incidents. While it was great to see how fast the Yonkers PD METU unit got to the scene/command post in Valhalla last evening (although primarily used for Fire Fighter and Emergency Worker Injuries, given that all of the victims had already been transported directly to WCMC).
It would be, in my opinion, suffice to say, that this should be a "Lessons Learned" event and that measures should be taken immediately to correct what should be corrected, to avoid something tragic from happening in the future.
(As Captain Barry said in an earlier post, its sad that the County's METU Rig is essentially down to supporting nursing homes)

Do you really think that the County, in a public forum, is going to address such a question, where they don't have an appropriate answer? (This is EXACTLY WHY people are leaving EMTBravo.net, because they are afraid of the reprocussions that might arise from them making their opinions known on this web site). Thus, your response clearly answers the other topic on this site of "What has happened to this site" !!!

Do you really think that the County, in a public forum, is going to address such a question, where they don't have an appropriate answer? (This is EXACTLY WHY people are leaving EMTBravo.net, because they are afraid of the reprocussions that might arise from them making their opinions known on this web site). Thus, your response clearly answers the other topic on this site of "What has happened to this site" !!!

Well if bid was awarded for the Engine 303/313 replacements in June of 2013, even if stretching it to 12 months after the bid was awarded to start production, that would bring it to June of 2014. It is now December 2014, 18 months after the bid was awarded and production hasn't even started (not even talking about the March 2014 bid be awarded to the same manufacturer in March of 2014 for the replacement of TL 71 (now going on 9 months). Maybe Yonkers will see all 3 in 2017?
Wonder if Yonkers has any production delay penalties written in their contract (they would be smart if they did)?

Best Wishes on your retirement. I am sure that the residents and businesses within the Village of Port Chester appreciated your service and dedication. God Bless and take care !

Here is a photo (from a long time ago) of the Con Ed Transformer Fire (up alongside Tuckahoe Road/Ridge Hill Complex) in Yonkers, New York, where YFD used the Foam Unit as part of its attack of the fire

We did not have the Foam Unit then (pic is from around 1995). All the foam cans used off the rigs, then FDNY was called in for foam. Our Master Stream Foam equipment was purchased after this incident, and used about a week later on the gasoline tanker crash/fire on CPA by Thruway.