From: Plane Down in Hudson 1-15-09 Discussion/Additonal Info Thread

[weaselff 6]

For many years FDNY had their hands tied with fires. Half the city burned down over 20 years and in that time a lot changed. NYPD ESU picked up auto extrication because at times there were no truck companies nearby available to handle.

The FDNY Marine 1 and 9 fire boats were designed to put big water on big fires. They were not fast enough for rescue. In the summer smaller faster boats are put into service and both Marine 1 and 9 both have smaller rescue boats in the water year round. There is a new generation of fire boat on the way that will give FDNY a bigger presence on the water, but the primary means of water rescue are still shore based (FDNY) and airborne (NYPD).

Same thing happened with aviation. PD started the unit through the efforts of its members. By the time Fire got to looking for a bird PD made the case that they had everything covered.

As for who is in control, Commissioner Kelly is a smart and political savvy individual. He has Bloomberg's ear and has been able to expand NYPD's sphere of influence. FDNY is stuck with Scoppetta, a career politician who's previous experience was running The Administration for Children's Services.

WRONG. NYPD has ESU respond to extrications and other high profile rescues because it is the only good PR for a department that doesnt get much good PR. I am not a cop hater and I always stand up for PD but the duplication of services in NYC is ridiculous. My experience with ESU in rescue situations is they just tend to get in the way of competent FD operations and then grab a handle on the stokes basket as the press cameras are flashing. I dont know why they cant just deal with high risk warrants and the occasional EDP jumper up like SWAT does in every other city.

[grumpyff 1,159]

WRONG. NYPD has ESU respond to extrications and other high profile rescues because it is the only good PR for a department that doesnt get much good PR. I am not a cop hater and I always stand up for PD but the duplication of services in NYC is ridiculous. My experience with ESU in rescue situations is they just tend to get in the way of competent FD operations and then grab a handle on the stokes basket as the press cameras are flashing. I dont know why they cant just deal with high risk warrants and the occasional EDP jumper up like SWAT does in every other city.

WOW, easy on the hating. ESU originally got involved in extrication because FDNY was too busy with actual fire to be availible all the time. Ever notice most of the fights started when the number of fires was reduced. I guess you have never been at a job where FD took the attitude "the guys dead, ESU can handle this." The point is there are glory hounds on both sides. Here both sides worked together, why does it always degrade into this nonsense. Everyone had plenty to do, they did it, and THEY DID IT WELL. Leave it at that. Where there some problems, sure always are, things like traffic, problems with radios, locations, initial dispatch info, etc...

PS read the above where the NTSB wanted FD to stay out of the aircraft after it was tied up, to prevent contamination of a possible crime scene, and any further investigation of the accident.

Edited January 18, 2009 by grumpyff