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Barry our Vulcan decree is similar to New Rochelle in that regard

I guess there is still time to establish residency but this would have to be done rather quickly. If you are moving last minute I would strongly recommend having very credible documentation of when you moved as residency is investigated by the PD if your number eventually is reached on the list.

It doesn't hurt to take the test, but there is a fee andn time involved. Anything is possible but FYI we have never even come close to exhausting the resident list and reaching the non-resident list.

Thanks for the info. New Haven seems like a progressive department. Does the Deputy work around the clock like the Battalions or just days? Also, do the Chiefs have Aides? What type of chart does New Haven work? Thanks!

I noticed there were at least 7 different departments which responded to this single family house fire. Also noticed what seemed to be a 16 minute response time for the firsl arriving apparatus? Seemed to be quite a while until two lines were reported to be operating as well. I really don't know this area so I'm not criticizing necessarily...perhaps this response time was very reasonable considering road distance and conditions, etc. However, I feel this fire is another glaring example of why consolidation and regionalization in Emergency Services is so desperately needed in most of Westchester County. Thoughts?

4 different apparatus spec committees...4 separate maintenance facilities....4 (at least) separate Chiefs...4 separate training divisions....etc. etc. etc. Again, what is the advantage of having so many separate departments and duplication of resources if you can NEVER handle a simple house fire on your own?

If 7 departments are routinely called for a Private Dwelling fire, why not consolidate? You wouldn't need so many Chiefs and you would have more Firefighters. Chain of command would be more clear. Standard Operating Guidelines, Policies and Procedures, etc. would be in the same for all members operating on scene, etc. What are the advantages, if any, to having so many small departments who are not capable of handling even small or medium size incidents on their own?

Frankly, that description of a Battalion Chief's duties leaves much to be desired. I do not have the time right now but I'm sure others will chime in. The description you reference sounds like it could be handled by a scehduling clerk mostly, or even a computer program. How about including a few details in regard to showing true leadership, conducting training, developing pre-fire and emergency plans, observing your subordinate supervisors and how they operate and conduct training, mentoring junior Company Officers and Company Commanders, inspecting personnel, apparatus, facilities and equipment, overseeing building inspections, developing and maintaining relationships with outside agencies such as PD, EMS, Buidling Department, Water Department, Schools, Community Groups, etc, oh, and we might want to mention what a Battalion Chief does at a fire or emergency, no?

What do you guys use the proceeds of these raffles for?

In my opinion your Mom is right. Get not only your Bachelors but an advanced degree now before family and work obligations get in the way. Most importantly do not expect that your experiences in firefighting and / or emergency services will be very similar to your predecessors. The one thing you can be sure of is that during your working life, the fire service, and in fact the world, will undergo enormous, and oftentimes, rapid change. A well rounded undergraduate and graduate degree will make you much more capable of anticipating and positioning yourself for the changes you will see. Don't limit yourself to a fire science degree either- you will be studying that stuff for promotion anyway- get the most well rounded education that you are able to- researching and writing, public speaking,government, history, psychology, technology, etc. are just basic skills which are necessary to function as an effective, progressive, fair leader in almost any field of endeavour. Consider a bachelor's in management, organizational leadership or some such with a minor in fire science or emergency management. After that you will have a better idea as to what to study for your Master's Degree. Don't believe everyhting any of us in the Fire Service tell you (it's very hard to be objective about yourself)- seek out contrasting opinions, as you have done here. Spend time (such as in college) with people who have no connection to the fire service or emergency services. Learn from them too. Realize that as a Firefighter you will be working with many dedicated, hard working people, but you will also be spending your life working alongside many who just want a decent civil service job and who do not have the same pride and work ethic that you do. This can prove to be a big shock and an enormous sense of dissapointment to a "gung-ho" young guy such as yourself. If you think you will be able to motivated these types and change their attitude, I would suggest that you first find a brick wall and bang your head against it as hard as you can a few times and make sure you enjoy that.

Thanks Chris. What I have been wondering is...where are the true leaders in EMS in Westchester in regard to this issue? There were some insightful comments elicited from some credible authorities in the Journal News article. Why are these EMS professionals not doing more to educate the public as well as elected leaders and other governmental leaders in regard to the EMS crisis in much of the Hudson Valley? Yes, there is no system, despite individuals holding titles and leadership positions in regional EMS which would seem to indicate that there is a system. I'm just a dumb fireman but it appears obvious that if some of these people with leadership positions in regional EMS organizations were to identify the problems and propose solutions such as true consolidations and regionalization in certain areas (certainly not an entire County, but rather communities encompassing several towns and / or villages depending on geography, call volume, effectiveness of existing organizations as well as other factors that a stupid firefighta like me can't even imagine), then positive changes would come quickly, lives would be saved, and needless suffering would be averted? No???

Thanks. You mentioned OVAC. Is there anyone on here who has approximate statistics as to the number of ALS as well as BLS shifts which are being fillled by volunteer vs. career personnel at OVAC?

This was an excellent article on many levels. I have been involved as a concerned citizen in my town- Ossining, as well as Croton, where I have many family and friends, in pushing for improvements in EMS. I have met quite a few great people on the career as well as the volunteer side, and also elected and other community officials who are thinking progressively. It's hard to be objective about your own organization sometimes, and I have therefore unfortunately found it necessary to go on the record with some constructive criticisms. The battle to improve EMS in my community through regionalization, paid staffing where necessary, clearer lines of authority and accountability, fiscal transparency, as well as bettter transparency in regard to response times, numbers of certified volunteers who actually respond or pull shifts, etc. continues. Many individuals have approached me anonymously (out of fear of retaliation) with serious concerns in regard to their own organization. If anyone on here has information which they feel would aid me in my efforts to have much more transparency in finances and operations of EMS agencies in the above mentioned towns, feel free to contact me. It's all about providing the best possible service to our communities in a cost efficient (not cheap necessarily) manner. Thank you to all who labor in this oftentimes extremely underappreciated field. Please try not to read more into my comments than there really is. And please, qtip.... Oh, and the oft repeated response of "well, if you think things need improving, then volunteer yourself!" won't put me on the defensive...try to put a bit more thought into your response, thanks...

proactive qtip...I'm sure someone out there will need this...

...you would be open to ANY ideas I may have??

I really appreciate the offer but the fires in Yonkers produce too many btu's to be extinguished by water from Northern Westchester...

I appreciate the primer on tanker ops as I have zero experience and hardly any knowledge in this area. However, I expected a poster to explain away this issue due to the need for a water shuttle. It doesn't seem to me that this adequately explains the need for 7 separate departments on scene, a 28 minute wait for a FAST Team, relocations from 2 additional departments, a Battalion Coordinator from DES, a total of over 100 Firefighters, Lord only knows how many Chiefs, and so on... Since tanker shuttles are often necessary in Northern Westchester, and these evolutions require several tankers, even more reason to consolidate and regionalize, no?

I am not critiquing any specifics of the operation. I do have one question / concern though which I hope will provoke some thoughtful, respectful dialogue...why is it accepted practice that it is necessary for 7 Departments to respond to a private dwelling fire with no exposure issues, and another two Departments are relocated? This seems to be the norm in Northern Westchester. Might it not be time to seriously explore some regionalization and consolidation?

Commissioner, I have enjoyed reading this thread and I have even learned a few things from some knowledgeable individuals. It seems that you are a bit resentful of this discussion regarding your department's operations and plans for the future being discussed. Why? Please feel free to contribute your knowledge, experience and opinions to this topic. Oh, and qtip...

I mistakenly gave this guy a rep point. Can someone please remove it? I was just trying to see who in the world were the 7 members of this site who would agree with this post.

I respectfully recommend that you re-read the wonderful Ben Franklin quote which you have posted on your profile...then re-read it again...then, take a deep breath...now think about how old you are....deep breath again...Ben Franklin.....ok, now... may I humbly suggest that you seriously consider refraining from posting your opinions in regard to the fire service for at least several years.?

Maybe FASNY could add something like this to their legislative agenda...

I think you're wrong Barry. It has wheels, it's red, and it's shiny...therefore it can go in PARADES...if we apply this logic to what we have seen in the past, many departments will purchase these devices, even those with no hi-rises.

Probably the same reason they opposed a NYS law mandating bailout ropes, maximum age for new hires, and stricter minimum training standards....etc....

Otherwise known as the cross your fingers and hope for the best policy....