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Almost sounds like ROTC. Their website does have the disclaimer that the program does not guarantee employment. However, I would think that taking on and completing the program would most certainly looked upon favorably by an agency looking for a potential recruit. Seems to me it would display a commitment to a LE career, determination, perserverence and acomplishment; all characteristics employers look for in potential employees. It would be another certificate in your portfolio. The Feds in particular might respect it more than just a regular PD would. I doubt it would fast-track you through any probie school though. ~Wishing you the best of luck as you pursue your dreams.

Hi Chris, I'll take a crack at it, although my knowledge of FF racing teams is limited. But I've been to Brentwood FD on the island in years past and that's where I first learned about this competition, and checked out Brentwood's race-truck. Years ago they started this racing competition as a sort of "muster" that took on a very competitive life of it's own. The objective as shown by the rules starts with firematics, but the "sport" became a test of teams going up against each other; combining acrobatics, firematics, speedomatics, and you can imagine, many kegs of beer were consumed during the event. This is how it was. They used to get quite a turnout for their events; maybe they did fundraising, charged admission and what not. But I saw video in Brentwood, it took place at a racetrack with grandstands that were filled with hundreds of people. It looked pretty crazy. The "evolutions" border on the danger zone, and any smart Chief or BOC has probably taken steps to curtail the danger. I know I would if it was in my lap. They would literally line up just like a couple of race cars on a quarter-miler, with a full crew hanging on; the lights would drop and they'd nail the accelerators, scream out of the hole and come to a dead stop like 100 feet down the track; the crew would be jumping off the rig as it was stopping, make a hydrant, then race forward laying a supply line, stretching a handline, charging and flowing water. Ding; winner. The other race had a ground ladder on the rig; same take off, then they'd throw up the ladder to a tought rope and a guy would climb it. Ding; you get the point. How do/did they finance these rigs, I have no idea. Nor do I know if they are still very active with that stuff anymore. That's about it. Edit: So the WHY part would be, this was/is a form of "practicing" evolutions; with a little Barnum Bailey circus type danger thrown in to make it into a performance for the crowd.

Edit:I found this video after I checked the above link to youtube and it just goes to their homepage. This is just a silly one of a dad and his kid having fun with some little battery powered cars and a firetruck. The kid is priceless if you fast forward to where he runs to the firetruck to respond and rescue his dad.

Aside from being a seriously experienced and ready to lead firefighter, there isn't a nicer gentleman you'll meet in the fire service than Jody Caroll. Best of luck Jody, FDMV needs you as a leader. Stay safe.

This is a thread about a serious fire in Yonkers, an injured firefighter in Yonkers, and I see a couple of Chief Officers of The City Of Yonkers have taken the time to post some good information here, which I appreciate. The way I see it, how did this turn into a line of insults and innuendo directed at a Chief Officer from YFD? Are you people kidding me? If anyone has an issue in this Forum with a Chief Officer, they should take it up in private; and not muck up a serious thread. ON TOPIC if you please. I have to say, to the probie with the tough name; in time, if you advance through your career, and if you are motivated or lucky enough to rise through the ranks, you may come to understand the inner pain and frustration a Chief Officer, or any Officer for that matter, experiences when one of HIS is injured. You may come to understand the frustration of not having been able to prevent something bad from happening. But before that, as a firefighter you will learn the humility to address a Chief Officer properly, if the senior guys do their job and show you. A good cup of steamy hot st*u usually works. I'm retired now, but bad things happening on the job used to p#ss me off pretty bad. Of course you're not supposed to show it; it's taken as a sign of weakness. I've let it go, and that's probably why I can blog about it now. All members should cease and desist from casting any of this antiquated vollie/union arguement into the midst of a thread about a Yonkers fire and an injured member. You dishonor the man's sacrifice, and the sorrow being expressed for him. And if a Chief comes in here and shares good information, you should just be grateful. One day maybe you too will feel the weight of the bars. Why the h#ell do you think they call them bars? Because they are freaking heavy, that's why. And the more you wear 'em, the longer you wear them, the heavier they become. It's an industrial, real life kinda thing. It's something you feel when you walk the Colors down on St. Patricks Day. You inhale the cool air, and it all comes flooding back. The truth and experience of an incredible career, the joyful side, the joking around with the men; aside from trying to process the frustration, anger and sorrow that sometimes comes with it. God Bless YFD, another tough job, more tough luck. Get well soon. ~Captain George Glover (ret) Eastchester Fire Dept.

Whoa, what a shocker. Aparent suicide in his Brooklyn apartment. "The 47-year-old former New York City firefighter gained fame in 2006 when he was cast as short-order cook Jim "Johnny Cakes" Witowski opposite Joseph Gannascoli, who played gay mobster Vito Spatafore on the hit HBO show The Sopranos." I read he worked for over ten years in Brooklyn truck companies, before retiring and going into acting. R.I.P. Leaves behind three children

I had no idea you worked for the NYPD. Your statement is rude, so I'll take mine back; with all due respect Officer.

A bit off topic, but IMHO relevant nonetheless: Have any of you thought about the morbid irony of the report that an Arab Sovereign Wealth Fund is trying to obtain majority ownership in one of New York's most beloved skyscrapers? Here's one building NYPD can probably take off of the "high priority targets" list. http://www.nypost.com/seven/06112008/busin...lock_115016.htm

With oil shooting through $140 a barrel and no end in site, I think the bigger threat to these show of force displays will be penny pinching Mayor Bloomberg saying NYPD can no longer continue them because of the gasoline consumption; rather than a link to emtbravo showing up on Al Jazeera or some jihadi website. FYI: Just in case anybody is thinking that because there have been no attacks here in the United States since 9/11, NYPD can start relaxing their vigilance, or scaling back on exercises such as these CRVs, here's an interesting fact; Since 9/11 there have been 11,342 terrorist attacks around the world carried out by Islamic jihadis. The count for May 2008 alone; Monthly Jihad Report May 2008 Jihad Attacks: 157 Countries: 18 Religions: 5 Dead Bodies: 653 Critically Injured: 1083 http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ Even though we are fortunate (thanks to our troops, the NYPD and the Feds among others) that no successful attack has been carried out on the Motherland since 9/11, the war rages around the world. Jihadis are more determined than ever to hit us again, and are constantly planning to do so. I think some of the recent comments out of OPEC (that oil was going to $170) and Libya announcing plans to cut back on oil production, show that even Heads of State for some of these Arab oil producing countries are waging "economic jihad" against the United States. In Nigeria the jihadis are attacking oil installations. They have finally figured out they may be able to cripple us using nothing more than "Black Gold."

I don't think the problems being pointed out about the physical plant of the FDMV are a simple cleaning issue. Most fire stations are kept extremely neat and clean as you pointed out with "house duty." Mold and mildew is an issue that occurs within walls and ceilings; away from the reach of ordinary house cleaning. It is also a serious health issue for members being exposed. The deterioration of apparatus floors throughout Westchester County is a result of age, wear and tear, and the fact that modern apparatus are two to three times heavier than original old time apparatus the stations were designed to house. Sooner or later one of these stations in the County is going to suffer a catastrophic collapse. Rodent infestation is also within the walls, behind cabinets and kitchen appliances. No matter how clean you keep a fire station, if it is located in an area where rodents are epidemic; there is little you can do to stop them from eventually finding their way in. I like the idea of contacting the health department, filing complaints, grievences, etc. The FDMV, and Local 107 has a bevy of issues confronting them. I wish them the best in trying to get some of their problems solved.

The culture of firefighting as we know, means that most of us are always ready to help someone in need. If you're driving off duty in your personal vehicle and come across an accident, you'll more than likely stop and help......if need be. It's easy to assess from behind the wheel if your expertise might be required; severity of the crash, if no responding units are on scene, etc. We've all come across accidents or drivers in need of some assistance at one time or another. I bet everybody on here has helped somebody out on the road; many have helped out numerous times. It's one of those things we do that usually never gets recognized. Most of the time if you helped someone while off-duty, you don't even mention it back at work. It's just doing the right thing. Occasionally an off duty member does something really heroic, and they are rightfully recognized for it, maybe even given a well deserved citation for their actions. (read: Joey Ibo and the Bronx River rescue) Okay, so i'm a retired guy. And what do retired guys do? Some play golf, some play poker, some read the newspaper. Me? Like many other retired firefighters, I ride a Harley. The culture of Harley Davidson, and motorcycling is similar to that of firefighting. It's a brotherhood. Most bikers make an effort to stop and help out another biker who may be broken down on the side of the road, or maybe done run out of gas. Well last night was simply spectacular weather for riding, so off I went around midnight. These days I'm in Myrtle Beach S.C. GREAT TOWN, NICE PEOPLE, what can I say. I'm enamored with Southern culture, and find myself just grateful to be here. Anyway I'm riding through the night, and couldn't care less about the time; remember the old saying about being retired and having no clock....it's true! So after cruising the "Boulevard" I head up the Kings Highway. This is where the story gets a bit humorous. Riding along I pass this guy pushing a HUGE Chopper up the sidwalk. I think it was a Borgette, or maybe a Texas Chopper. So, my instincts take over and I turn around to see if I can offer the brother some assistance. He tells me he's run out of gas. Bad spot to be in; the nearest gas station is a good mile up the Kings Highway. I offer to go and try to get a gas can and a gallon of gas for him. Impression: He was a bit of an oddball , but was so happy I stopped and said he had money and would pay me for anything I laid out, he's so grateful, blah blah. So, up to the gas station I go. I find I have to buy a plastic gas can for six bucks and put in a gallon for a gazillion bucks; grand total was like $10.21. Now comes the tricky part; how do I secure or carry this gas can? Hmmm...... The gas station guy suggests I hold it on the seat between my legs. Well....not sounding too safe here.....let me see what if feels like....and with that the gas starts leaking out from under the cap. (for six bucks you get a can with a defective gasket of course) I manage to get it away from the bike so it doesn't leak onto the paint. But I have a nice gasoline stain on my pants now, and the can is covered in leaked gas. So I pull a rag out of the saddle bag, clean up the can, try to get the cap secured....it's starting to feel like a comedy at this point. BUT...... I am determined. The best way I can come up with to ride back is to hold the can in my right hand (accelerator hand) and I can still twist the accelerator. I think this will work, so off I go to rescue my brother biker....... gas can blowing in the wind. I drive the mile or so and get close enough to the spot where he was sitting just in time to see his headlight go on and hear that tricked out 111 inch K&N hot rod motor roar to life. (Did someone else stop and give him gas? Was it another problem that he solved? Did the gas-valve have a reserve position, I'll never know) I can see him kinda eyeball me, and with that.................... he takes off down the road! And really nails it, I mean this guy flew out of there. I watch his taillights grow smaller as he pulls away......I'm a little bewildered, then it hits me; "hey you #*&@ what am I carrying here for you?!!" So... the heck with this....I speed up to try and catch up to this guy and.........I dunno, give him his gas. Now I'm getting a bit peeved. The guy is actually RUNNING from me! I look down at the speedometer and I'm doing like 65 mph holding a freaking, leaking gas can. Nice. Soon I get caught in the traffic lights and he zooms out of sight beating all the lights. He was doing probably 80 mph. Well thinking I gave up, and he is "safe", Mr. Oddball Chopper wheels it into a gas station and pulls up to the pumps (probably with a smug look on his face). I get a run of green lights and spot him in the gas station......I pull in and roll right up next to him with the dripping gas can. He looks up and kinda goes pale when he sees me and literally starts babbling, "Bah beh bah bah".... so I say "are you kidding? I have to do 65 miles an hour to catch up to you holding this?..." and with that I put the can down next to him on the pavement. I crack the Harley into gear......his babbling has not even turned into weasel excuses. I slowly pull away with indignation (and by the way keep your money oddball) throwing in a parting shot.... "cost me ten bucks man and I got drenched with gas. And you pull this garbage? Then I shook my head and rode away. I noticed one last item; his licence plate.....drum roll please................EHHHH NEW YORK. My hometown homeboy! The way I figure it, another thirty seconds later, he would have been clean gone. That's what he was obviously trying for right? To leave me holding the can! LOL And that my friends is a true example of a road weasel! PS: It did cross my mind that maybe he had stolen it, but if you saw this guy you'd know in two seconds that was improbable. Just a weasel, nothing more....haha ~Stay safe ya'll and keep the faith George

Marc my dear brother, I guess you could say "I BE BUSTED". Hey I didn't know you packed it in. Congrats to you. I'll look you up when I be back in "the hood" and pay you off with as many cold ones as you like to keep quiet about this very minor paperwork discrepency......haha ~Best to ya

A sad anniversary no doubt. If you haven't seen this ESPN clip about one of the firefighters who was also a high school basketball coach, and perished that day check it out; Quite an amazing story. ~Stay safe George

I was going over the thread about MVFD being down to one ladder truck. So after much delay they did return a second ladder company to service (I'm assuming the post that stated that to be correct). That's obviously a good thing, but once again a municipality gambles and gets away with it. I was rather disturbed by some comments from brother firefighters (particularly from IAFF members) refering to other IAFF firefighters as "paid chauffeurs." That's a bit more polite than the "paid drivers" comment we used to hear as career firefighters in Eastchester, Port Chester, Scarsdale, Larchmont, Pelham, Pelham Manor....list goes on....but honestly it's still an ignorant term; even more so today than years past. Let me ask all firefighters reading this a question; (this probably will not be on any upcoming promotional tests) YOU are a firefighter assigned to an engine all by your lonesome. Yes indeed, you do drive the apparatus. Tones go out for a reported structure fire. YOU dutifully don your turnouts, jump up into the cab, crank up the rig and respond. En-route you get a report from dispatch that multiple calls are being received for a two story private dwelling showing fire. YOU grab the microphone and make the acknowledgement. Your heart rate increases. Another communication from dispatch; report of a person trapped. YOU are approaching the scene and can see a column of smoke. Quickly in your mind YOU go over the actions you will be taking upon arrival. Arriving on the scene YOU are cool enough under pressure to spot the engine just beyond the structure, engage the pumps; leaving room for the truck and easy access to the hosebed. As YOU exit the cab two people come running up screaming about a person being trapped upstairs in the house. YOU grab and don your Scott-pak, portable radio and your helmet. The second due engine (also manned by one firefighter) is still a few minutes out, as is the ladder truck (one firefighter) and the Officer is delayed. YOU are alone on the fireground. So, what are YOU going to do? A. attempt to enter the structure to perform search and rescue B. stretch an attack line C. remove the 24' ground ladder from the engine and deploy it D. "hook up and look up" (never heard that saying before, but it's a real knee slapper) Do YOU see the point I'm "driving" at? (pun intended) The firefighter responding alone is faced with an overwhelming situation. ANY firefighter worth his/her salt knows the answer to this scenario. YOU will take action, and based on the obvious priority it is not a pretty answer. The "rules" are out the window for this firefighter. OSHA 1910.134, 2 in 2 out, makes the exception where there is an obvious life hazard. A person may burn or choke to death if YOU don't do something about it. This scenario and others like it, are confronted every single day across this country by firefighters who must take initial action alone, or with only one/two/three additional firefighters on scene. It is patently absurd to refer to a career firefighter forced to operate alone as a "paid chauffeur." Not long ago "paid driver" was a term used in a derogatory way; meant to demean and insult a career firefighter. I find it hard to believe that in this day and age, with all the knowledge members of the firefighting community have developed and learned; that anybody affiliated within the world of firefighting would still not understand the unique challenges and dangers facing brother/sister firefighters who have to "go it alone." I would suggest those who made the paid chauffeur comments consider just how hurtful and mean-spirited it might sound to the brothers who still have to go out and face the dangers of the profession alone. It's hard enough to do the job with minimal staffing and try to keep up some semblance of morale without having to be confronted with old stereotypes that simply do not apply; especially here in a forum of your peers who should know better. ~Stay safe.

No problem. Thanks for the update. When the report does come out it might be time for me to head home to NY and start doing some advocating for the brothers. Then again in the convoluted world of the Eastchester Fire Department not so long ago, if you wanted something you pretended you didn't, and if you didn't want it you pretended you did. Worked like a charm haha.....

Thank you to all who took the time to respond to this topic. It's been fun bantering these thoughts around with all of you. I would like to reiterate some of the things I thought were important, and if you would indulge me for a few moments, maybe tie up some loose ends of the discussion. I used the point about career firefighters and the term "paid driver/chauffer" to try and open the door to the larger discussion about what direction the firefighting forces in southern Westchester need to be preparing to take. "Paid driver" IS and SHOULD BE part of the past. We may disagree about technicalities; the difference between driver and chauffer, but to me the point remains the same. A Chauffer by it's very meaning implies you have somebody to chauffer or drive around. Thus the term is quite appropriate for an adequately staffed rig; the truck chauffer wheels around all those guys one of you were referring to; the can man, the O.V. man, the Officer, the force-entry guy, the roof man all comprising a ladder company, or the nozzleman, the back-up man, the door-man, the control man and once again the officer, this time of the engine company. Yes indeed; the chauffer is usually a senior and experienced brother, and if the officer happens to be covering, he/she will rely on that chauffer to know his district; the streets, the hazards, the structures, construction types and most importantly where the best grocery store is, the best bagels, coffee and sambucca! (ah the good old days) But what career or combination department in Westchester truly has all of this? I believe Yonkers Fire comes closest with three firefighters and an officer on every rig. Next we have New Rochelle with two firefighters and an officer. Then we have Mt. Vernon, but it varies as to what they will be riding with (?). Then we have good ole Eastchester with two men per rig. Don't forget the Greenburghs; I know they have made strides in improving manpower over the years. Then we have the smaller departments and the malaise of single firefighter "chauffering." I think Larchmont is able to field a couple of guys on an engine..maybe not all the time though. (please forgive me if I'm not 100% accurate. I've been soaking up a lot of sun and salt water since I retired and sometimes when I'm out floating on the ocean all of these memories kind of keep drifting on out to sea....even when I return to land!) Scarsdale has a two man truck somewhere don't they? But alas as one astute brother pointed out earlier; you get to Pelham Manor and have half a battalion across the street....and one and one on PM's side. Or three guys on two rigs in Pelham. How about Harrison these days? Anybody know if they've managed to boost up the manpower.... The brothers and sister in Eastchester can almost claim the largest victory. Over the years of battling, they were able to obtain a 100% increase in manpower per rig. They went from one.....to two. I used to kid my group and say "they increased manpower by 100% and decreased brainpower by 50%!" All kidding aside, I'm sure each of you feel as I do; the firefighters I worked alongside were simply "the best." The guy to the left of you and the guy to the right of you. That's really who we fight for right? (that's a line from Black Hawk Down) The Federal Gov't thinks southern Westchester is a vital resource in Homeland Security in the post 9/11 era; as evidenced by their funding of the Haz-Mat Support Squads. Kudos to Chiefs Fitzpatrick and Reed, and the tireless efforts of the members of Yonkers E-311, and the NRFD brothers as well as ALL others who have put literally hundreds if not thousands of hours into building up the Squad system. They have taught hundreds of brothers Haz-mat 101. The Squads are a constant reminder to all that the world changed forever on 9/11. The career firefighting forces in southern Westchester have answered the call to step up their game. Now it's the local governments in southern Westchester; the fire comissions, the village and town boards, and city councils that need to step up. Does anybody know that status of that regionalization study? If it hasn't already come and gone (and I missed it) it deserves serious consideration; IF it's a serious study and not a white-wash. What it comes down to is; whatever it takes, if there's any chance something like that might work and be palpable to all the IAFF locals, I cross my fingers and wish you all the best of luck. This could be the watershed moment that changes the fire service in lower Westchester, and makes it look more like the Bronx and less like Beijing. I'm allowing myself to consider the possibility, but in no way am I endorsing anything without having ever seen a proposal or the ideas behind it even. I imagine the approach of pragmatic leadership of most of the locals is to take a wait and see attitude. Then again the locals could be heavily involved in the planning. I know if I was running that show I'd have them all in in there as much as possible. Openness and inclusiveness could be one of the keys to success. Usually big plans that are hatched by just a few and kept very secret are met with skepticism and rejection. But one thing I do believe is that the career force and volunteer forces should be seperated. Should some kind of plan be put into the works, it's high time to let go of the belief that combination departments can somehow be salvaged. They cannot. It would be much better to create (remember I'm just thinking here, so don't crucify me) a unified force of career firefighters and one of volunteers. Now that I think about it all, it does seem kind of overwhelming. So many issues, so many fiefdoms, so many Chiefs, so many firehouses, so many fire engines.................................................... Ahh fergit it. ~Stay safe everybody. George

Actually Chief that was a direct quote from "Fire Department of New York-an Operational Reference" fourth edition updated January 2002, Special Printing for Bureaus of Training and Communications" by James S. Griffiths pgs.54-55. I apologize I should have given that credit in my post. How the mutual aid on that day did or did not work is of course a subject for debate, and probably left for another thread on another day. ~Regards.

Thanks for the response. Let me preface my remarks with this disclaimer; I am retired and do not speak for anyone else. Going to your 1st: The statement was that the term "paid driver/chauffer" MIGHT BE TAKEN as hurtful or mean spirited, not how it was MEANT to be interpreted. Personally, I always found it to be offensive. You may have heard some IAFF members refer to themselves as paid chauffers. If you looked at their actual civil service job title however, I think it would probably say "firefighter". Most IAFF members I know from the smaller depts. in Westchester would bristle at the idea of being called or thought of as a "driver, chauffer." For what these members are doing by way of neccesity is performing company functions, without the safety of a company. The scenario I proposed gave three specific answers that cover three specific COMPANY functions; rescue, engine, truck (the fourth being engine as well). It was designed to show the overwhelming complexity and decision making a solo firefighter faces after "chauffering" his rig to a fire. When one is hired by the smaller depts. nobody takes them aside after training and says "well now you are a NYSOFPC certified probie firefighter, but being alone on a rig we only want you to DRIVE".... I think every career firefighter in this country regardless of staffing, is duty and honor bound and understands they will do anything they might have to; resulting from an order, or even acting on their own before a Commander arrives, to accomplish operational priorities; life rescue, fire suppression, scene mitigation, etc. After all that's what it means to be a firefighter yes? And some municipalities have taken advantage of that dedication by continuing to understaff, run short of rigs, etc, because they know they still get 150% out of every firefighter anyway. Because the solo riding firefighter is at times faced with overwhelming situations, they should be applauded for the bravery and resourcefullness they regularly exhibit. Yes, one man "fire companies" have performed life saving rescues and done countless other amazing things against the odds. This qualifies them for something a bit more respectful than "driver." (Oh James, bring the Bentley around front will you...."yes boss"....) There are IAFF members that work in larger jobs that have NO CLUE about the unique challenges and dangers the brothers/sisters from smaller depts. have endured for decades. If all of them were 100% aware, I'm sure no IAFF member would ever become a volunteer on a job with IAFF members. (I personally have no objection to a career guy volunteering in his community if it's a fully volunteer dept.) Smaller locals have been fighting for years to gain adequate staffing. The best way to support them would be to attend council meetings and voice concern about it, and come out and vote for officials who are pro modernization. You guys got a SAFER grant in New Rochelle, and rightfully so. You had to go high-rise, and always had your fair share of work anyway. Your dept. has come a long way from the day when we were helping you hand out fliers because the city was going to lay 8 guys off. The case still needs to be made for other depts. in Westchester who have always lacked adequate staffing. If not SAFER, then the municipalities are going to have to come up with the money another way. And I'm not talking about nickel and dime answers. I'm talking NFPA 1710. The battle is not over until there are adequately staffed apparatus wherever there are career firefighters. Take your regionalization plans, SAFER grants, smart Chief officers and staff, visionary thinking politicians and put it all together so that the title of "paid chauffer" only applies to a fully staffed company in a fully staffed department that then truly has "chauffers". Regarding your 2nd: A New York Fire Department apparatus operator is indeed certified through their own school and given the exclusive jobs of chauffering and motor pump operating. That's wonderful on an engine company staffed with 4 or 5 firefighters and an officer. It probalby works in New Rochelle with three member companies. But on a job with two firefighters on an engine or truck, let alone one; there is no plan that works to cover "chauffers"exclusively assigned to driving and pumps; save maybe the first due engine when more help is on scene...or at larger conflagrations. On your 3rd: Regarding history; there is some point in every older department's history when that department was completely volunteer. I'm aware of the history, and how paid firefighters came into being. In Eastchester they started hiring paid men around the late '20's, '30's for the reasons you described. I also realize many career firefighters started out like you; as a volunteer. This built the interest and eventually you, like myself, were very fortunate to be able to get on the job. I trained the volunteers of my combination department for many years. Most of them had a strong desire to get on the job. I'm retired almost two years already. It truly was a great career. And now I can say what I want. Throughout my career I showed respect to volunteers; even though in my heart I didn't think they understood the struggle and challenge of career firefighters in combination" departments. I've seen some really PRO all-volly departments in my time. And we all know the greatest departments in this country; the urban legend departments of the FDNY et.all.... are all career. FULLY career departments can move ahead, modernize, etc. with the right leadership. FULLY volunteer departments can do the same. COMBINATION departments; particularly as they are structured in NYS...... are dysfunctional. They place career firefighters at greater risk because they lack an adequate first response. Often there is an undercurrent of malcontentment, discontentment, and animosity. ALL career firefighters sorely need adequate staffing and operational planning. Volunteer firefighters in combo departments are many times under-trained, and are also at greater risk due to poor operational planning. This is my opinion based on my career experience. The system needs changing. Here it is 2008, seven years after 9/11. Southern Westchester departments are on the frontline of defense of the Homeland, and as you pointed out some departments are still operating under 100 year old systems. The FDNY has a mutual-aid pact with Westchester County as well as a one-way agreement with Mt. Vernon regarding the bulk oil storage installations along Eastchester Creek, and a 1994 agreement with Yonkers (Box 8999). The FDNY is prepared with bell signal 14-14+a three digit town indicator+terminal number representing a predesignated FDNY group of apparatus to respond. The FDNY did call for assistance from Middlesex, Nassau and Westchester Counties on 9/11/01. A person of much less means living on the south side of The Bronx has better fire protection than the millionaire living on the south side of Bronxville; a mere two and change miles from NYC limits. The time is long passed to have fully staffed career fire companies throughout southern Westchester County. I've seen the posts on this board explaining how it isn't possible for Westchester municipalities to fund and provide full staffing. I don't believe that is our side's argument to make or defend. I believe the firefighting community needs to make clear that it is understaffed, and make clear what is needed to fix the problems, period. It's the politicians and powers-to-be responsibility to figure out how to fund it, not the firefighters. Unless they empower you to go after the SAFER or FIRE-ACT money, or bring you in on their regionalization plan and ask you to help figure out how to do it. Thanks again for any and all responses. ~Fraternally yours, Captain George G. Glover Jr. (ret) Eastchester Fire Department IAFF 916

Assuming you are asking about Bn. 41 FDNY; housed with E248 2900 Snyder Ave Flatbush, Brooklyn 15th Division Bn. 41 Engines 248, 250, 255, 281 Ladders 147, 157

Sincere condolences to the Morelli family, friends, and brother/sister Police Officers of Norwalk. I didn't know Officer Morelli but grieve for his loss. It is sad and shocking to see one of Norwalk's Finest killed in the line of duty. Twelve years ago on the same date March 21, 1996, Police Officer Michael Frey of The Eastchester NY Police Department was shot and killed in the line of duty. Matthew now joins Michael in the special place God has reserved for our Heroes in Heaven. Michael Frey was a friend to just about every Eastchester Firefighter including myself, and to now see Officer Morelli senselessly killed gives me that same sick feeling in the stomach all over again. Marie Menna wrote a beautiful song for Michael Frey's funeral and her lyrics are very comforting; "You are our Hero in Heaven live forever in our hearts.... fly away.......fly away..... until we meet again... we'll see you again... you'll always be our friend... our Hero in Heaven." Rest in Peace Officer Matthew Morelli for having lived a good life and doing a great job in the highest calling. "No Greater Love Hath Man that He Should Lay down His Life for Another."