hudson144

Members of group #2 FDMV were faced with tough conditions on 7/10 with hight heat, 2- 2 1/2 wood frame private dwellings well involved with fire. The fire located at 35 south 8th ave certainly put the members to work. Rescues made via ground ladders, heavy smoke with the victims ready to jump along with limited manpower causing 9 members to go out with various injuries all minor. Mutal aid covered the city for almost 8 hrs as limited crews overhauled the fire scene.

As of a recent decision with FDMV the state was not allowed to use the 4/5ths or 80 % rule when scoring the jun 2011 capt/lts exams, in 2004 the lts exam had 37 out of 100 questions deleted from the exam because monorities got them wrong. Through legal channels, which I will in time post on bravo about the actions that we took as plaintiffs the DOJ said no! Well, the results are out and as proof that curves,dumbing down of tests,deleting of questions because of the 4/5ths rules the minority members of FDMV have made it clear that if you work hard and study that you can prevail on these tests. Many times I have seen the complaint that tests are biased, the same complaint that minority members of the Buffalo FD had thrown out of court after a state issued promotional exam was given. Well, hats off to the minority members of FDMV,out of the top 11 on the new lts list 8 are black and 1 is hispanic! Nobody complaining about biased tests here because they worked hard and came out on top on their own! Great job to all who placed on top.

Disparate Impact? Whats it called when12 black Firefighters charge city hall demanding that the pending promotions of 2 white firefighters is halted? Whats it called when the black city atty says she "didn't want to promote 2 white Firefighters in fear of a lawsuit from the Black Firefighters? * At the time she was 1st VP of the Black Bar Association for Westchester Co, its all BS!

Recentlya black Firefighter found a noose hanging in or on his locker in the Firehouse, incidents like this should not be tolerated and people need to be aware that something that may be a "Joke" to you may not be funny to others. This could have been a major issue here. The City was aware of the situation and according to the local press/TV coverage a investigation is being conducted by the FD,PD and law dept. The member who was responsible for this admitted to the act and now may have to face disciplinary action pending the outcome of the investigation. It doesn't matter what race you are when it comes to a situation like this.Use your head and think of the consequences down the road!

Help Support Captain Rick Montana and his family.

"Brotherhood"? I am not surprised at all if this is true, recently Atlanta had a big scandal with testing. If you take an exam watch everything and listen also. Our system is not protected and nothing IMO would be a shocker too include tests being reviewed prior to the test being issued. Remember that city hall has these tests prior to being given which would certainly make me think about corruption!

From my own experience, The true racists are within the ranks of the Vulcans, not all of them! Equal Rights are not what this "Fraternal " group stands for!!!

Date:2/28/12 Time:1731 Location: 218 Tecumseh ave Frequency: 154.145 Units Operating: Engs- 5,3,4, Trk3,TL1 Res 1 Car 2, Car1,1A Weather Conditions: clear Description Of Incident:3 story wood frame Reporters: Writer:Hudson144 1733- Car 2 on location, 10-26 working fire 1735- Car 2 reports heavy fire from floor #2, extension via exterior to floor #3 1744- 2 lines stretched,line on fl #2 in operation, crews checking for ext on fl#3 1812- Fire U/C.

Atlanta Ga last week had a statement in the local press members of the Atlanta FD were busted because of answers to the exam were out before the exam was given, big trouble down there for a few!

After several trips to the airport I was very impressed with the knowledge of the airport ops members, they were very well educated on the aircraft that fly in and out of there and they knew the airfield like the back of their hand. It qas a pleasure to conclude the class there with a review of the airport, the ARFF apparatus and the procedures that they followed during a aircraft emergency. Good Job!

I have in the past given the ARFF class in Wetchester, the 1st 3 nights is classroom and the last night is a tour of westchester co. airport. The main focus has been to make the students aware of the hazards with aircraft incidents and to also make the students aware of how busy the airspace really is over westchester co. I am no longer teaching the class but mt close friend Dave Russell who has a strong background in firefighting too include FDNY and also 25+ years as a USAF firefighter. Dave's own stories will keep you awake with many lifetime incidents from the past that he has experienced. (Don't believe everything he tells you) lol. Take the class and learn from it. Mike,for you orange co. guys I am sure Dave would be willing to go the road with a chance of doing the last night at Stewart. I will mention this to him.

Busy few nights for FDMV- Sunday night we had a working fire at 148 west lincoln ave @approx 1900 hrs then another working fire on millington st at approx 2300 hrs.Be safe out there!!!

After almost 6 years the 13 members of the Buffalo NY Fire Department who were denied promotions because of race will be learning what they will be entitled to. Like the New Haven 20 who recently had their settlement of $2 million in damages along with $3 million in legal fees announced sources I am close to say that the settlement proposal has been submitted. Back pay,pension $, damages too mention a few will soon be determined. Amazing how these settlements cost the taxpayers in these 2 cases millions and the people (Both Mayors) who are responsible for the cases to even exist walk away with no punishment what so ever. Accountabilty should be a factor here and maybe some would reconsider holding back other people in their careers because in some words "They Can"! Great news both for the NH20/Buffalo 13 for fighting the fight! You have paved the way for many in the future!

There will be some news soon out of Westchester pertaining to equal rights in the fire service,not at liberty to say yet!

I recieved a call the other night from Firefighter Gene Margerum of the Buffalo FD, the settlement is in. Over $2 million will be awarded to the 13 members who were not promoted because they were white. Gene will recieve over $500,000 in damages. Its nice to see that the courts recognized the wrong doing unlike another case I am aware of !

The Vulcan Society- when you read the mission statement for them you want to puke! If you can't cut it no matter what race you are then too bad, lowering the standards is not the right thing to do and its not fair to anyone who has gotten on the job for all sides. The facts for the City of NY on recruiting, testing, filing applications for the job etc. hasn't been done for any other ethnic groups. Should be interesting when the test results come out. My prediction will be that the next test will be tied up and challenged for a long time. For those of you who are on the job, build up the OT for your pensions n get out.

With the most recent situation in West Haverstraw this week it might be a great time to review your response guidelines to gas leaks. Con Ed here in Westchester has gone above and beyond to warn us of the hazards. From a close friend of mine that was at the scene the other day he said he will never forget the capacity of the blast and is glad that all members had the PPE on. I am sure that Jerry Knapp will have a nice presentation on this incident down the road. The Scarsdale incident a few years back is another incident that reminds us not to take these leaks lightly. I am glad to see that the W Haverstraw members will be ok. Be safe out there!

Google Derby Conn gas explosion,this was another interesting situation.

I had a great view from Montrose TL8 Bucket!

With the Former Mayor Ernie Davis back in City Hall today we all anxiously await what the FDMV leadership lineup will be. If not today i am sure it will be soon. Acting Chief of Operations Salahuddin has been relieved of his command and will be back as a Captain. After 2 years at the helm good luck to him in whatever capacity he might serve in.

Gotta watch those Irish Guys!

As a chief Officer 5 harassement Charges filed in City hall and one with the Federal EEOC in Manhattan should have opened some eyes in City Hall months ago! A new year has arrived !

As of 1/3/12 Mayor Ernest Davis has appointed Captain Edward Stevenson Chief Of Operations, Fire Commissioner- James Gleason,Deputy Commissioner- Noah Lighty.

The brief has been submitted to the 2nd Circuit Court of appeals with strong information about the case that the lower courts simply turned their heads to. Facts such as the Vulcans atty stating that the complaint filed by both him and the Vulcans was withdrawn after the review of the 30+ yr old decree had no merit. Facts directly about the Mount Vernon law dept not conducting the investigation into both letters from the Vulcans as ordered by then Mayor Ernie Davis . Additional information pertaining the the Ricci case (New Haven 20) case where the US Supreme Court ruled that "you can't hold back a list of white guys in fear of litagation alone", In the statement to the EEOC the City atty stated that she did not want to promote in fear of legal action from the Westchester Vulcan Society. We hope that the appeals court will rule in our favor and have the case remanded back into the discovery stage! Again,thanks for the support, jjc

After a long 4 1/2 year battle the 2nd circuit ruled yesterday against me, the findings of the court basically say that because of lack of proof they would not rule in my favor. I know the truth, promotions were stopped by the request of the Vulcan Society and senior Black officers of the FDMV. The decision of my attorney to go for a summary judgement was because of the NH20 decision from our highest court. They stated that you can't hold back a list of white firefighters in fear of litagation alone. In my case the City Attorney at the time on federal EEOC forms stated that she didn't want to promote in fear of a lawsuit from the Vulcans. 3 days after the promotion was stopped the Vulcans very own attorney withdrew the complaint claiming that the review of the decree showed that there was no violation if the promotions of 2 white firefighters went ahead. The City Attorney did nothing but ignore the Vulcans Attorney and ordered the civil service commission to terminate the list even though it had 2 weeks to go before termination date. Facts are facts and we will go on knowing the truth and who was involved in this case.That same very attorney is now a city court judge and I pray that she doesn't rule on the bench because of race. I have to say that I am proud that I stood up and fought this case,even though the results were not in my favor I realize that throughout the country racism is strong in the fire service, against white and black,females,asians,hispanics etc. The brotherhood that I am very proud to be a member of certainly has some issues. I will continue to serve the citizens of Mount Vernon to the best of my ability something that I swore that I would do. There is no other career that I would want to do. I also want to take this time to thank everyone for the donations,words of encouragement and just the support that I have recieved. Its been a long haul but well worth itThe world is round and someday those who were responsible for this mess will realize that.Again, thank you and be safe! FF Joseph J Carroll FDMV