hudson144

same spot- Rte 9A / lake st. Montrose/Buchanan line.

Here's what she used to look like:

Posted in the FDMV Firehouses: Reposing at Sinatra Funeral Home 601 Yonkers Ave Yonkers,NY (914)963-5263 Visiting Hours: Sat July 10- 5pm-9pm Sun July 11- 5pm-9pm Funeral Services: Monday July 12 @11 am Church of St John The Baptist 670 Yonkers Ave Yonkers, NY (914)963-1486

Thoughts and prayers go out to the Kerr family on the passing of Bruce. Always had good conversations with him and I am sure he will be missed by all.RIP!!!

Thought and prayers go out to the Drago family on the untimely loss of Jimmy, he will be missed by all!

As I approach the 3rd Anniversary of being screwed by the City of Mount Vernon I continue to fight the fight.Soon after I was denied my Lts bars I knew that my case was a strong and valid case. Even though the recent decision in Carroll vs Mt Vernon did not go my way we are still in it for the fight. As mentioned to me from one of the lead plaintiffs from the NH20 case this is only a hump in the road. Supreme Court off in the distance? Not sure but the appeals process is ongoing and we will know whats going on more in the very near future. I have to point out that because of many people too include my family,my community and the FD brotherhood the support at times has been overwhelming. I only hope that someday I can throw a "WIN PARTY" similar to the NH20 party. Our fight here is not just about me- its about "we"no matter what race you are!!! Thanks again for the support! jjcB)

Very interesting article about a small frame (General Aviation) GA aircraft. Teaching the ARFF class I mostly concentrate on "what if" a large frame bird goes down? In this case the aircraft was a single engine plane and look at how the incident escalated. Great reading to learn by!

Keep Jimmy in your prayers!

OHIO: RACE DISCRIMINATION – CITY OF CLEVELAND AND ITS FD HAVE SHOW GOOD FAITH IN SEEKING 33 1/3% MINORITY GOAL - CONSENTDECREES FROM 1977 AND 1984 ARE TERMINATED BY FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE On August 20, 2009, in Cleveland Fire Fighters For Fair Hiring Practices, et al v. City of Cleveland , 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74221, U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent terminated the consent decree, based on the good faith efforts to date and assurances by the City of Cleveland that they will continue to seek to meet the goal of 33 1/3% minority firefighters. The Court described the progress made by the city since the first lawsuit was filed on April 3, 1973: “In the 1970s, when the Consent Decree was first put into place, blacks accounted for a mere 4% of the firefighters in the City's Fire Department, but consisted of 40% of the population living in the City. The evidence presented in this matter before the two District Court Judges preceding the undersigned District Court Judge reflected that the hiring practices and statistical disparities of the 1970s caused a near total absence of opportunity for minorities in the City's Fire Department. Hence, at that time, the Consent Decree was implemented as a temporary measure, designed to remedy the then-present and past discrimination. This nation, and the City of Cleveland, have come a long way since then.” In 1975, Federal Judge Krupanky found that the city had unlawfully discriminated against minorities for the FD, and he issued the following order in Headen v. City of Cleveland , No. C73-330 (N.D. Ohio Apr. 25, 1975): “NOW IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: The Defendants and each of them, their agents, employees and all persons in action, concert or participation with them shall refrain from appointing any new firefighters to the Cleveland Fire Department until such time as there is presented to this Court, and approved by this Court: 1. An entrance examination which is demonstrably job-related in a manner consistent with EEOC Guidelines on Employment Selection Procedures; 2. A plan for the concentrated recruitment of minority candidates to take such examination, and all subsequent examinations; 3. A method whereby residents of the City of Cleveland shall be awarded bonus points for their residency on all future examinations in the same manner as is presently being done for the Cleveland Police Department; 4. Revised screening procedures (background, psychological, psychiatric, etc.) such as are job-related, objective and non-discriminatory, to be utilized as part of all future entrance examinations for the Fire Department. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that following the development of, and approval by the Court of a new entrance examination, that all subsequent examinations shall be demonstrably job-related in a manner consistent with the EEOC Guidelines on Employment Selection Procedures.” In 1997, the city and the plaintiffs then entered into a Consent Decree in 1977, and an Amended Consent Decree in 1984: each Consent Decree had a goal of 33 1/3% minority firefighters. In September, 2008 the city filed a motion for an extension of time until 2014 to reach this 33 1/3% goal. It advised the court of a “perfect storm” of events beyond its control, including the DROP retirement program: “The factors cited by the City include: • November 1998: Fire entrance examination held. • September 1999: The 1999 fire eligibility list established. • September 2000: Court orders the 1999 Fire eligibility list "reconstituted" and orders that the Headen ratio for hiring be one minority for every two Caucasians hired. Court also extends Fire eligibility list until September 2002. • October 2000: Fire eligibility list reconstituted as ordered by the Court. • October 2000: 74 cadets assigned to the Fire Training Academy. • February 2001: 57 cadets assigned to the Fire Training Academy. • November 2001: Prospective candidates offered conditional letters of appointment to participate in the Fire Training Academy. However, no Fire Training Academy was held. • September 2002: The 1999 Fire eligibility list expired. • October 2002: 52 Prospective candidates notified that, despite expiration of eligibility list, the prior conditional offer of employment preserves their opportunity for consideration in the next Fire Training Academy under the holding of FOP v. City of Cleveland. • 2003: The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund establishes the DROP program for members of Police and Fire Departments who are eligible to retire. The DROP program allows Police and Firefighters who continue to work to have the equivalent of their retirement benefits paid into a special account that can later be withdrawn in installments or a lump sum. The program requires a minimum three year commitment and is limited to eight years. The net effect is that Police and Firefighters eligible to retire are given a powerful incentive to remain working. As of June 30th of this year, 211 Cleveland Firefighters (all eligible to retire) are participating in the DROP program. • January 2004: 70 Firefighters (all hired from the 1999 eligibility list) are laid-off due to severe budget crises. Division of Fire is reorganized reducing the strength of the division from 976 to 906 members. • January 2004 to April 2007: All Firefighters requesting return from lay-off are re-hired to fill vacancies in the Division of Fire. • March 2008 to September 2008: Division of Fire meets with Public Safety and Civil Service to establish Fire Training Academy for the 2001 candidates and to plan for a 2009 Fire entrance exam to establish the second eligibility list. Letters are sent in May 2008 to the 2001 candidates to determine their interest in attending the next Fire Training Academy. The trial judge concludes that the Consent Decree should be terminated: “The history of this case makes clear that past injustices indeed existed in the City of Cleveland with respect to the hiring of minority firefighters. However, the Court has found that the City has made a good faith effort to comply with the remedy designed to right those wrongs. The evidence demonstrates that it was not the City's lack of effort, but rather circumstances beyond its control, that resulted in it falling short of satisfying the goals in the Second Amended Consent Decree. Based upon the evidence relating to the pending Motions, the Court finds that judicial monitoring is no longer a necessity. Although some may argue that, absent Court intervention, the City may revert back to the practices that gave rise to the original Consent Decree many years ago, there exists nothing in the record to suggest discriminatory practices will resume. A review of the City's good faith effort to comply with the Second Amended Consent Decree reflects that the City currently has in place a foundation that will lead to increased minority representation in the Fire Department once the economy allows for a more routine hiring process to resume. Using a bona fide job-related examination that is nondiscriminatory and continuing with its minority recruitment efforts, qualified minority candidates will have continued success in the hiring process, and the Court is confident that diversity within the Fire Department will continue. In addition, while these Consent Decrees did not quite meet the arbitrary goals set by the parties, they certainly created a framework that allows the City to establish a hiring procedure and process that is nondiscriminatory and fair to ALL applicants -- thereby assuring the citizens of Cleveland that the most qualified applicants are selected, and assuring each candidate that he or she will be selected on the basis of merit, rather than on a judicially-sanctioned race-based formula. Based upon the foregoing, the City's Motion for Extension of Time to Comply with the Headen Decree (ECF # 44) and the Vanguard's Motion to Extend the Terms of the Second Amended Consent Decree (ECF # 45) are DENIED. III. CONCLUSION For the reasons cited herein, the City's Motion for Extension of Time to Comply with the Headen Decree (ECF # 44) and the Vanguard's Motion to Extend the Terms of the Second Amended Consent Decree (ECF # 45) are DENIED. This case is TERMINATED.” Legal Lessons Learned: The city’s good faith compliance with the Consent Decree has carried great weight.

INTERESTING READING FROM THE EEOC. Retaliation All of the laws we enforce make it illegal to fire, demote, harass, or otherwise "retaliate" against people (applicants or employees) because they filed a charge of discrimination, because they complained to their employer or other covered entity about discrimination on the job, or because they participated in an employment discrimination proceeding (such as an investigation or lawsuit). For example, it is illegal for an employer to refuse to promote an employee because she filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC, even if EEOC later determined no discrimination occurred. Retaliation & Work Situations The law forbids retaliation when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.

A firefighters ring with the name Frank Hall was found by some kids at the dock in verplanck. It was for 20 years of service with an unknown department. From 1926-1946. I am sure the name mentioned is not out pulling handlines or driving rigs but a family member might have lost the ring.Please contact me if you might know who the individual is. Thanks jjc

About 10 yrs ago one of the Fire Dept magazines had an article about how unfair and inconsistent the psych tests were, it was interesting because they actually said that across the USA many depts did away with it because of the constant problems. A few yrs ago my job got rid of the Psych test to go along with the other qualifications that were already discarded. Remember-if you have an oral interview with a shrink-they are usually QUACKS themselves! lol

Members of FDMV have retained an attorney to request the 30 yr old Vulcan decree be dissolved. The 50 + members feel that the decree has been satisfied and that the courts should legally decide if the decree should still be in place. To intervene for the purpose to terminate the 1980 decree will help achieve race neutral hiring and promotional practices. Some members could not jump on board in fear of retaliation for future promotions and hiring of other family members. A jun2 court date in Foley Square has been set.

Hang in there guys,lets hope that these positions can be restored somehow!

Take a look and sign the petition to fight to keep standards in FDNY. Merit Matters.com is a sight set up by Deputy Chief Paul Mannix of the FDNY to make all aware how the NY City gov't should fight a recent ruling by a judge to hire those who simply did not make the grade! Why do some feel that lowering standards in the FD think its ok? Are standards lowered to be a lawyer,Doctor,pilot? Please visit the sight and support the fight!

Sources tell me that a lawsuit has been filed recently to "Dissolve" the 30 year old Vulcan Decree that governs the hiring within the Mount Vernon Fire Department. Within the past 8 months 3 similar decrees have been thrown out. I feel that this issue will be watched carefully by many. It has done its job for minority hiring as ordered by the court 30 yrs ago.

Monday morning 6/29 the US Supreme Court will announce the decision on the New Haven 20 case. (see New Haven Register) This ruling can and will have a major impact on hiring practices in all trades if they rule in Favor of NH20. In other words does a city or municipality have the right to discard an exam because there is not any minoritys in reach for hiring or promotions. Carroll vs Mt Vernon update- depositions are now scheduled for july 20,21,22. This is where the truth will hopefully come out. Fire service leaders from FDMV are to be deposed and like I said the truth will come out! Can somebody define "PERJURY" ?

Appeal has been filed!!!

I like this:

Oh, i thought that stood for Ireland ! lol

Kenneth McAllister-The Vulcans was not a party to the lawsuit? " Our Name was used,but it wasn't really our fight". His fight was with the City? I guess the Forged letter from the Vulcan Society President Curtis Bracy must have just appeared in city hall, and those 15 members of the vulcan Society that showed up in city hall that day were all just something i was dreaming about. The attorney for the Vulcans letter that was submitted and then re-tracted after he re-read the decree stating that the complaints filed by the Vulcans had no merit had nothing to do with the Vulcans? I don't know Mac- looks like you guys had alot to do with it all lol THE WORLD IS ROUND BROTHER! More to follow Soon!

For those of you that have been following my case I have to thank you all for the support.In the Journal News Article today some key points in this case were not mentioned just like they weren't even a consideration with the case. 1) The complaint filed by the Attorney for the Vulcan Society was withdrawn 3 days after he submitted them to the Mount Vernon Law Dept. After the Atty for the Vulcans reviewed the decree himself he realized that there was nothing in the decree that stated that the Lieutenants list will be a 2 yr list and also that the Vulcans need to give premission to extend the list. He withdrew the complaint to the law dept. Now ironically the Law Dept who was run by the city atty who at that point was the 1st Vice President of the Black Bar Association of Westchester Co. In the civil service meeting the day that the Vulcan Atty notified the City Atty that there was no merit to the complaint of the Vulcans and he is withdrawing the complaint the City Atty ordered the list to be killed with both the #1 and #2 candidates getting screwed. The city Atty at the civil mtg said there was no investigation conducted! Anyone see a problem here? 2) In the reply to the EEOC the City Atty stated that she was in no "RUSH" to promote two caucasions in fear of litagation from the Westchester Vulcan Society,sound familiar? Like a quote from the US SUPREME COURT staing that in the New Haven case "you can't hold back a list of white guys in fear of litagation alone"! So- here we stand preparing for the Appeals Court 2nd Circuit in NYC. THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER JUST STARTING OVER! LOL

Being a close friend of Jeff Cool (FDNY RES 3) one of the Firefighters injured during that tragic day I feel that all need to be fitted with a system especially if you are a qualified interior member of the FD you serve. This weekend Gene Stolowski (FDNY 27 TRK) another survivor that day, gave a presentation at Stewart FD of the incident. From hearing Jeffs story and now Gene's story they both send a strong message! Along with the message is the fact that Single Room Occupancys (SRO'S) are a hazard that we all may face out there and they should certainly be made aware of. Be safe out there and if you ever get the chance to listen to the "Black Sunday" incident or meet with the guys involved do so!

For the past few yrs working at station #3 in FDMV we have put soda cans under the legs of the beds on the "newguys" as they come into the bunk room they usually are nervous about hittin the rack in fear of missing an alarm, being anxious etc. As they get into the bed the cans collapse in a thundering roar where we all know we got the new guy and yes for minutes after you can hear us all laughing.

Three decree's disolved in about 7 months? More to follow??? White cops get say in decades-old discrimination case Michael P. Mayko, STAFF WRITER Published: 01:07 p.m., Wednesday, April 28, 2010 A federal appeals court Tuesday allowed a group of white Bridgeport police officers to be heard on a proposed order to settle a 32-year-old racial discrimination case brought by black officers against the department. It also gives the officers the ability to challenge any court action in the order that impacts their future by allowing Bridgeport to adjust promotion exams that are believed to discriminate against blacks. But the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New York City -- consisting of Judges Jose A. Cabranes, a former chief district judge in Connecticut; Barrington D. Parker, who sits on several Yale University boards; and U.S. District Judge Carol Amon of Brooklyn, N.Y. -- didn't stop there. The panel questioned why the 32-year-old Guardians case, which resulted in the federal court overseeing operations of the Bridgeport Police Department's dealings with black officers, is still active. Parker, in a strongly worded final paragraph, writes: "this case was filed in 1978 ... the world has turned over many times since then. Except in highly unusual circumstances, it is the business of cities, not federal courts or special masters, to run police departments. At some point in time, this litigation has to be ended." The panel then expressed confidence that U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton, who is presiding over the case, "will look hard for that point." "This is a poster case for so-called reform litigation run amok," said Karen Lee Torre, a New Haven lawyer who obtained intervention for Bridgeport Police Officers Todd Hoben, Jorge Cintron, David Garcia, Mark Belinkie, Mark Graham, Martin Henue, William Reilly and James Borrico, and for Kurt Hoben, who is applying for a police officer position. "This ruling is another positive step toward ending a racket that has gone on for decades and siphoned off millions of taxpayer dollars, all squandered on lawyers and 20 years of payments to the judge's appointed special master, an arrangement the legality of which I look forward to challenging." This ruling comes on the heels of last summer's U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning a federal judge's decision allowing New Haven to retest fire department lieutenant and captain candidates because no blacks scored high enough to be promoted. There are some similarities. Arterton is the presiding judge in the Guardians' case and the New Haven firefighters case while Torre represented the successful white candidates in both. The Supreme Court decision also led to Bridgeport settling a reverse discrimination suit brought by 12 white firefighters, who challenged the rescoring of a 2007 fire lieutenant's exam, which knocked several out of possible promotions. The Bridgeport Guardians, a group of black police officers, sued the city and its police department in 1978 claiming racial discrimination of black officers. Following a trial, Chief U.S. District Judge T.F. Gilroy Daly, now deceased, found widespread discrimination in terms of the assignment, promotion and discipline of black officers. He appointed William Clendenen, a New Haven lawyer, as a special master to oversee the treatment of black officers within the department. Over the decades, Clendenen conducted numerous hearings and wrote several rulings critical of the department and its management. Damages, as well as Clendenen's fees, were paid by Bridgeport. A $900,000 fine was imposed against the city for violating court orders, but never paid. "Throughout this period, the only constant has been that the police department ... has been run under the supervision of a federal court and its special master," Parker wrote. But times have changed. The ruling points out that 15 percent of the supervisors today are black and 32 percent are minorities as compared to 1983, when all supervisors were white. Additionally, two blacks served as police chief in the past decade. "The substance of the 2nd Circuit's ruling is an encouraging sign of an end to this protracted litigation," said Betsy Edwards, an associate city attorney. "The presence of the intervening officers in the remaining stages of this case will assist the Department in moving forward with a shared sense of unity. The city shares the 2nd Circuit's belief that `the business of running police departments is not properly left to federal courts and special masters,' and is confident that the progress that the department has made over the past year will continue and will justify the long overdue conclusion of this federal oversight." Antonio Ponvert, the Guardians' lawyer, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Following a four-hour hearing on Aug. 6, 2008, Arterton accepted a proposed order to end the case, which includes returning authority to the chief in assigning officers to geographical areas, filling 50 percent of the vacancies in specialized units and hearing complaints of racial discrimination. However, Arterton retained oversight of the order's implementation.