FDVA356

Capable of additional manpower from callbacks in good time. Usually have guys back in here ratger quickly. Initial crews would be 3-5.

Montrose VAFD has a Haz Mat/Decon truck (HM3). Trained staff (Advanced Haz Zmat Techs) manned 24/7

It's abuse and a waste of tax payer $$$. Districts/Depts. need better accountability and with that restrictions. It's issued for business and this shouldn't be mistaken with personal business.

As of Monday, November 5, 2012 a crew from the Montrose and Castle Point VA FD's were deployed under the OFPC EOC requests. The crew of 5 Hazardous Material Technician's (split between both dept's to ensure adequate station coverage), deployed this am at 0600hrs for the Nassau County staging area. As of right now, the assignment is for DECON Operations for other Hazardous Materials Teams operating in the effected area's. At this time, both campuses are maintaining staffing without compromising normalcy at both campuses. Be safe and the VAFD's from CPFD/Montrose are glad to be able to assist in this time of need. AC Ferguson: Montrose VAFD "Protecting Those Who Served"

I agree with seling the truck, but bank the $$. VFD doesnt need an aerial with MFD and PFD less then 2 miles away. Just saying.

The standard for non FD vehicles in reference to the standard is very vague. My interpretation is that the standard is for FD vehicles, but I believe it will eventually cover all EMERGENCY VEHICLES at some point. This was a question when I was involved in the committee for a new ambulance in CEMS. So to answer your question, the colors CPD has chosen doesnt relate to the FD standard and they are fine. I'm just glad they improved the safety by adding some more safety striping.

Wasn't me.....I came in on the recall. Great job by all!!!

In a way to better services provided to our Veterans and neighbors, the Montrose VAFD has recently completed the NYS Advanced Hazardous Materials Technician course. To assist the NYS Hazardous Materials Bureau, the class was conducted with 8 members of the Westchester County Hazardous Materials Response Team. The week long 40 hour+ class consisted of two mornings of class room time and the rest of the week was focused on suit time performing various grueling tasks, metering, Identification/Research, Evidence collection, Decon and other valuable educational ways to handle incidents. Various Simulators were on site to provide the students a hands on approach to utilize there skills which was provided by the NYS Haz Mat Bureau. Some of the new skills the course provides includes the following: 1) Chlorine Kits ( A, B and C kits)\ 2) Hot Tapping and Cold Tapping 3) Transferring Liquids and gases 4) Containment 5) Bonding and Grounding operations 6) Evidence collection The course was a success and I would like to the members of the Westchester County Team that were able to attend the class with the VAFD. I would also like to extend a Special Thanks to the NYS Haz Mat Bureau and there well educated/professional instructors. The class will benefit all who attended and will also provide a higher level of training and service to our Veterans and neighbors. Keep in mind FDVA is available 24/7 to serve anyone who requests. **Side Note: Castle Point VAFD (Dutchess County) also conducted this level of training 2 years ago as well.** James E. Ferguson Assistant Chief Montrose VAFD "Protecting Those Who Served"

Montrose VAFD: 607 incidents

Thats exactly what I was getting at, the incidents that happen at Croton Point, Georges Island, Croton Dam and the contracted Cortlandt area. So rather then getting a car from south end of county (county PD), they maybe coming from the closer Town of Ossining. Well, anyway thanks for your comments and I forward to see how the transition goes, but I'm sure it will be great for the community in long run. Consolidation seems like the way to go, save the tax payer $$ and cuts down on duplicating resources. Maybe EMS and FD can start doing the same in the future in this area.

The Village of Ossining PD dispatches Osisining FD, OVAC and the Tri-Community Fly Car not the Town PD. Question: Maybe Chris can answer this. In the event of the County PD or say Croton PD requesting additional County units to the Parks of our area, is this going to strip the Town assigned County units or will they come from the greater distances?

Glad the crew is ok!!! Note: while serving my term as Lieutenant at Croton EMS (after split from CFD) one of our first purchases and additions were CO meters for the 1st in bags that go in with the crew every call (or supposed to). In addition we also purchased the RAD 57 pulse oximeters/CO detection device. This day in age, we should have these neccessary items. No excuse!!! As a proactive agency I'm sure OVAC already is working on this as well as other ways to improve their already excellent operations.

Yes the box with the BLUE strobe on it is the knox box. Which CFD has equipped every piece of aparatus with. Hopefully the program will take off which further allows quicker access at incidents.

Mr. Flynn- in reference to your concerns, I totally understand but I have to say CEMS just like any other agency around us aims to provide the best patient care. If you need response times etc. you will have to get a hold of a CEMS officer as this isn't something I would have access to at this time. Prior to leaving the agency, times were being worked on and they were under the National standard of I believe 8 mins (if I remember correctly). I also have relatives and friends living in Croton and I can assure you that CEMS has put the community as the top priority, I can assure you of that. Just like Croton FD, CEMS is an excellent agency that delivers the best service to our neighbors. Like any other agency, items will always need attention, no ones perfect. If you have any other questions, check on the Village of Croton website and email one of the officers of CEMS if you have concerns or questions. I have to agree though, it maybe time to look at some alternatives/changes to handle issues at hand, and if it's hiring a emt or crew so be it. But I'm confident that CEMS and the Village of Croton will make the best decision for the community.

Staffing- well in the begining of the new agency, we discussed pager call vs. duty hours and actually were able to do both. Either yoy make I believe 7% of calls or 24 hours a month. The duty hours is a great concept but never really worked since most of the members of CEMS were so used to pager calls. At this present time the agency probably 40+ members I believe, and like any other agency 6-10 are really carrying the agency and this includes a Top Responder EMT who is 83 years young. I give him tremendous credit, but like I've always said, if every one of the 40+ members did their minimum at the least the agency wouldn't have an issue. Anyway, I give credit to any volunteer member these days, as training requirements have increased along with call volume and throw in our busy lifestyles of 2 or even 3 jobs. I hope I answered your staffing question.

I will be the third to say that I'm no longer a member of CEMS and hopefully CEMS officers will address this issue. If I had an idea of whats wrong it's part of the following: Recruitment/Retention: as 3 of the ones commenting on this thread are EX members for whatever reasons I have to say the agencies need to be more proactive in retaining their quality members. Secondly, Recruitment is tough due to the requirements, training, maintaining EMT certification, times needed to be a member (calls, meetings, standby's, training etc) Leadership??? Maybe an issue, possibly need to look at the big picture and make a change to make a difference. Anyway, I have to say Croton EMS from the beginning has been a quality agency and this is probably just a bump in the road. Due to increased call volume, training etc. it maybe time to experiment and obtain idea's from other agencies that had or have a problem and work it out. Several volunteer EMS agencies have been proactive and decided to put career staff on the rigs (Peekskill, OVAC, Harrison, Somers) and it has had a dramatic difference in the level and quality of care. Believe me I'm not taking anything away from Volunteers as I'm a proud one as well, but something needs to be done to ensure timely patient care. In EMS, minutes could be the deciding factor in the ultimate definitive result of the emergency. As in life or death. Hopefully this can remain a thread that can aid in the solutions of the issues on hand and not only help Croton but other communities facing the same issue.

This rig will replace the remounted truck like ambulance which will go to Croton PD for their Emergency Response Team (tactical, dive and investigation unit). So yes Seth it replaces the Ford/Marque. As a member of the committee, the committee did a fine job and I wish CEMS the best of luck with the new unit, as I'm no longer affiliated. Hopefully, CEMS will do what we had planned to do, and alternate the rigs monthly to extend the life of the rigs. Good luck with the new rig, and give JT the credit for the UFO type emergency lighting..lol It's definitely a tremendous difference in safety as in lighting and the reflective striping over CEMS present rigs.

This week the Montrose VAFD completed their Annual Hazardous Materials refresher to continue to be proficient in our skills. With the cooperation from NYS Hazardous Materials Bureau, Instructor James Shine provided the in depth and hands on training with the mandated 16hours over the last two days. The boys at the Montrose VAFD practiced and were evaluated on their proficiency utilizing monitoring equipment (AHURA, Multi-Rae, Biosystems, Radiological Instruments) and also went in depth and were quizzed on the didactic portion conducted by Mr. Shine. The refresher is completed annually to keep us on our toes in the subject of Hazardous Materials. Assistant Chief/Municipal Training Officer James Ferguson has already been in contact with the Bureau in scheduling 2011's next step to improve our services as we will be conducting training on Advanced Hazardous Materials Techinician level. With the input from everyone at the Montrose VAFD we have been provided with a lengthy list of equipment that Chief Edwin Byrnes and Emergency Manager Robert Porter have made a huge dent in the "needed equipment list" and have acquired funds to better equip our unit Haz Mat 3. Montrose VAFD looks forward to continue to be "Protecting Those Who Served" for our country and our neighbors. Staffed 24 hours a day 365 days a year. James E. Ferguson Assistant Chief/MTO

Looks like a well thought out rig. Good luck!!

The Emergency Services has changed so much since I joined as a volunteer in the early 90's. The field we all have become a part of, is a ever changing field and you have to stay up with the training or else it could result in injury to yourself or someone else. It's a neccessity to expand your knowledge and polish skills, and if it's become a burden on people, it's time to reconsider what you got yourself into. Standards have changed for a reason, something previously failed causing injury or death and the standards are a minimum way to work. Yes a MINIMUM, at this point in the game we should all have the proper standards for training etc. from the Probie to the Chief Officer, and no such word"greatfathering" should be used. That's a ridiculous word and practice. If you don't meet the proper MINIMUM standard, work to obtain it or there's the door.

I believe your probably talking about the Montrose fire today. Montrose E 122 was actually on scene first, within minutes after dispatched and started a agressive interior attack and sizing up the situation. Montrose VAFD E 225 was minutes after, due to the timely request of the MPO of E122 who has the knowledge of what resources are available. I have to say all involved did a hell of a job and worked excellent together!!! Great job!!!

I would assume they store their"apartment packs" their William. It proveds for quick and easy access, rather then stuffing in a cabinet. And below suction hose, looks like pike pole holders.

I totall agree Chris, we are our worst enemies.

Looks like a nice "PRACTICAL" rig. What is the overall length, and the seating capacity is it 2 seater or a bench type seat which would seat 3? If you don't mind me asking, whats the price range? Good luck with the new addition.

Ah, EMS.....It's gotten totally ridiculous. I agree with every point made by REMEMBER585 as we have worked many calls together same with ALS. As an EMS officer for CEMS, I feel like a drastic change needs to be made, as in if we can't fill the duty roster, hire a emt or crew so we can provide the best timely patient care that we can. Thats what we are supposed to be their for correct?? It's time to do what we should be doing, COVERING CALLS 100% OF THE TIME, not 95% or whatever each agency is doing. My question is why isn't the County EMS coordinators stepping in or even NYS DOH, maybe it's time for that, so changes can be implemented. Speaking from my experiences, the agency I'm actively involved in has attempted and has made progress, but we are still in need of changing our ways and dropping PRIDE/TRADITION and make the needed changes. Suck it up, and hit your issues as in answering 100% of your calls. It's ridiculous that the medics and some FD first responder agencies, are waiting up to 1 hour for a ambulance to arrive I speak from first hand on this and its mind boggling that we continue to allow this to happen. 1 hour??? This is definitely an issue in reference to getting our customers (patients) the timely medical care possible that they need. Bottom line, change is needed now let's step up to the plate and make the changes. As much as we all think our agencies are succeeding, were totally wrong!!! Theres always room for improvement, and to those agencies that have improved keep it up, but let's think reality and once we cover 100% of our calls. Then at that time we can say we succeeded. Until then, keep your mouthes shut and let's make a difference and improve overall patient care. Whether it be volunteer or career staffing. Both jobs do a hell of a job, and no one should knock those volunteering their precious spare time. But with the economy and members having 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet, its hard and we need to really think about what we are doing, and if it's for the best for our customers. Those of you doing what they can, keep it up but theirs always room for impreovement. I come from both sides of the field VOLUNTEER and CAREER, so I hope I didnt' piss off anyone. It's no bad blood towards either side, just need to make necessary changes ASAP. Jim Ferguson 1st Lieutenant- CROTON EMS Career Firefighter/EMT FDVA EMT/Driver Cortlandt VAC