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Funeral Arrangements for Mount Vernon FF Kevin Townes Firefighter Kevin Townes died in the line of duty on December 8, 2011 while operating at box 5171 for a fire in the basement of a private residence located at 124 Lorraine Avenue. Born: March 30, 1957 Appointed: September 20, 1986 Died Line of Duty: December 8, 2011 Funeral Arrangements are as follows: The wake and visitation service will be held on Wednesday December 14, 2011 at Camelot Funeral Home 174 Stevens Avenue from 4 PM to 8 PM. The funeral service will be conducted on Thursday December 15, 2011 at Grace Baptist Church 52 South 6th Ave at 11 AM. All visiting fire departments and personnel should assemble no later than 10:30 AM for the funeral service. You will be directed as to where to park and where to assemble.

Charles Gardner named new Yonkers police commissioner http://www.lohud.com/article/20111209/NEWS02/112090312/Charles-Gardner-named-new-Yonkers-police-commissioner?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Westchester County, New York

Yorktown cops, fire officials grill power companies at Ball storm response forum http://www.lohud.com/article/20111209/NEWS02/112090314/Yorktown-cops-fire-officials-grill-power-companies-Ball-storm-response-forum

I have been very confused by how NYC 911 operates nowadays. For the PD, does the calltaking, from where, and where do they dispatch from? How many calltakers/dispatchers are they running per shift? Same question for the FD and EMS? Who are their calltakers, where are they housed, and who dispatches them from where? Also, do EMS Calltakers employ EMD? I've heard so many stories and so many changes that when someone aks I really don't know how to explain it anymore, llol.

I am shocked waking up to this. I don't know what to say right now, other then thoughts and prayers.

I'd check our sister site, EMTBravoWest.com http://www.EMTBravoWest.com

One of the main goals of this site is the ability to learn and share. Regardless of all the various issues that occur, essentially, if you close your browser at the end of your visit to this site and have learned something or contributed knowledge that others want to know or learn from, then we have done our jobs by providing the place to do so. Help us accomplish that goal we've had since Day 1 eight years ago, and continue to foster that enviroment. Ignore any issues that you may have with this site-life is too short and our time too precious to hold grudges, especially in our line of work. Even if you don't like this site but visit anyways, brush that all off and pick out what you can learn from. And pass along the knowledge that you may have that could really help someone out along outside this forum. If you have something you can teach or lend your knowledge to, please do. All of us are on this site for ONE common reason.....we love what we do, and we love helping others no matter how heated things may get between us. Make this site what you want it to be and know it can be. I've seen this site do incredible things, and you guys are what has made that happen. Let's keep that up. Thanks again to all the members who actively particpate and help us achieve our goals. And I must end this with my deepest gratitude for the staff members who volunteer hundreds of hours of their own time help to guide this site, even through rough seas 24/7. I wouldn't be able to run this site without y'all (members AND staff working together) Seth G. Founder & Executive Director The EMTBravo Group I strongly encourage anyone to contact me, 24/7/365, with any issues, ideas, questions, complaints,concerns, whatever, via my email which is seth@emtbravo.com

A lot of municipal EMS systems that once had problems similar to NYC*EMS pre-1996 and stuck it out have found leadership to turn themselves around to become some of the top EMS agencies in the Country. I guess it's all about leadership, funding, and priorities. FDNY*EMS is a division, but everyone who isn't familiar always asks if they respond from a firehouse, and that they have the impression that they are firefighters. And the EMS people find it unbelievable that it is a 5 day 8 hour day workweek. Personally, regardless of who operates the system, I think the whole "FDNY*EMS" name gives more credit to the FD and firefighters in the public's eye then the "NYC*EMS" name and what that would portray. And EMS should be a career, and not a pathway into becoming a firefighter. Thank you for posting the logic, ny10570, I find it very interesting as to you setting the story straight and giving some pre and post merger comparisons, as well as current models. I just want to note that I am not in any way disagreeing with you, just adding my small take on just a part of the issue.

True heroes. Often it is forgotten that this was the first of this type of attack on the United States, something that by today's standard would be somewhat terrorism. I hope to visit Pearl Harbor one day to pay my respects. Thanks for reminding us, Ken.

Congrats, Barry. I/we all appreciate the knowledge you bring to this forum and continue to look forward to your posts, and seeing who's next to break 1,000. I'm glad the point system is working out well. The members who really contribute knowledge and great posts correllate to higher point counts. I myself look at the points to help determine the credibilty or knowledge of the member. As far as the raise, I keep asking myself for one and keep getting denied...which is my other problem, lol.

In this month's "Mens Journal" magazine Dec 2011/Jan 2012, an article on page 61 entitled "Man in the River" features the swiftwater rescue of five rafters, and describes the situation and emergency response. There are also several photos of members who were on scene. I strongly reccomend picking it up. I'd like to hear what members on scene think of the article, because it think it's a very well written piece. It's very cool that this was featured in an higly regarded national magazine that's read by thousands of people.

Here's a link to the story: http://www.mensjournal.com/man-in-the-river

I'm not joking with this, although a lot of humor can be made of this situation. How do we get rid of egos in the fire service? Is it even possible? If we can't get around egos, is there a way to work around those egos? I'm interested to hear everyone's view on this. Seems to be one of the worst problems in the fire service.

I've got some questions based on another thread. What services does Ossining provide nowadays? Specifically: -How many ambulances, how are they staffed, and are they ALS or BLS? -How many runs per year -How many active volunteers (enough to fully staff an ambulance? -How many 36 Medic's do they run? -How does their company they contract out run? Are their other services? -What brand ambulance do they use, and what brand is the newest? -Does their current headquarters fit all the apparatus?

Now that I look at Westcheser from the outside and living in an area that is extremly dedicated and well funded for emergency services, it brings a new perspective to me. The more I read, the more things don't make sense. Where are the real priorities? It seems like many agencies concentrate more on themselves and their problems instead of focusing on how they can deliver better service to their "customers". Many of the Fire, Police, and EMS agencies in Westchester County (for the purpose of this discussion) share the same problems. How many millions of dollars and time wasted by putting temporary band aids on problems? At what point will people realize that the answer to some of the common problems is to address them in a unified fashion? While consolidation may not be viable right now, working together should be. Setting one standard for all agencies to voluntarily comply to would be a start. Of many things it would initially impact would be interoperability, something that is talked about but most people it seems think that interoperabilty means just radios. Radios that work together are only a very small part of it.

Didn't FDNY used to have "Squads" for manpower purposes? Maybe that's what the area needs, a EMT flycar to fill gaps, lol.

Thanks, guys. It's interesting to note that Phelps also is part of the consortium that runs Westchester EMS (Stellaris Health), and also has Phelps markings on their ambulance. As far as the company, don't they have some sort of setup where they call themselves Mid-Hudson EMS or something to that effect, and that is the company that provides the EMT to Croton?

So, basically, you are taking a Paramedic out of service to ride in a BLS call? I agree with you completly about infastructure issues. However, public safety must trump everything. Actually, much of the growth down here is planned for, and paid for, ahead of time. The government is extemly supportive of emergency services, and they usually take top priority. Also, the citizens actually care, and customer service is a huge part of operations. They have 5 year plans, 10 year plans, etc. They have fiscal foresight. There are also towns that thrived in the past from agriculture, industry and the railroad. Many of these towns have done a great job in reinventing themselves. There is tons of small business. There's also many reasons why our economy is thriving comparitively, and therefore growing. As far as the transit scandal, it was sensionalized. It basically was straightened out quickly and involved private contractors. They are already planning more light and heavy rail systems. I don't EVER believe it will be like Westchester, especially if you compare the history between the two communities.

Awesome! It's a nice reminder of how caring the fire service can be, and how uplifitng it was for him. Shows that firefighters are still role models for kids and that includes everyone. Class act by the Hughsonville FD. Thanks for sharing the photos.

I seem to have forgotten what VAC's have paid daytime coverage, hours, and if applicable, what is their employing agency? Thanks!

Alright, I'm dropping the Peekskill thing so we don't go off topic after this comment. I'm not current on the operations, but I trust the people who say the system works. I'm also not going to mention other systems for the same reasons. Getting back to Croton again, I still believe one EMT on an ambulance is half the equation, and that shouldn't settle the issue. As I said earlier, I live in a county, like many in the area, that runs a countywide career ambulance system operated and funded by the same county. Response times are excellent. FD remains fully staffed at 3-4 firefighters. And I pay 1/4 the taxes I did in Westchester. I admit I am looking at the situation not being involved it anymore and from a different persepective, but I still think that every ambulance that rolls out the door should be ALS, especially in one of the wealthiest county's in the nation. Everybody in Westchester is facing the same issues with EMS, yet handling it in their own way. It still seems to me that getting out the door is more important than a rapid response and excellent patient care.

So, then, Engine 130 really isn't needed, and can be replaced by a Squad type of unit like this that can respond to fire or EMS calls? http://x635photos.com/displayimage-2531.html Wouldn't just an across the board standard to work torwards be all staffed ALS ambulances in Westchester? Port Chester, Yonkers (tiered), Scarsdale, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, White Plains, Grasslands, Ossining, and Harrison are some of the systems that have first out or more ambulances that are ALS staffed by an EMT and Paramedic. Most of our neighboring systems in CT.....Stamford, Norwalk, and Greenwich have all ALS ambulances. Can we learn from these agencies and how their systems came to be? In reality, all Croton is paying for is a driver to get the ambulance to the scene. But, how long until a proper crew arrives on scene and can transport, especially in trauma cases?

No disresepect, just questions- I'm growing more and more out of touch with changes since 2007. Do you still have to take an Engine company out of service to provide ALS to another community? Or do you currently run an ALS Engine company (I know that was a goal at one point)? If the Engine does go out of service for ALS, is another Engine moved up to cover that station? And, if the Station/Engine could afford to go out of service for ALS calls, is that Engine even needed if the flycar is the priority?

But, EMS shouldn't be about the money or, in this case, about staffing. What are the response times for when the ambulance, not anyone else, arrives on scene and makes patient contact? What is the average duration of a call, from dispatch to back in quarters? As mentioned, most Croton calls are BLS, how many are ALS? What is the response time for ALS? What is the response time if 36-M-1 is committed on another call? Also, what is the experience level and competencies of the EMT's if recruitment and retention are an issue? Is there a QA/QI process for Croton VAC, including any patient that was assesed by ALS and may have been "BLS's"?

Technically, they do. The same company they are contracting for an EMT with runs the 36-Medics, and is owned by Ossining "VAC". If Briarcliff Manor, which also has a paid EMT, would also just add a Medic, you'd have a full self-sufficient ambulance (except for when backup is needed for cardiac arrests, etc). Instead of doing things right the first time, why do people drag out the inevitable? It only puts a temporary band aid on the problem. The Flycar system, in many places, is antiquated. You're putting another vehicle on the road, that adds increased liability, and more costs, such as maintainence and fuel. How many thousands upon thousands of dollars are wasted, and lives lost, because people don't want to just do things right. EMS is a profession, not just a ride to the hospital nowadays. I don't know the current protocols in Westchester, but Paramedcis can give thrombolytics, induced hypothermia for MI's/Cardiac Arrest and strokes, adminster pain meds, etc. And a lot of these only work with a reasonable response time. We're not going to save everyone, but we can at least give them the best chance possible. It's time to stop putting band aids on the problems. Communities deserve more. Hiring people to "just get the ambulance out the door" is just not right.