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Has anyone purchased, tried, or seen a Chromebook yet?

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/article/20111106/NEWS03/111060365/Rockland-towns-fire-crews-forge-housing-heroes?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

I think they have to request a certified copy, and then provide you with one, if I'm not mistaken.

I'm wondering feasible it would be to place as many power lines as possible in Westchester underground? Given the enormous cost of each storm, ongoing tree maintainence, etc, must cost Con Ed millions. In additions, it also has a high economic toll on businesses and homes in Westchester. Although this would have an enormous cost, would it eventually (long term) be a cheaper solution? Spread over the long term, if we added in at least one major incident like this current one a year, for the next 30 years, how much would the estimated total be? And how much could a potential power underground project benefit the electrical delivery system, even if only placed in high risk areas? Note: Flood prone areas are not applicable

Isn't it a legal liabilty if something goes wrong if you are a Chief on scene just observing? Wouldn't they hold the highest person in the department that established command on the scene liable?

Just a friendly reminder that the clocks fall back one hour TONIGHT for daylight savings times. This means you either get an extra hour of sleep, an extra hour of pay, or if you're lucky, both! And, just as important, please change your smoke and CO detector batteries even if they "don't need it". There's no harm in putting fresh batteries in. If your agency has a Facebook page, email list, or website, please post this important possibly lifesaving information. And for those calls you respond to tonight and always.....make sure that they have smoke detectors with working batteries! If not, keeps some smoke detectors, and CO detectors if possible, and a variety of batteries with you for those who need it.

Just an interesting side read....the dangers of tree trimming... http://www.lohud.com/article/20111105/NEWS01/111050353/Tree-trimming-injuries?odyssey=mod|mostview

Oh, I've heard the stories, lol. Didn't they have Yonkers and Mount Vernon, too? Because the population on the campus was so high during the daytime hours, or at least that's what I was told. It also used to deplete Hawthorne and Vahalla VAC's resources routinely around 2002-ish. I don't know when this ambulance started, someone here know? They also have their own Fire Brigade, and I don't know if WCPD staffs Post 25 anymore?

So, what, the days of major infastructure projects projects are over? No more aquducts to be built or refubrbished? No bridges to be built or replaced? No highways to be overhauled? No upgrades to electric and communications delivery systems to meet today's technology and needs, or maintain such? No new power plants to be built? No water mains to replace or repair? Every system has it's problems and flaws. Just because New Rochelle has been having problems in one particular area for over 10 years now, shouldn't negate a proposal. Also, Cablevision and Verizon were able to basically restring Westchester County with fiber optic cable. Maybe if someone had some forethought, all companies could have worked together and placed all the lines underground. What were the problems AKA excuses not to do it when the telephones poles were originally installed?

Some more info: Empress will be providing Specialty Care Transportation and Grasslands Campus ambulance services for WMC. I know that the hard work and dedication of ALL Empress EMS employees made this possible. Although some may choose to disagree, Empress is not driven by profit. They have their ups and downs, but time and time again they always come out on top. They have never really made a true profit, and when they do have money, they always reinvest in something that betters the company, such as the SOD team. Empress held the original WCMC contract in the 90's, before at the time the first generation Transcare took over about 1998'ish. Empress also provided critical care transportation at that time, and staffed the then new Stat-Flight with flight paramedics. (All photos of the original Stat-Flight have an Empress logo on them) I was employed by Empress from 1997-2000, and still to this day have many friends who have worked or currently work there. Even though I no longer work there, Empress has helped me when I needed it. Empress has had it's tragedies, but those who currently work there and the alumni have always banded together to help one another, even other agencies when they've needed support. It's really a family. Kudos to Empress EMS on this awesome new contract.

Wealthy areas in Northern Westchester. More money, more larger houses, less hydrants. Long term common sense sees the decline in manpower, and the increasing need for multiple tankers. Given the purchase of Tankers, upkeep, insurance, training, maybe one day staffing,would that make them obsolete? Would an Engine being able to hook into a hydrant reduce the amount of manpower and equipment needed, and deliver water faster? The cost is pretty high, the long term as well, but I think there is a good case to be made to the wealthy. Even though it is "rural", is it really? Isn't it just less dense suburbia? Why?

I always enjoy reading about your very unqique and dangerous job. I couldn't imagine doing it. You do a great job presenting each one, and I look forward to the next..... I also appreciate the time you spend to write these to share with all of us here on EMTBravo. Thank you.

A little far, but....... http://www.cffjac.org/go/jac/cpat/

I believe they will be fufilling all of Metrocare's duties relating to WMC.

During a firestorm, sprinklers are not going to do anything. It's like putting a garden hose on an Oil Refinery fire.

I'm not saying this has to be done immediately. This could be a gradual plan that takes 30-40 years to implement. It doesn't have to be all at once, nor does it have to be for everyone. As far as the study in Florida, many reasons why it failed was because of the high water table and the high content of salt in the water. Nowadays, they make coatings that repel salt and are completly resistant to it. North Carolina's study does not compare because of the differences between the state and Westchester. If you look at the true cost, how much is Con Ed paying per storm? How much impact does it have on local businesses, especially resturants, which could lose thousands in spoiled food alone. My point is to STRATEGICALLY place underground lines, especially feeders, so when there is a storm, it's faster to get power back on. There is a lot of technology and methods out there nowadays to be able to place these lines. When they were placing fire hydrants back in the day, how much did that cost and how did they justify it?

Interesting story. http://rt.com/usa/news/cops-gas-scott-smithfield-341/ The dramatic point is understandable, but all it takes is one legit call for the department and city to be in deeper financial trouble...

Georgetown is a great town to live, especially if you like outdoor recreational oppurtunites, with have all the amentites of a city nearby. Cost of living is cheap, and the economy is still strong relatively. The FD is very progressive, and a complete expansion of one of their 4 stations, Station 2, just broke ground. Two new fire stations are planned, each to house an Engine, Brush Truck, and another a Quint and Tender. Come down here for the weekend, it's worth the shot! Email me for details at seth@emtbravo.com for details if you're serious about coming down to test and getting out of all the BS in the northeast. Job Title: Firefighter Closing Date/Time: Fri. 10/28/11 11:59 PM Central Time Salary: $35,000.00 - $36,268.00 Annually Job Type: Full Time Location: Fire Department - Georgetown, Texas Department: Fire Operations FLSA: Non-exempt position, eligible for overtime compensation. Pay Grade: Civil Service Pay Scale Hiring Range: $35,000 per year (Fire Cadet) $36,268 per year (Firefighter) Work Schedule: Varies Special Notes for Applicants: The written examination is scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2011. Approximately the top 100 applicants will move forward to the physical agility course scheduled for the afternoon of November 12 and Sunday, November 13. More information regarding the hiring process, agility course, and written examination is posted on our website: http://civilservice.georgetown.org/fire-careers/firefighter-test-information/

Whatever happened to accountability? No, I'm NOT talking about scene safety. I'm talking about being acountable for YOUR actions. It seems, in certain climates, that people would rather point fingers and come up with knee jerk defenses, or ignore the issue at all, then take personal responsiblity for what they did. It's very apparent on this forum. For instance, say I screwed up on a call. I'm going to own my mistake. Everyone makes them. How can I get any better, or my agency get any better, if I am not accountable for my actions? I hate seeing people throwing around blame. I never hear on this forum "I don't go to as many calls as I should...I want to help and particpate, but only when I have free time". Or, "I didn't take training that was available to me that could have saved that life or structure". Or "That training or idea or method worked great...let's try it here" or "I screwed up....I'm going to take this class again as a refresher, it's been a while" or "We don't see enough calls here to stay proficient, so I can use tips from other guys who are with busier departments". Or, "Why do we need that new $700,000 Engine when we can't even get a crew out the door". Why don't we try to do more with less?" People put out fires, not equipment. Why should it be someone else's responsiblity to be doing things that you know you should be doing? What standard are you holding yourself to? Your contributions to your agency or system make it what it is. Realize that, and take some ownership in what you are doing. If someone else is saying something about it, and you did the right thing, you will have nothing to hide. It's those who get very defensive about their agencies or other personel that worries me. There seems to be two schools of people....those who truly remember that they are there to serve the public, and do their best to give the public the life safety they deserve....and then there are those who are so consumed with the idea of authority and driving vehicles with bright flashy lights and "look at me" egos and superiority complexes and don't realize the value of personel. Those who are truly in this field for the right reasons hold themselves accountable. Those who don't should quit.

As several people have pointed out, MEDICAL PRIORTY DISPATCHING, a component of EMD, has been shown to effectively select the right resources and send them in the right response mode, according to local medical direction and protocol, if you have a tiered system. The ONLY answer to this is a single, County based dynamic Careeer ALS (dual Medic) ambulance system. Solves everything. Just need a good salesperson. To assist in funding, also do ALL the transfers in the County, like BLS takehomes. For instance, this system is in a County comprable to Westchester in size. It is a model nationwide, has won numerous high profile awards and accredetations, and is always being looked at as a model for EMS agencies around the nation. http://www.wilco.org/CountyDepartments/EMS/tabid/453/language/en-US/Default.aspx And, you can have the best EMS system in the world, but if you don't have the best people and retention rates, it's nothing. The above agency starts at $60,000 a year, 23 year retirement, and an entrance exam in which only 8% pass the first component. And your job is also based on performance, and poor customer service is NOT tolerated in any manner. Burnout is a personal issue, not an agency issue, since it was you that chose the career and place to work. Don't like the job anymore, leave. You are not doing anyone any good. And if you take care of your agency, the agency will take care of you. There is no punitive discipline or supervisor is after you mentality or actions. You go out there, do your best and give every call your all, you will have a succesful career. So your not only getting a ride to the hospital, but the best quality of care from people who actually want to do the job no matter what the call is and have an interest in making the system the best.

It's been resolved recently, but still another interesting financial story: http://www.thecherokeean.com/news/2011-11-02/Front_Page/Back_in_force.html

Westchester EMS has no affiliation with the County Of Westchester. They are owned by Stellaris Health, a cooperative owned by Northern Westchester Hospital, Phelps, White Plains, and Lawrence Hospitals. (which is why the lettering is on the side of their ambulances.) 45-M-1: Mount Kisco (HQ) opposite Holiday Inn 45-M-2: Somers Lincolndale Firehouse 45-M-3: Lewisboro VAC WEMS runs a transport ambulance, or if a supervisor is on duty, they can run as 45-M-4. When one medic goes out, the other two are mobile and repostioned. As long as 60 Control EMD's each call, the first responders get there with an AED and solid CPR, that makes a HUGE difference. The call volume isn't there, and the municipality's don't even want to pay for ALS in the first place. Often,the Medics arrive before or with the first responders. Plus, with solid BLS and competent EMT's, they can do a proper patient assesment and cancel ALS. Also, as a rule of thumb, Norwalk is sometimes closer and will send an ambulance to Vista IF available (Vista actually used to be in CT)

I don't see what the issue is. 70 and sunny here. Mowed my lawn today. We'd be happy to take the snow off your hands...need the water!

As SRS131EMTFF mentioned, Mount Vernon is lending the 1989 E-One Tower, former Ladder 3 and current Ladder 64, to Hartsdale FD for "long term use".

A friend of mine wrote this piece for the Georgetown TX FD website, and it is posted here with permission. http://fire.georgetown.org/operations/rank-structure/