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I agree with many of your points. I posted this only for discussion. This department places a lot of emphasis on company officers to be leaders. While it does make the Battalion Chief's duties sound administrative, it is a large part of the job. The Battalion Chief only responds on larger calls. He has to make sure that he has 2 Texas Forest Service certified firefighters assigned and available for a 7 day deployment on instantaneous notice, for example. He has to make sure that one engine has a Paramedic on it. Has to make sure the Rescue is manned. Make sure the HazMat unit is manned. Making sure that each district has coverage if an engine is assigned to training. Keep up with all the other responsiblities. Basically, the logistics of the entire shift falls on their shoulders. Do you really need a Battalion Chief responding on every alarm, or can a Captain or Lt. handle most of the Command duties? You don't need supervisors supervising supervisors, no one learns that way. There is a great deal of emphais placed on leadership development. The Officers train just as much as the firefighters. The Dispatchers are pretty on the ball, and if it sounds like a serious incident where ICS will be needed, then they respond. The Battalion Chief may run with a aide, especially if they are training. There is a Safety/Training Battalion that covers that end of the stick. 4 Stations, fully staffed, with a variety of specialized apparatus cross-staffed. No brownouts, would not even consider it as that is a threat to firefighter and public safety. The Annual Report is quite interesting: http://fire.georgetown.org/files/2010/04/2011-Annual-Report-optimized.pdf

Here's the entire rank structure, for context reasons: http://fire.georgetown.org/operations/rank-structure/

Your salary is a base salary. It doesn't include overtime or other stipends. It goes up quite nicely.Pay also depends on performance. If you want to be a slouch and just sit around the firehouse, you're not going to make much. If you want to train and particpate in other FD activities, you will be compensated accordingly. City benefits and retirement are awesome. Check out the FD page, a lot of neat stuff: http://fire.georgetown.org/ Cost of living is MUCH lower then the NY Metro area. You can afford to live in the same community in which you work. You can get a decent or new house from anywhere in the $90,000 to $150,000 range and taxes about $3,000 a year if you live in Georgetown. Keep in mind there is NO state income tax, and you live close to work, which lowers commuting costs. If you live north or west or east, you can have even more land, a bigger house, and lower taxes. And, if you're so inclined, you can even build your own house. Georgetown is a really great community to live in. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown,_Texas Also, broke ground on Station 5 this week. Will house an Engine and Truck company. The station will also serve as the city's EOC. An Apparatus Operator (step below Lt and can fill in for Lt), a Lt, and 2 firefighters will be assigned to each apparatus. A brush truck will also be housed at this location

Kyle Chandler, the Emmy Award winner for hism role as Coach Taylor on "Friday Night Lights" (which was filmed at various locations in Austin, AKA Dillon), appears in the new commercial for the Texas volunteer fire service, which is much different then other volunteer systems. It's very to the point, and I like it.

It has already snowed in Texas, we beat you to it, NY! Amarillo, a city in the panhandle section of the state, recieved 6" this morning.

Is that Ridge Hill, in the city of Yonkers?

As of today, they MAY be running an ALS Engine or Quint company for a large retirment community, or a new Engine company out that way. So if you're a Paramedic, then that's in your favor. As is being a Military vetran coming from Iraq or Afghanistan through Fort Hood. As far as residency requirements, you must live in the State Of Texas at time of hire. They work 24/48 A B and C shifts. There is a VERY strict list of disqualifiers as well, so read carefully: http://civilservice.georgetown.org/fire-careers/fire-disqualifiers/ You have to be on top of your game, period. BTW, jetBlue and American Airlines fly direct to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Delta flies direct from LaGuardia. Continental flies direct from Newark. If you take the toll road when you get here, the closest hotels near the testing sites are only a 1/2 hour away. It's a very well run, organized process.

Siddons-Martin Fire Apparatus, the Pierce dealer for the entire State Of Texas, has it's own brand of brush trucks, the Siddons "Skeeter", altough some other model names may be out there. They build abot 40 trucks a year now, and starting to increase, out of a manfacturing facility in Kirby, TX (just outside San Antonio). Due to the recent wildfires, they have several orders for brush trucks, including a large state contract for the TIFMAS system (Texas INTRAstate Mutual Aid System), which are placed with FD's strategically throughout the state and are deployed with taks forces. One of the most recent deliveries are (2) Ford F-550 4x4/Siddons Skeeter t5 Brush Trucks to Pflugerville, TX FD:

Here's some more spec shots from the manufacturer's webpage. Didn't have a chance to photograph this evening because they were lining up and just about to leave for the "Pink Heals" Firefighter's Parade leading in the pink fire engines and fundraising celebration in the square with the Georgetown FD Bag and Pipes,food, etc. I hope to get some of my own later this week. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Siddons-Martin-Emergency-Group/197588163610991#!/media/set/?set=a.240716779298129.26541.197588163610991&type=1

A few departments around here are starting to use a barcode system synced with their MDT for daily and weekly checks. For example, you would scan an tag near the oil dipstick. On the barcode reader, you would enter the findings. This is great for tracking equipment like SCBA's, for maintainence reasons, and for inventory, tracking, and restocking of supplies. This system is also available in a basic format, which makes it easier to archive the checksheets, submit them from substations, and guarentee each piece of equipment is accounted for and not forgotten about. I know you're looking for sheets, but a system like this is worth looking into, IMO, especially if you run EMS.

Better then Rural Metro, whosever idea that was? Rye Brook FD and PD don't need to exist. Port Chester FD, EMS, and PD can and do cover this area.

Yes, the chasis is obvious to an enthusiast like me. I'm talking about who built the body.

Cool! This unit has been talked about for a long time and delayed. I wonder if this is the one built by Seagrave?

I am excited. My favorite magazine, FAJ came one week BEFORE the month it starts. This has been for the past few issues. Before that, I wouldn't get them until weeks after the latest edition came out. Little things that make my day.

Weird. Must be the 2011 model year. I thought "Victory Red" was still available. I know of several departments that have take delivery of AKA "fire engine red" Suburbans and Tahoes, mostly 2011 and prevvious. Someone had mentioned that the red was the longest running color for the suburban, and that there is batch of reds they make a year for FD's.

EMTBravoIMPACT is continuing to grow. I hope that people are getting something from it, and we will be improving and tweaking the concept over time. We ask that you "Like" us on Facebook (you can Like us directly from the EMTBravoImpact.comsite), and help us spread the word about the site. All information can be submitted to news@EMTBravoIMPACT.com

Open House and Book Signing 2011 Join us on Saturday, October 22nd, between 1:00 and 4:00 as we celebrate our 25th year of business. Join us at our store, located at 188 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749, for in store only sales, giveaways, door prizes raffles and more! Take 10% off your purchase by bringing in the promotional postcard! We'll have a number of authors and videographers in store to sign books and DVDs including: •Peter Aloisi - author of Fire Buffs and Fire Apparatus Fighting Fires •Matt Gregoire - videographer for Providence Fire Videos •Lisa Carney - author of Cowboy In The City •Ted Gerber - author of Boston's Fire Trail •Rick Connelly - author of Returning to Quarters •Doug McCourt - author of Notes From The Firehouse Please Note: We will have a limited number of each author's books available for purchase in store. Books can be pre-ordered but must be picked up at the open house. Please call (800) 522-8528 with any questions.

http://www.lohud.com/article/20111021/NEWS01/110210332/Westchester-aviation-expo-fuels-students-interest-aerospace-technology?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Westchester County, New York

Hmmmm....interesting concept.

Thoughts and prayers......you know how to get ahold of me if you need anything at all.

Newmark and Lewis is now a small strip mall opposite the post office. After the fire, it moved to the former wine distribution center next to Carvel about a mile from the original location. Newmark and Lewis went out of business a short time later, and Barnes and Noble moved in. In 2007, Barnes and Noble closed, due to a continued problem of water flooding into the back of the store from an elevated embankment the store is built into at the rear of the property. We saw this video in Probie School, and Capt. Ferguson went over the whole incident. I remember as a kid seeing Frank's photos on the front page of the Reporter Dispatch. Ironically, fire gutted another Newmark and Lewis in Long Island: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/6999617_BzB3b/1/448036149_9vbEQ#448036149_9vbEQ

Here's a comment that will get a lot of "it can't be done" comments. What if 60 Control, and WCPD Communication combined, and became their separate, standalone agency? The long term goal would be to get as many PD, FD, and EMS agencies on the same page as possible, and increase interoperability. The agencies working with this new combined communications agencies could be considered "customers", and treated as such (customer service). For the Dispatcher, it could increase dispatching as a career, with better promotional opportunities and other avenues for growth and pay grades that don't exist now. Pay should match the cost of living, and leave some money to live on. Management staff should be compensated at the same rate a Lt, Capt, or Chief makes in the county (or similar management position countywide) As a career, retention of dispatchers could be increased, reducing initial hiring and training time costs. Morale could be improved by having an increased minimum staffing, cross training, and better scheduling, reducing "mandatory" overtime that plagues both agencies. Shifts could serve the needs of the dispatch center, and most importantly, the dispatchers. Another benefit of a standalone agency would be that any future funding and grants for this "new agency" couldn't be siphoned off by other divisions of the department as it is now. Funding then could be applied towards an improved hiring process and a dedicated training academy for dispatchers could be established, and continuing education could also be made a priority. A dedicated, secured communications facility could include training room with training cad stations, a kitchen, gym, locker rooms, a "quiet" room, personizable consoles, natural light and fresh air intake, and other envirmental amenities that silently help a stressed dispatcher. Future expansions could house a radio shop, larger training facilities to host regional communications classs, a garage for the Field Com and any other deployment equipment. A fresh start, done right, could improve the reputation of the communications service by not having them affiliated with other parts of the agency. I know the "Battalion Chiefs" do a great job now, but what they do at incidents should really be done by an extension of the Dispatcher. At smaller scale large incidents, a 60 Control (trained) dispatcher, Shift Lt. or Capt., could respond to the scene in an SUV to help with mutual aid accountability, and take some of the load off the Communications Center. At large incidents, they could respond with the Field Comm unit. A formal Incident Management Team could be formed, one that is reconized by FEMA, and be deployed to natural and manmade disasters. A shared MDC (Mobile Data Computer) system could be shared, giving all departments unified information. Departments wishing to keep their own PSAP (public safety answering point) could at least share the same CAD system. Having EMD/EPD/EFD ProQA Question software, as well as pre arrival instructions for all 3, could enhance and create a standard for the information obtained for each specific incident. Additionally, pre arrival instructions could be given for different fire, police, and EMS scenarios. This can be done. By people (in the field, offices, and our legislators) with open minds, and dedication towards delivering top quality emergency communcations a top priority. A solid plan with reachable, reasonable goals over time could illustrate this and make it a reality. Both agencies need a new, modern communications center to serve THE PUBLIC AND THE AGENCIES needs, as well as themselves, and this is a true oppurtunity for a fresh start.

I'll take some of that snow. As far as our heat wave, I'll consider that over. When I woke up around 6 this morning, it was a bitter 38 degrees out. Seriously, this drought is getting worse down here, and impacting just about everything now. It's already caused billions in damage. I hope these weather people are very wrong.

I've been reading about all the overdoses in Northern Westchester on LoHud.com. All seem to be a bad batch of Heroin going around, which happens every fews years. Which leads me to the question- should first responders (PD,EMS,Fire) be equipped with Narcan that can be delivered via the nasal route? Heck, some cities give it out to junkies to prevent heroin overdoses they may come upon. Although it doesn't rule out an IV injection, it could help buy some time, especially when ALS is coming from a distance. Boston did a comprehensive study on this: http://www.bphc.org/programs/aptrss/ourservices/preventionandharmreduction/Forms%20%20Documents/Boston%20OD%20prevention%20pilot%20report%20to%20BOD.16April2007.pdf

Washington County EMS (Texas) recently sent one of their Frazer modules out for remounting on a new chasis. Washington County EMS Lt. Jacobs created a very much improved set of specs, resulting in the first Frazer of it's kind without a seperate generator to power the module, as well as a re-engineered A/C system, amongst other things. For detailed photos:http://www.emtbravo.com/texas/apparatus/wcemsm4.html For more photos:http://www.emtbravo.com/texas/apparatus/wcemsm4.html