x635

I would just like to clarify something here. Somers FD, and I'm getting tired of repeating this, is looking for more firefighters with less response time. They are watching the numbers closely, and hoping that they come to an acceptable level. If the volunteers can do that and sustain it, there would be no need for Career Firefighter staffing. And, EMS is doing pretty well in Somers. IF a paid crew was to be on duty, THEY WOULD NOT be used for EMS First response, since they are there to help the fire side of things. ISO is not the issue being focused on at this immediate time. You can do all kinds of studies about ISO this and that, but at the same time you're not looking at your bread and butter role. Fitch is looking at the ISO long term. BUT, it's building blocks. You can have the best water supply in the world, but if you don't have the right equipment, trained firefighters, and an acceptable response time, then I wouldn't even bother working on a better ISO rating. It's firefighters who take that water and put it one the fire. A number of things can be done to improves this, such as dry hydrants, underground storage tanks, etc. Somers also had numerous ponds and other natural bodies of water. But all that takes even more manpower with an acceptable response time to set up. For instance, if they have to go with a paid crew, they would be first out the door with an engine. The volunteers could follow up quickly behind with the tanker out of Lincolndale followed by a ladder, and hopefully tankers out of Granite Springs and Amawalk, whichever is closest. Or a pumper-tanker for those water challenged stations. Does a Pumper-Tanker factor into ISO? I don't know if what I said makes sense, I'm sure Barry will correct me. To note, Barry has helped his department and other departments improve their ISO ratings, and created long term plans for this. I only have a basic understanding. I understand about taxes, but if Somers residents are willing too let their neighbors die and homes burn to the ground while they fight about this for 20 years, then so be it.

Someone from Tarrytown help me out-doesn't the front of the building make it look like it's only two atories? I don't have photos, unfortunately.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/woman-dies-after-being-struck-by-car-driven-1887509.html

Back on track: All the visiblity in the world is irrelvant. This guy knew what he was aiming for, and went for it. He murdered his mother while she way being assisted by EMS, and almost caused 2 Paramedic LODD's and 2 PD LODD's. I understand there will be some dashcam video that may be released, as well as some survaillence tapes from the gas station. It's still preliminary, but I suspect you'll be reading an article about it in JEMS later this year. It may also include a photo of the stretcher, which is pretty graphic. I will post when it is authorized to be released to the public.

The Fire District has a lot of money. It's just not being spent in the right ways. One of the problems they are working on. They do fire consulting as well. They have a number of high ranking and well educated fire chiefs and officers on their staff. This side of the business is already growing rapidly, but is not yet on their website, but soon will be. They want to find more knowledge, and I'm sure if you put in an application they could use someone like you for the ISO portion. Also, lessons learned from EMS staffing can also be applied to the fire service as well. Just like an ambulance arriving timely in critical to save lives, so is a engine or ladder. We just witnessed that in Detroit. Much of their EMS research and lesssons learned can also be adapted to the fire service. Somers has a responsibility to provide adequate fire and EMS services. That's what they are focusing on first. Without proper staffing, training, and response times, you're not going to have any use for the water supply first, as you can have all the water in the world, but if the pumper doesn't get there in a timely matter with properly trained staff, then the ISO is going to assume a higher risk for greater loss in the community. (Barry, I know you are an expert and have helped many departments improve their ISO ratings, and I mean no disrespect. Just going on my basic knowledge. I have no idea about any of the calculations) Also, if Somers operates the water supply and distrubution, doesn't the town have some responsibility in the matter?

That is exactly what Somers did, read earlier in this thead. An independent review of the FD was done by a leading nationally known and proven Fire and EMS consulting firm . That is what this whole plan is based on, reccomendations from a consultant(s) that did a comprehensive review of Somers FD, and is continuing to do so. Somers is acting on the reccomendations of the consulting firm. The main point, and I've said this over and over, is more firefighters, less response time. How to accomplish that is what they are working with the consultant on. http://www.fitchassoc.com/

Here's more to the story: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/police-paramedics-horrified-after-pickup-crashes-into-stretcher-1889114.html

As far as the staffing solutions you proposed, those are just band aid solutions that won't solve anything and just procrastinate real staffing options. I know some areas have paid-on-call systems, but that wouldn't work. REAL Volunteers don't do it for the money, especially pay per call. And, as other studies have concluded...that doesn't increase staffing, does not decrease response time,and in most cases, attract people who don't have the right reason in mind. The motivation should be there. That is the same to me as going the janitor route. I'm not looking for this to be a paid vs. volunteer debate, but do have some opinions. Career Firefighter, it's a job but, because of the passion, it often goes beyond that. I know many Career Firefighters who volunteer, teach classes, etc. Volunteers should be doing it to serve the communities they live in. But, the difference between the two? You are assured that the manpower and response times are pretty much set. With volunteers, there are big variables.Having strong leadership is important, but that same leadership can't tell you when you can leave the district to go meet friends, or quit your job to stay in district. And that same strong leadership is vunerable when response times rise and manpower decreases no matter what they do. This isn't about getting a cheap workaround. It's about building a future for a strong department to serve the community, not it's members. "Low Cost" isn't an alternative. "Right Way" is. Bottom line. The Commisioners want to see an increase in manpower and decrease in response time to fire calls.

I agree with your perspective and SOME of it's points in this latest post using your perspective. It's your opinion and you are absolutely allowed to have one. I like the way you look at some things, as we have been friends for many years. I remember you taking me to Somers House one day when we had a transport up to the area. I remember an Oren Engine that was falling apart, and a not very impressive fleet. This is around 1997-ish. I'vee gotten to know many of the great men and women of the department since then. The progress Somers has made in the 14 years after is incredible, despite the politics along the way. For example, I remember when Chief Byrnes led the effort to get Rescue 20, a much needed piece of apparatus designed to replace a 1993 Freightliner/Pierce Engine 183 that was never really designed to be a rescue engine carrying the increasing amount of equipment it did. I remember the pride and enthusiasm when it was delivered. I remember when the Tanker arrived, which was Somer's first real Tanker. The Somers house has always wanted and needed a more manuverable Quint to supplement TL-18, seems like they have one now. I remember a ton of things about Somers over the years that showed progress, and Somers is a completly different department then it was nowadays. I've seen and been involved in the manpower shortages of Somers. But, my first memory of doing a call with them as a Paramedic working 45-M-2 was an operator of backhoe that lost it's footing, trapping him. The backyard was difficult to access. That's the incident. The part that really sticks out was the dedication and knowledge of the Somers crews on scene. The family was on scene very shaken up, and one member was very good at counseling them. I squeezed myself in with the patient (it was a stable backhoe at that point) and anything I asked for they assisted me with.His ankle was visibly broken, and I had to start an IV and administer pain meds. I was very impressed at the job they did after a 45 minute extrication. We then packaged him and transported him I think to WMC as a precaution. Very different personalties were on that scene that day, all of them with their own skillsets, and came together to be a fantastic working unit. It seems the rest of the Town Of Somers seems like they don't have their act together. The Somers Fire Commisioners seem to be on the ball. Someone needs to figure out the PD thing, maybe contract with County PD? Life and safety should always come first. Thankfully, the Town Of Somers is prevented from making any decisions about FD and EMS.

SOURCE: RWC130 The Firehouse Grille In Peekskill is closing after 12 years. I've only been there once, and the food was excellent. I don't think it ever took off because of the area. It seems like it had to rely on word of mouth, especially in Peekskill. Top that with an incrdibly competitive industry with low profit margins, the economy not leaving people with a lot of money to dine out, and it makes it real tough. People would rather nowadays eat at a fast food resturant posing as a "Bar And Grill" such as Chili's, Applebee's, etc instead of giving the money to a local resturant that makes REAL food, not just heats up frozen and refrigerated pre made crap. It's sad. I hope someone buys the resturant and moves it and all the memorobilia to a good home, or keep it where it is if they can.

And wasn't one of the Wheeled Coach's sold to and is in service with Empress EMS? As is being proven and I have said for many years, Lifeline ambulances are built like tanks. They can customize anything. The weight is properly laid out, so the ambulance handles nicely. They certainly have knocked out previous Westchester strongholds such as Horton, Braun, and PL Custom. The best part? They are so tough, they can be remounted easily time and time again. The module is built tough, and rarely starts to fall apart inside our out.

Sadly, you are right. Why would the government actually do something to create hundreds of new jobs and pump millions into the economy proctively? They are running out of water in other parts of the country, such as Las Vegas. 2021 would be conservative estimate. It could also prevent disaster, if we pumped water from New Orleans here, balance things out a little/. Even dirty water can be filtered and used where needed. I don't know if you saw "There Will Be Blood", but if water was considered gasoline which I'm predicitng the price to be competitve with, it is going to be a similar situation. Except this time, the Republicans battle the Democrats and spend so much time doing so nothing ever gets done. They say an Austin drought is always followed by Austin floods, and I hope that does happen. Maybe we'll have our Fort Worth-Dallas-Austin-San Antonio-Houston high speed rail by then as well [/sarcasm yet remaining optimistic]

This very sharp looking Rescue belongs to American Eurocopter, and is stationed at Grand Prarie Airport TX (Dallas-Fort Worth area). Grand Prarie is the home of American Eurocopter. Many activities go on at this facility. Manufacturing, assembling, and refurbishment and repair of helicopters is just the begining. They have the delivery and training center, where the clients pick up and are trained on the aircraft. It also has some VERY cool civilian and military training facilities. In addition, aircraft engineers are constantly testing the aircraft in real life simulated situations, and this is where these rigs comes in. And they are ONLY for American Europter, Grand Prarie Airport also has other ARFF resources. Figured I'd share the link until I can get up that way to photograph it. 2010 Ford F-450 Super Duty 4x4/Crash Rescue Mfg. http://www.bensware.com/firetrucks/americaneurocopterR1.jpg And Recue 2 runs this 2010 KME: http://www.bensware.com/firetrucks/americaneurocopterR2.jpg Credit: James Kus, thanks to Ben Saladino

Besides the insurance issue, here's another positive that Somers has in their toolbox that helps make their firefighters some of the most skilled, and will help make for a good bridge between volunteer and career for cooperative training. The Training Officer is a retired Fire Captain and a Nationaly Certified level 2 Instructor as well as a NYS Fire Instructor and a County Fire Instructor and has been the director of 2 Career Fire Academys in Westchester.

Exactly. At first, it wasn't know that it was the victims son. They initially claimed it was another male who she had a disagreement with and attacked her. With her now deceased, and her son a nut job, they have to go through some nearby video tape and witness accounts. Here are my photos of the Austin-Travis County EMS Fleet. They are pretty visible ambulances. But that had nothing to do with it. http://www.x635photos.com/thumbnails-223.html I wouldn't say their wasn't a "best part" to this story, but 2 potential LODD's were avoided narrowly.

Oh, heck yeah would I go if I was younger, especially for the experience like FDNYCHI said. Wow, when did I become not "younger"? Anyways, I meant it's a Federal job you can't support a family on. Also, the travel is only to and from, plus it says you can't leave the base at all. So there is only a couple of indoor activities I could think of. And who do you actually dispatch? I saw a documentary on this facility once....it was pretty neat...actually I think it was a Swedish facility. And going from Key West to Antartica! Talk about a climate change, lol!

He is a Tatical Flight Offier with the Austin PD Aviation division, holding the rank of Corporal, and also one of the depatment's spokesperson. He's also Vice President of the union. It's fun for the media and everyone else who need to know, and spell, his name. His decent is Thai. The medics tried to get the stretcher out of the way, but they would have been killed as well before that happened. It's impossible to not see the back of an Austin-Travis County EMS ambulance, but he was aiming specifcally for his mother on the stretcher-caught on dashcam I believe as well as several witnesses. When the now felon attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle, he hit a marked patrol car. There were several on scene due to the disturbance between his mother, 83, and him, 50. A few 911 calls came in of a fight in progress.

Yes, in addition to large fleet of big orange Mack Trucks, lol.

Yes, you are talking about the study. I'll reiterate some of my points I made earlier in this thread. Somers has a large and diverse fleet. The mechanic is also responsible for all the small engine repair, taking vehicles to the repair facilities and a whole bunch of other equipment related responilities. It may not seem like much to you, but spend a day with the mechanic....you'll see how much work he has. Dispatch would be "outsourced" to 60 Control at some point. As far as clerical, they are needed for paperwork, such as billing, entering run reports such as NIFFRS, keeping personel records, fire district paperwork, and other administrative matters. In a Fire District like Somers, this is important. Many other career and volunteer departments have administrative staff. And, once again, you don't feel 800 fire runs is out of control is not the subject. The trend is that the call volume is increasing, and volunteers decreasing. That also leads to increase response time. Somers is required to provide "adequate" fire protection to the Citizens of Somers. It's also a firefighter safety issue. For example, if there was a fire, and a rescue was needed, a lot of manpower is required. You need a truck company to search, and ventilate so that some heat and smoke can escape, making conditions inside easier for the crews. If a rescue is reuired, you need to carry that out You need someone to hook into a hydrant, or in many cases in Somers, establish a water supply like a tanker shuttle. You need someone to work the pump panel. You need at least 2 firefighters for a line. You need a RIT. This all requires manpower, and sometimes the first due isn't enough. And in Somers, being such a large fire district, your second due companies or mutual aid may take a while. Also, included in the fire calls are automotive extrication, search and rescue, HazMat, amongst many other types of calls. Somers is being proactive with staffing. It could be 1 call a year, or several thousand. If you don't have the manpower or an adequate response time, people die. Period, end of story. And that not acceptable to the Board Of Commisioners, so they hired a nationally reconized and proven consulting firm to assist them in improving. I know career departments that do less then 800 calls a year and are much smaller then Somers. The volunteers in Somers are excellent and dedicated, and this is to enhance and assist them.

Any photos of patrol cars from that era? I remember seeing that Airbag unit on "COPS". And I think that Truck 3 (the Freightliner/Saulsbury) went to Mount Vernon PD, and the smaller Ford REP's went to New Rochelle PD.

800-900 a week doesn't seem like much at all, especially when they include taxes. But, wen I was younger, maybe for the experience. However, there is nothing that stands out for this job over a regular job. And you're away from your family, and not even making a good living to send home. Sounds like a shitty federal government job.

700-800 FIRE calls a year. This includes structural fires, vehicle fires, brush fires, rescues, automotive extrication, HazMat, Water Rescue, etc. Due to EMS being so strong in Somers, there may or may not be EMS First Response, unless it is a priority call (Cardiac and respiratory arrest) or a lift assist. And, the trend shows the fire related calls increasing, and manpower decreasing. There are some career and combination departments in Westchester that do less fire related calls, and rarely have structure fires or rescues excluding mutual aid. So, how is this proactive study "overkill"?

Yes. The Greenburgh DPW shops has an extensive fleet program and very skilled mechanics, including auto/truck body repairs and a paint booth big enough for trucks. I'm not sure why they didn't leave Rescue 29 put together? Here's the OLD unit together in 2004: Here's the chasis the body was removed from: And here is Greenville's old Rescue 29 body, removed from the light trucks old chasis above. They have a chasis somewhere in their fleet they will be using for this.

Girl, 3, Dies Day after Fire Rescue Delay in Detroit http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/family%3A-girl%27s-death-in-fire-could-have-been-prevented-20110914-mr And then Detroit accepted a donation of a 1983 Ladder truck: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/detroit-city-council-accepts-fire-truck-donation-20110927-ms

It seems like Detroit is always taking delivery of new apparatus,but seems to be still neglecting them. It's sad, given what a prosperous city it once was-it's sad to see all the beautiful buildings and areas that used to be beautiful and intricate....until they lost business and jobs due to greed and quality issues, and lost it to the very same terrorists who attacked a military installation on our own soil in 1945. And despite Detroit's poor reputation and condition the city is in, there are still people who call it home, proudly (anyone see Gran Torino?) or are stuck there because they can't afford to move. And because of the condition and deteriration of the city, the arson problem is extensive....and firefighters keep very busy. End rant. Anyways, their apparatus problem has been an issue for a number of years. As proven by this story, it affects both firefighter safety and public safety.This kind of story seems to pop up over and over again. The "TAC" unit sent is basically a utility truck without a pump or ground ladders. I remember when they sent a ladder to Sutphen for warranty work. Sutphen wouldn't touch it because it had been so damaged by neglect and it was not safe for them to even repair it. Detroit wanted a quick fix, but Sutphen refused. Here's a great site describing DFD's operations: http://detroitfirehouse.com/