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Oh no, it is true despite the date. His methods are well known in the law enforcement community, and have been profiled on many shows. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio I love this Sherriff!

I don't know what CT's weight and DOT rules are, but it is kind of strange that Pierce would put something like this on a single axle. Regardless, looks like an awesome truck with plenty of storage space. I do like roll ups, but you can really notice the amount of space saved and more tool mounting opitons.

Wow, the more and more I see, Westchester is way, way back in the stone ages. Things just go in circles in Westchester, and nothing is really that much different from when the only staff at "Fire Control" was Marilyn and Gordon in that little office. People are still really just complacent, nobody really wants to unite for change, egos run everything, and tecnology still isn't embraced. And,the best thing of all, is people come up with excuses of why things CAN'T be done instead of why things CAN be done.....and I love the "home rule" excuse the best! As far as the coordinator position goes, an Engine should be an engine with 4 interior firefighters, Ladder the sames, etc and if you don't want to staff or train by the rules, you can't play in the mutual aid game. As far as those who are against MDT's, they obviously haven't seen or used a modern,properly working MDT system. They haven't seen the personel management system, the aerial mapping features, the anti-apparatus collision routing system, the ability to read about the building and it's hazards, hydrants and water sources in the area, see what other apparatus are responding, what apparatus are on other calls and unavailable, car extrication hazards, ability to write your report in the field, etc etc etc etc Back to my point, this position is antiquated. The people who do it do a great job and are only doing it for the love of the fire service, and this is not a knock at them. But if this works so well for the fire service in Westchester, where are the EMS mutual aid coordinators and Police mutual aid coordinators?

Thanks for the photos! Is the body a Rosenbaeur?

Happy Birthday!

I just don't understand how hospitals in NY are failing and closing, and hospitals in Texas are prosperous and growing? My only guess is gross management and neglect for years. I mean, the demand for healthcare is there, and I know people without insurance tax hospitals budgets, but still.

Apparently. last week a Yonker Mack CF Baker Aerialscope that was previously on loan to Pelham Manor, was seen in Hartsdale's Station 2 back bay being evaluated. Also, as mentioned, New Fairfield's old ladder is being loooked at, but it needs a new rear axle (hard to find the correct one) Other options being considered is remounting the Hartsdale boom on Pleasantville's old TL-5, and of course, a rechasis and upgrade of the current TL. The members of Hartsdale traveled to Wisconsin last week to meet with Seagrave, discuss their options, and see first hand what Seagrave can do in house. A decision has not officially been made.

I am considering this well thought out idea.

I've noticed not many users have been submitting links....I would have thought this would have been more popular. Is everyone able to use the system without problem? If you have a problem, let me know. If not, please feel free to add a link to your department's website, your website (NOT Facebook, etc), or any other relevant non-commercial links. http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php?app=links

A 60 Control dispatcher as a on-scene mutual aid coordinator would be beneficial for larger scale incidents. That 60 Control dispatcher could also bring with them a mobile command post. That ONE IC should be able to directly request mutual aid from the 60 Control dispatcher on scene, and using the CAD resources available to them, dispatch the most appropriate resource. They can also see who's closest, and make sure they aren't stripping other communities of fire protection. The problem is, there are too many "Chiefs" having input, whereas 60 Control could more efficiently handle the task in real time at the scene. As for the mutual aid coordiantors, most of them do a great job. The position is seriously antiquated. However, the "Battalion" system in Westchester County is seriously flawed, and fragments things even further. As far as them being representatives for their areas, they should also make sure each department is complying with all the rules and regulations and that each department is getting out within a timely manner with the proper staffing. This is something that seriously needs to be watched over in the County, and maybe that could be a better addeded role for the Coordinator. And as a final note, we should be looking to reduce Chiefs, etc. There aren't that many incidents where such a large amount of officers are needed, and Lieutentants, Captains, Assistant Chiefs, and Chiefs all need a chance to get leadership experience.

Is Westchester County PD aviation available via pager when they are not in the air? Also, they do have a winch and stokes, correct? And thermal camera? And therefore could have extricated the patient and just taken the short flight to WMC? Knowing this park, shouldn't County PD Aviation be paged out right away just in case- so they can at least get to the airport, pre-flight, etc......This is a life saving resource that could make all the difference....and it should be in every agencies preplans for incidents like this. Westchester should work on funding the Police-Fire-Rescue helicopter (using Public Safety AND DES funding) to make this program 24/7, with a 4-6 minute lift off time. It has been proven that helicopters can make the difference between life and death, catching a suspect or letting him get away, etc. You'd think on busy weekend days with so many people using county parks that they'd be up or available. What about Stat Flight? Wouldn't they be available to assist for something like this, or are they purely a for-profit transport service now? Also, how long would it have taken to get NYPD aviation there?

This is what the contract that Yorktown Adavanced Life Support District designed and Empress is bound by. Empress is simply meeting the terms of a contract. Empress has the capbility of paging a third medic, or having a third medic going out during shift change. Between 8P and 8A, the contract states the Empress must have the capability of paging out a second medic to come into work. The Yorktown ALS District flycar is centrally located within the town. Having two flycars would add significant cost to the taxpayers- another vehicle, maintainence, gas, housing for the medic, etc. Both agencies (YVAC,Mohegan) call volumes have grown tremendously since the inception of the flycar program. But, all this is determined by the ALS District Board that meets every month and it's their decision basic on statisics and other factors as to what works and what they can afford-it does affect taxes. Empress owns the flycar and is reponsible for equipping it (I'm pretty sure) and is required to replace it at certain intervals. Because it's Westchester County, and nobody can operate on the same frequencies. Interopertability!!! Isn't that a bad word? You have the YVAC frequency, Yorktown Police, Mohegan Fire, 60 Control, and Empress EMS radios. As for the radios being seperate, it's easier to swap out if one goes down.

The way I last knew it (and it could have changed by now), Empress runs two medics during the day (7A-7P, 8A-8P, 7P-7A). If there is an ALS call, two medics go. If another ALS call drops, the other medic responds. Also, a lot of Empress medics live in the Yorktown area. If needed, they could be called in, therefore placing a third medic into service. (I believe this is how the ALS district contract designed the system). These medics cover Yorktown VAC calls, and Mohegan VAC calls that are within the Mohegan part of Yorktown. The Empress medics assigned to Yorktown have spent a required amount of time in the Yonkers (and formerly Mount Vernon) 911 systems. They are also required to do 1 ALS 911 tour in Yonkers a week to keep their skills up.

Who do the "FIRE MUTUAL AID COORDINATORS" report to nowadays? Theoretically, it should be the 60 Control supervisor, since they are the mutual aid coordination center. For incident related issues, I think the best idea would to be assign a dispatcher of 60 Control the position. Add an extra dispatcher or designate a qualified dispatcher on each shift, and when they are needed at a scene, they can respond in the Field Com or a SUV. If anyone knows what is where when and how to coordinate mutual aid, it's the dispatchers of 60 Control. But, of course, I doubt Westchester County would fund any such idea nowadays. Also, mutual aid should be the push of a button. IC's should have MDT's....if they need another engine, press "Add Engine", or "Second Alarm Assignment".....that would free up some radio traffic, go straight into the 60 Control CAD (if capable) with resource recoemdnations based on the department's mutual aid plan. And units could log on or off as available. Regarding all the other duties of a fire mutual aid coordinator, maybe leave that part as it is.

Sounds like a very difficult call. I've mountain biked those trails and they are difficult and confusing. (and they go a LOT farther then one would think from the outside) Was Westchester County PD aviation requested or assist in the search?

Just curious if anyone has bought or seen/used and iPad yet? Thoughts? Seems pretty cool, I'm just waiting for the Dell version, lol.

Awesome shots Joe!

Interesting concept. I'm going to be interested to see how this works... http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2010/03/29/daily47.html

Plus, EMS will be able to transport certain patients to this ED. It can provide services that only an ED can in the State Of Texas. The state is very strict with hospital rules. This hospital will also be capable of handling overnight observation patients. It will relieve congestion at the main campus ED, and serve a growing population in the area. It's also an outreach to the population to get new patients into their newtwork. For instance, a nursing home just here is for basic care. Any patient on a vent, trach, or having specialized ongoing nursing needs goes to an extended care hospital. These hospitals are required to have certain things. For example, I know this one extended care hospital that does mainly vents and patients requiring 24/7 nursing care has a 2 bed full emergency room, not staffed, but the staff on duty at that time can activate it. That's required by law. It's basically mothballed. Also, we are in a healthcare explosion, with new hospitals being expanded and built all over the place. The freestanding ED this is meant to supplement-that hospital is undergoing a $72 million dollar expansion, and they are also building a brand new multi million dollar hospital near this new freestanding ED.

I just wanted to let my many friends on here that my wife Kristen is giving me the best birthday present ever, a baby daughter, our first child. Due on my 31st birthday, August 3rd 2010. We are both very excited!!

Thanks everyone! :-)

Awesome! Thanks for the photos...looking foward to more updates...

Also, I thought this mini-Speedy Dry hopper was kinda neat on the new engine...

Thanks, Matt. Here's a photo of the just replaced Engine 2, which will be reassigned as a spare: The main thing the members will miss about the old Engine 2 is the Quantum cab, especially it's roominess, handling, stairs, and especially horsepower compared to the Impel. They won't miss the hoseline and hydrant graphic though!!