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It seems every time I open a Journal News article lately, it's something negative about Yonkers PD. Like the overtime BS a few weeks back, And it's most often something that the Journal News had to dig at to even come up with a story. So I bring up this story this week, and this it what I find: It doesn't even mention WHY the officers had to put down the animals (struck by cars, rabid, etc)! (BTW, that's why I could never become a cop- I wouldn't be able to take an animals life)

If the PD that covers my mothers house is going to start charging for burglary alarms, I would at least hope they would walk around the house and check the doors and windows. I've seen a patrol officer from this department, on several occasions, pull up, not even get out of his car except to stick a citation in the mailbox. This is after a 20 minute response time for a very desnly populated area.

I forgot to mention, there are transformers overhead the dumpster that's one fire......held up loosely by some very worn wood which is starting to catch from radiant heat......

OK, I know I'm answering my own question, lol. The simple thing to do, IMO, is evacuate the exposures, use a deck gun to knock the fire down, while calling for the power company to shut off the utilities. When power is disconnected, assess damage to structures surrounding alley and stabilize, and then overhaul. I know I'm probaly overlooking something here.

Another EXCELLENT job by Specialty Warning Systems! Looks like a very functional vehicle that will suit the person using it well. Specialty Warning System is a longtime sponsor of EMTBravo.com, and helps pay to keep this site online and free for all members to enjoy. Please pass along the favor, whenever you have business, please try and support our sponsors- and tell them that you found them through EMTBravo!

I got to admit, I'm not a coffee drinker (and Hap602 can testify as to why!) but Starbucks has some great iced beverages and is a fun place to hang out, especially when you're at post!

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=869...p;nav=menu188_2

FULL STORY: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080719/ap_on_...cebook_evidence

I don't know if this is any different than a dog that will run alongside joggers, but if the dog was struggling to keep up, then it's animal cruelty and not funny at all. I don't know the details of this story, but if this guy was in the wrong, then he should be forced to run alongside a motorbike as a punishment.

I guess some perp left the gift that keeps on giving! FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...EWS02/807150418

I read, a couple of years back in the Daily News, that bed bug infestation was once again becoming an issue in NYC. Apparently, "Don't let the bed bugs bite" isn't just a saying. These pests are extremly difficult to kill, and are resistant to many types of bug killers. It's so severe, in fact, that I believe there's an ordinance or policy in place that when a truck delivers a new mattress, it's not allowed to take the old mattress in the same truck.

I know the title my sound crazy and sci-fi, but is it possible that in the near future, firefighters can be replaced by robots. PD's use bomb robot and intelligence roboyod. So why can't the FD's? What about robot that could make entry into a building with an intergrated TIC to give the OIC a better look, temparture, etc? Or one that coud be deployed onto a truss roof to vent, or into a basment to knock fire down. Or, a evacuation robot that goes through a large building wanring people to evacuate the area?

Does anyone else think that Morphine is obsolete?? I've never found Morphine to be a great solution to pain management. With synthetic opitates on the market scuh as Fentanyl, there are much better and more effective alternatives prehospitally. As far as it's use in MI's, studies have show that morphine actually reduces perfusion pressure, which actually hurts the patient. Finally, with the advent of CPAP, morphine's no longer need in CHF. CPAP has proven so effective in treating CHF prehospitally, and reduced patient stays, that CPAP machines are being put in the toolbox and morphine taken out. In fact, one of the larger hospitals in Houston, TX donated 62 CPAP machines to equip every FD ambulance with one because it reduces the Pt's need to stay in the hospital, especially ICU. A lot of pt's don't have money, so by buying these CPAP machines for EMS, the hospital actually saved over $3 million dollars last year, and most importantly, improved pt's outcomes. Has any department removed morphine because of the above, or are trying to?

Please cite the articles or instances you mention as happening many times. You can pay attention to taking photos AND pay attention to your safety at the same time. Thousands of press and other photog's do it every day. How often do you hear about photographers going to the hospital from injuries at a fire scene? That's kind of the equivelant of saying "If you're looking at your thermal imaging camera, you're not paying attention to your safety". While I don't dispute that, it's unfair to paint everyone with the same brush. My feeling is that you recently were annoyed by a photographer or buff at a fire scene, and you chose to air that peeve here. Which is not a problem at all. However, did you alert the OIC or Safety Officer to this person? Did you see the persons photos online, and email him/her about the situation? Did you address this with the OIC after the incident? Or, did you look at the photos, and ASSUME the person got too close? Because their is something called a zoom lens, and it can make the photographer seem closer then he/she really is.

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...EWS02/807170401

Honestly, I know Mount Vernon's union is busy enough, but this would be a great piece for them to aqquire. Maybe the seller would be willing to work out a deal to return it to it's home. Mount Vernon FF's have as much pride as any department I know, despite the odds they face. I feel by aqquiring this piece, it would be a step in the right direction for community relations, and actually being able to have something to physically show the pride. Great find, BTW.

What a way to start of a career!Feel bad, it wasn't even his fault! FULL STORY: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/ODD...EMPLATE=DEFAULT

I'd heard that they were in the process of forming a commitee. Last I was told, it will be very similar to the current quint, only a 100' aerial instead of a 75'. I believe they demo'd or looked at a Spartan/Crimson last I had heard (Ardsley's two Engines are on Spartans). They just moved into a new firehouse, and although Ardsley aims to replace it's apparatus at 20 years usually by floating a bond, finances are currently tight so I don't know how soon it will be replaced. I'm positive though that the current Chiefs can accomplish getting the funding. The current Quint, Ladder 50 formerly known as Quint 1, is a 1988 Hahn/LTI 75'/1500/400. It is in excellent condition, keeping in mind it's 20 years old. I'm sure PJ or someone can fill us in more.....my information is current as of last January....

I'll be the first to admit that I have some issues with volunteer firefighters and EMT's. I think that their training and fitness levels need to be held to the same level as those who hold the role as career. They also need to be held to the same disciplinary standards as well. And, when they continuously can't get to an emergency in a timely fashion, they need to admit they need help and put pride aside. Most of the afformentioned situations can be solved simply by increasing the pool of volunteers. However, volunteering is one of the purest forms of being a Patriot. This country was built on people who volunteered to make their country better. Nowadays, we're seeing less and less of that as peoples priorites and focus have shifted. The volunteer fire and EMS service remains one of the strongest remenants of true community service. Sure, there may be people who do it for self-serving reason, but those people are in the minority. In a volunteer department, you'll find people of all age ranges, from all different backgrounds. I find one of the best parts of the volunteer fire and EMS service is that it introduces young people to community service, and is often the foundation of a solid career path. Although some volunteer agencies may play up the social club aspect, it's also a great support system for members during times of hardship. Volunteer FF's are usually there for one another regardless, sometimes even more so then the career side. A "boot drive" once a year or a softball tournament is not community service or volunteering. Sure, you're raising funds for a needy orginization, but how are you directly giving back to YOUR community? How many people in your community are actually INVOLVED, actively, continuously, in the improvement of the commununity. Whether you volunteer for your local ambulance corps, or for Habitat For Humanity, it's my feeling that everyone should be obligated to give back to the community and those less fortunate then us, and not just monetarily. (NOTE: The title is inaccurate as to my beliefs, I believe dissent is the purest form of patriotism, next to volunteering)

I'm sorry I brought the volunteer fire service into this. I should have just left it as a compliment, and censored the other portion of my opinion. I was just trying to spotlight the volunteer fire service as an excellent community organization, that has its flaws just like any other orginization. I expressed the other portion of my opinion to point out the flaws that could be solved if more people volunteer. I should have been clearer, and am upset that some people took it the wrong way. So please, let's keep this on topic as it relates to giving back to your community. I apologize to anyone I offended.

There's a couple of articles in this month's JEMS magazine about EMS Photogaphy and policies. I completly agree with PhotoUnit, and others who have posted, so I don't need to get into the people who throw the excuse of HIPPA when they only know the inaccurate, for lack of better words, stereotype of the law. I don't agree with taking photos while on duty, unless you are are PIO or similar and that's your role, or are assigned by the OIC. I'm sick of hearing all kinds of excuses that try and "ban" legal photography. One of my pet peeves is people who use "homeland security" as an excuse not to be able to take a photo of anything. It seems that the hobby of photogrphy is increasingly disparaged by the emergency services community. Digital photography has changed the playing field, of course, and people who have a legit interest in the hobby are increasingly becoming victims of any Joe Schmo with a camera phone and the negative situations they sometimes cause. I've also noticed that some chiefs don't want their photos of their agency appearing online, no matter who took them, because they are afraid that their incompetencies will be documented, or they may face constructive criticism.

It's not a sensitive subject if people acknowledge and accept their shortcomings, and work to fix them. My statement applies to a small minority of volunteer FF's. The reason I brought Volunteer FF's into the subject is because I think they set an excellent example of community service, and are very dedicated and provide a crucial service to the areas they protect. They truly keep the heart of America beating. The volunteer fire system is not flawless by any means, but it's not going anywhere and I think the new generations currently making their way into the ranks will eventually transform the volunteer fire service as we know it. It's the dedication to the community and American nature to give back that many of us should show respect the volunteer FF's for.....I know I wouldn't want to get out of my bed on my day off at 3AM especially in winter to go fight a fire, or spend nights and weekends training and maintaining equipment at the firehouse away from my family. I give VFF's a ton of credit- they are probaly some of the most dedicated people in America. I still don't understand why I struck a "nerve". It seems to me that you can say a million nice things about volunteer FF's, yet one constructive criticism is mentioned and automatically it's labeled a "bash"- to SOME. This is not paid vs volly, because I don't believe in that. Both sides have serious problems, with #1 being certain peoples egos and prides and the need to beat their chest. It's an insult that no one is reading the words that I am typing. Am I not making myself clear? Do I need a translator or something?

Thanks for sharing this with us, I otherwise wouldn't have known about it. I think that is an AWESOME idea, and something many people should consider implementing in some form or another. Kudos to Broome County for once again being another agency to come up with and implement a progressive idea that probaly will take some agencies around here 10 years to figure out.

Once again, I'm NOT talking about the volunteer fire service, merely using it as an example, one that I'm starting to regret given the direction some people are percieving this topic to be. I am talking about giving back and being a part of the community you live in. If you want to discuss the volunteer fire service, please start another topic. Thanks!

Apparently, some people may have misunderstood what I said and read to much into it. So I am going to try and reword it a little. I am not trying to incite any "Paid Vs Volunteer" anonymosity. I just think that a firefighter should be a firefighter, just like an Volunteer EMT (certification) is equivalent to the Paid EMT. I also don't think it should be used as an excuse for extended response times. That is my opinion, and I'm entitled to it. My point was that EVERY person who is able to should give back to their community in some shape or form. The volunteer fire service is a shining example of that, however they have some problems which are mostly related to traditon, and in some communities, that affects public safety, which is my opinion so I wanted to put that out there so no one thought that I was intentionally "glorifying" it for the point of gloriying it. It used to be, way back when, everyone volunteered in some sort of way for their community. There are so many ways to give back, and so many agencies and people that depend on volunteers, and the numbers are declining so rapidly . Part of making my point about the deficiencies of the volunteer service, is that, although they do have their issues and limitiations, they are a shining example of what everyone should aspire to do to help out in their community. I also think the volunteer fire service has a tremendous internal support system that has proven time and time again to help it's members out, and also has set a lot of people on the course for great success. Regarding some of the boot drives and softball tournements, anyone can hold a boot or play softball, I was reffering to some of the single specific national charities that some organizations support. While that's all well and good, my point is about the people in the community that don't have dinnner on the table each night, homeless and battered people living in deplorable conditions, no roof over their head, parks that are in poor condition, children without school supplies, and the list goes on and on..... Think of 9/11 and Katrina and how EVERYONE wanted to help in some way....why can't it be that way all the time, not just in the face of tragedy?