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Simple answer. If you're a career department, and don't have AT LEAST, 4 fully qualified firefighters per Engine Company, and 4 fully qualified firefighters per Truck Company, then you're not properly staffed.

Congrats Steve!

Cool that the presentation is online! I'm shocked and dissapointed though about who Fairview chose to design the projects and manage the construction, especially after all the serious blunders in a neighboring jurisdiction. Someone had wool pulled over their eyes!! If I was a taxpayer in Fairview, I'd completly support this project. HOWEVER, I'd vote NO based on who was hired to do the project. If I was a taxpayer, I know I'd want a firm that hires qualified, experienced contractors with a proved good record. I know they won't be Union contractors either, which I find suprising given how pro-union Fairview FD members are. I'd also want someone who specializes in designing firehouses to do the project. I am also worried now about the safety of the firefighters in Fairvew after what happened to me. I can not believe Fairview went with them. I hope the IAFF Local 1586 makes sure they maintain a SAFE worksite!!! Also, I hope that if the Fairview Chief or Commisoners are warned beforehand about an unsafe condition, that they take action about it IMMEDIATELY instead of ignoring it. Also, it's great that the details of the project are online, but I hope the ENTIRE project remains transparent, and not cloaked in secrecy to cover up serious mistakes by both the commisioners or contractors, like has happened in other jurisdictions. I wish I could attend these meetings!!! Heck, if it wasn't for them (coupled with certain goverment officials assigned to oversee the project), I'd probaly still be a firefighter!!! I think that ALL firehouse projects should be build by DEDICATED firehouse architects and construction managers, who know about the unique needs of building a firehouse. After all, you don't go to a heart doctor for problems with your brain. Also, I'm suprised a "modular pre-fab" firehouse for Station 2 is being considered. Good luck with a SAFE, On-time, On-Budget QUALITY project and end product....you'll need it!!!

This just doesn't end! Now this is just an idea....I wonder if the new Mayor and other City Officials would be receptive to riding along for a day with MVFD, living in their quarters, seeing the manpower situation. Maybe even set him up with a live burn at WCFTC. THEN, have them do the same with Yonkers FD or New Rochelle, and note the differences. And finally, have the mayor explain why his constituents aren't as important. The City needs to stop viewing the FD as a budget number. It's too bad that New Rochelle or Yonkers can't just annex Mount Vernon and do away with it's government altogether.

I've got to admit, after watching numerous episodes of COPS, I often wonder why some COPS check suspects pockets using their bare hands? It skeeves me out. I'm not a Pollice Officer, but as a Firefighter and Paramedic, I'm just curious about the practice. I know a lot of them ask "You don't have anything in there that's going to stick me?", but how trustworthy is this person to actually believe them? Also, not only needles, but broken crack pipes, etc. The best method I've seen is for a cop to cut open the pockets, but can't see that as being proper in every situation. So, why don't more cops use gloves when searching a suspects pockets?

As many of you know, Bedford Hills Police Officer and BHFD Deputy Chief Joseph Liburdi was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Joe is an awesome guy, a tough guy who I can see being able to overcome this disease that often plagues firefighters. He's given a lot to his community his whole life, very well known in the Bedford area, and is always warm and friendly. This thread will serve as an online support/sympathy card for Joe, so if you wish please sign the card. Joe does read these forums, and a copy will also be sent to him.

Definetly a unique piece. This is a fictional Boston FD Engine to commemorate St Patrick's Day 2008. http://www.code3.net/product/detail.asp?item=12808

They fit snugly into the bracket, and are further secured via an elastic strap. Here are two more photos. I don't know if this is a commercially made bracket, all I know is that it is an LA City FD spec, and I haven't seen it anywhere else. It is delivered from Pierce in Wisconsin with the bracket installed. From experience, the helmets don't move no matter how much the engine moves!!! And, the helmets are very lightweight (yet durable), so they aren't much of a dangerous projectile. And for the record, I love the Phenix Helmets! MUCH more comfortable then the tradtional helmets! -Seth Photos by me.

How much experience do you have driving fire apparatus? I believe, like others have said, that PPE actually impedes driving, and the helmet lowers visibilty and is actually dangerous. Before my injury, when I was assinged as an apparatus operator, I'd find that most of my role didn't require PPE and I resented having to wear it while responding. It defenietly impeded driving due to it being so cumbersome, as NY1070 referred to. Here's what LA City does with their helmets while in transit (you're looking at the cieling of the cab): (Photo by me)

If you have applied for a position with Stiloski's for the HELP truck positions on Route 84, the interviews are tommorow (Saturday March 8th) from 10AM to 3PM at Stiloski's HQ's on Wildey St. in Tarrytown. The start date would be April 8th.

Is that before taxes? Because isn't the point tax 99% on here? (j/k) Be careful, the ERS might audit you!!!

I know for a while, Odyssey Auto ( http://www.odysseyauto.com ) was building the bodies for the REP-Trucks for NYPD*ESU. They continue to put out some nice ESU units, such as YPD's newest Truck 3 ( http://www.odysseyauto.com/vehicles/rescue...ers-2/index.htm ), and this awesome unit for New Castle County, Delaware EMS ( http://www.odysseyauto.com/vehicles/rescue...astle/index.htm ) I know NYPD Fleet refurbs and remounts the bodies numerous times before finally being disposed of. But, who is currently building the newest generation of bodies I see hitting the streets of NYC? They are definetly brand new.

Interesting article about Boston-area buffs: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/...ostPop_Emailed4

This photo depicts a recent fire in an urban area, career department. I feel it illustrates great exposure protection, and a rapid deployment of water. The house on the right is over 100 years old, and was abandoned/neglected at the time of the fire ("a haven for drugs and prositutes", according to local residents). Upon arrival, the house was fully involved. Immediate action was taken to protect the exposure on the left, which houses offices. Subsequently, the building recieved only minor-moderate smoke/water damage on the right side, and the left side only some smoke damage. The smoke made it's way into the attic as well, but no fire caught on to the building on the left. The attic did vent some smoke, as you can see. I saw the video on the news of this house, fully involved, upon firefighter arrival. Here's the aftermath (a few weeks later), photo by me: Here's the video if you're interested: http://www.kvue.com/video/?z=y&nvid=217898&shu=1 (Short ad before video)

They're building a brand new EMS base right up the street from OLM, where FDNY Ladder 39's quarters used to be. I've also heard Montefiore is also looking into aqquiring St. Barnabas. I really guess they need to take a hard look at EMS operations...what's most economically feaible will probaly win. I mean, is it a duplication of resources in reality? In a City where there's enough EMS business to go around, I think you're going to see a major shift within the next few years. Hospital based ambulances will be primarily for the money-earning transport and corporate response contracts. It's a wierd system. I think it makes sense for hospitals to run their own ambulances, for a variety of reasons. But then, it doesn't make sense for a variety of reasons.

You thought ESU was only for PD? Think again. Austin-Travis County EMS runs this 2007 Pierce Contender as ESU-1. Staffed not by the familiar term that your used to hearing around here- "ESU Cop", but by "ESU Paramedics" who are trained in Hazmat, Tech Rescue, etc etc. They work TOGETHER with the FD and PD- they are oriented more toward the patient care end of things. It's sad that so many departments outside New York are so far ahead of us, and take EMS seriously, and actually fund MUNICPAL EMS. Imagine the conterversy in Westchester if an EMS agency were to run an ESU!

That part remains a mystery, since the Board Of Fire Commisioners refuses to make the terms of that Chiefs compensation package public. All that is known is that he makes AT LEAST $190,000 in salary, but the additonal compensation is unknown. Still, as a taxpayer of that particular district, I find it a waste of money. This Chief lives 1/2 mile from the firehouse. If the District wants to give him a car, let them get him an economical and fuel efficient Honda Civic or similar. If he needs bigger, let him use one of the department's 2 Utility Suburbans or Ford F-350 crew cab which sit dormant for at least 50% of the year. I know many PD's, FD's, and Muncipalities issue their employees vehicles. In many cases, I view this as a complete waste of money, even if it's part of their compensation package. For example, my local Building Department drives around in large Crown Victorias Or Chevrolet Impala's (no, most aren't ex-PD). It's only a single person in the vehicle. Why can't they use a car that's more economical. I also hear that a volunteer department in Dutchess County pays for the fuel in their Chief's PERSONAL OWNED VEHICLES! If that is true...then that is absurd! I would be interested to see how much money is saved in fuel costs if this person didn't have a vehicle, shared a vehicle, or had a more efficient vehicle. This whole issue needs to be looked at from top to bottom, especially considering skyrocketing fuel costs. Also, the enviromental impact needs to be taken into consideration.

If I'm not mistaken, both Las Vegas and Houston lease their apparatus. Maybe Kansas City too, I think? Since leasing offers a ton of flexible financing options, I think it has something to do with preserving capital funds, and spreading the cost of purchasing the apparatus over a number of years, and avoids having to float a bond (and associated vote). All departments mentioned above went with the lease option and replaced their ENTIRE fleet at once. There's a variety of options out there....I think some are "lease to buy", and some enable the buyer to trade in the apparatus when neccesary for newer apparatus. Keep in mind that a large number of municipal school bus fleets are leased, and it's becoming a popular muncipal option with refuse trucks, etc. Most major apparatus manufacturers offer a leasing option.

New York Newsday (Long Island version of The Journal News-AKA their local paper) did an very well done and conterversial (of course) expose on the volunteer fire service on Long Island in October of 2005.

I've been informed that the newest models being shipped include a switch feature that makes it more difficult to "accidentally" turn on, without impairing the speed of turning the light on.

This has been a hot issue on the forum before, and it's nice to see it getting some press coverage. But it's not only volunteer Chief's vehicles....I know that in at least one NY fire district, a Career Chief is allowed to use his vehicle, a full sized Chevrolet Suburban, for personal interstate travel, with fuel and maintainence expenses also covered by the fire district. After these trips, the Chief requires his FF's to wash and detail his vehicle inside and out. When it needs service, TWO FF's supposed to be protecting the community are detailed to drive it several miles outside the district to drop it off and pick it up.This vehicle has the bare minimum of radios, lights, and siren-since the Chief doesn't respond to ANY calls! IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY TURNOUT GEAR, INCIDENT COMMAND MATERIALS, or any other equipment a fire chief would be expected to have! This is a pure waste of taxpayer money, and another expense that could be eliminated, and the money spent to increase staffing in said district. The abuse of department owned vehicles in the Westchester area is absurd, to me at least.

FULL STORY: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../802250358/1018

Buddy Light works GREAT! I have it on my helmet...a trick to accidentally turning it on is to hang on to the nylon washer that came with it, tie it with a small piece of nomex string (fashioned from an old hood), and keep the washer in there when not in use. When needed, simply pull the string out and turn on the light. There is literally no slack in the string, so it's like it's not even there. (But, for right now I have no use for a fire helmet...grr) The product was invented by a firefighter, for a firefighter. It's a home grown business. And it's a VERY high quality product. Also, remember that Buddy Light is a sponsor of the EMTBravo websites, so by buying through them, you are helping to support the EMTBravo websites. If you buy a Buddy Light, PLEASE tell them you found out about the Buddy Light through EMTBravo.com! I have 2 Buddy Lights to give away- hope to announce that contest sometime soon.....

Sounds EXACTLY like something my former Chief would say. Unfortunetly, some people have that old school mindset.....and some people would rather save dollars then firefighters. I think as we see more of the old "regime" start to retire or become obsolete, we'll see a safer fire service. However, if we continue to elect Chiefs and Commisioners who are out of touch with the fire service, we're really not going to have people that TRULY have our safety in mind.

It seems nowadays pre hospital airways are a big conterversy. Some noted doctors in the EMS community are saying the Paramedic's shouldn't be doing advanced airways, citing poor performance and not having enough experience. Personally, I feel that airways are one of the things (most) Paramedics do best. It's one of our MAJOR skills- and one that makes the most difference, IMO. I also have been reading several studies and articles on this online-it seems that Paramedics have more of a sucess rate at first time endotracheal intubation then in the ED then many doctors and residents. And it's been my experience where Paramedics have been asked by ED docs to intubate in the ER due to their skill. Granted, I know a lot of doctors don't realize how difficult it is in the field to secure an airway. BUT, if you know your anatomy, keep up on your skills and eduication, and your technique is muscle memory, you shouldn't have an issue in a large majority of your cases. It shouldn't be that difficult, especially nowadays with all the tools we have at our disposal. And, just because we have those tools- we shouldn't be overzealous to intubate when we can foresee a different clinical outcome. So, just a reminder to my Paramedic friends again...keep your airway skills sharp, your placements clean, be clinically proficient, and documentation excellent so that we can continue to use this vital tool!