x635

I don't trust lawyers, and I've had enough of them. I am in the process of hiring a new one, but I want to further my own research. I was on district property. We have a long standing practice of "early relief". Kind of a "tag" system. However, the District claims that since I didn't relieve anyone since I was injured in the process of trying to, in my prescribed department uniform. The District also claimed that our shifts don't start until 0800 for the day shift, so that any early relief is voluntary and you are not officially on duty until 0800. Not only have they fought the whole on-duty thing, but they have fought me even getting workers comp. As to why they are so malicous, I wish I knew (see this post for further info on that issue: http://emtbravo.net/index.php?s=&showt...st&p=115745 I just want to know if anyone knows of any law or precedent in this situation.

I've looked through the comp laws, can't seem to find it. There's nothing in my union contract. Yet I have found numerous instances where an firefighter was on the premises, but not on duty, and injured....and covered by 207A. It seems everyone I talk to has conflicting opinions-I want to know if anyone has been through a similar situation or has any sort of NYS documentation clearly defining a firefighter being on duty. The people I am fighting against are extremly malicous, and really could care less about the law and ethics. I am trying to gather as much documentation as possible. I not only want to resolve my situation, but I want to make sure that these individuals cannot play the same games and get away with it if this happens to someone else.

Not if you work for the Hartsdale Fire District, which is where my problem lies. Can anyone find documentation or a prescedent verifying the above?

Thanks Jim, I will PM you shortly. I am hoping for a large refund so I can pay off the medical expenses that Worker's Comp or my department didn't cover (like copays, etc), and other debt I incurred from being unable to work, and making thousands less then I projected at this time last year.

Then why can't the district pay those costs directly? IMHO, that just makes things more complicated...who is accounting for the money, and who sets the price and how is that determined? Can't the District just "buy" the firehouses for like $1 or something from the companies, then charge them rent for using the space for social activities? Also, wouldn't it be better for the fire company's social activities and funding to be completly independent from the firefighting and rescue funding?

Interesting article. FULL STORY HERE: http://www.alea.org/public/airbeat/back_is...maintenance.htm

CT*DOT has taken delivery of several new patrol vehicles for their C.H.A.M.P. division (Connecticut Motorist Assistance Program) It operates on I-95 from the NYS border to Branford, CT and other select roadways in CT. It's similar to our H.E.L.P. program in NY, with a few exceptions. The empoyees are state employees, and their scope of practice is much larger. Also, the trucks, at least I feel, are better equiped. They use a Freightliner chasis which I feel is better for acceleration and braking, as well as increased visibilty for the driver. (not good for the Saw Mill and other parkways, though, I guess) They also carry more cones and equipment, such as a mounted utility crane and crash absorber. Their scope is also much larger...they can assist in other ways besides helping motorists. They help with drainage issues, damaged guardrails, highway debris, roadkill, and also can provide scene illumination. This program's been in effect for a while, and the new trucks are starting to go into service. For more on the program, click here: http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=2094&Q=259404 Hope to have better shots soon.

It's an impact absorbtion device, similar to those found on the back of DOT trucks. When the truck blocks the work zone, the device is lowered to a horizontal angle, where it can absorb the impact of a collision if need be.

Ardsley, which is adjacent to Dobbs Ferry and Irvington, also used to have a "Klaxon". It was used for FD calls using the same numbering system as mentioned above, but it was also used for the VAC as well. Also, when school was closed or delayed, the horn would sound a code at 0700hrs. Around 2000ish I want to say, the Klaxon was removed in anticipation of the firehouse demolition, and replaced with a siren atop a dedicated wooden utility pole in the back of Village Hall, behind where they park the police cars. Personally, I think the horn was more distinguishable. The siren, I feel, is just plain stupid. It is still sounded at noon, but at other times I have no idea if it's a FD or VAC call and where. I know many people feel the Klaxon/Siren systems are obsolete in this day and age of technology, but I feel it is a reliable backup and supplemental system. The technology we depend on today could fail easily, and the Klaxon system is a low tech way of alerting members not only in failure situations, but when you're out mowing the lawn, etc.

Very cool replica, and I must say a very interesting piece of apparatus. I wonder if these really existed, and how many were made and what departments had them? If I had the money, I'd love to add it to my diecast collection! http://cgi.ebay.com/ASHTON-FIRE-1984-AMPHI...ksid=p1638.m122 Ebay Item #: 170179252274

Quick question I forgot to ask, what frequency do these patrols operate on? Is it on the CSP trunked system?

From what I understand via http://www.EMTBravoNewEngland.com, they are replacement vehicles, as well as vehicles to expand the coverage in exisiting patrol areas.

RIP Ray. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Nice to see article, AND actions, such as this: FULL STORY: http://www.nyjournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...EWS02/712260338

Best wishes for a great birthday!

I'm just curious how people came up with their screennames? I have two on this forum, obiously one is EMTBravo. That one, I have no idea how I came up with it. Honestly, I think what had happened was that I registered with an ISP, and needed to create a screen name. I had just passed my EMT test at 18 years old, and was watching "Johnny Bravo" on the Cartoon Network while working on my computer. So I think both of those things just blended, not realized how much of an effect that name picked so thoughtlessly would have in the future. As for the x635, 635 was my assigned shield number at 60 Control. I "retired" from 60 Control in 2003 to attend college in Massachusetts, so hence the "x". I always took pride in my number when dispatching and it used to be everyone knew a lot of dispatchers from their number only. So I thought that would make a good screen name to identify myself. How did you come up with yours? (Oh, and if you want to change your screen name, contact me at x635@emtbravo.com)

Also appearing as the feature photo on the front page of EMTBravo.com: One of my favorite features photos that I have ever posted. Joe, you and your spirit really set a great example for us all. it's great to see you out there, and I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Recruiting efforts have begun for the upcoming Massachusetts Firefighter exam on April 26, 2008. Click on the link to civil service below for an on-line application and other information. Persons are hired to become firefighters from a list provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Every two years Massachusetts administers a statewide general aptitude entrance test for firefighters at various locations throughout the state. This test establishes a hiring list for cities and towns including the City of Boston. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Human Resources Division Room 301 One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108 (617) 878-9895 www.mass.gov/civilservice Massachusetts Firefighter Exam-How To Apply

I'm just curious about what people think about ambulance remounts? If the module's in good shape, why not send it back to the factory for a new chasis and some upgrades. For low-volume agencies, or ones that take great care of their ambulances, this would seem to be a cost-efficient solution.

What I want for Christmas? I really have all that I want, except for a few small things: -To return to work -Health and happiness for my wife and I and all of our friends for 2008 -The housing market to rebound so we can sell our apartment and move to a house! -To deliver coal to the appropriate people I'm not ashamed to say that I still believe in Santa, and need him to pull through this year more then ever!

I forgot to add that OEM remounts are always the best. If I'm not mistaken, the following agencies that I know have or had remounts-maybe they could weigh in? Elmsford- Braun remounted by First Priority in New Jersey Greenburgh PD- Braun Slopside by First Priority Stamford EMS- Horton Modules remounted on Chevy vans, Chevy Type I's, and Ford Type I's, by First Priority, I believe. Also, how much is it of a cost savings versus a new ambulance? Has anyone researched this?

Thanks for sharing the photos, x152 I just wanted to clarify something I said above. There are places where combination departments do work, but I don't believe Stamford even qualifies as a combination department. The issue with Stamford though is that there are 5 volunteer departments, each with it's own leadership, and a seperate career department, and then the career staffing mishmosh at the volunteer departments. All that complicates things exponetially, and makes a breeding ground for trouble. If Stamford unified their system, then maybe the two "sides" could work together better, Stamford's residents could be better protected, and the men and women of Stamford Fire-Rescue could rest assured that they have appropriate staffing when working at an incident.

LFD171, as always, thanks for keeping us in the loop as to upcoming apparatus orders! The legals are always a great place to get a heads up, and although I try to look through them as much as I can, it seems whenever I don't I miss something, lol. Last I had heard, Somers was looking from something like a Seagrave Meanstick type appartus, 75' RM, similar to North White Plains. This Quint would be the first for Somers FD, and supplement the area with straight stick capabilty. TL-18 will continue to serve, however again, last I heard it will be replaced by 2012.

Can Springdale act in a mature manner at all? It seems like there have been repeated immature squablles caused by them over the past few years. It seems like they're more interested in conterversy rather then firefighting, or at least that's the image the leadership of Springdale gives them. Can't the Mayor just say "Enough is enough" and shut down Springdale already? I don't know how Stamford has it worked out, but can't they just stop dispatching Springdale? The drama in Stamford needs to stop. Egos need to be put aside, and fire protection needs to be the priority. Career firefighters aren't evil, and aren't doing anything with an alterior motive. There is really nothing to gain from a larger local, as many speculate. I have spoken with the head of Local 786, and he's truly concerned about the safety of his firefighters and the citizens of Stamford. If you have a volunteer CHIEF that behaves in that manner, what could happen on a fire scene? In a combination system, it never works out when volunteers command career staff. Say what you want, but being a career firefighter and a volunteer firefighter in some respects are two different things. I don't mean that in a bad way. Career firefighters work and live together, and have a different working relationship together then volunteers do. It's just the nature of the job. Someone who's a volunteer can't just come in and start bossing around someone who's doing it for a living, and has a totally different experience level and background-and is also held to a different standard. Do you think that a career Chief could get away with this time and time again? I believe that the City Of Stamford should have a unified career system, led by a unified Career Incident Command staff, which can be supplemented by volunteer officers and firefighters. There's too many Chiefs, and too few indians, so to speak.

I have the Uniden Bearcat BCD996T Digital Scanner, and am still learning to use it, as it's much more complicated then the regular scanners I've been using for years. I have the BuTel ARC software for this scanner, and I use that to program it. I am just curious if there's any way to get rid of the "buzz", which I assume is a data transmission, the either precedes or ends a digital transmission? Thanks for any help