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Both sets have now been released: Check out a preview of one of the Yonkers Cards here: http://nycfire.net/messar/gallery/The-Latest/yonkotj And the sets can be purchased at: www.choicefire.com

Just out of curiosity, are "Water Source Officers" a position on the fireground, or does this responsibilty fall under the chief or line officers directly? Just wondering if any dept uses waters source officers on the fireground to coordinate water supply operations, and what kind of training and function do these people have?

Photo: Decon equipment stored in the ambulance bay of Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla,NY The photo above shows the state of WMC's Hazmat recieving decontamination equipment. It has been in that condition for months now. The tarp partially over it is a new addition. For months now, I have been in and out of the WMC "New and Improved" ED Ambulance bay. Shortly after opening, they placed these two Rubbermaid cabinets in an area which obstructs an ambulance loading/unloading slot. These cabinets were never secured, and have been getting worse and worse, as pictured above, for weeks now. I feel that this equipment is not ready to be deployed, much of it is pilfered through and damaged/destroyed. The equipment is exposed to the elements, including the snow and the cold, 24/7. I've talked to a couple different people in the ED about it, and nobody really knows whos responsibility it is. This is a brand new ER. I'm very suprised that they didnt build decon facilities right into the ER, except for the "Shower" room which is used for storage. Hopefully somebody reading this knows somebody to get this taken care of.

I agree with many of the excellent points made here. One of the most important qualifications should be experience. Because training is great, but being able to apply that training is where the real knowledge comes in. Also, training and qualifications should be exactly the same between volunteers and career firefighters. There should be no reason for a difference, and maybe it should be a testing-ranking process for volunteer officers as well. I hate the "Its his/her turn" argument! Another problem....whole 'nother topic though-I think some departments have WAY too many officers for anyone to get real command experience, and also too many officers leads to confusions and several other issues.

Anybody have an update on FF Connery's condition?

This time, I really do think it is all Dennis' fault...

Just curious as to which Westchester FD's maintain antique apparatus as parade pieces and/or department historical items? Also, to my knowledge, no one maintains an antique rescue,ladder truck, or ambulance, correct? It's basically all engines? I know Ardsley maintains a 1928 Seagrave, "Old Betsy", which has been owned by the dept. since new. It's never been refurbed, but is in great condition.

I've noticed the main role of a safety officer at any incident or event is accountabilty, which seems to be a very time consuming task. I've always thought it is the primary role of the safety officer to ensure the safety of firefighters, by overseeing the proper donning of turnout gear and PPE, and ensuring proper safety procedures are being followed and to be another eye for the chief in regards to hazardous conditions, and to rectify/remidiate hazardous conditions. How come there is not an (single-role) accountability officer? This would make more sense to me, as it would give a dedicated person to track the position of each firefighter, freeing up the safety officer to focus on safety. Also, I'm suprised no department in Westchester has invested in a better, more high tech and efficient accountabilty system. There are some awesome new products out there on the market today, and more coming in the future that intergrate with SCBA's.

Nice article. It's good of the PJ to bring this issue to light. And what is being done about the above situation in the WC???? Very little. And sometimes, no matter how healthy we are, things like this happen due to the nature of the business.

I wanted to go to Photo Night, but looks like it is going to be a washout (At least the apparatus photography part) :-( I was really looking foward to getting some shots of Ridgefield Park's new Seagrave tiller too.

What if you are the incident????

Honestly, how many of us wear seatbelts while responding to calls on the apparatus? Fire-wise, I did, but I admit at times sometimes it is off to adjust my gear with it on, and unfortunetly it comes off. Heck, alot of the time it was off. As far as at work in an ambulance, when responding, or driving anywhere I always do. When involved in patient care in the box, rarerly. It's impossible sometimes to do what you need to do with it on. I try to put it on though whenever possible in the box Who responsibilty is it to ensure that seatbelts are worn? The officers? The drivers? Will it take a real tradgedy to ensure compliance? Is there a better restraint system out there? Is the Phoenix system of donning SCBA's after arriving so that members keep their belts on a good idea?

VERY WELL SAID ROEEMS87!!! =D> I agree 100%

LOL!!! Cool shot! I know a certain PEO (on footpost) on this board that would write a ticket for that!

I have a question about FFI certification If I have (the former) Essentials, Intial Attack I, and Ladder Company Operations, can I challenge the exam for FFI without having to go through the course??? Is there a practical skills component as well a written?

Man, the new 2005 Ford F-Superduty chasis really look HOT! I love the new bold styling of the grill, headlights, and the fenders, especially the fender flares. Makes the truck look real rugged, and complements any FD,PD or EMS apparatus quite nicely!! Look at the new Mount Kisco Rescue or new UMDNJ or Baltimore ambulances for an example! Also, can't wait to see the new YPD ESU trucks on these! Should look sick!!

What type of agility do they use, and where do they go for the academy???

Thanks!! Too bad there's no open enrollment fire academy in the area.

What type of car is it and who did the outfitting?

Best wishes to FF Connery for a speedy recovery. Although he's got a tough road ahead, I'm sure it will be traveresed easily. Shows the R1 guys don't break that easily!! 25 feet is a long way, especially in full gear and pack!! Excellent job by Empress EMS, YPD*ESU and all agencies involved in quickly getting him to the regional trauma center and by Medic 40 and YEMS Supervisor (who were on scene ready to go) in managing a complicated patient!! And thanks to 901 and the others for keeping me up to date on this.

The helo pad was supppsed to be filled with water before use, to prevent debris from becoming airborne around the helo during its landing wash. From what I am hearing now, it will not be used until all the construction is complete, for fear of construction debris and loose landscaping becoming projectiles in the helocopter wash. I have also heard a RUMOR, rumor only, that this pad may not even be used....the risk managment people are worried about liability in landing the helo frequentyl in such an open, busy area.

Thanks again to Jim and his contact for getting these things taken care of so expeditiously and working to get WMC up to being a real EMS recieving facility. Some good points raised about the decon operation by roeems87 and ja3kfd. Alsom, let's not forget, Decon is not only big-scale terrorist incidents. There is everyday decon, whether it is the painters riding in the back of a painters van that overturned, a fertilizer warehouse worker who had a pallet of fertilizer break open on him, or that bug infested patient found every now and then. That's what the showers are useful for. And then there are others where more mass decon is effective, such as MCI's involving chemicals, such as in industrial accidents. I wonder how long it would take to get this decon system setup? Stamford FD has built some really nice ready-to-go decon trailers, I understand, complete with built in heated showers. Maybe someone here can elaborate on those?

The apparatus upgrade continues, next the Rescue! Any photos of 80B3 yet,lol? Maybe Sat? Looking foward to doing my first call in it as 45-M-2 on Saturday evening. (Usually M-1, filling in for M-2) One Freightliner down, one more to go! The uncomforable rides are going to be a thing of the past for the pts!!!

Temporary, of course due to the ongoing construction and finishing of the childrens hospital. But this bump has been there for several months now, and according to the contractor, will be there for a "few more weeks". Is there a place to write on most occasions? Yes.But this room was in built in the ED for US. It has a direct door to the ambulance bay and the ED, and contained 4 large and seperate report stations with phones with a 60 tie in, internet access ports, a sink for hand washing, a drinking water dispenser, a fridge, a coffeemaker, and a closet for restock supplies, paperwork and linen. It also had a bulletin board for continuing education and other notices of communication The fact this was taken over by the ANSC nurses, and the fact there are plenty of other places for them in the facilty, irks me. This was for US, built and designed to make our lives easier. This ER is extremly poorly designed for EMS, and the hospital staff. This office being used as a nursing office is a shame. Along with the extremly small and tight ED bay with small spaces. And it's a haul to take patients in, emergency or transport. There should be a seperate txp enterance closer to the main facility This is a regional trauma center, the ER should show it in its design! I will take you to my old ED when they open the new one and show you what a real Level I trauma center ED looks like!!! But I digress.....