x635

I HATE NEXTEL (and Motorola cell phones)MORE THAN EVER TONIGHT. Yet again, my i730, the POS it is, has malfunctioned. This time, when I press the DC key to talk to somebody, it keeps keying up with that stupid intiation chirp and wont stop. This will be my fourth i730 phone in 10 months. I take care of my phone, I didnt drop it, expose it etc. This will be my last i730, and I am now seriously considering dropping Nextel altogther. I'm also sick ofthe outrageously high bill, considering I can probaly get the service for half the cost per month with another provider such as Cingular, and have a better selection of phones to pick from. Although I love Direct Connect, it may have come to the point where I'd rather save the money and hassles of Nextel. What ever happened to Motorola quality???

You don't need one guy to "flag down the ambulance". We're quite capable of finding locations on our own, thank you. Plus the big red truck in front usually helps too. :roll: [-X More than 2 is generally needed for manpower....mainly for lifting, lifting heavy patients, complicated carrydowns, helping carry our sometimes buly amount of equipment, CPR compressions and ventilations, to drive the bus on occasion, etc

I was just curious if anybody knew if Westchester County allowed people not currently affiliated with a Fire agency in Westchester to take courses, such as Firefighter I? I know it is probaly not allowed, but I think that is ridiculous. If I want to take FFI or another type of course, and I'm willing to pay a fee/tution for it, I think that should be allowed. I'd like to take classes that will increase my chances or give me a better foundation at my future career department, but I can't do that in Westchester and I really dont understand why not. If theres room in the class, you're willing to sign a safety waiver/get a physical, and you're willing to pay reasonable tution, then there should be no reason why you cannot take a fire class...just like taking an EMT course or a class at WCC. There are also (fire) classes that would be beneficial to my EMS job given, but can't take those either w/o a fire affiliation.

ALS, I understand, but don't neccarily agree with a lot of the way things are done. NYS is very, how do I say it, antique/way behind in their policies and procedures. And NYS/WC should have been training at the FFI level YEARS ago. As far as the FFI and NYS goes, I'm not interested in a NYS academy.I want the National Certification. Regardless of what you say, there are department (outside of NY) that prefer the FFI certification, even if you have to go through their academy. Every little bit helps. It's very, very competive to get a FF/Medic job in a good department. If WCFTC was to affiliate in some way with WCC, they could open up a world of new oppurtunities. Maybe WCC, in conjunction with WCFTC, could offer some sort of Firefighter/Fire Science Degree program. I would be willing to make a bet if a program like that was to be done, it would be pretty succesful.....and probaly interest and make it easier for more people in earning an AS. But then again, thats a progressive idea, so it probaly wont happen lol. As far as the WCFTC goes, it definetly has come a long way. However, I feel Firefighter I, as important as it is, is just a foundation that teaches you the fundementals. Experience and continuing education is where it's at. And I don't feel like typing anymore, but every FF should have Arson awareness in some form. Also, ALSFFInstructor, Check your PM's for further insight on my comments....

I understand WC's limited space for classes and duty's as a public agency. However, as far as ALS's comments go, many career dept's either require or prefer FFI and other classes, and as I mentioned, some would also be beneficial to EMS personel. As far as the joining a department, with what time lol???? But not to worry, there are other Fire Academies in the region that will take non-affiliated persons when space is available. Also, if Westchester accepted tutition payments for non-affiliated students, that would cover some of the course. IMO, unless the county makes a major, major initiative, they will never be ahead of the game, they will always just trying to catch up. Which is a shame given some of the talent they have working there and some of the potential the place could have.

Just curious, when you join your department, what are you issued? As far as turnout gear goes, do you get new turnouy gear that's fitted to ou, or are you issued old/used geat? How about a SCBA mask? Do you get your own? What else are you given when you join?

Congats Rob! You worked hard for it (and paid off a lot of people, lol)!!!!

Congrats John! From what I can see and hear, you are doing a kick ass job making Engine 119/NoTanker10 a progressive and highly skilled company!!

Congrats George!! =D>

Thats a GREAT idea about an Emergency! movie, I'd love to see Emergency! The Complete # Season on DVD as well, CHiPs too....those are my favorite TV shows of all time. As far as the Dukes Of Hazard goes....the movie is coming out next summer. Jessica Simpson is Daisy, and Johnny Knoxville is Luke.

I passed by Washington Engine at 0300hrs this AM, as of then there appeared to be NO XMas decorations....were they turned off or not there yet???

OK, driving around last night during work, there is definetly a serious lack of X-Mas lights up. What is going on? Jeesh?

According to the Nov '04 edition of First Responder News/Swankie News........the Wheeled Roach ad says "Mohegan Lake Volunteers" have a new bus on order? Any truth to this? Suprising to me, I would think LMFD*EMS would have gone with a PL Custom or Road Rescue. Also, I heard a rumor that Elmsford FD is getting ready to order a new Wheeled Roach Shortly.

Nothing better? Even better than that new camera smell on Xmas AM? LOL.

http://www.gowansknight.com/Crotonwip.htm Gowans Knight now has an "Work In Progress" feature!! Pretty neat, click on the above for a sneak preview of Croton Falls New Engine! (For some reason, I can't get all the photos to load)

75' RM Quint! 75' RM Quint! How about something that protects the rest of us, not just the apartment buildings on East Hartsdale ave???

I dunno, but it's scary that L.A. felt more Christmas-y than Westchester does.

That sale came out of nowhere. It'll be interesting to see what changes are made to AMR....I know they've been doing pretty well for the past year or two. Also wonder if this will affect their new AEV Traumahawk Safety protype production?

Good to see Chevrolet is reintroducing the Tahoe in a Police Package. It's definetly needed IMO....sometimes a regular stock Tahoe just doesn't cut it.

I'll believe it when I see it done. This process has been ongoing since 1994. Hopefully, it won't be nearly as ugly, out of place, and impractical as Village Hall/ PD Heaqurters, which was built in 1996. The Village and the PD then moved out of the Municipal Building, which now houses only the FD......what a skell move by them. They got what they wanted, out of the detiororating building described below and left the FD to continue to be toyed with by the incompetence and could-care-less about the FD Village Board. Sure, the village has financed beautiful and fully loaded apparatus. But they have continued to delay and strip down a much needed new firehouse to the point where it's probaly going to be just some bays with a couple rooms, not the modern Fire-Rescue headqurters it should be. Ardsley has shown gross negligence and disregard for its firefighters safety and well being by allowing the current house to remain in operation as long as it has. I LOVE the current firehouse, its filled with stories history and legacy, but sometimes its not practical to keep a building alive for those reasons solely. For those that do not know, Ardsley FD is operating out of a 110 plus year old former converted schoolhouse. The apparatus barely fits in the bay, in fact all the appartus with the exception of Old Betsy have had to be custom manufactured to fit in the house, and all have recieved some sort of damage due to the houses size. There is no exhaust system. No decontamination facilities. No Cascade system. The gear and gear up areas are directly in the path of moving appartus. There are no excercise facilities. There is a steep steep staircase to the second level. Foundation is crumbling. No safe place to park and get into the building during a call, especially in the winter. No facilities to top off the booster tank. No shower facilities. Painted=slippery floors. Poor lighting. crumbling exterior and interior. Bat and rat infestation. contaminated soil. asbestos. Should I go on??? All the money they spent on architects, consultants, etc they could have paved the new firehouse with gold. Ardsley Village Board. Destroying and Yuppy-izing Ardsley. No respect for the true and original residents of the village. Their motto is "Dont make over $100,000 a year?? Then get out!! " :sad:

I had the chance to see Engine 185 in person yesterday, briefly, just as they were about to paint the Elephant on. It looks pretty good, looking foward to a chief showing me more of the features. (Spy Shot By x635)

Funny, that same line can often be heard coming out of WAS's mouth when he has to use WEMS CPU's, lol! And LMAO Remember585! LOL.

Quite a tragedy in Switzerland...thanks for the valuable info you provided..Doe WCFTC offer a class in this????