x635

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.lohud.com/article/20131010/NEWS02/310100060/Dead-reckoning-Greenville-fire-capt-finds-raccoon-carcass-car-hood?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Frontpage|s

Quite interesting. I never knew this was possible. -- Cautious doctors replacing former Vice President Dick Cheney's heart defibrillator in 2007 modified it so it couldn't be hacked by terrorists who might try to kill him, Cheney told CNN's Sanjay Gupta in an interview that aired Sunday night on CBS' "60 Minutes."Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/20/us/dick-cheney-gupta-interview/

Are the NYS Civil Service exams for Firefighter, Police, and Dispatcher obsolete and irrelevant? Is the giving the test once every four years still a fair way to do things? Personally, I feel they are. There are much more relevant testing, some even interactive and based on actual academy-type curriculum, instead of just generic old school questions. I also feel that there should be computer based testing, and you should be allowed to take each test once a year, with the list dynamic instead of static lists. But, more importantly, can the above (for example), produce the best candidates for the job?

And more firefighters, too.

FDNY High Water Evacuation Truck 2013 International 4x4/Ferrara Shop # IM13006 Note these are not only used for evacuation purposes, but to get firefighters and equipment to and from scenes in flood situations.

Here's a shot of the back, and the boarding ladder stowed on the side..

Of course, it's from the NY Post, but still an interesting article anyways. Read More: FDNY’s court-mandated class flaming out

Just trying to see who has CAFS-equipped Engines in the region?

Don't many employers require other vaccinations, like those for TB and Hep?

I used to have a ton of Code 3's, and die cast fire apparatus replicas, too many too list. I finally decided that my home was permanent enough to take them all out of their boxes and put them into a perfect display case I found at a used store fixture place. As soon as that was completed, I was served divorce papers (unrelated to that, lol), everything was thrown into the garage damaging many pieces and my firematic man cave made into a guest bedroom very quickly. Now they are just siting in boxes in my moms garage in Texas. Don't know if I'll ever have a place again where I can display them, and I had to throw away all the boxes they came in and the display case. If they weren't in Texas, I'd probably sell as many as I could, but probably will just end up bequeathing them to a museum or something. I miss them. And Steve, wow!

Was just joking. He is a truckie trapped in an engine guy role, and knows deep down real trucks are 100' and don't have pumps, or at least that's how he used to be. He's easily enticed by that. I witnessed it when Yonkers got their new ALF TL's. I think that's the first time they used the bucket to carry down an EMS patient. LOL. (Sorry for hijacking, I'll shut up now)

I would think a lot of it depends on how long you plan to keep the vehicle. A current model Ford F-550 or International Terastar would be able to handle mostly anything you could put on there, as well as be compatible with the chassis you already have. And give you another 20 years. Also, would upgrading the engine give you a warranty, and would the transmission be able to handle it? And would the current braking system on the current model chasis be able to handle the added weight? Then you can slap a pickup bed on the old chassis and make it a Utility or Fire Police vehicle. . A question from my big mouth....is the current rescue 4x4?

You know if you got a 100' Midmount Tower Ladder without a pump you'd be seeing him in blue at that call. Sorry to get off track.

For those giving the test, and for those taking the test. Is complacency key, or do we always want to be looking at better ways to do things? I understand, the testing is to gauge the candidates ability to learn. But there's new ways and methods to do things, and sitting down with a pencil and Scantron form filling out bubbles once every four years is, at the very least, a very old school way of doing things. What I'm hearing is that as long as I take a test every four years, and I'm proficient in math, reading comprehension, etc, can pass a physical agility, and get through an interview, I can get through an academy and get a civil service job for 20-30 years with excellent pay and benefits, for the most part, and a pension, and not give a crap about the actual job or improving myself to make me better during my career on my own. One example: If I was hiring a firefighter, and I had two candidates at the equal level determined above, and one worked in construction, was just a laborer and pursued nothing else or taken any opportunities to advance his career in the field, and the other was a Paramedic, I'd pick the Paramedic. A Paramedic has to want to be a Paramedic, and has to work very hard, and devote many hours at a college level for about two years just to become a Paramedic. All at their own cost of thousands of dollars. And they have to continually maintain certification through MAC's, Continuing Education, etc. In essence, it's much harder to become a Paramedic then a firefighter, yet they rarely have civil service, decent pay, promotional opportunities and other things that are afforded to firefighters. And the medical background benefits the majority of a career FD calls....the EMS first response. Yet, a firefighter career is basically handed to you as long as you have a high school diploma and score well, and you're provided the education. And the same process is used to promote to become an officer, which for some is only for better pay and a higher pension, not career advancement. It really doesn't reflect your accomplishments during your time as a firefighter. (But most officers do want it and take a more relevant test) Why would I choose the laborer who scored one point above? Because CURRENT Civil Service law says so and a basic test says he can possibly learn AND retain. Yup. But is he the better candidate? Is this something that could be studied long term to see outcomes? I know a ton of great Firefighters, Fire Officers, and Police Officers in Westchester County who have succeeded in their careers that started off in EMS, and that says something to me about aptitude. And I know a lot of people who would make excellent firefighters and cops who show dedication and want who get passed over for obsolete, irrelevant, and "PC" laws.

The 60 Control turnout coat with the E-23 helmet....what's that about?

It's time to require EMT or Paramedic certification, as it's a big part of most jobs. Many guys struggle with this in the academy. College degree in fire protection or related could cull candidates who are academically ready. An oral board (no, not an interview) portion should be considered. The days of being a firefighter who just comes on the job to fight fires with a high school diploma are over. The role of a firefighter nowadays are greatly expanded. In many areas of the country require you to have a valid CPAT card to test...why not require this to weed out candidates before the written? Many areas of the country are doing this, either through private testing facilities or fire academies charging a fee to cover costs. So, is it an academic test, or a pressure test? Having computer based testing would also be much more economical and efficient, and it would still be timed, so still the same pressure. I agree on the basic academic minimums. But I don't believe it's all about "outscoring" on a basic written test being the end all. Also, there are no questions on the NYS test to gauge potential EMS aptitude, like there are mechanical aptitude questions. I know many guys on the job who somehow passed the written who can barely spell. Again, a college degree could probably ensure that the person has those basic academic skills. A yearly test would allow a person to improve their skills, without having to wait 4 years. How many guys miss out because of this and the age limits and other factors? And, as a reminder, this is a discussion. An opinion is not right or wrong. I'm just looking to discuss is there a better way to test?

When was the last time you saw the NYS Firefighters Exam test? Do you want someone who is book smart to top every other candidate all the time, or do you want someone who is more well rounded and can bring other important modern skills to the table while still being able keep up academically?

Wow! You sure do carry a lot on the rescue! I'm glad you got the approval for the updates, hopefully the firehouse will be next ;-) If you're going to re-chassis, a Ford F-550 extended cab would give some more room to store turnout gear, SCBA's, and EMS supplies in a climate controlled area right where they are needed and free up compartment space- and probably still fit in the bay. Also, wheel well compartments, an absorbent hopper up top, and a PTO generator may save space too. Replacing the light tower with LED floodlights would lessen the need for power. As far as aesthetics, a BRAT bumper would look awesome and probably give some more space. Oh, and those really cool warning lights mounted under the mirror like on 69-12 And, as you've shown and proven to me, the guys at the BRAT shop can fabricate anything the mind imagines! Just my worthless useless 2 cents.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.cracked.com/article_19798_5-terrifying-secrets-about-riding-in-ambulance.html

For conversational purposes, does anyone feel that there are topics that should be added, deleted, or are obsolete? Is AVET covered under it yet?

Does NY have this law? http://news.yahoo.com/states-enact-laws-stock-epinephrine-schools-075244165.html

I absolutely agree. I think that there are people that want to be dispatchers, and who would stay longer, but that's a difficult career choice. Dispatchers are second guessed, badmouthed, disrespected, overworked, underpaid, and in the case of 60 Control, work in a cramped, obsolete facility. Burnout is very high in dispatching, and health is a challenge when you have to sit for 12 or more hours at a time. There's also not a lot of opportunities afforded to dispatchers to advance their careers in many agencies, and it doesn't have to be that way. But there's a big part of me looking back at things wishing that I never left 60 Control. Dispatching is a challenging and rewarding career underneath everything else. Extreme multitasking and making things happen is pretty fun, and at 60, the camaraderie was great. But the grass is always greener on the other side, and so I went. I do wish I could return, but have to go through the whole civil service process again.....

That's what I'm wondering. I can't seem to find anything about their contract being contested....hopefully someone here knows.

Nice pics, Pete. Am I seeing right, do those two Velocities have Quantum-style fold down steps?