smwells

slightly off from topic, but has anyone tried hearing the siren or horns in these new cars with "Quiet Steel" or other sound proofing they have?? They are designed to minimize outside noise, 200 watt siren and 350 db airhorns may not be getting through!!! and then add the 300-3000 watt sound system to the mix.. unless they see you coming, I am not taking any bets that they can hear you..

I believe that all new/refurbished public buildings have to meet the current ADA codes for the area.. I know when our building was built in 2000 we eliminated the elevator issue, since our building was built into the hill side. The 2nd floor is accessible at grade by going around to the back of the building. It also we designed that all operational functions were on the 1st floor and training/social/admin were on the 2nd floor, so the need for expedited transition between floors is minimized. PVVAC Web Page

Only time will tell if the change of flycars to ambulances are working the way they expect. I think this winter will be a deciding factor, when the medic can't get to an ALS job in one of these ambulances.. I have had it happen in Put Valley more than once, Medic was assigned to a type II ambulance when their 4 wheel drive flycar was out of service, could not make it up some of the roads. Medic had to be picked up enroute, delaying ALS care to the patient. While it may help transports, it may also delay ALS care.. Stay tuned for the next chapter .....

Looking at the picture of the Taxi, these guys are lucky!!. Broken bones are repairable. Hope they have speedy recovery..

I can't speak for the politics around the building of the new firehouse. But I know the project was delayed for a while with various issues before they broke ground, if all these parties wanted to reuse the building shouldn't they have spoken up sooner? This project has probably been publicly posted with the town for over 5 years.. Planning, zoning, etc.. all of which had to go before the town of carmel for approvals.. where were all these people during that time asking about the old building.. Mahopac is well on thier way to having a 21st century building that can handle the apparatus that the already own, instead of a converted "Ice House" which is what I believe the old building originally was used for.

I cant argue with your point, you shouldn't wear it or display it in NYC, but this whole discussion started with someone being arrested for carrying his badge in a briefcase, not displaying it. Personally I carry mine in my wallet that has a place for my badge, for over 12 years without issue in and out of NYC, including federal and state offices. As many people have already stated on here, we need the full story.. so far no one has gotten it.

I don't know if I would want to be swimming in a pool with the additives some departments use to assist with extinguishing fires, I think one is called 'flametamer'?

I have carried a Gold NYC detective style EMT badge in my wallet since I became one in 1993. I have worked in NYC most of these years in a non ems related job and no one has ever harrased me about the badge. I purchased it from a police supply shop less than a block from the NYPD police academy on 20th/2nd ave. If the law doesnt allow me to posses one since 1992, then how was I able to purchase it from an authorized dealer?? I think someone is creating a lot of bad press for those of us who legitimately do this job. If someone has a valid card to backup the badge then it should be no issue.. If the person is trying to play "kojack" and flashing a badge at a scene, then they deserve the 72 hr vacation.

In Putnam Valley VAC we cover 42 sq mi of area.. it is prefered that you go to HQ but it isnt practical if you are closer to the call.. Many of the EMTs carry O2 and basic supplies to get started at a scene prior to the ambulance arrival. All members are trained on First Aid and CPR. so in the event they respond direct to a scene or the ambulance reponds driver/attendant to meet the EMT on scene they can start care. Our members are told to tell inform the dispatcher "where they are responding to" HQ, Scene, or possibly to have the rig pick them up enroute leaving the POV in a secure location. this also allows the balance of the crew to know who they are waiting for before responding. The rule is that all POV at a scene must be parked out of the way,left with keys in them.. so they can be moved or secured in the event you ride the bus to the hospital. Good idea to keep a spare key on you, in case they secure your car.. Last thing you need is to get to your POV at a scene and be locked out!

Yes, Saturday, same time..

In the case of a pull station or fire alarm activation, exterior doors are supposed to unlock to faciliate egress from the building. There may be circumstances that the door is designed to 'fail secure' as part of their security requirements. Most places that utilize MagLocks do have a means of battery backup in the event of a power failure, to maintain security. I know Putnam Valley Vac utilized MagLocks on the entry and some interior doors, all of which will unlock in the event of a pull station / Fire alarm activation, but will stay secure during a power failure for an extended period. I cant state for sure, but you are probably going to break the door before you break the magnetic contacts, depending on the type of lock used. Stuart

Congrats Arena family on the new Home.. I couldn't make it for the actual project, but had a chance to drive by the house on Thursday (or a least near the house, as the block was closed off by Somers PD). The house looks great. I look forward to seeing the episode on May 14 to see all the effort that went into this project..

At least these have a solid footprint on the pavement, the Mustangs and Camaros had no weight, hence the reason why most of them were wrecked quickly..

An additional 2 cents.. What is not mentioned in the Putnam County plan is the fact that only 2-3 (out of 14 FD & 4 VAC) departments in the county have a consistant issue with coverage. Most of the departments are carrying their call volume with minimum issues. In some cases they are covering their calls and some of the neighboring volume. A better plan (which was proposed) was to go with 4 existing fly cars + 1 ambulance on the east side of the county, then the ALS coverage would not be impacted. I see the replacement of 2 existing flycars with ambulances on the proposed plan creating delays getting ALS care to a patient that truly needs it.

I cant comment on Alamo, but I believe the existing contact will be up for renewal in the near future.. While the need to get ambulance to a scene promptly is #1, and appreciate the county's attempt at a fix, I am not sure if this proposed plan will fix the issue or create other ones...

I know personally from dealing with Putnam Valley Highway, that they were given pagers for both the FD and Ambulance for thier headquarters, if a call goes out during inclement weather the nearest plow is sent to the area to provide clear access. In addition many of the workers are members of the FD/VAC, and will here the calls directly on the road.

I think RadioShack still sells the Firemans helmet with the revolving light on top, except it is RED..

Congrats.. They really deserve this... Does anybody know if the FD and EMS agencies can assist in making this project even a better success. I am sure many of the EMTBravo members want to assist this effort.

I think something is missing from this article.. I have been in Federal office buildings in NYC numerous times, carrying my NYS EMT badge in my wallet, without incident. Was the badge loose in the briefcase? was it in his wallet in the briefcase? Did he show his EMT card to support his status? Based upon the letter, the EMT followed the required screening processes.. I work in lower manhattan, on 9/11 I was told to display my badge on my street clothes to ensure I was not confused with the numerous bystanders also trying to help. I have had my badge since I became an EMT in 1993 (actually purchased from a PD supply shop near the NYPD academy), and have never had any incident with NYPD or any other agency. All of them accepted the badge as proof of my EMT status. I think some addtional information is needed to get a complete picture of this incident.

Putnam Valley VAC has been planning a 'Retirement' plan for about 4 years, but has not implemented yet. The membership wanted to get settled into our new Headquarters first. We are currently looking at 2007 for geting the plan on-line. At this time, we are NOT using the NYS LOSAP plan, as it really does not give credit to all the aspects of a volunteer department (those members that handle the day to day behind the scenes work, that keeps the place running, but don't ride on the ambulance). These members fulfill a need that is worthy of being part of a retirement system.

I contacted McNeil and Company, the package is due out in about 2 weeks, but is only available to McNeil's clients.. Anyone out there a McNeil and Co client and want to share the knowledge with the rest of us? SW

Do they want depts to bring apparatus? or are they trying to control the amount due to space contraints? I am sure many area departments want to show their support.

Putnam Valley VAC has a 2006 Wheel Coach Type III ambulance on order.. Due around 1st of the year To replace the ailing 1994 Medtec Type III

Putnam Valley Vac, Building Dedication is scheduled for October 22nd.

On Behalf of myself and the members of Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corp, we send our sincerest condolences to the Arena Family. S. Wells