ajsbear

OK, I've been quiet for a long time reading this. I've now got to add my 1 1/2 cents(inflation) First I grew up in Mt Vernon, was a long time member back in the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Manpower was always a problem. We had 6 Engines, 3 ladders, a fully staffede resuce and a spare engine and ladder, not new, quite old but servicable. It was a combo department and you always had enough guys at a worker. The volly's were dispanded without a real increase in manpower on the career side. Henry submited a plan. It was by and large ignored. Every chief after did nothing to correct this. The union then screamed (is Frank here) and Mayor Ernie just took things away. I remember he would not let a unit go to NYC at 911, said "send a garbage truck" I beleive. Now Ernie spends the cities money rebuilding the "Circle." Doesn't anyone remember why they removed it? All that new tax money from the new stores on Sanford Blvd. If the people on Mt Vernon really knew what was going on there would be a linch mob in front of city hall. If not it proves they don't care or they are just ignorant. They let the library go until there was a waterfall inside every time it rained. TALK ABOUT GROSS MISMANAGEMENT!!. Ernie needs a dose of reality but god forbid if a brother dies because of this. Sooner or later the members on the job in Mt Vernon are going to get in over their heads because of the lack of manpower and help is to far away. How do you keep the city beautiful if its filled with burned out buildings? What if you just go in and protect lives, make sure the building is clear and do an exterior attack since you don't have the manpower to do a proper interior one. I remember years ago the short Yonkers Strike. The goal was to make sure the structure was clear. They proved the need for a fully staffed department. Don't think Tony was the local pres. then in Yonkers. Something needs to be done. We need to support the guys who are there doing a hell of a good job under tough conditions with not enough manpower, old or inadaquate equiptment and so on. The eacape ladder is an OSHA issue. If anyone takes offence at my rant, sorry. I hate to see what is happening there and We all need to get together Career, Volunteer etc to help before someone gets hurt. We need to get our point across to ERNIE!

About the Flexfuel cars. GM announced they are making 400,000 of them this year. The more they sell of these the more demand for the fuel and you'll see more stations slling it. These cars can also run on regular gas as well. As for the gas price, I was on LI yesterday where it seems the average price is $2.93. Up here in Northern Westchester it's already over $3 and not stopping. It'll be $3.25 by memorial day. I was in NJ Saturday and paid $2.55 a gallon. What happened to capping the taxes?????

The prices are increasing at unbeleivable rates. I saw 1 station go up 12 cents in one day. The station I go to just went up 10 and while I was there his supplier called and told him his delivery which was on the way was another 8 cents. Most of the gas in storage was refined 3 to 6 months ago. What happened to the State gov't who said they were putting a cap on the state gas taxes. Some of the counties said the same. The taxes are based on a percentage of the selling price. They were supposed to vote in September on a tax cap. Everyone of the state senators and members of the assembly came out and talked about supporting it but look, nothing. Just like our representatives. Talk BIG before an election and do NOTHING. I'd appologize for the rant but I know we're all suffering.

Some lawyer will contact the family and file suit just like happened in the Playland case. It will be publisized then it will go away quietly as it will be settled and nothihng will happen.

Hey Cap, how about we return to the good old days of Rubber.

And we all know "You can't fix stupid!!"

There are just way too many departments who just put someone in to fill a position with anyone rather than have an opening. How about them 18 Y.O. Lt's. and 23 Y.O. Cheifs.

SEMPER FI LANCE CPL SEAN M. JACKSON

Today's boats are almost always fiberglass and that alone is a special hazard. Combine that with you never know what is stored on the boat in the way of chemicals, fuel, cushions etc. Be prepaired for potentially toxic smoke, anyone near the firezone should have a mask. Collapse zones are important if they are in drydock. As said before they are stacked tightly during the off season. As they burn or melt, they are no longer balanced on the blocks they are on. Sailboats have an additionsl problem, most are stored with their mast still intact. When they become unbalanced and fall over they can reach out 30 feet or more. Creates a wide collapes zone, and if 2 or more sailboats are close together......... Boatyard fires should not be taken lightly.

In Mt. Vernon, even the days as a combo dept. the driver always went in. The only ones outside were the working chief, his aide, the MPO's on the 2 first alarm engine co's.

'64 Mustang Coupe. I've now had 6 different Mustangs, all from the '60's and I've restored each one. Just sold my '67 convertable and now I'm working on a 68 Colbra.

Jason one thing to remember, a vast majority of Career/paid personel come out of the volunteer ranks. In addition many of the career FF's still volunteer in their home communities.

How about officers who have no interpersonal skills and don't know how to deal with people. Think they rule and micro manage. Also officers who look at the rules not as guidlines but as something to follow to the letter. Rules are guides as every department is different and every situation needs to be looked at as individual happenings and then desided on. To just say those are the rules, I'm the _____ and thats it doesn't buy it these days.

That's not the first time for that building. It had major fires twice before. Don't remember the years but I was at both. (senior moment?) Talking about Mt. Vernon fires, what about 4th Ave and 1st St. in 1980 or Genungs back in the late 60's. The apartment house at Columbus and Lorraine is another one that comes to mind. Also the Pelham Gables fire.

There was a time that Mt. Vernon had exceptional fire protection. Yes it was some time ago. 6 engine company's 3 ladders and each had 2 career FF's and an untold number of volunteers to respond plus a fully manned rescue with usually 3 or 4 career FF's and an officer plus an officer at the ENg 3 & 4 house, a deputy with an aid. At any working fire you would usually get 20 or more volly's plus depending on how many rig's a full group of career FF's. Very rare was the call ever put in for M/A. The Mayor and others pushed out the volunteers and never really added many more positions on the career side to compensate. With officers you had about 120 or so career guys total. YOu guys who now work there, how many in the department? How many are officers? I don't think the numbers are much different. Are the PD numbers the same as 10 or 20 years ago? Remember there was no real Auxillary PD then and I don't thnik there is any now.

I think the tramatic experience will put Andy into Psycho Therapy now for many years. Seth we need to prevent unsettling situations like this! Now Andy with spend a fortune in therapy not to mention the time now lost to work, firefighting and responding on the boards.

Definitly add M*A*S*H to my list.

I would have to cast my vote for "Animal House" or the original "Blues Brothers." These are true classics in my eye.

In the northen area's. A few fixer uppers in Lake Peekskill and the eastern end, one of the little lake coops in North Salem I beleive. Looked at 2 as an investment a year ago.

Didn't know you were a CRACKBERRY addict!

This was already posted as "SKILLS"

Hey guys, I joined an "oil co-op" this year and it's always at least 10 cents below the published local prices. Last month I paid 2.05 a gallon. If anyone wants info please PM me.

"OHMYGOD" another TMAC, we're all in trouble.

Yep dadbo, we called them Truck 1, Truck 2 and Truck 3. Of course I'm partial to Truck 2. Everyone here except the few from FDMV will only know the county numbers.

Mt. Vernon has 3, Ladder 61, 62 and 63 were all LaFrance Tillers