PVFD113

Ok to get back on track with the original discussion--yes it has been a busy start this year--especially in Peekskill--seems like it started in December and just kept going. I must commend you all though--including all the M/A companies that have come in. Putnam had their share as well. Here at home--THANKFULLY we have been quiet as far as fires. PI's are the winner lately(thanks to mother nature), and of course our little hazmat incident. I often wonder if what we do as far as fire prevention/education helps as far as keeping fires down. Is there really a way to tell or is it just luck? We do try and get to the community as well as get others in to help us spread the message (Mohegan's top notch program). Let's all be safe out there!!!

Even though there are various base stations--which is fine--Here in Putnam--we are required to contact the control center(P911) to get permission before we hit tones --and remember we have a dedicated channel for just dispatch-units respond on another freq. I don't think it would be too difficult to ask county dept's to contact 60 before paging out a test or announcement. And on that topic--some of the announcements are just plain out ridiculas--shouldn't even go out over the air. Just my opinion not meant to ruffle any feathers.

It has been a long battle to break old trends. There was a time when you would clear a run and go back to the fire house and down quite a few--hell I have heard stories about grabbin a six pack on the way to a run--but those were the good ol' days. People do look up to us in the business. What you do on your own time is your business--don't make it your companies--take it one step further--does it really matter if it is a FF or PD or EMS? You should not go out bar hopping in your company uniform (or vehicle if you have a company car). It is just plain out not right. And as far as parade season--that is a lame a** excuse for getting crocked in uniform--the bull pen is one thing--have a designated--baby sitter to drive--if ya wanna go and party after--fine--lose the uniform--if for nothing else--respect for yourself and your brother/sister emergency services personel.

You may be able to hear them. The link to 205 is being worked on shortly as is the link to 46.38 It also depends on your location(surroundings) and antenna placement Try it out and let me know

153.920 is the townwide/PD channel correct? Non repeatered as well? Pl 107.2 The closest freq PCSO uses--I believe is 153.9125 pl 107.2 Maybe something is not tweaked right or they are overpowering Somers. As far as the 46.26 issue--if you pick it up that good you must have a minitor II (the 3 and 4 models stink). I think I have maybe heard that interferance quite some time back when a new link was being put in but not since then. See if you can isolate what the transmission is and I will keep my ears open.

In all honesty- some area's really do over use the medic as an EMT. Daytime calls for alot of volunteers can be difficult BUT can you justify going 4 tones or mutual aid after hours or on weekends when most of us are home? If it is common to not have EMT's during the day--maybe some funds should be set aside to hire a paid EMT (as other agencies do) to fill that void? It can work. At times there also seems to be a misunderstanding on the public's part also. Lets get a free ride to the hospital--and we won't have to wait in the ER. That happens--in my opinion too much. What about the nursing homes that are too impatient to wait for a transport ambulance like Emire or Empress. This does unfortunately happen. Please don't take me the wrong way--I am all for the Volunteer's 150%--but something needs to change before someone gets hurt.

Do you catty a low band or uhf pager?? I don't hear it--up hear on UHF or Low band. As for PCSO which freq cuts into Somers? They added a new repeatered freq but that was months ago-

Would that be the dead carrier noise or the buzz like carrier? I know hte squeal is from the VAC and FD towers clashing--and it is getting repaired--might even be done already

the freq for 46.38 xband is 453.9375 with a tpl of 123.0 the link works fairly well for what is was designed for 8 or so years ago. Hopefully soon we will be making some improvements with the reception clarity and range. I believe there is another one in Garrison but ours is the one most people use. PVVAC has a link to 155.205 also--453.1875 tpl 123.0

You will get some sporatic problems with some of the links--there are so many going up so fast it is hard to keep track. Mohegan is working on their issue with their link and the VAC link clashing and at times there are some that just create "noise". All in all they seem to be working out great. You do have the freq's for Putnam dispatch and EMS 205 correct?

We shoulda stayed with 40--Would have been so much easier for everyone--and maybe let the dispatchers keep their old numbers--

Well as anyone can see--there have been both positive and negative feedback left here-mostly positive. I don't want to repeat others but if I do --I am sorry I do believe they will have online times or something along those lines as soon as the power above choose a software vendor to partner with the CAD. I believe Firehouse is what was purchased with the CAD but currently the County departments use RED Alert (which is far superior). Once the choice is made then we can get the times as well as other info sent to each dept (as we were told anyway). As far as a status check--overall things seem to be going fairly smooth. There are a few things that I have noticed that can be tweeked. The transfer's--you have the benefit of knowing how things work in the county--pass it on--please. We do have 4 ambulance corps in the county that are totally separate--meaning separate tones and sometimes frequencies. Mistakes happen--when you are informed one has been made--notify the responders asap so your phones(and ours) don't ring off the hook. You really should have more staffing up there aso. What happened to not being a police dispatch? Hopefully this will change when all the equipment is changed over?? And finally-to repeat an earlier comment--there is no reason for being ignored--and yes I was ignored--maybe even forgotten until I called on the phone(since ch.5, ch.1 and highband didn't work)there really is no excuse--especially in our line of work. If 60 control can hear their units calling in with all the other BS radio traffic (all on 1 freq) in Westchester--Putnam shouldn't be a problem. I don't hear Dutchess much so I cannot compare. I hope this did not offend anyone--it was not meant to. I wish you all at the 9-1-1 center the best of luck--I have no doubt you will be one of the finest comm. centers in the state.

There are probably 10 or so cross band repeaters try them all--I think you got most of the towers close to the river--I have had the most luck with the Peekskill link listed above as well as the Mohegan link--453.275 dpl is 226 or 251--I can get it if you really need it. If you are interasted in 46.38 the there is only 1 link-453.9375 t123.0 and also for 155.205 453.1875 t123.0

968--I see your point and agree to a point--we have had situations where nbumerous calls were received for AA's in the same vicinity and it was still a check and advise issue--it has been getting better though. Our other issue is wrong location-I can understand a car passing an accident not getting the exact location--especially since people are not really paying attention during their daily commute. BUT when a patrol car on location gives hte wrong info--not good. Anyway--there is really no right answer to this question. One way works better for some and other ways work better for others. I think the states new system down in Westchester is going to be a big help also. All the camera's on the highways being monitored sould give a good indication of location, size or the incident, etc

To add to the Putnam situation--it depends on how the call comes in for us. Cell calls go to S.P., they 85% of the time send a car to check it out, if they do request FD/Ems there is another delay of 2-6 minutes before we get toned out. Personal experiances--a few come to mind--S.P. on location of a PIAA--FD/EMS got dispatched to the wrong location on the parkway and there was no extrication--subjects out of vehicle being interviewed by the trooper. Even with mile markers--somehow it still gets messed up. I believe the S.O. gets sent to check and advise also--supposedly this will change with the new center opening up. All calls go through Putnam 911 and they will dispatch FD/EMS and also advise the appropriate police agency. Better to have and not need than need and not have!!!

Motorola recently released the windows based software for the M III/IV line. They also have a new version of the CPS and Pro Radio software. Alot of hte ebay stuff was--the last time I looked the DOS based software for the pagers. They also make aftermarket or "home made" kits--which are suprisingly not too reliable. It is well worth the investment to purchase the Motorola name brand merchandise. The Minitor V should be released in the coming months as well--hopefully it will be the same docking station!!!

Anybody own or use Holmatro Tools that could give me some input as to their performance?? We are currently looking at purchasing a replacement set of tools for our new rig. We currently have 2 full sets of Lukas and have had minimal problems with them BUT they are about 15 to 20 years old and have definately done their share of work. The pumps are old school single stage and just don't have the ummph anymore. We had Garrison Fire Equipment come down and demo Holmatro and were considering having maybe Amkus, Hurst, or Centaur do the same. I was told that Centaur is the new name given to the Lukas line by the new parent company which owns Hurst as well. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

1750 pumps are useful when there are no hydrants and you need to supply numerous pieces of apparatus. I.E. A master stream/truck and an engine with numerous handlines in operation. When properly executed it works quite well.

Putnam Valley ordered a KME Excel XMFD 1,000/1,000 Custom Rescue / Attack Pumper to replace 24-2-1 the "B" side first due. 24-2-1 is a 1988 Pierce Lance 1,000/1,000 pumper. The 1988 will be relocated to the "A" side to replace 24-2-2 which is a 1985 Pierce Arrow 1,000/1,000 pumper. The new rig will feature 10" raised roof with seating for 6. 500 h.p. series 60 Detroit Diesel, Allison World 4000EVS Transmission, Whelen L.E.D. Lighting (Federal Provides the audibel warning with a PA-300 as well as a mechanical Q2b), Waterous CS-Y single stage pump, 30 gal foam tank, ROM Roll up doors, 10,000 watt hydraulic generator, Will-burt light tower, "portable" winch setup, custom compartments, etc... If you wnat anything further--let me know Construction has begun, delivery is expected in early to mid January.

Greetings to everyone, My name is Adam, I am 2nd assistant chief with Putnam Valley Fire. Additionally, Putnam County Hazmat Team Member, a member of Mohegan VAC, and oh yea havea paying job too with a large communications company (which shall remain nameless for a number of reasons.) I joined the forum a few months ago but only recently have I begun posting. I look forward to future encounters with you all!!! Seth--as everyone here has said--as well the buzz in the firehouse--outstanding job on this site!!!!

Ok for the clarification--the county as a whole needs to work on the dispatch issues as ALS had said. Mohegan specific--not an insult--they were not trained EMD dispatchers--not their fault--not their job either--60 in a step in the right direction. Sometimes people over analyze statements!!! And as far as directing my comments at mohegan--some were--situation specific as noted I believe--the delay in dispatch mainly. We should all work together--period . Like I also said before--I think at times people blow this issue out of proportion and/or over analyze comments made here. Sorry to those who may have been offended.

Great point ALS. I do believe all dispatchers at 60 are EMD certified. The people are getting the service--just waiting a few seconds more to get it. It is better than what they had which was nothing.

Let me clarify a bit--There were specific instances where there was a severe delay in dispatch. How is it that the utility can fly past me lights and sirens and yet the VAC tones were not hit for 3-5 minutes. I have nothing to lose or gain here--what I state is fact that I have seen with my own eyes. No it was not every time. There were numerous though. All you had to do is listen to the scanner and hear 10-17 from a eng. or utility--then wait for a few for the VAC notification. Like I siad--it was not everytime--but what was the reason when it did happen??? Call comes in, call the appropriate station for the eng. response, then dispatch--maybe but when you are waiting for an ambulance--it seems like forever. Maybe this whole issue is getting blown out of proportion. The point is this-Dispatch is in the best place it can be right now. Anyone can give their own version of pro's and con's. The important thing is that the public is receiving the service they depend on (and pay taxes for). We are ALL professionals!!!! We should ALL work together!!! Let's ALL just get along!!!

There are a few other diffrences between KME models. The Excel being the older and the Predator being brand new. Aside from the $4,000 diffrence in price, one of the best improvments is the multi plexed electrical system. We were considering that for our new rig but due to the $$$ and our budget for this truck as well as it not being "proven" we are sticking to an Excel XMFD Good luck with the predator--we will have to check it out for our next replacement in 07'

Point taken WAS--when they get the call--saying I need an ambulance or my house is on fire--they push the button to transfer and can listen in or go about their business and not get tied. Police business does need it's own deal. Fire and ems should be at 60.