housemander

Kid, just listen to the chief.
I appreciate that you like fire trucks. I like fire trucks too. I like getting paid to ride on them and I like looking at pictures of them on Emtbravo. I also appreciate that you're new. I was once new as well, in fact it wasn't that long ago. Someday, you might be sitting in a fire truck and look around the cab of the big fancy engine they bought you and see a 65 year old man driving and a 80 year old fire police in the back. Or you might be fortunate enough to get on a paid job and have one other guy with you or you might even be by yourself. And you will not care how many red trucks are coming but rather what the hell are you going to do with what you've got.

Under "M's" description of FDNY's new accountability system, the radio (when keyed) tells the command post what radio it is, who has it and what their riding assignment is. Based on the assignment they generally know where a member should be operating (ie. roof, floor above, pump etc.).
Motorola sells the software to do this (FDNY went with another vendor) and there are other features of both systems that FDNY opted not to have. They include; "polling" which means the radio when turned on in range of the system will automatically advise the system its there, it will also show when a radio has been turned off or dies and showing the battery status of each portable. There is also a way for the radio to use its 16 channel sellector to have 16 predetermined assignments (roof, fire floor, command, OVM, etc.) that the memebr can turn to (while remaining on the same radio channel) and the command computer will place the "radio" into that location group.
Motorola & Scott are working to merge this radio accountability system in 2012. Using the Scott SIMS II system, but not the mesh network, they plan on using bluetooth between the SCBA and the radio so that the radio accountability system will also recieve the amount of air the ff has, and the PASS Alarm status along with the current radio system functions (evac, emergency button, polling, battery life, etc.).
We expect to do the final testing and training of this system in the next 3 weeks. I will post a follow up once it is completed.

Training is about complete for us on a new accountability system. It's called E.F.A.S. for Electronic Firefighter Accountability System. To echo what others around our job are saying, it's one of the most well thought out programs in a while. All command vehicles (Batt. and Div. cars) are set-up with the system. It uses our MDTS and opens with a single button push. The system is tied in with each companies riding list for the tour. In other words, each radio has and electronic I.D. number. That number correlates to a company and a position within that company (Nozzle, Roof, Irons, Boss, ect). When each tour starts, the members working are entered into the computer and so are the positions they're assigned. That computer system is tied in with the E.F.A.S.. When on scene, a member will make a transmission and that person information with pop up on the MDT screen as such:
F.F. Smith L099 - Roof (It is also time stamped.
Also, once any member of a company transmits, that company is stored as being on that incident and all of the companies show up in a different on screen box.
The list grows as members make transmissions, however, they remain on the list for the incidents duration. When someone transmits a Mayday, hopefully they push the emergency alert button on their radio. If they do, their transmissions are displayed on the screen in bright red, they also remain on top in another window. If they fail to push the emergency alert button, the member of the FAST truck who is monitering the screen may manually assign them to Mayday status.
A member from the FAST truck is responsible for monitoring this screen for the duration of the job. This includes any instances where the FAST truck may be put to work. The truck will operate without this member, they are married to this screen.
Lastly, the E.F.A.S. system has a roll-call feature. Since the system knows what units are on scene and have transmitted, it also knows how many firemen are there. When the chief hits the roll-call button on the screen, he will ask for all on scene to click their mic button 3 times (to avoid stepping on one another) and the system will record those who transmit as accounted for. Those who are not accounted for will show up in red and then they can be individually called upon to answer. Hopefully they were simply stepped on or did not click initially.
The system isn't nearly as complicated as I may have made it sound. It's fairly fire dept. friendly.

After a long 4 1/2 year battle the 2nd circuit ruled yesterday against me, the findings of the court basically say that because of lack of proof they would not rule in my favor. I know the truth, promotions were stopped by the request of the Vulcan Society and senior Black officers of the FDMV. The decision of my attorney to go for a summary judgement was because of the NH20 decision from our highest court. They stated that you can't hold back a list of white firefighters in fear of litagation alone. In my case the City Attorney at the time on federal EEOC forms stated that she didn't want to promote in fear of a lawsuit from the Vulcans. 3 days after the promotion was stopped the Vulcans very own attorney withdrew the complaint claiming that the review of the decree showed that there was no violation if the promotions of 2 white firefighters went ahead. The City Attorney did nothing but ignore the Vulcans Attorney and ordered the civil service commission to terminate the list even though it had 2 weeks to go before termination date. Facts are facts and we will go on knowing the truth and who was involved in this case.That same very attorney is now a city court judge and I pray that she doesn't rule on the bench because of race.
I have to say that I am proud that I stood up and fought this case,even though the results were not in my favor I realize that throughout the country racism is strong in the fire service, against white and black,females,asians,hispanics etc. The brotherhood that I am very proud to be a member of certainly has some issues. I will continue to serve the citizens of Mount Vernon to the best of my ability something that I swore that I would do. There is no other career that I would want to do. I also want to take this time to thank everyone for the donations,words of encouragement and just the support that I have recieved. Its been a long haul but well worth itThe world is round and someday those who were responsible for this mess will realize that.Again, thank you and be safe! FF Joseph J Carroll FDMV