FD828

Just because there are 1 or 2 members there to handle a call doesn't make it right. Just because "90% of calls can be handled by 2 firefighters responding" doesn't make it right. What do you tell the other 10% of the residents when you get there and can't do the job. What if the other 10% is a child or one of the volunteers own family members stuck in a house fire? And I am not saying that the paid engine with 4 or more guys would always make the difference, but if it were my family I would rather a full crew responding 24/7 period. I don't give a rats behind what chief is in charge at the scene. I came from a volunteer department and know the feelings of pride in your department. My family still lives in the all volunteer district, but you can bet your a** that if they wanted to put a fully maned engine company on 24/7 to respond immediately to my house, my mother's house I am all for it. It beats the hell out of 1 or 2 guys for the other 10% of calls, waiting for members to come from home or work (if they can), and it ensures that no matter what time of day,holiday, weather, or whatever there will be someone there to do the job. The all volunteer departments cannot make that same promise. I don't care what anyone says. We all have lives outside of the FD and are not available all the time.

I read the article from the Advocate about TOR rejecting the deal that their department worked out with the city. How many times did they mention "control" in the article? Too many. They should have been thinking about what is best for the residents not about who is in "control".... but this is just one guys opinion.

If TOR and Belltown had paid personnel before all this mess, why is it such a HUGE problem for them to have SFRD paid personnel? Is it because of the "control" issues? Instead of 1 or 2 paid guys they would have 3 or 4. The volunteers would still respond the same as they did before. So what is the big deal here? In my opinion, isn't it better to have a full crew rolling out the door to the residents of these districts right away so they can actually do something when they get there? From my understanding the Chief would be in charge of all incidents unless he relinquishes control. I mean if you lived here or had family there, wouldn't you want an immediate response of a full crew coming if you/they needed help? It's all a bunch of nonsense.

Perhaps we should all wait until the jury has reached a verdict before crucify this guy. I am sure we all feel the same way, but innocent until proven guilty.

I understand the need for change especially in EMS in Putnam County. I have worked there as a medic and volunteered there as well. However, these changes if implemented will be the fastest way to get the volunteers out of the EMS "business". Why would they want to get up at any hour to be a first responder? Why would the fire departments buy, maintain, service $100K + ambulances? They should just get their own BLS fly-cars, cause that's all the ambulances will become. What is going to happen to the EMT's skills? Let's face reality, how many times are the Medic and BLS bus going to get to the call first? Most of the time I'd say. And maybe Brewster and Mahopac will get more then 1 call at a time that would require the volunteer ambulance there to transport, (but if everyone is fed up with the system will anyone come?) but what about the towns that don't have the same call volume. I for one can see people getting tired of coming out for a call, getting an ambulance with a crew only to get to the scene and have the patient already being treated by Empire and have no need for the volunteer ambulance. Is it necessary to send both? What if the volunteer dept, God forbid gets into an accident responding to a call that already has a medic and BLS ambulance on the scene?? I guess it's no different then it is now, but to me this is going to make the dedicated EMT's not want to give up their precious time to go to a scene where they aren't going to be needed. What is wrong with the way they are doing it now? If the volunteers don't get a crew the Empire ambulance transports, correct? To me you are getting ALS care immediately (how good is another story - and before I get crucified I know there are some good medics there) in an ambulance that can transport if the volunteers can't get a bus out. My family is there so I do care and want the best for them as well. But I don't think taking the transport responsibility away from the volunteer departments is the answer.

I am not saying that there aren't any firefighters that would go to rehab.... I am saying that there is no mandatory rehab. I have been at several fires since 1996 working as a paramedic and the only time the firefighters came to EMS for help/rehab was when they were dropping or actually injured. What I am saying is that Chiefs/Officers should require their staff/firefighters to rehab wether they think they need it or wether they want it or not. Set the rules, one bottle, 2 bottles whatever they feel is the right choice for their department. The fire in Port Chester, how many firefighters went to rehab during the fire? Anyone know? I'd bet my next check that it wasn't as many as it should have been. Safety and the well being of our members/firefighters/staff should be our number 1 priority.

I can understand the concern about the heat stress factor, but what kind of rehab policies are there in place? Because from my experience, unless the firefighter is unconscious, they NEVER just come for rehab. Do they ask for a drink... sure but make them stop and sit and have their vitals checked... just doesn't happen. Well not where I worked anyway. And my personal opinion is that people that are involved with offensive firefighting should be wearing full turnout gear. If they are strictly doing "outside" work, then maybe the 3/4 boot would be acceptable. But again, just my opinion.

I can't agree more. Just out of curiosity, where in NC did you dispatch? I worked for Wake County EMS till Aprill 1999.