PoqFFEMT

Hello everyone it has been years since I used this log in name and that's because I resigned from the city of Rye Fire department 5 years ago.  
I chose to write a response to the above letter.  The letter below was submitted to myrye.com  as well this morning.  And will be to any other media outlets in which Captain Millman sent his letter. 
The following is my statement and does not represent any former or current members of RFD. I am also not affiliated with any fire department at this time. 
 
 
From: Richard P Suarino 
           Ex Captain Poningoe Hook & Ladder Company
To: Letters to the editor,
I am writing in response to a recent letter that was submitted by Fire Police Patrol Captain Lester Millman in regards to the recent changes that have taken place at the Rye Fire Department.  I would like to start by stating that I was a combined 14 yearACTIVE member of the City of Rye Fire Department. I spent two years as part of explorer post 700 as a junior firefighter.  Then 12 years as a member of the Poningoe Hook & Ladder Company, where I served as first & second Lieutenant and then as Captain before resigning from the department in 2012.  I have a combined 17 years in the Emergency Services.  
The picture that Captain Millman has painted for the Rye citizens and would have one believe is that this change is a big surprise to the members of the department.  It's not.   Volunteer membership has been on the decline since probably the 1980’s,and since then the bleeding hasn't stopped, it’s only gottenworse. In the late 90’s, early 2000’s, the department voted in several new members and it helped a little to put a patch on the crack in the dam.  In the 2000’s as an active volunteer firefighter, a lieutenant and then captain, there were several ideas that myself and other active volunteers proposed to make some much needed changes to the department structure to help with rapidly declining membership.  Recommendations were brought to the attention of the Board Of Wardens, who at that time, controlled all decision making within the fire department.  The problem was that the Board was consistently controlled by veteran members of the department who were not as active and ignored any and all input by young active members, to the point where some members were turned off and stopped showing up. Others resigned and some went to other departments. Rye’s changing demographics has had the biggest effect on membership. Gone are the blue collar families of Rye.  Many of the old long time Rye names that were connected to the fire department making it generational are no longer in Rye, forced to move because Rye is unaffordable to those that would volunteer.  For every one member gained three are lost.  A member joining as a college kid at 19 has to resign by 23-24 because they are forced to move out of Rye. And it's not just Rye membership that is down, nation wide volunteer firefighters are declining.  Being in emergency situations, dealing with and seeing the things a firefighter may see is not for everyone. It's a calling, and the hours of training involved will take most free nights away, not to mention the required alarm response.  
Turnout at alarms; even 10 years ago at the most recent height of active membership-. We had 25 interior qualified firefighters and still sometimes we only had 4 volunteers at an alarm.  All working fires required mutual aid from our friends in Harrison and Mamaroneck.  
 
Leadership was and is non-existent under the Volunteer Chiefs of the department and when a chief did try to implement positive change he was quickly pushed out by older voting block.  At Fire scenes, basic accountability of members was lax.  Meaning,God forbid an explosion or collapse happened at a scene, the chiefs had no idea who had actually showed up at the scene.  Some chiefs had nothing more than basic firefighting training. Most were being relied on because of their 30+ years in the department, yet they had taken no classes to sharpen their skills or update their knowledge.  Any good leader in emergency service will tell you, you will never know everything and you are always learning something new until the day you retire.  This business is always changing and evolving.  
The Rye Professional firefighters often find that they are the only ones on scene. Sometimes I was the only volunteer on scene with them.  During the winter of 2002 I was the only volunteer on scene for an afternoon house fire. Three career firefighters and I, with one of those professionals manning twopump panels and one ladder.  
Commissioner Corcoran didn't just come in and decide to shake things up.  He's a very educated man with years of experience and after speaking with numerous people connected to the fire department he saw there was a need for change.  He has a job to lead the men and women of the Police and Fire Departments and the fire department problems are 20+ years in the making,ignored by past Board Of Wardens members and past chiefs of the department who kicked the can down the road.  The public might be surprised that over 100 years of volunteer service are coming to an end but many of the current and past members are not.  
Regards
Richard P Suarino
Past member and Captain Poningoe Hook & Ladder Company
 

Season 2 premieres next Saturday, July 30th!
 
   

Listen, personal attacks on each other on this thread need to stop now.  They're not a catalyst for a good discussion. Although what people say to each other is beyond my control, further type comments will be deleted.

Just to report on what I have been told. It seems from many New Yorkers they feel this Museum should be FREE for all to see.  Our Country already paid a very heavy price and just as places like Arlington Cemetary, we, the people of this country should NOT have to pay to visit the history of how America suffered on that tragic day.
 
It was also reported to me that the top administrators of this 9/11 Museum are making large profits from this project.
 
After hearing of this, I, along with several friends decided not to visit.
 
Perhaps that is the main reason why New Yorkers are NOT visiting this museum, while outsiders are. Perhaps those New Yorkers know more than anyone else what a high price that was paid on that terrible day. Perhaps New Yorkers are fully aware of some of the salaries involved in this while outsiders are not.
 
 Take it as you may. You decide for yourself.

As your preceptor, I want all my time back!

Seth, 
 
    Sorry you had to let your cert lapse.  I was in the same boat in the early 90's when my NYS EMT came up for recert.  I was a young Airman stationed in Virginia and I had no real way of getting my recert done or transferred to Virginia in time.  I had to completely take my EMT-B all over again, this time in Virginia.  Fast forward to now and I'm a EMT-Intermediate in Virginia and I'm in my last semester for my Paramedic.  It's been a long road and I hope to never have to go through all the garbage NY makes one do to keep their certification.
   I hope one day you get to obtain your certification and can keep it until you really want to be done with it!
 
~John 

Here is worse yet... Facebook!!!! This screenshot (names anonymized), came right on the heels of a call I ran the other day. Folks in the town I live love to consider it a "small town" and want to know EVERYTHING going on. Many have scanners and love to gossip. This one is particularly bad because a lot posted the persons involved name(s)
Wilma MumduyaDecember 7 at 7:03pmAmbulance and fire trucks just raced down Messick. I hope everyone is ok!!
Like ·Terry Torial and 9 others like this. Bart Ender I heard them..I hope everyone's ok!!December 7 at 7:05pm · Like · Reply · 1 Holland Oats I can't believe how many sirens I heard.... did they call in York Co too?December 7 at 7:06pm · Like · Reply Clara Fication I didn't see ...By the time I looked out the window they were already passing.December 7 at 7:07pm · Like · Reply · 1 Clara Fication Bart Ender , you are closer than I am...can you see anything?December 7 at 7:09pm · Like · Reply Mary Nara I seen 4 cops, the fire chief, and a fire truck go by. Hope all is well.December 7 at 7:10pm · Like · Reply · 1 Minnie Strone Somebody ran off the road next to our house. He is banged up but okayDecember 7 at 7:10pm · Like · Reply · 10 Clara Fication Thanks for the update ! Glad he is ok!December 7 at 7:10pm · Like · Reply · 4 Bart Ender Im on Lodge Road..I just heard them screaming by..December 7 at 7:10pm · Like · Reply Mary Nara Glad he was not hurt.December 7 at 7:11pm · Like · Reply Minnie Strone They took him to the hospital to be checked out.December 7 at 7:12pm · Like · Reply · 1 Bart Ender Definitely glad he is okay..any idea who it was? Everytime I hear sirens down the road my heart skips a beat because alot of my family lives down that way!December 7 at 7:13pm · Like · Reply · 4 Minnie Strone ScottDecember 7 at 7:13pm · Like · Reply Marion Gaze I am glad your house is okay Minnie December 7 at 7:15pm · Like · Reply · 2 Bart Ender Scott Bloxom???December 7 at 7:15pm · Like · Reply Aaron Ottix .December 7 at 7:15pm · Like · Reply Gene Poole .December 7 at 7:16pm · Like · Reply Deb Utant Scott ?December 7 at 7:16pm · Like · Reply Minnie Strone No he lives by BIBDecember 7 at 7:16pm · Like · Reply Mary Nara Thanks Minnie. My heart also skipped a beat.December 7 at 7:16pm · Like · Reply · 1 Barney Cull .December 7 at 7:17pm · Like · Reply Bart Ender Oh ok..thanks for the update. Hopefully he will be alright...December 7 at 7:18pm · Like · Reply Minnie Strone Hope so too!December 7 at 7:19pm · Like · Reply Mary Nara Are you sure he was just banged up? Seen them going up the road code 3. Meaning getting to the hospital is crucial.December 7 at 7:31pm · Like · Reply · 1 Mary Nara Followed by a cop car code 1. Hope you does not get arrested.December 7 at 7:34pm · Like · Reply Minnie Strone He was walking around Sal. They put a neck brace on him just in case. He fell out of his truck plowed over our mailbox on pilings and the truck ended up next door hitting Richard's riding mower.December 7 at 7:34pm · Like · Reply Will Power Went down Messick... Cops were also called.December 7 at 7:35pm · Like · Reply Mary Nara Wow. He must have been flying. Thanks Lori. Praying!December 7 at 7:37pm · Like · Reply · 1 Paul Molive I agree Sal, he musta been moving something fierce. There's no curve in the road there, so what was the causative factor, as they say??December 7 at 8:08pm · Like · Reply Mary Nara There is a small curve. Nothing someone sober or not speeding could not handle though. I feel bad about the property damage he caused. Just sad all around.December 7 at 8:13pm · Like · Reply · 1 Paul Molive Guess I didn't notice the curve. I was down there just as the units were leaving trying to get some pics of the moon. No way to start Christmas for anyone involved!!December 7 at 8:17pm · Like · Reply Sal Monella Just hoping everyone is okay. .everything else can be fixed!December 7 at 8:18pm · Like · Reply · 5 Ray Volver So true Sal. Things can be replaced. That is the main thing. Sorry. Was just thinking if he hit my mustang I would be upset. That was selfish of me.

I have only seen 2 'large' scale studies comparing the use of the Lucas II and manual CPR, one was conducted in Europe, the other in the US. The European study indicated that there was almost no difference between mechanical and manual CPR in ROSC. While some people view this is a negative result for the Lucas, I have to disagree; citing, that the device frees up an extra person at the scene. This enables that provider to perform other interventions (while CPR is in progress) and should the patient be transported, less manpower is required to take the patient to the ED. With the Lucas and a transport vent in operation you can literally transport an arrest with one medic in the back, whereas with mechanical CPR you would need at least two people. It frees up resources in EMS systems that are already limited. While a matter of convenience for me or any other provider doesn't justify the price tag, it is an exceptionally helpful device when working an arrest.
The US study did indicate improved outcomes in patients that received mechanical CPR coupled with an impedance threshold device. It's not clear to me why Physio doesn't push the use of ITDs with the Lucas to improve outcomes but it ma have to do with copyright, advertising, etc. The Lucas 'haters' never seem to cite this trial conducted by the AHA.

The liberals refuse to enforce our immigration laws....then claim that the immigration system is "broken." What's BROKEN is the welfare system. It invites fraud....and fraud is what it generates.
They should go back to the commodities system where those who qualified could pick up food boxes once a month. The boxes did not contain rib steak, frozen mashed potatoes, or McDonald's coupons, they contained rice, flour, "government cheese", canned pork, bread, etc. It was designed to keep the needy from going hungry without any frills. It also helped the farmers who provided the commodities to the government.
As a fairly affluent society, we have an OBLIGATION to help those who are unable to help themselves. But that obligation does not extend to those who use and abuse the system.

$69 Million withdrawn from ATMs in exotic vacation locations using pre-paid welfare debit cards...
Millions withdrawn from Las Vegas Casino ATMs, ATMs in Hawaii, ATMs on Cruise Ships, and ATMs in South Beach, Miami.
We work hard and pay our taxes while these savages have the times of their lives at our expense...
See video below:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/_wElqMl5TJM?rel=0

Our own RWC130 will be on Law & Order SVU tonight 1/22 at 9 pm on NBC. The episode is called "Jersey Breakdown" He plays a NYPD cop.
Rob also has another appearance on Law & Order SVU February 5. The episode is called "Wednesday's Child" He plays an NYPD cop. Coming up is also the movie NON-STOP and a bunch of crime reinactment show he also did on ID Investigation Discovery. The shows are called Redrum, Frenemies and Stalked Someone's Watching. His IMDb profile link is: http://www.imdb.me/robcasasanta

This is straight out of our company bylaws:
ARTICLE TEN
DUTY REQUIREMENTS

Chief - Everything required for Asst. Chief
Assistant Chief - Everything required for Capt
Officer 2
Incident Safety Officer (ISO)
Captain - Everything required for LT
Officer 1
LT - Firefighter I/II
Instructor 1
NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800
Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operations (STICO)
3 Year minimum membership with FF 2 Certification

Engine 626 can contract with Port Authority of NY/NJ

https://www.facebook.com/Engine626

To all of our veterans here on EMTBravo, thank you! To those still serving, including those members of EMTBravo who still check in from overseas, our thoughts and prayers are with you for a safe return and we thank you all for your service and sacrifice to this country.
As for my little rant, the words "Homeless" and "Unemployed" should never be found in the same sentence as "Veteran" To really support our veterans, especially the ones of the wars of this generation, support the Wounded Warrior Project .
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Tonight @ 21:00 the Plattekill Fire Department was dispatched for a PIAA on the NYS Thruway at mile marker 71.1 South Bound. Car 1, Car 3, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 4, 645 and 47-36 where all responding when @ 21:11 We were advised that Engine 4 was involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident, roll over with entrapment.
I have a been some sort of a chief officer for 13 years now, in the fire service for 21 years and never once did I instantly feel like I was going to vomit while responding to an incident...not until last night. I can tell you there are so many things that are going through your head after receiving an alarm involving your own...
What do I do? Whom do I call? How difficult is the extrication? What Happened? What did they hit? Who is in the truck? But the toughest question, the one that still rings in my head is "Are they alive?"
I will not speak of specifics. I will not release the details of this incident and I will let the authorities finish their investigation. But what I can tell you, 4 of the 5 firefighters have been released. Engine 4 is a total loss and the definition of brotherhood was re-taught to me through the actions of area fire departments and fire departments through out the state.
Cronomer Valley whom handled the incident...Thank you!!! Your professionalism went a long way tonight. You are our brothers and for you I am thankful. With out getting into every department that has reached out to us, because I can guarantee someone with be forgotten, whether it be at either at our stations or through phone calls, I had 132 missed calls, Thank you!!! Never have I had such an out pouring of support just for us.
I ask you, do you know what it is like to have to sit at the back of your vehicle trying to coordinate different responses while your Firefighters need YOUR help? Not something I EVER want to handle again.
For years we instill into our memberships heads...Seat belts, seat belts, SEAT BELTS... and on November 2nd 2013 @ 21:11, those seat belts saved their lives.
At St. Francis Hospital...the support continued. Fairview, Roosevelt, Arlington Fire Departments, with Engines, and Lisa Gardner, whom provided me with very informative updates, met the inbound ambulances to assist with ANYTHING we needed, ANYTHING. Tears is the word that best described how I was after I was notified of your support! I cant say thank you because thank you doesn't cover your actions. I owe you... period.
At 1:21 we called back in service, My membership continuing to want to help the community, knowing that what we seen tonight could have been completely different.
We will continue serving the community, we are Plattekill. We ARE Plattekill Strong.
I ask no one post NO Photos or post no details until the investigation is complete and I approve of such postings.
Thank you Everyone.
Chief Christopher Mancuso

I was contacted back in August by a Movie Prop company about my Yellow Mack.
At first I really thought it was a prank.
The rep came up to look at the rig and he loved it. He took photos
and called me a couple days later saying they wanted to use the rig.
To my surprise I was also told that I was cast in the movie as an
extra and I would be driving the truck. COOL!
One to cross off the Bucket List! Drive a Fire Truck in a movie. lol
I really can't get into the actual scene due to legal reasons but Engine 626 has some camera time
and maybe myself included. Depends on how close up the shot is.



THANKS GUYS!

a few more

more

Dutchess County Airport Rig




Antiques

New Hackensack apparatus and a few of the murals and graphics on the rigs

I stopped in very early in the morning yesterday while things were being set-up but was able to capture a few photos of some of the antique apparatus from our area as well as the beautiful grounds and apparatus of the New Hackensack Fire District, this was an event for the public to come out and greet members that are trying to preserve Dutchess County’s firefighting tradition and history as well as enjoying the NHK open house.

911 Memorial, beautifully constructed



Fire station and equipment

Let us not forget 9/11/01. Let us not forget the 343 Fire Fighters who gave the ultiment sacrfice on this tragic day. 12 years later lets sound our sirens across this nation to reflect and pray! Please.. Never forget!

It was a very busy week for me but I am pleased to announce that my
1974 Mack CF will be featured in the movie NON-STOP with Liam Neeson.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024469/
I was also cast as an extra and got to drive my rig in the movie as a Firefighter/Chauffeur.


Movie should be out in February 2014

I know I'm just getting back into the loop of things, so this may be old news, but Katonah built an awesome new training tower and facility in the back of their firehouse! It seems very well designed to simulate a multitude of structures in the Town Of Bedford in one compact building.
Always glad to see departments investing in training.

(Photo credit: me)

Very early response to the World Trade Center, nothing will ever compare to that