FFPCogs

Thanks. We're all adults here....well most of us. We have alot of work to do, and all that's important now is that we get cracking and give Stamford the fire service it deserves..

Yeah but I still didn't win that damn pool...

And so it shall be. The people have spoken, so now, after a 30 day pause, it is time to get down to the business of making it work.

If "the cart" is not "put before the horse" in this case there will be no cart for the horse to pull. Without clearly specified and definitive Charter mandated representation for all ( career, volunteer and elected citizens) there is absolutely no guarantee, or impetus for that matter, of it being granted down the road when the process of "working out the details" begins. That is akin to signing contract without knowing exactly what the terms of that contract are before signing it and then expecting to change those terms once it takes effect. Would you do that? I would hope not. To do so would be irresponsible at best. Prudence demands that the details be worked out and the specifics determined BEFORE any changes are made so that ALL are aware of them and can make an informed decision.

"Undoubtedly, there are a great number of details that will have to be worked out. That is the function of a plan that will have to be formulated under this new structure. As everyone is committed to a quality fire service for our community, the commission is confident that a plan can be created and adopted which will take into consideration all of the interests of both the career and the volunteer firefighters and allow the Stamford Fire Department to be a true partnership". Based on the unending volley of accusations, intentional and unintentional misrepresentations, and a history of animosity from all "sides" I am doubtful that a long lasting "true partnership" can be had without concrete stipulations in the Charter to ensure it. I hope I am wrong and in truth would like nothing more than to be proven so.

Just another voice to be heard: http://stamford.patch.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-straight-talk-from-one-tax-payer-to-another

Indeed history is a far bigger issue especially in light the tactics employed by the previous administration that brought us to this point, which we should all be seeking to avoid. As written the propsed charter changes will significantly increase the potential for the politcalization of the city's fire service and allows agendas to be pursued with no checks and balances...and that knife has the potential to cut both ways. The argument that the "Mayor's plan" somehow now "proves" that the volunteers are incapable of covering their areas is nonsense. No VFD in Stamford ever stated they could guarantee coverage 24/365 without career personnel...hence the hiring of paid driver's starting in the late 1940's and continuing through the 60's and 70's, the heyday in terms of numbers, for the volunteer fire service. I honestly don't know how much of a "model" Stamford's VFDs were in the past, but I do know, having come up in this system, that the working relationship between career and volunteer personnel in the VFDs was, far more often than not, exemplary until the management agreement of 1999. After that the slide towards disunity, disagreement and dysfunction increased unabated and unrelentingly to 2008 when those career members left. I'm not one who blindly accepts the notion that 100 new career firefighters will be needed...at least not initially. What I do think is that Stamford will find itself in the position of many other communities that have underatken such consolidations...left with an understaffed career fire department, justified by the aknowledgement that volunteers are a "recognized and important component" of a combined fire department. More often than not these words and the intent behind them are rarely supported by actions unless the guarantee of equal representation is afforded all the stakeholders and the benefits each component offers (and that's career and volunteer alike) are firmly ensconced from the outset by Charter. As proposed in question 2 this is not the case. With all due respect to my colleagues in Glenbrook I must agree with Asst. Chief Maounis on this one. Glenbrook is not a model to be followed. While it is true that their membership has increased, by one account 330%, unfortunatetely their reponse record has not done so to match that impressive membership increase, in fact responses have dropped considerably since Engine 6 took up station there.

Whew that's good...I thought maybe you were slipping. But I have to ask...which one?

Here's one you guys forgot from the Stamford Patch: http://stamford.patch.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-straight-talk-from-one-tax-payer-to-another#comments_list

Letter to the Editor in today's Advocate by Art Layton, member of the Board of Representatives. http://www.stamforda...ion-3971947.php

Link wasn't working G...at least not on my computer...so I re-posted it. http://www.stamforda...nks-3948015.php

Glad to hear they're still at it, they do a great job. Of course I'm sorry to hear that the system is slowly fading away, but I guess that's "progress". Even in 2012 the relatively few systems still operating DO serve a purpose. I stopped by HQ in Everett and got talking with the guys...they still get jobs reported through the street boxes every so often, so at least there they prove their worth.

Belltown FD in Stamford has a horn atop the firehouse which until recently was tested everyday at 12 pm and box 4 sounded for working fires. Up til the late 80's (I think) the horn was tied into a Gamewell system that had operated for years and residents were issued cards for their refrigerator listing all the box numbers and locations if they wanted them....I spent many a day in my youth chasing those horns and loved every minute of it!!. The street boxes were removed when the "new" dispatch center was opened in City hall around 88-89 or so. Also in the mid 80's condos went up behind the firehouse as well so we had to amend our horn protocols so that only street (or in our terminolgy "straight") boxes set it off 24/7, otherwise it was only sounded for phone alarms of structure fires or for calls during power outages. The system sans the street boxes has since developed a short somewhere which we have thus far we have been unable to track down so unfortunately as of now it is out of service indefinitely. As for steet boxes, I was in Mass this weekend and noticed that all of the six towns I visited still had and operated them...a welcome sight indeed. Izzy can confirm but I think Ansonia, CT still has them as well...or at least they did during my tenure there. I still value the Gamewells no matter how few calls they might report, in keeping with my belief that sometimes newer isn't always better. I can't think of any more reliable notification sytem than those old red boxes...I'd love to see them return!! Stay Safe

Here's a letter in support of Stamford's charter changes for our fire service from the Stamford Daily Voice: http://stamford.dailyvoice.com/opinion/letter-stamford-officials-support-fire-change Stay Safe

Brits, Canadians, Indians, Phillipinos, Kenyans, South Africans, Sri Lankans, Somalians, Bosnians, Kosavars, Ecuadorians and Dutch...I think that's everyone. And yes there are a few good stories to tell which maybe we (and any others interested) can do one day over a few cold ones. I'm always keen to meet fellow FFs in person and share experiences, ideas and yeah a few good stories too.

Many people have PMed and emailed mre asking about life "over there" in Afghanistan, so I thought I'd write a quick decription of how it is for those interested. To start I am now assigned to Kandahar Airfield which, unlike all my previous jobs, is a NATO run base. At present I believe the British are the ones technicaly in charge of the base but almost all NATO countries and a few others are represented here. This makes for some interesting interactions as cultures do clash occasionally, usually with comic results fortunately. It is hot here, I mean really hot. Average temperatures this week have been just above 130 with the nights cooling down to a balmy 100 or so. It is also dusty here to the point that everything has a permant shade of tan covering it, no matter how often you clean it. My FD here or to use it's proper name Kandahar Fire Crash Rescue Services is comprised of 60 men manning 6 crash trucks, 2 structural Engines and a Tanker along with a Chief and as they call them a Plattoon (our Depruty Chief or Shift Commander) Chief for each of the two shifts. Work schedule is 24 on 24 off or on average an 84 hour work week, which may sound like alot but trust me most would rather be working everyday as there isn't much to do otherwise. We do have a gym at the main station as well as a number of military ones throughout the base that we are free to use. There are 6 DFACs (dining facilites), 1 British, 1 French or Continental, 1 Asian and 2 American, the other I havent found yet but it is reported to be Arabic serving only Hallal food (similar to Kosher). The food itself is edible although as any former soldier can tell you, everything is cooked well beyond well done. Kandahar also boasts a Boardwalk which is just exactly what you'd expect it to be, a wooden sidewalk on which fromts a number of commercial establishments. We have a KFC and Friday's, 2 pizza joints although the term pizza is a bit of a stretch to anyone from our area, a Nathan's open 24 hours to boot a coffe shop and a French Deli/Patisserre. Along with the gastronomic choices there are a number of small "Haji" or locals run shops carrying everything from cigarettes to jewelery and trinkets to a full tailor shop that will make a hand tailored suit for you for about $250. There is also a Bazaar every Saturday with the ubiquitous bootleg movies as well as an impressive selection of junk, haggling a must. About the FD itself aside from the above. Well I started at the main station, Station 1 which sits on the Airfield. Housed there are 5 of the 6 crash trucks and their attendant crews. I was assigned to Engine 3 one of the two structural units on base. Station 3 houses another crash truck on the opposite side of the runway. Station 3 is a luxuriously appointed Army tent with none of the comforts of home. Station 1 is more akin to a Stateside firehouse with an alarm room, offices, a large dayroom and sleeping quarters (3 to a room). The crash side of the house is busier here since much to my suprise Kandahar Airfield is the busiest single runway airport in the world with between 850 - 1000 inbound and outbound flights a week. And there is quite a wide variety of aircraft in and out of here including C-130s and C-17s, C-5s as well, F-16s, F/A/18s, Harriers, A-10s. We also get 737s, Antonov A-12s and the other really huge Russian one whose designation I can't recall as well as a few 747s. Choppers abound with Blackhawks and Chinooks, Cobras, and Apaches and a large contingent of old Russian machines like the Mil-8 and the Mil -10 for transpot duty. And of course the UAVs which are really quite impressive. My current assignment is as the Crew Chief (Capt) of Station 2 "Southside". I have with me 4 crewman and our rig is a European spec'ed Rosenbauer from Germany. Needles to say that it takes a bit of getting used to with the pump in the rear and it's overall lack of hose and equipment by our standards, not to mention its all metric. I have a pump that in liters!! Damn Europeans now I have to do math. Our first due is about 8 sq. miles with roughly 25,000 miltary and civilian residents. Building range from one and two story PEBs (pre engineered buildings) of metal and wood. wooden B and C huts (think ranch houses except it's many offices or sleeping rooms off a central hallway), tents of various sizes up to 200 x 75 and a large number of two story masonary barracks (think garden apartments). Along with these living areas we on the Southside enjoy the distinction of being what back home would be called the industrail side of town. The majority of the mechanical shops, warehouses, stortage facilities fuel points and motorpools are in our first due, along with a host of HazMat goodies. All in all it's a diverse and challenging district. Now what makes KAFs Fire Department somewhat unique is the fact that we are comprised of a multi national force. There are Indians, Philippinos, South Aficans and a sizeable contingent of Brits. Then there's a few Canucks and representing the good ole USA is Nate who hails form the metro DC area and myself. While English is the required language I have found that it's use is somewhat impeded by the variety of accents in use. In fact I've found that I'll need to invest in an English to English dictionary to communicate with my comrades form the UK...LOL One of the most common questions I get is, is it safe? Well safe is a relative term in a war zone. We do get regular presents of the 81, 120 and 240mm variety from our Taliban friends outside the wire and they do at times cause casualities. The last was a soldier a few months ago. Our towel headed friends also like to try and crash our party here often by trying to get through the wire. They don't get too far. In fact just prior to my arrival about 100 or so of them got their wish with a one way fast track ticket to meet Allah...isn't that nice for them. Hopefully their buddies will be right behind. Our boys here are more than happy to oblige that wish and we all support them. Vigilance is a necessity here, just like home complacency kills. We do all we can to stay safe, but the reality is, if your numbers up then it's up. Until then I and all of us have a job to do and we just do it. Some may think this a noble or courageous endeavor, for that I thank you, but please give your kudos to those that really deserve it, the brave and dedicated men and women of our Armed Forces. These folks are as courageous as they come and they are in a sense our kindred spirits....they too put themselves at risk to protect and serve others, all of us here and back home. In closing I would ask a favor from all who read this. As you go through your day stop for just a minute and think about those service members over here and what they are sacrificing for you and yours. And if it should strike you please find an organization that send things over and send something to a soldier, sailor, or airman here. It couild be anything, a letter, a card and damn tube of toothpaste...anything so that they know that you remember and support them. They will appreciate it more than you know. Freedom is not free and these folks are paying the price for our freedom, please don't forget them. Cogs ________________ Peter Cogliano Crew Chief Engine 2 "Southside" Kandahar Fire Crash Rescue Services Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan 2nd Capt / Asst. Training Officer Belltown Fire Dept. Stamford, CT

A grim milestone reached out here. http://news.yahoo.com/us-military-deaths-afghanistan-hit-2-000-063934010.html RIP all who have served and died for our Nation in Afghanistan since 2001. Stay Safe and thanks for all that all of you do back home.

I will say that working with Brits out here has shown me a few of things: 1. They are far more aggressive than some of their other European counterparts 2. Gas cooling works given the right circumstances 3. Their rigs are smaller and meant to "do it all" and 3. I too will stick with the tried and true tactics of America's Bravest Stay Safe ps Editing due to fat fingers, no reading glasses and an apparent inability to count....

Volunteer veto power, not at all. That would be the right of the elected citizens on such a Commission if such an action were required. And you're absolutely correct there are models far better than PG out there. I thought Mr. Pantelis' argument for career representation there outlined in my letter made that clear. He holds the same view as I except he's a career FF and I a volunteer back home, yet we both want the same thing...representation for all, firefighters and citizens, working in concert to oversee it all. Unfortunately the only way for this concept, and the partneship it entails, to now have a chance is for the current proposals to be set aside. I have to add that the notion that this is all about a "volunteer veto" or some way to give volunteers an upper hand in a combined department is absolute nonsense. It is about building a combined fire department of which the foundation is partnership and cooperation, with the public as the arbiter to ensure that happens. The concept does not give any "advantage" to the volunteers since career firefighters would enjoy the same level of representation and thus "protection". Only the public would see a majority in that there would be three citizens elected to serve and two from each fire service element. As such the public will have direct oversight and ultimately the power to decide issues. And quite frankly, as I have said repeatedly, it is the public who should hold that power since it is they that have to pay for and live with the result, especially in light of the "history" our fire service shares over the last 15 years or so. Maybe if the blinders came off and you read the proposal without any bias you would see the merit in it and the opportunities it offers...for ALL!! If you could you too would see how the current proposals fall short and why we need to vote NO to them and provide ourselves a better option. Believe what you will, this is about providing the best possible service a combined fire department can offer...nothing more, nothing less.

Not politicianS, a politician... there is a huge difference. As I said to a friend, had Malloy had this proposed hierarchy in place you and I would not be having this conversation...there would be no volunteers left to discuss any of this with.. and yeah I know, some would be very happy with that arrangement. Again there is a very big difference between a Mayor and BoR charged with running the City of which the FD is but one relatively small part and three citizens elected to oversee the FD and ONLY the fire department. I think Mr. Pantelis put out there quite clearly why representation is important for both firefighters and the public. I The importance of these issues and their solution is up to the public to decide. If a special vote were to be called it would be there decision to make then as well as it is now. Seems to me you're saying that the public might not care if this were to be put off until a REAL solution is found for them to decide on, so we better just cram this half measure in now. I think that lack of faith in the electorate does all a great disservice by not giving other options their chance and the public their chance to review them. Stay Safe Edited for spelling

Thanks B, As always you inform and ask pertinent questions. First off yes a NO vote will mean more of the same for now. As was stated in the letter a review will be conducted of the City's bonding issues after the election and as I understand it a special election held for any changes proposed. This due to the complexity of the issue. To me the fire service is equally complex and the proposed solution falls short. In regards to the Mayor. As proposed he will appoint all the authority for this "new" fire department. The Fire Chief, the Director of Public Safety and the entire Fire Commission. Now the people in place now excel in those positions, but the probability that we will have a triumvirate of such quality always available is remote. A look back clearly shows this..remember Callion or for some Bobby V?? On top of that, as he will appoint the leadership any Mayor could conceivably 'stack the deck' against one or both elements to achieve an agenda, especially if his party holds a majority in the BoR. Ultimately we are all putting our futures into the hands of a politician, a scenario I have seen derided over and over again by career and volunteer alike. And of course there is another aspect as well. Unlike virtually every other city service, Police, Public Work, Education, our fire protection is provided (admittedly to varying degrees) by both those for whom it is their livlihood and those who volunteer to provide the same service. Each brings it's own advantage to the table based in two inescapable truths about the fire service: 1) the career service almost universally guarantees a level of staffing 24/7 365. 2) volunteers generally offer protection at substantaiily lower cost. These two advantages needn't be mutally exclusive, but to ensure the taxpayer gets the best of both worlds both must be represented so that those advantages are not lost This to bring their experience in managing their respective services together as part of a commission on which elected citizens hold the majority and can directly decide what they want to pay for and live with. After all it's their money I'm sure some...or many..will see it differently but this concept offers the surest solution, a measure of protection for all and most importantly a real chance at a true partnership. Stay Safe Thanks again for your insight Edited for spelling: fat fingers without my reading glasses doesn't do well on a keyboard...

35% is a good estimate. As far as my numbers in the pool, well I got stuck with 1% so I don't have a chance... Rhetoric?? Saying the taxpayers should have a direct voice in how their fire service, the one THEY have to pay for, works is rhetoric? One that unlike virtually every city agency is made up of people who get paid and people who volunteer to provide the same service. So what....are you saying they should not have that voice?

And what you fail to mention is that the "Mayors plan" has already been shot dead by the Finance Board for this year. It will face that same battle again and more likely than not the same outcome, should it be revived.

Not rhetoric or not moving forward. As proposed there are far too many loopholes and grey areas in the "new" Charter. Since all attempts at compromise have failed by the "professionals" in both ranks, maybe it's time to get the ones who will suffer...or benefit...the most involved directly to get things moving. In the end take it any way you want, but I think most will see who is followng the party lines and not "moving forward", and who is trying to bridge them to do so. Stay Safe

65 / 35 in favor of the revisions