FFPCogs

Thanks for your service and safe journey home.

See Life in Afghan thread

Dude I'm on vacation with an extension for a medical issue. I'll be returning within two weeks. If you'll notice the previous post, the one before my last with the article about the soldiers death, it was from January just before my leave. Also notice that in this post below from April 7th I used the word there not here as I was here not there when I wrote it.

Just want all to know that the Charter Revision sub commitee on Public Safety is IMO doing a very thorough job in attempting to sort out the situation. I have attended almost every meeting save Tuesday's due to our annual meeting at the FD. The Commitee does not seem to have a bias and has delved into this with no apparent agenda other than modifying the Charter to allow for a resolution. The meetings that I've attended have been forthright, open and detailed with all aspects being carefully examined and all "sides" being given ample opportunity to offer suggestion based on experience and insight. But be advised, Mr. Sandak runs a tight ship and is quick to stifle any political grandstanding, agenda pushing or animosity directed one way or another that may derail the commitee's forward momentum. If I were a betting man, (well actually I am... ) I would say it's a sure thing that change is coming and that that change is likely to have as many detractors as it will supporters within our fire service. Be that as it may, if there is any group that offers an opportunity to solve this at this point, I would have to say the Revision Commitee is it. Cogs

Thanks HFD219, your support and that of the many folks back home does more than you can imagine.

We provide protection for Kandahar Airfield and the surrounding base only, no off base or adjacent FOB work allowed. I work the structural side of the house. My Engine and crew along with another protect about 40-45,000 people in an 7 square mile area. The structural crews also respond to the airfield when necessary for any emergency involving aircraft with 15 or more on board (about twice a week on average). The crash boys handle the airfield and it's planes only. They see more runs on average, but we see more work by far..and that's just the way I like it... . Cogs

Thank you Sueg. Those of us who work there by choice and those of us deployed there by duty really appreciate that there are people back home like you. Stay safe brother and thanks for all you do on the homefront. Cogs

Came across this story this morning. I think this article puts things back into perspective for those on the homefront. RIP to these dedicated American soldiers http://news.yahoo.com/brother-ohio-s...104658229.html I just want to reinforce this passage as sometimes it seems as if it's forgotten as those at home get caught up in their daily lives "Americans going on with their day-to-day lives shouldn't forget the troops, Alex Rozanski said. "We are a nation at war, and men are dying on a regular basis over there," he said. "And people need to remember that."

Recently on another site I put forth a topic about LDH and 3" or formerly "standard" supply lines. In that topic it is an almost universal belief that there is no longer a place for 3" as a viable tool in water supply. Fair enough, LDH has many virtues which prove it's value. But could it be that LDH, like many other facets of firefighting, have progressed us to the point where we are losing the "art" of firefighting? I would argue that yes, in many ways "progress" in tools and tactics, and maybe more importantly attitude, is causing us to lose the art of firefighting. And make no mistake when done right firefighting is an art, a well choreagraphed ballet reliant on skill, brains, brawn and balls in equal measure. Now I'll be the first to admit I'm a dinosaur in many respects when it comes to this job. That said, I think that some (or many) no longer even believe that firefighting is an art and we are the artists. Could it be we are becoming overly reliant on textbooks, technology and regulation (the brains) to offset the loss of experience (skill, brawn and balls) that have for years been the mainstays of this ballet, that are in fact the art of firefighting? Cogs

And the saga continues with yet another wrinkle to an already thoroughly weathered situation.. http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Firefighters-union-challenges-Pavia-s-fire-plan-3456957.php#ixzz1r1u8u575

It may very well be that the Public Safety Director will have the opportunity to bring forth yet another alternative which combines elements of the two thus far presented along with some input based on his own experience.

Should gender be a issue?.... unequivically no. Is it? Well that's a bit harder to determine since it depends on personal choice. Most rational people are going to stand up and say "no of course, it's not about gender it's all about the qualifications" but deep down many harbor quite a different feeling. This dichotomy can play out in very subtle yet predjudicial ways. Sometimes in training women will be pushed to do just a little more than the guys to "prove" themselves, sometimes it shows as they are shunned or ignored in the group (like when conversations cease as the walk in), or sometimes they inadvertently become the center of negative attention when standards or expectations are lowered to "make sure the women can do it" even if they don't want or expect them to be. The fact is women in the fire service are still something of a novelty. This isn't necessarily due to an institutionalized bias or attitude but more so by virtue of the fact that there just aren't many of them in comparison to men. In light of this and the fact that nature has given us inherent differences, women will always stand out in some way. What becomes important is that as professionals those differences become insignificant and herein lies the rub. It is virtually impossible to change how someone feels about a particular issue by force and maybe no more so than when it comes to what the average Joe FF believes a FF is. Tradition stills gives us the image of the quintessential FF as a white male and by and large this is still the vast majority of the service. Affimative Action and Equal rights initiatives have done much to open the doors to all, but these open doors have not come without resistance and in some cases outright revolt. Like minded officers and members can make life very difficult indeed for those they believe to be outsiders no matter the department. Unlike minority men, women being by nature and traditional roles very different then men, have a much higher hurdle to jump in many cases stemming from the view of them as the "weaker sex". The fire service as a whole is still a boys club and many still hold on to that view no matter what they say in public. But as with all things progress and time continue to erode this bias as more women join and rise in the ranks whether by laws, quotas or actions. BTW for many years I held on dearly to the notion that the firehouse was no place for a woman. Thankfully after being proven wrong time and time again even my dinosaur pea brain has opened to the reality that "no of course, it's not about gender it's all about the qualifications". Cogs

Sorry about the lateness of this notification. 30th Annual LT. James Curran Memorial Seminar Date: Saturday March 31, 2012 Time: 9:00 am to 3:30pm Location: FDNY Training Academy Building #9 Auditorium "The Rock" Randall's Island, New York Topics: Truck Company Operations in multiple dwellings presented by Capt. Robert Morris Rescue 1 1st and 2nd due truck operations in multiple dwellings including forcible entry, locating the fire, searches and operating on the "'floor above" The Voice of Brooklyn presented by Warren Fuchs (FDNY Dispatch Ret.) A fun and interesteing look at what it was like being a dispatcher in Brooklyn during the incredibly busy years of the 1960's, 70's and 80's Line Boss presented by LT. Ray McCormack Ladder 28 examines the decision making process regarding hose line selection, placement and stretching techniques for fires in private dwellings, multiple dwellings, high rise and commercial buildings A $25 donation includes entrance, lunch, coffee and dessert. Come one come all for a day full of knowledge and comraderie

Here's a Ragvocate article spotlighting the latest occupant of the hotseat at the center of this convoluted conundrum ...our current Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski. Support him or not I think all will agree he's far more eminently qualfied than anyone else whose ever held the position. In the few short conversations I've been priviledged to engage in with him he's more than earned my respect as well as that of some pretty well respected and well known FFs in their own right. Best of luck Ted. We stand ready to serve. http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/policereports/article/Jankowski-brings-N-Y-experience-to-public-safety-3436024.php Cogs

The plan will pass in 2 to 3 months The Charter will be changed in November to allow for one Chief to oversee all fire services and..... within 2 years we will see the confederated "Fire Dept of the City of Stamford".

Stamford Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Peter Brown will be retiring March 30th. I've known Chief Brown for many, many years and no matter the disagreement on our future he has always been a stand up guy...we could use more like him. I just want to take this opportunity to wish him all the best and thank him for his 38 years of service to the Stamford Fire Dept. I'm sure he will be sorely missed. Here's the article from the Ragvocate http://www.stamforda...rsy-3415298.php

I've never really heard many complaints about any Mack rigs other than body rust and the CF is no exception. Versatile and durable the CF line is truly an iconic American fire truck if there ever was one. It's a shame Mack got out of the fire truck business as I'm sure a version of the CF would still be in widespread use if they were available. A testament to the design's longevity is the fact that there are still a number of in service CFs out there, here's a few that I know of. Although not an all Mack rig my FD still operates this 1986 Mack CF as a frontline piece and the rig is easily up to the job, I guess because she's built...well "like a Mack truck". The fleet of the Noroton Heights VFD near me consists almost entirely of CF rigs save the Rescue. http://www.nhfd.us/Apparatus.html The CF moniker has made it's way back into the fire service lexicon with Pierce's latest design, but that's a thread in itself. Cogs

Congratulations go out to some members of SFRD who were promoted last night. They are: Capt. Eric Lorenz - promoted to Deputy Chief Capt. Trevor Roach - promoted to Deputy Chief Training Division Dep.Chief Bill Smith - promoted to Assistant Chief of Operations Great guys all and I wish them the best in their new positions. Cogs

Well I hate to have to break this to you but in most cases the end result of any consolidation IS a new fire dept. FD A, Company B and Disrict C all consolidate to become XYZ county or city FD...a NEW department. Same for mergers like North Hudson in NJ where a number of small municipal all career FDs became one new agency. As unfortunate as it is, in many cases in our region each FD/Distict is it's own small, independent and recognized organization. In effect a seperate political entity duly authorized to provide fire protection by the State and municipality in a given area. Generally when any number of these relatively small and independently recognized organizations undertake a merger, unification, consolidation or whatever other term suits, the end result will be a NEW fire department. One could also argue that even when different FDs are absorbed into an existing agency, the end result is also a new department....especially for those absorbed. Cogs

Yes I'm sure some could see it that way, or some could say it is just the consolidating of 4 of 6 independent fire departments into one agency. A half step to be sure, but a half step towards unity nonetheless as 6 become 3.

My mistake thanks

Possibily, but of more importance to me is how will the increased height impact the ability of crews to delpoy and repack hose? I for one don't think guys should be climbing ladders or steps to deploy supply or attack lines if at all possible. Safety and just plain workload dictate that the lower to the ground the hosebed the safer and easier operations from it will be. But hey I'm a dinosaur that doesn't believe in quints anyway. Cogs

Should he venture into this thread I'm sure Capt. Nechis can answer these questions. As far as is consolidating a good or bad idea, I believe, and I think others may agree, that in theory it's a good idea when done in a way that integrates all the components. The practical implementation of course is quite another matter and one that has been bantered back and forth here and elsewhere many times. In a nutshell we all espouse the belief that public safety is the prime objective, but rarely do the agendas which each party brings to the table make that an easily obtainable one. VFD houses may have to close and "power" divested or removed altogether from them, while paid face layoffs, reduced possiblities for advancement and possible wage reductions. Each player is staunch in the defense of their status and in many cases have the legal authority to be so. Unfortunately as is readily apparent, compromise is rarley if ever even considered as a means to an end in achieving the result of a consolidated service be it countywide or even citywide in many cases. But as I said the possibility exists that in the near future the outsourcing and/or privatization of fire services may force all the players into a lesser of two evils corner with the end result being consolidated agencies. Cogs

I think as politicians become more and more aware of this or similar options we will see an increase in consolidated and in some cases maybe even outsourced FDs. Ryebrook's experiment not withstanding outsourcing to private corporations is fast becoming the solution du jour for all manner of public services as cities and towns look to save a few bucks. Is it realistic to think that the fire service will remain immune indefinitely? Given the option I think it would be far better to consolidate than to become part of a profit driven private sector corporation. Many here have said it and many more here realize it....it is time to consolidate no matter the obstacles. The threat of privatization may in the end bring about what years of talking, studying and arguing over hasn't...consolidation. Cogs

Yes this is very true indeed, but while true it is also a factor that in large part is out of our control. I think many will agree that our success in prevention programs, construction/housing regulations and public education overall have been a double edged sword of sorts. These successes have gone far in decreasing the number of fires and fatalities nationwide but they have also had the unavoidable effect of decreasing the potential for experience our FFs gain during their careers. Progress always creates unintended consequences and in this case while I'm of the opinion that our loss has been the public's gain overall it is also one we must address by our actions. With that I will return to that which I stated above. What the new "senior guys" will be once our time in the sun has passed is in large part dictated by what we give them now to pass along to their "new" guys in the future. We in the fire service are all products of our environment or culture and by and large learn by example. So while tools and tactics may change, the core values of what it means to be a fireman don't..or shouldn't. Service above self, honor, valor and a dedicated commitment to learning this trade will always be the strong foundation on which our service depends, but it can only be a strong one for the up and comers when it is lived by those who are the "senior guys" now. For me that means we have the obligation and responsibility to not only give voice to those core values but to in fact live them and set the example. The future may belong to the young, but it is the actions "old timers" of today that will chart the course that future takes. Cogs.