JohnnyOV

My turf and you can't touch it....

I know when I attended college, the emergency phones were tested and maintained weekly by the Security guys. They actually played a critical role in a cardiac arrest of one of the students at my school, as the student collapsed right next to the blue phone in a parking lot after a ROTC run. The dispatchers were able to communicate with other students via the speaker phone on CPR instructions and had an exact location of the incident for responding EMS units. Unfortunately the student passed away, but response was immediate, and CPR with an AED was given the moment the student hit the ground. The phone on campus also provide a sense of security for student who might be scared to walk the campus at night alone. At every point on campus, you should be able to see the glow of the blue light. Once the phone is activated, a blue strobe starts to flash indicating to surrounding people that something is occurring at that location.

Even if you were to compile a case to go to civil court, the amount of money you'll spend on lawyer and legal fees, you'll be in debt for the rest of your life if you get hired with the FD... almost not even worth it

Looks like the Feds will be reviewing the evidence presented to the courts. http://www.lohud.com/article/20110215/NEWS02/102150329/Feds-to-review-grand-jury-findings-in-Pace-player-s-death

Yorktown Height's Carnival will run Wednesday June 22nd till June 26th with the parade on June 22nd. I'm pretty sure the Parade will start at 6pm. Come hungry 'cuz those sausage and peppers 'aint small.

Looks like solid truck placement with all the wires around.... props to all the chauffeurs

http://www.youtube.com/user/justonmckinney#p/u/0/S86y__NKmsU keepin' it classy

I have no problem with the way the alerts are set up. Pretty much the only time an IA goes up is if its an extended extrication at an MVA, some sort of usual rescue worth sharing information about, or a fire worth calling MA in for. Other then that, you really don't see any false or inappropriate IA's getting posted

On a calmer attitude. Why wouldn't you want to hold yourself to the same training standards as your career counterparts? Or even to a higher standard then that? Just because the laws state 10 hours OSHA training this and 30 hours that doesn't mean its the right thing to do. OSHA itself is the BARE minimum regulations to follow for any organization. Most companies (large scale) try and exceed all aspects of the OSHA laws. Why? because they can apply for VPP (voluntary protection program) that basically tells OSHA, look, we don't need to audit these guys as much because we hold ourselves to a higher standard. All I'm trying to say is I personally don't like being looked down upon for lack of anything, and I try and help others achieve what levels they are completely capable of achieving, whether they know it or not. I really feel that even though your State Law says one thing, there is nothing wrong with following that but being an over achiever, and going above and beyond what the state says.

After looking up the laws, I found the 2 exceptions After reading both exceptions however, you still need at minimum awareness training... I figured I would post this anyways so other people would be aware. (pun intended...) all of this info can be found on OSHA's website - http://www.osha.gov/...dards&p_id=9765 I'm also curious though, since NYS is a PESH state for government employees, does PESH have laws regarding this?

For devil's advocite sake, what if the junior members are riding along on the apparatus, but not taking part in the emergency, just merely observing? They are listed on our roster and held to their own training standards for junior members before they can ride on the apparatus. Will they still need to take HMFRO before they can ride?

This is the biggest bunch of malarky I have ever heard, and this attitude exactly why Volunteers are looked down upon when it comes to training standards. Get your rear in gear and actually enforce some rules. We're supposed to be a para-military organization, so start acting like it. If you don't like it, there is the door. We'll fill it with someone who does, volunteer or paid.

Then they are the first ones to play canary

This is why my department bars all Juniors and Exterior members from attending HAZMAT calls without IRHMI / HMFRO training. Regardless of whether a junior has attended FF1 with IRHMI / HMFRO, they are still not allowed to respond to HAZMAT or Mutual aid for safety/insurance reasons respectively.

Date: 2/9/2011 Time: 0609 hrs Location: 3436 Lexington Ave - Augies Prime Cut Steak House Frequency: Dispatch - 46.26, Ops on Mohegan Frequency / Fire Ground 1, FAST Ops Fire Ground 7 Units Operating: Lake Mohegan FD - Engine 252, Engine 253, Ladder 35, Rescue 32, Car 2261, 2262, 2263, 69B? Yorktown Fire - Engine 270, Car 2533 Mahopac Falls - 19-6-1 (Rescue) Peekskill FAST canceled Weather Conditions: Extreme cold, clear Description Of Incident: 0609 hrs - LMFD dispatched to commercial alarm, left kitchen heat detector 0614 - Per Engine 252 small fire in 2nd floor apartment, attempting to hold with cans ? - (retone) 60-control to Mohegan on the update, fire in the 2nd floor apartment, manpower requested 0616 - Ladder 35 requesting 10-75 assignment 0617 - 10-75, Mohegan additional manpower, Yorktown Fast, Mahopac Falls Rescue Dispatched 0621 - Add additonal Fast, Peekskill to the scene 0623 - Yorktown Fast enroute with Engine 270 0628 - Per 2262 Fire under control, requesting Peekskill FAST to stand down 0654 - Per 2261 negative extension, releasing Yorktown FAST, Mahopac Falls Writer: Yours truly

To be blunt, yep, that is exactly what I am saying... for the first statement. Municipalities should be able to properly budget their departments and not put public service as the first line item on the chopping block. The 3 private chefs for the Mayor should be the first to go. It is not the fireman's fault that there is no money, and it lies soley on the municipality when someone's house does burn down We're not talking about getting our jollies off while riding around on rigs with our **** in our hands (there is a reason we're referred to as jolly vollies). We're talking about ending someone's career and replacing it with someone who will do it for free. This is how they pay for food for their families, how they save money to put their kids through school, and afford to pay the mortgage. I will never stand for replacing an existing career spot with that of a volunteer, plain and simple. If tomorrow (and if I was in a combo house) some paid guy was about to lose his job because of volunteers staffing in the department, my door key, badge, and gear would be at the front step of the firehouse that instant with a note saying, "My passion, isn't worth this mans lively hood. Thanks for the fun times." And that is me just as a volunteer. How are other guys in the firehouse going to look at the "picket crosser" when they start coming around volunteering their time, and then Jimbo's job get's cut. I sure wouldn't want to be that guy.....

There is freedom of choice when it comes to what sandwich do I want for lunch today, or do I even want a sandwich at all, maybe I'll spice it up with some soup instead. For one to accept a career position in the fire service, regardless of whether a union is involved or not, it is understood that volunteering in the same house is taboo. Why? Because by volunteering you are giving the illusion that under their current contract, staffing is adequate. However when it the contract expires, and you start to haggle jobs around, it is quite possible the community you work in will look directly at you and go, "Well, you work here, but also volunteer your time here doing the same thing. Why should we continue to pay your salary when you have already made it quite apparent that you're willing to do the same job at no cost to the city." Now you have placed your job, and the jobs of all of the other career guys in the house, in jeopardy. Cities are doing what ever they can right now to cut costs. And when you have a career guy, volunteering his time in a career/combo town, it is basically the same thing as crossing the picket line during a strike.

It actually is the point under Federal Law. I see your point though, but have to agree with the ethical and moral issue of the Federal/union side. Why would anyone, in any job, be allowed to volunteer their time in the same "department/job function?" I see your issue of not being able to fill the volunteer ranks with qualified individuals, but when someone takes a fire test for a department that they are already volunteering in, and then get offered and take the job, you can no longer volunteer yourself in the same department, plain and simple. It is just not right under any circumstance. The volunteer knew and understood the circumstances when they applied and eventually accepted the job, and Federal Law says they must abide by them. If you're having concerns about retaining active volunteers, maybe you need to look at the current recruitment/retention program that is in place at your department and modify that, rather then try and retain individuals who LEGALLY, again not by contract but under Federal law, can no longer volunteer themselves. I'm going to have to give round (what are we on) 9(?) to the union. edit: clarification

While your argument seems valid on the front, many communities simply cannot afford to supply their taxpayers with a fully career staff 24 hours a day. Would I like to see every community staffed 24/7 by a fully paid department with 4 guys on every piece of equipment that they have, absolutely. Nothing would make me happier to know that when I am sleeping or away at work, that there would be an arsenal of personnel ready to respond to my home is something terrible would happen. But you and I know that this is an impossible task, and many communities would be in uproar over the raise in taxes. Fortunatly in my community, we have the not just the manpower, but the knowledge base and experience during the day and at night to ensure this protection. While the response may be a little slower since we are not living in the firehouse, it is something that our communtity has not voiced concern about, and actually embraces the idea of the volunteer firefighter. Many communities however do not have the volunteer base, and nothing makes me more upset as a volunteer, then to listen to certain departments get toned out 2, 3 times for an alarm. When you have a consistent problem, deal with it. It is time to put your big boy pants on and actually admit to the community you can no longer provide a response that will satisfy the needs of the community. If it requires hiring career staff, so be it. End rant. As for a professional response, Career departments have their good apples and bad eggs that give everyone a bad name, as do all volunteer departments. The topic of "professionalism" is the fire service has been beaten to death on this forum, and honestly I could care less if you call me professional, a volly scab, or any other term you want to throw at me, good or bad. But I know when I get in the truck, and respond to someone's house or business, I do so, and expect everyone else in my department to do so in a manner that will not leave the homeowner with a bad taste of the fire service in their mouth, while maintaining that every individual is gear up, with proper assignments so that if we do turn the corner and their is a working fire, no one is acting like they're about to lose their virginity . To do any less would be a complete disservice to the community you are supposed to be serving. End Soapbox. edit: I was completely unaware this thread hit 3 pages... I thought we were back on 2, whoops.

You could see at the end of the last episode during the preview clip that, he is back on the streets patrolling

How is this any different then if he raced cars on the weekend for compensation, or any other side job where he is injured? Why is it such a big deal to people about getting injured as a volunteer, when a good bit career personnel have side jobs that are dangerous as well (electrician, roofer etc. etc.). What happens when they get injured there and cannot return to work at the station? Wouldn't it be the same as if he was injured in a fire as a volunteer. edit: Don't take what I said the wrong way, I am all for career public safety employees working side jobs to supplement their pay. You have to be able to put food on the table, and put some away for later too.

http://www.msnbc.msn...ime_and_courts/ Rest in Peace Officer.

While still dealing with Air bags, but switching tactics to aircraft rescue, a lot of small single / twin engine private aircraft are either installing while on the assembly line, or aftermarket, airbags that are attached to the seat belt. 80% of new private aircraft are being shipped with these systems in place (and that is just from this one company) and they are becoming ever more popular with retrofitting existing aircraft. The NTSB recently released a study recommending to installing them on all private aircraft, both new and existing. AMsafe is one of the leading companies designing aircraft airbags for both private and commercial use. http://www.amsafe.com/products/detail.php?id=68&type=categories - General (private) Aviation restraints http://www.amsafe.com/products/detail.php?id=4&type=categories - Commercial restraints http://www.amsafe.com/products/document.php?id=159&pid=68&type=business - Video of deployment http://www.amsafe.com/images/documents/airbag_facts_ga_campaign_final_2009.swf - FAQ's I've been trying to ascertain if each individual airbag is equipped with a sensor, or if it is one sensor for the entire plane. Either way, I'm going to send the company an email asking how to disable the device if it doesn't deploy on impact.

Come on Capt. They're at the lowest fire related death in a long time. It only makes sense to reduce staffing to a point where fire fatalities and an increase in high rise property damage and are going to rise again.

I'm noticing a "self rescue" home ladder from the 3rd story of the home. Did the occupants use this to escape?