JP59

Educating the public on how and why we do what we do is always a good thing, but the reality is most people don't really care, nor should we expect them to. By a huge majority all the public knows and cares about when it comes to us is that there's a building with big red trucks with sirens and flashing lights down the street and that we show up with those trucks when we're called. Beyond that there is very little time in their busy and hectic lives to give us even a passing thought..and that should come as no surprise since, by that same large majority we don't spend our time thinking about how and why they do what they do. I mean how many of us give any thought to why an accountant does their job as they do or why that cashier at the grocery store checks and bags our items the way they do....unless the way they're doing it inconveniences us.
 
Where all of this comes to prominence is when we're dealing with the bean counters, who to be fair, also have a job to do...even if we don't like that we're the target of that job. Educating them becomes a primary concern when funds for staffing or equipment or training come under scrutiny. We have to be able to justify the expense of the services we are providing and why we provide them the way we do. I think this article does a good job of explaining some of that, although I think we're all aware that there are a number of other reasons why members "stand around" outside beyond simply FAST/RIT.
 
I know most of you who "know" me here will find this hard to believe, but sometimes I over think things, look at things a little deeper than what's on the surface. After reading this I find myself doing so again. I asked myself why would we have to explain ourselves to a public that for the most part really doesn't care why we do what we do....well I think in some way this has more to do with us than it does with "them"...here's what I mean:
 
After 9/11 there was a huge upsurge in respect and support for firefighters and fire dept.s everywhere and an equally large up tick in the level of interest of what we do. And we all benefited from that to one extent or another. But (there's always a but) in the 15+ years since, those levels have naturally waned, as these things often do.  But from our end, I think some became accustomed to that public attitude and the accolades that came with it and thought it would last forever. But alas nothing does...life goes on after all and people outside the fire service fell back into their routines and worrying about their own lives. To take it a bit further (and anger some I'm sure) there are some FFs and dept.s who one could argue tried to use the tragedy of those 343 lost brothers to further their own agendas, even though they had no direct connection to the events of that dreadful day. Now the point of all this pontification may seem like it has nothing whatsoever to do with the topic at hand, but in fact it does because the event of 9/11 and it's aftermath have shaped our collective perception of how we think the public sees...or should see...us. Many firefighters, being "insiders," have a hard time understanding why anyone would question our actions, on the fireground and off, and some may even become angered by thought of having to explain ourselves. But that is on us, not them. They are why we are here and they pay our way, so they have every right to ask "why are so many FFs standing around"....even if they really don't care about the answer.
 
But back to the beginning, most people might question why so many FFs are standing around, but in the end they really don't care...they only want to get the service they need when they need it and it's up to us as professionals to give it to them. If we can educate a few along the way that's great, but if we can't that's ok too, as long as we do our jobs the best we can and remain humble in doing so. 

 
I agree with dwcfireman. We always make sure we have enough manpower to rotate crews. We run a full rehab operation at structure fires and make sure all members are rehabed and hydrated.

 
I agree with dwcfireman. We always make sure we have enough manpower to rotate crews. We run a full rehab operation at structure fires and make sure all members are rehabed and hydrated.

 

A sneak preview....what an awesome truck! Loving the specs and the new solid red paint scheme!
 

 
 
 
 

Date: 4-18-17
Time: 1202hrs
Location: 34 Allison Rd C/S Garlen Rd
District: Katonah FD
Battalion: 16
Channel: Fire 16, Fireground 2
Weather: 60F, clear
Units:
Katonah FD            Engine 115, Engine 116, Tanker 6, Ladder 39, Car 2211
Bedford Hills FD     Tower Ladder 57, Utility 6, Tanker 5
Mount Kisco FD     Engine 104, Utility 13 (FAST)
Goldens Bridge FD  Tanker 1, Engine 140 (Dispatched)
South Salem FD      Tanker 2, Engine 167
Croton Falls FD        Tanker 8
Armonk FD             Tanker 9 (Relocate Katonah)
Somers FD               Tanker 16, Engine 183, Rehab Unit
Banksville FD          Tanker 7 (on standby in their quarters for Armonk)
Yorktown FD          Engine 272 (Relocate Katonah), Tanker 14
KBHVAC                 65-B-1
WEMS                     45-M-3, 4514
Bedford PD            Car 39
WCDES                    Battalion 16, Cause and Origin Zone

Writer:  x635

Description: 60x40 single story wood frame dwelling, heavy fire and smoke from the roof
 
12:04hrs   PD advising working fire, all occupants out
 
12:05hrs  Car 2211 requesting a 10-75
 
12:09hrs   Fill site for tankers being established,  South Salem Engine 167 will be the water supply engine
 
12:23hrs  Battalion 16 reporting exterior operations, heavy fire through roof, 3 lines stretched and operating
 
12:30hrs  Battalion 16 reporting partial collapse of structure
 
12:48hrs  Car 2211 reporting main body of fire knocked down, checking numerous hot spots, all hands still working
 
14:10hrs Car 2211 reporting fire has started to rekindle during overhaul, holding the tankers and the fill site as a precaution

 

 

 
I'm not sure I like this idea. For transit buses, and select ambulances, it makes sense. But for a fire engine? I can't  see it really making a difference, and it must be expensive to purchase and maintain.
 

NAMES OF ALL PEOPLE THAT WAS IN THE WORLD TRACE CENTER AND ALL FOUR FLIGHTS

Earlier this week, I had the chance to go to Los Angeles. I'll be sharing some of the photos on this thread over the next couple of days.
 
For those who haven't seen it, my photos of LA City FD's Heavy Rescue 56 can be found here.
 
First up is Los Angeles County FD, they had this 2017 KME Tractor sitting at the shops, awaiting mating with a USAR Trailer.
 

It would actually be nice to see Ralph Stupple get it, considering the fire district decided to eliminate his position and demote him not too long ago. That would be the stand up thing to do, considering the circumstances.
 
He is also extremely qualified, after having served as an assistant chief for many many years and serving as a westchester county fire instructor for many years as well.
 
But hey, what do I know......If you advocate for doing the right thing, you must be the crazy one.

Horry County getting ready to take KME to court for the crap they sold them lest year . Engines and tower ladders o/s more then in  and no end in site . Trucks out of service for weeks at a time and a few parked for the time that they got here .  This is my winter home and Sta #7 is right out my door . The firefighters are very unhappy with this order because they waited a long time to get good front line rigs. It aired yesterday
 
http://wbtw.com/2017/01/19/mechanical-issues-force-2m-worth-of-hcfr-fire-trucks-off-the-street/
 

Ex Walden,NY
1987 Chevrolet/Swab

Just a friendly bump to remind people to "Like" posts. Why? Read the posts above.

As Alan said studies like these are always going to show the results in the client's favor...those results are bought and paid for by the client so it can be no other way. With that said almost universally volunteers are going to cost less...and that is just a simple mathematical fact. Don't think so, then riddle me this:, Where does the vast majority of the money go in a career FD's budget? Salaries and benefits of the employees, aka career firefighters...that's where. No salaries= a significant reduction in cost. So let's not try to pretend that an all paid service is going to be cheaper...it won't case closed. On the flip side of that coin though is the quality of service provided for the money spent and in this the level of service provided by a paid department is almost universally going to be better than that provided by volunteers, for all of the reason so often cited here...case closed there too. So where does that leave us? After spending tens of thousands of dollars to get the study results you want and then touting those results as fact what has been accomplished? Not much really...wanna know why? Because for all the dollars thrown at the issue of which type of fire protection is better, in the end we don't decide the matter, the citizens do. And that my friends is just as it should be, after all it's their tax dollars and their lives is it not? And since it is, the type of fire protection they get is THEIR choice to make not ours. Point being don't waste your money on studies everybody knows are skewed anyway, they don't rally matter to Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public. Fact is that money could be far better spent dealing with the real issue...
 
And what is that real issue? That's a gimme boys, ...the real issue is the adversarial relationship that has grown ever more ingrained and vicious between paid and volunteer firefighters in recent times. Well guess what fellas, paid or volunteer, we all do the same job...protect lives and property. Do some do it "better"? sure they do. Do some do it "cheaper"? you bet, but the fact is, we all do it...period  Now you can thump your chest and stomp your feet...why you can even take that study you paid for in hand and go yell your point from the rooftops. Sure get out there and let everyone know how much better trained you are, or how much cheaper you are or any one of a hundred other BS arguments, but in the end, for all of our bombast, that's all it is, bullsh!t...no matter how many studies you pay for to "prove" otherwise. Here's the deal, our self imposed divisions serve no one and have done nothing to better OUR fire service and each and every one of us should be ashamed that we've let it degenerate this far. Worst of all though is that the biggest losers from all of our bullsh!t are those we are all supposed to be here to protect and serve, our citizens ...anybody remember them in all this?
 
The best thing we as a service could do is to start trying to find ways to work together for the greater good of everyone...firefighters and our citizens alike. Now sure there are many things which divide us, some valid some not, some real some imagined, but there is one thing which unites us all as firefighters and that is our common mission...protecting those in need. High time that came first. High time THEY came first.
 
I will leave you with this: Many moons ago when I joined my first VFD, standing on the firehouse apron one evening, I was told by a old weathered veteran member, "Remember kid you're not here for you....you're here for them" as he pointed out to the neighborhood around us. In my 36+ years I've never forgotten that piece of advice. So tomorrow morning, as you look in that mirror, let those words ring in your ears as you start your day serving your community. With that as the basis for our actions we will find the common ground we all know is there to make OUR fire service better today than it was yesterday...And that my friends is a win/win no matter what side of the coin you're on.

 
Canvass letters don't typically go out that early. It's likely for the fall class.
 
FF1 is right, you're over thinking this. Just forget about it and go about your daily life.

No. You are wrong in thinking.
 
that was the class that just graduated.
 
stop over thinking and stop being a     detective. Wait for the call and do your best 

if you want the job, I mean REALLY WANT the job, stay in shape study all the time, get your EMT and take every test you can (NY, CT) don't put all your eggs in one basket, but if you do everything in your power to prepare and put yourself in the best position you could possibly be in, paired with studying your a** off and taking every exam that is announced within 50 miles of your residence, you will eventually get the nod.
 
On the contrary, if you take 1 or 2 tests and sit on the list crossing your fingers, then complain when one guy gets sent to the CPAT and you didn't. you may find yourself waiting for a very long time.
 
At the end of the day, you need to ask yourself "How bad to I really want it?"
 
If you want it bad enough, you will do everything you can to get this career

I think you should move over one lane whether it's  PD/ Fire/ EMS or tow truck operating or if someone is changing a flat tire.  Where I start going nuts on the volleys and blue lights is because in the past 10-15 years the younger generation of volunteers seem to go overboard with lights.  Tailgating people and blowing red lights and stop signs.  Sure people should let a volunteer pass WHEN ITS SAFE.  But guys have to calm down thinking they have a right to ignore vehicle and traffic laws.  

the old saying, "Arrive Alive" comes to mind sometimes
 
 

I stopped using blue lights since (they are courtesy lights and most drivers are not courteous anyhow) they confused more drivers than not; the last thing you wanted to do was to sit at a red traffic light with your blue light flashing and no one from the other three opposing lanes move because they don't know what to make of it.  The way I look at it, I'll get there when I get there.  Btw I do think you may be right on the comeback of revolving lights; it makes common sense.

Maybe the revolving blue lights will make a comeback for this purpose. You never know.

I think the revision to include blue and green lights/ volunteer fire and EMS is a very good thing. My concern is the following, if we are only allowed one blue light by law, which I personally obey this law, then unless you have a rear facing blue or green light on your vehicle, motorists would not be aware you are fire or EMS. I think the majority of us use a dash light. If they aren't aware, what would prompt them to obey the move over law and give us a safer scene to operate at. Just my thoughts.

Maybe the revolving blue lights will make a comeback for this purpose. You never know.

I haven't used a blue light in probably 10 or more years now, however come January I'll dig out my old revolving blue light and place it on the roof upon arriving on scene, thus ideally drivers approaching the scene will take notice and slow down, etc.