Squad11

Hey Ed glad to see you have joined the ranks of us retirees. First worked together at Western Electric with you and Gene. Then I joined the YFD and you guys at Yonkers Dispatch. I was always glad to hear your voices on the other end of the line when responding to any incident because I knew myself and my crew were in good hands. Always professional and always thinking ahead. Thanks for your calmness and assistance when everything was going sideways. Good luck in your retirement.  J Max retired YFD. 

Hey Ed glad to see you have joined the ranks of us retirees. First worked together at Western Electric with you and Gene. Then I joined the YFD and you guys at Yonkers Dispatch. I was always glad to hear your voices on the other end of the line when responding to any incident because I knew myself and my crew were in good hands. Always professional and always thinking ahead. Thanks for your calmness and assistance when everything was going sideways. Good luck in your retirement.  J Max retired YFD. 

Hey Ed glad to see you have joined the ranks of us retirees. First worked together at Western Electric with you and Gene. Then I joined the YFD and you guys at Yonkers Dispatch. I was always glad to hear your voices on the other end of the line when responding to any incident because I knew myself and my crew were in good hands. Always professional and always thinking ahead. Thanks for your calmness and assistance when everything was going sideways. Good luck in your retirement.  J Max retired YFD. 

Hey Ed glad to see you have joined the ranks of us retirees. First worked together at Western Electric with you and Gene. Then I joined the YFD and you guys at Yonkers Dispatch. I was always glad to hear your voices on the other end of the line when responding to any incident because I knew myself and my crew were in good hands. Always professional and always thinking ahead. Thanks for your calmness and assistance when everything was going sideways. Good luck in your retirement.  J Max retired YFD. 

Oh, another quick point in response to this post that I just realized has not been made yet....Local 628 nor the UFOA have never "gone after" or "attacked" Empress' union. In fact, it might be perceived to be the other way around. You see, approx. 22 years ago, when YFD began regularly responding to First Responder work, which was not currently being done by anyone except the occasional response of YFD to medical emergencies, or the YPD ESU responing to accidents and injuries, the YFD Administration, and both unions, advocated for more ambulances on the road, documented poor Empress response times and inadequate equipment, all of which bettered the working conditions of Empress members and created additional jobs for Empress employees. YFD also requested and had put in the contract that Empress medics would provide training to our members, thus creating work for them. Now, fast forward 22 years later and IT SEEMS that Empress' union is supporting replacing YFD as first responders with Paramedics in fly cars, thus "going after" local 628 and UFOA work, not to mentionthat this is a notion that anyone involved in the system as a professional should realize will compromise patient care for many reasons. Over the years the idea of YFD taking over ambulance service had been floated by various political leaders, and neither 628 nor UFOA had ever pursued this work.
So, It's hard to try to make the point that the YFD unions are somehow hurting Empress employees of their union or have ever done so.
In any event, just a reminder to all in this great city who respond to any type of emergency- we all have much more in common than we hold as differences- there are no enemies amongst us. Patient care must come first and foremost. So, please everyone on all sides of this contentious and emotional issue- although we may have strong disagreements in certain areas, let's agree to treat one another with respect at all times (especially in the field), and to be honest in our dealings with each other. All of us have a tough and at times, dangerous job that is worthwile and deserving of respect. Let's not demean ourselves or our professions by engaging in pettiness and mean spirited behavior. We are all much better than that.
And of course, please qtip.....

George has been a firefighter in Yonkers longer then some Empress members have been alive. He's seen the whole face of EMS in the City change, and he used to run calls with Yonkers VAC! He's good people, and he's obviously very honest and straightforward. And he lives 55 miles from the city because when he started, someone who was on a fireman's salary couldn't afford to live anywhere near Yonkers. And that has absolutely nothing to do with him, he's dedicated to the city regardless. He's one of the most respected guys on the job today. Give him the respect he deserves, especially since he has insight that most people don't have enough experience to have.

1) No-one receives stipend unless they are certified.
2)Yfd does not respond to any police related calls. All calls come in and are screened as to who to send.You can only respond to the calls you are dispatched to. Involved in that 46 % were 84 incidents where YFD used the defib to shock.
3) The union offered arbitration back in Sept..When the city lost confidence ,they put off the arbitration,not 628 .
4)The mayor has no valid points and is making up **** as he goes. He does not support the YFD , actions speak louder than words. If hiring 25 when your short 50 is a large class, OK . The Mayor also states ot has been abused for the last 5 years, hmmm, pretty much when the last Mayor slashed all ranks with demotions and layoffs and filled the the spots with ot .
5)manning clause, yes pretty unique and well thought out and apparently well worded.

Well, as someone who has been a part of the first response in the YFD for the past 22 years, I couldn't care less about what you Bull might find overdramatic, or what you Jack might find unnecessary and unprofessional. I've spent the majority of my career in SW yonkers and have seen good and i have seen bad when it comes to Empress. I, like JFlynn believe the 2 entities work well together (give or take a nut in a safari hat). But I believe the first salvo fired in this episode came from the bosses at Empress when they stated blatantly false response times in an effort to seize sole control over EMS in Yonkers, knowing full well it would cost jobs in the yfd, and worse yet, put the lives of the citzens at risk. So what would the main benefit be ? Greater profit maybe ? I don't know what was uglier , the false numbers being produced by Empress, or the roll the dice attitude exhibited by the city for the sole purpose of breaking contracts. It seems to me the Bosses at Empress were well aware of what the repercussions were to be had the first responder program ended . For the most part , the buses arrive in a timely manner, but I have witnessed 10 minute plus response way too often, and for Empress to tell the city that there would be no difference in service without the YFD is misleading at best. That to me is unprofessional. This, coming from someone who has delivered 2 chlidren , shocked and initiated cpr on too many to count, all because Empress wasn't on scene in a timely manner. Capt. Geo. Smith YFD

Hopefully NONE of my brothers on YFD will take the bait and attack the many dedicated and professional members of Empress such as this individual has attacked YFD. This is only one persons opinion. I have always felt that YFD and Empress line members work well together and respect each other. Us fighting each other is harmful to us all as well as to those we serve. 628s website post regarding Empress certainly was not an attack on Empress employees and I believe any reasonable, person would read it that way.
It is 628 s job to represent their members interests and this is what they are doing. They have not attacked Empress employees. Those who would try to spin this as an attack on Empress employees, or another union are doing so for their own reasons.
There are a combination of truths, half-truths and much untruth in this persons post. When I am rested I will respond to each point by point. Please my brothers on YFD as well as Empress lets stick to the facts and not get personal or unprofessional. This is what those who wish us harm are hoping for and expecting .

I have een retired from Yonkers for about 2 1/2 years after a 30+ year career. I don't know who writes these things but as over my entire career this story is filled with wrong information. This is typical for the politicians and press in Yonkers, if the facts don't work for you just make it up as you go. The sick leave statement has been wrong in the past and I'm sure it's wrong again here. The line about 10 minutes early for a weeks pay is wrong, to begin with it's 12 minutes, and it's for one crew to pass on information to the next crew, and it's not a weeks pay. Why should that lead to more sick leave, it does'nt make sense? The manning clause is 57 not 54 and is a safety issue. Also talks about preventing "abusers" from working mutual shifts, makes it sound like 25% of the job are abusers, which is total BS, not to mention mutuals are contractual, but they have been trying to rip up the NEGOTIATED contract for years. The City negotiated the contracts and now they want just throw them out, very typical from politicians.

I have een retired from Yonkers for about 2 1/2 years after a 30+ year career. I don't know who writes these things but as over my entire career this story is filled with wrong information. This is typical for the politicians and press in Yonkers, if the facts don't work for you just make it up as you go. The sick leave statement has been wrong in the past and I'm sure it's wrong again here. The line about 10 minutes early for a weeks pay is wrong, to begin with it's 12 minutes, and it's for one crew to pass on information to the next crew, and it's not a weeks pay. Why should that lead to more sick leave, it does'nt make sense? The manning clause is 57 not 54 and is a safety issue. Also talks about preventing "abusers" from working mutual shifts, makes it sound like 25% of the job are abusers, which is total BS, not to mention mutuals are contractual, but they have been trying to rip up the NEGOTIATED contract for years. The City negotiated the contracts and now they want just throw them out, very typical from politicians.

As a classmate and friend of ARod's, I can say that ARod embodied all that was great with the fire service. Antonio was always appreciative of all the opportunities the YFD gave him and would never fail to give back if given the chance. He always had that look in his eye of a grateful person, somebody who truly understood how lucky he was to be on this department. Well it was us who were truly lucky to have met and worked with you, ARod. RIP

If we had to say there is a down side to being part of the Fire Serrvice this would be it. I was a member of the Yonkers Fire Department for almost 29 years and I can say with certainty that you burry too many friends before their time. However to go along with that is one of my sayings I used all the time. Everything in life is give and take, therefore if it were not for the Fire Service I would not have made so many Good and Close friends over the last 29 years. I had the pleasure of being one of A. Rods traing Officers when he started his career on the YFD, it was there that are friendship started. Tony was a True Gentleman, True Friend, Geat Firefighter, and one of the most giving people you would ever want to meet. He would do anything for a person in need, and he continued that even on his last day with us. The only thing that brings a sense of compfort to me as I think about my friend is that I know he is in excellent company with all the other Great people taken from us to early. You will truly be missed by the many people that you touched their lives
Good bye MY FRIEND see you again one day.
Your Friend
Mike

Good luck to the new Commissioner. I hope he comes in and sees how completely understaffed we are. I hope he does his due diligence before he takes the job and will be allowed to get the proper resources he will need. Comm. Kielb stepped down rather then put firefighter and civilian safety second to politics. Good luck in the position.

I have een retired from Yonkers for about 2 1/2 years after a 30+ year career. I don't know who writes these things but as over my entire career this story is filled with wrong information. This is typical for the politicians and press in Yonkers, if the facts don't work for you just make it up as you go. The sick leave statement has been wrong in the past and I'm sure it's wrong again here. The line about 10 minutes early for a weeks pay is wrong, to begin with it's 12 minutes, and it's for one crew to pass on information to the next crew, and it's not a weeks pay. Why should that lead to more sick leave, it does'nt make sense? The manning clause is 57 not 54 and is a safety issue. Also talks about preventing "abusers" from working mutual shifts, makes it sound like 25% of the job are abusers, which is total BS, not to mention mutuals are contractual, but they have been trying to rip up the NEGOTIATED contract for years. The City negotiated the contracts and now they want just throw them out, very typical from politicians.

To comment on 87D124's post, how can you advise people who want to know the "TRUTH" to contact the owners/operators, etc. of Empress for the TRUTH? Wouldn't they have to contact all entities involved to do some research and hear about the different figures, plans, etc. given to the different groups?
First and foremost, nobody in the YFD, the Firefighter's union or the Fire Officer's union blame anyone in Empress for anything, as you insinuate in your "TRUTH" posting.
Furthermore, the rumors are NOT being spread around by people who are angry with the City Coucil about budget cuts because the City Council didn't/doesn't come up with the cuts.
The fact of the matter is that the City Administration are telling the democratic City Council members one thing, the republican city council members another thing, the YFD another thing, Empress another thing, the firefighter's union one thing, the fire officers' union another thing and then the press yet another thing.
No one was angry with the City Council about the budget cuts either because as I mentioned earlier, they did not/do not propose budget cuts. The mayor's office proposed the cuts with "HIS" budget. The city council then has to review the information and either pass it or send it back to the mayor.
Anyone wanting to know the "TRUTH" would have to be in the room with all of the entities involved and that would never happen (even though it was requested).
It wouldn't and didn't happen because how can those in charge of a city give the truth or honest answers to any of these entities when they don't have a real plan nor the first clue about operations, safety or the health and well being of the citizens?

I have een retired from Yonkers for about 2 1/2 years after a 30+ year career. I don't know who writes these things but as over my entire career this story is filled with wrong information. This is typical for the politicians and press in Yonkers, if the facts don't work for you just make it up as you go. The sick leave statement has been wrong in the past and I'm sure it's wrong again here. The line about 10 minutes early for a weeks pay is wrong, to begin with it's 12 minutes, and it's for one crew to pass on information to the next crew, and it's not a weeks pay. Why should that lead to more sick leave, it does'nt make sense? The manning clause is 57 not 54 and is a safety issue. Also talks about preventing "abusers" from working mutual shifts, makes it sound like 25% of the job are abusers, which is total BS, not to mention mutuals are contractual, but they have been trying to rip up the NEGOTIATED contract for years. The City negotiated the contracts and now they want just throw them out, very typical from politicians.

I have een retired from Yonkers for about 2 1/2 years after a 30+ year career. I don't know who writes these things but as over my entire career this story is filled with wrong information. This is typical for the politicians and press in Yonkers, if the facts don't work for you just make it up as you go. The sick leave statement has been wrong in the past and I'm sure it's wrong again here. The line about 10 minutes early for a weeks pay is wrong, to begin with it's 12 minutes, and it's for one crew to pass on information to the next crew, and it's not a weeks pay. Why should that lead to more sick leave, it does'nt make sense? The manning clause is 57 not 54 and is a safety issue. Also talks about preventing "abusers" from working mutual shifts, makes it sound like 25% of the job are abusers, which is total BS, not to mention mutuals are contractual, but they have been trying to rip up the NEGOTIATED contract for years. The City negotiated the contracts and now they want just throw them out, very typical from politicians.

I have een retired from Yonkers for about 2 1/2 years after a 30+ year career. I don't know who writes these things but as over my entire career this story is filled with wrong information. This is typical for the politicians and press in Yonkers, if the facts don't work for you just make it up as you go. The sick leave statement has been wrong in the past and I'm sure it's wrong again here. The line about 10 minutes early for a weeks pay is wrong, to begin with it's 12 minutes, and it's for one crew to pass on information to the next crew, and it's not a weeks pay. Why should that lead to more sick leave, it does'nt make sense? The manning clause is 57 not 54 and is a safety issue. Also talks about preventing "abusers" from working mutual shifts, makes it sound like 25% of the job are abusers, which is total BS, not to mention mutuals are contractual, but they have been trying to rip up the NEGOTIATED contract for years. The City negotiated the contracts and now they want just throw them out, very typical from politicians.

There was a system, what I was told by senior men, was the following as I best remember it. The first number was from 1-7 and ran from West to East along the Southern border of Yonkers. The second number was from 1-7 and ran from South to North along the Western border of Yonkers. The last two numbers were within each area but not sure of how they were assigned. e.g. Box 1124 would have been in the Southwest corner of the City, Box 7124 would have been in the Southeast corner etc. Before we had CAD or even mapbooks on the rigs, the Box number could give you at least and idea of the area of the City the alarm was in (especially if the normal first due company was already out). There were also special boxes for Schools, etc. memory is faded but I believe schools began with 19 could be mistaken. One of the guys (an A/C) still on the job has a comprehensive listing of the information, probably why Jamie said to PM him. Hope this helps somewhat.

There was a system, what I was told by senior men, was the following as I best remember it. The first number was from 1-7 and ran from West to East along the Southern border of Yonkers. The second number was from 1-7 and ran from South to North along the Western border of Yonkers. The last two numbers were within each area but not sure of how they were assigned. e.g. Box 1124 would have been in the Southwest corner of the City, Box 7124 would have been in the Southeast corner etc. Before we had CAD or even mapbooks on the rigs, the Box number could give you at least and idea of the area of the City the alarm was in (especially if the normal first due company was already out). There were also special boxes for Schools, etc. memory is faded but I believe schools began with 19 could be mistaken. One of the guys (an A/C) still on the job has a comprehensive listing of the information, probably why Jamie said to PM him. Hope this helps somewhat.

Alot of speculation going on ,on your part don't you think??? FYI, Chief Kielb had been a DC of personnel prior to Commissioner Pagano's appointment and has been a candidate for the commissioners position in the past.I have worked under both of these men and I believe either one would fit the position well.I am sorry to see Chief Fitz. go . He has done great things for the advancement of my department.He also had over 32 years on and maybe felt it time to move on.Your ASSumption as to why is ,well,none of your business .