SOUSGT

Keep them comming

Many years ago, (before E911 and ALS) the police (in a neighboring community) dispatched an ambulance and the FD on a report of possible cyanide poising. The ambulance dispatcher alerted the hospital and was on the phone to poison control and kept an open line to both during the response. Upon arrival People were calmly walking around and could not understand why half the town turned out. It turns out that Mr. Cynides had a laceration to his mouth and wanted transportation to the ER in case he needed stiches. I pity the dispatcher that had to tell poison control “uh never mind”.

Received a 911 call about a violation of an order of protection. Upon arrival we found a soon to be ex husband and wife both sitting on a couch in the living room. Both were on a phone (Separate lines) to their lawyers. Each insisted that we talk to their lawyer first. We determined that both had an order of protection against each other and both claimed that the other broke the order. After we received a few details we determined that both had violated the order and we arrested both. I flipped a coin and told each lawyer that both were under arrest and they could visit their clients at HQ. That was the last call we received from that house. Received a 911 call from a parent wanting a police officer to tell his kid to do his homework. I can’t tell you how many 911 hang-ups we received by someone trying to call overseas (011). Broke down a few doors while the person was on the phone to a relative in Europe.

This is nothing new. Many people consider an emergency to be anything that is important or annoys them. People used 911 for just about every type of call imaginable. Here are a few That I can recall: A man called 911 and wanted a police report confirming that his cable TV was not working so he could claim a refund for the day. A lady called 911 wanting to file a police report because her insurance company needed a report for the jewelry she lost in the Bahamas. She was advised that 911 is only for emergencies. She stated that she was busy and didn’t have time to look up the non-emergency number in the phone book and with the taxes she paid why should she have to pay for directory assistance. 911 is just so convenient and since I am on the phone, can’t you just send someone over here now so I can file my claim. This would be for an incident that occurred in the Bahamas? She confirmed this and was advised that she would have to report the incident were it happened. Before cell phones, people would call 911 on pay phones to report parking violations so they would not have to pay the 25 cents. Calls about a parade in another jurisdiction Could we send someone over and change a light bulb. Is there school today? We could start a new thread on some of the worst abuses of 911.

One day we received a report of a an activated fire alarm at a house. Upon arrival, there was smoke coming from open windows of the house. I advised the dispatcher to update the FD. This was a long run for the FD and they were a few minutes out. As I got closer, there appeared to be a party going on. The home owner advised that this was a mission house and he was the ambassador for (a country that will remain nameless). He further explained that as the UN was celebrating its 50th anniversary the president of his county was in town for the celebration. The president specifically requested an authentic American BBQ. As it was raining they proceeded to move the grills in the garage. They closed the door to the house but opened all of the windows and doors to the structure to vent any smoke. When I explained how dangerous this was, the ambassador explained that “if my boss, the president of the country wants an American BBQ, Then come hell or high water, he is going to get an American BBQ.”. As the house was a mission house, we could only express our concern and be pleasant. Both the police and fire who responded on the call were invited back for the BBQ and to meet the president of the country, but we declined. I did have the sector car keep an eye on the house for the rest of the night.

From the New York Times: DETROIT — Detroit, the cradle of America’s automobile industry and once the nation’s fourth-most-populous city, has filed for bankruptcy, an official said Thursday afternoon, the largest American city ever to take such a course. Officials in other financially troubled cities may feel encouraged to follow Detroit’s path, some experts say. A rush of municipal bankruptcies appears unlikely, though, and leaders of other cities will want to see how this case turns out, particularly when it comes to pension and retiree health care costs, said Karol K. Denniston, a bankruptcy lawyer with Schiff Hardin who is advising a taxpayer group that came together in Stockton after its bankruptcy. “If you end up with precedent that allows the restructuring of retirement benefits in bankruptcy court, that will make it an attractive option for cities,” Ms. Denniston said. “Detroit is going to be a huge test kitchen.” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/19/us/detroit-files-for-bankruptcy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Coroner: Asiana Airline passenger killed by rescue vehicle, was alive at time By CNN Staffupdated 1:30 PM EDT, Fri July 19, 2013(CNN) -- Asiana Airlines Flight 214 passenger Ye Mengyan died of injuries she received from being run over by a fire department vehicle, and she was alive when she was hit, authorities said Friday. Police previously said she might have been hit by a fire truck after she was expelled from the crashed plane. Ye, 16, was one of three people who died in the July 6 crash of Flight 214 at San Francisco's airport and its aftermath. http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/19/travel/asiana-airlines-crash/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 A double tragedy; A passenger was killed and an apparatus driver who was responding to save lives, accidently took one. First responders describe eerie, chaotic moments after Asiana crash http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/08/us/asiana-airlines-crash-responders/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

The case will also set a legal precedent that will be watched closely by other major cities across the country struggling under the weight of years of accumulated debt and underfunded pensions covering millions of public sector retirees. "But Detroit is not unique. It’s the same in Chicago and New York and San Diego and San Jose. It’s a lot of major cities in this country. They may not be as extreme as Detroit, but a lot of them face the same problems.” http://www.nbcnews.com/business/detroit-bankruptcy-could-hit-millions-public-sector-retirees-6C10681571

Mike Patterson, a Georgia father who was paralyzed when he dove into a creek to save a young girl earlier this month, died early Friday morning as a result of complications from his injuries. Patterson, 43, severed his spinal cord when he dove into the Euharlee Creek in Rockmart, Ga., on June 8 to save a 4-year-old girl who was drowning. The Good Samaritan was with his 9-year-old son when he heard the girl’s screams, and when he dove in to save her, he hit the bottom and severed his spinal cord. He still was able to get the girl to safety despite suffering paralysis in both of his legs and one of his arms. http://www.today.com/news/good-samaritan-who-saved-young-girl-dies-injuries-6C10480520 I posted this as many of us have bodies of water in our areas. Please remember "Feet first first time"!

NO MORE "GUNS AND HOSES"!

When I was a road boss, I was called to the scene of a simple auto accident by a police officer who had an un-usual circumstance: The officer was dispatched to a non injury accident to file a report. It was determined that one of the drivers had a suspended license (for failure to answer a summons). The subject had his mother-in-law in the car whom he transporting to work. As the mother in law did not have a license, the officer instructed the arrested subject that he was going to tow the vehicle. He would arrange for a cab to take the mother in law home or to work. The subject was given his Miranda warnings, frisked and handcuffed. The subject asked to speak to his mother in law before being transported to police HQ. The two then had a conversation in Italian. The subject was secured in the radio car and the officer kept a close watch over the mother in law. The officer then requested a supervisor to the scene. The unknown to the two, the officer spoke Italian. The conversation consisted of the subject telling his mother in law to take the gun from under the driver’s seat and put it in her handbag. Upon arrival, the officer advised of the events and was unsure of we could conduct a warrantless search under the conditions. Under the circumstances I advised that the search would be valid and we then confronted the mother in law and she surrendered her handbag. In her bag was a loaded .38 caliber revolver. The subject was advised that we had recovered the handgun and would be arresting both parties. The subject denied any knowledge of the firearm and wanted to know how we found it. The officer told him in Italian what he said to his mother in law. The expression on their faces was priceless. Both subjects were booked and the DA accepted all of the charges. The defendant was offered a chance in court to admit the gun was his and the charges against his mother in law would be dropped. He declined. As a side note, I received a phone call at the booking desk from the subject’s wife. I was expecting her to tear my head off for having her mother arrested. She never addressed the issue, she wanted to know what gives us the right to arrest her husband. Thinking that he had not told her what had happened, I filled her in on the days events. Her reply was “Big deal, everyone in the Bronx carries a gun”! My only reply was “this isn’t the Bronx” ! You can't make this stuff up!

One of the problems with these light weight drones is that they are susceptible to the thermals created by fires. A strong updraft could cause a drone to go out of control. A cheaper and less dangerous alternative would to install a remote controlled camera on the tip of the ladder.

Did you notice that one of the ladders had stopped spraying water and the cab was tilted up

Have'nt you seen the Mega-Bus. The big blue busses that run between NYC and Boston & Washington.

With regard to the search and seizure issues raised: Was the gun on his person or in the car? If he was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (or any charge), he would have been searched proir to being secured in the troopers car and most likely the firearm seized for officer’s safety. In clearing the weapon, the amount of rounds would have been observed. Any contraband found on his person would be admissible. The courts have held that LEOs may conduct a search of the “immediate area of the subjects control” for officers safety. Again no search and seizure issues. They can also ask he exit the vehicle and the officers perform a pat down for officer’s safety if they feel it is warranted under the circumstances. If the subject was not able to turn the vehicle over to a licensed driver, the vehicle was most likely impounded and towed. Prior to towing, many departments require an inventory search of the vehicle’s contents in order to prevent lawsuits for “missing items”. Providing that it is done uniformly on all impounds, it’s been upheld as a reasonable action. Any item found in the vehicle (with certain exceptions) is admissible in court. Any item in “plain view” is also admissible.With the amount of information provided in the story, it seems that the weapon would have been lawfully discovered under a number of scenarios. Given the limited course of events identified in the story, I am glad that the DA chose not to prosecute for the two extra bullets. I am hoping that this action sounds loud and clear in Albany. As many of you have seen, I feel that the law and the politicians that enacted this piece of trash legislation belong in the trash.

We use color coded tags with FF name , department and picture. The color indicates his function. As our Scott packs have pack tracker,each Scott pack also has a tag with teh number of the pack on it. When a FF arrives at the scene, he removes his tag and connects it to the pack tag. Both are then secured to the command board. The safety officer moves the tags around based on assignment. If a pack alarm goes off, we know who has what pack and this cuts down on the roll call.

Seth, Greetings from London. This is the first time in a week that I have had access to a computer and was suprised to see what happened. Take care of yourself and don't let the site stress you out. Remember health and family come first. Everything else can wait.

By going to the site its more confusing than the law.,For example: Q: I own a handgun, is that an assault weapon?A: Most handguns are not assault weapons and are not affected by this law. A traditionally designed handgun is not an assault weapon. For example a single shot pistol or a revolver cannot be an assault weapon. To confirm that your handgun is not an assault weapon and to see common models and characteristics click here. Yet they reference magazines. Do they apply to hand guns or just long guns? If the magazine section applies to handguns, then almost all semi automatic handguns are affected by the law. They can’t even be truthful about something they passed yet don’t even know what they passed. Sounds like Pelosi’s statement, “we have to pass it to see what’s in it”.No they have to cover thier tracks by providing inaccurate information.

Next time spend the $2.00 for the cleaning rod.

A few things come to mind: A new addition to the VTL: “Driving While Googling” (DWG), But officer, my license says “restriction- corrective lenses”. I have to wear these. It’s not p***, It a “heads up” display.

Stock up on the magazines now!

Based on the above, if passed Looks like the Journal News will be publishing the names and addresses of “assault weapon owners”. If there has to be a “Police Registry” that would be a public record and subject to the FOIL. The bill provides for handgun owners to have some protection but I don’t see the same for “assault weapon” owners. Also does the amount of bullets in a magazine apply to all guns or just “assault weapons”? My semi auto pistol has a 14 round magazine but it’s grandfathered. Do I now have to sell it and but a smaller one?

The City of Boston has declared a public health emergency. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/01/10/boston-declares-public-health-emergency-as-flu-cases-rise-nationwide/

Yet ConEd a commercial enterprise is permitted to register its vans and small vehicles as passenger vehicles and can use the parkways. Go figure!