fdny41

First and foremost, the incident, and the outcome, sucks.  I do not believe anything anyone did or tried to do last night would have made a difference.
 
Going back a few years, maybe 2009-2010, a Response Plan was developed by the "Westchester Marine Emergency Response Association" along with Westchester County Department of Emergency Services.  That plan basically called for a three-tiered response to all Hudson River incidents, meaning the area of jurisdiction - as well as the next closest agency to the north and south - would be dispatched.
 
From a MOS standpoint with my FD, this is an "OK at best" approach.  During my time as Chief we modified this to include Rockland units, since many incidents happen to fall on or beyond that imaginary line that divides Westchester & Rockland.  At the time, according to this "plan" we attempted to utilize Marine 22 (I think) as a radio channel for all FD, PD, etc. vessels to communicate during river operations.  When we had a river incident that fell under our Command, we always tried to steer everyone on to this channel, since we should all have this capability.  I could be wrong but this sticks out in my memory, and it was designated to keep Marine 16 open for emergency traffic.
 
Last night's incident is just another reminder that when someone dials 911 from a cell phone, it's truly a crapshoot as to where they really are vs. where they think they are.  And this doesn't just apply to waterways - a lot of cellular 911 calls for land based incidents require some searching to find them.  Because of this, it highlights the benefit of starting out resources from different angles.
 
Since Rockland switched to their new radio system, communications on the river have suffered.  But there's no reason why the four counties (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam & Orange) can't develop a plan to always work off the VHF Marine radios.  Afterall, as boats, we should all have them and the signal is decent.  Command vehicles should also install this capability.
 
The frequency of incidents, and the complexity of them on the Hudson River is only going to increase the demand for our services.  There needs to be a standard of training for boat operators, crew members and people responding and playing command.  If EMS is getting on a boat, they need proper training too.  It's 2016 and the fact that the same stupid stuff continues to happen irritates me, because we should be well-trained, well-prepared and have pre-plans developed where we can all work together and provide a professional-level of service.  
 
The days of letting the first people to the dock get on the boat needs to end, and the Chiefs of all of these FDs with river response responsibilities need to work all of this out.
 
Additionally, I think it's time for the FDs that are going to be in the marine operations game to seriously look into grants to get the training we all need and the proper vessels to do what is needed.  We all can't stand around, holding our d**ks waiting on County PD or someone else to get there when someone's life is in the balance.
 
 
 

I believe this is going to be a new RAC Unit

Does anyone know if any fire department in Westchester that uses the command post radio? Sounds like it would be a great tool.
http://www.altechradio.com/command.cfm

Does anyone know if any fire department in Westchester that uses the command post radio? Sounds like it would be a great tool.
http://www.altechradio.com/command.cfm

Listen I am not trying to start any conflict between Career Vs. Volunteer. I only ask because I am from Long Island where Volunteers make up the majority of the departments. I was just curious about working relationships and Standards.
Has there every been a time in which a Volunteer company has assisted a Career Company and vice versa?

I can not speak for Westchester, but I can say with absolute certainty, that in Dutchess, some departments get themselves invited to fires BY a Coordinator.
I respect and love most of them, but if you disagree with me, you are kidding yourselves.

I'd personally like to see the Deputy Fire Coordinators have a say in an agencies mutual aid run card. Hopefully this would eliminate some of the bias and calling favorites.

i dont understand in even nyc they don't get ticketed more. I mean running around in a minivan with reds and sirens is ridiculous.

It makes a lot of sense what you think about the Sound Shore topic but, if you wanted a team it would more then likely have to be stationed with a min of 2 people at a time like a VAC would always be have a crew on, and obviously with the team there would be more then one boat so those people on duty at the time would have people backing them up...

I dont know how much of u have boats but i work on the water and hear atleast 3-4 distress calls a day and other calls like hazards in the water, people sick on boats etc. There is more to it then u think

I agree with you, but the should be a on water rescue team. When a vessel on WLIS calls in distress there is time to save them but there is no on to do the job except local pd's then again it might not be directly called to them... If there was an actual team made by sound shore municipalities... Portchester, Rye, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, New ro and pelham can all chip in a small amount each to make a decent team to cover from the ct border down the the bronx line...
i have seen Local private yacht clubs send there own staff out looking for people out there...
I have also seen NYC Helicopters helping in searches (which is great)
Maybe a team can be made and work with the FDNY and other local "on water" rescue and salvage agencies

But instead of having Engines carrying extraction tools have the Truck carry them.
Also i think fast teams should be trucks not engines. Just in my opinion.

Or, you could use one of our longtime sponsors and locally based small business owned by a Dutchess County Firefighter, Fisch Internet Solutions. And you'll get a custom website, not a cookie cutter site.
http://www.fischsolutions.com/

also do u think when volunteers come to a scene in there personal vehicles there should be some-type of staging area for them rather than having them scattered all over and possibly blocking apparatus.

But instead of having Engines carrying extraction tools have the Truck carry them.
Also i think fast teams should be trucks not engines. Just in my opinion.

I think Westchester County needs a more organized Response structure.
For Example a 10-75 or working fire response should look like this:
4 Engines
2 Ladders
1 Fast Truck - With chief from department of designated Fast team.
3 or 2 chiefs depending on availability.
2nd Alarm assignment should look something like this:
WCDES Field Communications
3 Additional engines
2 Trucks
1 Rescue/Utility
And a 2nd Alarm Chief
Safety chief
3rd Alarm
2 additional Engines
1 Truck
Mask Service Unit
2 Chiefs
Rehab vehicle
WCDES Support Unit ( if available)
This is just a rough outline
Please i would like some input on all of your thoughts good and bad.

I think Westchester County needs a more organized Response structure.
For Example a 10-75 or working fire response should look like this:
4 Engines
2 Ladders
1 Fast Truck - With chief from department of designated Fast team.
3 or 2 chiefs depending on availability.
2nd Alarm assignment should look something like this:
WCDES Field Communications
3 Additional engines
2 Trucks
1 Rescue/Utility
And a 2nd Alarm Chief
Safety chief
3rd Alarm
2 additional Engines
1 Truck
Mask Service Unit
2 Chiefs
Rehab vehicle
WCDES Support Unit ( if available)
This is just a rough outline
Please i would like some input on all of your thoughts good and bad.