irishfire2491

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.
 
 
 

60 Control is incompetent. They could never handle Fairview or Hartsdale....
#givemeaf***ingbreak

Deliverd 7/3/2015 Verplanck new U 29
all photos taken by John Nohai on 7/4/2015 in the Peekskill FD 4th of July Parade

Facebook has all the Attention of Fire Wire's now Its fast and everyone is always scanning Facebook. Kempter Fire Wire (KFW) has over 2750 members and growing everyday and cover serious incident in Westchester, Putnam , Rockland, Dutchess and National incidents. 98% of all the post is accurate post that is word for word of the radio transmission and at time Photos of the incident. The side is highly monitored and the BS Post and comments are removed and not encouraged to cause a pissing war.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/549294408439212/

Just be Happy I am wearing Pants for this Call! No Less something in my pockets, The only extra thing I carry is my own scope with a pouch that holds small spo2 and 2 pairs of gloves. Other then that I work out of my bag, I even go as far as refusing to work out of my cabinets unless I really need it. Now if you will excuse me I need to go back and Earn Money Sleeping!

HANK, You sure will be missed, Hank was absolute roll model to all the members of CCVAC, A man who actually built CCVAC from the Ground UP with his bare hands. RIP Hank Reynolds< EX Captain O'Brien

Henry E. Reynolds, of Crugers, died October 3rd, after a long struggle with Cancer. "Hank" was born in Ossining, New York in 1929 to Mary (Dunstan) and Ralph Reynolds. Hank graduated from Ossining High School in 1948 and was married to Jean Blauvelt on July 20, 1952. Hank earned his Eagle Scout award, served in the U.S. Army and was a proud Korean Veteran. Hank was a master carpenter and avid photographer. Hank was a very proud founding member, former president and former board member of the Cortlandt Community Volunteer Ambulance Corp (CCVAC). He was instrumental in the vision, design and construction of the CCVAC Headquarters. He was a former member of the Peekskill Power Squadron, a life member of the Cortlandt Engine Company, a member of the Verplanck Senior's Group, and the unofficial "Historian" of Crugers.
The family will receive family and friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the Cortlandt Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on 10 AM on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the funeral home.
Inurnment will follow at the Hillside Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor, NY.
Cortlandt Funeral Home Inc.
97 Broadway
Verplanck, New York 10596
914-737-1110
Donations may be made in his memory to the
Cortlandt Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Credit: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lohud/obituary.aspx?n=henry-e-reynolds&pid=167328604&fhid=27177#fbLoggedOut

We definitely need people...that's for sure...

Rob,
I took CFR with Billy and some other guys from MNRR back in 98.' Billy is a good guy, sorry to hear about this. Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

I can't think of any situation where a fire investigator would need to get to a scene in an emergency.
"Quick, get here fast to investigate this fire," said no one ever...
But then again, people still respond lights and siren to sit in someone else's fire station, so what do I know...

From the Local 2343 Facebook page. Congrats to all.

Danbury is a level 2. We transport people out of Danbury and St francis frequently that were brought in as a trauma but need a level 1 center due to their injuries. While air transport from a scene is generally used for time critical patients we also carry a number of advanced care devices/medications not found on ground ambulances. By no means delay transport especially if it's less than a 30 minute ride but also keep in mind the specialized care a critical care team can provide.

Rain, no rain - I don't care - I will be OFF for this one!

Thanks for all the INFO, I will look in to the business. EFDCapt my dept does issue however the place we used to deal with went out of business (Webs World), So I was looking for place to go close enough for myself and new member to be able to be fitted with uniforms. I heard a Rumor that Rescue Stuff was doing uniforms but wasn't sure, Guess I will be stopping in, Seth and Greg make sure you get the LONG, LONG Body Tape Measure out for this BIG GUY! lol
THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE

94 YEARS LATER....
WE REMEMBER THEM
In Memory of the Peekskill Volunteer Firefighters
killed in the Line of Duty at the Fleischmann's Fire
AUGUST 1, 1918
- Surgeon Charles R.F. Greene
- Captain Clarence J. Lockwood
- 1st Lieut. James H. Selleck
- 2nd Lieut. Louis A. Barmore
- Firefighter George A. Casseles
- Firefighter John E. Torpy
- Firefighter Walter Cole

The D.C. is the guy with NO turnout gear.

good luck with it looks great- last time Billy seen that much water from a tanker it was coming in the side window-lol

That girl in the top right corner makes the photo... "Is there a parade or something? "

My third Child left from Purdys NY today to head up to Albany to a 5 year stint in the US Army, she is going to Missouri for Boot Camp and AIT training to become a M P. Her Mother and I are extremely proud of her , she has been a member of Somers FD since she was 16, she has completed EMT and FF 1 and 2 and Safety and Survival. ( She is 20) I want to wish her all the best as well I want to keep her in our thoughts and prayers. I also wish to Thank all who have and are currently serving THANK YOU for all you are doing and have done for this great country we all live in.
Jim and Gina Arena
God Bless America

LoHud Indian Point

LoHud Indian Point

I'm still on the fence about everything folding into one agency.
1. With the increase in activity, would they expand their communications staffing?
2. With a growing amount of units on the radio, would there be issues with units in one part of the county stepping on others? Perhaps splitting the county into two radio frequencies (north/south or road units/other units) might alleviate this?
3. Someone from WCPD can answer this since I don't know for sure, but I routinely hear units from other areas covering other units - specifically I seem to hear a lot of "Sam 1" going to the Town of Ossining. If the nearest cop is 10+ minutes away, how is that beneficial?
On the up side of all of it - it's like others said. More promotional potential, more to do, specialized teams and cost savings to all.
Just keep painting the cars blue and white... it's grown on me and looks awesome!

So I had to call 911 to report a driver going the wrong way on 9A this evening who almost hit me. Talked to the dispatcher at TMC who was very informative, and helpful, oh and guess what.....it was a Woman.

The Shirt Looks Good, The guy in the picture Not So Much lol jk.