IzzyEng4

How about just going over to the VFC / VFD, fill out an application, pay the fee and go through the background check. Could there be a problem with your background check that might find you unfavorable? (I am not making any accusations about you.) Could a particular VFD might have a full active roster? Could it be that since you live out of town for some of these departments that they rather accept someone from who lived in the district first? Instead of coming here and rant about ________ Fire Department, how about taking a more proactive approach and actually apply to the department in person? Just trying to throw out some questions for you just to widen the spectrum.

Last I knew was Elphrata, PA was going to remain open as the LTI plant and they were closing only Hamburg, NY (or already did). There was rumors floating around about Ferrara buying the LTI plant, tooling and the aerial rights but that never surfaced as they have a long standing contract with Smeal for their aerials. ALF had planned to consolidate everything to thier Carolina plant but decided not to move LTI. Probably just surplus equipment they don't need anymore and trying to get rid of.

My friend John is one of the shop heads in New Haven and he went over to Japan a couple of times before the trains came over to the US. They are going to be a nice ride once they are placed in service. Told me the bar cars are even nicer!!!!!!

Its actually quite common to have one for the electronic. When our 1981 ALF Century cam in, there was not Q on it as we bought and installed our own. The foot switches were hooked up to the Federal electronic siren and when we installed the Q, a second switch was added. Even in the 2000 Pierce we have at work, we have on the rider's side three switches (Q, electronic and air horn) needless to say we dance a lot!! Hahahaha!

I bet if the SAFER grant was for the Library it would go through. One word -----> BULL.................

Most of the footage out there is the reaction from the ump and the palyers who witnessed the fall. Man tjust watching that alone was quite disturbing!

Firefighter Todd Williamson, 32, of the Poquonock Bridge Fire Department (Groton, CT) lost his battle with cancer this morning. Please keep his family, friends, and extended family in the fire and emergency services in your thoughts. Arrangments will be posted when available.

I am familiar with Wallingford and the position is for firefighters with a CT EMT-P (paramedic) certification / National Registry. The deadline is July 6th and the application fee is $40.00. If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them for you or get you in touch with someone from the career department.

I have a pic of TL-119's Stuphen somewhere in my collection, actually had it for my computer wallpaper for a while. What I remember of it, the front end had the "Royal Lions" on the front of it. I'll see if I can search for it and post it, its not my pic so I'll have to see if I can find out who took it and give them proper credit.

Not for nothing, but each department should be paying for the fit testing, not each individual firefighter. How many departments around hire an outside contractor to do their FIT testing, I would assume a lot of departments do if they cannot afford the equipment.

Right now I am off from work so hopefully I will be albe to attend and meet up with everyone. Sounds like a great night!

Alex, look at Metro-North as well.

I went up today, kinda mall this year I though but always good. I did get some pictures and I'll post them up later. Got shots of Bucannan's rescue and Katonha's new pumper.

Another reported building collapse at E. Main and Stuben Streets. E-3, E-15, Training 7 and a unit from Fairfield FD. Also sounds like there having some major communications problems. The dispatcher just stated "these things are happening all over the place."

There are reports of a building collapes, another building with the walls buckling on the 4th floor, Westport Engine 2 & Rescue 3 are in BFD HQ. Go to Radio reference.com or scanct for a live feed. 153.7700 for those with scanners that can pick up BFD.

I am pretty sure that Empire H & L TDA quint has a larger pump that 250 gpm. I know that was the pump size on there old Seavrave TDA. I could be wrong thought.

Usually if its a Ford chassis, more than likely (though not exclusively) it would be a Cummings.

Rest in Peace Joe, you will be missed.

Anyone going up to see Buffett in Mansfield MA tommorow??

OKAY OKAY OKAY - TIME OUT!!! I've been reluctant to chime in here but now I have too. First off, no matter who is belly aching, whether it be the Local or the VFDs here is the reality of it, the Consolidated City & Town of Stamford states what it states. Black and White, it is law! Second, its not up to Local, the VFDs, the city council to dictate what is right for Stamford. They can suggest what is a good proposal, but it is up to the voters in the effected area of Stamford for any changes. For example, under the proposed and I'll call it the "North Stamford Fire District" (never saw so many people get their panties in a bunch over a proposed name with the word vollie in it and asking to have career people like before all of them got laid off in the Big Five, give it a break, it's a proposal not set in stone!!!! Sorry for my venting on that)............ Where was I? Oh yes, under the new proposal with the "North Stamford Fire District", a combination department, it would include four of the five volunteer FDs. Okay, fine enough. First step, for those who don't understand CT law, we have a home rule act and under that a Special District such as a Fire District is considered a municipality. It has a governing board who are elected by those in the district and collects taxes. So with that said, those residents who are in the effected are of the new "fire district" would have to vote whether or not they want this to be formed. A petition has to be signed and presented to the State General Assembly. If it is approved by the State Legislature after going through the proper investigation, then its enacted and the "North Stamford Fire District" would be created under a Special Act. The city/town charter has no authority over the district, is a completely separate entity (kinda like NY's villages & districts within a town). Now having that said, the City / Town of Stamford Charter regardless if it stays the same or is changed, the fire district will exist as it is incorporated and chartered by the state. The residents voted for what they want. Now to the other side, say those residents vote down the proposed "North Stamford Fire District", now what happens? Well its charter revision time!!!! Stamford's charter has to be changed to incorporate all areas of the town/city combined to fall under its fire protective services, ect. This again has to be voted upon by the residents at a referendum before it changes. Figure that will take roughly a year or more to figure out all the correct law-talk. The it has to go to the state Assembly for investigation and approval of the change (usually a couple months). If it is passed then the re-organization can begin. Also a charter change will have to be enacted under the current proposal with Glenbrook falling under the SFRD's protection area. Again the charter has to be changed for this to reflect SFRDs protection area, of course if that is spelled out in the charter what they protect (I'm not an authoritarian on that nor have the time to read Stamford charter and incorporation papers). Regardless what everyone wants to debate, it is up to the resident of Stamford and those who live in the areas where the major changes are going to occur. They are the voice and know what they want, regardless what anyone else says. As for who would represent any career members in "North Stamford", well that is also up to them. By right they can organize on their own and have to wait a specific (don't know how long) amount of time before they can petition with a union after the fire district is created and they are hired. I know it not that long of an amount of time but there is some sort of legal mumbo-jumbo out there for that. And yes if they chose and downtown's local wants to represent them, they can join that local as a separate bargaining unit (West Haven's three district's career FFs are all in the same local, three separate bargaining units. Also you cannot compare West Haven's district situation to Stamford because its a totally different situation they are in.) Hopefully no member of SFRD will lose their jobs, that would be a travesty and I would hope if this separation proposal goes through, all those members will be reassigned to Glenbrook and the other SFRD houses. Everyone has to work together down there and protect your citizens, visitors and business owners when it comes down to it. And don't forget, the residents are the ones who will dictate what they want.

If I understand the way NY law is, its is similar to CT law. For example, in CT we do not have incorporate village government, but we do have town, city (which can be a separate government within a town or consolidated in at city/township government), and boroughs (which are within a town or city, may or may not have full privileges and can also be consolidated in a town like Naugatuck). Now if in CT, a borough or a city separate from a town that sponsors and charters its own public safety decides to dissolve, then two things can happen. First the area under the CT home rule acts can become a fire district (whic is also considered a municipality under CT law) or can be taken over by the township (or consolidated city if its a combined government). So in Ossining's case and understanding what little I know of NY State laws and incorporation, they have the option of forming their own fire district that once comprised the village boundaries or be consolidated with another incorporated area. Unfortunately it seams the problem is in NY State that township governments are not granted full privileges and in my opinion would solve a lot of the problems facing public safety. But then again, in CT we don't have county governments which also cover a lot more for you folks over the boarder too. Its confusing for me because of what I am used to.

Who owns the C95 now?

I will not be able to make it but I send my best wishes to all those who attend to support the men and women in Yonkers.

Paid-On-Call or Call Firefighters have been around for many years. Cities like New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford CT and Sprinfield, MA utilzed them for many years durng the 1800s and early 1900s until permanent staffing became better. There are several departments in MA that still have Paid-On-Call FFs who work or live in thier comunities and leave to go to the firehouse or to the scene, responding like volunteer firefighters do. If you look to history, a paid-on-call firefighter in therory are similar to the old auxiliary volunteer firefighting units that were in charge of getting the neighbohood hose jumper to a fire scene and help the regular / permanent firefighters battle the blaze. Today, they would be more in line with the "Utility Man" concept if they stay at the station. In essence they are part-time employees of the fire department / fire district and are covered under its insurance. I know that a lot of the fire departments on Cape Cod still operate with Paid-On-Call Firefighters (not to be confused with Call Firefighters which is a term mostly used to describe volunteers in a combination department).

The West Hartford incident was a Saw-zall used by the patient. The man who was stuck in a boulder was a sort of Swiss Army style knife kit.