ex-commish

RIP

As always there will be second guessing towards the troopers. I believe they did everything humanly possible to take this person into custody without incident. Once he pointed a gun at a trooper that changed the incident and the police did what they had to do.

Lately there seems to be a strong emphasis on harassment and harassment policies in emergency services. While I don't condone or encourage any form of deliberate harassment against anyone due to their race, religion, gender, etc...I do wonder if this has become a shield for the thin skinned or those with agendas. Like many on here I remember the days of good old fashioned b*** breaking and pranks and many times being the target of it and laughed with it and got even and laughed even more. It was a sense of belonging. A sense of trust. I also remember many strong disagreements and arguments, some very intense but at the end of the day it was over. Today you have to worry if someone will take what you say or do to the point where they will file internal or even get a lawyer or run to the police ( yes I have seen this happen) and look to file outside charges. I feel it has come to a point where you truly have to be careful what you say and do because you never know how someone is going to take it and it is unfortunate because I feel most incidents are not intended to be malicious rather innocent yet there is a chance someone may take it the wrong way and harassment policies that I have read are pretty much clear cut with zero tolerance by the AHJ and the AHJ has to act if a complaint is brought to them. Here's to the good old days!!!

And this is my point exactly. You have to worry if someone will get their feelings hurt and run to the police or thier lawyer and file charges over a comment or statement that was deemed harassing in nature. Again I do not condone deliberate harassment of anyone but what happened to being thick skinned and taking it on the chin?

Is there a recommended time frame for replacing apparatus wether it is a big city like NY or a small suburban town where you may only see a handful of fires? Does NFPA have a standard on this?

Welcome to the retirement club Marty....enjoy many years of good health

"The end result is you have people who are too afraid to talk with each other look at each other or even engage in friendly banter because something might be taken the wrong way. In my opinion this actually makes for a more hostile work environment as it erodes the camaraderie that has been a hallmark of the emergency services forever." I agree word for word...just want to add it also gives some in charge that have vendettas against certain people some leverage.

So true

It is a toss between responding to the Bronx on 9/11 allthough we just stayed at a staging area I will never forget the chaos there and the fighter jets flying around not to mention I lost a friend in the towers and a gasoline tanker that crashed and exploded on 9-a where the driver was burned beyond any reckognition..

Since when did affirmative action dictate patient care. I thought it had to do with hiring practices. He took an oath to protect and serve and if he can't get beyond his racist attitude he is in the wrong profession.

Good old Mack!!

RIP

Prayers for a speedy recovery

Rest in peace

Congrats and good luck

The same argument could be used for in-service training...couldn't it?

Simple slap on the hand is appropriate. No need to go any further.

Why wouldn't it carry any weight outside the district if the training was documented that it followed the proper curriculum?

I have been out of the loop with training for a while but here goes....your department or AHD can adopt training standards for it's members providing it meets all applicable laws and standards. For example you can run a FF1 class that could meet the expectations of NFPA 1001 yet you could not issue a state certificate from OFPC for FF1 because it is not sponsored by OFPC but your AHD can issue a certificate. I would suggest that the person(s) who conducts the training be a certified instructor as it would hold up better if something was to happen. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I have been reading the responses here am glad to see the feedback on this important issue. I for one would like to see volunteer departments have the ability to appoint municipal training officers providing they have met the criteria under section 426. I think that this would help some departments with training as well as maintain some level of competency. I have written to FASNY in the past for their input and also their support but it fell on deaf ears with the past leadership. Would like to see some thoughts here from all of you on this idea....thanks.

Congrats!!! Welcome to the retirement club

Long time coming

To start make FAST part of FF1 and go from there

Truly mans best friend...RIP

I have heard this also. They are nothing more than a mail order ministry.