ex-commish

Rest in peace.

Blue and red lights in the grill??? Does FASNY know about this???

I believe what you ask has merit and not just limited to arson. Crime will no doubt increase as people get desperate.

In my opinion...no. I have read some very objectable points made about the volunteer fire service. I myself have been very critical about the volunteer fire service and I have been a volunteer for alomst 27 years. In a perfect world every firehouse would be filled 24-7 with full crews on scene in less than 4 minutes but we do not live in a perfect world and I doubt there will be major changes in the near future. Our belived state is in a severe budget crisis. Aid to local cities is on the chooping block. Not to single Yonkers out but recently thier mayor stated 800 city employees may get laid off which includes all services. I hope that that never happens there or anywhere but we are facing harsh times and I think we all need to be more concerned about improving our organizations instead of worrying about who say's what on here. I have yet to see any personal attack towards anyone on here.

Wouldn't anydive team take some time to moblize?

Perhaps someone can confirm this but I recieved an e-mail today telling me that the consolidation bill was shot down by both the house and senate.

Do towns want to take over fire districts? Do they want the added responsiblity? Another line in the budget when they like all other levels of government are looking to downsize? Just wondering.

And the posters you are telling to relax and refered to as a pack of wolves were simply stating thier displeasure of what the original poster said.

We exist for the public, but we also exist for eachother and that is demonstrated during funerals. It is a show of support to the families as well as the department who lost one of it's members. Bringing apparatus is a traditional way of showing support. Parades are another story.

Prayers and thoughts to the family and friends of Officer Matthew Morelli

I suggested that to him when I responded to that newspaper.

So if someone dies due to a lack of response what excuse do you use..." we don't like our chief...sorry". Remember we exist for the public, not ourselves.

May he rest in peace

I believe it would be a home rule issue like anything else.

FULL STORY: http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/3...t/46$58700 Before he came to Banks County, Creasy worked in fire service for 30 years. He said many of the volunteers are interested in offering their services to other communities. So far, there is no comment from the fire chief or the county commission. I always say there are two sides to every story but is resigning and going to another volunteer department the answer?

Are EMS runs included in the 600 runs?

Thanks all...and to think 5 more years I qualify for AARP...

I don't buy the "getting familiar with the districts" that you do mutual aid for. After all, everyone in our Town knows where MacDonalds and the Diner are!!!! And also doing drive-bys of a particular agency just to harrass them is not called for. As the Captain of my VAC, if my members were caught doing this, they would be suspended on the spot. I couldn't agree with you more. You beat me to it...

Chief, what you say has merit and in most cases can not be disputed. As a volunteer I have stood for reform in training and have been an advocate for background checks. As a former instructor I have debated many times in class with students when the subject of training has come up. I wrote to OFPC a few year ago to see what it would take to allow volunteer departments to appoing MTO's providing those appointed met the state criteria for instructor. I felt that this would help volunteer departments to upgrade thier training programs. As a former chief I argued many time with my own members when they questioned why so much training. I also sought to seek a uniformed standard for officers modeled off the FLIP school and do away with elections. Everything was a fight and I feel we stand in our own way with progression at times and may ultimately be the cause of our demise. And I know many of my colleagues share the same problems but we are in the minoirity. What I will dispute is the age standard. I do believe in NY ( expect for NYC) there is no age limit to take the firefighter exam. Maybe there is a pension issue that I am not aware about but when I took the exam 4 years ago there was no age limit. I do not sense an anti-volunteer sentiment in your post. I have seen the anti-volunteer sentiment. It is usually ugly and without merit.

PO's, CO's, Deputies...the average citizen will not now or care who they are. These are supposed to be trained LEO's charged with the custody of prisoners.

Animals are more civilized.

If a person accepts the position of a firefighter that person knows at one point in time flames will be a factor and knows that up front. In this case the medic position was added after he was hired so I feel there should be a grandfather clause with those allready hired. To new appointees they know being a medic is part of the requirement so they have the choice to make a decision before they go for the job. Now if the upgrade to medic was negotiated between the union and the city and it applies to all firefighters presently employed than he may have a problem.

My prayers and thoughts are with you.

I did not trust Spitzer when he was the A/G and cringed when he ran for govenor. Being a democrat he was supposed to be labor friendly yet he back flipped on unions with promises when he ran. He has no credibility as far as I am concerned. His arrogance finally caught up with him. My guess is he hasn't resigned yet because resigning may be his only recourse from impeachment which is probable.

I guess for Spitzer it was a fun place...till now !!!