ex-commish

Please tell me where there are 400,000 homes??? Are they handyman specials?? Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

I see alot of fantastic pictures on this site. I am presently looking to buy a new digital camera and was wondering kind of cameras you guys and gals are using out there. I need something with lots of zoom and also need to know what is considered adequate megapix. I would be using this for fire service stuff and also my son's sporting events. Any info you can render is appreciated. You can respond here or to my e-mail which is Amanc2196@aol.com. Thank you. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

I recently completed seven courses in emergency management on-line through FEMA and recieved a Professional Developement Certificate for completing all seven. I found them to be informative. I think any education recieved is worth putting on an application. Shows you have a willingness to learn. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

Hopefully the cast comes off Monday and I can get out more.. ALS as usual brings up some very good points which are worth alot more than 2 cents. I think the idea of an academy is a good idea in fact I myself would love to be involved with running it. The only problem I see is people getting time off to do it so perhaps doing it on a part time basis would be better but I bet you would get a good response to a four week academy. Why not try both.... Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

I can not comment on the IAFF being I am from the volunteer ranks. Volunteer firefighters and represented by county, state, and national organizations. What I have found being members of three such organizations is while they talk about training and the need for it in many cases they were the forerunners in fighting mandatory standards which was very well known in the late 70's when FASNY fought to block the minimum 229 hour basic training program that would of applied to all firefighters....not just career. Who won here? FASNY perhaps but not the firefighters they represent. I think the training attitude starts at home, just like raising a family. If your leadership has a lapsy-dazy attitude than so will most of the members. We ( fire service leaders) have to settle for nothing but the best for our people. We may make a few enemies ( I have) but that's ok as I rather have my enemies alive and healthy. I feel we are all on target here on this issue. If any type of topic deserves any time and effort it is this one. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD I gotta keep up with Firecapt......

The OIC of that rig is the IC untill relieved by the chief if the rig gets there first. The chief could say there is a 40 second ETA but anything could happen to him/her enroute. If you are going by the NIMS it is imperative that the first arriving piece of apparatus must establish command. And remeber, NIMS is an intergrated system.....if a police officer gets there first that officer can establish command untill the FD gets there. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

Tape or velcro straps. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

As a chief of a volunteer department, instructor, and volunteer ff for almost 26 years I would like to address this. This may sound like the usual pitch but here it goes. We ( volunteers) are expected to respond to and handle what ever it is we are called to do such as our career counterparts. The business we are in is dangerous and requires training. The original FF1 and FF2 was the answer in my opinion as it a course of study that would of satisfied national standards and produce a better trained firefighter. The present FF1 is a good course, don't get me wrong, but it is watered down thanks to FASNY and other organizations who only seem to want to protect the status quo. While I understand time is an issue for many volunteers but if you get hurt, you will have to find time to heal. If you get killed, you don't get a second chance. And allthough nothing is fullproof in this risky business, good and consistent training is the key to reducing death and injury. We find time to attend parades and banquets and other social functions but it seems to be a problem when time is needed to to something that may save your life....something wrong here. I am not in any way bashing or criticizing the volunteer fire service. I have been a part of it for many years and hope to go quite a few more. I do see an increase of training and the desire for it. I think the newer generation of leadership wants a more professionally, competent, trained firefighter and by judging the attendance at the training center and the skill level demonstrated, many volunteer departments are stepping up to the plate and not settling for less and my hats off to them. Off the soapbox. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

First, I would love to back our Mack CF 700 Bulldog. One would be a pumper, the other a rescue pumper. Being we are flooded with towerladders, I would go with a stick, similiar to N. White Plains only a bigger ladder. No pump. Do away with all the fancy diamond plating and other bells and whistles. I would also like to have a multi-purpose vehicle similiar to Irvington's rescue. This could be used for rescue, light haz-mat, cascade, utility, re-hab and back up jaws. ( And a place for me to hide ) Our two ambulances we run our fine so I would leave that alone. Chief's cars would have no light racks, decals, etc. Just grill lights. I like low profile. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

My delivery yesterday was 2.49 a gallon. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

Thanks guys !!!!!

"And from 3:30 pm to 9:00 am valhalla does all of grasslands, and hawthorne has on building on it" Hawthorne covers the Taylor Care Institute and also the Psyche hospital. I believe we cover a piece of the condo's used by the New York Medical College. Andy Mancusi Chief Hawthorne FD

Greetings all Andy Mancusi Chief...Hawthorne FD Former member Pleasantville FD and Vac Fulltime Correction Officer Part time SFI and CFI at Westchester DES Married and proud father of my 13 year old wrestler, football and baseball player. I am a Yankee and Giant fan. I also enjoy boxing. I enjoy this site and look forward to sharing views with you all.

"the class couldn't have had better instructors ." Without a doubt. I have had the pleasure of working with both of them at the training center and as an instructor myself I have learned alot from them as well as the other instructors I work with. Great bunch!!!! And I can not wait untill I can get back there !!!!!!!!!!!

Our two engines, truck, and 3 chiefs cars have the knox keys. Andy

"Thats definately a sweet picture! I don't know Capt. Benz persoannly, but i have had him as an instructor during classes and training sessions with my FD at the FTC. He is definately a great guy, cool, calm and relaxed, which makes for a good officer and instructor!" Working with Capt. Benz at the training center I can tell you with all honestly he is a true professional and a gentleman both in and out of the classroom. Andy

Our mini-attack rarely goes out the door. I believe it has to do with it being a stick shift and there are only a handful of us that can drive a stick. We may be selling it soon anyway. Andy

I must agree that ems is in somewhat of a critical stage. My department included and I agree that if an agency can not fulfill it's mission than alternate means are warranted and that includes paid emt's. I must take issue however that a paid emt is better. Being I have worked both sides of the fence in ems I believe that the individual attitude towards ems and patient care is what seperates the professional from the non-professional. I have dealt with both good emt's and morons with cards and always judged it as an individual basis....not wether the person is paid or not. Lets face it, neither is getting rich in this business. Most of us do the best we can.

"The National Advisory Committee (NAC) of the Congressional Fire Services Institute unanimously adopted a resolution supporting H.R. 3949, the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Personnel Job Protection Act, at its annual fall meeting on October 26th. " In researching the status of this bill, I found the last action taken was on 11/7/05 in which the bill was refered to a house sub-committee on employer-employee relations. I urge all of you who this bill would affect to write to Anita Lowey who is our representative in the house and urge her to push this bill forward. This is a long time coming. Andy

"At age 43 I will once again join my FD, and hopefully pass on something worthwhile to my kids. Stay safe everyone! " Congratulations and good luck!!!!! Andy

If you like Minestrone, Thornwood Pizza and Pasta makes an excellent Minestrone soup. While I am at it....try thier chicken parm or francese also...mmmmmmm Andy

"Andy i just booked alaska--- 1 night land and cruise leaving july 4th then to Aruba in nov its great to be retired" firecapt32 Alaska??? Hmmmm.... Aruba?... now you got me jealous!!!!!