firemoose827

Rest In Peace Chief. My thoughts and prayers to the Tarrytowm FD and to Chief Browns family, both at home and at the firehouse.

Amen...Amen...AMEN!! We need the same training period...across the board...Im tired of seeing young FF's fresh out of FF1 get all cocky and arrogant and forget about traditions and experience. Just because you have FF1 doesnt mean you are ready to rock, something I have said for a while now. I am a level II FF but I got mine the old way; I had to take essentials, Fire Attack, FA II, ladder ops, haz mat, pump ops, and a bunch of others. Training needs to improve...

My first department on Long Island had two companies; Engine and Ladder, the Rescue Squad was separate also. Each company had their line officers consisting of Captain, 1st and 2nd Lieutenant. They each had their own meetings with their line officers running each meeting, then their was the department meeting, presided over by the Chief, 1st and 2nd assistant cheifs, president, secretary and Treasurer with all companies present. They had their board of fire commissioners who reviewed the books and handled the administrative stuff, they approved any major purchases as well like trucks or new equipment. Down their, each new member had to serve a one year term witht the rescue squad as well to help out and learn the EMS side of things, then they could either drop their membership or continue. My department now is a Fire District, governed by the board of commissioners who have their own meetings monthly, open to the public where they discuss the building and grounds, equipment, any upcoming needs of the department which would affect the tax base, and have open discussion so the taxpayers can bitch I MEAN offer their opinions on things. The chief of department and rescue squad captain are required to attend these meetings to give reports on status of equipment and membership. Then we have our department meetings monthly presided over by a president, who mainly just upholds the by-laws and is the deciding vote in a tie for all department matters. Our president is also on the board of commisioners.

Rest In Peace Trooper Riley, thoughts and prayers to his family and fellow troopers/LEO's.

I have walked into an ER for a transport and have had the Doctor himself thrusting a large pile of paperwork at me and yelling "Here, he needs to be at XYZ hospital STAT just load and go!!!" Only brief minutes later the PT is requiring intubation, or they code. I always at least got the brief report from the nurses, which I trusted more then the docs at our local facility, and they knew what info I needed. There was one time we walked into the trauma room of the ER for a transport and saw the MD about to attempt an intubation; this doc is a medical doc and is rarely in the ER and has not tubed someone in years mind you. I walked in and saw his hands shaking so bad the tube was whipping back and forth. I calmly told him to let go of the laryngoscope and step back. He looked at me and I sear he was about to pass out, he half smiled and handed it over. Took me less than 40 seconds to tube him and we were out the door with the nurse giving me the report as we wheeled out and loaded. Always try and get a report so you at least know what is going on and what treatments you need to monitor enroute.

I see what HFD219 is saying, if the level of training the volunteers have is lower then the career, then I see why they would not let them kill- I MEAN use the simulator and end up getting hurt or worse. If the initial training levels are the same, then yes, both should use it. Another question is; Who owns the simulator? The county? The career department? I see what they are doing is necessary to keep less trained people from hurting themselves, until like you. myself and so many other volunteers want to see happen, the training standards become the same across the board for both. THEN I see no issue with either using the simulators. If you dont know what to look for, or what to do, than how can you safely use the training aids provided? I wouldnt even let MOST of my FF's go into any simulator until they get their training squared away and take FF1, FF Survival, and maybe FF2. Stay Safe

This fire was in the 90's, it was right after I moved from Long Island to upstate NY and I remember wishing I was still there to help them. It jumped the Sunrise highway, which your are correct was 6 lanes wide, they had planned to use that as a natural fire line but it didnt work and they had to chase it. Upstate we get the NYS Class, Wildland Firefighting, taught by DEC rangers. It is a very good class, but when I took it there was little to no hands on portion of the class. We went into a field and practiced "Attacking" the fire from the burnt side like your supposed to or from the flanks. He laid out marking tape on the field and labled the front, the flanks and the rear of the fire, and we learned briefly about digging fire lines. I also took the Wildland Search & Rescue class also taught by DEC and that was a great class too. We dont train nearly enough with our brush truck, but we just got a new 4 wheeler so I am sure we will start to drill more with that (untill the magic wears off). We have a lot of brush fires too, primarily being farm land and forest.

We usually go through dispatch who has the capability to contact them direct or call them. Most chief officers have radios with the DPW freq on it and can talk direct with them but its not used too often. I used to work DPW and I knew to go to the scene if they had a job in the winter, otherwise the super was in the office or had a scanner in his truck and would dispatch the closest plow to the scene if he heard of a fire in the area and we had a plow on scene before the dispatch even got a chance to pick up the phone. Works better in small communities though I would imagine.

I would say the same thing; it's not necessarily that people are "hiding", its that they want to participate in forums and discuss issues they see in the field at work, but since their supervisors monitor these forums they do not have the ability to post their real identity. I myself have just recently found out that some of the other members in my volly department have been following me closely here to see if I will say something negative about someone specifically so they can report me to the chief...I simply told them the same that remember585 said in his post; "My comments are my own and do not reflect my department." I am after all entitled to my opinion as long as its shared in a professional way with no crude or innapropriate insults or comments. But my name and location are accurate, and any who have PM'd me here with a request for my email has received it and I have even had a few phone conversations with some members to further discuss something we may have agreed/disagreed with each other about in the threads.

I feel that term needs to be thrown out. We already have our level of response's out by my area, Im sure everyone uses something similar to this style dispatch system; Alpha response- Non-emergency BLS response, no lights or sirens, mostly for lift assists and cold/flu like symptoms. Bravo- Emergency BLS response such as broken bones, bleeding, trauma, lights and sirens. Charlie- Non emergent ALS call (Im not sure how many of them there are, but that's what our response guidelines have it as being). Delta- ALS emergency like chest pains, strokes, dyspnea and such. Echo- pulseless breathless patient, codes, basically everyone come thats close by. Why then do we need to say "Expedite"? I feel that if an EMT is dispatched to a BLS call only to arrive and find a code, they should simply ask for the call to be upgraded to an Echo response...plain and simple. Use what you have and dont complicate things or do something that will make a rookies adrenaline go through the roof and cause an accident all because he/she heard "Expedite to the scene!!!" I have heard plenty of squads in my area simply call for the upgrade from Bravo to Charlie or Delta and its just as effective of getting the point across. Same as fire calls; I have heard first responders such as PD or firefighters in POV arrive on scene and call for the FD to "Expedite" to the scene for possible entrapment...Just call the dispatch and ask them to advise all responding units that there is a possible victim unaccounted for. We all know as firefighters that a search should be done for every call anyway, so why say "expedite"?

Volunteer EMS agencies are quickly fading away. We have an ambulance sitting in our station with no one to run it. All of the EMT's are gone and we only have about 5 active members, drivers and attendants only. It has been out of service for a few months now and we go automatic MA for all calls. When we get a structure fire we tone out our neighboring department for both fire and ems assistance. One of the largest departments in our county that averages 500-600 calls annually with 2 rigs even has trouble getting out. If not for the very dedicated captain/paramedic they have responding to all their calls they would turn-over more calls. EMT Training is also difficult to go through for someone with a FT job and family obligations, it's not just firefighter 1 training thats hard to take. They could be away from their families for months, 2 nights a week, some saturdays spent in ER's and OR's or riding second on ambulances, and then afterwords having to keep up with CME's (depending on what level you are) every 6 months, meetings, drills, fundraisers... I was a member of 2 separate organizations in my previous department where the EMS agency was a private organization separate from the fire department. I was an 18 year old EMT taking my EMT-CC class, Lieutenant in the EMS agency, taking fire classes left and right, going to two meetings a month and 2 drill nights a week, working bingo at 2 organizations on a weekly schedule for fund raising on top of responding to calls. That was rough too, when there was an MVA or fire I would respond with the FD and I told the EMS agency that the FD came first for me, if it was a straight EMS call I would respond with them, otherwise I was a firefighter. Its tough to be a volunteer anything today...there is just no time in the day for someone with a FT job, maybe a PT side job, spouse, kids, dogs, cats, house to take care of, gold fish to feed...its not like it used to be where there was one bread winner in the house working only M-F 9-5 and had enough spare time to volunteer. You need to work 2-3 jobs just to barely scrape by in today's world and its killing the volunteer sectors. But once the community has to pay for a monthly career EMS agency to run calls maybe the tune will change but that will never happen...no one can afford career EMS, not around me anyway, they can barely run a decent highway department that plows with trucks held together with bondo and a prayer, with an old piece of metal roofing welded on as a plow blade and using a leaf blower as a snow blower...imagine having to pay a FT EMS crew 24/7 365???????? I honestly dont have an answer, but know for a fact that volunteer EMS is in danger if something is not done soon.

Can you please explain this in more detail? Like how it works exactly? You just put a magnet on the inside and outside of your mask? Thats interesting, never heard of it and Im curious. Thanks.

Velcromedic is right buddy, you need to re-evaluate your career choice. I worked ems for 12 years, and still volunteer since '92 and I have learned a few things. One of those things is what I need on my person and what I dont. In the beginning I carried the contents of a small BLS trauma bag on me, either in my pants pockets or coat or belt pouches...similar to a battle belt (or buff belt, however you see it). At the end, I carried a scope around my neck, glove pouch always stocked with at least 2 pairs or more of gloves, pen light and shears in my BDU pocket. You dont need to carry anything else on your person. Make it a habbit to have a well stocked "First-In" bag with your BP equipment, suction, BVM's, airways, bandaging, and other essentials. When you get off the rig you grab that bag and go in. I also knew a Paramedic in my volunteer squad who carried a "Buff Belt" with his trauma tools, CPR mask, "D" cell flashlight, even had an ammunition pouch that he held his airways and lube in...I stayed away from him.

GAW6, excellent post. I wanted to clarify something; I hope my comments did not offend anyone, they were simply made in haste with a lot of anger towords a few of our commissioners who are seemingly trying to turn our department into a business. They get mad when we dont turn a profit....and seem to not care that we have equipment needs. We have an ambulance that Im amazed even starts any more, and engine that failed pump test three times and they still throw money into it and hope it works, an old rescue truck held together with bondo and duct tape, a number of sets of gear about to go over the 10 year mark, a bunch of SCBA bottles that will need to be replaced soon...they just dont want to spend money where it is needed and complain about it. We cant provide the service we need to without this equipment but we cant explain that to some of these members because they have no emergency services experience, and its frustrating. I am glad to see you work well with your board and that you understand these issues at least, members like you would be a welcome sight, its just some of the people I have to deal with that bothers me. Hope I did not offend anyone. Stay Safe

Our commissioners report to the Town Supervisor but have ultimate control of the department being we are a fire district. We have commissioners meetings on the second monday of the month and any tax paying person in our district can attend and ask questions and hear about department issues. They have a say in where their money goes, like with our recent proposal to have our station remodeled with an addition built on. That was passed, but not without a ton of flak from the taxpayers at that monthly commissioners meeting. As acting chief that month, I got to field all of the angry questions and offer our reasoning behind the need for the work; basically trying to tell them that fitting 5 trucks and a UTV with trailer in a 3 bay station had its negative impacts on OSHA laws, and by sharing all of the pictures of our station that were used in the annual OSHA refresher training in our county and how it was a huge black eye to our department and a safety issue. The commissioners were on board with it, but the taxpayers were not, they complained and felt we could make due with what we had and were not concerned with our safety issue (until their house burns down because one of our members gets run over by their own truck trying to get out of our cramped station). My issue with them, is that most of ours are not even firefighters or have they ever been firefighters. They are voted on just like other town officials in November, so anyone can be nominated and voted in if they have the votes from the town taxpayers. Right now, only one of the 7 member board of commissioners is still an active firefighter/driver, another 2 have been members a while ago but are not currently, the others have no firefighting experience. Thats my only issue.

Hello guys, I just needed to ask if anyone knew of any near Albany NY that want to actually work. I have done business with one company in past few months but they dropped off the face of the earth and wont return my calls, and I need to finish a job testing 5 lengths that previously failed but need retest so we can pay off the company that re-coupled the hose for us. Does anyone know of a reputable company that will help us out??? I need to find someone ASAP so any help or leads would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Thanks 38ff, at this point I would drop it off and pick it up just to get it done. Its real bad to have someone you did business with just disappear and not return your calls and leave a job undone.... Thanks for the info.

Great post cap. This was the best response here hands down and I agree with you. I would love to see the day we all move forward and help each other instead of this crap back and forth all the time and never getting anywhere. Its sad to admit but our leadership in my area is not the best (dept chiefs and line officers, the county coordinators are all great). Our "voting" for officers is more of a popularity contest then placing the right candidate in the position for reasons of training and experience, and its sad. Thats why a lot of departments fail though, the leadership is not what its supposed to be. I see it often, you ahve a group of well trained volunteers that show up and do what they can, but because the "leader" has no proper experience they end up looking bad. Who gets the blame? The department as a whole when it should be the leader.

Our department has to use it due to our manpower issue. Our first 2 trucks on scene have 4 people total (if all seats filled) 2 drivers and 2 firefighters. We have to wait a few minutes for more manpower to arrive in either the rescue or POV's or mutual aid. So we use the transitional style attack until we have enough help to safely attack with the 2-in-2-out OSHA requirement met. Provided there isnt any life safety in which case the 2 firefighters make entry for a search. Its one of the only tactics we can use unless we, by some miracle, are rolling up to a fire with 12 people like at a drill or meeting night. Didnt FDNY work with NIST not too long ago in some aquired apartment buildings scheduled for demo to run some tests on this? I remember seeing a video on youtube not too long ago with a news story about it.

Good fire investigators would be able to tell if they died in this house or not...if the house was still as-is at the time the fire was extinguished, but as we see here, the house was already being demolished. But there are ways to tell, especially when you do a good autopsy. They said in the story that the one guy was only burned on his head, I believe if they were in that house their bodies would have been mostly consumed. But like you said we only have the story to go by. Hope we get more details soon as the investigation continues.

I can vouch for the Eagle Attack camera, we just recently purchased one a year ago, and its perfect for general firefighting use and also has enough to use for search and rescue if needed and other applications. Its small, charger mounts on truck with spare battery, its easy to use and idiot proof, and very rugged; we had one guy crawl on the floor with the TIC in his hand putting his weight on the unit as he crawled then told him to focus on an object, the image was still clear and the unit held. We have used it a few times already; once at an accident scene where there was no vic in the truck. We used the camera on the seats and saw that only the drivers seat was warm so we new we had one vic and we found him with the TIC in the field lying in a tree line hiding because he was drunk, had a busted ankle but he got about 250 yards from the wreck before the camera and the search dog found him. Great little camera. Highly reccomend them. If you need a gas meter too, use the Scott Protege 4 gas meter; another perfect unit for general use. Good luck with the shopping, hope this helps. Moose

Rest In Peace brother, it was good to see you had a warm welcome home fit for the hero you are. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends in their time of need.

I wanted to find out what everyones thoughts were on brotherhood in the fire service and maybe hear some memories of what a good strong brotherhood should be like. Brotherhood to me is dead. I dont see it anymore and if it is claimed to be alive its fake and only for certain "Cliques" in the department; if you are not a member you dont exist. The fire service should be a second family, which is why we call each other "brother" or "Sister", but you should MEAN what you say, and ACT as family and not just talk a big game. When I was young and on Long Island with my father in my first department, I was constantly at the firehouse with him since I was in diapers. Most of the membership had actually changed my diapers or babysat for me or picked me up from school once when my dad was hurt bad in a construction accident where he works and brought to the hospital to my mother who was already there. Then a bunch of them STAYED at the hospital until my dad was stable, running errands for my mom, getting my mom, brother and I food...It was a true family. When I became a member upstate it was a different world. I was a member for 9 years when my 2 year old son passed away, and only 2 members; thats right, only TWO members came to my sons funeral. None of them came to the hospital when he was there, or to our house to see if we needed anything...it was not a family. I am in department number 4 now, and the last department I will be in because we just got our first house. But the department has very little "brotherhood" and as a chief I am trying to change that. I am trying to get more department functions, and trying to get the members to call each other more and help each other more. But you can't force something or order something like brotherhood on your members, it needs to be genuine and from the heart and meant for the entire department, right down to that annoying guy who keeps irritating the hell out of you at drills and meetings. Brotherhood...Does it still exist in your area?

Please look at this image, I have used it before and feel its time to use it again, this is how I feel about the matter simply stated; Brotherhood MEANS Brotherhood, no parameters or exceptions, I feel egos have gotten in the way of brotherhood and true family. Stay Safe all.

I may have started this topic but lets not forget I am also a Moderator. Lets keep the personal jabs out of the discussion and let each other share their opinions and beliefs, this is un-professional to say the least and these type of personal attacks have no merrit either in this discussion or this site. No more personal insults or warnings will go out. Please carry on the informative part of this discussion and keep personal insults out of it. Thank you.