ONEEYEDMIC

How many Town/Village employees are also involved in their local FD's? How many are allowed to leave when there is a fire call? If they do leave in the course of their WORK DAY, are they still getting paid while being on a FIRE CALL? I have seen many DEPT's around WESTCHESTER where a member takes the TOWN/VILLAGE truck right to the FD. Do members have to call into their respected jobs and tell their SUPERVISORS that they are going to be out of service for a little while? I think the problem might come in when there is work to be done in the TOWN/VILLAGE and there is a working fire that job for the day doesn't get done. Now if you don't get paid for the time you are at a FIRE CALL I don't have a problem with anybody responding. If you do get paid then in MY OPINION you are STEALING from your COMMUNITY. EVEN IF IT IS MY HOUSE THAT IS ON FIRE I WOULD THINK THAT. I am all for TOWN/VILLAGE EMPLOYEES responding to FD/EMS calls as long as they don't get paid to do so.

Great topic JJB. I have been interested in taking a Rope Rescue class for sometime now. I would LOVE to take a BASIC COURSE in ROPE RESCUE but shouldn't have to pay out of my pocket for it. If you are affliliated with an FD in WEST and take a class it is PAID for through the DEPT right? Are these classes opened up to anyone? You can sign up but might get bumped by a FF? DES is the DEPT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES isn't it? Well PD and EMS fits into that category so all classes should be opened up to everyone.

Troopers write 1 million tickets: DWI, seat-belt, speeding top list Terence Corcoran • The Journal News • January 9, 2008 Read Comments(1)Recommend Print this page E-mail this article Share this article: Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine What’s this? New York State Police had their most active year of traffic enforcement ever in 2007 as troopers issued more than 1 million traffic tickets for the first time in the agency's 90-year history. Acting Superintendent Preston L. Felton attributed the effort to a renewed emphasis on traffic-law enforcement and to providing troopers with effective enforcement tools. "These statistics are indicative of the continued commitment of our troopers to prevent tragedies on New York's roads and highways," Felton said in a release. The 2007 ticket data indicate that of the 1,019,000 tickets issued, nearly half were for what troopers consider priority offenses: failure to wear safety restraints, speeding or driving while intoxicated. These three offenses were also responsible for more than 70 percent of traffic fatalities in 2006, Felton said. "Speeding, drunk driving, and not buckling up continue to be the most prevalent threats to traffic safety, and our troopers too often witness their devastating effects. I'm confident that the traffic enforcement efforts of our troopers in 2007 have saved numerous lives," Felton said. Locally, troopers throughout the Lower Hudson Valley focused on aggressive and drunken driving throughout 2007 with roving patrols and stationary checkpoints. Were any of you one of the million?

I happen to like some of the discussions that go on. I don't see any bashing what so ever of Seth or the way he runs the site. I see people offering to help with business ideas. I am not a business person what so ever so I won't comment on what is going on behind the scenes here. I do know that Seth needs MONEY to run this site. MONEY that he ran out of. Offereing a solution by members is not bashing. Bashing is Seth coming on here and calling people IGNORANT for trying to help. He came on here and asked for donations. Some of you quickly gave a donation. That's great. I want to see where my money is going before I send a donatioin. I don't think I am the only one on the site that wants that am I?

Kudos to FFLieu. I just got an EMAIL that said that my long lost UNCLE died in SOUTH AFRICA and left me $85 million dollars. I just need to send them $5000.00 and they will release the money to me. What do you guys think I should do?

This is a shocker I don't know what to say. Maybe I do know what to say but I know that I will be banned for saying it. Unbelievable. How are people making suggestions ignorant? I don't get it, but the rest of you keep giving him your money. Unitl I see how much it costs to run this website I am not giving you a DIME.

Actually when Seth comes on here and says that he is broke because of so and so reasons it does have to do with this web site. It sounds like this website is like another job that he doesn't get paid for. Therefore the money that he is blowing on non vital bills and/or neccesties affects this website. He stated how much he paid to keep the server running for anothe month. Can we assume that means it costs $4800/year to run this site? If that is the case take the number of registered members which I have no idea about and then ask for the money. Almost like paying DUES to a PBA or whatever the FD has. Just not getting anything out of it. Seth started this website didn't he? He knew that it was going to cost money to run. He should have looked more into the future before starting it and falling into debt using his own money. I am all for the SUPPORT of this WEBSITE. I just want to make sure where my HARD EARNED MONEY IS GOING.

First off McSorley911 that was a FANTASTIC post. Seth in NO way am I trying to get in a bash. You aired your DIRTY LAUNDRY on here about where your money goes and I suggested that you stop doing something that makes you spend money which is driving around the COUNTY, STATE, and COUNTRY taking pictures for people on here to see. I am pretty sure we have all seen a POLICE CAR, FIRE TRUCK and AMB. Maybe even a CAR ACCIDENT, FIRE BLOWING OUT A WINDOW, etc... Maybe if you saw something rare like when you were in Hawaii that would be different but do people really care who gets a new fire truck? I mean aren't they all the same anyway. I know that you can have an ENGINE, LADDER, RESCUE, UTILITY, CHIEFS TRUCK and whatever else. I am just saying that if taking these pictures all over the place are causing you to become further in DEBT then stop doing them. You constantly think that I am trying to get digs on you. RELAX. Hopefully I am not the only one that wants to see exactley what it takes to run this site. I want to help, I really do. I like this site and I like posting on this site. It is almost like voting if you don't vote you can't complain about who is in office. If you don't donate, you can't complain about what you don't like about the site. SO GOOD LUCK.

Do you get paid for taking pictures? If not, stop getting in your car and wasting gas. That would save you some money. We all have to make ends meet don't we? I mean I can't go into my front yard and pick money off a tree. What is everyone's typical donation? And if you start a membership will the current members be GRANDFATHERED IN? And if we do have to pay that means that we will have the right to say what we want without being watched right?

Seth how much do you really need? I want to know where my money is going before I send it anywhere. And that is just to keep the site up?

Yeah that's all I need is my name on the side of the car. All I see is more complaints out of the that from P Oed persons.

Sounds like the shipping charge might be used for his DEFENSE FUND. LOL I will think about it.

If you don't like blood and guts then don't be in the "heloing of people field". There are going to be times when these sqeemish people are going to see blood and guts. But aren't police officers in the "helping of people field"? In a previous post you stated that they feel "weird" being on aided cases. I was always taught growing up that a "policeman was always there to help" that they are not just there to catch the "bad guys". Plus the fact, I am willing to bet that there is a Medic on scene in most cases so the P.O. is not required to do anything that makes him "feel weird". As far as "just anyone jumping in the ambulance and driving" - I agree, but unfortunately with everyone out there being lawsuit happy, if God forbid, that driver gets in to an accident and if they request proof that the driver was "certified" (and believe me, it happens) then what do you do. The person suing won't give a damn that the driver was driving in order to try and save a life. How did this turn into a POLICE ISSUE? I guess people need someone to blame so why not the POLICE who stand on AIDED calls with their arms crossed not wanting to help. Some COPS like aided calls and some don't. If you didn't know anything about EMS would you want to step in and help? NO. I am sure there is a job that they can do if asked to do it. Maybe Open this. I am not going to speak for other PO's because I don't know what they like. I know what I like and I know what I can and can't do on a call. I am not saying to have some knucklehead get into the amb and drive. If people were crosstrained to drive then we wouldn't have this problem. If you want to be a drive then so be it. I am not going to get on you for doing that. Moose I am very chill. I never once implied that you yourself would rush and aided to go to a fire scene. When people on here say "you" I think they mean the readers of the posts. Don't take it so literal. There is way too much tension on here.\ Now my feelings are hurt. I am going to tell SETH on you guys. SETH, THEY ARE PICKING ON ME. LOL. How about you get back to the issue at hand and that is not getting to and aided call. THanks.

Do you have to have a boat in the water to be considered a MARINE UNIT? We have 3 Boats just not docked in the HUDSON or LI SOUND. But, if need be we can give assistance with DIVERS so at that point are we a MARINE UNIT. We often DIVE in the HUDSON and LI SOUND. I wish during the warm months that we had out boats in the HUDSON considering that Sleepy Hollow is in the INCORPARATED TOWN OF MT PLEASANT.

Moose that is what I was trying to get out. For the purpose of this post if I say fireman it means woman as well. I understand that some members want to be just fireman and some members want to be just on the AMB or even do both. If fyou don't like blood and guts then don't be in the "heloing of people field". There are going to be times when these sqeemish people are going to see blood and guts. Just say that you don't like EMS and I will be fine with that. What I do question is why people don't want to drive the AMB. Down here at some VAC's they have EMERGENCY DRIVERS. Most just OFF DUTY LEO's who want to help out. They know how to work the stretcher and maybe find some gear. They are not expected to care for the PT in any way. Cross train drivers. Tell them that they don't have to even go into the scene. Just wait by the amb. I am telling you that 9 times out of 10 there will be sufficent amount of help there give a hand. GET TO THE PATIENT. Don't worry about the AUTOMATIC ALARM. And if it turns out to be a STRUCTURE FIRE I am sure the turnaround at the ER will BE SUPERSONIC. You won't miss that much. Plus, do they really need you at that point? I am sure that EVERY FD IN THE AREA WILL BE THERE FOR SUPPORT. Sorry you might miss the "BIG ONE". Buildings can be rebuilt. DEAD PEOPLE CAN'T

In a pinch if you can DRIVE an AMB then Drive it. Most stretchers are now 1 person so there goes that aspect. I know they take 2 or 3 people to work but that is how it goes. Get the AMB TO THE SCENE. There will be people there that can help. 99% of the time a MEDIC will be there and I am sure there will be a COP there with his ARMS FOLDED so HE/SHE can probably help but only if they are grateful for volunteers. The main concern is getting to the PT and getting that PT to the ER. I know that I hate being on calls where the family is looking at me wondering where the amb is. You tell them that they are VOLUNTEERS and need to get the AMB from the building. They don't care, they just want their family member taken to the hospital. Then you tell them that the another AMB is coming because the first one can't get out. They don't want to wait 20 min for and AMB and neither do I. It is very uncomfortable for everyone on scene. Of course there are going to be times when everyone is busy, but that happens when nothing is going on.

So you have to do what your DEPT wants you to do. Doesn't mean that it works all over the STATE. If the LEVEL of care you can give as a FF/MEDIC is CFR then that is what you give. You turn the PT over to the BLS CREW if that is all that is available. I don't see the liablility. Especially if there is nothing that the FF/MEDIC can do to improve the PT's condition.

Your trying to argue with me a moot point. I know that if a DR walks up what to tell him/her. The question was is this an abandoment issue? Read above. No there wasn't. Maybe in BIZZARRO world it is. If the MEDIC can ONLY PERFORM CFR SKILLS WHILE WORKING AS A FF WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DO?

Lets get on the same page here. For this situation, the FF is a MEDIC. He/She does not perform ALS skills at any other time other than when he/she works their 'B" job. The FD job only requires you to be a CFR. You just happened to be the highest LEVEL when you get hired. You go on and EMS call where only a BLS crew is AVAILABLE. IT happens to be a CHF PT what is that MEDIC to do? Ride in a ALS PT on a BLS AMB with BLS EQUIP? I might be missing what you are saying. Does the FF/MEDIC have ALS gear? Then that is a DIFFERENT story. THen of course they shouldn't turn over the PT to the BLS crew. Yeah the system is flawed. Have you not been reading other topics. BEING A MEDIC does not make you a GOD. Have you ever been on scene when somebody walks up and says that they are DR. You ask what KIND. Lets say ER DOC. Are you going to let that PERSON who has a HIGHER LEVEL OF TRAINING THEN YOU work on your PT. HELL NO your NOT. How come? Because it is YOUR PT and what are they going to do that you can't.

EXACTLY what the problem is. Some DEPTS pick and choose what they want to go on. Maybe I said that wrong. Scenario#1 this is not directed at any DEPT. ABC FD/AMB or VAC AMB gets called to 123 Nursing home for an fall victim. Tones go off and nobody responds so MUTUAL AID is DISP out. 4 min later in said Town/Village a PIN JOB comes in with possibly Fatality. Now the whole world shows up from ABC FD/AMB or VAC AMB. How is that fair to the fall victim? It isn't. Don't tell me they were on the way to the STATION when the second call came in and that is why they got out. I don't want to hear that it doesn't happen because it does. So if everything came in as the coolest thing to look at or see we wouldn't have a problem. If you are a member of and FD that also has an AMB are you cross trained in both? Do you specify which one you want to work on? Meaning if there is an AMB call you will go on that but if there is a FIRE call you will go on that? When both are at the same time you have a dilemma which do you pick? I think the CHIEFS of the DEPT need to make if very clear what the priorities are.

I don't see any abandoment issues. As a matter of fact there probably are lots of FF/Medics that turn PT's over to BLS ambulances everyday right here in this COUNTY. What are you going to do as a MEDIC for a CHF PT with BLS equipment. O2. That is about it. So why put your FULL TIME JOB as a FF down on manpower when there is nothing for you too do? What if you are a COP but also hold the certification as a MEDIC and get sent on a call where no medic was available. The BLS crew shows up and it is indeed a BLS PT. Should I step in and say that I am a MEDIC and I need to ride this call in because I am going to be worried that the BLS crew doesn't know what they are doing. Of course not. Lets use some common sense here. If you don't know what to do at a BLS level for a CHF PT then you shouldn't have passed your EMT course or be riding on and AMB. Just because somebody holds the title of PARAMEDIC doesn't mean what he/she says is GOSPEL.

ALSFIREFIGHTER great post. People are going to think we are in CAHOOTS. See that, LEO's and FF's can get along. LOL

I hope that is not directed at me. No I am not PARANOID. I know that some people think that I pick on their AGENCY. That is not the case. I call it as I see it. I can answer that without going to any department heads. The agency that needed the mutual aid was already tied up on another call. I can answer that without going to any department heads. The agency that needed the mutual aid was already tied up on another call. "I can remember the days when you were more than glad to do a mutual aid call for "your neighbors". I can also remember the days when our Police Officers were grateful for the volunteers. Now some of them won't even speak to you nor give you a hand with anything, they stand there and just watch with their arms folded. Talk about where your tax dollars are going!!!!" Since I don't know how to do multiple quotes on a post the above was by GAW6. I don't think it is a question of doing MUTUAL AID. One agency was on a call and needed another amb. I don't expect during the day that most VAC's in this COUNTY can get out a second crew. Now some can, but I think that we can all agree that most can't. Mutual Aid was dispatched. There was a PAID EMT already there and they couldn't get a driver to drive the AMB. That is ridiculous. Then there is a FIRE CALL and all of sudden there are people there. Then another EMS call and a driver appears. Isn't that a little silly. It does look bad if you see it that way right? That is not picking on and AGENCY that is saying that something is wrong and should be addressed. Onto the "days when the Police Officers were grateful for volunteers. Who says that the PO's are not grateful? I just think it is time for a change. Not going to speak for anybody else though. I can't help it if PO's don't like to be on aided calls. Some PO's don't like aided calls because they are not trained and feel weird. I have heard that many times. Can't blame them for that. BTW, who says that the PO's have to give you a hand? While some should carry a bag or help with the patient it is not their JOB. If you choose to do EMS expect to carry lots of stuff. We have in our POLICY now that we HAVE TO help if there is help to be had. So I'll carry a bag what's the big deal. There is also a changing of the guard. Lots of new faces. I think that may be a factor as well. People don't like that I speak my mind. Maybe they think that I am wrong and don't know what I am talking about. Here is the bottom line. Some people think that I may have a VENDETTA against their AGENCY. That is not the case. If I see something wrong I want to try and fix it. And so everybody knows. There are lots of people that talk about it, they just don't post it.

I think the Town could run their own system if they had the right people to run it. I am not talking about Fire Chiefs stick to fighting fires. I am talking LEGIT EMS PEOPLE. People who UNDERSTAND and have WORKED (not vollied) in a LARGE SYSTEM. It doens't have to be a paid service if done right. It should be, but WE ALL KNOW CERTAIN PEOPLE DON"T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. And I don't mean sharing an EMT at night with another AGENCY. Although it has worked, I can't wait until it doesn't. I wonder what will be said then. I think everyone is off topic though. There was an EMS call. AMB couldn't get out. Then there was a Fire call at almost the same time. FD got out. Mutual Aid had to be called. Then there was another EMS run and somehow the FD AMB got out. WEIRD. So what is more important, FIRE OR EMS? If it was a pin job the WHOLE DEPT would have been there.

So did they have their paid EMT in the building at the time of the first call? How is it that you can drive a fire truck and not drive and ambulance. You are not being asked to perform CPR, just drive the damn AMB. In 2008 I am going to be watching closely. I want to see just how bad it really is. I know how bad it is, I want other people to know how bad it is.