Jason762

Some people (we all know who), have no idea and never will, about what the brotherhood is all about. They may call themselves firefighters, but WE know the truth. WE will keep on doing the right thing, and fighting the good fight.

Like I said, I don't agree with the hiring process that has been discussed. What the difference is, is that no one lost their jobs when those guys were hired. I truly believe SFRD jobs will be lost if/when this plan goes through. Furthermore, I do not have the power to change the past, but I will stand up and voice my opinion about the hiring process for the future. I firmly believe that anyone looking to get on this SVFD job is looking to get in the backdoor. Did guys get in the backdoor in the SFRD in the past, yes. Can I change that, no. But I will not stand by idly while brothers who got on the job the right way are laid off. I find it very difficult to believe that anyone could actually be for this ridiculous plan unless they were looking to benefit from it themselves. It makes no sense on every level...the SFRD can cover the entire city with existing manpower!! It is a no-brainer, but maybe not for some. Look, I understand, you are on your side and I am on mine. I don't expect us to agree and we seem to be talking in circles at this point.

No, I do not feel they are scabs due to the fact that 1. they were always in the union and 2. no union brothers lost their jobs when those guys came on board. In fact I believe it was the "volunteer" departments that caused the guys from District 2 to get laid off in the first place and basically forced the union's hand to take them into the SFRD. They did have to undergo an 8 week (give or take, cant remember exactly how many weeks) "mini-academy" at the training center under the tutelage of SFRD instructors. Was this the ideal procedure for hiring candidates in my opinion? Absolutely not, I think all new hires should come off a list from a competitive exam and they should attend an academy. But no one lost their jobs, in fact it was the union body that saved jobs. With this new plan, it is highly probable that current SFRD FF's could lose their jobs and I feel that anyone willing to take a job in a department like that, who is fully aware of the potential job losses, is not only sneeking in the back door but is a scab. You want to be a FF? Go out and take tests like the rest of us, stop looking for a handout. I certainly wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I knew my employment in a fake-career FD was at another firefighters expense, but hey, that's just me.

I believe the key term here is "on the job". The firefighters that are possibly going to be replaced are truly "on the job". They took a competative written and physical agility test, passed a medical exam, attended a 14 or so week academy and work on engine/truck/rescue companies with a crew and boss. What these future "career" positions are is nothing short of scab positions that are going to be handed out to friends of the right people, some of whom could not pass a third grade spelling test. It is an absolute disgrace to not only Stamford but the fire service as a whole and it certainly screams to me "well I couldn't get on the job anywhere through the front door, so let me just sneek in through the back". Horrible and sickening!!!

Date:6/3/10 Time:1943 Hrs Location:560 Canal St Frequency:800 Digital Units Operating:E1, E2, E4, T2, R1, U4, U7, Med 901, Med 1, Med 3 Weather Conditions:Sunny and hot Description Of Incident:Fire in scrap yard Reporters: Writer:Jason762 1743 Hrs-E1, E2, E4, T2, R1, U4 responded to 560 Canal St for an unknown type fire. 1746 Hrs-E1 arrived on scene with semi-crushed cars stacked about 4 stories high, heavy fire in the upper half. Stack is about 100'x100' with a taller and larger pile of ground up car parts and tires right next to it. E1 used hydrant out front of the lot, E4 stretched a 2 1/2" handline, E1 and E2 stretched a 2" handline. E4 laid a second 5" supply line a fed T2's elevated master stream. ~1900 Hrs-Fire knocked down, extended op's while workers use heavy machinery to dismantle the pile. As of 19:45 Hrs E1 and T2 remaining on scene, all other units starting to free up.

Date:3/13/10 Time:20:27 Hrs Location:33 Slice Dr Frequency:800 Digital Units Operating:E7, E6, E8, T45, SFCO, New Canaan FD, R1 Weather Conditions:Heavy rain and wind Description Of Incident:Working fire in single story house Reporters: Writer:Jason762 20:27-E7, E6, E8, T45, SFCO, New Canaan FD responded to 33 Slice Dr for a reported structure fire 20:35-C511 reports scene unaccesible due to trees and wires but appears to have a working fire 20:43-Payloaders used to open roads for fire apparatus. Most units detoured multiple times while responding. Confirmed working fire, heavy fire through roof. 21:03-3 lines stretched and in operation, all companies withdrawn to exterior for brief period, then interior attack made with one 2" line and one 2 1/2" line. Heavy fire in attic and several rooms, partial roof collapse, multiple hooks needed to pull all ceilings 22:00-22:30-Units starting to free up *This took place in the midst of the 200-300 calls that happened yesterday during the storm in Stamford. Most roads were completely impassable, some of the worst storm damage I have ever seen*

I as well do not like Monday morning quareterbacking an incident which I was not a part of BUT, this appears to be a total breakdown of all the things "we" as firefighters train and prepare for. From the command structure (or lack there of), to the actions of the firefighters, everything just looks really, really bad. I actually grew up only about 15 minutes from where this incident occurred and started my fire service career in that area, so I have some knowledge of the departments involved. I agree with most of what has already been posted, but I will reinforce some problems I saw: the FF's on air or wearing their facepieces outside the building is ridiculous, the lack of ground ladders placed before the mayday is a problem, the member operating the line from the outside in the rear (wearing his mask, but no helmet) while other members appear to be making entry from the front, the lack of horizontal ventilation, making entry through a second floor window with a handline, the yelling and screaming by members in reference to placing the ladder for FF rescue yet none of them actually appeared to lend a hand, the ladder was not extended to reach the member in distress, no one ascended the ladder to assist the FF in need, the lack of patient assessment before dragging the downed member. The list seems to go on and on and I don't even want to start to touch on what the heck the guy who was filming this was doing. He appeared to be aimlessly wandering around the fireground w/o any real purpose. At one ponint he was holding the line in the rear and looked like he was heading towards an area where fire was showing from a window like he was going to operate the line into it until someone redirected him to the ladder. He seemed to be on air and talking to himself and then started yelling "Mayday, Mayday, mayday" after the FF was out of the building and later was yelling "Firefighter down, firefighter down" as the injured member was being dragged to the front of the building. Apparently he was a member of the RIT. After the situation was handled there was more radio traffic about a Mayday, not sure what that was all about. This guy then walked back and forth behind the building about another 6 or so times. Did anyone else notice the color, volume and velocity of the smoke issuing from around the member in distress as he exited the window? It appeared very light in color and not pushing with any great force or volume. To me this indicates that conditions were not that bad in that immediate area requiring that type of exit. I'm not sure what the bail-out situation was all about (out of air, deteriorating conditions, structural failure, etc.), but it didn't look like he was being chased out rapidly extending fire conditions. I certainly could be wrong though... To be fair this footage only gives a very narrow view of what was truly happening, but I hope any departments that view this do not repeat the same mistakes in the future.

Date:1/22/10 Time:2147Hrs Location:182 Minivale Rd Frequency: Units Operating:E7, E6, E8, E1 (RIT), T1, T45, R66, E52, E53, R54, Med 4, Med 901, U4, U511, U411 Weather Conditions:Clear Description Of Incident: Working fire in private dwelling Reporters: Writer:Jason762 21:47-E7, E6, E8, T1, T45, U4 dispatched to 182 Minival Rd for a report of a fire in a living room 21:53-E7 on scene with heavy fire from rear of house 21:53-E1 and EMS added to assignment 22:23-Fire under control *R1 unavailable to respond due to operating at an extrication involving a car on its side under a tractor trailer with at least one person pinned during the fire.*

If the city hires a decent amount, the academy will most likely be held in Stamford. If they only hire a few then it will likely be off to the CFA for the new recruits.

Date:12/14/09 Time:09:15 Location:52 Randall Ave Frequency:800 Digital Units Operating:E5, E1, E3, E2 (RIT), T1, R1, U4, FM105 Weather Conditions:Clear Description Of Incident:W/F in 2 story townhouse Reporters: Writer:Jason762 Engine 5 first to arrive, finding a working fire in kitchen area 09:25 - E2 dispatched for RIT 09:31 - Fire under control 10:50 - All units clear

Its a huge teddy bear next to the mannequin. Its an ad for an overnight test drive for BMW.

Date:12/9/09 Time:06:34 Location:565 Hope St Frequency:800 Digital Units Operating:E7, E6, E8(RIT), E5 (2nd alarm), T2, T3 (2nd alarm), R1, U4, E52, E41, T45, M2, M4, FM109, FM110 Weather Conditions:Cold and rainy Description Of Incident:Working fire in 2 story duplex Reporters: Writer:Jason762 06:34-E7, E6, T2, T45, SFCO, BFD, GFD to 565 Hope St for a possible electrical fire 06:35-Multiple calls for flames from rear window 06:39-E7 on scene reporting a working fire, E8 for RIT 06:52-2nd alarm transmitted 07:18-Fire knocked down

The current Truck 1 has already been re-marked as T2 and will relocate to the South End. The last rumor I heard was the current T2 (the older Sutphen TL) will be kept as a reserve truck and the current reserve truck (T4 a 75' Sutphen midmount straight stick) will be sold. As far as fitting into tight neighborhoods, Stamford has no lack of tight streets with parked vehicles, overhead obstructions and other obstacles which we are hoping due to the raised bucket will be more easily overcome with the new TL.

Date:11/1/09 Time:00:26 Hrs Location:1047 East Main St Frequency:800 Digital Units Operating:E6, E7, E8, T1, R1 (delayed), U4 (delayed), E9 (RIT canceled), E2 (RIT) Weather Conditions:Lt. Rain Description Of Incident:Working fire in taxpayer Reporters: Writer:Jason762 00:26-E6, E7, E8, T1 responding to 1047 E. Main St for a report of smoke in the building. E1 thru E5, Unit 4 and R1 all tied up on other boxes. 00:34-E6 on scene reporting a smoke condition...1 story stripmall 00:38-E6 reporting a working fire, E9 responding as RIT 00:40-E2 clear from other box, responding as RIT, R1 available and respnding, E9 canceled 00:46-R1 is command reporting 2 lines stretched and in operation 01:12-Fire under control, holding all companies 01:25-Companies starting to free up

Date:9/21/09 Time:Approx. 1230 Hrs Location:11 Burr St Frequency:800 Digital, 154.130 Units Operating:E3, E2, E5, T3, R1, U4 (Command), E4 (RIT), E1 and T1 (second alarm) Weather Conditions:Clear Description Of Incident:Working fire in W/F OMD Reporters: Writer:Jason762 Working fire in 2 1/2 story w/f OMD Multiple lines stretched and operating. No further info. Link to Stamford Advocate Article

Date:7/26/09 Time:2040 Hrs Location:77 Crescent St Frequency:800 Digital Units Operating:E6, E1, E7, E5 (RIT), T1, R1, Unit 4 (IC), Unit 8 (Safety), Fire Marshal 106, EMS Weather Conditions: Cloudy Description Of Incident:Working fire in a 1 story taxpayer Reporters: Writer:Jason762 20:40-Engine 6 received a walk-in to their quarters for a structure fire at above address. Fire dispatch received an auto alarm for same location simultaneously. E6 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing initially, followed shortly by a working fire signal. 20:50-Truck crew to the roof to open up, several lines in operation 21:00-Main body of fire knocked down

Date: June 16, 2009 Time: 0740 Hrs Location: 31 Highland Rd Frequency: 800 Digital, FG-1 Units Operating: U4 (IC), E1, E4, E5, T1, R1, E6 (RIT), T2 (addtn'l truck), Medic 3 Weather Conditions: Clear Description Of Incident: Working Fire in 3 story w/f OMD Reporters: Writer: Jason762 0740-U4, E1, E4, E5, R1, T1 responding to a report of smoke in a bathroom 0750-E1 and T1 report smooke condition in apartment and parking garage 0755-Fire found in ceiling above parking garage spreading up the walls towards apartments above 0758-2 lines stretched, 1 in operation...additional hooks requested to open up ceiling 0759-E6 dispatched as RIT 0800-T2 added to assignment as additional truck co. 0810-Command reports fire under control 0819-RIT released 0844-Units being released from scene

Date: May 7, 2009 Time: 23:15 Hrs Location: 43 Custer St Frequency: 800 Digital/x-band 154.13 Units Operating: E6, E1, E4, T1, R1, U4 (IC), E2 (RIT), Stamford EMS Weather Conditions: Overcast Description Of Incident: W/F in 2 story frame w/ 1 victim removed Writer: Jason762 23:15-E6, E1, E4, T1, R1, U4 responding to 43 Custer St for a report of an alarm ringing with an odor of smoke 23:18-Dispatch advises units they are receiving multiple calls for a structure fire 23:19-E4 on scene reporting a working fire on the first floor of a 2 story frame project type building...E2 added as RIT 23:20-E4 receives multiple reports of a person trapped on the 2nd floor 23:26-Fire knocked down by one 2" line, now advancing line to second floor 23:30-One unconscious victim located in 2nd floor bedroom. Victim removed via interior stairs and handed over to Stamford EMS 01:20-Last unit (E4) clear of the scene

PJ...check out all the videos Fire Engineering offers, definitely good material to base company drills from. As far as tactics, I spoke to several members who were there but I think a first hand account of what happen should be posted, not what I heard from someone else.

Very good question...I wasn't there so I can't comment, maybe those that were can...looking forward to an answer... For anyone interested here is a good 4 minute video from Fire Engineering on fighting attached garage fires: Attached Garage Fires

DJ, I heard you are a registered user on that site???

PJ, The difference is on the Advocate website you can post as many times as you want with as many screen names as you want with no accountability. It does make me sick though to see the ridiculous opinions and accusations of individuals who not only were not at the fire, but don't protect urban area where exposure problems are a huge issue, have never even been to a fire of this magnitude or possibly any real structure fire at all other than the ones where they stand in the yard with a hook and go in afterwards to do "overhaul" (I've seen it with my own two eyes), yet call for investigations and tell us how we should have fought a fire. I guess anytime there is a significant fire downtown someone will be calling for an investigation. I for one hope there is one, here's a preview of what they'll find out. 1. Initial structure 100% involved upon arrival 2. Exposure D 50% involved upon arrival 3. Exposure B had a small lot between it and the main fire building, and had heavy fire on the outside wall starting to enter the eaves upon arrival 4. Winds were high 5. Multiple vehicles parked up against the 100% involved building 6. Several box trucks across the street were exposed to radiant heat and direct flame contact due to high winds 7. At least one (possibly more) detached garages on fire uopn arrival As a result one building burned down, exposure D uninhabitable, exposure B exterior damage but easily repairable, detached garages damaged but standing, several vehicles burned, one box truck burned, one building way down the street sustained radiant heat damage to vinyl siding as well. When all was said and done little or no damage was done to a long wood frame row house in close proximity to the original fire building, several box trucks, the B side exposure house. Most importantly of all no firefighters were injured!!

The original fire building was one large building (not L shaped) just straight and long that was fully involved upon arrival. Exposure B was a lot but the radiant heat transmitted across the lot and melted the siding right off the house. A very good stop by the first arriving engine to protect this house. Exposure D was a large wood frame OMD which was heavily involved upon arrival Not far from the C/D corner was a very large wood frame row house, another good stop this time by the second arriving engine. Box trucks across the street had caught fire prior to arrival due to the high winds and a house several hundred yards away was damaged by radiant heat. Many 2 1/2" and 2" line were in operation as well as several apparatus mounted deck guns and 2 ladder pipes. Lots of hard work by all involved saved this from becoming a real disaster.

Date:10/19/2008 Time:15:58 Location:67 Henry St Frequency:800 Digital Units Operating:E2, E3, E4, T2, R1, U4, E1(RIT), T3, Stamford EMS, SFRD Mech Super., SPD Description Of Incident:Working fire in a 4 story wood frame OMD Writer:Jason762 15:58-E2, E3, E4, T2, R1, U4 dispatched to 67 Henry St for a report of an alarm ringing with a smell of smoke 16:00-Second call reporting fire in Apt. 301 16:02-E2 on scene smoke showing from 3rd floor 16:02-E2 declares a working fire 16:05-E1 sent as RIT 16:11-T3 sent as additional Truck Co. Approx. 16:20-Fire under control 16:21-T-31 relocating to T-3 16:24-E-6 relocating downtown

I tend to disagree with your statement based on the President of TOR's quote and previous quotes from BFD's Chief: Stamford Advocate 7/02/08:"Turn of River volunteers cannot guarantee enough qualified firefighters will respond in the long term, said Aaron Lee, president of the fire company. Volunteers this week took time off from work so at least three will be in each firehouse during the holiday weekend, he said. "This not something we are going to be able to keep up at all. Everybody is making major sacrifices," Lee said. " Stamford Advocate 8/23/07:"Volunteer departments have complained of dwindling membership for years. With the paid staff now decreasing, the safety of firefighters and residents is at risk, volunteer chiefs said. Ten Belltown volunteers have been covering the three open shifts, Didelot said. In his decision, Karazin said the departments have used volunteers to increase coverage "with substantial success." But Didelot said volunteers cannot continue to cover the open shifts. "So far we've been able to work around it, but it's not a permanent solution," Didelot said." The only way I can see the vol. service surviving long term, and this has been said already, is combining into one dept. Membership rolls are down, runs are up, daytime coverage is tough. The SFRD needs to be in these districts to properly serve the citizens in these areas with a prompt response and properly staffed rig. Fires may not occur in these districs very often but when they do, the residents in the northern districts should have to same protection as the residents downtown. The only way to ensure this is by having fully staffed career companies. Whenever a fire has occured in these areas, a full (or close to) downtown box assignment has responded. Currently with the way things are set up, at least you are getting two staffed enignes (in addition to the volunteer engines) responding from a much closer location in TOR. Perhaps the vol. FD's should look at other towns that have similar setups (i.e. Danbury) where the vol. FD's provide support services for the career FD's (lighting, SCBA filling, even water supply in non-hydranted districts). This would also stop the wasteful spending on apparatus that are not needed such as unstaffed ladder trucks, rescue trucks, and a multitude of engines. As for the idea of using live-ins and/or college students to staff the firehouse I just don't feel it will work in Stamford. Many of the reasons have already been stated, but in addition, a lot of the draw to places like Kentland is the number of runs and work that they see. The work is simply not in TOR, Belltown, or pretty much any other area here. AFA's and medical calls will only keep most peoples interest for so long.