BFD1054

First off, kudos to Somers FD-EMS for trying to mitigate their staffing issues. However, i am on both sides of the fence with the paid-call solution. My feeling is that when you join a volunteer organization, its just that, volunteer. In joining, you knew what was expected of you and that there would be no monetary compensation. Now, if their staffing and call coverage improves, great, its a success. However, that gives me the impression that people are "choosing" calls and simply staying home when the pager sounds (again, its volunteer). So now, you will be paying these same people to cover the same calls that they werent covering as volunteers. But, on the economical side of things, it seems like a step in the right direction as far as being fiscally responsible. If EMTs and drivers are getting $10 per call and attendants $5 a call, it would still be cheaper than having full-time career staff. With full-time staffing, you're paying per hour and possibly having to pay benefits. The average EMS call (at least in my district) is approximately 1 hour from time of dispatch to your back-in-service time. With that said, for $25 an hour, Somers FD-EMS is getting a full crew. Whereas a full-time crew (maybe just an EMT and EMT/driver) would be closer to $40-$50 an hour. All in all, i think its a smart move by Somers and an initiative in the right direction. Good for them for realizing their issues and thinking outside the box, so to speak, to improve call coverage. I wish them the best with this.

Date: 11-02-09 Time: 1748hrs Location: 1200 Block of Park St. - IAO the Park Mall Frequency: PPD Units Operating: Cars 258, 255, Unit-5 Weather Conditions: Clear, cool Description Of Incident: Armed Robbery Reporters: Writer: BFD1054 1748hrs-Peekskill PD HQ advising of a walk-in report of an armed robbery. Incident took place on Park St. IAO the Park Street Mall. W.I.C. are (3) black males, approximately 15-16 years old, (2) wearing black hoodie's the third wearing a grey hoodie. A knife was displayed, unknown what was taken. Subjects fled toward Main St. 1750hrs-Unit out with possible subjects, requesting ID checks. Desk Sergeant requesting a unit to report to HQ to pick up the complainant. 1754hrs-Unit advising negative on the subjects.

Bill, as always, great shots man! Kudos to you for going out in that weather to get these shots; shows your dedication lol. I was working that day and man was it miserable! Nice job by all Fire, EMS & PD agencies operating. With the conditions not exactly on their side, they did a hell of a job. With the Honda "pick-up" resting the way it was, it makes for a tricky extrication, especially in the rain. Also, nice use of the wrecker that was there, definately thinking outside the box. Kudos to the wrecker operator for assisting. I gotta say, i love the EMS umbrella lol.

Ahh, very good, thanks Rob. I like that idea, nice way to use the space you have!

Man, sorry to hear this dashield! Hope that they are able to prevent this. But knowing the way that Newburgh works, it doesnt look good. In my opinion, Fire/PD layoffs should be looked at only as a LAST resort. How about City managers or other who work out of City hall? Theres gotta be some cutting back they could do there. I was surprised to when i learned how small of a job Newburgh is. As far as bringing in vollys....not a good idea at all in my opinion. First off, Newburgh is a City that NEEDS career firefighters/protection and could not properly be protected by volunteers (my opinion). If they were to bring in vols (highly unlikely), then it would not be good for the future when they look to re-instate career members. I had the chance to meet some NFD guys a month or so ago. We (Buchanan) were on stand-by for Coldenham FD and were called to a dumpster fire against a structure. While the stand-by crews were out, Newburgh was called in to back-fill with an engine company. They were really cool guys and we got to chat a bit about their engine (Gowens Knight). I dont know how well they get along with the vols and visa-versa, but i do know that they work together on a somewhat normal basis. Its not unlikely for Coldenham, Cornwall-on-Hudson and others to go into Newburgh. Best luck to the Newburgh brothers, hope things work out for the best for you guys!

Is Hampton a combo department or was it at one time a volly department? I see some rigs are labeled "volunteer."

Wow Rob, the rig looks great! Is that a hydrant box on the back step? Maybe you guys could re-letter it a bit to read "Tri-Village Fire" and we could share it, no ? Best of luck to your guys with this one, cant wait to see it.

One word...HORRIBLE!!! This "show" is terrible! Sorry, didnt read many of the replies to this topic, but this show is a waste of time (in my own opinion of course lol). Watched the 1st episode and it was sooooooo dramatic/overdone/Hollwood. Even my wife who is non-fire/ems was like "really? This show is terrible." Dont waste your time. I was excited to finally see a program that was EMS/ER based. Unfortunately, this show does not do it for me and i will NEVER watch it again.

PCFD...sorry to hear. Is 58 the one with the open rear-cab that is used by the career staff? I dont know anything about Port Chester, but it just seems if a rig is in that bad of shape, it should be taken OOS for good or replaced. To take a rig out of service due to the weather conditions seems absurd to me. Its my understanding that PCFD has 2 engines that are used by the career members (58 & 59). What are the chances of the career members using one of the other engines until this issue can be solved? Im not trying to start a pissing match, but whats right is right.

Date: 10-29-09 Time: 1100hrs Location: Between Building's 30 and 31 Frequency: 46.26 Units Operating: Montrose VAFD Car 2571 (IC), E225, MA28, Montrose FD Car 2273, 121 (to scene), TL8 (re-locate), Buchanan E161 (re-locate), Batt-10, Con-Ed Gas, Cortlandt VAC on s/b. Weather Conditions: Clear Description Of Incident: Ruptured Gas Line Reporters: Writer: BFD1054 1100hrs-Montrose VAFD dispatched/responding for the ruptured gas line between Buildings 30 & 31. 1101hrs-VAFD Car 2571 on scene, establishing VA command, requesting Montrose to re-locate (1) engine to the VA's quarters. 1102hrs-VA Command now requesting Montrose with 1 & 1. E121 requested to the scene, TL8 to re-locate. Buchanan requested to re-locate (1) engine. 1120hrs-VA Command requesting Tri-Village to be toned out for crews to stand-by in their respective quarters. Also requesting (1) ambulance for stand-by. 1130hrs-Croton requested to re-locate (1) engine to Montrose FD's quarters. Car 2083 en-route, advising E119 will be the re-locate engine. 1142hrs-Command advising Con-Ed emergency supervisor is on scene. 1202hrs-VA Command releasing Montrose E121 & TL8, Buchanan E161 to remain on s/b. Croton E119 going back in service from Montrose. 1225hrs-VA Command advising he has call-back personnel to staff their ambulance, CVAC can be released with his thanks.

Date: 10-28-09 Time: 1700hrs Location: 19 Quincy Ct. - "Wild Oaks Village" Frequency: 46.26 Units Operating: GBFD, BHFD w/FASTeam, CFFD w/(1) engine, Katonah Tanker (re-locate), South Salem w/(1) engine (re-locate), WCDES C&O Zone-5 Weather Conditions: Description Of Incident: Working Fire Reporters: Writer: BFD1054 1700hrs-Goldens Bridge FD dispatched to above address for a possible trash can fire in the structure. 1704hrs-Car 2454 reporting a working fire. 60-Control re-dispatching for the working kitchen fire. 1707hrs-Bedford Hills FASTeam requested to the scene. Croton Falls requested w/(1) engine to the scene. 1711hrs-Katonah FD requested to re-locate their tanker to Goldens Bridge HQ. 1714hrs-Cause & Origin Team Zone-5 paged out for the response. 1715hrs-South Salem requested to re-locate (1) engine to Goldens Bridge HQ.

TR, if you saw it in a trucking company yard just north of the State DOT yard, then yes, i believe it is still there. I saw an apparatus there the other day and it sparked my interest. Seeing this picture now makes me believe it is the same one. On a side note, i have pictures of Garrisons old rescue which is now Peekskill PD's ESU/Swat vehicle. Ill have to dig those pics out.

Kenny, i hate to say it, but ive seen John in many different lights....but a speedo? Good God Man

Date: 10-19-09 Time: 1615hrs (approx.) Location: Albany Post Rd. (Rt. 9) and Jack Rd. - Town of Cortlandt Frequency: 46.26/PVAC Units Operating: CVFD Car 2131, E231, Peekskill EMS 7511, 7513, 75B2, 75B4, Peekskill FD-Medic 39M1, Cortlandt Regional Paramedics 35-11, NYSP, others Weather Conditions: Sunny Description Of Incident: Head-on-MVA Reporters: Writer: BFD1054 *Dispatch for the reported MVA w/extrication. Units on scene reporting head-on MVA. 2nd ambulance requested to the scene. 75B2 & 75B4 each transported (1) patient ALS to WMC. 1720hrs-CVFD Car 2131 advising all CVFD units clear. *Please PM me with any further info.

Rob, thanks for clearing things up bro. I must have overlooked that "step" in the pics. I see now that it shouldnt be a problem for re-packing. Its definately a nice looking rig and its nice to see a KME in the Tri-Village. Did ALF not meet your expectations/price or were they not even in the running? I like how this rig is a shorter wheel base as is E122. The Montrose Fire District has some tight roads and driveways that can be tricky. Although your friends to the north have a nice short-wheelbase rescue/pumper thats always available to you guys . Art, you beat me to it bro. I was gonna suggest donating E121 as a low-income housing unit . Best of luck MFD on the new piece, it will most certainly compliment your fleet well. Cant wait to see it up close.

Chris, couldnt have said it better myself! I understand that there are policies in place for reasons, but this one is out of line. Good for the FF for standing for what he believes in. I just hope the City opens their eyes and takes him off suspension. Man, getting in trouble for displaying the American flag is just ridiculous, especially in a firehouse!

Hmmm, seeing as how there is a Westchester Co. plate reading Engine-121, id say this is the rig they are getting. I didnt realize the Trose was getting a demo. It looks like a nice rig. Im still trying to figure out if i like the hose bed configuration. It seems low, but not very "user-friendly." I see a access ladder on the left, but thats about it. Maybe i am wrong? Other than that it seems perfect as a replacement for the Condo. Best of luck guys!

Well....? Rob, anybody, how'd it go? It is 12 noon, maybe you're all "recovering." Hope you guys that went had a good time last night. Rob, good looking out on putting this together and trying to get people together!

Mike, thanks for sharing. I really like the rigs from Alpine! That Pierce is beautiful, but i was even more impressed with the (2) Mack's that followed. Cresskills Ferrara is nice too, looks simple, yet functional. Thier E-One ladder is nice as well. Something about that style E-One ladder that i've always liked, like Ossining's L-42 (?). But oh boy, Cresskills ladder has red and blue lights, oh no .

Wow, incredible pics, thanks for sharing jack! Just bought the wife an Audi A4 a couple months ago, glad to see they hold up lol.

I love this truck. Very nicely done and not over the top. Simple. I like the small console in the cargo area as well. The Red over black has definately grown on me, breaks it up nice. Best of luck to the Trose with it! Hey Brian, make sure you keep it clean pal!

I would love to work in a LE agency such as ATF or the DEA, but man, those salaries are a turn-off. For all that you have to do to get on and for all that they are responsible for, thats a crappy pay scale (imo). But i suppose if its something you truly want to persue, then the salary shouldnt deter you.

weasel...i never understood this; how could you "run" a fire department (not to mention the biggest/busiest) without ever being a fireman? Is the commish appointed by the mayor as more of a business/administrative posistion?

If i pay a $50 donation, it better not be to hear 2083 tell jokes All kidding aside, sounds like a great idea guys! Plus its just down the road from my house which may come in handy lol.

Thanks xfirefighter484x and Frenchie477 for the replies. I wish the best to all of you.