BFD1054

Ahh man that hurts Muns!!! Like i said, i am NOT a truckie lol! Lets not get into this discussion, we've talked in private about certain ladders in the area lol! But hey, in a perfect world, every department would have an aerial unit, but thats just my opinion! And every dept. would have different SOP's and they'd argue about who operates better and all that lol! But yeah, this was the first time i saw these shots, scary & unsafe -yes, suprising - not so much. Unfortunately, crap like this happens in every department, all over the country, wheather career or vollie.

Date: 07-12-04 Time: 1021HRS(TOD) *all times are approximates. Location: 68 Maple St. Frequency: 46.26 Units: Mount Kisco Car 2283(IC) + full assignment, Bedford Hills Cars 2031, 32, 33, TL57(FAST), Yorktown E270(FAST), L51(re-located to MKFD HQ), Chappaqua(1-Engine re-located MKFD HQ), Somers E186 & Car 2442(re-located to YFD HQ), Batt.-12 (not possitive on which Batt. responded.), C&O Zone-5, Con-Edison, Suburban Gas Co. & the Red Cross. Description: Working fire in an unknown type structure. 1021HRS-MKFD E103, E105, L43 & R31 dispatched to 68 Maple St. for a report of smoke coming from the roof. 1023HRS-Car 2283 10-19 transmitting a signal 10-75. 60-Control re-dispatched as same & added E104 & E106 to fill out the assignment, with the addition of Bedford Hills FASTeam. E103 to hook a hydrant & lay-in. Unknown times for following info: Bedford Hills 57TRUCK originally assigned to FAST, ended up going to work. Armonk requested to fill out the FAST assignment. Armonk unavailable. Yorktown requested for their FAST, E270 took the job. Chappaqua requested to re-locate to MKFD HQ, Green St. to s/b. Yorktown L51 requested to re-locate MKFD HQ, Green St. to s/b. As per Yorktown OIC, Somers requested to re-locate (1) Engine to YFD HQ to cover. Somers E186, Car 2442 assigned to cover Yorktown. 1045HRS-As per Car 2283, fire k/d, releasing Bedford Hills TL57 & Yorktown E270, holding all remaining units. Yorktown E270 then re-located to MKFD HQ to cover w/Chappaqua & YFD L51. Writer: BFD1054 *Note: This is all of the info i was able to obtain, as i was at work during this incident. Anyone with further info or a better time line, please feel free to add. The times that i do have should be pretty close. Discussion/Questions/Comments See the Incident Workshop Thread: http://emtbravo.just5buckshosting.com/phpB...opic.php?t=1380

I'm definately glad to see that the FTC is on the right track, its about time! I'm glad to see that the new propane tree and the railroad car evolutions are finally completed! It seemed like it took forever to get those things done, which i guess is understandable. I'm also happy to hear that they have hired more instructors and that there has been more classes offered. The one thing that is aggravating is that class sizes are usually limeted to 20 or so students. Theres what, like 50 something depts. in Westchester? Thoses numbers aren't so good, it would be nice to see if they could somehow accept more students. As Seth said, our county spends insane ammounts of money on some pretty lame projects! For a county as high-profile as Westchester, you'd think they'd spend more money on their emergency-service providers! I mean, we are one of the richest counties in the country, but they need to start using that money wisely. The county prides themselves on "disaster preparedness," and says how we're ready and trained for disasters, terrorist attacks and haz-mat situations, but are we really? Every so often i'll catch clips on News12 of FD's training for such emergencies and practicing Decon and all this other great stuff. The one problem i see is that the FD's they show are the large career depts. from the southern county. I am not at all against career FD's or bashing them at all, as they should train as well. My problem is that in an emergency, they have crews on-duty, who have state of the art equipment. What about the small volunteer FD's who don't get to train everyday and don't have the equipment and manpower that the carrer depts. have. Also, its great to know that the southern county is somewhat ready, but the county should't forget about us up north. I mean, i know a lot of it comes down to poitics, which is BS, but it happens. My point is, the one place that scares the hell out of everyone is here in the northern county, Indian Point. There should be more training and drills with the smaller local departments that would respond there in an emergency. If there were an emergency there, everyone and their mother would respond, but we'd still be the first responders. Again, i apoogize, i have a tendency to ramble. Like i said, i am glad to see the county going in the right direction in terms of the FTC, but theres still a long way to go! And like WAS967 mentioned EMS, there should be more training opportunities for EMS providers in the county, but thats a whole different can of worms.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and everyone has made some good points in this post. I have to admit, i was never a big fan of parades. My feelings were that i joined the FD to help my community & train to respond to alarms, not shine up a truck and march down the street. But now, as i have more time in the fd, i realize that parades aren't so bad. Its a time for different depts. to come out, look their best and show off their apparatus. Its also a great opportunity to have a good time and hang out with friends from other depts. that you don't get to see all the time. But as chris498 said, its one of the few times we get to see how appreciated we are, and thats a great feeling! Chrome Dome, i used to feel the same way. I would go to parades and say "where the hell are these guys at 3am when we have an alarm?" But now i realize that many of the guys that come out for parades are the "ol-timers" who have "crawled in the mud" for years and have put in their fair share. Also, in Buchanan, a lot of our guys who march are "Associate" members, so they can't respond to calls or fight fires anyway. I can't remember any specific time where a parade hampered our response. For us at least, on any major alarm, we're getting the tri-village response with Montrose & Verplanck, so we'll get enough guys and equipment. Chrome Dome, i can understand where you're coming from, but i haven't personally experienced a problem with parades and responses. As far as the Montrose parade, i believe i know the dept. you're referring to. That dept. has 5 companies within the entire dept. and not all of them were involved in the parade (i don't believe). Therefore, the units that left Montrose to respond were not 1st-due units. There were apparatus, and i'm sure manpower, back in that district to cover. I also agree that having manpower stay back or having another dept. cover is the best bet. I know a lot of guys would say "well, 20 guys showed up for the parade and if we leave 10 back and use 2 or 3 to drive, that doesn't leave many to mach." That is when i would get upset, because some people are more concerned with parades and how we look and how many guys we have marching and if we're going to win a trophy. No matter what, our main goal is to protect our communites that we serve, but some people tend to forget that during parade season. What good would our department be to the community if half the members and half the apparatus were accross the county and there was a fire? As far as using other depts. to cover while we're out, that becomes difficult. In most cases, if we are invited to a parade, chances are that our neighboring departments were invited as well. I'm sorry for rambling on, but just wanted to share my thought in regards to this post. Everyone had valid opinions and thoughts, but we all have to remember that parades are not our main priority!

Come on Seth, thats a silly question! Doesn't he look tough though? Thats whats important, not his safety lol! I said the same thing when i saw these pictures. Hell, i'm not even a truckie and i know thats not a proper truck move! Whats scary is the fact that you can clearly make out a "white-hat" in the picture. I'm not sure if he is a Battalion or Division or whatever, but he is right there. My point is that if there are FDNY SOP's regarding this, than it should have been handled right then and there! If firefighters are supposed to know the SOP's, then you know damn well that supervisors know them! Anyway, just wanted to add my thoughts, but its definately scary to see pictures like this!

***Decontamination Training*** Part of the Mass Decontamination Trailer Initiative. Part 1. - Decontamination: Monday, August 2 - 1830HRS-2230HRS at the WCFTC. Part 2. - Haz-Mat Trailer Program (Decon Trailers): Tuesday, August 3 - 1830HRS-2230HRS at the WCFTC. Students must attend both sessions & full PPE is required! Have your Chief or Training Officer register you at westchestergov.com/emergserv

Respiratory Protection Program 2 classes being held. Among many other things, this class includes the training on how to perform fit testing using the porta count device. 1st class: Monday, August 2 - 9:00am to 4:00pm at the WCFTC. 2nd class: Tuesday, August 3 - 9:00am to 4:00pm at the WCFTC. You can register at www.westchestergov.com/emergserv Must be pre-registered for this class, limited to (2) students per department. *IMO-This was an excellent class, very interesting and informative! If you are able to, i would strongly recommend taking this course.

Truck4, Hope you don't mind if i add on to this post... Date: 07-06-04 Time: approx. 1115HRS(TOD) Location: accross from 1409 Shelbourne Rd. Frequency: 453.000 Units: Mamaroneck Village E39, E40, E42, Car 2241 (IC), 2243, PCFD E63 & L31 re-located to VMFD HQ, Larchmont Car 2222 & R1(Cascade), C&O Team & Con Ed Gas & Electric. approx. 1115HRS-Village of Mamaroneck full department response dispatched accross from 1409 Shelbourne Rd. for a report of smoke coming from the structure. 1117HRS(approx.)-Units en-route advised caller is from 1409 Shelbourne, stating that there is smoke coming from the garage, basement & chimney areas of the house directly accross the street. 1118HRS-As per PD o/s, working structure fire. E40 read direct, requesting re-tone as same. 60-Control re-dispatched for a 10-75 assignment. 1120HRS-Car 2241 on scene, establishing command, reporting heavy fire in the basement, requesting 1 & 1 from Port Chester to re-locate VMFD HQ & Larchmont for their cascade(R1). 1130HRS(approx.)-Car 2241 requesting C&O to the scene. 1133HRS-C&O Zone 2 paged out for response. (I am unsure which Team took this job, as both Zone 2 & Zone 3 were paged out.) 1137HRS-Car 2241 reporting fire k/d, holding all units, checking for extension. 1150HRS-Units were picking-up/returning. Writer: BFD1054

I am a big Code-3 fan and i would love to see a Code-3 of a Buchanan rig, obviously! I think our new Utility-12 would make a cool Code-3, something totally different than the rest! 2003 E-One on International cab/chassis, now that'd be cool! just my opinion!

***Fire Scene Evidence Collection course*** July 9-11th 20 total hours Course #1319 Held at the Camp Smith fire training facility. Phone # (914) 788-6001 Donald Ettinger, Director.

1075, you are absolutely correct with you statement! The State has been looking to close the Camp Smith facility for a while, due to lack of funding, but mostly due to lack of use. If the facility was used more, i don't think they would have a problem with keeping it open. For those of us who live in this part of the county, it is an excellent, local resourse. Hell, even if you don't live up here, its still good to keep in mind! I know a lot of PD's use it for ESU training and such, but us, as the fire service, should try to utilize it, before we lose it! There is a 2-story structure there that can be used for many training excersize's. We have used our fog machine to "smoke" it out and do search & rescue, and to just get guys used to that type of setting. Its also nice because its new to guys, instead of using the same settings over and over again. I believe that there is also a "breaching wall," you may just have to supply the sheetrock, but i am not 100% positive. We use it for our guys to set up ground ladders and then do bail-out manuevers on the ladders. The nicest thing is that there is actually a mask-confidence course within the 1st floor of the building. It has at least 2 seperate ways to send guys through, which pretty nice. Also, Camp Smith is obviously used as a site for fire courses. Again, its right around the corner and they offer plenty of excellent courses there. So anyway, lets keep Camp Smith in mind for our training needs, so that the state doesn't shut it down!

WAS967, we get faxes send to our firehouse, but classes are also sometimes listed in "the Westchester Volunteer" bi-monthly booklet. You could also check the NYS Academy of Fire Science webpage....http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/campsmith.html There is a schedule of classes given at the Camp Smith annex on the webpage. Hope that helped, Mike

***FASNY CONVENTION*** Nassau County to host 132nd FASNY Convention. Dates: August 19-21 Place: Huntington Hilton Inn in Melville, New York (L.I.). The Convention theme...."Changing Times-New Training for the Future." Highlights include: Announcement of the prestigious FASNY "Firefighter of the Year Award," "Fire Service Achievement Award," and honoring departed "Brothers and Sisters" in a memorial service to be held on August 21. For more information or to register, contact FASNY at 1-800-2FASNY2 or, visit their website at www.fasny.com. Contacts: James Bove 516-593-3434 Nassau County Convention Committee Tim Cronin, FASNY 518-458-1600

***4TH ANNUAL EMS SEMINAR*** Saturday, October 9, 2004 Colonie Public Safety Building 312 Wolf Road, Colonie, New York Registration: 8:15am, Seminar 9am - 3:30pm Lecturers, Clinicals, Training, LOSAP points, Certificates issued. For further info: Contact the H.V.V.F.A. EMS Committee at: RRusto@aol.com, or call (845) 569-2101 sponsored by the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association

WAKE/FUNERAL INFORMATION FOR CHRIS O'CONNOR.... Wake/Departmental services: Wednesday, June 30, 7:30pm, Carters funeral home, Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose. Funeral: Thursday, July 1, 11:00am, St. Christophers Church, Albany Post Rd., Buchanan. Thank you all for you concerns. Lt. Michael Swankie Buchanan FD

Hudson, thank you for posting this info. I had wanted to post something yesterday, but was waiting until it became public. Unfortunately, i was unable to get on my computer last night to post it. As a member and officer of the Buchanan Engine Company, i will say that we are all in shock over this terrible tragedy. Chris was a great guy who was very family orientated. Chris was only 35 years old, and yes, had a total of 6 children, including infant twins. Chris was on the job with Con Edison for 17 years and was a Foreman with them. Our Assistant Chief has contacted the family to ensure that anything that they may need will be taken care of. As Hudson stated, services are in the planning stages, but when they are set, i will post them. Also, i know Con Edison will most likely do the right thing for the O'Connors, but as far as Buchanan FD, i know we too will be looking into helping by means of some sort of fund raiser. Our hearts and prayers go out to both families that were soo terribly affected by this tragedy. Thank you all, Lt. Mike Swankie Buchanan FD

Date: 06-27-04 Time: 1540HRS(TOD) Location: 49 Chestnut St. Frequency: 46.26 Units: All hands Sleepy Hollow, 1&1 from Tarrytown, Ossining E98 (FAST), U51(FAST), L42 to scene, E99 to cover, Elmsford L55 to cover. Description: Working fire in a 2-story occupied dwelling, fire on the #2 floor. *further info: 2-story Commercial occupancy taxpayer. 1540HRS-SHFD Car 2313 transmitting box alarm for a 10-75 at #49 Chestnut, further to follow. 1543HRS-Car 2313 advising of exposures, also requesting Tarrytown w/(1) truck to the scene & (1) engine to re-locate to Beekman Ave. HQ for s/b. Tarrytown OIC advising L37 OOS, E80 en-route to cover. 1544HRS-Car 2313 requesting Ossining w/(1) truck to the scene, as well as a FASTeam. 1548HRS-Car 2313 requesting Elmsford's Quint (L55) to cover, as well as an additional Engine from Ossining to cover. 1551HRS-Ossining U51(FAST) standing by for a crew. 1553HRS-Ossining L42 10-17, E99 will be the re-locate engine. 1558HRS-E80 has been re-directed to the scene, E76 will re-locate to SHFD HQ to cover. 1559HRS-U51 & E98 10-17. 1602HRS-L42 10-19, Briarcliff R37 requested to the scene for the cascade. 1606HRS-2311 requesting L55 to re-direct to the scene. 1607HRS-U51 10-19, Briarcliff L40 requested to re-locate to SHFD HQ to cover. 1608HRS-E99 & Car 2334 10-19 SHFD HQ, Irvington L36 & Car 2201 re-locating to SHFD HQ to cover. 1609HRS-Car 2311 advising Ossining FASTeam going to work w/L42, requesting additional FASTeam to the scene. 1612HRS-Valhalla requested for their FASTeam to respond. 1614HRS-Car 2051, L40 10-17 to SHFD HQ. 1616HRS-R9, Car 2481 10-17 for FAST assignment. 1617HRS-Car 2311 requesting E76 to the scene for manpower. 1618HRS-Ossining re-tone for E99 members for re-locte assignment. 1619HRS-Pocantico Hills requested to re-locate (1) engine to SHFD HQ. 1625HRS-Car 2051, L40 10-19 SHFD HQ. 1626HRS-Car 2381, E189 10-17 to SHFD HQ to cover. Car 2481 advising Valhalla FASTeam will stage at Valley & Washington St. 1629HRS-R9, Car 2481 10-19. 1630HRS-Car 2381, E189 10-19 SHFD HQ. 1641HRS-Car 2311 requesting (1) ambulance from Irvington to the scene for s/b. 1646HRS-Car-6 advising 60-Control that Car 2311 is requesting C&O Team to the scene. 1651HRS-C&O Zone 3 toned out for emergency response. 1706HRS-C&O Zone 4 (1404) toned out for emergency response. 1742HRS-R9(FAST) & L55 released, going 10-8. 1745HRS-C&O Zone-4 1404 10-17. 1759HRS-E98, L42, U51 & E80 all 10-8. 1805HRS-1404 10-19. 1927HRS-As per Car 2311, all remaining units picking-up/returning. Writers: BFD1054, DRD

Date: 06-22-04 Times: 1515HRS(TOD) Location: Radio Shack, Columbus Ave. (Rosehill Shopping Center) Frequency: 46.26 Units: Thornwood/Valhalla dual response. E290, TL1, TL49, E84, E89, R9, Car 2471 (IC). Description: Thornwood & Valhalla dispatched to Radio Shack, Columbus Ave. for a report of smoke coming from the structure, possible structure fire. 1521HRS-E290 10-17. 1522HRS-TL1 directed to the rear of the building behind the A&P, same message for E290. OIC reporting appears to be a fire in the duct-work in the rear of the structure. Units reporting hydrant in the rear of the structure. 1525HRS-E89 10-17, E290 10-19. 1526HRS-TL49 on approach, directed to the front of the structure. 1529HRS-Car 2471 requesting Board of Health to the scene, possible extinguished grease fire in the duct-work. 1540HRS(approx.)-Car 2471 requesting TL49 bring a couple of hooks into the front of the restaurant to open up, also requesting Mt. Pleasant Fire Inspector to the scene. 1553HRS-Car 2471 transmitting a signal 10-30, holding all units for over-haul. 1600HRS(approx.)-All Valhalla units going 10-8/10-2. 1606HRS-Car 2471 advising all Thornwood units picking up/returning, Mt. Pleasant Fire Inspector o/s, 2471 will remain o/s to wait for the arrival of Board of Health. 1653HRS-Car 2471 going 10-8, Board of Health on location. Writer: BFD1054

Thanks TRUCK6018 for the info, i'll definately look into that! I too have heard that being on the DES mailing list is a good idea, so i think i'll have to try that out myself! We have a couple probies that joined who are either in college or will be attending college come fall. This makes it very hard for them to find a class and unfortunately for them, the FF-I program is a minimum to be interior qualified, not to mention a pre-requisit for most other classes. And even more unfortunate is that these young guys usually come home on weekends or during breaks and we really could use them, thus getting them into the FF-I program is essential! So again, thank you for the info, i will definately look into the upcoming FF-I course as well as signing up for the DES mailing list! Thanks, Mike

Date: 06-21-04 Times: 1805HRS(TOD) Location: 15 Roosevelt Ave. Frequency: 46.26 Units: E191, E192, Car 2422 Description: 60-Control dispatched Rye to 15 Roosevelt Ave. for a possible structure fire. 1807HRS-E191 on location reporting working fire. 60-Control re-dispatched as same. 1812HRS-Village of Mamaroneck requested to re-locate (1) ladder to Rye FD HQ. 1816HRS-VMFD L-20 re-locating. 1817HRS-60-Control advising Rye that E11(Harrison) & L20(Vill. of Mamaroneck) will be their covering units. Writer: BFD1054

Anyone hear more about this class, i had heard that it was closed out rather quicly? We have a few probies in our department that were interested in this class. If anyone knows for sure if it is cancelled or not, or if the county plans on doing another accelerated course, please post the info! Thanks, Mike

This is a very scary thought, but also very true. As Seth stated, i'd rather be safe than sorry. Lets face it, all agencies want a possitive reputation for having good response times. But if it means putting ourselves, our crews or the public at risk, then is it really worth those few seconds? Its unfortunate, but i always see people doing the dumbest things, weather it be the public or responders. The general public is busy doing everything while behind the wheel, with the exception of paying attention to the road! It doesn't matter how many pieces of fire, police or EMS apparatus there are on a scene, people still get stupid and don't know how to react or drive. As far as responders go, i see people driving like idiots in pov's and department vehicles and it kills me. It may sound cliche, but what good are we as responders if we don't make it to a call? A scary thought is that people are responding like maniacs to even non-emergency type calls like pump-outs or fluids in the roadway. As WCDES636 said, this article should include people using blue, green or whatever other colors of the rainbow people are using these days. We've beaten this topic to death in the past, but if you use any kind of warning light in your pov, use your head and discretion! You may not think so, but people are watching & they too know what you should and shouldn't be doing! Think of it this way, people are noisy, if there are flashing lights, people have to look and see whats going on. Even those of us involved in emergency services do it to. If there is an accident in the northbound lane, notice the traffic crawl in the southbound lanes. Thats because everyone is slowing down to catch a glimpse of the action! Thats a double-edged sword in itself because traffic is slowing which is good, but they are no paying attention and all too often cause more problems. I think i am down rambling on. In closing, i just want to say that we all need to be aware of our surrounding while responding to call and while on scene. If it means slowing down a bit, so be it, just as long as we get there in one piece so that we can do our jobs!

It depends on your departments SOP's. Some depts. will roll a Ladder (Truck Co.) 1st due, depending on its capabilities, such as water tank capacity & pumping capabilities. As for us in Buchanan, we do not have a truck, so we have 1st & 2nd due engines, our rescue & utility. If we have a working fire, Montrose L-8 is usually our mutual aid ladder.

Buchanan Utility-12 responded to the scene to fill SCBA's, while E-161 remained in quarters on stand-by for Montrose. 1520HRS-Montrose E-123 10-8/10-2. 1527HRS-All Montrose units 10-8, Buchanan E-161 released from s/b & C&O 1404 10-8.

Yes, this years Montrose parade was definately a success, especially because it didn't rain! As CFDFASTleader said, giving out umbrellas to the chiefs was probably the funniest part of the day! I just wanted to say that i personally had a great time, and all the departments, VAC's & bands looked/sounded great as usual! Congrats to all the trophy winners, they were all well deserved! I do have to add that we (Buchanan), took home 2nd Best Engine for E-161 (1998 Sutphen). It wasn't #1, but we'll take 2nd anyday lol! Washington Engine by far deserved Best Engine for E-119, that is such a great truck. Its a 1984 Mack...enough said, there is no comparison!