Remember585

Cortlandt VAC also has a Service Award Program.

Date: 1/2/06 Time: 18:45 Location: Yeshiva off of Croton Lake Road Frequency: 46.26 / FG 8 Units Operating: 2281, 2282, 2283, 2284, E103, E104, E105, E106, TL14, R15 Description Of Incident: Fire in the ductwork of Building #2, Yeshiva Complex. Writer: Remember585 Mutual Aid Tankers BHFD T5, KFD T6, MFD T15 To scene BHFD E198 to setup a water supply. 1914hrs- M/A Armonk Engine and Chappaqua Truck to cover Green St. firehouse.

Wow, I can't believe I've been a continuous pain in the a** for you for 3 years! Don't worry, it has been my pleasure. Thanks for everything, keep it up!

We, Croton FD, are lucky. We have a total of 3 Litlte Giant Ladders. One is on TL44 One is on R18 One is on E119. We got one for E119 because during our FAST Training we found that in a pinch, we could set it up as a high-point to hoist a downed FF out of a hole. It also comes in handy when we are out on alarms, especially at the Nursing Home, when we have to pull down a detector from the higher ceilings. It's the best ladder - like you said!

I saw a commercial ealier with this slogan, which I thought was kind of fitting. "Great cheese comes from happy cows."

Well, I guess you can say that guy has better luck after a night of drinking then most guys..... Lord knows I can't remember the last time I "scored" on a farm with a cattle. This guy is WHACKED! At what point in your life do you throw in the towel and think to yourself that having relations with livestock is a good idea?? 648 - Be warned - as this case shows you CAN get jail time for what you've been doing. Find a better hobby.

I can't resist..... That's gotta be one happy phone!

On EMS calls at the VA Campus, they generally respond with the Ambulance and/or MA28 or occassionally E225. At the State Home they respond with MA28 - based on what I've seen in the last couple of years.

That chair is GREAT! We have them at both places I ride. BUY THEM!!!!

Engine 119 delivered Santa to the kid's holiday party on the 17th.

www.rescuestuff.net

Happy Holidays from 60 Control's Squad 4.

Communications, by definition, is the art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas. One simple way of getting across the point we are trying to make is to state it in plain English, no codes, no “trade jargon.” To make people better understand what it is that I am trying to drive home, I have broken it down into a few simple rules. I am confident that if we live by these rules, our operations will become substantially smoother. Rule #1 – Know What You Are Saying. If you are going to get on that radio and call for something – know what it is before you key-up! There is nothing more aggravating not only to the receptor of your message but to those involved in your incident as well. If you get on the radio and start spitting out sounds and not words, those looking to you for guidance are going to begin losing faith in you. Keep the “ums,” “ahs,” and “ughs” to yourself for the next time your significant other asks why you haven’t done something at home. Taking the few seconds to plan out what you want to say makes for a better line of communication. Keep this in mind for not only your radio transmissions, but those pesky press interviews that may happen. Rule #2 – Stay Calm. If you are trying to transmit a message to someone and you attempt to do it under pressure or at the mercy of your adrenaline, think again. Imagine this, you are the Officer leading a crew down a hallway full of smoke and heat, then suddenly a wall of fire appears. You tell the guy on the knob to hit it and the line goes limp. What would you do? Obviously, you or one of the guys on the line is going to think “Oh boy, this isn’t good.” Keep calm and make a swift decision. Don’t get on the radio and start yelling. The last thing you need to do is upset your MPO, who will then get your IC worked up too. It’s a domino effect, do what you can to avoid causing it. Rule #3 – Speak English. Here’s a hidden fact about me, I’m a buff. I listen to a radio almost 24/7, whether at home, in the car or at work, where rumor has it I am suppose to listen. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times per day I hear someone transmit something, and the person they are calling has to ask what they meant. A great example of this comes from a fire scene I was at this year. The first floor hose crew called, “xxx to Command.” “Command is on for xxx.” “xxx to Command, can we get someone to open up the windows on the C/D sides of this building, we’re taking a beating in here.” “Command to xxx, you want what?” Obviously, a few things here could have been changed. First, Command should know which sides are which. Second, with all of the background noises at a fire scene, “B,” “C” and “D” kind of sound the same. Perhaps that hose team could have said the “Charlie” and “Delta” sides. Third, as a Department, it is imperative to be on the same page when it comes to the lingo we’re going to use. Mutual Aid units should all be working on the same level by now. Incoming units should make face to face contact with the IC and be briefed on everything before jumping in and going to work. Make sure that each side, every exposure, every unit is identified so there is no confusion. Avoid those damn Ten Codes – they’ll just cause confusion. Lastly, stop trying to sound like "those other guys." Sounding like someone who is sure of themselves and the operation at hand is a better leader and role model than the jackhole who speaks in foreign (other areas, nearby City, etc.) language that has to explain everything anyway. That’s it for now, please keep it safe & keep it simple!

The image here is of our Engine 120 passing Exit 120 on the way to the Middletown Township Fire Training Center in New Jersey this past November. I think that even though it's not a big fire or a bad pin job, it still has a place with other fire service photos. Thanks J.T. Camp for the image - you're the best!

The wheels fell off? Not while driving it I hope...

Crap. Does that answer your question?

Hopefully 648. I would wear one but everyone loves Roundhead!

My Department is pretty good about using clear-text for everything. Most of the time, the first arriving unit will say something like, "Engine 119 on location investigating." Very rarely does one of our units say nothing showing. Our PD has on many occassions said nothing showing, only to be wrong about their statement. One instructor at a class I took called "nothing showing" the kiss of death. I think he was right. Nothing wrong with saying "On location investigating" or even "On location checking." I think too many Departments rely on the PD's initial report to make a choice about thier apparatus responses. I know it pushes my buttons when our responding Chief holds us all in quarters based on PD information or even worse, alarm company info. That's why I like it best when one rig at a minimum continues in to verify the condition - that's what we're SUPPOST TO DO!

So does this mean my Cortlandt VAC pager won't be activated as much when you guys start doing the calls on campus? Please say yes, please!!!!! Congrats on the new bus - did it come with any elephants painted on it to keep Ed happy???

Off the top of my head, I am positive that the Croton FD utilized the County Training Center a total of 18 times in 2005. In addition, we also made trips to the Orange County Training Center and the Middletown Township Training Center in New Jersey. Some months we were at the WCFTC twice, and one month three times. I will know the exact amount of hours this year we drilled - not just at WCFTC - but in total at my Engine Company. Last tally of hours I compiled was near the 100 hour mark at the end of October. I know that Captain Jadkowski has got to be tired of hearing from me.... In addition, our Engine Company produced 6 EMT recerts and 2 new EMTs. One became an AEMT-I as well. Several members (I think it was 8) from Station 2 also made the journey to the NYSAFS this year. Some of our members received certification levels for Firefighter I, Extrication Technician, Haz-Mat First Responders, Fire Service Instructor and more. The core group of the Croton FD's Washington Engine Company is a well-oiled and very productive team. I am more then pleased with the productivity, spirit and dedication of these fine men. I think most of them also spend countless hours viewing this site, as well as other great Fire Service links to keep their minds sharp. Check back to our site - www.engine119croton.org in January for a full review of 2005.

Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department Macks Washington Engine Co. No. 2 A Mack Company for more than 70 Years 1934 Mack B-Series Pumper 1962 Mack C-Series Pumper 1984 Mack CF Pumper - In Service as Engine 119 1964 Mack Tanker (Former Oil Truck) Chemical Engine Co. No. 1 1936 Mack B-Series Pumper Croton Fire Patrol No. 1 1963 Mack C/Gerstenslager Rescue

On-board DVD player with surround sound. I'd like to see Xzibit pimp out a Fire Engine, that would be killer. On a serious note - how stupid are people getting?

Several good points - on a topic that will probably be discussed 10 years from now. By definition, a 10-75 should mean an "all-hands" event. It shouldn't be limited to a working fire. For example, Departments I've heard have said "10-75" just to notify dispatch that all units on scene are committed, and in some cases it brings additional resources to the scene. Like BFD said, having a pre-planned assignment is a good thing for those days when the new Lt. is the IC, and is so overwhelmed with what is going on that they forget to call for certain things. Some Departments have pre-plans for posible fires - not just those that are confirmed. Our FD (Croton) has a set "Working fire" policy at 60 Control that will bring a FAST, Cascade and additional EMS unit in hydrant areas, and 3 Tankers in the non-hydrant areas. It came in handy with our July 18th fire - even though Command had a "senior moment" and forgot to state what he had. Luckily, 60 Control was on the ball and filled out the assignment for us. Hudson - I listen to all kinds of Departments (as you probably know) and have to keep a couple of 10-code lists in my work area to have a clue what everyone is talking about. I think that CLEAR-TEXT (Oh no, I said it again!) is the way to go. Abuse of the wanna-be FDNY lingo is not only getting played out, but it is being misused too often! Be wise with your radio transmissions - don't do what sounds cool, do what people will actually understand.

Over-confidence leads to poor choices, injuries, and in worst case scenarios, death. I am a "jolly volly" myself, and from time to time anyone that knows me will say I can be arrogant and stubborn from time to time. Bottom line is this - if I know something - I express it. And, for the record, Tommy's helmet looks like a beanie atop that massive cranium of his. But this is coming from a guy called "Roundhead," so take it as you will....

Good luck to all of you.....especially FF Granville (Hartsdale) and FF Demilto (LaGrange). Paulie, don't forget who taught you everything about what color a fire truck is SUPPOSED to be!!!! Stay safe brothers!