Remember585

I am still waiting for my hydrant bag, as well as my hi-rise kit. Hey CFD320 - where is it?! Once we get the bag, the following equipment will be stored in it. 1 Hydrant wrench 2 Spanner wrenches 1 3" gate valve 1 flashlight 1 torch (winter) 1 rubber mallet

More importantly, will they be RED?

Saw an ad in the Pennysaver this week for a Communications Supervisor for a hospital based EMS system that handles fire and EMS dispatch. Is this WEMS?? Can this be done on a part-time basis? Can I be paid 6 figures? Can I make Skooter my Whacker-Liasion? Can I have a secretary named "Cinnamon or Diamond?" These are the important questions I have. Thanks for any input.

Good question. I think I can shed some light on the subject. If you call 911 from a cell phone in our area, I believe the calls go to the TMC in Hawthorne, where the State Police dispatchers begin the information processing. For most fire and EMS calls, they will roll the call over to 60 Control. The dispatchers at 60 Control will then gather more information (if available) from the caller and dispatch the appropriate resources. One thing to keep in mind - try to know where you are at all times. You never know when you may need help. It also should be noted that having a traditional phone in your home is a (IMHO) preferred way to call for help. You don't have to worry about losing cell service, and if you dial 911 from home your address will pop-up on the 911 screen at your dispatch center. Hope this helps.

September is a tough month....perhaps October? I'm out for all weekends of September.

Where's the delay? A couple of real-life cases would help with this statement. Most calls do not come in via 911 - true, to an extent. the number of cellular 911 calls continues to grow, and these calls go to NYSP, then, in most cases, to 60 Control. Speaking from personal experience, calls that 60 Control receives for our FD get dispatched propmtly, whereas a BULK of calls received by our PD get the ol' check and advise. As for knowing the area....I don't agree. One of 60 Control's dispatchers that hails from DUTCHESS COUNTY has no problem doing his job, and he does it quite well, if not better then some others! To bring up the old and antiquated system we were all supposed to receive, who really gives a $hit now? What we have NOW works better then many systems in the area, if not the country. A team is dedicated to constantly improving the CAD that 60 Control has. I can not speak on Police dispatch for each area, but as a whole, it is no longer the way to go in smaller communities. Having all the resources you need, whether its a fire, EMS, haz-mat, C&O, etc. etc. etc. - one phone or radio call gets it for you. I close with this statement. If you dial 911 in your town, who answers it? Is it someone who can give you pre-arrival medical instructions, or someone who just says "help is on the way." Is it someone who has the capability to send more then one resource or not? Don't you think you are entitled to the best you can get? Enough with the head against the wall debating - this should be a hands-down issue!

Always liked the bagels at Bagels-on-Hudson in the Croton Commons shopping center on South Riverside Avenue. Don't attempt to go there this week - road paving has screwed up this area pretty good.

Date: 8/11/05 Time: Approx: 13:30 Location: 27 Watch Hill Road in Montrose Frequency: 453.3875 EMS/ 46.26 FD Units Operating: 2272, E121, R51, 88B1, 88B2, 88B3, 35M1, 39M2 Description Of Incident: Single vehicle rollover with fire, total of 6 occupants. Writer: Me (8860) 88B1 Transported 3 children BLS to WMC. 88B3 Transported 1 adult, 2 children with ALS on board to WMC. 88B2 On scene for manpower, no transport. E121 used for fire suppression, R51 for traffic control.

It's to replace Engine 125 from what I understand. From what I am told, same thing - smaller rig to fit in some of the nice and tight areas Montrose responds to. Best of luck with the bids boys!

Personally, I think FAST is a better description. I feel that a "Firefighter Assist and Search Team" has a more proactive approach then a "Rapid Intervention Team." To me, saying "RIT" kinda means they are only there to deploy if this $hit hits the fan. A "FAST" is their to "Assist..." I guess one can over analyze this to death. Point is this, I don't care what it is called, as long as they get me out when I need them. As for ALS' post about team designations, our team utilizes the "FAST 1, FAST 2" thing, and should we be operating with another unit, we use "CROTON 1, 2." From what I recall from the SOG that we have been working on, if me and say, ALS, were a team, we would be "1A" and "1B" respectively. As far as the Team name thing goes, we'll never agree on just one. It's just the nature of the fire service beast. One purpose - ten names!

There's already been the discussion of who has Rescues in Westchester County, and there has been debate about the purpose of a Rescue. What I am looking for is some insight from all of you in the know. What should every community have in respect to a Rescue and/or equipment. Here is the criteria that I feel we should use to determine the needs. How many extrication calls per year. How many medium/high angle rope rescues per year. How many confined space calls per year. How many building collapses per year. How many trench collapses per year. What resources do you already have. What training does your members already have. What resources are available to you quickly. What resources can you get for a long operation. What special situations do you have in your district. Were there prior incidents that warranted what you have / need. Bottom line, do you feel your district has what it needs? My answer, for my own Department is No. We have most of the equipment, but we are somewhat lacking in the training. Sure, several people have BEEN TRAINED in the past, but there isn't enough regular training on the equipment. Some things, like vehicle extrication, we are more then sufficiently equipped for as well as trained for, but things like collapse - we're a little deficient. But I know what resources I can call for the things we may need, and I also know enough how to get these things. Feedback!

Hasn't this been attempted before? I'm in, if we can set a firm date.

Veteran's Affairs

One common phrase I put on my PCRs is "None admitted." I use this for allergies, medications, past history and even the Chief Complaint if I can't get the needed info. I also verbalize my entire impression of the patient and scene in the first part (subjective?), and put down my in-depth evaluation of the patient in the next part. (objective? I forget). Generally, in the comments area, I put transport info, and other pertinent information as needed. One rule of thumb I go by and tell up and coming EMTs, if you don't write it down, then it never was done. DOCUMENTATION can and will be your savior or your downfall. Make the right choice.

I recently switched from Verizon DSL to Optonline, and for the most part am happy with the switch. However, I have suddenly become bombarded with pop-ups. All of a sudden I have a little icon on my lower screen toolbar that looks like a dog and it says "CashBack pays you to shop!" How do I get rid of this and how do I stop all the pop-ups and ads? I have McAfee Virus Scan, McAfee antispywayre and AdGuard on my PC. Looking for some help!

648 - Shouldn't your affiliation be "DRIVER of Fire Engine and Ambulance?" Thanks for all the advice gang, I appreciate it. Anyone know a good PC repair place? I need some TLC to repair my POS-PC if you know what I mean...

I'd have to say that I like most of the area's patches, because they give me something to stare at in the hallway at work.... In all seriousness, I like some more then others. Some likes include Briarcliff, FDVA, Peekskill (volunteer not career, sorry ALS), and Skooter's "WHACKER" patch. Our old Company patch, "we take our hats off to no one," was a good one, and one of these days it will be updated and brought back to life, adorning a logo similar to that of a commercial fire we had about 4 years ago....any guesses?

One overlooked resource that we'll probably lose if we don't start utilizing it is Camp Smith. We all need to better utilize this facility before it is a thing of the past. Our current Government (Pataki, Leibell, Wishnie, etc.) have been more than generous to all of us - and we should repay them by using the things they made possible! We also can't forget James Burns and Dick Nagle, both of whom have made great strides in fire training resources for all of us. The County Training Center is great, but we need to use the other things that are out there for us to take advantage of.

Speaking of the Westchester County Fire Training Center, how many Departments do in fact use it, and how often? It's a great resource that we take advantage of quite often.

Could part of the problem be the "wanna-be police uniforms" many EMS units wear? For example, is it neccesary to wear a Detective-style shield to do your job as an EMT? I've only had 2 conflicts with the public, both times I was in a uniform. Any other thoughts?

I know of a few, but I would like to know more. Which Departments/Apparatus have tower lights / mast lights. I am focusing on my neck of the woods, but anyone that has them is more then welcome to mention it here. Croton's Rescue 18 does.

I agree about wearing the SCBA during overhaul. Does it happen, hardly ever. And I am not talking about one specific area, I am talking about every fire scene I have been to throughout my life. I really can not recall any incident where the SCBA are donned by everyone during overhaul. Is it because we are afraid of looking like wussies? Is it the "un-cool" thing to do? I even got my balls busted about bringing in the multi-gas meter during overhaul to monitor the air we were working in. Safety may not seem cool to you, but how cool is it to get permanent damage to your body, or worse, to die, for no reason?! What's that saying I've seen here...something about no greater honor in dying for someone's life.....but to do so checking for hotspots.....I don't think so.

Mailing one from us on Monday. Is there anything else you could use? Let me know.

Yorktown in the mid-90's had a fire on Echo Hill Path off of Underhill with a similar type of condition. I remember it well, a truck load of candy and chips had to be brought into the scene.....ONLY KIDDING!!!! It was a funny job, seeing the YPD keeping a close eye on all of us doing overhaul. By the way, I lost a sneaker at this fire, anyone ever find it???

This is weird!!! It looks cool and I hope I can figure it out! Good luck with it and keep up the GREAT work you already do!