Remember585

PD - MVPD. FD - MVFD. EMS - Empress.

EMS - now means "Earn Money Scheming?" Ay Carumba!!!!

Huh?

On another note.... We've changed the DPL on our operations frequency. It is no longer a DPL of 503, it is a DPL of 731. We are utilizing this "ops" frequency (Croton UHF 4) for all of our fireground communications. Even though some with archaic trains of thought still think we should use 46.26 all the time! (No names or companies mentioned).

What are people thinking? "Oh, I can't parallel park my Geo, so I will buy a truck so focking huge that I can crush whatever is in my way?!" This thing is so stupid, that it deserves to be OUTLAWED! Think about it - people are driving SUV's & pickups without realizing how much heavier they really are. Put some tool who is running late for work, drinking his latte while on his cell on the TSP on Monday morning, and VOILA!! An MCI in the making!!! ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

For a few years now, many of the FF 1 students have been brought into the ECC (AKA 60 Control) by their Instructors to see how it works. This isn't a bad idea, because every Department at one point or another requires the services of 60 Control. It may not be a bad idea to also bring in the students taking ICS courses too. Your scene can't run smoothly if your comm center isn't cooperative...

Is E62 being replaced in the near future?

JBE - Is it safe to assume you "popped the question" at the same point in the game when Janet Jackson "popped out" last year? Congrats & good luck!

Croton Police has one of our old Ambulances which they use for their Tactical Team, Dive Team, Accident Investigation Unit and a mobile Command Post. Although some of my fellow FD / Forum pals think its an undercover mini-attack, but that's a different story... I remember helping them convert it for their purposes in my back yard! We installed handlights, tools, generators, etc.

Again, here's my point. 10-16 malfunction: 5 syllables. False malfunction: 4 syllables. 10-16: 3 syllables. False alarm: same thing. 10-75: 5 syllables. Working fire: 4 syllables. 10-29: 4 syllables. Progress report: 4 syllables. 10-17: 4 syllables. Responding: 3 syllables. 10-19: 3 syllables. On location: 4 syllables. (A "winner?") Where are the codes "simplifying things?" Not to mention how many times PER DAY units will say "99A7 to 60 Control, we're 10-17 ABC Hospital Center," when the PROPER 10-CODE is 10-85. However, if you say "ENROUTE" you save TWO syllables either way!!! Clear text!!!!! Ten Codes are for COPS and CRITICAL INFO. Stop thinking you sound cool when you use a 10-code, because too many people out there in the WC use the wrong ones daily!!! X635 - you make a good point about a "Countywide dialogue." Everything should be the same from one town to the next. If I say I have fire on the C2 side, do you know what I mean? If I ask for a truck to relocate to my quarters, am I getting a Ladder Company or an Engine?! Do we all know what is meant by "doubtful," "probable," and "all-hands?" I bet those reading this post all have different opinions to all of these. And, I know a lot of people don't grasp this concept, but the first arriving unit should be giving a quick size-up, and the person establishing command should be broadcasting this info too. How many times will "EMTBravo FD" have a fire, and, say Car 2996 has command. The incoming Mutual Aid almost always calls the #1 chief 3/4 of the time!!! NOT THE ACTUAL IC!!! When you pull up - size-up, establish command and say what you mean!!! Enough ranting - I'm going to bed!

? ? ? ? ?

Because every Department and every IC wants something different every single day at every single alarm.

We've all heard it, been a part of it, and seen its results. It's that "Hysteria Factor" that seems to rear its ugly head all too often on the calls we respond to. It doesn't matter what type of call it is, or even how severe the emergency is, it continues to happen every single day. From the moment the call is made to your dispatcher, your call is in progress, and how smoothly that call goes depends on all of those involved. The Caller - if the callers themselves are hysterical when they make the call, it is up to the dispatcher to calm them down and get as much information as possible. The EMD protocols are an excellent tool to steer the call in the right direction. I will be the first to admit that some callers are beyond control, however if we educate our public on what information we need from them, we may get the info we need without the screaming. The Dispatcher - this seemingly unimportant role gets the ball rolling for those of us in the field answering the call. Have you ever listened to an agency get dispatched by a screaming, hyped-up dispatcher? I have, many times actually. The tone of voice, the volume of the voice and even the speed at which they speak over the air is enough to get the heart racing. Well trained dispatchers know how their actions will set the tone for the incident they are handling. Too often, agencies will get dispatched by a "screamer" - which makes every single person and unit responding react in a similar hysterical manner. STAY CALM!!! If you are worked up and panicking, others will follow. The Commander - I say this because it isn't always a Chief running the show. I have been at incidents, listened to incidents and dispatched incidents where the person in charge has been nothing less then manic over the air and on the scene. A calm, collected and well organized IC will make most incidents run without any chaos, which is imperative for those under their command. I have pulled up on scenes where our IC is screaming at us and literally running around in the street. Their demeanor begins to show itself in the members on scene working. If your IC is "bugging out" - nothing will get accomplished. For example, I have been involved with incidents where the IC is screaming for mutual aid, and the incident is already under control. I have heard screaming for all kinds of calls. House fires that are already DEFENSIVE operations, EMS Calls that end up being transported BLS, CAR FIRES, BRUSH FIRES, PHONE POLES ON FIRE - the list goes on. Screaming accomplishes nothing, and freaking out is the worst thing you, as an IC, can do. If members are responding to an alarm which is not an actual emergency, and they listen to you screaming the whole time thinking it is far worse and CRASH - how are you going to feel? Let's all remember to take a deep breath and relax. Constant training, discipline and procedures help ensure that things run smoothly - at any kind of incident. Remember this - an IC who is in full panic mode and shows no sign of control opens the flood gates for everyone else to follow. As the IC, or even the company-level officer, we must stay calm, walk and not run, and keep our members level-headed ALWAYS. Drills are practice for the big game - if you aren't going nuts on the drill ground, why are you at the fireground? Settle down, and get the job done RIGHT!

The point, I think, that is being made is that members begin to lose interest and become too complacent when they train at the same facility on a regular basis. The WCFTC is a decent facility, however to keep the skills of our members sharp, we present them with alternate locations to work with. In 2004, our Engine Company traveled to the Dutchess County Fire Training Center, Orange County Fire Training Center, Middletown Township Training Center, Westchester, the Montrose VA and Camp Smith. Each facility presents different options, building types and layouts. Another reason we use other facilities, is to not give ourselves a false sense of how well or how poorly we do. Theres Departments out there that constantly train at the same place doing the same thing that are giving themselves a false impression - which could be dangerous. As for the WCFTC Smoke house, we even went as far as removing the floor drain and using it to lower down FF's to make simulated rescues - under the watchful eyes of the CFIs that evening. Go out and train, and train often. Don't limit yourself to one facility, because you are cheating yourself and your members.

Boy, that stinks. It was a "crappy" car anyway. s*** happens. ](*,)

William E. King Sr. Billy was an original CFD Training Officer and Deputy Chief. He was the kind of guy that would point to something on the rig and ask the newer guys "What is that, and how does it work?" He was also notorious for opening valves around the engine to ensure new drivers were in the habit of checking them before a drafting operation. Billy also told younger members lines that we still live by, such as "as soon as you think you know everything, you're going to get yourself or someone else hurt." "Uncle Billy" was predeceased last year by his brother and 40+ year member Robert King. "Uncle Billy" was Grandfather to Lt. Chris Colombo, Uncle to Deputy Chiefs Gerry Munson and Stephen Dominello, as well as EMTs Pattie Munson and Anita Dominello, and Great Uncle to Captain John Munson, Lieutenant Jim Ferguson, Firefighters Kristen Munson & David Rinaldi. Uncle Billy will be missed by all of us at the Northside Powerhouse and the CFD, however his legacy and his lessons will live on. Funeral services to be announced shortly.

:-k There's probably a few driving around in Black & Whites I can think of.

Croton Fire Department - Total Incidents 2004 was 813. Fire calls: 294 EMS calls: 519

Way to go Ossining!!! =D>

I am partial to my own toys....but I am sure others will agree. Seagrave: BHFD T5, NWPFD L47, SFD E180 & E181, PFD E240, DFFD E48, PCFD E61, OFD E96 Mack: CFD E119, MKFD E104, GBFD E138, DFFD TL23 Pierce: PFD E131, CFD TL44, VFD E126 Aerialscope: BHFD TL57, PFD TL5 Spartan: ? American LaFrance: NRFD E22, YFD 306, 308, 309, 313, SHFD E85?, MFD TL8, VFD TL49 Ward Lafrance: Any left? Gowans Knight: ? E-One: PFD E130, OFD E98, PFD TL45, VFD TL46 KME: YHFD E270, LMFD E258 & 257, WHFD TL9, OFD L41 Engines: Those listed above, plus CFD E118 Trucks: Also like Mohegan's L10 & L35 Rescues: MFD R51 Tankers: PHFD T12, SFD T16 Brushs: Montrose VA MA28 Ambulances: CCVAC 88B1, 88B3, CFD 55B2 Commands: None really.... List your reasons why too - I hear so much indifference when it comes to the rigs serving Westchester. Based my opinions on looks and "usability." If it isn't practical, I didn't mention it. There's others I like, just too many to list and too early in the AM to remember them all.

Just finished reading it myself, very well-written article. =D>

I agree 100%. We should have a set standard for accountability tags so I know a guy with a red tag is interior, and a guy with a blue tag is not. Major incidents with several companies operating always becomes confusing. This thread has made me think of something else.......BRB.

Not a big fan of looking up a code to say what I want to say. I've always felt that clear-text is much easier and safer to use on the fireground and in the field. Proper radio ettiquette tells you that any message you receive, you are SUPPOSE to repeat back as a confirmation, because a simple "10-4" may mean I heard part of the message, I think I heard the 'important' parts and I am acknowledging what I think I heard. Example: "Engine 444 to 60 Control." "60 Control is on for Engine 444." "Engine 444 is on location with a 2 1/2 story wood frame dwelling, nothing showing. Have the next due engine standby at the hydrant." "Engine 444 is on location with a 2 1/2 story wood frame dwelling with nothing showing, next due engine to standby the hydrant at 00:03 hours." That's the way it should be. NOT THIS: "Ladder 101 to Engine 342, do not come up Spring Avenue it is blocked. Come in from Frost Street." "Engine 342 10-4." Does E342 get the message, or did they get confused? Transmissions should be "repeated" by the receiver to confirm them. Failure to do so can have tragic conclusions. Speaking of communications, there's a great article in this month's Firehouse magazine explaining proper terminology. If you have access to it, READ IT!

It all depends on the CPD All-Star working the desk... Our POLICY for a while was E120, E119, R18 and EMS for accidents on Route 9. It worked out well for the short time it was being used, having E120 come from the south, and E119 come from the north. Why we don't do this anymore is in the hands of the powers that be. It was basically the same response for fire calls on Route 9 as well. E119, E120, T10, R18 were rolling on fire incidents on the highway for a while, (of course T10 is still out for repair), but it seems as though one engine is taking the assignments again. But who knows, tomorrow the Desk Sergeant may send TL44 out there - depends on "which company's turn" it is. (Inside joke)

From Firehouse.com N.C. Firefighters Get Surprise Live Fire Training The Maiden Fire Department conducted a live burn on 12/28/04 where as we had the fire chief to prestage at the burn site and ignite the house. I had staged our fire department members at the station under a different planning session. They had no idea that they were going to be dispatched to a working structure fire. It was designed to use our less experienced firemen in this scenario. The plan was to subject them to a hot call and have them work under stress and pressure, They were not aware of the situation. Things went great, and this is what they had to contend with upon their arrival. The training involved tanker operations, pump operations, hose and nozzle appliances, and master streams. Anyone else see some MAJOR problems with this? Not to mention violations of NFPA 1403? To me, this is just plain dumb. Share your opinions!