Remember585

Time is relative. What I do in my first two years in the department isn't the same as what you might do. You may spend your time taking classes, while I keep going to hands on drills and respond to 100 calls compared to your 10 calls. On election night, it's usually a popularity contest, and the best candidate doesn't always prevail. Make it tougher to move up. - Make it 5 years in the department to move up. - Require XXX amount of classroom training hours. - Require XXX amount of hands on training hours. - Require a higher % of call response then the average member. - Put them to the test at drills and calls, make them make decisions! I believe that training lays the foundation, while experience and ability builds the house. I can sit in 100 hours of class on how to throw a ground ladder, but until I do it and master it, it's all just speculation as to what I can do. Senior members and officers MUST mentor the younger guys to seek out the future leadership. All of us can look around our firehouse and see who is officer material, and who should be left on the apron every call.

There are three EMS Coordinator positions. Currently, EMS 12 is unfilled. They are the EMS version of the "Fire Battalions," responsible for coordination of EMS Mutual Aid. They're usually dispatched to incidents requiring the response of more than three EMS agencies or any major incident involving multiple patients.

Do a 360. Many commercial buildings, specifically strip malls, are single story with those overhangs that give a mansard roof look. If you don't walk around back, most think the building is taller than it really is. Next thing you know, additional Trucks are being called in, yet an attic ladder will be sufficent in the rear. As far as operating on this sloped roof - I wouldn't change much in the way of operating. Use the same tactics / SOPs you would to vent a steel roof with steel truss, the only difference is the pitch vs. your usual flat roof of this kind.

I'm reading this before the Sun comes up, so bare with me. WCPD (or DPS) is an awesome agency that has always struck me as proactive and aggressive when it comes to planning and coordination in Westchester County. I've participated in training exercises and worked at many incidents with the DPS and in plain english, they've got their s#it together. As a fire chief, I know I will catch crap for saying this, but I don't think any other organization around the county has a better grasp of the incident management system. During major incidents, they show up, size things up and establish not only a command presence, but implement an action plan in a timely manner. I think their expertise on hazard and disaster recognition and planning mixed with the response knowledge and capabilities of DES could result in an amazing organization poised to respond to major emergencies in Westchester County. But, by eliminating some positions, doesn't this threaten the span of control in some areas? And what happens after some positions are eliminated, and they come to realize that perhaps they were beneficial? Will they bring them back, or out of pride will they keep them vacant and make some perform dual roles? I have seen counties that have all services under one umbrella that work. I have also seen them fail or come up short. What concerns me is the vibe I get in this proposal - it feels more like a takeover then it does a merger. All references in the proposal seem one-sided from DPS on how they can absorb DES and make it run smoother and more efficiently. In many ways, I think that this has great potential, but something also tells me that we may see it deplete / ruin certain things that many people worked hard to accomplish. As for consolidating communications, this isn't a bad concept. The bigger issue would be to have one central communications center that handles everything in every community, with the exception of the larger cities (if so desired). People don't realize how inefficient it is now to have 911 calls go to one place, then get transferred to another - which sometimes goes to the wrong place or doesn't happen. I personally feel that if we can consolidate DPS and 60 Control communications centers, that we should eventually assume the responsibility of answering cellular 911 as well. The TMC already transfers many police requests to WCPD, and fire/EMS requests come to 60 Control (majority of the time). When a call is in an unknown area or outside of Westchester, many times they transfer it to us to "figure out" and send to the proper agency (IE: FDNY, Rockland, Putnam, Nassau, Suffolk, etc.). With the CAD system we have, we can handle this almost seemlessly. If you add the knowledge of the DPS communications personnel, Westchester County could have one of the best communications centers in the country. (IMHO) Time will tell, I just hope that every aspect is looked at beyond it's cost efficiency shock value. (Now I will go hide because I am sure someone will jump down my throat for speaking my mind...)

Great posts! Thanks for shedding some light on this overlooked issue.

Thanks JM15 & Firegui! I think it's cool that the Chief asked for opinions on the pump, it's always nice to get as many opinions as you can. Good luck with it!

Great photos - thanks for sharing! A couple of questions: 1. What are the pump / tank specs? 2. What's going in the front bumper? 3. Is the electric siren only controllable by the Officer? 4. What radio designation will this rig have? 5. Why the change to a top-mount pump? Aren't the other Engines side mount? Good luck with it, looks nice (even though she's still "naked!" LOL)

Our department spends far more hours training and answering calls then we do anything else. I will gladly show you or anyone else the numbers to back this statement. I know from personal experience working in Somers and for Somers FD that covering EMS calls has been tough for quite some time. Like so many other big steps in emergency services, it took some time to accept the problem, research the best solution and to make a change. Good for you guys. And, while I'm at it, props to any other agency that sees their problems and addresses them. I don't think a single one of us can argue that admitting we can't do something - whatever it is in life - is a tough pill to swallow. We're all proud of what we do and who we are, and sometimes we get blinded by our pride and it takes longer for some to admit it and ask for help.

A new hybrid? From the looks of it, it almost appears to be some type of armored vehicle. It also looks as though there are "doors" to stick the barrel of a gun out of them. I don't know, perhaps it's the new Newark Rescue?

$1.06 Million... and no audible or visual alarms for an open door? And I hope they are right, but if the doors snagged the building and did that much damage, I wouldn't be surprised if the body is tweaked. Oh, and please tell me who they're getting parts from that will put this rig in service by 9/1, because we have an Engine that had an accident on 6/23 and it is still sitting in the firehouse unrepaired! :angry:

A little over two years ago, our FD stopped providing EMS and EMS split off, becoming their own organization. Many in the FD became members of this new EMS organization, in part, to retain a CFR or EMT certification. The question I have, is now that our FD is not an EMS provider, is there a way for members to get or stay certified as CFRs or EMTs without paying the cost of the program? For example, if I wanted to recert my EMT and I am not a member of EMS, is there a way that our FD can "sponsor" me, similar to how EMS agencies do, where there is no cost? Any help is appreciated, thanks.

We have. Problem is that the people that want it may have resigned from EMS so it's kind of a touchy subject... if you know what I mean.

I hear some dog stole it. Said it's too hot out to pee, so he brought it home.

$376

Good luck with the "Midnight Special."

I've known Frank for a long time. Good people. RIP and God bless.

If we go paycheck vs. paycheck.... he wins!

I hear he's getting a take home car chopper! Congrats Detective Lieberman!

Governor Patterson's soda tax.

3 Engines - About 1,500 feet of 5" on all three. 1 Quint - 800 feet of 5". Adapters to work with neighbors who have 3" and 4".

Seth, Are you sure that headset is for a spotter? If I am looking at the photo right, that's a Rear-Mount Truck, and perhaps that jack and headset is for the aerial operator? I am not a fan of the wired headset to back up a rig. It's like a leash to connect the rig to the spotter - not a good idea at all. And, I am also not a fan of using portable radios to back people up. It's more chatter on the radio then is needed. Carry one in case you really need it, but don't be one of those "keep coming, keep coming, keep coming, STOP" guys. A competent driver, a competent spotter making good use of proper hand signals and scene/flood lights will work just fine. Put the spotter in a safety vest if you have them to improve the driver's ability to see them, as well as any passing cars. And, if you have to back up without a spotter (which we've all done) scan your mirrors!

Looking for opinions here... Do you feel your apparatus drivers should or should not be wearing their gear when driving? I've driven apparatus in shorts and sneakers, bunker pants, and even in my socks (a long time ago, relax). And, once on the scene, do you feel your ECC or TCC needs to be in PPE to operate the pump or to operate the aerial? I'm not looking for any fighting, but opinions. It has been discussed dozens of times around our firehouse, and I want to see what others think. Personally, I don't think you drivers should wear anything that hinders their safe operating of the apparatus. With modern apparatus having the engine between the driver and officer, it becomes a little tighter in the driver's seat. For a larger gentleman, such as myself, I find wearing my bunker pants with the bailout rope in the pocket to be a bit of a pain in the neck. What's your thoughts?

Can we add it to our 10-75 assignments?

In light of a recent incident discussion, I wanted to ask everyone how their department handles the rehabilitation of firefighters at incidents. Remember, it doesn't have to be a working house fire in the middle of July - we all need rest, replenishing of fluids and relief no matter what kind of incident and regardless of the time of year. I'll take the lead and start. On any confirmed fire (10-75) in our jurisdiction, we get a minimum of two ambulances, a Medic and a rehab unit from Cortlandt VAC (or another if they aren't available). Once we reach a 2nd Alarm, additional resources are dispatched including EMS, relief personnel and even a canteen from Salvation Army, if needed. For any prolonged operation, we request EMS (if not already there) to look after our personnel. We carry bottled water on all apparatus, and keep a misting fan on our Rescue. We recently gave another misting fan to EMS, and we give them cases of water to keep on the rigs for our personnel. We're working together with EMS on setting up more firm procedures for what needs to be done. Share your thoughts!

And, as you have been told, the bag and system are not to be removed! If you respond to a brush fire and get sent to a fire on the 5th floor of Sky View....now what? We'll discuss this in private AGAIN.