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Welcome back Ed!

FYI - I have no idea how to downsize the photos to make them fit here better. (Story from our website www.crotonfd.com) Starting on Thursday evening, November 6th, 20 members of the Croton’s Volunteer Fire Department completed over 12 hours of training over two nights and all day Sunday with our 2002 Pierce Tower Ladder No. 44. Teaching this course was an old friend of the Department, Lt. Mike Wilbur, a 27 ½ year veteran of the City of New York Fire Department, Nationally recognized Instructor and founder of Emergency Vehicle Response. The class began with two evenings and the first half of Sunday in the class room, reviewing the reasons why aerial apparatus fail, safe operations of aerials, advantages and disadvantages of our apparatus, “scrub areas,” master stream operations and rig placement. The afternoon was spent working with our Tower Ladder 44 setting it up and getting a feel for its controls, outriggers and capabilities. We began at the Metro-North Harmon Yards, where we tied a bucket of foam under the bucket of TL44. The objective is to place this bucket inside of garbage cans stratigically placed on the roofs of two buildings and another atop a trailer at a lower elevation. We then moved on to our Harmon Firehouse where we simulated operations at a "taxpayer" building fire. We concluded at the Bari Manor Apartments complex where we learned better ways to position the apparatus for incidents involving a garden apartment complex. Lt. Wilbur gave us a whole new respect for our rig, which we hope to train with and become even better with to help those in need. The Croton Fire Department extends its sincerest appreciation to Lt. Wilbur for his guidance, experience and of course, his friendship. We strongly recommend this course to all departments that have Aerial Apparatus, visit Lt. Wilbur’s website at www.emergencyvehicleresponse.com.

I appreciate the kind words Bill. My motivation wasn't prompted by things on here. They're based on the 15 years I've been a member and seen no continuity nor universal approach to tanker operations in our county. We should all have a similar appraoch, same equipment and follow some kind of template or action plan for water shuttles. And in the course of improving our tanker operations we can increase our ISO score, that would be a big plus not just to us, but those we are there for. And Bill, be prepared to help me out with the drills!

In plain English, Mike Wilbur really knows his stuff when it comes to Trucks and Truck work. We used to run a 100' mid-mount aerial which retired shortly before we purchased the current rig. It's an entirely new ball game for us using a 100' rear-mount tower. The overall size of this rig is very intimidating and on some of our tighter streets it's nerve-racking to operate. A lot of us were not aware of how well this rig can work for us and how manuverable it actually is. Lt. Wilbur showed us so much that we never really knew and because of this class I am confident our Truck Chauffers, our Officers and even the firefighters are better because of it. If you have the means to host / attend this class - DO IT.

Ugh, not only are you a Truckie you're a Mets fan? Jeez....

"So the combination is... one, two, three, four, five? That's the stupidest combination I've ever heard in my life! The kind of thing an idiot would have on his luggage! "

No love for me T10? And believe me when I tell you guys, shorts is a lot more then we used to see him show up in!!!!

Farva's #1.

I know it isn't actually "workers comp," I just couldn't think of the correct term. More volunteers are getting injured and dying each year for the same reasons over and over again. - Lack of training - Lack of physical exams - Lack of accountability All three of which are much better controlled in a paid department where it is a job requirement and people can't pull the "I'm a volunteer" card. Until we wake up and start creating equal (or at least a closer) standard of training for volunteers similar to that of the career departments, it's not going to change and I fear it will only get worse. The members of the volunteer fire service in Westchester County have more training available to them then any other county in NYS. Do we take full advantage of it? Nope. I look up to the guys in all of Westchester's departments that always put in 110% to better themselves. When they improve what they can do and what they know, it makes the entire Department that much better. And if we slowly get more people to take additional training in each department, then perhaps we can improve the whole thing. It's just too bad that there are people and departments as a whole that just don't get it.

I think 12 is an exaggeration. I think the most I have seen around Westchester is four. As for the age, I know there are Chief's cars out there 10 years or older. I can't comment on anyone but our own, but our vehicles are replaced under the same plan as all other Village fleet vehicles at a certain mileage or if they fall apart and it isn't cost-efficient to repair them. Currently one of our Chief's vehicles is approaching eight years old. Another exaggeration, I don't think anyone has pulled off designing and purchasing a mutli-million dollar rig. I'm sure with enough time and money, somebody will go nuts and do it. As far as rigs sitting in quarters collecting dust... there is a little truth to that and I have to agree with you. There's departments that have apparatus which will spend a few months of the year as "reserve" or "last due" because they are parade wagons. There's also departments that have apparatus and you never hear them respond to anything. Ever. I am sure it is nice to retain an engine as a reserve or spare - that's different. But when you have a firehouse that is full front to back with rigs and most calls you only send one, maybe two, that's ridiculous. The subject of consolidation is always mentioned, and maybe I am not 100% (or even close to it) on being sold on the whole concept... I do think that we could perhaps save money if Department A and Department B agreed to respond together with a specialized rig - say a Truck or Rescue - instead of both departments having them and actually needing them a dozen times a year. I disagree. Some departments actually are responsible for their monies and are well monitored and audited by their municipalities / districts. If the municipality doesn't agree with something then they have an obligation to their voters and taxpayers to address it. I think the "biggest scam going" as you put it is the abuse of the Workers Comp system when firefighters are "injured" on the job and are out of work to help create overtime for others. If this isn't true, then why do you always read about how many firefighters are injured at fires in paid departments, and you see none or maybe one injured at a fire put out by volunteers? Ahhh....yes, a questions nobody dares answer. I have been in EMS systems and know plenty of others whom have been at fire scenes to witness the "tapping out" of firefighters. I'll leave it at that. I also agree that the LOSAP system is flawed. I don't see how someone should be credited if they aren't helping get the apparatus out, wearing their PPE, donning SCBA, attending training and being a good member of their department. It irritates me to no end when you hear of departments that have members "qualifying" for their LOSAP simply because they go to parades, cook at the firehouse BBQ and occassionally come to meetings. I disagree with those that say that paid firefighters / departments are destroying volunteers - because we are ruining it for ourselves. Whatever happened to doing it for the right reasons? Why does everyone wants a free handout? If this attitude keeps up we can kiss the volunteer fire service good-bye, and when that happens it will be one of the saddest days in my life. I, like most others I know, joined to be a part of something that actually helps others and isn't all about "me, me, me." I know some reading this will be pissed at me and that's fine because the truth sometimes has to hurt in order for it to get any attention.

Gotcha, thanks for the info. I heard barn fire in West Harrison and was a little confused!

Does this mean WCPD won't be patrolling the parkways (again) and if so, will this cause job cuts? This isn't good...

How extensive was the damage to the adjoining house? Did it require any interior attack? And did the barn require any kind of interior attack?

Why did this car require extrication - there's no doors on the driver's side?! Just taking a guess here, did they just leave Carmel Beverage with the case of Heineken in the backseat?

I love you man! Luckily, the attitude Tanker10Engr mentions is the attitutude of most of the members of my department, and all of those around me. I remember when the LOSAP thing was brought up in our department a few years ago, it was a vocal discussion to say the least. The "good guys" like Billy and so many others, saw this for what it is - A PAYOUT FOR THOSE THAT DON"T ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEPARTMENT WHEN IT COUNTS. I am glad we have it because there are members of our Department that fully deserve SOMETHING for all the time, complaints from their wives, time away from their families and risks they take over the years. None of the hardcore guys (and gals) that put up in any department really care about getting anything - they do it for the reasons like Billy mentioned above. As far as "benefits" we get up here in Croton... (I've got nothing to hide) LOSAP (Maybe, if the money is there down the road) Tax Breaks (A State thing, not something we asked for, and not something everyone even takes advantage of) Refreshments (in accordance to NFPA rehab requirements and sometimes after a meeting or class since most guys come straight from work and don't have time to eat. Further, many times the refreshments are paid for by the Chief or Instructor out of pocket in appreciation of their members showing up.) Gym - nope. Our local one will not give us anything unless we are paid firefighters. (True story) Vacations - nope. If a company does go to a convention the members pay for it unless the company wants to front the money, which is made up of dues and fines mostly. The Department pays for nothing. Cancun trips - No, but if someone is offering to pay for it.... Our current Chief mentioned to me that the annual Firehouse Expo trip might get the ax, as it is nothing more then a vacation anymore since nobody is taking full advantage of the training offered there. We don't do NYSAFC anymore either, as it is a waste.

But do you follow them?!

Gee, I think it would be warranted for the Moderators to delete JFlynn's post, since this topic is about Wellness programs. But I guess as volunteers we shouldn't even consider doing anything for our members...

How good can the morale be if you know there is no position for you to ever promote up to? Without them, doesn't it sort of feel like a dead-end job that goes unappreciated? (This doesn't just apply to the PFD but a general statement.)

That study Tanker10Engr mentioned was in the mid 90's. I still have a copy of it somewhere. The 4th Engine suggested was to go in a 4th Station in what is known as the Quaker Fire Protection District in southern Cortlandt that we protect. The issues with this were typical. No members live out there, nobody wants to fund it, the Village will not allow us to expand our fleet. We can, and hopefully will, improve our ISO rating in the Quaker Fire Protection District by the time I am done as a Chief. It's not going to be easy, but we can achieve it. 20 years ago we were responding with 3 Engines and a Tanker carrying 4200 gallons of water that could be pumped at 5000 gpm. Now we respond with 3 Engines, a Quint and Tanker carrying 6.350 gallons of water that can be pumper at 8000 gpm. Not that we will ever max out the capacities of all our pumps, but this is one improvement we've made. We also use 5" LDH vs. the 3" double lay that was used. Starting in January, automatic response to possible structure fires in this area will bring 2 Mutual Aid tankers on the initial dispatch, instead of waiting for an IC to request them. Pre-plans are underway to "standardize" our tanker operations which include fill locations, fill site distances, travel time for tankers, tanker refill and dump times and other critical building / access info. We have had drills and will be drilling more to improve our operations in these areas, and all of this is with one primary goal - to improve our capabilities to those living in these areas. And, if it all works out as I hope it does, we will improve the ISO ratings in these areas, perhaps saving those living there some insurance money. Of course, we can't get over the Croton Dam anymore and they are closing Quaker Bridge this Spring, so our response times are going to get worse, so this probably will thwart my plans to improve our services...dang it. We'll just have to call on Mutual Aid more often to get there faster, which is fine by me. As a side note, I would love to equip my department with a 4th engine as a spare / reserve. All of our pre-plans and drills are based on having 3 Engines at the incident, so when 1 is OOS we're waiting on Mutual Aid. Since I am all in favor of being fiscally responsible to my taxpayers, when the time comes to replace our Rescue, it may be more intelligent to replace it with a Pumper/Rescue. (I know all of my members reading this just had heart attacks, but it's a real possibility that this could be of better use then the "box truck" we currently have.) A Mini-Attack capable of laying a supply line into these pesky narrow driveways where Engines won't fit, another thing I would like to see, but nobody wants to pay for. One can dream...

Is there a minimum height requirement to make it to Captain??? Good luck to the Montrose officers of 2009, looking forward to working with you.

One of the gripes I have is that people fail to see that a radio is a TOOL. And like all the tools we carry on our rigs, we need to train on them. I can't tell you how many times I have had people hand me a portable and say, "Put this on the right channel for me." Before we reprogrammed all of our portables this year, a member would have to select a zone then find their respective channel. It was decided that this was a pain in the arse, so we reprogrammed everything this year - portables, mobiles and base radios - to match. If Command tells everyone we are working on channel 5, it is the same for all. Now, that's on conventional radios. The trunked radios are a whole different game. No matter how often I explain to people how to use them, it never fails that someone will go to the wrong zone / talkgroup/ channel. About a month or two ago, we re-implemented our bi-weekly radio check. All apparatus are to participate in two "radio checks." The first is on the trunked system, the second on the Fireground channel. This way personnel know how to navigate the radio from one zone to the other. So far, there always seems to be one rig that goes to the wrong zone or talkgroup. Hopefully in 2009 it won't happen (as much). While on the subject of radios, there's a few peeves of mine I feel like sharing that hopefully some will learn from. 1. WAIT TWO SECONDS BEFORE TALKING! Whether I am at work, home or in the car I always hear partial transmissions because there is a severe lack of understanding by those using the radios. (This doesn't just apply to field units either...) To minimize this problem, we programmed all of our portable radios with pre-TX transmitters so you have to wait until that beep is done. 2. USE A FIREGROUND / TALKAROUND channel on scene! If your search team is inside and trying to communicate with the IC on a repeater, they may not be hitting it or only hitting it partially. When in close proximity to one another - get off the repeater. 3. IF IT CAN BE DONE BY PHONE - DO IT! Too often people use the radio like it's a phone or a Nextel. If you're going out of town for a parade or a drill, pick up a phone. Our SOG says this and most often it gets adhered to. It doesn't make sense to me for rigs to call on the radio that they won't be in service - pick up a phone. Someone might actually have a legit reason to be on the radio and you might be covering them. Sorry about the ranting...cranky this AM...

Worked last night down here at 60 Control with 637, 653 & 663. Working tonight with the same until 0100, then 630 comes in so 653 can go home and try out his new pink bunny PJ's. Merry Christmas everyone! It's funny hearing ALS doing the BLS engine thing and hearing the voice of "Christmas Past" working up in Putnam! Merry Xmas Billy O!

Happy Holidays everyone! Here's to all of you working or volunteering and answering those calls for help this holiday season. For most of you in Westchester, I'll be talking to you on the radio. Be safe, be warm, and be merry!

Well, ironically, we had a fire last week and this thread came to mind afterwards. I arrived late on the scene, a Deputy Chief (Nee: Dad) was the IC. We did an exchange of command, putting him in charge of Ops. I requested our Command board to aid me in running the job. Now, it was a smaller job that could of been worse (building construction, illegal work, etc.) but I always try to coordinate things in anticipation of it going bad. The Rescue chauffer brought me the board and legs and I started to set it up. One of my other Deputy Chiefs told me, "Don't worry about this, I got it, run the call." So he drew out a basic footprint, dropped the magnets into place and stayed next to me to assist me. I had the fortune of using three reliable Ex-Chiefs to keep an eye on all sides of our incident, and had Ex-Officers and Officers inside doing the grunt work. Just thought I would share this "success" story.

We've pretty much outfitted many, if not most, of our active personnel with a personal light as part of their PPE. The downside - a lack of charging it. Luckily most of our apparatus carry the same lights so a member can swap theirs out with a rig light. Handlights are stored in the cabs because most design emphasis is for the crew on the rig, not the ones coming to the scene. As far as radios go... we have a radio for every seat on our apparatus. That's a total of 36 radios between 3 Engines, the Truck, Tanker & Rescue. Not to mention each Chief, each Deputy Chief & Safety Officer. AND those that have personal radios. Do people STILL forget - yup. There's also people that don't want to carry a radio, and although their points are fairly good, I still wish they would. As it was said, only a team leader or unit leader should be communicating unless there is urgent or emergency traffic. If you are part of a 4 member crew, let the leader or Officer do the talking, and when he does have to talk, COVER YOUR MICS to reduce the feedback! Some places are putting radios with their SCBAs, and that's a good idea. The biggest problem I have is that all of our portables stay in their chargers, which cuts their battery life, because there is no place else to put them. Yet.