Remember585

Last movie I saw was Forgetting Sarah Marshall, something tells me this will be my next movie trip. It'll have to wait two weeks though since I am working the next couple of weekends. Do you guys think people would be raving so much about Heath Ledger's performance if he was still alive? Something tells me it wouldn't get as much hype.

Do you guys still have MA27? I like the website - just check your spelling on a couple of things...

Do I need a translator? I was pretty clear - and don't appreciate your snide replies. I made a point that people "gave" after two of our country's worst disasters, only to get something back. My 2nd point was a fire service comment - but you laid the groundwork for that train of thought. Look at all the "heroes" from Hollywood who "rushed" to help New Orleans after Katrina. Some of them were quoted saying that their publicist told them they should go. The real "heroes" in all of that were those that responded and helped, whether fire, police, EMS or just good natured citizens. The other "heroes" are those that have chosen to not write it all off, move back there and rebuild their lives. So to you I say - "Settle down Beavis."

I'm going to disregard the fact that you are merely a kid - and probably haven't got much experience nor actual time fighting fires. (Yet.) Having this engine show up with a crew has many positive points. First, for departments that tend to go 2nd and sometimes 3rd tones to fill out a crew for one engine, this engine could be on scene before that first due department get out the door. How many times on your department's automatic Mutual Aid has Bedford Hills, Katonah, Kisco and/or Pound Ridge been there at the same time, if not ahead of, your units? Also, if you have a working fire or something that requires Mutual Aid anyway, do you make sure you are calling those that know your area? Most neighboring departments know a little about their neighbors and can find their way to a call. The point about water supply is a good one, but if you take an area, such as the Town of Bedford, you all know how to do tanker ops. Just like if all of Mount Pleasant merged their people into one staffed rig like Broome County does - they all know how to hit hydrants. Basic firefighting tactics are the same from one town to the next with slight differences. I am sure we all follow the same principles - like what line to pull, how to throw a ladder, etc. It is an idea that has potential, but as Seth said, we'll never see it here. At least not until some departments wake up and realize they can't do the job NOW without calling Mutual Aid everytime... My own Department is made up of 3 Engines, a Quint, a Tanker and a Rescue. Members always say that they are afraid to take in a call on another company's rig because if their company gets a run, it may not get out. It's a good point, but if the IC uses their head, they can send the already staffed rig(s) to the next run in addition to the one dispatched. Same thing career departments do when they have multiple runs - scale back an assignment or modify it. That's just my two cents.

While I agree people were moved by both of these tragedies, there was still a number of a**holes people looking for their payback. Whether it was those with a ton of money looking for a tax break or those looking to make money off of either event. While I like to remain optimistic about everything in life, there are so many people looking for "theirs" all the time. Give me 30 members who do it because they WANT TO DO IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS and kick out all those looking to earn their LOSAP or get other perks. If you want to give your time and earn something in return - GET A 2ND JOB.

I'm not into the whole parade thing BUT... I don't know how others feel, but nothing looks better then American flags and chrome axes in the color guard....

Yet another video reminding us why fire departments will always have something to do... http://break.com/index/home-movie-fire-stunt-goes-bad.html

Let's face it too - how many people know that Pleasantville even has a tanker?! I've said this before and I am sure I will bring it up again someday, there are A LOT of resources out there that many don't even know about! The best bet is to contact 60 Control, tell them what you need, and let them worry about who gets sent. Everyone always asks questions like, "why didn't so and so get called," not realizing there may be a reason or two - like a unit is OOS, a department declines a call, etc. If West Harrison asks for something, that's THEIR CHOICE too. I hate to quote JFLYNN ( ), but honestly, QTIP!

I think their plan is to use UHF portables, that go back into the rigs (as needed) via a pyramid or other repeater, back out on their VHF freq. This is what I remember last I spoke to one of them about this (months ago). I've never understood why everyone thinks a repeater solves everything. I agree it will improve things, but it takes more than just putting a repeater at your transmitter site. A good example is my own area. The PD has always had communications issues on their VHF-Hi thanks to the many rock cuts and iron ores in our area. To help minimize their "dead zones," they have upgraded to higher wattage vehicle radios and a few "voters" or "compariters" around the Village. Route 9 for us (as well as Montrose FD, SP, etc.) is a bad area. Even on the trunked system there are spotty areas of coverage along Route 9 between Ossining and Peekskill. For us, we have a voter on Sky View Nursing Home to help with our communications, as does CPD. It has helped quite a bit, but as you continue north it gets bad again. If you have them means to do so, my advice is to always try and use a mobile radio as opposed to a portable radio. A mobile packs a bigger punch (say 40 - 100 watts) as compared to a portable (4 or 5 watts). This is one reason we try as often as possible to keep the IC at their vehicle (or any apparatus) so they not only have a better radio to communicate with, but have access to multiple radios to coordinate things on.

Please elaborate.

False claims that we are providing a valuable service for free? Please enlighten me. I think it is a nice notion to suggest this tax credit, and as a volunteer I think that we may be getting a little more then we should. How many of us signed up to do this in the first place expecting nothing in return? As a Chief I think too many members now are focused on their "points" and not on the reason we are here. I don't think a function goes by where I don't hear "where's the sheet?" Please. Obviously there's enough people out there who come around often enough that they don't have to sweat every single attendance point. It's those that come around for the wrong reasons that are driving those that are there for the right ones away! If you take out your department's roster, and look at who your best FIREFIGHTERS are - I bet they're the ones you hear the least from when it comes to "where's my points!"

I've got a complaint regarding our relocate to 257HQ... I see all the patches and helmet fronts collected. WHERE'S THE E119 or T10 HELMET FRONTS?! After all, our members working there hail from the northside, no? (I may have one, either you or FDVA356 have to ask nicely though!)

The one guy in the video with the beard and glasses looks a little pissed and possibly shocked. I would of walked off the stage myself. You know, all this talk about altering our pledge and national anthem reminds me of something I learned in Elementary School. Our old music teacher, Mrs. Huntington (RIP), taught us that it is actually disrespectful to start applauding the singing of the national anthem before it is over. I remember this every single time I see the national anthem performed, especially at professional sports events. This country needs a swift kick in the a** to remind us of our values and that we can't let greed (money or otherwise) ruin the future. We're so morally deprived it is almost scary to think what it will be like 100 years from now...

Heck, I think I know a way to kill a bird with two stones here (no puns...) Get the cat. The cat eats the mice. Cat gets bigger. Cat suits up and rides as a 3rd man on the rig. Everyone wins. Isn't Peekskill Station 2 (R134) closed due to rodents? I know R134 has been sharing a bed, I mean quarters, with E130 / 39M2. It truly disgusts me that firefighters are expected to sleep in buildings like these, and there is little they can do about it.

Looks good, best of luck with it!

1. Yep, they have two rigs. 2. Units were directed to come SB in the NB lanes from Roaring Brook Road, seems like they had no issues getting in / out. 3. In the grassy area along the east shoulder of the SMRP. 4. 2062 had FD Command, 45M2 had EMS Command (so it seemed on my end of the radio, anyway). 5. I believe 45M4 was available and "posted centrally."

I agree we should be geared up and ready to go, believe me, it's one of my biggest peeves. But as far as the "public's perception," there's still a lot of them out there that see us as nothing more then noise making, rude, property destroying drunks! Many, or as I'd like to think of it as, most fire departments do a great job of keeping the level of professionalism as high as they can. It's a customer service based thing we do, and if the customer isn't happy with us, it's going to be damn hard to get the things we want (more equipment, people, etc.). Let's face it, in many smaller communities there is no need to stomp on the Q at 2 AM. While common sense SHOULD prevail, you just can't teach it, so that's where good policy and training comes into effect. When things like that photo from the Mamaroneck Parade pop up, that public perception I was talking about gets yet another foothold setting us back in our quest to better ourselves in the eyes of those we protect.

Our available resources: Marine 12 25' Boston Whaler w/ twin 150 HP outboard motors, a 250 GPM pump, deck gun, EMS supplies and spinal immobilization equipment. It is in the Hudson River at Croton Yacht Club from April - October (or so). It has firefighting and rescue capabilities. She's also had several thousand dollars worth of electrical and mechanical overhauls in the past two years. Radio capabilities include Marine VHF, Trunked/UHF and Low Band. Marine 32 16' Starcraft aluminum boat with a 20 HP outboard motor. This boat is on a tralier stored at Station #3 and can be towed by either R18 or Car 2081. This boat is primarily used for incidents in the Croton River / Reservoir system. Although there is no onboard radios, UHF and VHF Low Band portables are used. Zodiac 12' Inflatable soft bottomed Zodiac, also stored at Station #3. This also gets used in the Croton River / Reservoirs. No motor on this thing, it depends on people power. A response on the Hudson River for Rescue should be Marine 12, OFD Marine 14 (eventually), Verplanck FD Marine 1. A Rescue response on the Hudson River should be Marine 12, OFD Marine 14 (see above), Montrose Marine 51. (South) and/or Marine 21 from the FDVA. When / If WCPD DPS is in the water, they are also dispatched. A response in the Croton River is R18, M32, Zodiac, EMS. Additional is called when needed. And to give credit where it's due too... Croton PD has a boat (forget the specifics) that patrols the Croton River during Summer months. They also have a Dive Team which can be called anytime.

Battalion 10 has coordinated with the Verplanck FD for all of our Departments in the Battalion to meet up and see what everyone has in terms of Marine equipment. I think we have asked for the WCPD and some units in Rockland to come. Attention Battalion 10 members - this drill will be on Tuesday night, July 8th at 1900 at the Viking Marina in Verplanck! Trying to be there myself, but working.

I should of clarified - we aren't using the Code 1 and Code 2 stuff anymore, it's all "Emergency" or "Non-Emergency" responses. I like to shortcut it when I type, and it's an old habit to kill.

Working... let me know how all your BBQ's go. Happy 232nd Independence Day America!!!

Our Department's SOG is fairly similar. Code 1 = Emergency Response / Code 2 = Non-Emergency Response Code 2 is for CO-No, Elevators jammed, fluid spills, lockouts, relocates, fires w/ no exposures or hazards to life, police assists and public assistance calls. Code 1 is for CO-Yes, MVAs w/ injuries, fires, rescues, etc. For an AFA, the 1st Due goes Code 1, all others Code 2. Most of the time we get an update saying it is workers or burnt food, and the Chief will knock it down to just one unit, Code 2 for the paperwork.

After drafting you should always remove any strainers and BACK FLUSH the tank and pump. That's the best way to free up anything that may be jammed into the piping, etc.

I don't know what the exact number of Interior Firefighters is in Peekskill, but I find it VERY hard to believe that it would only be 40. I get that the ISO calls for 36 volunteers per incident, but to me that is overkill 90% of the time. Let's face it, most calls we all do are nothing more then "clipboard calls." On both sides of the fence, paid and volunteer, most times a response is scaled back once information is provided saying it is a false alarm or something simple to handle. One rig with 3 or 4 people should be enough to mitigate most calls we respond to, regardless of whether or not those on board are getting paid to be there or not. The one thing, or one word, that is going to bite us all in the a** one day is - ASSUMING. If we assume personnel are coming but have no way to actually guarantee it - someone's going to end up on a chopping block!

Not knowing what happened doesn't change my opinion. So long scumbag.