Remember585

Thank God. I am sick of listening to the bulls*it flying out of her mouth. Now we only have to hear it from two people...

Let me see if I can elaborate on the system and calrify some things. There are 10 "Battalions" or "Zones" in Westchester County. The "Battalion" is a Deputy Coordinator, not a Chief. As far as how they are laid out geographically, I really don't have an answer. It isn't based on "who goes to who most," because if it was, we would be in the same Battalion as Ossining (I would think). I believe that Deputy Commissioner Jackson (Car 2) is the County Fire Coordinator, as recognized by NYS OFPC. Our Battalions are Deputy Coordinators who work under him. Their responsibilities include (but are not limited to) coordination of resources at major incidents, coordinating training within their zones, being a point of contact between agencies and DES, and assisting each agency in as many ways as they can. VACguy had a point where the Battalions should be knowledgeable of the resources not only in their zone, but neighboring zones and elsewhere. Most of the Battalions in Westchester do an excellent job of knowing their role and not overstepping their boundaries. The way I look at it as a Chief is simple. If I have a structure fire, we have several alarm levels already programmed into 60 Control's CAD which will automatically send us what we want without having to ask for each specific resource. Other incidents (like large brush fires, Haz-Mat, etc.) where we need several resources, the Battalion can offer his knowledge and coordinate those resources while communicating with our IC. This leaves the IC to run the incident, and allows the Deputy Coordinator to cover all the other bases for you. The key, which I feel most people "get" is communication. And again, most of the Coordinators seem to do this very well and most Chiefs are recpetive to this, thus making most incidents run smoothly. Hope that helps a bit.

I'm in the process of ordering blades for our saws. What kind of blades would you put on your K12 type saws on Engines, Trucks, Rescues? What types of chains would you put on your chain saws? In an ideal world, it would be nice to have one saw with each type of blade to expedite things and not have to worry about changing blades, but that perfect world isn't around here. Any feedback is helpful, thanks. You can reply here or PM me, either way is fine.

Looking at this photo made me think of something else. Should I, as the MPO, need to get into the cab to do something in a hurry, I now have to step over the hoses to do so - whereas if it was a normal side-mount pump, I could position myself at the pump with the hose to my right. I'm not against it nor am I trying to spark debate, but it's just not that "exciting" to me. Heck, I'm still not sold on top mount pumps and/or CAFS! I guess I'm a little old school after all.

The Department does not deserve discredit for one hammer head. If we all put our heads together, I am sure most of the Departments out there have had a black eye or two in their history.

Perhaps I'm a bit naive, but how does one gain compartment space when you put the pump panel in a compartment? I also have looked at photos of this PUC configuration, and to me, the crosslays seem to be a little low for my taste. I like where they are on most rigs, specifically the Seagrave. I can grab it, shoulder it and walk away. The PUC looks as though I would have to croutch a bit. And my last concern - I am always hesitant to jump in and buy something when it first comes out. Give it a few years to be tested and tried so they work out any issues they find. I think too many people will jump in and buy something simply because it is the latest "fad" or thanks to a great marketing program. How many people are members of a department who has seen stuff purchased because it's the latest and "greatest" thing, only to find it's not all it's cracked up to be?

Was that the first "job" for TL27? Great photos. Hey 2063 - (Glad to see the black kept out of the green...)

I think I did say that BLS, ALS, FD and PD can call.... which is what you posted as well. Again, from the time I have sat in their training and time spent working there, I was told over, and over, and over again that any of the above can call. I don't really care what the opinion of WREMSCO is, they don't decide on STAT or LifeNet's policy. I will agree that it does seem to get over used, but like I said and as it should be with any other specialized resource out there - GET TRAINED ON IT.

Everyone needs to stop speculating, assuming and guessing as to the uses / procedures of STATFlight / LifeNet. Bottom Line - HAVE THEM COME AND EDUCATE YOUR ORGANIZATIONS!!!!! We have hosted them 4 or 5 times in the last 15 years or so. They are the most inept on how they operate, because THAT'S THEIR JOB! ANYONE CAN REQUEST MEDIVAC. Whether it is PD, FD, CFR, EMT or MEDIC. From what I know during training and from the nearly 2 years I worked there, they prefer to be put on standby if you think you'll need them. It gives them time to get out to the bird, warm it up, check their stuff and plot it out on the maps, etc. This can take MINUTES - so if you know you're 15+ minutes out from WMC and/or you're looking at an incident with a prolonged disentanglement / extrication - you may want to consider that chopper. As a side note - if you wait too long to call, and your patient is already in the bus - go! Don't wait if you think you can make it to WMC before they show up. That's just defeating the purpose. REMEMBER - CALL THEM AND ARRANGE THE TRAINING - IT IS WELL WORTH IT!

Not a shot at WCPD at all, even though I know it seemed like that. Was curious as to how we all are suppost to know what warrants a response of everyone? I hear calls for boats in distress which could mean anything from taking on water, out of fuel, lost, run ashore, etc. and always wondered how it's decided who gets stuck responding to it. Aside from a potentially life-threatening emergency and/or a hazardous condition threat, I think sending everyone is a waste. If a car runs out of fuel, they get a tow. So why not send Sea Tow to some of these incidents instead of emergency responders? Anyone have thoughts on this? I am no very "marine savy" but am willing to be edumacated on it.

I'm not flaming WCPD, but I see why it would seem like that. The point I was trying to make (at 4:30 AM or so) was that the way the incident post was made, it sounded as though a boat CRASHED into the rocks, which posed a danger to those on the vessel, and until someone got on location, could have involved injuries or another hazardous condition. It's not a big deal considering there were no injuries or other hazardous conditions caused. BUT - if the information provided was for a vessel in distress, how come the usual FD response you see on the river wasn't made? Again, this is not a dig at WCPD, or anyone in specific, just a general quesion of how one is to know what type of distress call warrants FD and what doesn't. I know aviation has the county's fireground channels, has there been any progress outfitting Marine 4 with them or even a trunked radio? I know that it was being looked into. It would help us out so much more then relaying things thru dispatch, etc. Again, I don't know how it was dispatched, but if it was for a boat "accident" - then what harm is there in notifying local FD vessels? As it's been stated, they thought they were north of one place and wound up being roughly 3-4 miles away. Had the River Response been activated, an additional 2-3 boats would of been deployed which could of expedited locating the incident. Luckily the chopper was up and available, but what if it hadn't been? AMEN! I think there is something in the works for us FD Marine units from Croton to Peekskill to get together with the WCPD unit so we all can see what we all have. On a side note - WCPD has so many great resources that I think most departments have no idea exist. Have you guys ever considered maybe sending a letter to all the local FD, EMS and even PD agencies to "show off your goods?" Thanks.

Well, if it was north of Croton Point Park as originally dispatched, and found where it was, then my guess is that no FD response was made, considering our Marine unit was never dispatched. What makes me kind of laugh is that WCPD goes above and beyond to make sure the Fire Departments around here are aware of their capabilities and ask that we think of them when we have a river incident, yet this one should of been a mutual response by PD, FD and maybe even EMS at a staging point. Not that it's a big deal, but it's almost annoying that we keep being reminded that WCPD has marine units out there to "help us" and yet, when an incident comes up where it could of been helpful to have FD assistance, we're (Croton, Montrose, VA Montrose, Verplanck and even Rockland FD Units) are left in the dark.

Seems this fire just got interesting...

The number of people marching in a parade means nothing. Many departments will throw a uniform on anybody willing just to look good and hopefully take home a trophy which, at the end of the day, means nothing about how well that department does it's job. The number of cars at the firehouse means nothing at all. If I drive by a station in my town the parking lot is full almost 24/7 - but that's because it is a commuter lot. It's not a "false" advertisement it's just a parking lot. As for advertising Interior vs. Exterior personnel - how many career departments "advertise" the number of people on their staff that no longer fight fires, but are doing work in other roles, such as paperwork, inspections, etc. Volunteer training should include FFI, Survival, Haz-Mat, AVET and FAST training. CPR too and even First Aid if you provide any form of EMS response. Annual refresher training is a must, going from the basics of our PPE to drilling on every piece of equipment carried. Sure it takes a lot of time, but if you are going to be on that rig going to calls, you need to be well versed and prepared for just about anything. Can we please GIVE IT A REST ALREADY. I don't think anyone reasonable can dispute the two most obvious things affecting us in the fire service - the overall lack of manpower needed on both sides and the lack of training required to be a volunteer firefighter. If anyone thinks we get enough training they are DEAD WRONG and that attitude will result in people being hurt or killed. Good night.

Hasn't this horse died over and over again? Combination departments are a totally different animal then those in the all paid or all volunteer world. It always seems to turn into a power struggle, and the overall point of existence (helping those in need) gets overlooked to accomodate egos, traditions or both. If your department has career staff it's there for a reason - and usually that reason is a lack of personnel. Fire38 made a good point that in some departments, "routine" calls don't get a response from volunteers and the career member(s) are the only responders. Is it right? Not for me to say, but I do hold the opinion that when you sign up to be a member, you shouldn't have the luxury to pick your calls - when the pager goes off and you have no reason not to go - you go. So many people in so many departments have the "it's nothing" attitutude and it is killing the volunteer departments. If your attitude is to ignore the "routine" calls then don't be surprised when you go to the firehouse one day and see an IAFF logo on the rig and a guy or two in uniform in the cab. (More then two would be nice, but we all know how that goes...) You want your volunteer department to work - then put up or shut up. Stop resetting the pager, stop blowing off the "routine" calls, stop skipping drills, stop the "I'm a volunteer so I don't have to do that" mentality and STOP ELECTING LEADERS WHO CAN'T LEAD! If your department has a manpower issue or a lack of training issue, ADDRESS IT - DON'T IGNORE IT! Forget about your members, your LOVED ONES expect you to come home every call, so give your members the right training, and if you don't have the manpower to do it right and do it safely, then it's time to explore the other options! If NYS does not dictate what training each of us needs - then each department should get with their neighbors, who get with their neighbors and so on until - as a county - we all agree on what minimums we should have that give us the basic skills & knowledge to do the job right and to do it safely. I don't get why in Department 1 you only need ABC training but in neighboring Department 2 you need ABC plus DEFGH and I. Sorry for ranting on, just a little tired and a little tired of excuses with no progress...

Question to the LaGrange guys... Demilto didn't work on those buses did he?!

My laptop crapped out - just got it back. Give me a few days...

Having been in all of Peekskill's stations at one time or another, and knowing how their manning goes, I think this might be the best solution for the Peekskill FD and wish them the best of luck with what is a MORE THEN DESERVED NEW FIREHOUSE.

While reading the OFPC Website, I noticed this for the first time: I'm pretty up on this stuff and don't recall seeing this before, does anyone know when they decided on this? I kinda feel left out in the dark.... :angry: Now, I have a question. Are guys who are from the old school "Essentials only" days required to take additional to remain on the interior list? Some of them have 25-30 years experience that guys today can't compare with, and are great assets because of their experiences. And, not to runaway on the topic at hand, but when OFPC decides to create equivalencies or new "recommendations" they should get the word out better. I haven't seen anything come across my desk (or email) with some of the newer info I found today looking at their site. I like to think I stay on top of these things and get annoyed finding out "by accident" looking for other info.

FAST should be given to all interior personnel. Whether they are part of a dedicated FAS Team or not is up to them and their departments, but everyone should know the two most important things. How to save themselves and how to save their brothers. Mike, Survival has been offered by some Instructors in addition to the Firefighter I course, with the Instructor having the forward thinking to basically give both at the same time. Sadly, it is still not a part of the actual course curriculum. It should be, and hopefully it gets done soon. From the OFPC Website:

Good question Andy. Our Department has a Training Division that coordinates and conducts all Department Training. We host two training sessions per month (in addition to Company and FAST training). We are also working on the department's minimum training requirements and we help write SOGs. Our Training Division is made up of several members and officers including five NYS Certified FSI 1's. We have a member who is a college professor at NYU and a dentist who handles our bloodborne pathogens and other medical related instruction. Also, we have five ASHI certified CPR/BLS Instructors rounding out our unit. Nobody on this unit has less than 10 years of experience in the Department. It's a good mix of past, present and future officers who all have a desire to better the department in any way we can.

I think we may have discussed this before, and if memory serves me, I think we determined that the State has no set minimum training for interior / exterior personnel and it is left to each Department to decide. This is a good question, because when we go to the WCFTC we are asked if everyone is up to FF I, which to me is not correct, it has to be interior as determined by the department, no? Our Interior personnel always have to comply with the recommended training requirements. So 15 years ago it was Essentials, then it was Basic & Intermediate and now FF I. We also require FF Survival now to be Interior. To me, Survival should be in the FF I curriculum, and the FF I program (w/ Survival, HMFRO & CSAS) should be the minimum for Interior members.

You know, fresh killed rabbit probably smells better then what most cabs already smell like...

Anyone know what is going on in Orange County? I heard the OC ask RC for it's TRT and HM Teams.

I'm not that impressed. At the end of that video, it doesn't appear the fire is completely out. Give me a 1 3/4" line with two guys that know what they're doing and I bet it goes out in that same amount of time. As you can see in this video, more fire, use of a 1 3/4" and in almost the same time, it's a thing of the past. Plus, not to stray off subject too far, what's with the two knuckleheads sticking their unprotected heads in the car?? I'm sorry, but with all the airbags in cars now, there's no reason to stick the ol' noggin in their. Especially without PPE and an SCBA.