TCD0415

I personally don't think it was right to ask the VFP to go out and direct traffic for NYSEG. They are making money on the fact that they don't have to hire additional people to complete tasks that they are responsible for performing. If they were short staffed, they they should have "Hired" the Fire Police (or other qualified personnell) to help them direct traffic just as they would have to hire Flaggers on any job. I think that was an abuse of the Volunteer System.

Scheduled to go there next month. Still Planning on it. Running INTO a burning structure is probably 1000 times more dangerous. Just Sayin'

Having some discussion on the "Proper" way to carry your Portable Radio's with a colleague. Looking for some discussion on the good the bad and the ugly on how you and your department wear your radios. Radio Pocket on your coat ? Carrying Case inside your coat ? Carrying Case outside your coat ? Other ? And why you feel that one way may be better than another?

Date:3/1/12 Time:13:55 Location: 10 Westgate Terrace, Patterson Frequency: Disp 46.38. F/G 159.405 Units Operating: 2-1-1, 22-1-3, 22-2-3, 22-4-1, 23-1-1, 23-1-2, 17-1-3, 17-4,2 Weather Conditions: Overcast, Light Rain Description Of Incident: Phone Alarm of Fire in Residential Bedroom, Sheriff O/S confirming working bedroom fire. Fire contained to single bedroom in occupied Raised Ranch. Probable electrical in nature. Arson Team Investigating. Negative extension, negative injuries. Writer: TCD0415

Rest In Peace Matty O ! Your absence will leave a huge void with your brother Firefighters and Friends.......

In my department, the SOG's stipulate that a vest should be worn with the exception of when engaged in Firefighting Duties or when the vest impedes or becomes a safety hazard to the user. I am getting the same sort of message from what Chris is saying (makes sense to me). In a tactical situation (or possible one) it may actually be safer not to wear one. When things slow down or it is a Checkpoint or Traffic Detail, I am sure that you see more LEO's wearing them. On the flip side, a lot of FF's do neglect to wear them at times as well. Are you required to wear on the the helicopter ?

Crazy Stuff... Just when you think you have seen it all. Personally, (after asking the gentleman to set it down) I would have gone back in the station and told everyone to evacuate through the back door. Starting up the rigs and even carefully driving them out the door (past the device) to safe refuge, may have been just enough vibration to piss it off being old and unstable. No Thanks. Sorry Rigs, you loose. "Everyone out the back !"

Yep, Son of Ex. Chief Sarfaty - LFD. Like father, like son...

Personal Opinion: The way that the Arrow Sticks are used on emergency vehicles today makes them nothing more than just another flashing light with all the others. They get lost in the blur of all the other lights on the vehicle it is on and those around it. A good idea, but works better when it is isolated away from the other vehicles with minimal additional lighting turned on. You could always turn the rest of your lights off to make it more noticeable, but that probably isn't a good idea either. With the cost of these (over $1,000) I say put the $$ to good use with a decent (and not over the top) light package that will get the motorists attention and get them to slow down at which point they can determine how to proceed.

Consider this an official response from the department involved. VelcroMedic1987, After reading your post It is clear that you were not in attendance and should probably refrain from your negative comments as they are mostly inaccurate. First off if you were there you would know that the rig was not in reverse, it was moving forward at about 3 mph getting staged by the event organizers. The 87 year old gentleman was bumped by the rig as he walked in front of it while it was moving and sustained a facial laceration when he fell down. Nobody was "run over" ! He was never in intensive care and was actually released by the hospital and is at home currently. This was during the set up for the event and not after it was over. That being said, none of the public was even there yet so rest well, no poor children will be traumatized. And by the way, nothing was "swept under the rug", It was fully investigated by the police agency within this jurisdiction. The department has been in contact with the gentleman and wishes him a speedy recovery. Nothing more will be said on this forum by the department involved and any questions should be directed to Chief Ed O'Connell at 914-227-0233.

I am sure that most people on this board already have this training, But it really needs to go further. It should be required that all High School students have Basic FA / CPR courses completed prior to graduation. Hell, they make you take gym. Take a few gym hours and plug this in. Even if they never took another course again, one day they might run into something and remember the basics. True Story: While out at FDIC in Indianapolis last month, a bunch of us were out to dinner at some steak joint and during the meal, one of the guys with us (Paramedic /FF from Sacramento)stands up with this look and signaling he was choking. We looked at him with the Yeahhhhhh Rightttttt attitude, but that went away in about 2 seconds. His buddy next to him (another Paramedic / FF from Sac) stood up, assumed the position (whispered in his ear that he better not be F'ing kidding) and Bam, One Shot .... POP out came a chunk of Beef. He sat back down and started eating again like nothing happened. The other 8 of us sat there in disbelief, kinda like "did that just really happen?" He looked over to us and said NOT A WORD !!! Needless to say he was assigned someone to sit with him at every meal for the remainder of the trip and the jokes didn't stop for a few days. Hey, Ya never know. Good Work Guys.

Overall an unfortunate situation. My hats off to all the LEO's out there. You guys are really in a "No Win" situation anytime you resort to deadly force. Even if it is 100% justified, some douche-bag will decide that there is a money angle to it and drag a very unfortunate situation out even further. Good / Bad or Indifferent, there are always the mental scars that the officers will, carry for the remainder of not just their career, but their life. God bless you guys. I don't think you get enough credit.

Another thing to think about is that IF you feel that there is a legitimate need to disconnect power to the vehicle, make sure you won't need it later on. In an extrication, sometimes moving the seat back to the rear stop will gain you alot of extra room for patient removal. With an electric seat, once you cut the Battery Wire, that seat is staying in place. Also, if you need to roll the window down with an electric window, running it down with the motor sure makes a lot less mess than breaking the glass and getting it all over the patient. With these possible scenarios and others, it is usually best to try and "remove" the cable from the battery post like a gentleman, in case there may be a need to reconnect it later. Just make sure it is tucked out of the way and will not re-energize by popping back and hitting the terminal.

Do you remember the thread "Whats in your pockets" a while back? These guys are getting more and more creative..........

I have been to plenty of scenes where the FD and PD got into a pissing match (and once threatened to arrest the Asst Chief) over keeping a lane of traffic closed. Nobody usually wins. But, keeping the Right Land and Left Lane open, while operating in the center lane on an island is just pure INSANITY. Any supervisor or boss that backed his actions really needs to spend some time out in the trenches. Thats just plain crazy............