Cos Cob 215

The units I mentioned on Fenton Fire's site are those from the NYBFU Fire Patrol. I had only heard of the Bronx group once or twice and that they were not affiliated with the NYFP. NYFP Patrol #1 was covering the Bronx prior to the closures and I saw them on a few multi-alarm jobs there over the years.

I looked on the Fenton Fire site and they also have Patrol - 4 (asking about $90,000.00) ... the back-up that was acting Patrol - 2 most recently. They also have the new Patrol - 3 (asking about $126,000.00). A bit out of our price/size range cause we are looking for a vehicle to use instead of the Patrol - 1 loaner which is OOS.

The King Street fire station will be on the northwest NY/CT border, Banksville is near the Northeast border near Stamford (Long Ridge Fire District). As of a few years ago most of their calls were in Greenwich, with the rest in Westchester County and a handful in Stamford, CT. It is easier having them set-up with radios and apparatus designations for both CT and NY. Their guys go back and forth virtually seamlessly between the two systems. They are dispatched by 60 control. If Greenwich needs them, they activate their Greenwich tones over the Greenwich frequency and they also call 60 control for dispatch over 46.26. All of their members have NY pagers, some have both. Their funding is different from most volunteer companies in that they have their own budget line item (I believe Round Hill does also). Greenwich handles their ladder testing (they do it in my station, Cos Cob). I think that answers most of the questions.

I went to the Greenwich, CT Post Office on Greenwich Avenue. They were very efficient and nice. I had previously downloaded the forms from the State Dept. website. I called for an appointment and got one later that same day (pictures and all). They sent the passport expidited just in case and I got it last week. The only downside was that there is an extra fee to "rush it through" Christian

In Greenwich, CT GEMS has device like this, I believe it is called and Autopulse. They say it is great when you are shorthanded and wish to continue compressions and can work while you are doing other things like placing the stretcher into the ambulance, carrying it down the stairs where there is limited access to perform good compressions, etc. Hope this helps. Christian Andersen Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, Inc. www.ccfpp.org

Just wanted to send a quick thank you to all that responded to I-95 with us the other night. Folks have been asking that we send an update on this incident and as acting Captain I will attempt to give you what I can. Patrol 2 was on the scene of an MVA on I-95 South between Exits 5 and 4. It was blocking two lanes where there had been a fuel spill and several MVAs (contractors were cleaning up). At approximately 04:10 the fire line was entered and the rig was hit on the passenger side injuring/trapping the driver of the car and the injuring the passenger in the officer seat of Patrol 2. The condition of the driver of the car is not confirmed at this time. The officer of Patrol 2 was taken to Stamford Hospital by GEMS. He was treated, released and will be OOS for a few days for rest. The truck has heavy body damage on the passenger side and is OOS. We will be doing an evaluation of the damage in the next few days. Just a week ago I made a post about this truck being completely disposable and it most certainly did is job protecting Patrol 1, CSP, and CTDEP; all of which had members working in the area being protected. I was the officer on Patrol 1 that night. Both Captain Kelly and I were very pleased with our members who after being struck jumped off the rig and immediately began extrication from the car and patient care. We also wanted to publicly thank the other companies in GFD who reponded faster than I have seen in 10 years in the patrol. Usually we talk about minutes seeming like hours, but that was not the case. Units from Cos Cob, Sound Beach, Central, and Byram responded very effectively to our call for help and once on scene were also able to extricate 2 more people from cars who were involved in yet another accident in the area. We also wanted to thank GPD, GEMS/SEMS, CSP, CTDEP, GFD administration, and Selectwoman Penny Monahan for responding and assisting our members. Christian Andersen 1st LT Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol

In Cos Cob, CT (Fire Police Patrol) we respond to incidents on I-95 between Exits 3 and 6 mostly. We always send our big truck (Patrol 2) as a back-up unit for responders from Greenwich PD/FD/EMS and CSP. There were a lot of good ideas in this thread, but some concern about people (who I also realize are out there) that are worried about getting their new apparatus wrecked. Our big truck while it costs about the same as an engine, has been classified as completely and total disposable when it comes to being used as a giant traffic cone. The Byram FD had their Utility 3 demolished near the Weigh Station about 3 years ago and a Greenwich Police Officer lost his leg while getting equipment out of his trunk about 20 years ago. My dad worked for GPD at the time and it was one of the scariest and saddest moments in his career when he got the news. Also, our State Troopers tend to be very realistic when it comes to adding that extra lane of safety for the ambulance crew, the stretched fire hose, etc. In return we try to act efficiently to get the necessary jobs done quickly.

Izzy, It's great that you brought this up. Most people would think in a town like Greenwich, CT we don't see Collyer's Mansion conditions, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I personally have seen at least 7 or 8 of these in my 10+ years and have heard of 20 or 30 more in town here. Everyone who has the possiblity of going into a situation like this should read the article with the link on the incident post from Queens yesterday, it is an easy read and quite informative, thank you to the person that posted it. I can say first hand that these conditions really do exist. I have seen the rats and cats and fleas and in one case a coyote. No phone, electric, water, or sewer. In one case the water was still on and a pipe burst filling the basement to the windows. I have seen the hoarding. One guy had hundreds of cases (not boxes, cases) of laundry detergent. Another guy had arranged to have his 1/2 acre lot cleared of debris, but decided not to clear his house because he hadn't finished his yard after 22 40 yard dumpsters had been taken away. While this is a sad problem for many people, the stories continue to amaze me. Anyone interested in further discusing can certainly message me. Christian Andersen 1st LT Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, Inc.

In Greenwich, usually 1 engine is sent in each direction. In addition depending on manning you can also get a rescue, patrol, squad, and/or utility. As for personal vehicles, guys that live close to I-95 or the Merritt Parkway go to the entrance ramp and hitch a ride. In Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol we try to always enter I-95 from Entrance 4 so that the members know where they can catch a ride. Christian Andersen 1st LT. Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, Inc.

In addition to the regular high band and 800 mHz radio channels we also have a scanner on the truck with banks dedicated to Greenwich PD/EMS, Connecticut State Police, and MTA Police. We then activate additional banks with DPW, Westchester County, Stamford, CT etc. as needed. Christian Andersen 1st LT Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, Inc.

We usually only run the one rig. Good thing it looks rockin'! See it on the web at www.ccfpp.org Christian Andersen 1st LT Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, Inc.

Below is a link to some of the photos for our wetdown. And yes is was wet. We put the truck in the middle of our back parking lot and people kept a good distance. The other company in our house brought their 2nd due engine to do the honors. It only last about 30 seconds and was followed by speeches. (Be brief, be entertaining, and be seated). Of course the focus was just to get people together with some good, no great, food and drink which was prepared by the Ladies Aux. and local restaurants. We also had T-Shirts made up for the event. The gathering was planned by one of our members who runs an event planning company. The pictures are complements of his website. We hope to have our own website updated in the next few days. I guess that sort of went on the back burner for several months. http://www.showtimeproductionsct.com/patrolwetdown.htm Christian Andersen 1st LT Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol

I was mentioning a little bit from both. When responding to a call down the avenue we usually don't have to ask much for the right of way. Most of the time we go thru the Greenwich Avenue traffic jam at 20 - 25 mph and vehicles clear a path for us. Sometimes a good blast of the air horns do the trick. Having the cops down on the avenue is a big help, much better than the opticom! For parades, people mentioned the younger kids and older folks that problbly don't like the constantly "blaring" sirens. I know my grandmother and younger cousins sit across from St. Mary's Church about half way thru the parade route and they would probably be satisfied with "just a few toots". Hope that clarifies things a little bit. Again I think it is important for the department to discuss these things ahead of time, and we can give the crowd what they came to see, whatever that is. Christian Andersen

I have read here that many people don't like the "exterior status". As a fire police patrol company we have guys (clean shaven who enter hazardous atmospheres w/ SCBA) and we also have guys that direct traffic and enforce the fire lines. If a situation changes (fire condition worsens, wind shifts, etc.) the fire lines need to be adjusted accordingly. These members would move back with the fire lines. I know our company can not afford to lose these "exterior" guys for two reasons: we need them to do their duties and we need them to free up the guys that do have SCBA related duties. For the several companies here that can afford to lose these guys, count your blessings. Christian Andersen Acting Captain Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, Inc.

I have been into serveral Federal buildings under the control of a U.S. Marshal, Marshal's deputies, and CSOs (Court Security Officers). The deputy I was with TOLD ME to present my badge at the security checkpoint along with my embossed ID card and drivers licence. Those with firearms must check them at the security checkpoint, only the Marshal and his deputies are supposed to carry in the courthouse. I have found that the personnel in these facilities use a great deal of caution and remain professional throughout. I have also seen first-hand what they seize from people and it runs the spectrum from small knives to a sawed-off shotgun. I am wondering if there is more to this story. I do think that anyone carrying a badge should be ready to act should an emergency arise and that it is shameful that people only carry a badge for ... Christian Andersen

The membership needs to agree ahead of time what the siren/air horn usage will be during the parade. I am a member in Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol and we frequently respond down Greenwich Avenue (one of the parade routes mentioned here). When we respond down The Ave. I only use the siren intermittently because there are Greenwich Police officers at every major intersection (Lewis Street, Elm Street, and Havemeyer Place/Arch Street) so we don't really need to move much traffic, it is gone before we arrive. I know there are some people who love to hear themselves echoing off the buildings, but I have done that route over 100 times. I did hear that they told all the drivers ahead of time to keep it quiet at the reviewing stand and that order was followed by all. I also know that many of the FD supporters hang out at the bottom of Greenwich Avenue and siren usage gets pretty crazy down there, but not as crazy this year because Patrol - 2 (my company) was babysitting a downed power line for the entire event. Christian Andersen Acting Captain Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, Inc.

Also, the words "STATE POLICE" glow front and back in Amber at the center of many of the bars.

I think they are on the list because their tanker has a Westchester portable radio onboard. They do on occasion travel into North Castle and vice versa for mutual aid water.

I remember when Powerball first went over $100 million and we were crazy in Greenwich FD. Some of the calls in my district (Cos Cob) took several minutes more to answer because of all the cars. This time things seem to be quieter with most people going farther up the line (also Mega Millions is up over $100 million I think). Another problem people may face here in Greenwich is the fact that Greenwich Avenue and Railroad Avenue still have a lot of snow on the curbs which is making the sidewalks much smaller than usual around Greenwich Cigar and Zynn's. I think they are going to SnowGo it in the next 2 days so that problem will be gone. Christian Andersen Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol www.ccfpp.org

As a member of the Cos Cob Fire Patrol in Greenwich, CT even the threat of a closure or drop in funding is disturbing. I have made many friends in the last 10 years in NYFP and wish them the best of luck and support their fight. These guys are the example that we follow. 1st Lt. W. Christian Andersen, Jr. Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol ccfpp.org