towerladder2

175100 round 15. Very addictive. Thanks alot. (sarcasm)

That's pretty funny. I'm the guy with the "31" front piece. Badge #1818. Didn't even know the camera was on me. I can say that drill was less than organized. Alot of people running all over the place. More Chiefs than you can shake a stick at..... Hopefully this time around there is a little more planning involved. I know Port Chester will be there.

Just wondering what is unprofessional? Standing up? What would be the reprimand? Sit down on someones lap? Get the facts straight! Comparing volunteer against career in reprimands and paper write ups is apples to oranges. There is no such thing. We all know that. So you are just stirring the pot more than needed. Your right as a taxpayer is justified. And i can guarantee you that reprimand or not, when you call 911, whether or not we are standing in the ladder with 8 guys, you will be happy to see us! I know this is not the appropirate response but i am getting fed up with the rediculousness of this all. I understand that this video should never have been put out. We all have members that get a little over the top with pride in their company and go a little far. We all do. Lets just put an end to this all now, before this gets REAL ugly!!!!!!!

I can understand and appreciate the CONCERN that I am feeling from some of my BROTHER firefighters on here. I also love it when we get called "buffs" when the truck company in Port Chester does more than 650 calls per year....more than most departments do. So keep with your name calling and your constructive posts. That does alot to keep with the mission of this website. What are we supposed to do when there are two jump seats and 6 people going to the call. Not go? Let them respond in their pov's? We all know how safe that can be. What is the answer? The new rig is due in the next two weeks. We have had this rig for 26 years. Has it been wrong this whole time? What is the answer then?

We were just about to go to the St Pat's parade in Greenwich when that box came in. There are only two jump seats on that truck, so when there are more than two guys riding in the back we have to stand when responding. Unfortunately since we were on the way to a parade and took in the box, the guys were not in gear to the call. With an open cab, that's what happens. There are mansavers intalled as an added precaution. So let's not get crazy with this.

Doing a complete refurb of the ladder was not a cost effective solution. The aerial was refurbed due to safety reasons. One of the flys of the ladder had indents caused by the slide wheels. This was found nearly two and a half years ago. At the time, the village did not have funds available to bid out a new truck, and the process would have taken too long to only have one aerial in the village. So we investigated a complete refurb of the truck. The cost for the new stick, new tractor, enclosing tiller seat, and overhaul of body would have come to nearly $300,000. This is alot of money to end up with a new tractor and a 25 year old rear. The new vehicle is less than $700,000. So with the hard work of the truck committee, a new Smeal will be arriving in the very near future, and I can say it is an AWSOME rig.

Izzy, if you want to pm me, let me know when you you want to come down and I'll meet you at HQ and show you around. We can go around to other firehouses if you want. I will be going out to Smeal this Sunday until Tues. night.

Joe, the companies are the only ones who get those records. Normally come out at annual meetings. (Whenever those fall). Chris

Port Chester Fire Dept. did 1393 fire calls for the year. Down about 300 or so from the year before.

I worked with Darrell at Manhattanville College Campus Safety before he went on to become Chief. Knowing him back then pains me even more with the thought of how much the Chief's job meant to him. Also his wife and son. I am utterly devistated at this loss as well as anyone who came in contact with this gentleman. Godspeed Darrell. Truly another sad day. Chris

Being from Port Chester you can say that I have first hand knowledge of the BIG issues surrounding this problem. I am not in favor at all for giving illegals licences of any sort. Just because they obtain a license does not mean they are going to rush out and get insurance or keep it if they get it. You look at alot of the license plates in town and you will see North Carolina plates. That is because you do not need social security numbers there to register a vehicle. This is common in Port Chester. Now another issue that has not been touched upon is the fact that the burden of these illegals in society is what is causing hospitals to close and schools to be overcrowded. What is the answer to that? Don't help them? Turn them away? It is way too late for that. United Hospital in Port Chester closed two years ago due to the overwhelming number of illegal patients not having coverage or paying their bills. Now they are all going to White Plains or Greenwich. Let's see how long it takes before there are problems there. Now the schools are building classrooms every year to accomidate the influx of new students. Where does it end?

Firefighter70......You state that you are in awe of your men, well we are in awe of all the men and women that are deployed overseas and in country that are protecting us. May God keep all of you safe, and we ALL wish for your speedy return!!! Thank You !!!!!!

Port Chester runs two carreer engines. Engines 58 and 59. 58 is staffed with two men and 59 with one. However with time off, 58 mostly runs with one man.

Another point that has to be made is the fact that this is a profession (either career or volunteer) that comes from the heart. This is something that is inside each and every one of us. It is not something that can be instilled or taught. That is the reason that we do it! Not for the salary, not for the acolaides, and not to be a "hero". You can have a certain amout of recruitment and reachout to the community, but short of holding their hand and walking them through the door, what else are you looking to do for them? I understand your points on community involvment. But like many have said in the thread, you can only do so much for a person and then it is up to them to continue on a path.

Ooops. Sorry, thought I had an answer, but was completely wrong.

I will actually reply to this one. I used to put some comments in here and there. I wasn't one of the mass posters on this forum, but I always read the posts. I have been an active member of the Port Chester Fire Department for 20+ years, going through the ranks and was captain of the ladder company 3 times. I also ran for Chief of the department. So you can say that I have a little experience. I gave my honest opinion on a thread regarding member turnover and someone (un named) actually told me that he was disgusted to have me responding to his house. Also that I was a disgrace to the volunteer sector. Is this what I am to expect when I give my opinion??? Just to let you know what some of the problems might be........

Might as well........ Started in explorer post 700 in 1985. Explorer captain and president. Joined Harry Howard Hook and Ladder in the Port Chester Fire Department in 1986. Went through officer ranks 1991-1997. Captain 96-97. Again Captain 2000, and 2002. 20 years experience in one of the busiest combo departments in Westchester. No experience like PC burning in the 80's!!! Numerous certifications. Emt in 1986. D-cert with refresh. Ran with Abby in the days. Expired in 1995. Much more......fingers too tired!!!!!!!

She calls us all the time. We usually ask her what she is wearing and she hangs up. She used to hang out at shopping centers with signs full of writing until she got put away for trespassing.

We have just signed contract on our new Smeal ladder. They have these led's standard on their ladders. It is a great solution for nightime ops.

Alpha 1......Are you telling me that while volunteering at a vac, if all you do are bls transports from nursing homes, that you would be anxious to go in and do your time because you are serving? That you wouldn't say.....I wish we get a good call today? I'm sorry but I don't buy it. Of course the reason that I do this is to serve. I have for more than 20 years, both as a FF and an EMT, but you must think truthfully about the matter. Morale would bottom out at a vac if all you had were basic transports. This is just the nature of the beast.

I believe that there are a few issues that cause "burnout". One, unfortunately is the lack of fires. We all know that the exhillaration of fighting fires is one of the main reasons for us to be here. When there is a lack of fires the morale can dip, and members get down. I know that there are people that will disagree, but no amount of training will make up for a real fire. Not only the actual fire, but talking to others about the fire for weeks after. What you did, where you were...etc. It keeps the blood boiling(no pun intended)!! Another issue is that there are some 40 members per company and we all have to cover each other. If you need a break tell an officer, and they will make sure that there is coverage. We need to utilize the membership that we have. It is about working together as a team. We all cover for each other to get the job done.

Harry Howard Hook and Ladder Company #1 of the Port Chester Fire Department is regretful in announcing the passing of Gladden Houck, 40 year member and starter of Explorer post 700. Gladden started Post 700 35 years ago, and through his love for developing young men into firefighters developed Explorer Training day at the training center that is held every June. Many of the firefighters around the county and abroad owe their start in firefighting to Gladden. As well as that, he was a past Captain of the Ladder company. Port Chester Fire Department services will be held September 14th at 1900 hrs, St Paul's Lutheran Church, King St. and Comely Ave, in Rye Brook. All past post members as well as firefighters who wish to pay tribute to this great man are requested to attend.

AlsFF....Point well made. However you also cannot forget the FF's responding in their own vehicle. Alot of times they will get there right behind the rig, and even get there before the rig. At this point depending on the circumstances, the decision as to who does what. And yes, the training of each individual will determine what job he/she is capable of doing. Just another point........no one in our company gets a job on their own unless they have worked with a senior member at at least 5 fires. Again....my $.002 worth

Here in Port Chester we use riding assignments. Each seat in the truck has an assigned task, and the corresponding equipment is located at that seat or as close as possible to the seat. Officer has officer's tool, back to chauffer has the irons, back to officer is can man(with universal hook right outside the cab), Second seat chuf. side is OV, and second seat to officer is roof. Again, as stated, this works best with full compliment, however, even riding short, everyone knows what job to do without being told. The officer has enough to think about on way to a job. Just my $.02 worth