Monty

I'm sure this isn't the first department to use something other than a normal piece of appartus for some calls. Seems to make a lot of sense, especially if it does have basic equipment on the vehicle in case they can assist when there is a need.

ditto

We had this happen last year - to an ex-Chief. Except in that case no-one was footing the ladder. Had to call EMS and have them 'expedite'. did a real number to the poor guys foot.

Well, I think this may be a poor example, and perhaps a bit off topic - if you called a FAST, then there should always be FAST available. If you need to 'put them to work' call another FAST and have them on scene first. Or maybe better off, call another mutual aid department! Now I know I've discussed this before, but think of the liability. You call a department from across the county and they get involved in an MVA, try explaining in court why you needed that specific department. If you need resouces that much that they have to respond in emergency mode, why not use the closes available, trained resources? As for 'stripping' a department, it should be that Chief / Senior Officer's responsibility to deny the mutual aid request, or more likely call for cover for his/her department - in non-emregency mode.

For an average urban / suburban department, isn't that more than adequate (6 man / 500 gallon)? How many career departments have an engine crew of more than 6? I bet there's many that have 4 or less. Looking at cost / risk assessment etc, more medical / rescue / extrication space would seem to make a lot of sense in a lot of communities. How often have you used all the hose in the bed? All the handlines on the vehicle? Sure, 10 years ago, there was the surround and drown, but what calls did you do this past month or year? You can't have it all. Maybe we should reconsider what we really want.

I think Chris has done a great job here. From what I gather, at this level it is more knowing how to work with the system and the Executives. Sure, it helps to have the background, but if you don't at least believe in and respect the people below who (should) know how to take care of the implementation and doing parts of the department.

It's interesting, we were just talking about this the other day. We'd look to our SOP's but no-one can find them . We decided we could go 'driver training' in the area and see if there is anything to see - as others have stated, with the traffic. Ancedotally, my current situation with PD dispatching, there can be quite a lag. In my previous department, there was a dedicated Communications Center and if we heard something by the time we got to the Firehouse (no responding to the scene there), and geared up, we'd be dispatched anyway. The dedicated guys would go to the firehouse if we heard somehting good and get dressed up for the expected mutual aid call. We'd never self-dispatch, but we'd be on the radio responding as soon as the dispatcher finished.

Bit of a different story .... From the Portsmouth (UK) News Site

From a village in Northern Westchester - there are plenty of 'active' members that hang at the bar and don't make calls. Unfortunately, there are some that do hang at the bar and do make calls as well. In fact, how many of the new fire houses that have been recently built, or are being built have a nice new bar in them? I bet almost all - if not all.

I think there was a piece in one of the magazines recently (firehouse / fire rescue?), possibly by Chief Salka about this, with some pictures. From the article, reading between the lines, it sounded like they pitched to the makers of Sked - without much luck (the article didn't say explicitly who they pitched it to). Hopefully they'll have better luck now.

Just been sent this info ... 2008 NYS Fire Academy schedule and catalog has been released. http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/pdfs/train...rseschedule.pdf http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/pdfs/train...ningcatalog.pdf

Maybe around the tri-state area that's true, but even in NY there are plenty of communities that have Fire Departments and no local Police Departments. I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if in some places in this country there's a paid FD and no local PD. Additionally, around here they utilize volunteers in the PD as well (NYPD and WCPD that I know of).

How much truth there is to it, I don't know, but this morning reading Firehouse there's an article about volunteering. It states: Now, this wasn't the main thrust of the article - it was about appreciating volunteers and improving retension. I thought it was a well written article and intend to leave a photocopy or two posted at the firehouse!

It will be interesting to see what comes out of this .... Not sure what NTS is supposed to mean here?

Not really keeping the thread alive - just slow at my old age. Hope you had a great Birthday - enjoy your Birthday week! (If that makes sense )

Just checking WC DES Web site, I see they are trying again for FF1 & FF2 National Examinations on Dec 1 and 2nd. Maybe this time there will be enough interest to run the exam ....... Thanks for the info. I found the training listed at the Orange County FTC page. I'll add that to the list from Rockland and Putnam that I occassionally check in on to see what's offered. Monty.

From the article: Perhaps this is most telling. I read about this kind of thing 5+ years ago, vulnerabilities of and hacking of SCADA - but now it's been proven the former CIA Director says we better do something about it now ......

In my non-lawyer eyes, an NFPA personal escape rope combined with an NFPA approved carabineer makes a 'system'. Who has responsibility for complying with other laws? (OSHA etc). I imagine they would be the ones that have to defend the decision - my guess is that it's the Dept Chief.

I looked at the site and was intrigued. Anyone know what the monthly expectation of service is? Are there any concerns about FD membership and conflicting priorities? I guess a lot of the duties here are scheduled so it may be less of an issue.

I'm not sure I agree with that. I'm sure he has more material than just one seminar's worth. His columns and Secret List emails are very good. I suspect if you had BC Salka - it would be pretty much the same response. Personally, I am waiting for our monthly meeting this week to see if the department is going to sponsor the attendance before forking out the money myself.

I'm not as close to this as many of you but .... there is certainly the impression that these guys are cowboys and don't answer to anyone. As mentioned, they aren't accountable to the Iraqi government, apparently there was some statement about them now being held to the Uniform Military Justice code - but apparently that is still fuzzy. Now, I'm being slightly biased by what I read in the papers - but I'm sure Iraqi's don't really care if it's a Blackwater employee or DOD Employee (Marine /Army) - they just see it as a US soldier. I believe that hurts our image over there and makes it harder for all the military out there.

Bit reluctant to post this - but this is public information, somewhat on the record ..... Firehouse.com posting of Newsday article

I'd be very surprised if our FD got called. We are dispatched by PD and certainly do not automatically get called to all MVA's or Rollovers. Obviously I can't speak to our PD's SOP's because I don't know them - I assume they have them, but then again perhaps I shouldn't I don't even know if EMS would automatically be called for an incident with a roll over and occupants who have self-extricated.

Interesting article, although it took me a couple of times reading through it to get the picture - not the most elegant piece of writing Also, seems like bit of a case of sour grapes that NYSAFC wasn't more involved in the process - and that maybe there had been an end run ..... Also an interesting insight in to the way politics works. Finally, and not too surprisingly, the impression I get is, just ignore the law. Wont be the first time that happens (OSHA training, Infectious diseases, Hazmat training etc)

Mmm, did I miss something? Is it April?