220LT188

FF1/FF2: National Certification etc etc doesn't mean a dam thing! I know a shitload of Career guys who have Certificates up the yingyang and are dumber then a box of rocks actually putting their lives along with their fellow Career FFs lives and the Public who they swore an Oath to protect in further danger. This can be directly attributed to, Nepotism,  lowering the Standards, turning a blind eye etc..etc... Just because you sat in a class and passed a test doesn't mean your automatically a Professional FF! If the Public only knew how many knuckleheads were out there so called protecting them! The Fire Service in many places is no longer a "Calling" its just a paycheck now unfortunately! Gimme gimme gimme!!!! Another handout Profession!

I just hope the fellow Career Brothers in neighboring Depts don't respond in to cover them!!!!!!! After all we are a Brotherhood right? Yeah OK!!!!

WOW.
So what difference would it make if Jim made $200,000 or the other candidate who gets elected makes $200,000? How would that change the outcome?
Did the opposing side do anything illegal? Please do not bring up the immoral or inappropriate ways this played out. Maybe looking at how that fire district conducts its business and the damage it causes on daily basis if you want to see immorality and inappropriate behavior.
A lot of people chimed in and put in their two cents. You know who the only true losers will be? The members that serve the district and public. The drama and "payback" that I am sure is already in the works and the toll it will take on members with dissenting opinions will be far reaching and those who have targets on their backs, who already have lost friendships, who have already suffered and who still struggle to find a reason to serve and do the right thing will lose again.
The fact is the Somers Fire District is in terrible shape. It is a sinking ship with its crew members busy fighting each other and looking out for their own interests and egos as boat goes down. If it wasnt for the fact that REAL people will die and property will be lost this would be a great TV show. Its a bad movie where real people suffer.
Jim Arena is a great person. A friend. A man I know I could count on anytime, anyplace, anywhere. He is well respected and liked among the people, even among the ones that did vote against him last night.
By the way. Do you have proof that the other candidate started any of those rumors, made any of those emails, or did any of those appalling things you say they did?
Or are you just as guilty of spreading vicious, outrageous and false claims as the person you so vehmently despise?

WOW.
So what difference would it make if Jim made $200,000 or the other candidate who gets elected makes $200,000? How would that change the outcome?
Did the opposing side do anything illegal? Please do not bring up the immoral or inappropriate ways this played out. Maybe looking at how that fire district conducts its business and the damage it causes on daily basis if you want to see immorality and inappropriate behavior.
A lot of people chimed in and put in their two cents. You know who the only true losers will be? The members that serve the district and public. The drama and "payback" that I am sure is already in the works and the toll it will take on members with dissenting opinions will be far reaching and those who have targets on their backs, who already have lost friendships, who have already suffered and who still struggle to find a reason to serve and do the right thing will lose again.
The fact is the Somers Fire District is in terrible shape. It is a sinking ship with its crew members busy fighting each other and looking out for their own interests and egos as boat goes down. If it wasnt for the fact that REAL people will die and property will be lost this would be a great TV show. Its a bad movie where real people suffer.
Jim Arena is a great person. A friend. A man I know I could count on anytime, anyplace, anywhere. He is well respected and liked among the people, even among the ones that did vote against him last night.
By the way. Do you have proof that the other candidate started any of those rumors, made any of those emails, or did any of those appalling things you say they did?
Or are you just as guilty of spreading vicious, outrageous and false claims as the person you so vehmently despise?

WOW.
So what difference would it make if Jim made $200,000 or the other candidate who gets elected makes $200,000? How would that change the outcome?
Did the opposing side do anything illegal? Please do not bring up the immoral or inappropriate ways this played out. Maybe looking at how that fire district conducts its business and the damage it causes on daily basis if you want to see immorality and inappropriate behavior.
A lot of people chimed in and put in their two cents. You know who the only true losers will be? The members that serve the district and public. The drama and "payback" that I am sure is already in the works and the toll it will take on members with dissenting opinions will be far reaching and those who have targets on their backs, who already have lost friendships, who have already suffered and who still struggle to find a reason to serve and do the right thing will lose again.
The fact is the Somers Fire District is in terrible shape. It is a sinking ship with its crew members busy fighting each other and looking out for their own interests and egos as boat goes down. If it wasnt for the fact that REAL people will die and property will be lost this would be a great TV show. Its a bad movie where real people suffer.
Jim Arena is a great person. A friend. A man I know I could count on anytime, anyplace, anywhere. He is well respected and liked among the people, even among the ones that did vote against him last night.
By the way. Do you have proof that the other candidate started any of those rumors, made any of those emails, or did any of those appalling things you say they did?
Or are you just as guilty of spreading vicious, outrageous and false claims as the person you so vehmently despise?

WOW.
So what difference would it make if Jim made $200,000 or the other candidate who gets elected makes $200,000? How would that change the outcome?
Did the opposing side do anything illegal? Please do not bring up the immoral or inappropriate ways this played out. Maybe looking at how that fire district conducts its business and the damage it causes on daily basis if you want to see immorality and inappropriate behavior.
A lot of people chimed in and put in their two cents. You know who the only true losers will be? The members that serve the district and public. The drama and "payback" that I am sure is already in the works and the toll it will take on members with dissenting opinions will be far reaching and those who have targets on their backs, who already have lost friendships, who have already suffered and who still struggle to find a reason to serve and do the right thing will lose again.
The fact is the Somers Fire District is in terrible shape. It is a sinking ship with its crew members busy fighting each other and looking out for their own interests and egos as boat goes down. If it wasnt for the fact that REAL people will die and property will be lost this would be a great TV show. Its a bad movie where real people suffer.
Jim Arena is a great person. A friend. A man I know I could count on anytime, anyplace, anywhere. He is well respected and liked among the people, even among the ones that did vote against him last night.
By the way. Do you have proof that the other candidate started any of those rumors, made any of those emails, or did any of those appalling things you say they did?
Or are you just as guilty of spreading vicious, outrageous and false claims as the person you so vehmently despise?

WOW.
So what difference would it make if Jim made $200,000 or the other candidate who gets elected makes $200,000? How would that change the outcome?
Did the opposing side do anything illegal? Please do not bring up the immoral or inappropriate ways this played out. Maybe looking at how that fire district conducts its business and the damage it causes on daily basis if you want to see immorality and inappropriate behavior.
A lot of people chimed in and put in their two cents. You know who the only true losers will be? The members that serve the district and public. The drama and "payback" that I am sure is already in the works and the toll it will take on members with dissenting opinions will be far reaching and those who have targets on their backs, who already have lost friendships, who have already suffered and who still struggle to find a reason to serve and do the right thing will lose again.
The fact is the Somers Fire District is in terrible shape. It is a sinking ship with its crew members busy fighting each other and looking out for their own interests and egos as boat goes down. If it wasnt for the fact that REAL people will die and property will be lost this would be a great TV show. Its a bad movie where real people suffer.
Jim Arena is a great person. A friend. A man I know I could count on anytime, anyplace, anywhere. He is well respected and liked among the people, even among the ones that did vote against him last night.
By the way. Do you have proof that the other candidate started any of those rumors, made any of those emails, or did any of those appalling things you say they did?
Or are you just as guilty of spreading vicious, outrageous and false claims as the person you so vehmently despise?

WOW.
So what difference would it make if Jim made $200,000 or the other candidate who gets elected makes $200,000? How would that change the outcome?
Did the opposing side do anything illegal? Please do not bring up the immoral or inappropriate ways this played out. Maybe looking at how that fire district conducts its business and the damage it causes on daily basis if you want to see immorality and inappropriate behavior.
A lot of people chimed in and put in their two cents. You know who the only true losers will be? The members that serve the district and public. The drama and "payback" that I am sure is already in the works and the toll it will take on members with dissenting opinions will be far reaching and those who have targets on their backs, who already have lost friendships, who have already suffered and who still struggle to find a reason to serve and do the right thing will lose again.
The fact is the Somers Fire District is in terrible shape. It is a sinking ship with its crew members busy fighting each other and looking out for their own interests and egos as boat goes down. If it wasnt for the fact that REAL people will die and property will be lost this would be a great TV show. Its a bad movie where real people suffer.
Jim Arena is a great person. A friend. A man I know I could count on anytime, anyplace, anywhere. He is well respected and liked among the people, even among the ones that did vote against him last night.
By the way. Do you have proof that the other candidate started any of those rumors, made any of those emails, or did any of those appalling things you say they did?
Or are you just as guilty of spreading vicious, outrageous and false claims as the person you so vehmently despise?

WOW.
So what difference would it make if Jim made $200,000 or the other candidate who gets elected makes $200,000? How would that change the outcome?
Did the opposing side do anything illegal? Please do not bring up the immoral or inappropriate ways this played out. Maybe looking at how that fire district conducts its business and the damage it causes on daily basis if you want to see immorality and inappropriate behavior.
A lot of people chimed in and put in their two cents. You know who the only true losers will be? The members that serve the district and public. The drama and "payback" that I am sure is already in the works and the toll it will take on members with dissenting opinions will be far reaching and those who have targets on their backs, who already have lost friendships, who have already suffered and who still struggle to find a reason to serve and do the right thing will lose again.
The fact is the Somers Fire District is in terrible shape. It is a sinking ship with its crew members busy fighting each other and looking out for their own interests and egos as boat goes down. If it wasnt for the fact that REAL people will die and property will be lost this would be a great TV show. Its a bad movie where real people suffer.
Jim Arena is a great person. A friend. A man I know I could count on anytime, anyplace, anywhere. He is well respected and liked among the people, even among the ones that did vote against him last night.
By the way. Do you have proof that the other candidate started any of those rumors, made any of those emails, or did any of those appalling things you say they did?
Or are you just as guilty of spreading vicious, outrageous and false claims as the person you so vehmently despise?

Best way to go about answering this question with reasonable intelligence would be to establish what power if any a 911 Dispatcher has, from a "police" stand-point. Obviously the dispatcher doesn't want to be held liable or responsible for putting the caller in danger, and certainly wouldn't be encouraging or expecting the caller to follow Martin soley for that reason of possibly putting himself
in harms way. What the caller can see visually is all the dispatcher can go off of and document the information caller is conveying to the dispatcher. That would be my guess. The dispatcher instructed Zimmerman not to follow probably for this very reason.

I just had a similar situation on vacation in PA where we witnessed a drunk driver hit the car in front of us head-on (glancing blow) then leave the scene. The girl popped right out of her car and the driver stopped watched then took off, so we followed and called 911. I told the the dispatcher I was following and he told me that I did not have to do that if I didn't feel it was safe. I noted we were travelling at a routine traffic speed and the subject didn't appear to notice me, but was very erratic. In the end about 4 miles of city driving with multiple turns and route changes they got him. At no time did I feel obligated to either follow or stop following, of course my actions were weighed against the safety of the "chase", to which I believe the subject remained totally clueless until the traffic stop.

This may be off topic a bit, but about a year ago I was on 684 south bound, when i was cut off by a drunk driver. I called 911 and spoke to NYSP dispatcher. Who asked me if I could follow the driver at a safe distence but also not chase the car down. I followed the car giving info of what he was doing and location every so often when asked. I also heard in the back ground the dispatcher talking to a Trooper giving the info. after a few minutes of this I heard in the back ground the Trooper state he was in the the area. The dispatcher asked me what lane was I in and to put my flashers on, also to tell him how far the car was in front of me. I passed that info on and within 30 seconds the trooper flew past and nailed him.
So my question is did the Dispatcher have the authority to ask me to do this, what happend if I crashed while doing this. I know I could of said no. For what ever reason I didnt.

PLEASE. This IS NOT a discussion about laws / racism / stand-your ground / guns / self defense / the right of the people vs. the right of the individual!!
Its was a simple discussion about the responsibilties, requirements, liabilites (both public & agency) of what a dispatcher can tell you, should tell you, obligated to tell you, lawfully should tell you and what the public should expect to hear from a dispatcher / call taker from an offcial government agency and wether they are obligated to follow it as it pertains to the case ie 'the dispatcher/call taker told Mr. Zimmerman that t"hey didnt need him to follow the subject" (Mr. martin), so could there be a case, in legal or civil court saying that Mr. Zimmerman was 'wrong' (not morally) but legally or liably for disregarding the dispatcher/call taker's "order/advice/suggestion?
PS- 1) If ya want to have the Left wing / Right wing arguement go and rally outside Fox news or MSNBC, cause guess what? Both sides are right AND both sides are wrong. It is the ability for calm, civil conversation with room to COMPROMISE to settle differences and come to a result that is for the common good that made this country great and which we are now destroying because we are all to self absorbed and arrogant to keep our minds open (like a parachute thats the only way they work)FOR EXAMPLE: I have the right to carry a gun, do I mind having (and I should) have a background check, training, safety measures for the gun when not in use? Of course I should have them all! This is why this country is tearing at the seems. 2) I think this is why people don't come here to post or get fustrated when they do. If anyone read my original post they would of understood that this was not a discussion about all the above bulls*&t! It was a general question about dispatching systems and procedures so that we might learn, have informed discussion, and maybe improve the way we SERVE the people!

So I DO NOT want to start a fight or discussion about the trail, contemporary american society, or 21st century racial/social issues. But...
I followed the trail and the after show and I noticed something that made me think. The 911 dispatcher told Zimmerman that the police were coming and they didn't need him to follow Martin anymore. A lot o people unhappy with the verdict were using this saying the dispatcher told him not to follow Martin and he did anyway. Some saying the dispatcher was asking a series of questions about the 'suspicious' subject like where he was going, more detail on what he looked like, and what he was doing, thus making Zimmerman follow Martin further in order to gain the information the dispatcher was asking about. So?
1) What are the the obligations of John Q. Public to follow the orders or directions of a 911 dispatcher? Do they have to or obligated to lawfully?
2) What training / requirements do dispatchers have in telling a person what or what what not to do? And what are the legal and civil liabilities of the dispatcher for doing / or not doing something?
I know every dispatch system is different and unique and follow state and local guidlines, and some dispatchers are police / peace officers. I am a dispatcher and have been for some years and I do not believe I have any power to tell someone to do one thing or another or not. I strongly suggest using common sense what a person should or should not do, but where or when is the limit.
Just thought it was an interesting point and know a lot of dispatchers on here and would like to hear their thoughts / knowledge / experience in these matters

I am on a little bit of a fact finding mission. So...I am hoping that Bravo is still a good place to find help and/or answers or generally to see what departments do, think, operate with, and use...Please Bear With Me
Gas Detectors:
Looking into refitting our department with a new Gas Dectection System. Right now we carry one (4) four gas (o2, h2s, lel, co) unit on each engine and one on the rescue. Each chief car is equipped with a single (co) unit. So...
What companies are out there?
Any recommendations?
How do you calibrate, bump test and document and/or ensure that the units are in top working condition? (Obviously I am a vollie and daily and/or shift checks are hard, so a weekly check is done), so the problem arises on how to have an effective, cost effeceint and accountable program.
Bail-Out Systems:
This is actually just a simple question and I am looking for people that are more informed then myself on the latest ideas, theories and ideas on the subject (maybe some chiefs or instructors can chime in on this one)
It has been said to me that the growing consensus and best procedures for 'bailing out' is to simply ditch and disgard your air pack prior to the bailing out. In simple words..take off your air pack and then proceed to go out the window and lower yourself with your required department 'bail-out' system.
Some background and my idea....There is currently a debate in our department on which type of system to purchase for the required bailout systems. (yes I know we are far behind the ball on this) 1) the harness system you wear on your bunker pants or 2) an intergrated system that is 'in' and part of your air pack
Now I am not married to either so I figure as long as it gets me out of trouble I dont care..but being a in upper management now cost, training ease, implementation, maintence, accountability are all factors....It was told to me that the current consesus and idea being progressively pushed in the fire service is, as stated above, to ditch and disgard your pack prior to bailing...Is this the case?
I took firefighting essentials 14 years ago, I have taken a few safety and survival seminars and classes and I dont remember this being the case. Even as recent as this summer watching my people go through some bail-out evolutions they did not seem to take this approach. I have always beleived and been taught that our air pack is our life and you hold on to it for dear life.
So any ideas and or has anyone heard more about this or read articles and is this what we should be leaning towards?
Sorry for the rambling and any thoughts on these subjects is greatly appreciated
Mike

The ladder was not requested at the time of alarm...I do not know that exact time but definietly well after intial alarm. In upper Westchester there was an ice storm...heavy hail, sleet, freezing rain and freezing conditions on the roadways. The truck had six interior firefighters on it. Croton Falls does not have a truck..I know their engines carry truck equipment. The crew had called in on the first dispatch. Yes there is a problem with manpower but not just here but I believe county wide. The good things are that the IC did leave room for the truck in front of the building though maybe it should be called earlier and/or on the intial assignment. This is not an excuse or stand or rebuttle...just some information. Be Safe