x152

So there really is a tooth fairy.......?? I would be wary of giving too much credence to any of the many "tales" out there. Regardless of where the sources work, they may just be stating the same rumor with a different twist. But then again, this is the Fire Service and we all know how easily rumors and stories can get legs......

Regardless of your spelling, your points appear to be sincere and quite valid.

Perhaps, punishment?..perhaps maliciousness? Yes, it has already been widely discussed and debated...but my personal opinion is that there is a deeper reach here. I have to believe their tactic is deeper than just being punitive for having a difference in opinion (but then again, perhaps it is that simple)? Regardless, I have been impressed with how Belltown has been able to persevere with the situation. As already stated earlier by me: If they can get out..great. If my rig is cancelled by them.....so be it....have at it... If you need our help.....we will be there to assist..... If they are delayed or do not get on the air....the City rigs are already well on their way......the call will be answered... In my opinion, not a bad system.... I would disagree with your statement about Glenbrook. What would the difference be between them and Springdale funding? By that rationale, couldn't the same by said for Springdale? Regards-

Joe: I will give them credit and believe that may be intentional? Perhaps to use an extreme gesture in order to make an extreme statement about their financial situation? (Just a thought). If that is not the case, I would also agree that it is going to yield little in the way of real money and does have the appearance of being somewhat "elementary"? I have some pretty strong opinions about this issue and some of the individuals involved in getting it to this point. In the interest of not wanting to create any additional tension, I will refrain from getting into the finger pointing or some of the many pontifications that have already been made by those outside of the system. However, I am still perplexed as to why Belltown is being hit so hard. At this time, there are no plans to move SFRD employees into their Station. I can recognize the City's postion with Turn of River, but Belltown is a different situation. Perhaps there is some creedance to reduce their budget over previous, but certainly not to the present numbers. I may be getting soft in my old age, but if I was still one of those "Union Guys", I would be very cautious as to what the larger plan may actually be? PS - Don't knock the Tag Sale, some of those individuals have plenty of personal "scratch", their junk might truly be your treasure?

Cogs: Not sure what your experience is with regard to these issues, but I have a "bit" of actual personal experience with these issues. I will attempt to answer some of your questions (or statements). First - It is not "costing" more. The money was never in the budget to begin with. For those of us, who actually work it this system (career and volunteer), we would remember at the onslaught of this "crisis" was a budgetary shortfall for all career salaries. In particular, overtime accounts (not maintaining what was requested and needed to meet what the upcoming year's forecast would be, yes...we can forecast.....all things being somewhat equal if we spent 3.2 million last year....and there was a 3 percent wage increase....we would need roughly 3.2 x.03 more this year.... barring no catastrophic issues.....pretty simple). Yet, elected City Boards failed to grant the money that we knew we would need to cover salary expenses. (hmm?) Thus began, the recent struggle to align career fire employees into one unified system. Why align? Also simple (from a City perspective)....reduce overtime spending in the Belltown, Glenbrook, and Turn of River Stations. How's that you might ask?.... Due to the one-for-one staffing in those stations (under the seperate labor contract)....every vacancy had to be filled with immediate overtime. Conversely, the City Fire Department has some "overage" assigned to each station, thus acting as an "overtime cushion" to prevent automatic overtime. The end of year salary and overtime figures generally produced consistant results with career salaries in the BFD, GFD, and TRFD averaging between $15,000 to $20,000 more than the same fire fighter working for Stamford Fire and Rescue. In addition, it was not uncommon for Stamford Fire and Rescue to be 4-5 positions above the contractual minimum strength, yet overtime was being paid throughout the BFD, GFD and TRFD.... Given that there was a two-tiered system (where employees could not be shared..), this type of hiring system was standing out like a giant elephant waiting for targeted by a City Administration. Thus began the road to where we are today. The article mentions delays in getting the consolidated system in place. Yes, there have been delays. TRFD members did not merge and fully integrate until this past weekend. However, their overtime liabilities continued throughout the spring (often when there are numerous vacancies) and up to July 1, when Engine 8 and Engine 9 opened. Now rather than pay automatic overtime, any career vacancy can be filled from a Citywide staffing system. I do not think you will find too many SFRD members who would tell you how their overtime hours compare to previous years (hint..it is far less). Obviously, there has been a reduction over previous years. Given the dramatic initial shortfall from what was requested, I am surprised that they were able to keep the window down to below 200K. And to further answer your statements. Residents of Belltown get a career City unit on every type of response. Fortunately, Belltown volunteers have done a great job of getting apparatus on the air. This usually results in the City rig being cancelled. However, if the situation warrants additional equipment or personnel, it is already well on its way. Belltown has always run a strong group, however there may be times when they cannot get on the air. The system assures that every call is answered, whether by paid or volunteer (Mrs. Smith really does not care...as long as her emergency is answered and handled properly..) As far as your idea that your former co-workers should lose their jobs.......In case you were not aware (some of them actually did). Fortunately, issues were resolved that allowed for their reinstatement and all of them seen to be doing very well in their new assignments. I will refrain from further personal opinion as to this suggestion. Those of us who actually work in the system do not need more name calling or petulant remarks, we need to work together, because like it or not....we are stuck with one another...so we might as well learn to live and work with one another...I have confidence that this is possible.

SR71 - Why are you appalled at the actions of the Officer of the Engine Company? He followed his organization's procedures and utilized his mobile data terminal to advise dispatch of his status. This is somewhat redundant due to the fact that the Glenbrook Engine Co. has just (essentially) announced to dispatch "Engine 32 to Dispatch you can place a recall this incident and return all other units, holding Engine 32...." Dispatch then in-turn confirms the message by repeating it. Most normal people would now understand that to indicate that all other responding units were now in service, except the initial first-due Engine Co (Glenbrook Engine 32). Why the Company Officer of Engine 7 would then need to announce (again) over ANY radio that "Engine 7 is in service" is beyond me? The Company Officer then proceeds back to his station to find this: or this: or even this: The white suburban is the Chief's vehicle and is placed directly in front of the bay where Engine 7 is normally parked. The snorkel is pulled out on the ramp to prevent Engine 7 from parking there and the old red pick-up is placed to prevent Engine 7 from parking in the firehouse driveway. Rather than engage the "Chief", the Company Officer immediately notified his supervisor of the confrontation and removed the Engine Co. from the escalating environment and into a nearby parking lot to wait for his superiors to handle the situation (which they did). The pictures shown above were taken by a member of the Engine Co. just prior to their temporary relocation to the nearby parking lot. Just in case anyone wants to deny that the incident happened, perhaps the pictures might speak for themselves...... The Company Officer involved should be credited for his patience and for not allowing the confrontation that the "Chief" was clearly hoping for. This type of behavior should be an embarrassment to anyone involved in the fire service, whether paid, volunteer, junior, senior, officer, etc.

A quick preview of Stamford Fire Rescue's new HME 75' rear mount for Engine #6. The rig is in the process of being striped/lettered and equipped at Twin Lights in Milford (CT). This unit was a demonstrator that was recently purchased from HME. The current Engine 6, a 2005 HME Rescue Engine, is scheduled to be reassigned to Engine #4 and Engine 4's 2003 HME Engine will go into the reserve pool. I will try and post additional pictures as I get them. Engine 6 responds from Fire Headquarters along with Engine 1, Tower 1, and the Shift Commander.

Joe: Just because it is on www.local786.org does not make it true (the guy who runs that thing is a lunatic). However, I did hear from a reputable source that the 4 members were back this morning and working with the Training Chief to get some logistics and orientation issues worked out. What a nice holiday gift to have them back to work and welcome back.

242Steve: Truck looks good, many years of good luck with it. Hopefully you have better luck with it than your baseball team....

There will be a fund-raiser this Friday night for the four (4) remaing Stamford career Fire Fighters, who were laid-off in early July. Event Details: Friday, November 9, 2007 starting at 5:00 PM The Thirsty Turtle Bar (West Park Place) in downtown Stamford (CT). A Donation of $20.00 is requested at the door Drink specials / raffles / other events throughout the evening. The 4 Fire Fighters have been out of work since early July and still have not returned to work. The holidays are right around the corner, please join us as we try and help them through this time. Special thanks to Norwalk Fire Fighters Local 830 and all those who have pledged their support for this very important cause. ALL Fire/Police/EMS personnel are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Date: 09/17/2007 Time: 10:10 approx. Location: Ridge Road and Haverforth Road Frequency: unknown Units Operating: Hamden Fire: E2, E5, T1, R1, R2 and several AMR units Description Of Incident: MVA involving ambulance and vehicle. Vehicle engine compartment involved in fire, occupants of ambulance extricated by Hamden Fire Writer: x152 Update: 3 patients transported (2 from AMR unit/1 from private auto). This was an New Haven Operations AMR unit responding to a medical in Hamden when the accident occurred. Additional info at www.wtnh.com

Seth: Looks like a good trip. I don't think it was mentioned, but an interesting shot of the rear crew area of the rig (SCBA brackets obviously missing). Phoenix was one of the first to jump out-of-the box and remove the SCBA from the cab. Not sure what you thought of it, but the concept is taking-on steam on the West Coast and may be part of upcoming NFPA revised standards? Having been to Phoenix on several occasions, it is an impressive Department and was led by one of most innovative Chiefs (Bruno) that I have ever met (it is too bad what some out there have to say and/or treat him now...) Thanks for sharing......

Gepp...... I remember a book/movie..."That was then, this is NOW....." There is an e-mail circulating from the Union outlining the latest series of events. It provides some additional details and personalities that were contributing factors.

StamfordFF - some interesting "facts", most properly cleansed in an attempt for you to make a point. Allow me to correct some of your "facts": <<The mayor negotiates a new contract with Stamford Fire Rescue in 2006 which includes increases in manpower. Wait? Didn't your consultants report from 1995 say that you already had too much manpower? Mr. Mayor had you reviewed the consultants report prior to signing this contract you would see no mention of the four man truck companies thoughout downtown.>> Yes, the 2006 agreement had an increase in manpower for Trucks 2 and 3. This brought the assigned minimum staff strength from 1 Officer and 2 Fire Fighters (3) to 1 Officer and 3 Fire Fighters (4). This was done so that Truck Companies can perform as Truck Companies, not as a partially-staffed equipment wagon. There is this document ,affectionately known as NFPA 1710, that kind of mentions this concept. There are also hundreds of career Departments across this country that staff their Ladder Companies to this standard (or higher). Perhaps it would make some interesting reading for you. You also state that the Mayor should have reviewed a 12 year old consulatant report before allowing an increase in staffing. Should an elected official (or anyone for that matter) base their decisions on what the needs of a community were 12 years ago? The last time I checked, this City looked very different today, than it did just 12 years ago. I am also aware that there is a 37 story apartment building breaking ground within the next month and numerous high-density residential and commercial projects currently underway or in the process of approval. It should also be noted that the Mayor did not have final say regarding the staffing increases. This was done by a 40 member Board of Representatives (I am sure you know the political split). Regardless, the vote was unanimous of those attending and voting. I am not sure if you were present for the discussion at the meeting (I was). However, several members (from both political parties) commented during the approval process and spoke of the need to increase the staffing due to the extreme amount of development that has occured within the City. The words "long overdue..." were repeatedly heard. But again, you state this was the Mayor's doing? <<While the purpose of this new plan is to save on overtime, it will probably only lead to more in the future.>> Would it be possible to quantify this remark.? The last annual salary analysis (using the final W2's of all Firefighters) indicated that on average Firefighters working under your (infallible) system were earning between 20-40 thousand dollars more than the same Firefighter working for Stamford Fire and Rescue. You can also vaildate this by reading the top 250 employees in the Advocate. Firefighters in your system earn almost or more than Deputy Chiefs downtown (wait, then again, some up there still claim to be career Lieutenant's or Captains, although no such positions exist...) Yet, Stamford Fire and Rescue will cause an increase in overtime??? <<4) What about the employees of the combination of departments, some of whom have been paying union dues to the same local as Stamford Fire Rescue for over 25 years. Recently, they have been told that they will become day one employees of Stamford Fire Rescue. Meaning the kid that graduated from the fire academy two weeks ago has more senority then the guys who have been paying dues for 20+ years. Remember this is all the same local. >> If you have such a problem with this representation, you should really work to organize into your own Local. This offer was extended by the former Local 786 President (me) to all 3 employee groups about 4 years ago. There were no takers at the time. <<5) Local 786 who are you looking out for? Why do some members have greater benefits and protection the others? Why have the guys in the combination departments not had a new contract? How can you stand for you members being threated by human resources, told to agree to this merger or be laid off?>> This is an interesting statement. Considering that it is not the downtown/City firefighters who are facing a threat of layoff. The downtown contract is a signed, executed legal agreement, which clearly identifies staffing levels and the number of apparatus. As of this time, the threat of layoff deals with junior employees in the Belltown, Glenbrook and Turn of River Fire Departments. YET.....the majority of the Union's members (City FFs) are being asked to consider concessions in order to save 10-15 member's jobs who they have probably never met or worked with. BUT who are they "looking out for..." In 1990, when 8 City Firefighters were laid off, I do not know if the same consideration was offered by members outside of the downtown contract. But "who are they looking out for..." If you would like to know the answers to ....."Why have the guys in the combination departments not had a new contract? How can you stand for you members being threated by human resources, told to agree to this merger or be laid off...' then I would suggest you find the proper forum. Union meetings are scheduled for this Thursday and Friday night. If you are truly an interested party and a member of the Local (those removed in 1998 need not apply), I would recommend that you attend and bring your same concerns where they can be properly heard and hopefully addressed.

Ironically, this article appeared in today's edition of the Stamford Times. Also take note of the comment about 10-20 Fire Fighters being laid off effective July 1, 2007...... Police to cut back due to slim budget -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By AMANDA PINTO STAMFORD — The city police department will likely reduce staffing in the narcotics, detective, youth bureau and school resource divisions in order to cope with a $1.8 million cut to the department of public safety, health & welfare's budget, Public Information Officer Lt. Sean Cooney said Wednesday. Police Chief Brent Larrabee detailed the department's response to the cuts at a Tuesday staff meeting, Cooney said. Larrabee did not return phone calls for comment. The school resource program will likely see its nine to ten officers slashed to about four or five, Cooney said. Officers will likely be removed from all schools other than the high schools, he said. "That's a shame because that's been a very successful, very popular program," Cooney said. Efforts to capture Internet child predators will likely be scaled back, Cooney said, and the department's foot patrol — made up of seven officers and two sergeants who walk the city's busy downtown — likely faces elimination, Cooney said. Police are not allowed discretionary overtime spending beginning June 1, Cooney said, because Larrabee is trying to reduce overtime spending by about $1.5 million, as per requests from the board of finance. While overtime may be used to fill the mandatory minimum of 18 officers per shift, officers may not be used on an event-based basis. This means patrols will likely not be dispatched to non-life-threatening calls when a shift is about to end to avoid overtime, Cooney said. Instead, patrols will be sent out when a new shift begins, likely resulting in a service backup, Cooney said. "The public are going to feel the effect of the wait times, perhaps significant wait times, for non-life-threatening calls," he said. Plans to hold another academy class, which would have yielded about 15 new police officers for the understaffed city departments, were also scrapped due to cuts, Cooney said. This perpetuates a "vicious cycle" within the department, Cooney said, as the department could see as many as 20 retirements this year. "Cutting the academy class might be a short term solution, but it's going to exacerbate the long term problem," he said. Announcement of the service cutbacks comes after the recent reduction of the minimum number of police officers on the streets each beat. Patrols were cut to 20 officers during the day, and 18 working each night – down from 24 and 20 officers respectively, Police Union President Michael Merenda has said. The mandatory minimum number of officers on each shift is 18, but Larrabee has employed 22 to 24 officers per shift in the recent past. Larrabee has said he needed officers above to mandatory minimum in order to focus on Internet crime, youth services and homeland security initiatives. "We're going to do the best we can, obviously the boards have cut a lot out of the budget and it does have ramifications, and those ramifications have spread across the city," Mayor Dannel Malloy said of the police cutbacks. William Callion, Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare, said "dramatic cuts" made service reductions inevitable in public safety. "There's obviously no wiggle room in this budget, the same thing is true with fire, there will probably be layoffs," he said. Callion said 10 to 20 firefighters will likely lose their jobs by July 1. Positions have been cut from the health department as well, Callion said. Board of Finance Chair Mary Lou Rinaldi said cuts were made to force efficiency and empower management to address issues within their departments. She said the board didn't eliminate the police department's vacant positions, or its overtime account, as it did in other departments, because it understood the importance of public safety. "It was a very large budget and we didn't make those decisions lightly," she said. "I'd just encourage [the chief] and everybody else to be creative in managing the budget." The cuts leave the police department with a less than optimal budget, for which their appears to be no remedy in the near future, Malloy said. Reductions in service may render Stamford's police force "small and reactive," Cooney said. "Unfortunately the public is going to see a significant reduction in services that we're going to be able to provide," he said.

Date: Sat. May 19, 2007 Time: 10:30 (approx.) Location: East Aurora and Watertown Avenue Frequency: 154. Units Operating: Waterbury FD, Waterbury PD Description Of Incident: Apparatus accident involving Engine 8 and Truck 1 Writer: x152 All 8 FFs (4 from each rig) were transported, 2 are in very serious condition. Please keep our Brothers in Waterbury in your thoughts and prayers. FYI - This intersection is a few blocks away from the 1990 intersection (Highland and West Main) that claimed the lives of 2 Waterbury FFs in an MVA involving an apparatus that struck a tree following brake failure.

Yes, I ran into him while on a short "release" from my present assignment. They were filming a bar scene at Tiernan's Pub at Main and Washington Blvd. Let's just say that he did not look like the same guy that was in "Hard to Kill"....... However, modern technology can work wonders...... There is also ongoing filming for a new Robert Deniro and Bruce Willis movie. They were filming on lower Bedford Street over the weekend.

Good point. I am not sure of their locations, but there have been several Department's featured in some of the trade magazines, who feel that 4 Federal Qs, 2 Mars lights, and a Roto-Ray are needed on the front end of a rig (on top of the dual-preconnected hydrualic tools). Is this a safety issue or complete waste of taxpayers money? (but I am sure they generate a lot of conversation at the parades and musters........)

Seth: That rig is actually the old Squad 1, which ran as the first-due Engine Company out of Fire Headquarters (with Engine 1 running as the second piece out). The Squad did not have the equipment like many of today's Squad pieces. It was essentially a personnel rig and responded on almost every call in the City. The rig was built on a 1980 White/Lafrance chassis. The Squad designation was ended in 1993, due to a former Chief's preference for the term "engine" and became Engine #6 upon the arrival of the 1993 Mack MR/Ranger (now in reserve). The Squad was then reassiged to Engine 5 from 1994 to 1995 as they awaited the arrival of the 1995 Spartan/General (which later served as Engine 2 and is now Reserve Engine 12). Following the arrival of the new Engine 5, it was placed into reserve status, where it served until recently. It has since been disposed of (thankfully).

Should also point out that the footage is not related to the current flooding..........Katie Couric (sp?) and the temp. was reading 62 degrees and there was foliage...... None-the-less, yet another example of the media's constant need to over-dramatize every story...

Perhaps, but a "responsible" response is required. If a customer/business is calling 911 (or the "routine" line) for assistance, then we should respond to the request for service. Not due to litigation concerns, but because that is what we do when someone requests assistance. However, the dispatch protocal and responders should take into consideration where they are responding and act accordingly (i.e. = non-emergency response if warranted). My jurisdiction has several facilties where this same scenario plays out on a daily basis. We have adopted procedures for these facilities and reduce the response priority of EMS and omitted the response of fire as a first-responder. There was a time when an Engine Company would respond to an emergency room for a medical call because we had a one-size fits all policy. With a little common sense and some decent information gathering from call-takers, this scenario is no longer occuring.

635 - The issue of full time airport CFR staffing is most likely contained in some FAA regulation dependent on the amount of commercial (or private) air traffic at a particular airport. The situation at WC airport is not unlike what is found in CT at some of the smaller airports (New Haven and Bridgeport/Stratford). In both of those airports, the FAA has standard CFR rigs assigned with maintenance crews providing the response. The local FDs all provide an assignment to the respective airports as additional manpower and equipment. The largest airport (Bradley) is staffed by full time State of Connecticut fire fighters. I believe the State also assigns their fire personnel to the airport in Groton. We could debate all day about the "what ifs" and who is best to respond, but if the FAA is the ultimate "regulator" with jurisdiction here, it would most likely rest in their hands. However, I would agree that (given the increase in flights and service at the airport) it would not be unrealistic to see a more permanent CFR staff in the future. Perhaps someone more familiar with the FAA could comment and/or correct me?

ok.....thanks...... I thought it might have something to do with an accident involving sewing (needle/thread/etc)......

Can you define a "pin-job"? I know this is a responsible discussion about the legal parameters of emergency personnel responding and I was not familiar with the term?

JC - Something about you and white fire trucks with red stripes.......... A wise Fire Chief once wrote.... "after much debate in the fire service about what color our trucks should be, I decided to confer with God for advice on this subject and she said that all fire trucks are supposed to be RED..........." just a thought.....??