jcoppola

Date: 05-21-2008 Time: 14:58 Location: White Plains Road Frequency: Units Operating: TPD, TEMS Description Of Incident: Motorcycle officer struck by car. ScanCT is reporting possible serious injuries Writer: JVC

Good shots...the only thing is that they bring back COLD memories...January...BLECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for that. Just love the Macks. I saw a beautiful granite triaxle at a touch-a-truck today. And for the record, I went there for my sons not to satisfy a constant craving to be near trucks...

I think one of the reasons that EMS does not get a spotlight on network TV is because of the abundance of hoakie medical shows like Greys Anatomy, House and ER. The viewing public is barraged with these unrealistic and melodramatic crappy shows. Plus, lets face it...it is simply not enjoyable to watch people suffer. I can think of many shows I'd rather watch than one that shows residents of the Bronx getting shot in the head or falling 5 stories. If anything, there may be lessons to learn as a responder so we can take away something tangible from the programming.

I am a FD traditionalist and I was very sad to see the booster reels go. I cannot tell you how many times I wish I had one on the rig. I think they are useful and acceptable for many functions on the fireground. For example; overhauling structure fires, brush fires, rinsing off dirty equipment, throwing the booster in the tank to properly circulate tank water through the pump, are a few that come to mind. I remember putting out many a car fire with a 1" booster with a fog nozzle off of Belltown Engine 42 "back in the day". I believe that there is no good reason to eliminate the booster reel from an engine co. even in 2008. While we are on the topic...BRING BACK THE HARDY GUN too. JVC

I support the county system for specialized types of services. Izzy makes a good analogy with the CERRIT team, as I am a member of Fairfield County Hazmat and we operate similarly. A county response has it's pros and cons. PROS: A culmination of resources and personnel. All departments put in a little for the greater good. A good network and working relationship between members who are from different departments. Utilizing specific experts as advisors such as EMS, DEP, PD, Military and site-specific folks etc. (FCHM enjoys this benefit) Storage of trucks and equipment around the county and having different departments accountable for minor maintenance and tracking. CONS: Response times suffer and there is usually a staggered response depending on where in the county the call out is. FCHM enjoys decent response times because Fairfield County is fairly small, but I heard that NHASH and Capitol Region are spread out all over the place and they depend on a lot of volunteer services which can have issues with responses during working hours. JVC

I can attest to Pat's level of dedication to training, as I have been part of his drills either as an instructor or student. Any further discussion of the topic of Glenbrook vs. Belltown or otherwise should take place in private messaging, and personal attacks and cheapshots will be dealt with accordingly. I have to say though that it is sad to see things unfold the way they are, since being a veteran member of Belltown, I remember the absolutely awesome rapport BFD and GFD used to share. It is hard for me to see the system changing as it is, it must be very, very difficult to be living it on a daily basis as the Stamford volunteers and the members of the bargaining unit (786) have to. I wish all parties luck in coming to a final, workable, liveable arrangement. Lets leave dads, kids and personalities out of it...deal? Joe C.

No need...but thanks for saying it. I read the article and already had a confidential discussion about it with the "elder". I am trying to just be a sympathetic ear and avoid more arguements on the homefront. I agree that dragging Brendan into this is just a means to start more crap, as the situation is so volitile and tempers are flaring. Even though I mentioned closing the topic, another moderator might just do it because they may be unaware of how intense this issue is. Again, no need to apologize, as I take no offense, it is what it is.

Dragging someone's politician father into the mix can also be construed as out of line, but I am not offended as nothing suprises me anymore with my dad and this whole mess. My union brothers at 786 know where I stand, as I have always been a supporter of them, weather in the career houses or the volley houses. My views are NOT in line with my fathers and I have stood by that consistently during this whole thing. I have no influence on my fathers decisions, poor or otherwise, and he has none on mine. Those who know me know that. Joe

So if no agreement between the city, union and the department happens by July 1st, does that mean that there will be layoffs in TOR or do they just automatically become SFRD employees by default? Now guys are losing pay for what shirt they are wearing??? It seems to be getting worse and worse in Stamford and someone needs to get control of that very volatile situation.

Every call begins with universal precautions and scene safety. Verbalize that at each station and like was said, assume nothing. Every call also begins with ABCs and pertinent medical history. Get that and go from there. Everything will fall into place for you. Best of luck. JVC

According to the State of Connecticut Judicial Website, the court date for the Belltown Volunteer Fire Department Injunction Hearing against the City of Stamford and Stamford Mayor Dannell Malloy for allegedly breaking the town charter has been set for May 13, 2008. Mayor Malloy proposed a $20,000 allotment for fiscal year 2008-2009, about $140,000 short of the current fiscal year's budgetary allotment. According to officials at the BFD, this is not only a strongarm tactic, it is a breach of the charter that mandates the City of Stamford to adequately fund the department so they can keep afloat. The injunction calls for the city to restore adequate funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The case will be heard in Bridgeport court. I, as a veteran and life member of this proud and traditional organization, really do not want to see them snuffed out. I hope they can get their funding restored so they can continue to serve the residents of my hometown neighborhood as they have done since 1928. Court Docket FBT-CV-08-4024530-S For more information: www.savebelltown.com www.belltownfire.com

For all you Nutmeggers, especially around the Norwalk area, the Citgo on Main Avenue in Norwalk is still in the 3.73/gal range but climbing steadily.

As the days go on, and I am anticipating saying my final goodbyes to my true friend and mentor, many fond memories and great times had with him come to mind. Some of my earliest childhood memories with Gary include me providing him an over-abundance of fire truck sketches, mostly of the Belltown fleet, which he happily accepted and added to his collection, staying up late for BFD 50th anniversary planning parties with my dad and other BFD guys at our house, serving as an altar boy for his wedding at St. Bridget's Church, seeing how proud and happy he was when Nicole was born and how he doted over her til his last days with us, 4th of July parties when Gary explained away our fireworks display to local law-enforcement officials who did not think the display was as entertaining as he did, BFD picnics, year after year, with Gary in charge of all things culinary, and being the very last man to leave the FD when all the clean-up was done, clambakes, annual banquets where this writer shared in libations with Gary and crew at a suspect age, then having Gary explain my condition to my father so the punishment would be a little easier on me, recieving my first car (the infamous 1971, light blue Monte Carlo with the vinly top) from Gary without one red cent being exchanged, packing the BFD chock full on nights when Gary was working so we could pick up some pointers on how to be as good a fireman as he, rolling up to a good fire on New Year's day in the early 90's and him telling me that I was going to be good at this stuff, letting me take the "good" fires when we worked days together because he truly wanted me to get the experience, the BFD Christmas parties, the Communion Breakfasts, the St. Patrick's day celebrations, Gary was always there, first one in an last one out - ALWAYS. I firmly believe that Belltown Fire Department is an organization steep in rich tradition today because of the influence Gary Remling had on the place in his decades of service to it. Simply put, he was the person who taught me and all my buddies at the BFD that we do the job of firefighter not for the pay, but for the rewards we get helping others (and driving shiny white Macks). I promise to contribute to the effort to never forget what Gary did for all of us, and I am very proud of all of my good friends from Belltown who took the time to share a quick story or anecdote about Gary so everyone in the service can know how great he was and how important he will always be to us! JVC

Mark, Wonderful tribute. Couldn't have said it better if I tried.

Thanks for starting this online condolence card. As was said, Gary was a great, long time friend of mine. He was also a phenominal mentor to me and my younger brother, and lifetime friend of our father. He was one of those special people that in this life, you only meet a few of. He never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything. He was a very experienced, knowledgeable firefighter and apparatus operator. In all my years working with Gary, I never saw him lose composure at a fire or rescue call, no matter how severe. Besides my parents, nobody was more proud of my brother and me when we were appointed and promoted in our career jobs. Gary also had a love for cooking that was nothing short of passionate. Whenever there was a function, either a family one or an FD one, Gary was in the kitchen, cooking up his specialties for all to enjoy. I have a million good memories with this person, but one that sticks out more than any one of them is the fact that no matter what, if you needed something, Gary was the first one to step up and get it done. He could not say no to anyone when there was a need, no matter how big or small and no matter what else he had going on. He ALWAYS put other's needs before his own. I'll miss you Gary, Heaven is definintely a better place now that you are there!

Funny, I was thinking EXACTLY that.

I heard through the grapevine that there was going to be a muster somewhere in the valley area this spring. Anyone able to provide details? Joe

Older CF's, not sure exactly what year, maybe late 60's, did not have the "grill". I have always been a big CF fan, Belltown's CFs have always been my favorite with Noroton Heights' running a close second. Joe

My bad, I also mentioned combination systems too, so I was not singling out vollies. It just so happens that there are instances where a career officer who tested and earned a promotion may be a bit hesitant to take orders from a 24 year old who was voted into a rank by his pals at the firehouse. I can speak frankly and neutrally, because I was one of those 22 year old kids who was a volunteer LT who was voted in by my buddies at the FD, but frankly, I always knew my place and would always defer to the more experienced fire officer, paid or volunteer.

Thanks for the well wishes, the promotional opportunity is a year away, but the book list takes at least that long to "wrap your brain around", so I always start reading early. As far as taking orders from the volunteer fire officer, as long as the order is in line with the safety of my crew, I have no problem. In my city, we work within many volunteer and combination systems and seldom, if ever, there is an issue with this. Every once in a while, one may come in contact with a volunteer fire officer who happens to dislike paid people, and it will show in how they deal with the paid officer, but, as we who have experience know, this is easily thwarted and dealt with. Ask any of the Stamford guys what happens when an over-zealous Chief takes matters into his own hands. JVC

FCHM Field Comm 1 has recently been put into service and is stored at Westport Fire HQ. Here are some pictures of it in use:

we had family guy on before that !

Date: 04-20-2008 Time: Afternoon Location: I-95 S/B near exit 15 Frequency: Units Operating: CSP, Norwalk PD, Westport PD, Maine State Police, others Description Of Incident: News Channel 8 (New Haven) is reporting a suspect wanted for a homicide in Bradley Maine was spotted by CSP near exit 21 and followed until the suspect pulled over and shot himself in Norwalk on I-95. Channel 8 is reporting the suspect is in grave condition at Norwalk Hospital. No officers or civilians were injured. Writer: JVC

Why not ask politely, why so harsh? C'mon man, lighten up.