jcoppola

Another discussion ending in a peaceful way. We are making huge strides here people. Keep up the good work. Joe C.

I see your point of view, respect it, but I feel that it is 100% wrong. I take nothing away from the guy who transfers with a great rep, but, take the test that we all took, study the booklist that we all study and start at square 1 like the rest of us. If he did not want to try to get on a different department, why did he leave in the first place??? We all covet our jobs and you have to spend a great deal of time in "captivity" in the firehouse to properly understand why. Taking nothing away from vollies, you have to be a career firefighter to understand this. I don't think that there is anything I can say short of what I already did to make it any clearer to you. Now, I need to get back to studying for a promotion that I waited for for over ten years for in the Norwalk Fire Dept, where I started as a pee-on (with 3 years previous paid experience and 10 volunteer) and currently work as a Lieutenant, and have strived to earn the respect and trust of my peers since I started here...get it now? By the way, have a good night...I am NOT mad or up-in-arms as my post may appear. JC PS: I don't think this is stupid topic either, so at least we agree on some level.

Outright ridiculous. And, an insult to the many brothers who have broke their ass studying for a promotion and spent their entire career gaining respect of their peers. To have someone come in off the street with an equal rank and give them a job in that rank is absolutely the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. Who in their right mind would trust them? Our job is built on reliance on your brothers and your officer to be each others keeper and we all know how long that takes to establish. Most departments have a requirement that you serve in a certain rank for a certain time before you can take a promotional exam for the next level on the ladder. Guys wait years and study for years to be able to compete. Again, totally absurd. And, for the record, my wife has earning potential that I will never have. A few years ago she was offered her job in Cincinnatti, since thats where her company was moving. You know what? It was not even entertained, because we both know how lucky I am an how hard it would be for me to find the same deal in another state. We have no regrets.

2 words...CIVIL SERVICE. It makes no difference who you are or where you came from. You earn the job and come in as a probie. You show your abilities through job performance and the members will show trust in you and respect to you. You know what I say to the captain who comes from Chicago or anywhere else? Here is your riding position, here is your mop and here is the list of deli's that we use for lunch, you do the job of a probie if you are new to us, just like everyone else did before you. It is an insult to the dedication of all probies who did all the crap work until they put some time in and showed they deserve the respect of the crew. Getting in FDNY or anywhere else without following the usual process is a joke. Don't leave your original job if you don't want to start over again! Joe

I have my issues with this whole thing, but one thing that is quite unfair as well as quite immature is the mayor comparing an organization that he funds, in whatever amount, to an orphan who murdered his parents. Way out of line in my opinion. Extremely suprising from a guy who tried to run for Governor. Joe

When the current mayor of Norwalk, Richard Moccia, took office, he selected a Ford Escape Hybrid for his official car. He took some abuse at first, for the initial cost, but now I bet all the naysayers are keeping quiet, with fuel expected to hit $4 per gallon by summertime.

That is an unreal amount of money for starting pay. But, good though. Congrats to that Local for getting that compensation. I wish we all were that fortunate.

Well spec'd. I especially like the dividers in the back. Good work area. Joe

Correct on the response of one person at a time in an emergency mode, however, all DEP Spill Division guys have level A, B and SCBA in their Expeditions and I have seen them use the stuff at calls. If they need to, they will make entries. They do, however, like to stay in or near the command post and provide expert advice to IC's. They are a very big help at scenes, especially because they bring a really big and money-filled checkbook with them with the Governors signature on all the checks. Essentially, they can order and pay for anything they need. Joe

The most obvious solution is to preplan your response areas. If you find gates through preplanning, find out who has the code/key/method to open. Then, this information can be put in a conspicuous place on the apparatus. One habit I have gotten into over the years is to put all gate locations and directions for entry on an index card and tape it to the officer-side sunvisor, so in a pinch, it can be pulled down and referenced. The key to this is that all officers know of it's location, but it is always there and no mapbook or preplan book needs to be referenced. Most gates, especially the bar style, respond well to forcible entry methods, some even will open with a simple push from a firefighter. When they need more, and there is no other alternative, the bumper of the engine will do nicely, just be prepared to explain yourself to the mechanic and chief .

All EMTBravo site members: The following was released the other day and I wanted to get it out to everyone. Here it is: Press Release 4-10-08 The Norwalk Police Department has opened its entry level police officer registration process effective April 9, 2008. Registration will close midnight on June 23, 2008. All applicants must have a C.H.I.P. card (certification of meeting the entry level physical abilities standards) PRIOR to taking the written exam. Current test dates for the C.H.I.P. card are April 26, May 10, May 31, and June 21. Registering for the C.H.I.P. test is done through www.policeapp.com or by calling C.H.I.P at 203-235-5865. Registering for the written exam is also done through www.policeapp.com. There is no telephone or paper registration for this test. The written entry exam for C.H.I.P. card holders only, is June 28, 2008 at 9:00 AM. The test will be given at Brien McMahon High School , 300 Highland Avenue , Norwalk , CT. For important detailed information about the testing and hiring process you should view our web site at www.norwalkpd.com. Our web site can also be reached by link through www.policeapp.com Lieutenant Andrew J. Gale Professional Standards Unit Training and Recruitment 203.854.3003 agale@norwalkct.org

Not having the site up for a day showed me how addicted I am to it. Glad we are back in business. Joe C.

No problem, we kind of agree to disagree. If we didn't it'd get ugly. This whole situation goes deeper than most realize. I think it must be difficult to have the opinions that my father does and yet have 2 sons who are IAFF members, and one (me) who is a 8 year IAFF local officer. You could just imagine the discussions and conflicts. Joe

Please stop quoting my father. I have to hear enough of this day to day in my personal life, I really don't like reading it online too. I'm mostly saying this in jest, however if you were to ever meet two people who are on more of a disconnect with this situation and are related, look no further. Joe

I cannot think of a more heroic and selfless act. Our troops are certainly an amazing breed and I truly look up to them for what they are doing for us, like the war or not. Joe

Here's another one boys and girls: JVC Employment Opportunity – Firefighter/EMT – Town of Montville Town of MontvilleFirefighter / Emergency Medical Technician Full time 50 hour week, $ 17.29 hour Qualifications: Connecticut Certified Firefighter II Connecticut Certified Emergency Medical Technician Connecticut Certified Hazardous Material Operational Connecticut Q drivers License Current CPAT card required (Candidate Physical Agility Test) Resume and 3 references required Pre-offer physical and drug screening required before employment Application can be obtained at the Mayors Office 310 Norwich New London Turnpike Uncasville , CT 06382 848-3030 Closing Date May 1, 2008 4pm

I am not sure about NY, but CT is a pro-board state and I think they will be accepted/transferred if needed. You can call the director of certification at the Connecticut Fire Academy and ask, he may know. The website adress is www.state.ct.us/cfpc

They were there a few weeks, and it took about a month to get the report out. I would say about 2 to 3 months from start to finish. They asked questions about training, the quality of it and what types, they asked members what types of calls they were going on, they asked the firefighters what they thought of the leadership of the department, amount of resources dedicated to certain types of calls, stuff like that. PJ, I am working tomorrow and I will ask some of the guys that were there when tridata did the report what I am leaving out. I will email you with more. Joe Joe

I don't think using us as an example is good, because our issues are much different from the ones in Stamford. We have no issues with volunteers in town, with the exception of the Rowayton section and we have no issues with what they do and how they do it. All through the years there has been minor grumbling about why we don't do more there, but when it comes down to it, our members really could not care less, nor do I, about responses into Rowayton. We are of the collective opinion that, if we are called, we will go and do whatever they need. Currently we are automatic to EMS calls and Schools in Rowayton. Our system seems to be working, not to say Stamford isn't, just different. When the people were collecting their data, they interviewed all officers one on one, and all firefighters as small groups. They paid attention to reflex times and response times. They looked at all of our equipment, apparatus, and watched how it was routinely checkes. They analyzed our inspection, training and maintenance divisions and made recommendations. They recommended a sixth station for us near the Norwalk/Wilton town line due to a long response time there (in excess of 7 minutes first due). An additional ladder truck was suggested as well as a second rescue out of Station 1. Personally, I think the city administrators got more than what they bargained for...all of the larger suggestions were expensive ones and were never implemented. ALTHOUGH, like I said before, our current chief has been working hard on getting some of the larger suggestions put into budgets, however, he has been met with much opposition from the city. I can't complain too much, we really do have it good...I have friends in services that are in much worse shape. JVC

I WAS!

I guess I am one of the "boys" you refer to, which I find both obnoxious and sarcastic. You just cannot win here. While we are throwing around sarcasm, its "site" not "sight"

To be clear, I am NOT the Joseph Coppola referred to in the article. And, a comment, Norwalk did a tri-data report about 10 years ago, and to date, NONE of the more significant recommendations were accomplished (i.e. New Headquarters, sixth station in the Carnbury area additional staffed ladder co., fully staffed rescue are among them), although, there are plans in place to fill out the staffing on the rescue co. starting in July of this year. For the record, none of this is our current chief's fault, he is trying to accomplish good things, he is just encountering the routine "red-tape" that goes along with managing a city department. JC

Like everyone is saying, if someone is intent on ending thier life, they will find a way, its a good point about the nets though, that may take away from the aesthetics of the bridge though. Someone jumping out into traffic is something that is not only dangerous, it really can mentally mess up the person who hit the suicidal person. So, 2 lives are messed up. The Connecticut DOT is finally putting a slow-down ramp at the end of the route 7 connector in place of a 20' high rock wall. It seems that over the past few years, many folks have used that wall, and the long straight road before it, to end their lives. I know for a fact how hard those calls were for the responders that were first to arrive. We have to keep in mind the mental hardship dealing with responses to suicide calls causes to our people, and if they can be reduced, all the better - for everyone. Joe

In the real world, and in my city, there are never enough ambulances to park a whole bunch of them at the fire and wait for something to happen. In Norwalk, it is protocol for the dispatchers to send a stand by ambulance to all confirmed fires and they stand by until released by IC. Their primary purpose is for FD assistance, not civilian. If they spring into action for a civilian, another will be assigned. I think our medics do a really good job of helping us at fires. They are not following guys around with stethoscopes and BP cuffs, but they ARE INDEED monitoring the members, just how they generally look. If someone needs to be evaluated, they simply do it. I have seen them take a member aside and have a look at them if they look somehow out of sorts, but they don't do formal rehab, with the exception being a HAZMAT. As an officer, I expect the standby medics to be close to the command post and the RIT team, so they could provide ALS if needed and they aren't roving around looking for something to do. They are, in effect, an extension of the RIT team and should take that posture. JVC