helicopper

And it will probably be a best seller! What a disgrace! I hope that the families of his "hypothetical" victims are able to secure any profits as part of the award from the civil suit that went unpaid. And to think that I actually liked him in towering inferno and capricorn one.

What the article didn't say was that the bullet was fired by a neighbor who was fed up with the alert tones and radio chatter all night and especially the 200 foot antenna that was affixed to the roof!!!

Recently I saw a video from a police dash cam of a police officer apparently shooting a man in the back after a pursuit. That footage looked pretty damning! Then I saw footage from another car involved in the pursuit that showed the suspect had turned and fired a handgun at pursuing officers immediately prior to the officer shooting him. One view = indictment, another view = commendations. It's like the old adage that there are three sides to every story... his, hers and the truth! I'm not sure that the force used in that video was excessive without knowing the whole story from the start of the pursuit to the end. If he was still actively resisting, it's pretty hard to say it was abusive. On the other hand, if he was hit after being cuffed it might be a different story. I'm waiting for all the facts to come out before leaping to a conclusion like our glorious media does!

Just out of curiosity, the chiefs are volunteer in Pelham, right? So now there are volunteer officers, paid officers and both paid/volunteer firefighters. What's the chain of command? Does a career officer take orders from a volunteer officer? Does a paid guy take orders from a vollie officer? I'm not trying to stir up any controversy but rather understand how these different people interact. Chris PS - Congratulations to the new Lts!

I believe that it was a Bell 47 (MASH style) helicopter being used by the predecessor of Metro North PD for a police patrol when it crashed on the BRP in Scarsdale or Greenburgh. If I come across any more details, I'll post them!

Would this be an online party, in like a chat room or something?

We've always tried to operate with two member flight crews but that wasn't always possible in our early years. In the old helicopter the only equipment that couldn't be used was the FLIR by a single pilot. You're right, the new helicopter requires a crew of two (sometimes three for rescue ops) and we'll be staffed accordingly. Again, we're not going to discuss all our operational practices in this forum for obvious reasons.

We're still staffing two tours but vary alot due to operational requirements. We also work at other times (for example, we may work til 4 AM on Friday or Saturday nights) but we're not going to divulge all our operational practices for obvious reasons. As for off hours, we'll respond to a request as quickly as possible. Alot of this will depend on mission requests - if we're getting calls, I'm sure we're going to adjust our operations accordingly.

I think my speakers are broken - I turned the volume way up but didn't hear that!

Seth, I'm glad you found your press pass and were able to make it! I don't know what to add - you did a great job here... Perhaps you missed your calling as a reporter?!?!? Let's see you guys want details, huh? Be careful what you wish for... The bambi-bucket can hold 180 gallons of water and be deployed either as a "spot" or "spray". 180 gallons may not seem like much but it amounts to almost 1500 pounds and when you compare it to a 5 gallon Indian tank, I understand why the wildfire guys like the airtankers so much! The hoist can be used with a cinch-collar or stokes basket to extract a casualty from an isolated or inaccessible area (Might be a consideration next time there's a job at Camp Smith and you can't get to them). The hoist also has a camera to allow the crew to monitor and record what's going on down there. We all have new flight vests that have a harness integrated in them for when we need to be lowered to a victim/scene/deli/pizza place (just wanted to see if you're paying attention). The camera and downlink are probably the crown jewel of the aircraft. The FLIR 8500 has both a color camera for day/low light and an infrared imager for night "viewing". The zoom on the camera is really impressive for a non-military piece of equipment and the infrared capability makes it a 24 hour a day asset. For those unfamiliar, the infrared detects heat and converts it to essentially a black and white image based on temperature differences. So in the white hot mode, a bad guy running from the police looks really, REALLY bright against the surrounding environment - even more true at this time of year. Both types of images can be downlinked via a microwave transmitter to ground receivers. The Aviation Unit has two "suitcase" receivers that can be brought to an incident command post to allow on-scene viewing and a central fixed receiver will be installed to allow for viewing from the EOC and County PD HQ. All of these inputs can also be recorded for evidentiary use or training purposes. Yes, the spotlight is very large - 30 million candlepower large - that's more than twice the power of our existing one (which is pretty bright). It too has an infrared filter that will allow it to be used with night vision goggles further enhancing the ship's capabilities at night. The night vision goggles will enhance flight safety and The 407 is capable of transporting a litter - this is the same model that the State Police use all over the state as a medevac. We are NOT getting into the medevac business and are not equipped as an air ambulance but in a disaster (a real disater not just a cluster*#%&) we'll be able to transport one patient and an EMS provider - if necessary. If it wasn't clear enough, we're NOT getting into the medevac business! The cargo hook secures the bambi-bucket to the aircraft. It can also be used to carry cargo/equipment to an emergency and secure a long-line for rescues if the hoist would not be appropriate. The aircraft is equipped with six radios (yes, six - you should try listening to them all at once too!) - two for air traffic control (we operate in controlled airspace almost all the time) and four for emergency communications (VHF, UHF, 700/800 MHz) and yes, we'll even be able to communicate on the new trunked system! It's digital so we can communicate with Yonkers, Greenburgh, and other agencies with digital or encrypted communications. We can serve as a crossband repeater for interoperability until a ground based interoperability unit arrives or simulcast on multiple frequencies/bands (for example during a pursuit by the County in Yonkers or Mt. Vernon - different radio bands). And finally, the moving map system - this is really cool. It's not for the pilot (he has his own navigation system), it's for the co-pilot/tactical flight officer. It has street maps, marine maps, topo maps, and can be loaded with GIS data and aerial photos as well. Street info can be overlayed on the aerial photos so we can compare what we're looking at to known info. If a bad guy is hiding behind 123 Main St, we can direct the good guys to the back of 123 Main St rather than trying to walk them into it - that can be an interesting broadcast to listen to... Now go through the yard on your left, no your other left... Finally (are you really still reading all this??? Wow, you have a great attention span) there are rappel hard points on both sides of the aircraft that can be used by ESU or SWAT guys who want to jump off a perfectly good helicopter. Seriously, this can be great if we need to put guys onto a roof or high-rise. OK, I think I've rambled on more than enough... In conclusion I'd just like to again thank Seth for his coverage and let everyone know that though we're a "police" helicopter, we're here to support all the first responders in the County! We should be doing some "outreach" training and public relations this winter so everyone knows how to reach us and use us to our full potential. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to e-mail or call the unit office at 914-995-3576. Chris

I don't think that caution tape and/or barricades will carry the same weight as an emergency vehicle and/or first responder(s) if someone gets hurt in your absence and the matter is reviewed by a court. If you leave, how do you know the tape or barricades remain as you intended? How do you insure that people understand the hazard? If you're there and someone ignores your warnings that an area is closed, at least you can request the PD to respond and take further action. If they get hurt in the interim at least you've done what you could to protect the idiot. I agree with one of the earlier posts - consult your department's and/or municipality's legal counsel for guidance before allowing your emotions (tired, frustrated, bored, etc.) to influence a policy decision. It really doesn't matter whether you're paid or volunteer, police or fire - the liability is going to be the same! Look at it another way, if McDonalds can get sued and lose because someone gets burned by a hot cup of coffee, we can certainly get sued if we leave a hazard!

On a similiar note, today's little breezes makes inspired me to ask: Does any agency around here have policies that state when they will stop responding to calls during a storm? I know that in Florida when weather conditions reach a certain point (usually near hurricane conditions) police and fire/ems return to designated safe havens until after the storm passes and they can safely resume operations. Just curious!

As someone already said, both helicopters are kept at the County Airport. The existing helicopter (the venerable 1967 Hughes OH-6) will be kept as a reserve ship and used when appropriate or when the 407 is in for scheduled inspections. The 407's mission will be announced tomorrow in the Press Conference... (In other words, more info to follow!!!

An official press conference is being held on Monday to announce the arrival of the aircraft and describe it's capabilities. It would be politically incorrect of me to trump the press conference by posting info prior to that. I'll be more than happy to answer any questions or clarify anything after Monday's press conference. Thanks, Chris

Date: 10/28/06 Time: 1600 (ongoing) Location: Long Island Sound off Mamaroneck/Rye Frequency: multiple - CG marine 16, 46.26, etc. Units Operating: numerous Description Of Incident: Capsized Boat with people in the water. Writer: Chris192 Boat capsized, people in the water. Numerous units responding including NYPD air-sea rescue. 1613 - update all people out of the water. NYPD aviation still on station. NYPD harbor and local marine units also on scene.

If what happens at Vital Signs stays at Vital Signs, how do you bring it back to your co-workers??? Sorry, couldn't resist!!! And yes, one of the other attractions is watching the whackers with their batman utility belts, radios, uniform jackets, etc. roaming around 100 or more miles from home - geez their response time is gonna suck!!! Have fun up there! Hope it doesn't snow on ya!

The downside of EMS carrying any type of weapon (impact or chemical) is that once you use it on someone you're going to be the same person treating them for it and it could very easily be taken away from you and used against you - happens to cops too, so EMS'ers wouldn't be immune. Also, using a chemical agent in an ER is bound to annoy the staff when they can't use the room while it's vented and cleaned up. Most hospitals have in-house procedures for violent or combative patients - if you're in their house I'd let them resolve it. If it's your a** - beat a hasty retreat. If you can't retreat, do what you gotta do with what you've got. I was taught years ago that if you've got your stretcher, put it between you and the offender. They either have to go over it or around it giving you time (hopefully) to retreat to a safe location and await PD. Stay safe!!

It's actually easier to figure it out by individual and then just do the math to figure out the total department cost. I've been told that in most cases pension, benefits, etc. adds about 42% to the salary in the NY metro area (give or take depending on the agency). So, if you use 50K as a starting point, penefits are another 21K. Using firecapt32's info about officers, you can add accordingly... Good luck!!

Some police agency (agencies) in Colorado had some "unusual" vehicles - I think one was a BMW - due to their altitude and speed limits (or lack thereof). I don't know if they still do but it was pretty cool to see!!!

It was the amount of force necessary given the circumstances. Two police officers were already shot and one was killed. The police K9 was also killed so they knew the suspect was armed and dangerous. He had stolen the police officer's gun and was also armed with his own. If all 10 officers on the SWAT team fired (possible but WOW, there's a sight) they each fired only 11 rounds. Depending on all sorts of factors that will undoubtedly come out in the investigation and subsequent lawsuit, it seems entirely reasonable and most definitely justified. I extend my sincerely condolences to the all the surviving officers and the slain officer's family. Hopefully, this matter will be put to rest very quickly! RIP Deputy Williams!

Farmingville Fire District Amends Controversial Budget not BY JULIET CHUNG Newsday Staff Writer October 15, 2006 Farmingville's fire commissioners received a tongue-lashing last night from residents upset about the district's spending plans for next year - including more than $300,000 set aside for refurbished rec rooms and a new race car. As Newsday reported last week, the commissioners recently passed a $2.9-million budget that allocates $260,000 for the renovation of its stations' recreation rooms and $55,000 to buy a race car. Today the budget was amended to include 1.3 million dollars for the 1001 HP, 252 mph, speedster that will be used by the departments drill team and fire prevention officer. The Fire Prevention Officer is quoted as saying "this thing goes so fast I'll actually get there before the fire starts"...

Has the union representing the 22 paid firefighters weighed in about this yet?

Date: 10/05-06/06 Time: 2330 - ongoing Location: Butler Sanctuary, Town of Bedford Frequency: 155.250 Units Operating: Bedford PD, State Police K9, MTA PD K9, County PD Aviation, State Police Aviation, Bedford Hills FD, Mt. Kisco FD Description Of Incident: Overdue/Missing hiker in woods. Vehicle found in parking lot. Numerous units being used for search with multiple K9 and aviation. As of 0330 search is still ongoing. Writer: Chris192

Wow. Train the dispatchers? The dispatchers are the only ones who get extensive training in using radios! I don't care which discipline you pick, police, fire, ems, or other, there are LOTS of people who simply have no radio etiquette. Don't blame the dispatchers for a system failure!!! If all the agencies that use 60-Control, or all agencies in Westchester County for that matter, use the same set of 10-codes this would probably not be that big a deal. Unfortunately, with several different sets of codes in use, it is almost impossible for anyone to keep track of who is saying what on which frequency. I think the change makes sense and will make all our lives easier.

Given Westchester's propensity for flooding, I don't think there would be much of a benefit to justify the expense of going underground. You may have fewer wires down calls but you'll be dealing with manhole fires instead! At 5 BILLION dollars (projected) to go underground, a few days without power is a much less expensive albeit inconvenient alternative!