AFS1970

I am personally a fan of the old red white and blue Civil Defense Logo. I have seen one updated that replaced the CD with EM, but it seemed to lack something. I don't know if if was because the agency is usually known as OEM or if it was because E & M don't look like oposite semicircles the way C & D do. I am not that big a fan of the crest design in general or in the way that they often get divided into sections like that as the content of the sections inevitably end up stepping on someones toes. I remember seeing a badge center in a catalog once that was a purple square withe a white triangle inside it and no lettering. It always looked more corporate to me than public safety. Once thought is to include the black on white skyline that is part of the CERT logo, as CERTs are usually part of OEM.

Go for it! As others have pointed out you seem to have the choice to either become a Chief or a Captain who is an acting Chief. Either way you get the job. One other thing to consider, is there anyone qualified for your old Captains position that will ultimately move up? If there is than at least taking the Chief's spot will mean doing one job and not two. If there is not, and you will have to do both, well it's not possible to be inside the fire as a Captain and outside as a Chief. In that case you would need to decide which serves the department better. I would not be worried about hidden issues too much, especially wqith the member who is a past Chief from somewhere else. I had an instructor once who was a long serving Chief in one town then moved to another town. He went in to join the local department saying he did not want to hold office, that he was happy just to be a firefighter. Then next time I saw him, he was wearing a helment that said Chief Engineer. Sometimes office is like an octopus and those damn tenticles just reach out and grab us willing or not. Also in my past ife as a VFF, I went from Firefighter to Lieutenant, back to Firefighter then to Captain, then back to Firefighter. In the volunteer service it is sometimes a rollercoaster ride that has its ups and downs. I don't know you personally but would sometimes rather have a reluctant officer than someone who actively campaigns for the postiion.

The other night at work I had to call a neighboring town's police department, I got a menu of choices, the truly frightening thing was reporting an incident was choice number 5.

We will never stick together in the Emergency Services as long as we are competing for limited tax dollars. It doesn't matter if it is Dispatchers vs the Field units or Police Vs Fire or whatever. That is the sad reality. One thing that this computerized system will not beable to do is effectively prioritize calls that come in a split second apart. It is easy to send the first due engine on the first call in their district, but when you are first reading that call and another higher one comes in that is a higher priority, somepeople would say that the few seconds it takes for a human to read that call might have been a good thing. However with the Next Generation 9-1-1 coming where people can text their calls to the PSAP, and with the existing use of touch tones keys for various menus, some moron will probably invent a system that does not require human call takers, which will be blended with the computer dispatching and the bosses will pat themselves on the back for increasing efficiency and reducing labor costs. The guys in the field will wave goodbye to us as we turn out the lights in the dispatch center and then will be shocked when the first Robot Firefighter is put into service. Doesn't anyone remember RoboCop? Do you want Omni Consumer Products running your department?

I remember hearing that Turn of River's R66 (also an HME and a little older that R1) had water leaks in the roof also. So I don't think that anyone can claim that R1 having problems is a fluke. Being somewhat bussier than R66 is probably just came to a head faster, but really the question is why would TWO departments give up mack rescues for Home Made Equipment? Oh that's right, low bid.

Date: 12/25/2011 Time: 04:51 Location: Next to 2241 Shippan Av (on Shippan Point at tip of peninsula) Frequency: Stamford Trunked Units Operating: E4, E1, E2, E3, E5 (RIT), T1, R1, U4 (Command), E6, T2 (2nd Alarm), M1, M3, M901 (EMS Supervisor), M4, M92 (Fly Car), U7 (Safety), FM102, SPD: 3B, 3A, 8S2(Sgt), 2C, 2B, 8D (Lt/Shift Commander), E7, E9 (Relocated to 1 Co), E34 (Replaced E9 at 1Co) E7, T3 (Third Alarm),T45 (Relocated to 1Co), E8 (Relocated to 4Co), E34 (Relocated to 1Co), Greenwich/Sound Beach E51 (Relocated to 3Co). Weather Conditions: Cold & Clear Description Of Incident: Initial call from next door neighbor for house fire. Extra Engine sent due to closer units clearing from previous call at time of report. Multiple calls received prior to 1st due engine arriving. E4 on scene reporting 2 1/2 story wood frame residence with heavy fire on A/D corner. U4 arrived on scene and called for 2nd alarm due to reports of multiple trapped residents on 2nd floor. SPD reported 2 elderly and 3 children trapped. Initial EMS response was 2 Ambulances (1 for victims & 1 for responders), M901 called for all EMS units (Additional Ambulance & Fly Car) to respond. Greenwich EMS dispatched on separate call prior to arriving at town line for stand by. Southwest C-Med coordinating EMS move ups. GFD, TRFD, BFD & SPFD toned out for station coverage due to E6 operating & E7,E8,E9,E34 & T45 relocating to downtown district. C1 (Chief of Department on scene). U4 transmitted at 05:26, that this would be an Exterior Defensive operation. Third Alarm called at 05:32. Further units relocated to 1Co. Reporters: AFS1970 Writer: AFS1970

Date: 11/13/2011 Time: 02:52 Location: Merritt Parkway Exit 33 Southbound Exit Ramp @ Long Ridge Rd Frequency: Stamford Trunked Units Operating: SPD: 8S3 (reporting party), 4C42, 4D31, 4E72, 3A20, 8S4. SEMS: M1, M3, M901. TRFD: E62, R66, U616, C611 (Incident Command). SFRD: E9, R1. CSP Weather Conditions: Clear & Cold Reporters: Writer: AFS1970 Description Of Incident: SPD Sgt. came across vehicle off the road, down an embankment into the woods and requested FD & EMS. Additional SPD units responded as back up and for traffic control. As units were being dispatched officer on scene updated reporting 1 victim trapped in vehicle and 1 victim ejected from vehicle with a probable DOA. State Police notified due to highway being their primary jurisdiction. SPD units shutting down Merritt Parkway S/B north of Exit 34. Medic Supervisor special called due to initial report of severity, he special called an additional ambulance as he was responding. UPDATE: M901 reports extrication is complete. Both Ambulances transporting 1 patient each with FD personnel on board.

The Stamford Police Association is sponsoring a benefit for P.O. Cavalcante who is currently awaiting a heart transplant. December 7, 2011 6:00 PM Bradford's Grill & Tavern 83 Bedford St Stamford, CT $30 Donation 50/50 Raffle Free Draft Beer, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs Happy Hour Prices on Bottled Beer & Well Drinks Live Music

Date: 10/22/2011 Time: 01:53 Location: 1156 Newfield Ave Frequency: Stamford Trunked Units Operating: E7, E8, E6, E62, E9, E41, E1, T1, T45, T3, R1, R54, U4, U7 (Safety), U60, C411 (Command), M4, M3, M901, FM108, SPD Weather Conditions: Cool & Clear Description Of Incident: Muliple calls for a house fire, conflicting reports of people trapped on roof and inside. Large house party was going on at time of fire. C411 arrived and reported fire through the roof. E8 arrived and added to size up heavy fire throughout 1st & 2nd floors calling for 2nd alarm. C411 assumed command. SPD confirmed nobody on trapped on roof. Reporters: AFS1970 Writer: AFS1970

Date: 10/14/2011 Time: 02:34 Location: i95 Southbound, Between exits 6 & 5 Frequency: Multiple Units Operating: E3,R1,M1,M3,M901,GEMS,GFD,CT State Police Weather Conditions: Heavy Rain, Lightning Description Of Incident: Initial reports of 4 tractor trailers and several cars involved in collision. State PD requested a 2nd ambulance prior to any EMS arrival. R1 extricated some patients. S/B I95 shut down and all traffic diverted onto surface roads in Stamford and Greenwich. Back up causing traffic to leave highway well before official diversion at exit 6. DEP requested for several leaking saddle fuel tanks. U.S. Coast Guard notified due to fuel spill proximity to Long Island Sound. Reporters: AFS1970 Writer: AFS1970

Date:7/23/2011 Time: 04:19 Location: I95 N/B between Exits 7 & 8, on Elm St overpass Frequency: Stamford Trucked Units Operating: E3,E1,E2,T3,R1,U4 (Command),M1 (Staged in case of MVA),U8 Safety Weather Conditions: Hot Description Of Incident: Fully involved cab of tractor trailer hauling load of mattresses, possibly due to MVA (unconfirmed reports), full box sent due to water supply issues & multiple calls of flaming debris falling onto surface streets. IC special called Safety Officer. CSP handling traffic on I95, SPD shutting down Elm St in both directions due to debris. 1 Car stopped approximately 100 yards behind truck was possibly involved, EMS staged at on ramp until situation confirmed. UPDATE: 05:13 - SPD arrested 1 for interfering with police during road closure on Elm St. Reporters: AFS1970 Writer: AFS1970

Date:06/11/2011 Time:01:01 Location:50 Bell St Frequency:Stamford Trunked Units Operating: E3,E2,E1,T3,T2,R1,U4(Command), U7(Safety),E4(RIT),E5,T1(2nd Alarm),M1,M3,M92(Fly Car),M901(EMS Supervisor),SPD Weather Conditions: 65 degrees, light rain, nighttime Description Of Incident:Initial reports of fire in ceiling of occupied senior residence. Units arrived on scene and confirmed fire, U4 declared working fire and automatic 2nd alarm (due to type of occupancy) at 01:14. This building is in downtown near the crowded bar area next to a heavily traveled parking garage. Multiple EMS units requested for residents. U4 declared fire under control at 01:30 and released the 2nd alarm and RIT. City Building Department requested to the scene. A second call for an automatic alarm took 3rd due units prior to them being relocated to cover the district, leading to increased response times citywide. Reporters:AFS1970 Writer:AFS1970

Date:06/10/2011 Time:08:23 Location:16 Orlando Ave (between West Av & Montauk Dr) Frequency: Stamford Trunking Units Operating: E3,E2,E5,E1(RIT),T3,R1,U4(Command),U7(Safety)M1,M901(EMS Supervisor),T2(special called)FM111(Fire Marshal),E4 (2nd RIT),SPD Weather Conditions:72 degrees and sunny Description Of Incident:Multiple calls for working fire, Box upgraded to include RIT while units responding. 2nd Truck special called on arrival,2nd RIT called shortly thereafter, which upgrades to equivalent of 2nd alarm. Response complicated by wires down from yesterdays storm on nearby roads and cars parked on street of fire building. Power Company called to scene. Reporters:AFS1970 Writer:AFS1970

Date: 12/5/2010 Time: 00:03 Location: 182 Ursula Pl Frequency: Trunked System Units Operating: E4, E1, E6, T1, R1, U4 (Command), E2( RIT),U6 (Safety), M92 (EMS), C1 (Chief of Department), M901 (EMS Supervisor), M3 (EMS), Red Cross DAT Weather Conditions: Cold & Clear Description Of Incident: Initial report of smoke from a boiler room, E4 arrived reporting smoke from Chimney, U4 arrived and confirmed working fire. Reporters: AFS1970 Writer: AFS1970

Date: 07/04/2010 Time: 04:35 Location: 56 Indian Hill Rd (Initially reported as #74) Frequency: SFD Trunked / 154.13 Units Operating: E9, E5, E3, E62, R1, T3, T45, T67, M1, M901, U4 (DC), DC691, FM610, C411, SPD Weather Conditions: Clear, Aprox 70 Degrees Description Of Incident: Multiple calls for structure fire, initially reported as an occupied residence, then reported as a detached animal barn with exposure to residence. Confirmed as working fire at 04:45. Fire Declared under control at 05:04, Recall holding E9,E5,T67 Per DC691. Reporters: AFS1970 Writer: AFS1970

Date: 05-01-2010 Time: 00:47 Location: 75 Briar Woods Trl Frequency: 154.13 (Dispatch Audio Only) Units Operating: E74, E71, E73, E62, K68 (Tanker), E5 (Quint), E8, E9 (RIT), R1, U4 (DC), C612 (Asst Chief), U715 (Lieut), FM710 (Fire Marshal), M4 (Medic) Weather Conditions: Clear Description Of Incident: Initially reported as fire alarm, Homeowner reported smell of smoke to alarm company, E74 arrived and reported fire in garage. E74 requested a 2nd alarm shortly after arrival. Reporters: AFS1970 Writer: AFS1970

Although it is a moot point now, for those of us in CT, it wasn't much o a problem, in that we were still getting Channel 8 out o New Haven. We even had a local theater (The Avon) do a live showing o the Oscars, at least partially in response to Cablevision. On the surface I was tempted to side with Cablevision on this one, as ABC was raising their rates significantly. The I thought, this is the same crap that happened with The Food Network. Cablevision works hard to make sure they have little or no competition but the wants us to remember they are not being treated fairly. They raise rates almost constantly on the customers but cry loudly when suppliers raise rates on them. As for missing News 12, That would not be a big problem for me if we had another reliable cable TV option in the area. I will live if I don't hear about the Smith family going bird watching in their back yard, or finding out a day late about a story after the Anchor reads it in the paper or in at least one local matter finding out that News 12 considers a story to big to cover. Oh well.

First and foremost I am against the idea of a special team within a department as your FAST/RIT. I believe that this important aspect of training should be started at the basic level, and built on from there right along side of other firefighting skills. Every single member of your department needs to be able to function as the FAST/RIT. This is for two main reasons, as Izzy pointed out, statistics have shown that a crew member involved in Firefighter removal WILL get hurt, which will require an additional crew. In both the basic and advanced RIT classes I took at the CT Academy, each evolution required MULTIPLE crews to complete. In a career department, at least in theory, all crews have an equal chance of being assigned as the FAST/RIT. In a volunteer department, manpower is so much of a variable that there is no promise of your special team getting to the scene at all, let alone together and at the same time. The very concept of saying we have 50 guys on scene but only 6 of them are RIT qualified goes against the very principle of saving ones own. Most if not all of the skills normally associated with FAST/RIT are built upon the basics of firefighting. Search and rescue skills are part of FF1, as are ropes & knots. They are a simple but obvious progression of FF1 anyway, and really do not add that much time onto a class. The basics can be covered in 8-16 hours. That is two days or four nights. In the general scheme of training, that is not a long time at all. As for ongoing training, there are two ways to maintain proficiency, first is to add some FAST/RIT drills into the schedule in frequent enough rotation. The second is to include FAST/RIT evolutions into existing drills. Both methods can be used in concert with each other, also. I agree with basic EMS training but for a different reason. One aspect of EMS training is patient lifting and moving. While I am not suggesting that the same time is taken with patient packaging inside a fire environment that is taken at other times, knowing his information from the EMS perspective and not just from the lifting and carrying chapter of FF1 can be helpful. Anything we can do to minimize the injuries to the Firefighter being rescued is a good thing. As for the CPR aspect, I would hope that in that scenario, the patient is being handed off to someone else, either an EMS crew or another fire crew. Remember that in basic CPR training, we can stop performing under physical exhaustion. I would bet that after being the FAST/RIT one is physically exhausted or at least closer to being there than they otherwise would have been. As long as manpower allows for it, handing off to a fresh crew, is all part of providing the best care possible. Seniority can be a mixed factor. While experience is beneficial, so is training. Very often (although not always), the newer younger members are the ones who seek out and attend formal training, while senior members are the one who have seen and done more. I am of the opinion that neither is better or worse. Look at all the recent health and wellness initiatives that have come up in the fire service. Someone starting off in the fire service will see this as the norm, while those who have been in the service for a while will see this as an innovation and possibly a hurdle to be overcome. I know members of departments that don't see the value of FAST/RIT and think of it as some new fad. Those members would make a poor FAST/RIT to some but also probably have performed more searches and/or rescues than the so called FAST/RIT specialists.

I am generally against censoring of post except in extreme circumstances. Especially because some of the more robust discussions are also the ones where there is the most to learn. Over the years I have read and posted in many topics. I have even made a point of staying away from one very controversial thread. One thing that helps me sort out the players is recognizing the perspective that other members are coming from. The profiles information on the right side is a good help for this, knowing the age range and the service affiliation(s) of my fellow members usually keep me from being offended. I can think of two threads (one recent and one very old) that probably would have got me riled up if I had not been able to understand the frame of reference that the posters were coming from. Sometimes someone is asking a legitimate question, but it comes off wrong if you are looking to get offended.

I have seen this practice often, but only in the last 5 or so years while working at various Jewish religious sites. It is not confined to a specific group of Jews, as I have seen this at some but not all Orthodox services as well as some Conservative services. From a couple of times I have been around people using this form of prayer, I know they generally will not respond until the prayer is over, so that may be why there was no clear response from the teen. A little common courtesy might be needed here, in that if you are going to fulfill a religious requirement while in a crowded place with those of other faiths and there is no opportunity to find a quite secluded space, maybe at least say something to the passengers nearby, so they do not get concerned. Will it help? I do not know. Should it be required? No, but it would be the decent thing to do, although there is nothing stopping a terrorist from using the same line when he is about to pray before blowing up the plane. Oh, and as for not allowing the ritual slaughter of a chicken in business class, that is only because the airlines have long had a rule against anything resembling actual edible food being allowed on board.

Who has the Jurisdiction, depends on who owns the station. In Stamford it used to be city owned, so Stamford PD was primary. Then the State DOT took it over and MTA (At the time Metro-North) PD became primary. Other than riding the trains during a brief homeland security joint operation, CSP does not get involved with the trains much, as MTA handles their own investigations. Things get complicated at Stamford, because all the buildings are State, however the roads are city. There is one building that is privately owned and thus part of city jurisdiction, that most members of the public think is part of the train station, which leads to much confusion over parking spaces.

I am glad to see him making some progress in his life. When I was a kid, I had occasion to meet a homeless ex-firefighter who had been fired for similar reasons. Sadly, he never recovered from his demons and was burried with little ceremony as an indigent.

It wouldn't have helped with a long distance trip from Texas to New York, but I know Amtrak is very accommodating for LODD's. Amtrak ran a special train for the Worcester 6 funeral. I base this on talking with out of town firefighters I have met at funerals. I kept meeting the same two guys from Delaware at funerals in New York, for a while. I have heard but can't confirm that Amtrak conductors will waive the entire fare on a space available basis in this situation. As for Airlines, they all make some kind of accommodation for death of family members. How to translate this into the extended family that is the fire service? I don't know. I am not sure there is any reliable way to confirm that any one of us is part of any given "sea of blue" at a funeral. I suppose the first step would be requiring flying into the closest airport. Now this is easy in NYC (or another major city), but harder in other areas. There might have to be a restriction on returning within 24 hours or something similar. Coordinating between unions is one way, but that does not address those of us who are not union firefighters and might still wish to pay our respects. I think an umbrella organization like the NFFF is probably the best, but I don't know if there is enough of an interest for them to get involved. How do the firefighters who already travel across the country do so? I have met firefighters from Canada, California, Texas and Florida in the New York area at funerals, but I have never asked. I know in some cases the department or the union picks up the cost.

I read one article where there were several questions about the traffic enforcement policies in town. But the best part is that the Police Chief disbanded his whole department, then the Fire Department quit. So now they have no one to do anything. I also liked one video I saw that had a good shot of the double wide city hall in it.

Rest in peace, Most sincere condolences to his family and fellow firefighters.