islander

On the flip side, if EMS is on scene and the patient says "they feel fine", RMA's and then dies an hour later does the RMA absolve all of us there (PD/FD/EMS) of liability? Probably not. And what level of training is acceptable to properly handle a lift assist? CFR? EMT? My guys/gals (PD) only have first aid certification through the department, but in that training they're taught that when in any doubt in a lift job, mva, etc. to call for EMS. Common sense dictates that if they need resources beyond the level of service that they've been trained or can provide, they call for them. My cops aren't intubating grandpa, they're just helping him back into his chair.

I called the Mt. Pleasant Home Depot only to get a full laugh from the rep, and to be told there's not a HD in the Hudson Valley with a snow rake in stock. Luckily I had a generous neighbor before the last storm, and I just grabbed one off of ebay for myself.

Well, that's part of the problem right there. They're towing cows for cryin' out loud! Once they clear up their livestock removal issue, then maybe they can stop kowtowing and start negotiating.

Exactly. And while it sucks that the 167 lost their jobs, hopefully temporarily, remember that the membership includes the 1,000 or so cops on the job. The best interests of the entire membership would be at stake with a re-open of the contract, and effects of such a move would be felt long after the department returns to pre-layoff strength.

I guess the separation of church and state argument trumps the freedom of speech argument for the troopers honoring their colleagues.

There was no delay. This is a combination of residents affected by the fire, where time of a three minutes can seem like a hour, being exploited by the media and the band of people who are hell bent on consolidation and reorganization. Another aspect not mentioned is that sheer amount of calls received from the incident by the jurisdictions and 60 control had to have had a negative effect on phone lines, software, radio transmissions, and personnel. Although this impact was negligible, tons of calls within seconds of each other will tax any system, and all the consolidation in the world can't help that. Yes, the area does have a lot of first response emergency agencies for its size, but this job showed that all three agencies, the two villages and the town, can effectively work together. Politicians say "Never let a crisis go to waste", and it seems like some are going to try and stretch a great job (no injuries, fire limited) into a crisis.

The TMFD Board of Fire Commissioners is the Town Board. Just as they are also the Police Commissioners as well. The departments don't have separate commissioners, they have the town council act as commissioners when needed.