velcroMedic1987

Must have been a slow day in NH yesterday. This thread's a year and a half old. LOL

And I'm sure you would be eaten alive by plaintiff's counsel in the wrongful death suit. If brush/wildfires are one of your hazards, you have to train for it. The budget argument has never held up in court. Quite the contrary. (none of this is meant as disrespect.)

What if the police officer on scene meets the standards, arrived first, and is properly managing the incident (I know, not very likely but it could happen, especially if the PO is also involved in an FD somewhere else)? Now what happens when the newly minted FD chief arrives and doesn't meet the standards?

Your short answer fails to take into account that waiting until "the emergency is over" may result in the loss of evidence, potential witnesses, etc. The real answer is we have to work together and collaborate from the start. What if there is no fire from the plane crash (Avianca, 1990)?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all play nice in the sandbox and not proclaim "I am in charge" and instead work together to resolve the incident together? What if it is a person shot? Is that a crime scene? Who's in command? What if it is an arson fire? Is that a crime scene? Who's in command? And so on, and so on, and so on. It shouldn't matter what the nature of the emergency is, we should all be able to work together - ideally as HFD said - in a unified command. Fact of the matter is I've never see unified command work the way its supposed to because we still cling to the "I'm in charge" "this is my fiefdom" mentality. If PD designates something a crime scene, it is a crime scene. To ignore that may result in big problems down the road. Above all, communicate and cooperate!

Not true. Many vehicle crashes (whether aircraft, car/truck/bus, rail, or boat) are considered crime scenes. It depends on the circumstances. Most commercial aircraft crashes are considered crime scenes until it is determined that the cause was not criminal/terrorism. Failure to consider this from the outset may result in the loss of critical evidence. It doesn't matter who arrives first.

I don't disagree with any of your comments but you're talking about 2 different things. The thread is about BLSFR administering Narcan to elevate patient care and improve outcomes. With regard to this question, we should be asking - not about system deficiencies but rather - about risk/benefit and cost/benefit. Risk/Benefit - if a patient is found hypoventilating or apneic, will the BLSFR administered Narcan improve their outcome? What is the potential downside to this treatment? Can BLSFR administer this medication without complications or side effect? Cost/Benefit - what is the cost to train personnel and equip them to provide this treatment? Is there any empirical data to support such a program or is that why we're looking at these pilot programs popping up? During my career I've been part of a variety of studies. Some continued after the study period because they found that it was worthwhile and others just disappeared. As for your points about first responders needing to get their houses in order, you're right. But we shouldn't prevent this because we have other issues. If we did that we'd be nowhere.

Said by the guy from Bedford. How many FD's in Bedford and only one PD?

Just did some quick research online. Not even in the top 25.

It's a big bridge. Not the biggest bridge, not the most expensive bridge, nor the most elaborate bridge. It's going to take a lot of cranes, crews, and $$$$. Doesn't make it the largest bridge project in the world. Biggest for NY, maybe. Since they built it the first time. Why all the drama?

Jon Politis, Nick DeRobertis, Rob Visconti, Tim Haydock, Bob Cuomo, and of course Johnny and Roy.

They even have a disclaimer.

Wouldn't be the first time that an EMS textbook had incorrect information in it. lol

Largest projects in the world??????

None of that is carried in the regional coordinators' vehicle though. LOL

That's not the message to expedite, that's the failure to properly train and supervise the driver.

The NJ mall was not an active shooter scenario. When the PD arrived the shooting was over and they appropriately waited for SWAT teams to conduct a search to clear it. As evidenced by the response, there was no shortage of SWAT personnel and the response went according to plan.

So what are any of the expedite critics doing to educate the offenders? Or are you just criticizing them and expecting it to get better magically.

Just met the new regional director for the Hudson Valley. NYS OEM is called out to major incidents where state (or federal) resources are requested or extensive mutual aid is operating. They will coordinate state mutual aid.

It amazes me that everyone has a hand out looking for more taxpayer dollars for their benefit. If the construction of the bridge poses such a big risk and requires special resources the state should contract them for the duration of the event. Have the USCG put a boat there. Buying a boat for Tarrytown just passes their burden on to others.

Bill, I don't disagree with you but there are some differences in what you're comparing. The ladder TRUCK cost $800 K. The personnel are the issue here. It's not like someone is calling to borrow a vehicle. And let's face it, there are many more calls for ambulances requiring mutual aid these days than mutual aid fires requiring the ladder. The PD is not a valid comparison because the PD's are all staffed to start with and each chief gets to say what he/her will send on mutual aid. The PD mutual aid plan is actually pretty impressive if you look at it. I learned about it in an ICS class at the training center. If the PD calls for mutual aid, you know how many cops to expect. Not so with FD or EMS. The problem is there are EMS agencies RELYING on mutual aid to cover calls on a daily basis. We're not talking about 2nd, 3rd, or 4th jobs in their area.

All these stories point to the same thing = we have NO SYSTEM!!!!

That's a double edged sword. First the cost is astronomical to properly train and arm so many people. Second, they're supposed to be safeguarding an area that is "weapons-free" and not unlike the argument about armed pilots, you're now introducing more weapons to that "sterile" environment. There are police in every airport terminal. Maybe they need more? Using them as the screeners would also be cost prohibitive. They're cutting enough cops from police work.

Westchester desperately needs more responders! Another problem is that many volunteers are counted more than once. One member is in a VAC, VFD, Haz-Mat Team, CERT, and/or other teams so it looks like there are six people when in reality there's just one body.

Nope. That's a major assumption and you're flat out WRONG. Just like not everyone can operate an ambulance or a fire truck. They need training and supervision! There are volunteer and voluntary groups registered with NYC OEM to support major disaster operations. They don't just take volunteers off the street. They're all vetted and registered and trained through one group or another. Few, if any, operate city owned vehicles either.