SageVigiles

The only robots on our HAZMAT team (sarcastic jabs aside) are the ones from the Bomb Squad guys. Interesting idea, you'd kind of need to ensure the product is compatible with the robot though, so I don't really know how useful it is.

Rest in Peace Officer.

Ugh, absolutely tragic. Rest in Peace Officer.

Unreal. RIP Brothers.

Rest in Peace Chief!

For us in West Haven, a "working fire" or "Signal 73" is basically a statement of what level of alarm the assignment is. I've heard a 73-Brush transmitted before because the full assignment was needed for manpower and apparatus. Typically the 1st arriving officer will transmit the 73 or working fire (we're currently experimenting with language before our switch to plain English on the radio) but he will still specify the type of structure as part of his sizeup. Dispatch will usually put it out as a "structure fire" or the more old fashioned "alarm of fire" when they give the info on that particular box, they don't ever call it a "working fire" unless they're repeating the sizeup.

Email them, they will put you on a list and let you know what/when they need resources.

Hail to the Chief. Well said Sir. If you need anything, you let us know.

Any emergency services personnel interested in helping Newtown are asked to email wallfornewtown@gmail.com. This was passed along to me by the Chief of Newtown Hook and Ladder Company. It sounds like this is the plan the family is using to protect against WBC.

Passed on from the CT Fire website. I know we're not supposed to quote other sites but this has been sent out with the express intent of sharing, and is relevant to the conversation.

If the US Government can't even shut down Anonymous, I'd actually enjoy watching WBC try, it could only be hilariously embarrassing for them. Never thought I'd agree with Anonymous... kind of an uncomfortable feeling.

The Chief of Sandy Hook VFD has gone on the CT Fire forum and said that if they require assistance dealing with these people, they will put the word out at the appropriate time. You can be damned sure if that call comes in there will be quite a response from CTs first responders. I'd also like to recognize the Connecticut State Police again. Since this tragedy, CSP has had Troopers detailed 24/7 as Liaisons to each individual family who has lost a loved one, helping protect them from the vultures in the media and helping out in any other way they can. These men and women are amazing, truly CT's finest.

How quickly the ignorant and judgmental in our society come out after something like this. Does anyone else remember the accusation that the "goth" kids were responsible for Columbine? If anyone actually paid attention after the fact, it was quite clear they were not. Nor were they bullied. In fact, they WERE the bullies in their school.. When I was in high school I went to LAN parties and played violent video games. What the hell does that have to do with anything? Stop trying to find a reason why. There isn't one. There is NO way anyone is going to give you a valid reason WHY someone killed children, BABIES, in their school. An act like that is so atrocious, there's no such explanation out there, you're just going to be disappointed. The fact is, unless you're a cop involved in this investigation, you don't know a damned thing about what happened here, neither does Mike Huckabee, neither do I. So how about shutting your mouth until the facts come out? "Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Mike Huckabee is a piece of human garbage. Anyone remember the 4 cops killed by a perp HE pardoned for murder?

LTC Grossman has said a LOT of things that would apply to this tragedy, when the time comes I will post what I'm thinking, I don't think its appropriate at this time. We just had our After Action Review from Hurricane Sandy the other day, I stressed the importance to my fellow department heads for ALL HAZARDS planning. We're so used to focusing on purely storms now, that I'm concerned people may be overlooking the manmade hazards. I'm sure I will be getting a call from our Board of Ed regarding beefing up their Emergency Operations Plan in the near future. Houston PD put together a great video regarding Active Shooter incidents, stressing three ways to survive: Run, Hide or Fight.

Absolutely, I saw a couple of familiar faces in the pictures and videos from the scene. God only knows what they're going through.

Date: 12/14/12 Time: Approximately 0930 Incident Type: Shooting in an Elementary School District: Newtown (Sandy Hook Section) Location: Dickenson Drive Units: Newtown Police, Sandy Hook FD, Newtown Ambulance, CT State Police (Troop A, Troop L, ESU, Aviation, Bomb Squad) Frequency: Description: Shooting reported at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the Sandy Hook section of Newtown, CT. Initial reports from WTNH and the News Times have at least one student and one Police Officer injured. Shooting has stopped, but there are still searches underway from the sound of it. Supervisors requesting Bomb Squad to conduct a search but there is no credible threat of IEDs at this time. Triage and family reunification are located at the Sandy Hook firehouse. Other local schools are beefing up security as a precaution, including Danbury. Still developing, thoughts and prayers to everyone involved. Outside agencies I've seen: EMS: Valley EMS Derby Storm Ambulance Oxford EMS Campion Ambulance American Medical Response (AMR) Ansonia Rescue and Medical Services (ARMS) Southbury Ambulance Law Enforcement: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Federal Bureau of Investigation Monroe Police

Commish, I'll check at my work and see if we have what you're looking for.

Date: 12/12/12 Time: 1431 Hours Incident Type: Structure Fire (Signal 73) Location: 433 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT Units: Engines 16,8,5, Truck 3, Emergency 1, Car 32 (D/C) And 33 (B/C) Frequency: 859.5625 Weather Conditions: Cloudy Description: Fire in the walls 3-story wood. Workers on scene using a torch. Car 33 was first on scene, transmitted the 73 (working fire) 2nd Fire in New Haven during this time period, plus a gas emergency, pretty much stripped the entire city. Callbacks of a few engines/trucks as well as a Deputy Chief, plus mutual aid from the following: West Haven (Center District) Engine 21, Truck 22 to cover Howard Avenue (E11 Quarters) East Haven (Unknown which companies) covered Woodward Avenue station Hamden (unknown companies) covered Whitney Avenue station (E8/Sq1 quarters)

That's a good point. Though I wonder what the impact of legalization is on drug testing for employment, particularly considering the discrepancy between federal and state law regarding marijuana. Can an employer fire you for failing a drug test if the drug is legalized in that state because the drug is federally illegal?

Well said, though at the risk of sounding like a Berkley student, printing it is a waste of paper... haha.

You're probably onto something. UC-Berkley professors and grad students probably came out, saw that cops actually arrested people instead of hugging them into compliance, and therefore determined its "over-policed." They will probably recommend mandatory retraining and have ESU repurposed to hand out lollypops and teddy bears to violent offenders, after all, they're just misunderstood, right? I don't go to Yonkers often. Last time I was there a few words came to mind as I picked up my White Castle, and "over-policed" was certainly not one of them, quite in fact I don't think I've ever thought of a place as overly policed... but hey, what do I know, I'm not a Professor from one of the safest cities on the left coast. Seriously though, HFD has a point, I wonder if these people ever actually rode along with YPD to see what they go through, or if this was purely based on a particular numbers game.

Ah, didn't know that. I agree with your proposed solution. In West Haven the City Charter didn't allow for the city to operate an FD, but it was amended to allow for absorbing districts as the taxpayers push for that. Obviously a City Charter is easier to change than a State Statute, especially since I'm sure a few lobbyists would attempt to block it. The discussion is probably just academic anyway. Captain Nechis, the school vote cycle probably isn't a bad compromise either, never thought of that.

I'm split on this. Do I think more people should be involved in elections? Sure, if they have any idea what they're talking about. But do we want people just voting because theres a "D" or "R" next to their name during a general election? Please note that I make the following comment from behind sufficient, ballistic protective, tactical cover: If this is such a big issue maybe its time to get rid of fire districts and make them part of the municipality, instead of making the FD a separate political entity. Our department did just that after financial problems made a district financially unsustainable.

Shameless plug for my department, but thought this would be worth sharing with the group. Our "bunkie" program is becoming more and more active as it continues to develop, and its a win-win for everyone involved. The Department gets additional manpower available for calls and the students get experience and a taste of what its like to live and work in a fire station. Frankly the UNH membership keeps our volunteer department going, so expanding the resources and facilities we provide them is a top priority for our organization.