SageVigiles

My thoughts exactly. Keep in mind this is pre-CPAT, medical and background. 1100 is a number that could shrink easily. Granted you have to take into account the 650 or so they're putting through from FDNY*EMS. But also keep in mind FDNY is down ~3,000 guys if I'm not mistaken. A little too soon to toss all your hopes down the drain. DCAS is mailing out scores so just "keep calm and carry on."

I haven't found the official link yet, but FDNY Rescue 4 posted the top 1,100 candidates from Exam #2000. https://www.facebook.com/pages/FDNY-Rescue-Company-4/230270946990483

I'd highly recommend this training seminar if anyone can attend. So far we have people booked from as far away as PA coming out to support a Brother in need and for an awesome training opportunity. Rick Garrison is a great guy. He's been sick for awhile and finally was cleared to come back to work a few months ago, just in time for his son to get hired by Wallingford FD, they were able to work the same shift a few times before Rick had to go back out on injury, when they discovered his condition is worsening. Its a terrible situation but Rick has always been a dedicated member of Wallingford's fire service, first as a volunteer and then as a career member. Unfortunately I'll have to miss out on this class, I have Instructor that day, but I will still be donating to support him!

Chief, if I owe you any royalties for the use of QTIP without prior written authorization, let me know... haha.

I'm speaking in generalities. Not saying this was or wasn't a mistake, from what I understand many of the European FD's run mostly defensive operations due to building construction differences, etc. What I'm saying is in response to the comment "this is why I can't take this site sometimes." I've had my department's operations picked apart as a result of videos, etc, and I really don't mind, I'm big enough to admit my mistakes and missteps and I want to see other options out there. Like you, I would have done it differently, and that's what I mean, that's the whole purpose of this site, to exchange ideas and see what other people are doing to see if you might pick something up or shy away from a particular strategy/tactic. Added: The reality is that this is the world we live in: Fire, Police, EMS, hell, even public works, it doesn't matter. This is the Youtube Generation. Everything we do is going to be recorded and picked apart by someone. Personally I'd rather it be other firefighters. If I do something stupid and someone explains to me why it was stupid, then I've learned something that will make me safer. If I do something intelligent (which is rare) and someone uses that to help them mitigate an incident later on, then I've helped someone as well. Its all about exchanging information and discussion of that information.

Yeah guys I don't think we should discuss the merits and pitfalls of different strategies and tactics on a firefighting site. Its much more conducive to firefighter safety and the perfection of our trade to discuss the legality of [insert random color] lights or whose new engine has the shiniest Q on the front bumper. I doubt your department is from this town in Europe, why get so bent out of shape? There's nothing wrong with learning from other people's mistakes, particularly when you're not in danger of personally insulting anyone here on the site. Obviously a video isn't the ENTIRE operational picture of whats going on, but you can't doubt this video exemplifies some stark differences between standard firefighting here in the US as opposed to Europe. Personally I find the cultural difference when it comes to the different fire services very interesting, and definitely worth discussing. QTIP* *QTIP is a (possibly) registered trademark of Chief Flynn, YFD.

This is a great idea, I'm glad CFA is going to start pushing post-secondary education for the fire service. They had one directed towards Juniors, Cadets and Explorers last year that some of our Explorers attended and enjoyed. There are alot of interesting opportunities out there for education in emergency services related fields and a lot of different formats on how to teach them. The only way to figure out what works for you is to do your research, and programs like this are a great way to do that!

You won't get your test results until the court appointed special master approves the list. So I'm not exactly holding my breath.

UNH will be doing their version of this "burn box" demo in the next couple weeks. They burn 2 rooms, one with a sprinkler. I'll be sure to post pictures after the fact. GBFD, if you want contact with the UNH Fire Science program that does their fire prevention stuff, PM me and I'll put you in contact with someone.

What is a firehouseman??? Is this individual paid by the department directly or through some other agency? If they were a contractor I probably wouldn't consider it combination.

They look like takedown lights, but I'm not sure.

Captain Duffy is another awesome instructor. If you get the chance to hear him speak I'd highly recommend you take it.

Great spy shots! I can't believe they store them outside!

Also if I remember correctly Ridgefield staffs 2 ambulances. So if they're 2 medicals deep that 6-7 can become 2-3 really quick. Not so easy to rely on them for automatic aid, especially considering how busy they are for a small town.

Trust me, you aren't alone on that one...

Moose, that's where you need to get your county coordinators and emergency management folks involved to find out who has what and make sure those run cards are updated. This is also where NIMS can be used effectively. FEMA has resource typing guidelines you can download to standardize what is an "Engine Company" or a "Truck Company" etc. This ensures everyone is on the same page when it comes to whose responding with what.

Whoops, sorry about that.

West Haven will be bringing the Smoke Trailer to various schools within all three districts where the Fire Marshals, career personnel, dispatchers and volunteers will assist in teaching students about fire safety including how to dial 9-1-1, having a plan for your family, and the usual fire safety stuff. University of New Haven Fire Science Club will be hosting a Fire Prevention Carnival for students where they'll do extinguisher training with their Bullex Fire Extinguisher prop along with some other educational activities, assisted by Allingtown Vol. FD. UNH Fire Science will also be hosting their "Burn Box" event again. Basically they build and furnish two mock dorm rooms in a parking lot on campus, including smoke detectors, etc. One of the rooms will have a sprinkler system installed, one will not. This will demonstrate the effectiveness of sprinkler systems in slowing and/or stopping fire spread. This has always been a very popular event (particularly since you can't really miss the giant fire in the parking lot) and they hope to continue the tradition. Allingtown VFD will also be on standby for this event.

This topic has been visited MANY times on this site, but I whole-heartedly agree with you. Unless the neighboring town has a history of reckless and/or dangerous operation, I don't see why they shouldn't be first up to assist me. Egos and pride are usually the reason they don't get called. As far as specialized teams, in CT we regionalized most of our special operations assets. The state Division of Emergency Managment and Homeland Security keeps track of who has what and you request assets through the Regional Coordinator. This is the 2011 Map, I couldn't find the 2012 one on a public site: www.ct.gov/cfpc/lib/cfpc/State_responder_assets_Jan_2011full.pdf In Region 2 we have the following assets: HAZMAT Team (5 Divisions) Mass Decon Trailers (6) Foam Trailer (1) Medical Reserve Corps (Its actually 5 now, City of New Haven just started one) STOCS Box (interoperability system for radios) (14) ICall/ITac Towers (5) Shelter Cot Caches (4) Mass Casualty Trailer (1) Sandbag Cache (3) We also have access to any other resource in the state, including: State Police ESU State Animal Response Teams (SART) - (2) Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) These are all the state or regionally purchased/funded assets. There are other special operations assets that are not funded by the state or region but can still be requested through Regional Coordinators.

Firedude, I'd suggest going to the DEMHS Regional Coordinators and providing them with the information, because they can notify all the fire and police Chiefs, as well as the Emergency Management Directors. Self-dispatching is only going to piss people off and get you escorted off scenes by the PD, but if you get a good awareness campaign going you can become a well known asset and get called to more incidents. It would be even better if you could meet with all the local Chiefs. Finally, where in Wallingford will this be stationed?

I would like to think Brotherhood would prevent that from happening, but sadly I doubt it.

Unless your department has NEVER spent money on anything that could be perceived as frivolous, you'd do well to remember that old phrase about stones and glass houses. Personally I don't see why its a big deal, if their town has the money, good for them! Congratulations and best of luck with the new house.

As much fun as it would be to work fires with DFD, I'd rather earn it, thanks.

The Chief of Danbury PD is involved with the Danbury Rail Museum, so I'm not surprised they are putting this on. Unfortunately I'm at the Milford Muster tomorrow or I'd attend. The Taste of Danbury Food Festival will also be occurring on the City Center Green all weekend, about 100 yards away.

That's a Ford Police Utility, correct?