SageVigiles

Wow, I actually did not know that NYSP had that many specialized Sergeant ranks/positions... Good post, thanks for the info.

I'm not telling anyone what to do, and I think you're taking this a bit too personally. I'm simply saying that 167 layoffs because the union didn't want to sit down to the table is, in my opinion, not reasonable. You're more than welcome to your own. Anyway, sorry if I offended anyone.

Got this message from the Executive Director of Safety/Transportation from UNH this morning: Apparently he was found at his home this morning after not reporting for duty. I knew the Chief through school and from working at the uniform dealership that handles their uniforms. He was an honest and hardworking guy and he will be missed at the University. Rest in Peace Chief Starkel

It doesn't set a precedent at all, the union has to agree every time they are going to open the contract outside of negotiations. Opening it once doesn't mean management can open it whenever they want. Staffing levels should be in the contract, but if the city has no ability to pay that can all be scraped and the arbitrators, after looking at the books, will most likely agree. Emergency situations (IE: City on the brink of bankruptcy) can override the contract anyway. Look at what happened to Waterbury a few years back. That being said, I hope the rank and file guys who are suffering as a result of this find work again soon.

With all due respect, that's ridiculous. The union's job is to look out for the best interests of the membership. How do 167 pink slips help anyone? They don't help the membership, don't help the union board, don't help management , and MOST IMPORTANTLY, don't help the people of Newark who need police protection.

Date: 11/28/10 Time: Approx. 1245 Location: 43 Farm Road x Golden Hill Road and Frequency: 46.240 (Dispatch) Units Operating: Career: Truck 1, Engine 21, Engine 22, Truck 1, Engine 24, Squad 1, Car 30 (Shift Commander), Car 41 (Fire Marshal), Car 51 (Safety Officer) Volunteer: Engine 3, Squad 7, Engine 8, Engine/Tanker 10, Fire Police Other: Danbury EMS: (1 ALS ambulance and Medic 3 flycar) Danbury PD Weather Conditions: Sunny Description Of Incident: Structure fire in a home under construction Reporters: Called in by neighbors Writer: SageVigiles Fire in attic/2nd floor, quick knockdown by initial arriving companies, but fire had to be chased through the attic.

Rest in Peace Brother.

This is a bit late, I'm posting this as I'm shining my boots and getting my BDUs ready for this competition, but oh well. The second annual Connecticut Police Cadet SWAT Challenge will be held tomorrow at Stones Ranch/Camp Rell in East Lyme, CT. This event is based off of the Federal Way, WA Tactical Explorer Challenge, which I attended in the past as part of the Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Explorer Association (now the NE Regional Law Enforcement Education Association) Travel Team. Their event is extremely in depth and was the inspiration for this competition to be brought to Connecticut. Events: High Risk Search Warrant (6-8 Cadets) Bus Assault (6-8 Cadets) Rapid Deployment [unknown Response] (6-8 Cadets) Drug Warrant (6-8 Cadets) Sniper Challenge (2 Cadets) Hogan’s Alley [Airsoft shoot/don't shoot course] (2 Cadets) High Risk Motor Vehicle Stop (4-6 Cadets) Hostage Rescue (6-8 Cadets) Tactical Relay Race (6-8 Cadets) NOTE: These competitions are not scored on your ability to act as a functional tactical team, (hence, they are not teaching us how to be a real SWAT team.) Instead, the competitions are based on the following: 1. Ability to work as a team 2. Ability to make and follow a plan, including contingency plans 3. Communications (verbal, nonverbal, radio) with teammates, civilians and suspects 4. Basic officer safety (muzzle orientation, knock-and-announce, interview stance, proper first aid, etc) 5. Ability to follow directions Another important note, some units may decide to use tactical gear in their scenarios. This will INCREASE the difficulty of grading, IE: if you are using a piece of tactical gear (shields, etc) improperly, it will deduct points, whereas if you do not use one at all, no points can be deducted for improper use. Last year we had an AWESOME time and the Danbury Police Explorers placed in every event and came in First Place Overall, we hope to do well again tomorrow. Wish us luck! I'll probably give a rundown of the turnout tomorrow.

Thanks DOC, this will probably be one of my last competitions as an Explorer, since I'll probably be out in March. Good to go out on top I guess!

Alright, so here's the rundown of how the Danbury Police Explorers "ESU" did today at the competition. 1st Place: High-Risk Traffic Stop 1st Place: Hogan's Alley 1st Place: Hostage Rescue 2nd Place: Bus Assault 2nd Place: Team Challenge 2nd Place: High-Risk Warrant Service 2nd Place: Narcotics Warrant Service And for the second year in a row, Danbury Police Explorers ESU has taken the 1st Place Overall trophy for this competition. I am extremely proud of my team for a job well done. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to put up in the next few days. Participating Posts: Danbury, CT Police Explorers Scarborough, Maine Police Explorers Vernon, CT Police Explorers Bristol, CT Police Explorers Bridgeport, CT Police Explorers (Their first competition, the post just started last summer, took 1st Place in the Team Challenge) East Lyme, CT Police Explorers Connecticut State Police Troop K Public Safety Explorers Trumbull, CT Police Explorers Naugatuck, CT Police Explorers Waterbury, CT Police Explorers Fairfield, CT Police Explorers Great job to everyone involved and thanks for the Police Officers, Civilian Advisors and US Army National Guardsmen who assisted in coordinating the event.

Haha, thanks Sue. 849 will be there as well and is acting as my "Tactical Medic," since he's the only person in the group who is an EMT. I'll pawn all the hard medical stuff off on him!

Fine, if that's the way they want to play it, then Utah State DOT had better take down EVERY cross along the highway placed at the site of a motorist who was killed. Its government property and church and state blah blah blah...

I would tend to disagree. In SOME cases, when a department's morale is already abysmal or if there is a major disaster to the department (see Charleston FD as an example) replacing the Chief with an out of town individual can be a good idea. New Haven PD did a few years ago with Chief Lewis from California, morale was incredible during his tenure. I think its all about the individual. Also, sometimes there just isn't a qualified candidate within the department with the proper leadership ability and someone needs to come in to help develop future leadership within the department.

Isn't it illegal to set up booby-traps like that?

My buddy was in Civil Air Patrol in high school, he had one of these on all the time, but he actually wove it himself... kinda cool if you can do that yourself, but I don't think I'd pay money for this.

Just out of curiosity, how much does the FID really cost the county? Are they paid on call employees or volunteers? Do they have to pay for training and re certification? Being in Connecticut this is all new to me. Each town is REQUIRED to have a Fire Marshal that MUST be paid and the training is provided for free by the State as long as the individual is sponsored by the municipality. But our Marshals also do inspections, code enforcement, plan review, permits, etc. Who does all of that in NYS?

My girlfriend's school sent out an email warning everybody of the dangers. This stuff just exploded. Its everywhere now... Craziness. Sounds pretty disgusting to me. I'll stick with my Jameson and beer thanks very much.

I'm gonna have to hunt one of those down for my collection.

I'm glad the jury came back with this decision, I believe these animals both deserve a horrific deah. Unfortunately, our new governor, who has been a topic of discussion on this board MANY times, said he would sign any legislation to abolish the death penalty in this state. We'll see what happens...

Fair enough on the V6, and they are very sharp looking cars. Chevy Caprice also looks pretty nice, but I wanna see the Carbon Motors car on the street, that thing is MEAN.

Front and All-Wheel Drive? Interesting, anybody think that might cause some departments to shy away, considering CVPI and Charger are both RWD? A Front Wheel Drive Explorer with no V8 option? Unusual to say the least. They look sharp though, I'd like to try one.

Hey, if you're a minority from NYC do you still get free transportation to and from the test and a waived application fee? Of course, I'll still take it even if the system is screwed.

Great idea! May have to use that one next year!!!

Unfortunately, a Lieutenant from Waterbury Fire in CT passed away today after a massive heart attack after coming off duty. I'll try to post the details tomorrow.

In Connecticut, employees are covered "from portal to portal." So if you are on your way, or returning from work, you are also covered. This is in addition to the rules previously mentioned under heart and hypertension.