SageVigiles

Allingtown in West Haven runs a CF Mack as a spare for the career staff/2nd piece for the volunteers.

Wow, very progressive idea. I like it. I assume its all been planned out how the chain of command will operate when the "backfill" officers work in another town. Good to see departments planning ahead and recognizing the fact that they will be down significant manpower in the event of these incidents.

A little info about the West Shore Fire District: Shifts: 24 on / 72 Off 2 Stations: Benham Hill: Quint 33, Rescue (ALS Ambulance) 34, Engine 32 (Spare) 1 Captain, 1 Paramedic, 3 Firefighters Ocean Ave: Engine 31 1 LT, 2 FF Also a Chief and an Assistant, not sure what station they are at. Not sure what the status of the volunteers are in West Shore, I don't believe they have a rig but they may get hired to work "utility" on certain nights as an extra man. Fairly busy department for a district that small, they have a good chunk of I95 in West Haven as well a large portion of Long Island Sound from the West Haven "Center" Fire District line to the Milford line. They run mutual aid quite often to Center District and also to Milford. They get a ton of medicals there, due to a decent sized elderly population, but overall its a well run department. Chief Collins is a smart guy and a good officer and they have a lot of experienced people, though the department is getting younger as a lot of the veterans retire. I would not be surprised to see a TON of applicants for the few jobs they are going to offer, but best of luck to anyone that tests there!

If you've already graduated the CT Fire Academy, I believe you get 10 points on the test.

I've seen, on a few occasions, members of law enforcement who are also volunteer firefighters (in another town) help out on a scene. I won't mention names or departments, but the help was much needed on those occasions where he helped out.

Bobby, you applying to the Shore?

What happens when you get an MCI?

Being in a department that owns an E-One Tower Ladder, I will never advocate a purchase of an E-One, ever. The thing is OOS at least twice a month.

Happy Birthday!

Date: 12/12/09 Time: Approx 1630 Hours Location: I95 Northbound IAO Exit 41, area of Orange/West Haven border Frequency: 453.800 (West Haven ERS - Fire Dispatch), 450.225 (Orange Vol. Fire), CSP Trunked System (Troop G), 460.275 (West Haven PD) Units Operating: CSP Troop G, West Haven PD, Orange Vol. Fire, West Haven FD E25, West Shore FD Q33, E31, C37, AMR Weather Conditions: Clear Description Of Incident: 4 Car MVA with fire Reporters: Orange PD Dispatch, West Haven Emergency Reporting System, CSP Troop G Writer: SageVigiles -Orange FD initially dispatched, West Haven E25 and West Shore Quint 33 added to the assignment due to proximity to border and numerous calls. Quint 33 establishing I95 Command. -4 Car MVA, 2 cars on fire, one CT State Police unit involved. -Engine 31 requested for water supply at the Morgan Lane Overpass, hydrant IFO Yale West Campus, hooking up to the pipe in the overpass. WHPD requested for crowd control at the overpass. -Car 37 (W. Shore Chief of Department) assuming I95 Command, Town of Orange AMR Supervisor taking command of Medical Operations. Numerous patients (including one Trooper) transported by AMR. -Fire U/C, Engine 31 shutting down the pump but standing by at the location. -I95 is an absolute disaster right now, and Post Road is getting to be as well, 1 lane of 95S is being used by the FD/EMS for the incident and Northbound is almost COMPLETELY shut down.

Consolidation always sounds like a good idea, but it needs, like any governmental issue, to occur after a rational and thought out conversation, which we all know rarely happens. Any debts a particular district has will not go away, and if district A and B are to combine, and district A has a $1,000,000 debt, either District A has to pony up before the consolidation, or District B (INCLUDING ITS TAXPAYERS) has to be willing to accept part of that financial responsibility. Yes, consolidation can save ALOT of money, if its done correctly. It cuts down on redundancy of resources and can help foster better relations and cooperation between different towns or districts. It also allows for more cost effective training. Politicians are not the only key to a good consolidation effort, its also going to take WILLING Chiefs, taxpayers, lawyers and the support of the FD rank and file.

Best of luck to the NH 14 who were promoted and the so-called "New Haven Other 10" who also got their badges!!!

Usually I go straight to the forums.

Why pawn this off on the driver when it was the lack of adequate preventative maintenance that caused this incident???

About a half hour ago I was driving through Bridgeport on I95 Northbound, minding my business. I'm about a mile before Exit 27 when I see a BMW billboard with what l thought was a PERSON on it. As I got closer I realized it was a mannequin. Anybody else noticed this? How many times do you think CSP Troop G and Bridgeport 911 get those calls in a week? Next time you're passing through that area, keep an eye out. Its hilarious.

No pictures, it was 930 at night and I was driving on I95, not to mention I didn't have my camera. That Boston one is hilarious, this "guy" in B-Port was just sitting on the billboard, there was something next to him I couldn't make out either.

The three West Haven FDs do this, the union made up red T-Shirts so all the guys are uniform and they are authorized to wear them on Fridays by the Chiefs. Good program to support the Troops!

The system Bobby is talking about is the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program that has the hose reel trucks, satelite monitor wagons, roll-off pump and other pieces, which is essentially a giant statewide version of the old FDNY Super Pumper system.

The line of police cars in the procession is estimated to be over 7 miles long... Press Release - Partial list of agencies participating in motorcade Also, this is interesting. Remember how NIMS is supposed to be able to expand and be applied to ALL types of operations? Funny how the West Coast is so much better at this than we are over here.

The Fallen Officers' memorial service will be held today. I know there are Officers from Connecticut going out to show their respects. Maybe some of our EMTBravoWest members will be there as well. Sounds like the community really got involved to help. The Tacoma Dome is donating the facility, local shops and culinary schools are donating food, UPS Store donated 25,000 programs, hotels are giving special rates for LEOs/etc going to the service. The Director of the FBI will also be in attendance. Its a shame that the community doesn't support law enforcement more until something like this happens. My Explorer buddy from out there is going, with a good portion of his Post as well. I've had the opportunity to go to a Line of Duty funeral as an Explorer, and I think its an important experience for anyone who wants to go into law enforcement or the fire service. It truly gives you perspective about the Brotherhood when you see Officers from literally every corner of the country (and some of our neighbors from the North) show up simply because the deceased wore a badge. May the fallen Officers Rest in Peace.

Technically in New Fairfield the only people supposed to respond POV are Line Officers, EMTs (To EMS runs if the bus is en route or standing by w/ a partial crew) and Fire Police. However, the general rule of thumb where I am is that if you have to pass the scene to get to the firehouse, stop at the scene, but don't park like an idiot. Park out of the way (on a cross-street or nearby parking lot and away from hydrants, or in a long driveway of a house nearby.)

Glad the Officers made it out okay, but I question the decision making by the supervisor there. Its not like they could know the CO levels were low enough for them to make an excape.

May the fallen Officer Rest in Peace, I hope his fellow Officers find the shooter quickly!

By the way, another 10 are being promoted along with the 14 ordered by the court, some Captains some Lieutenants. The problem would have been if they only promoted the 14 ordered by the court, they would have skipped over other people on the list, as the 14 in the suit were NOT the first 14 on the list. So all in all I believe 24 will be promoted. The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday. The caveat is that the 10 others had to sign a waiver saying they would not sue for back pay. Most of them don't care though, as a few have been paid their higher rates for years because they were Captains until the political fecal matter hit the oscillating climate control device a few years back. By and large though, from the ones I've talked to (they all come to get their uniforms where I work) its all about the jobs and their Captain or Lieutenant badges, not the money. Anyway, Congratulations to all!