SageVigiles

That would be tough, with the power lines that close to the house, you'd be hard pressed to get your aerial device close enough to work from there. I'd probably only ventilate that from the safety of an aerial or platform, but you'd need a pretty good chauffeur to get you within working distance.

Victory! My first successful photo post Attached are some of the pictures from the Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Explorer Association (NERLEEA) Travel Team. We are training for the Federal Way Tactical Explorer Challenge this weekend (2/21-2/22.) This event is a SWAT team based competition which focuses mainly on teamwork and communication skills, but tactics, priority of life and safety are also very important portions. Thanks to members of the Fairfield PD, CT State Police Troop K/Emergency Services Unit, and Seacoast SRT (Regional SRT from the Portsmouth, NH area) for their invaluable training and assistance. Also the Manchester Police Department and NH Air National Guard for use of buildings to practice in. As a note, I didn't take all these pictures, but alot were taken with my camera. John Visone, the director of NERLEEA took a lot of them, so thanks also to him. More Pictures are at www.nerleea.org under the photos section, click the links that have "Travel Team Training" www.nerleea.org Original Event post: Federal Way Police Explorer Tactical Challenge 2009 Team making entry during practice at Manchester, CT PD Team entering a dark room in an active shooter response. Captain Brake (Portsmouth Police Explorers) slows the team down, as the suspect has stopped firing. Assault team takes down the hostage takers and secures the hostages in bus assault training. LT Paul Fitzmaurice from CSP K and myself approach a suspect to be handcuffed. I go hands-on as the Contact Officer, while "Fitz" covers with his long gun.

This a 21+ event? If not, I may attend, Putnam ain't far from me.

As promised, the rest of the pictures from the competition, as taken by John Visone, the NERLEEA Director, with his permission. I just found out we placed 5th Overall out of the 17 teams that competed, a great position for a multi-jurisdictional team that has only been working together for a few months, and has never done a competition like this before. The team deploying for an Active Shooter response The team stacked along the Lenco Bearcat from Valley SRT Beginning the bus assault Entry team making the bus Group photo of all 17 teams that competed from WA, CA, CT/NH Danbury Explorer Captain Alex Cardella (Me, on the left) and Danbury Explorer Sergeant Nick Galer (Right) posing with a Federal Way Police Charger Felony Stop Myself, handcuffing the suspect in the Felony Stop LT Fitz from CSP K and Explorer Neilson from East Lyme PD detaining a suspect in the Marijuana Field Raid Taking fire from the front right, returning it with interest. Sniper Team (Shooter: LT Fitz from CSP K, Spotter: Sgt. Nick Galer from DPD) More pictures available on my Facebook page or at NERLEEAI

Rest in Peace Brother.

The Police Explorers in Federal Way, Washington (state) are holding a 2 day SWAT-style competition on February 21-22, 2009. Events Include: Drug Takedown Active Shooter High Risk Warrant Service Obstacle Course Felony Stop Military Challenge (Pushups/Situps) Sniper Challenge Drug Field Raid Defensive Tactics (Seminar) Pistol Orientation Kart Race Hogan's Alley Bus Takedown Link: http://federalwaypoliceexplorers.com/FWC2009.aspx The Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Explorer Association is sending a 6-person team out there with 2 advisors. I'm definitely going along with another Captain from East Lyme PE, the rest of the team is to be determined. I'll hope to have some good photos/videos when I come back. Theres going to be ALOT of training required for this one.

Hey everyone! We're back, and tired as all hell. This weekend was tough, the teams out there were all VERY good, about 17 teams of 6 out there. The team took 3rd Place in the Marijuana Field Raid, and our sniper team (Shooter: LT Fitzmaurice of Troop K, Spotter: Sgt. Galer of Danbury) took first place. We learned a lot of new ideas, next year we hope to field another team and come back with more awards. Also, the idea is being passed around of a New England version of this SWAT competition, more on that as it develops. I'll post photos when John Visone posts them, my camera is MIA.

Bump again. I'm leaving my apartment now to get to the airport... talk about Oh-Dark-Thirty, I'll update everyone on how we do whenever I can, I don't know what my internet access will be like out west. Wish us luck, so we can show these West Coast guys how to do things.

I'm fairly certain you can get mask inserts with your prescription. Several people in New Fairfield have them that I know of.

Haha, can we appoint this man EMTBravo Safety Officer? Maybe head of the Flame Prevention Bureau?

I've worn it everytime, for fear of what might happen if I don't...

Am I correct in assuming that one set of wheels will not turn?

Good point ALS, the Officers who run the Federal Way Challenge address that issue in their website. The tactics are not the most important part of this competition, its the teamwork, planning and communications. That being said, we have received tactical training from the units I mentioned, but they are really crash-courses designed to make us able to react and think as a unit. The stances, maneuvers and formations are all very basic stuff, we're not doing complex simultaneous assaults They provided us with different possible formations so that myself and the other Captain on the team could decide what worked best for our needs and what fit within our (limited) scope of training and abilities. I definitely understand your point, there is a possibility that somebody could use this to harmful ends, but I can speak for my post when I say there is a background check to even be a MEMBER of the post much less a member of the Travel Team. In order to be approved for the NERLEEA team our post advisory staff must say so, and we are very selective. "Rookie" Explorers wanting to get on the team must undergo an interview process from the senior members and we always interview their advisors. Still, a fair question and good food for thought, but I vouch for my team. Also, thanks for the tactical-medic offer, but at this point I'm not an EMT. Maybe next year.. Thanks bud.

There will be more pictures coming as I get the better quality ones the Portsmouth guys took. Many more of the bus assault, which was my favorite part. Oh, also, thanks to the Portsmouth and Manchester Police Explorer Posts for providing roleplayers for our hostages and suspects. A couple of them took some good hits here and there... they were all troopers about it.

I wasn't sure that this belonged in the "Fiscal Crisis" forum, since its actually a good thing, but if I'm wrong, Mods just switch it over. In the summary of her budget cuts for the coming year, Governor Rell has proposed a great incentive for local municipalities in CT to band together and regionalize government. There will be $40 million in grants for infrastructure projects that involve regionalization of services to help cut costs and the tax burden on local governments. There will also be $10 million in grants for Capital Expenditures. In addition, she is promising a 10% increase in state aid for local roads and other capital improvements for towns that enter a regionalized system. What does everyone think, will this help some of CT's Fire/Police/EMS services finally start to see the light and regionalize in places where it could DEFINITELY be useful? I think some good might come out of these cuts.

Date: 2/16/09 Time: Approx 0900 Location: I84 Eastbound lane, Hartford Frequency: Multiple Units Operating: CSP, CSP Emergency Services Unit/Negotiators, Hartford PD, AMR, Numerous local PDs to shut down entrance ramps Weather Conditions: Normal Description Of Incident: Suicidal EDP in a car with a gun. Stopped on the highway, first called in by Captain Joe Buyak of Hartford PD. Writer: SageVigiles -Westbound side closed from exit 51 to exit 47 -Eastbound side closed from exit 39 to exit 48 -Traffic is FUBARed, for obvious reasons. -CSP requesting trapped motorists to stay low and NOT back up without assistance -Local PDs requested to close entrance ramps.

I know Ulster County uses the following designation, or at least they did 8 years ago when I moved from there. X-YY-ZZ X = Unit designation R= Rescue E= Engine M= Miscellaneous etc. YY= Department Number (Marlboro's was 38, don't know any others) ZZ = Unit number in that department, in Marlboro it went by 10's Example: R-38-60 Marlboro Rescue 60

Where is that truck from?

I don't even have words to describe how angry this makes me.

Question, how does the federal court system get jurisdiction here? This is almost definitely a violation of the 9th Amendment. The US Government can't dictate policy to the California Government like that. So yeah, its a dumb idea, but even worse, it sets a HORRIBLE precedent about state's rights in relation to the government.

With Allingtown in West Haven, we use it quite regularly. Its a matter of knowing the limitations of your equipment, the construction of the structure, and the fire conditions within. Works damned well to evacuate the smoke.

Date: 2/8/09 Time: Approx 2330 Location: 630 Second Avenue Frequency: 453.800 (Dispatch), Switched to Channel 3 (458.650, I believe) Units Operating: West Haven E21, T22, E23, E24, E25, R27, Car 19, Fire Marshal, West Shore E32, Car 30, WHPD, Allingtown TL-1 relocating to Elm Street Description Of Incident: Working fire in a 3-story residential Writer: SageVigiles Dispatched as a fire in the cable wires and/or TV, language issue and juvenile making the initial call. E21 first due, reporting flames showing from the 3rd floor, calling the Signal 73 (Working Fire) E24 requesting PD to shut down Elm Street at 2nd, laying 5" across it. Car 19 assumed command, switched on scene communications to Channel 3 E32 checking 2nd floor for extension, T22 checking the roof. Fire knocked down relatively quickly, units searched for some extension into the ceiling of the 2nd floor and some into the attic. Sounded like a good knockdown by the guys on scene.

Anyone ever watch that show "Parking Wars" on A&E where the Phily Parking Authority has the vans with 2 license plate readers? Pretty cool technology to see in use. They scan ALOT of plates VERY quickly. Plus, that show is just hilarious...

Firebuff, the West Haven Center District is in the same boat, their actual name is the West Haven First Fire Taxation District, so, even though their name is misleading, they are independent as well. The city charter prohibits the city from having a fire department, as it currently stands. Consolidation will come eventually, but it has to be done and funded properly. Though I don't think West Haven would qualify for one of Governor Rell's grants, as its not "regionalization" since they are all in one city.

Izzy, in response to what you were mentioning about West Haven, this past week the price of consolidation was brought out at a meeting, and I think ALOT of residents got turned off to the fact that their taxes would increase significantly, so I don't know if the consolidation push is going to have the passion it did before. Unfortunate.