Danger

The only EMS-only agency that uses a county number is BVAC. I believe the standard for the commercial services is ALS Ambulance: (Agency) Medic XX BLS Amb: (Agency)Ambulance XX ALS Flycar: (Agency) Flycar XX or in the case of a FD contracted ALS Ambulance, e.g. Beekman 34-79, Pawling 54-79 etc.

In house mechanics

Looks great. I'm not too familiar with USAR. What are the differences between the USAR rig and this one?

Great point Rich

This is replacing an older Sutphen TL. It was sold earlier this year.

You are completely right (as well as older and wiser) because the main reason why my job went down the, ahem, toilet is because the employees failed to unionize when they had the chance. Sincerely, Someone who works 44-56 hours a week and only gets paid for 40 thanks to (former) co-workers (who are now laid off) who vetoed joining a union. Not really criticizing, more empathizing, sorry for coming across that way, chief

Somethings fishy here...in a time when volunteer numbers are declining...Whats the overhead on starting a program from scratch? How much interest is there really in an urban environment? What are the logistics of even getting to a scene in a POV in the city? Does this actually address the city's manning issues?

Dear "Mean" Fire Academy, I really, really want a job and I'd love to take one of the spots in your "overbearing" academy. The way I look at it, my current job already sucks and I love going to fire training, therefore I'm sure I could suffer through this for 18 weeks. Sincerely, John

Our district (combo) has 8 Engines, all basically the same make and layout.

I couldn't agree more. I've driven 15 minutes in an ambulance to a call that was 3 minutes from a neighboring firehouse. However there are some really egregious examples I know of that of course we can't mention (even among fellow firefighters) because then we'd offend that chief. Kudos to the departments who do the right thing. For example Arlington will call Poughkeepsie Ladder 2 before our own 45 if it's near Main Street. And we dual dispatch with Fairview for Creek Rd., PV for Bower Rd., etc. Jim I think I know the fire you're talking about and that dept is one of the big offenders

Here's to better times in the next four years!

Bill, just an FYI I wish we could take credit for that, 32-45 got the stick up but we never got to flow water. That looks like City Ladder 1....

I agree, a lot of B's are really lacking on things like picking up on symptoms, medication correlations, etc., I myself am definitely not an anatomy expert. The only drug I'd like to see added to BLS is Albuterol neb w/o med control. Maybe instead of adding a few more responsibilities and another week of class, they should consider making EMT-I less marginalized.

If you can't stomach what happens on 99% of EMS scenes you probably should not be involved in any sort of public safety position.

I agree. EMS is such a big part of fire today and even in a volunteer system there are many occasions where fire equipment could be first on a scene. Or in event of MCI. Maybe not even NYS CFR but first aid and CPR/AED.

Hmm, look at that, two trucks. I hope the city hall people were able to see the great job City Fire did while they worked on the budget.

PV was operating with their rescue at an auto accident when AFD's fire went out. DC911 offered New Hamburg's FAST (which is southern Arlington's FAST) but command elected to call Poughkeepsie Engine 2 due to their proximity to the scene.

The HVNCTA is made up of the Dover, Millbrook, Pawling, Union Vale, and Beekman FD's.

Date: 10/19/08 Time: 18:28 Location: 44 Crestwood Blvd. Frequency: DC911 Dispatch, Response, Command, FG 5/6, AFD 48 Units Operating: AFD 32-11, 14, 16, 46, 52, 72, 87, 89, City of Poughkeepsie Engine 2. 32-17, 45, 73 on standby. Lagrange 47-12 relocate to AFD HQ. Mobile Life and NDP relocate Medics to AFD. Description Of Incident: Structure Fire Writer: Danger

Oh yeah, badly. Nextel's phone/data/texting service was awful, no doubt. But I wish I could still direct connect. Not worth it anymore because no one has DC anymore.

Sigh.....

I'm pretty sure it's going to be another Sutphen, no other specifics. And they sold their old one some time ago and used Wappingers' ladder under mutual aid until a few weeks ago when it went OOS. Now it's Arlington 32-45.

Sadly, it is not that unrealistic. I can think of two paid departments within 7 minutes of my house that get 11 and roughly 12-14 at a working fire and that's with the entire department on the scene.

The pictures are Escapes. Are they getting Explorers instead? They are nice looking but Escapes are very small. Our Medics are in full size Suburbans and they are stuffed to the gills.

Unless it's a life threatening emergency or no transport unit is available, that is what we do also. I guess the reasoning being that they game has to pause until a new ambulance can arrive.