post4031

I concur.......

But yet they are going to lay off Police...Chicago will just become another Detroit.....

That would be a plus, I did not know that could be done. Do you know how one would be able to credit outreach courses towards the 229? If so, please share or feel free to PM the details to me. Thanks!!!

I don't see it happening anytime soon....especially with the way Albany runs... I would think there would need to be some concessions on the career training requirements that Chief Pells has mentioned. I would think it would need to be more uniform and there would have to be some credit for training already completed such as state courses that would be credited towards the 229 hours. Or there would need to be a part time academy that could be completed, kind of like law enforcement.

Definitely agree on FASNY and other groups, matter a fact that was my response to them. We has some of the same experience with LOSAP but fortunately a lot us don't care about LOSAP and do what we need to do points or not.

You are correct, however a paid call system creates other legal conflicts when it comes to fire districts and protection districts. There are no provisions for it in the laws that govern these types of local governments.

I saw that as well and I inquired about that with the OFPC. I couldn't get a difinitive answer from them on it.

As I understood it villages or cities can as they would be considered part time employees of that entity, Fire Districts or Fire Protection Districts can not. Also, villages and cities can pay stipends where as fire districts and protection districts can not according to the interpretation we got. I did hear of a district upstate that was doing paid-call but I couldn't verify it. This system does work well in other states. However, most that I have asked about require some type of actual time put on shifts to cover apparatus. It all depends on how the department sets it up. I did attend a legislative investigative committee meeting about issues with volunteer departments with several members of the State Assembly, FASNY, OFPC and Local Officials. These issues were talked about at length along with others. One thing that was clear during that meeting once you mentioned paid-call or part time staff, the gentlemen representing FASNY were adamantly against it because it would ruin the image of the volunteer fireman. They would rather obtain funding and have an advertisement campaign to create excitement and attract new members. Let me also say this, I am not anti-volunteer myself being a fourth generation volunteer and being part of the service for 23 years. However, I do feel there needs to be other options for a department because most do not have the resources for a full career staff. Most members of a department these days need to have part time jobs in addition to full time jobs to make ends meet. We often lose quality members because of their personal committments and time constraints and their inability to put in the time required. If a member's part time job was with the fire department he/she would not only be taking care of their needs it would also fill the departments needs as well. A win win situation for both in my opinion. It may get the department further down the road per say and be cost effective. It is a complicated issue that's for sure!!!

I should be interesting to see how this turns out. It is not legal in NY currently and the way the LOSAP laws are written someone cannot be receiving pay and credit towards LOSAP. My department posed this question to the Association of Fire Districts Attorney some time ago and he not only stated the above but also stated it would open up a can of worms because it would conflict with a host of other laws in New York. Your either have volunteer or career personnel or both in NYS, no part time or paid call. I do feel that there should be a provision giving a fire district the ability or in between step for paid call or part time staff.

I am comparing manufacturers of Quints and gathering information for future purchase. Our requirements are a 75' ladder, 500 gallon tank, 1500gpm preferably on a short wheelbase. It seems HME and Seagrave have the shortest 192", I even saw a spec on one with 186" wheelbase. Most of our department has Spartan chassis and we do like them. I am just looking into other options as well.

Hello, I am interested in learning what Stamford Fire & Rescue Firefighters like or dislike about Engine #6 2007 HME Quint. Has there been any major issues? Any pros or cons about the engine? How has the manufacturer been to do business with? How is their service and have they dealt with warranty issues promptly? Any information would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!!!!

East Fishkill Fire District http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=495565570382

My thoughts exactly...

Agreed!!! :angry: