JTF429

I used to enjoy going to this parade up until this year. There is always such a diverse assortment of apparatus. It is usually dark by the time it ends which is getting old. The biggest problem is that the department that was at the end found it necessary to stand on their federal Q's and air horns constently. Really? I was standing in front of Molly Spillines with my 7 year old daughter. I am pretty sure she is deaf now. Thanks alot. What have we been saying in the fire service for years, protect your hearing. There is a big difference between clicking a siren and taping an air horn and standing on it like an idiot.

I would say that since you wear it around your neck try a sporting good's store, they are pretty cheap there. Since based on what you said why spend a lot of money on one used for firefighting?

Good Topic. Many are right sadley it is a popularity contest or on the career side politics or quota's. Let's look at the volunteer side for a second. Instead of who is popular or who buys the beers at the bar, how about a testing process. I am thinking along the lines of an assessment center. The members who meet the educational requirements go through an assessment center that has an inbox, fire/ems evoloution, and personnel problem. They are graded by three officers from outside the department. After the election takes place the results are turned over to the Chief and training division. Now at least the Chief has an idea where his line officers need help and can develop there training around it. Its not perfect but an idea.You are never going to get away from popularity and lack of experience in the volunteer sector. As far as having someone run for a line officer postion with only 2 years, bad idea. Just my 2 cents

I was waiting for someone to post something on this. Great post. I have been in the fire service for 24 years, 15 as a career firefighter. I started out as a volunteer at 17. My family life was pretty f***ed and with no direaction I joined the firehouse. Lucky for me back then they taught me all about the brotherhood. I try to teach it in my classes as a SFI in NY. Some of you are right where did it go. A LT on my job said the other day that wearing the uniform is a right you have to earn. I just had a conversation today with a good friend of mine who just got hired. I said to him welcome to the BROTHERHOOD. That means if you ever need anything, break down, get lost, or are in trouble you will have help before you know it. You walk into any firehouse anywhere and you are welcome. Our IAFF sticker is almost like the USMC sticker. I am not knocking volunteers, I think for career firefighters the IAFF sticker is special. I would welcome any volunteer into my firehouse and go out of my way to help them. I remember where I started. You are right the yonger generation is all about whats good for me.Ball busting is ballbusting and it haves its place. If you are going to be a complete A-Hole to someone all the time you can't excpect them to respect you. Good Post

I was just a kid but I remember it well. My dad was a Yonkers Motorcycle cop. When he passed away in 07 I found the front page story in his stuff. I passed it on to a WCPD officer and I think they have it in their HQ. Thanks for the post.

I don't recall seeing a name of a department listed. Reguardless of having a good day or bad day when I call 911 I excpect to see emergency services there in less than 20 mins. If you can not get out then have automatic mutual aide. If you can't do that than have daytime staffing. I think some departments need to put there ego's in check and remember they are here for the residents, workers, and those that pass through there district.

Date:2/12/11 Time:1530 Location: Victor St Frequency: Units Operating: E21,22,26,Sq23,T1,C30,Sq6,M3,A1,C45,C51, Weather Conditions: Clear Description Of Incident:Fire in the basement with extension to the 1st floor Reporters: Writer:jtf429 Dispatched- E21,26,C30,T1,Voulnteer companies for a structure fire smoke coming from a room Filling out the assignment E22,Sq23,EMS,Safety,Marshals C30 O/S House charged with smoke E26, Fire in the basement extending to the 1st floor 2 lines stretched, units opening up, fire knocked down checking for extension

Date:1/28/11 Time:8:30 am Location: 275 Main St Frequency: Units Operating: E23 22 24 26 T1 Sq 21 C30 DHC-EMS DPD C51 DFM Volunteers Weather Conditions: Cold light snow Description Of Incident:Fire in top floor apartment Reporters: Writer:JTF429

There was a pretty good article in Firehouse a few months back. It was written by a retired State Police Captain I belive. They had similar incidents. The gist of the article was that PD really does not understand our reasons and we do not understand their's. Like all the mayhem created miles back when drivers are pulling illegal u-turns and such. They solved the problem by having a number of training sessions so both agency's have a better understanding.All it takes is one officer or chief having a bad day and everyone gets labeled.

Date: 1/25/11<BR>Time: Approx 1PM<BR>Location: Candlewood Trailer Park<BR>Frequency: <BR>Units Operating: E24, 23, 22, T2, SQ21, C30, DHC-EMS, SQ7, DPD, DFM, C51.<BR>Weather Conditions: Cold<BR>Description Of Incident: Fire in a double wide<BR>Reporters: <BR>Writer:JTF429

New Hackensack has NKFD instead of NHFD as to not be confused with New Hamburg. This goes way back to when every one had black gear, hip boots, leather helmets and those orange gloves. It is rumored that there was a card game involved and New Hackensack lost. Mabey someone else can confirm that. The tank was an old fuel tank. Unknown how much product was in it. No placards or info for it. It was not breeched or leaking so the FD did not open it. The tank was cooled 1st then the fire knocked down.

Date: 11/21/10 Time: 0100 Location: South King St X Saddle Rock Frequency: DFD Units Operating: DFD E25, 22, 21, TRK1, SQ23, C30, VOL, 14, 3,12, DPD, DHC-EMS, DFD-FMO, SAFETY Weather Conditions: Cloudy,Cool Description Of Incident: Structure fire - well Involved on arrival. No hydrants in area, operations required tanker strike team to shuttle water to scene. Reporters: Writer:JTF429 http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/fairfield_cty/fire-destroys-danbury-home-south-king-street

Date: 10/08/10 Time: 1400 Location: Williams St Frequency: Units Operating: E21, E22, E26, T1, SQ23, C30, FMO, DPD, EMS, M1 Weather Conditions: Clear Sunny Description Of Incident: Working Fire in a PD Reporters: Writer: JTF

I know this is aimed at volunteer departments. How about a promotional exam for the postion. There are alot of departments that have requirements for different postions, but are they classes where the person just showed up and recieved a cert. How about an assessment center for hands on skills. You could have a live fire scenerio, an in box with a problem employee, and some type of customer service issiue. The problem with time is that you could have a department that has not responded to a 1st due fire in months or a year. I see it in my town, the training division is run by officers who have very little if any experience in a fire. They are going to move up. Yea hands on traing is great, any type of training is great but I think you need something in place to test them on it. Sadly the volunteers on this sight who agree and train hard and are outstanding members will not get elected, because they are the one's making noise about it. Intersting topic.

Interesting post. As the driver asigned to my rig I follow our policy. It is up to the driver. We wear shorts in the summer so if you go on a run you have to wear your night hitch. I usually wear my hitch and will put on my coat if i need to. I will keep them close by.

Date: 7/3/10 Time: 2130 Location: Franklin St Frequency: Units Operating: E21 E22 E24 SQ23 TRK 1 C30 E4 DH-EMS DPD Safety Officer FP12 FMO Weather Conditions: Clear, Hot Description Of Incident: Fire in 1st floor apt Reporters: JTF429 Writer:

I have to add my 2 cents. How can you say this is not a career vs volunteer thing. North Stamford is like the island of misfit toys. SFRD was canceled because they are career staff because of all the nonsense going on. The only way a combination system is going to work is if both sides can work together. Maybe when the vollies go to FDIC they should spend some time taking classes instead of seeing how many lights they can fit on there rigs. Yes that is a shot and it IS NOT INTENDED TO ALL VOLUNTEERS. There are some volly departments that are great departments. They train, take classes etc, etc. But many of them have Chiefs whose egos control them. Problems lying in wait is what kills firefighters. That's what they have in North Stamford; a huge problem lying in wait. I pray to God it doesn't kill anyone. Watch how fast God forbid there is a LODD. Everyone all of a sudden becomes brothers. Brotherhood is not a sometimes thing.

Good Job Jason, It is always great to see former students out and about doing good things. Keep up the good work. Hey if you put that gear out in the sun will it turn a darker color.......

I am pretty sure for many humor went away with there love for the job. Humor and pranks in the firehouse was away to show acceptence. It is like coffee table training. Now everybody's feelings get hurt. Some of my darkest days went away because of jokes played on me and played on others. I was out at FDIC and alot of discussion went on about what happend to th fire service. It is a shame...

Date:2/9/10 Time:aprox 1930 Location:South St Frequency: Units Operating: E21,E22,E24,E25,E26,TRK1,C30,E5,SQ6,DPD,DHC-EMS,C51,FMO Weather Conditions: Cloudy Description Of Incident:Bedroom Fire in a Multi-Family Reporters: Writer:

Sad to hear that the horse passed away. Nice job on calling the right resources for the rescue. Well the bells hit you never know what you are going for..

Date:10/18/09 Time:1230 Location: Sterling Woods Frequency: Units Operating: E24, E22, E21, TRK 1 C30 SQ23 E10 E11 SQ7 DPD DHC EMS FM45 Weather Conditions: Rain Description Of Incident: Fire in a middle unit townhouse. Fire in the Laundry room w/ extention Reporters: jtf429 Writer:

Date:10/14/09 Time:aprox 1815 hrs Location: Crosby St Frequency: Units Operating: E22 E23 E21 TRK1 SQ24 C30 E9 E5 SQ6 DPD DHC EMS Weather Conditions: CLEAR Description Of Incident: Working fire 2nd fl commercial building Reporters: Writer: jtf429

This show was the pits. ER was a drama but at least it was entertaining to watch and somewhat real at times. Sad thing is that these idiots who can't portray paramedics are getting paid more money than real paramedics.

These are things we have to keep in mind come November. These politcians are a joke. After what they did over the summer and what they are doing to this state it is time for them to go. Mickey Mouse could do a better job. New York state is the worst state to live in. That idiot sitting in Albany is only making it worse. Let your voice be heard.....