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Again, not trying to start, or throw, and S---, but have you experienced 60 control dispatching as an agency that has been set up for full time dispatch? I've worked under 4 agencies dispatched by 60 control. New Rochelle EMS (Transcare), Croton Fire, Croton EMS, and Montrose VA Fire. I've also worked under 5 agencies dispatched by police dispatchers. White Plains EMS (again Transcare), Croton Fire and EMS (pre-60 control), Mamaroneck EMS, and Harrison EMS. I mean no disrespect to the police officers or dispatchers from any of these agencies, and you may consider my opinion biased because I used to work there myself, but i always felt that the dispatches from 60 control were more thorough, generally better information was given (nature of call or location), and the dispatch is usually worded better with less unnecessary info or words being used. You may wonder what I mean by that. Here's a hypothetical dispatch that I can pick apart and reword into something "better": XYZ Police to XYZ ambulance, you are requested to respond to 123 Main St, cross streets of 1st St and 2nd St. for a 78 year old male experiencing chest pain at that location. REWORDED: 60 Control to XYZ Ambulance, 123 Main St, between 1st st and 2nd st, 78 year old male chest pain. Reasoning: "requested to respond" - unnecessary because would you really be calling them out if they were'nt requested to respond. "Experiencing Chest Pain" - obviously he's experiencing it if he called 911. "At that location" - I think that one speaks for itself.... same thing with "at this time" Not saying all PD dispatchers do this, but it's another thing that 60 control dispatchers are trained not to do... I think that's the big thing that it comes down to... TRAINING!

I understand your point, and again, nothing against Tarrytown. But on 60 Control's defense, as I stated in big bold letters, the info that is put out on the air, is only as good as the info that the dispatchers get. I believe Remember585 stated that if the Thruway called Tarrytown directly instead of the County, you're still getting the same info, so the call is going to get dispatched the same way. They are only operating as a relay between agencies. And it's not just frustrating for the units responding. I can't tell you how many times I've cursed out (TO MYSELF) the Thruway or the TMC for giving us inaccurate info... but again, it's whatever they received from the callers. And lets face it, half the motorists out there are so used to driving their normal routines, and when something happens, they have no idea where the hell they are. Not trying to change your opinion, just offering you a perspective from the other side of the radio.

This is the only part of your question I can answer... (AND DON'T QUOTE ME 100% ON THIS...) From memory, the agency has numerous meetings with DES Administration and the officers from the Communications division. They go over what the county has to offer, and what the agency is looking for and work out any issues that may arise. For example, when Croton switched, the PD was worried that they wouldn't get notified of the alarms if it didn't go through them first. Problem solved by putting a pager/claxton at the PD desk, and enabling the PD nextel with the i-page system. The department also has to submit alarm assignments to the CAD division. They set up the different response areas of the district, ie: if certain areas require tankers or dual responses. They also have to make sure they have primary and backup radio frequencies set up, in case towers go down. After everything is all set up with that, then the dispatchers get new policies and procedures for the department, and the date and times that it goes into effect. Perhaps one of my former co-workers, or someone who has gone through the experience can fill in any gaps.

Well... I WAS going to keep my mouth shut on this one BUT.... (Oh yeah, and let me start off by saying I RESPECT everyone's opinions, and in no way am I trying to make a shot at anyone or any agency....) Being a former 60 control dispatcher, and working dispatch for other agencies... the one thing I can vouch for that I KNOW 60 control does is AREA FAMILLIARAZATION TRAINING!!!! I got hired there in June of 2004. I wasn't even allowed to touch a radio for at least 4 months. We spent so much time training on different departments and areas that we would have that idea of potentially problematic areas before the problems occured. (YES PRO-ACTIVE, not RE-ACTIVE training!) I can tell you for a fact that we spent a whole day riding in New Rochelle learning that system, a whole day in Eastchester learning that system. Another day focusing on the Soundshore area (Larchmont, Mamamroneck, Port Chester, Rye, Harrison, etc.) another day from N. White Plains up through Pleasantville, Mt Kisco, Chappaqua and Bedford areas, YET ANOTHER DAY doing Pound Ridge, North Salem, Somers areas, and oh yeah, a FULL DAY doing Peekskill, Mohegan, Yorktown, "BuPlanckTrose" (Tri-Village/Town of Cortlandt) and so on and so fourth... The representatives from the different agencies took us out, showed us common areas where calls are recieved, informed us of areas that can be problematic... ie: E Main St/Rt 6 in Mohegan's district. Half of E. Main St IS Rt 6, half of it is its own road... Whenever we took on a new agency, MONTHS were spent working with CAD division, phone company 911 reps, and the Department to make sure all info was accurate and the transition would go smoothly. In addition, all the dispatchers were trained on P&P's for the new agency. All the dispatchers are also trained and cerified in Emergency Medical Dispatch... As stated earlier, how many other agencies in this county offer that? As much as I don't care for DES administration (for personal reasons), the Chief, and especially the Captain of the communications divison do their absolute best to make sure everyone is well trained and familliar with the county and operations of different agencies. There will ALWAYS be issues with dispatching... but I'll re-iterate 642's post by saying what I've told everyone else who has ever questioned the ability of ANY dispatcher (NOT JUST 60-Control's) THE INFO THAT WE PUT OUT ON DISPATCHES IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE INFO WE GET!!! Just my $0.02

US Army Enlisted Rankings E-1 Private E-2 Private 2nd Class (PV2) E-3 Private 1st class E-4 Specialist or Corporal E-5 Sergeant E-6 Staff Sergeant E-7 Sergeant 1st Class E-8 Master Sergeant/1st Sergeant E-9 Sergeant Major/Command Sergeant Major/Sergeant Major of the Army Officer Ranks O-1 Second Lieutenant O-2 First Lieutenant O-3 Captain O-4 Major O-5 Lieutenant Colonel O-6 Colonel O-7 Brigadier General O-8 Major General O-9 Lieutenant General O-10 General

Wow, I gotta hand it to Yonkers. In a struggling economy they're still managing to purchase state of the art equiptment and rigs, and keep their manpower up... Someone's doing a hell of a job!! Very nice rig, I hope I never have to call for it though!

It's been this way for years, and I personally don't see it changing anytime soon. Nothing against the YHFD or MFD, but unfortunatley what it will have to come down to is someone getting seriously injured or killed. I'll never forget 5 years ago or so, when I was working for WEMS in Mt. Kisco, i was on my way home, coming down 7 Bridges Rd (between Rt 133 and Rt 134) and I saw one of YHFD's engines clearing up from an AFA. All I could think was, damn, Mt Kisco, Millwood, even SOMERS might be able to make it here quicker! It's the same thing with Croton's district on the outskirts of the Town of Cortlandt. There's one street, Bethea Dr, where we have to go from our district, out Rt 9 in to Ossining, up Old Albany Post Rd, to Glendale Rd to Spring Valley Rd, which is Millwood's district, then we cross into Yorktown's district for half a second, and turn on to Bethea Dr... So we're going through 3 other districts to get back to ours!

GOOD GOD!!! Now THAT'S A tow truck!

I saw this about 2 months ago and from what I gathered I believe it's just the supurvisors vehicles being painted that way. Nice Picts, thanks for sharing!

Why can I already visualize this van sitting in the C.P.V.A. parking lot?

I'm thinkin I was pretty pissed off when I turned on Fox at 9PM, and there was NO FAMILY GUY!!!! Nothing against 24... but it just doesn't compare to the Griffins!

Well, I never saw the house in person, but judging by googlemaps and the picture from Lohud, it sounds like it... Could this be it? (PICTURE COURTESY OF LOHUD.COM) Oh, and BTW, the fire was yesterday!

Yeah, that was a rediculously long wait last time. Although I dont think quite as many people took it this time. Either that or they spread it out much better. All I remember was in '04, there was barely any room to breath waiting in the hallway in WP High School. Even though it was crowded this time, it was nowhere near as bad. Hopefully the county has their act together this time (unlikely though ) and they'll have the results out in a timely fashion.

I was just looking over the appication for the Westchester Tech Rescue Team, and it says specifically that you DO NOT have to have affiliation with another agency, so that should answer your question right there. Follow Chris' links and it will take you to the applications.

Happy Birthday, Chief!!! (Oh, and by the way, for anyone who hasn't heard, Chief Byrnes is back Stateside as of last week!!)

Not really.... Westchester-wise, Yorktown and Croton are the closest tankers.

If anybody just watched the Steelers - Chargers game on CBS, the final score of 11-10 was the first time that has ever happened in over 12,800 NFL games played... It was quite an interesting game.... SD scored a TD and field goal. Pittsburgh had a safety and 3 field goals. The game almost finished with a 17-10 score, but on the last play of the game, SD tried a couple of laterals. Troy Palumalo picked up a fumble and ran it in for a TD but the lateral was ruled to be an illegal forward pass, and the TD didn't count. Interesting game to watch.

Last tie in the NFL i believe was 2002. I know the Steelers were on one end, i want to say either KC or Jacksonville was the other team.

TL2 L31 I think you changed the channel too soon....

A similar siren was talked about a few months ago, featured story was based in texas. Mamaroneck Village has a similar siren in one or two of their PD cars

I was gonna ask the same question!!

Sounds like fun. I should be able to make it.

Great pictures... And not to criticize, BUT.... I love the guy walking right through the steeple collapse zone wearing a white helmet, coat, JEANS, and bunker boots! Never ceases to amaze me!

The Northport VA staff can't be making all that much... most likely they are a GS-7, which is the same as Montrose and Castle Point... That grade tops out around 55,000 (before OT and locality pay).

Glad to hear it!! Good luck!!