M' Ave

Interesting, thanks for the background. I didn't know that you guys were using EFAS as well. It's an awesome system, worked great everytime I've manned it when FAST Truck. That 7 digit code (as I'm sure you know) was all we used to get on the old FAST radio. I also agree, that RFID system would be excellent for a volunteer outfit. As for the motivations behind our use......nefarious at best.....

Yes, there is a provision in the system preliminaries when waiting for a detail from another company. Likewise, it is easily updated for early relief. However, the radio ID is associated with a riding position first and the name second. So, even if the name were somehow incorrect, the company and position of the member would be displayed.

It's quite true that the fire service, and often specifically the FDNY, are resistant to change. I agree completely. Tools ranging from the Mask itself to the TIC were cast aside as unnecessary. Clearly, those tools and a lot of others have proved to be key components of firefighting operations. Resistance to new technology isn't a forgone conclusion either. Over the last couple of years we've begun using EFAS, the Electronic Firefighter Accountability System. At the start of every tour, each member is put on an electronic riding list that links with our radio I.D.'s. When a member broadcasts, their name, company and riding position are displayed on the MDT screen on any Battalion vehicle. This tech. was immediately embrace by the members. it's highly functional, makes our job easier and dramatically increases operational safety. I think that the concept of a device that would locate a downed member within the fire building is also something that the members have a very positive opinion of. What's at issue is that the "PacTracker" itself is not very good. This really isn't about who wanted the device vs. who builds it, nor is it an issue of how useful the technology is. I think we can all agree that it's a great idea. What we have here is the rank and file speaking out (almost unanimously) against the usefulness of this technology in its's current form. On the other hand, someone associated with the maker telling us we're wrong. The right move here, for the builder, is to take the word of the firemen who use the device, say it's lousy, and BUILD A BETTER ONE!

This was the quarters of Eng. 36, "Skells Angels". A busy and storied company shuttered by the Bloomberg administration. Thanks bloomy.....and thanks for 4 years without a contract

Usually the manufacturer and the end users don't, "agree to disagree". Doesn't help sell products......unless you sell to giant bureaucracies, like say, NYC?

We've been training with this tool for years now. We started when it was first assigned to Rescue Co's, and we've continued to use it in training evolutions, from both In house training and use during MOAD evolutions. It has an extremely rudimentary display, doesn't work well with concrete walls/floors and is little to no help if you're not on an even plane. What training suggests it could cut down search time by 50%? Scott's? I've never heard the number before. Is it a tool? Sure. Is it the first thing the FAST team is reaching for? Probobly not. It's just not that good! What.....do you sell them or something? But....like you said, I guess we just need some more retraining(rolls eyes)

Agree completely on your first point. System that isn't broken...... However, the PAC Tracker sucks.....talk about borderline useless.....

Total waste of money, solving a problem that doesn't exist. All this does is use RFID to identify who's on the rig or at the box. What for? We already know this. Before the start of each tour, the riding list (who's working and in what position) is entered into a computer terminal. This corresponds with the EFAS radio accountability system for the command post and FAST unit. So.....what's this for again? FYI, we haven't used paper and and carbon in 6 years. There is an agenda here, one that makes this system very unpopular....but I won't speculate any further on that.....

I approved your comments because I didn't think they needed censoring......ignorance isn't against the rules. But....boy are you wrong. I can only hope that someday you need LE assistance and they have to take an overly cautious approach, thanks to needless criticism from people, like yourself, who are in no position to question the actions of those who's shoes they've never had to fill. In this video, I saw a constructive, calculated and restrained response that led to the apprehension of some moron who didn't listen to lawful order. He's lucky he didn't get roughed up worse and that level heads prevailed.

Yup. The End.

Those are the hallway/stairway outlets. They're lacking the controlling wheel, as a lot of the real ones are.

60 Control is a dispatch agency. They don't train anyone.

How is this a productive question? We score exams, the higher score gets promoted. We've decided as a society to give some preference to veterans and that preference comes in the form of 5 extra points. So no, a vet who is still behind me with his points is not more deserving. A vet who scored equal to or 4 points less is. Are we now going to debate Vet. Credits? No, we're not. We're debating the fact that someone (who is a seemingly over qualified veteran) was passed over for what might be nothing more than political retribution. We shouldn't debate this? We shouldn't ask for reasons and clarification? Why should anyone related to the civil service take this lying down. It could be you cheated with no explanation.....or a son or daughter. Why are we not defending this guy......

I agree there is strong antinepostism sentiment out there.......however, his sister the trustee, abstained from voting on the matter. This is all the avoidance I would expect.

What are you talking about!? This isn't an issue of 5 points! This is an issue of denying someone a job without cause. This ALSO isn't about anyone else. This is a guy who had every endorsement from the mayor to the police chief and down to the citizens of the village. The outward appearance here is that he was denied because of petty political infighting. The veteran aspect helps draw positive attention to this issue, positive for the candidate and I'm glad he's using it to his advantage. Could there be a valid reason for passing this guy over, legally? Sure could. If there is, then why don't these 4 trustees just come out and say it. From the outside looking in, the silence is awful telling. Lastly, on a personal note....your comments thus far are quite telling of your character. Degradation of the commitments of those who serve in the military is disgusting. Self gratification? I work with guys who have multiple purple hearts....and the scars to prove it. Come on over and tell them about their self importance and see how long you stay standing on your two feet. Standing in the line of fire, taking bullets and shrapnel and living with the fear of death everyday seems like an awful lot to do for 5 measly points on some civil service test. Although....in your eyes, they don't deserve special recognition. Well, keep enjoying football Sunday and holiday's with your family....don't worry, no one had to sacrifice for you to have those comforts. Veterans working on Wall Street....guess what? You put military service on an application for ANY job and you get a leg up....deservedly so. Love how you threw a jab at Volly's in there too. That is a SYSTEM with some problems, but filled with a majority a well intention'd people. Enjoy your comforts, paycheck and straight 8's in Eastchester. Love, The U.S. Armed Forces Vet credits are actually given to anyone who serves in any capacity. Obviously, there is a differentiation of an additional 5 points for those who are combat wounded.

Saw ESU twice today, no flashing lights

To echo thebreeze above.....he IS different. He served this country in battle and deserves to be treated with special regard. Your response is cold, callus and devoid of reasonable consideration. This is a man who is as qualified as all and more so than most, it would appear. If the board has a reason, beyond cold-calculated political retribution, let them voice it.There will certainly be a legal battle here, which the village will lose. They'll suffer shame and a waste of tax payer dollars to boot. My score on future promotional exams will certainly be eclipsed by those with Vet. credits and they'll be promoted before me. This is good and right, they are more deserving than I because they gave in a way I never have.

Political B.S. Small town govt is embarrassing......

No way. He was collecting his FDNY pension, which must have been well over 100k, plus the 175k+ he was making in Yonkers. If he goes back to FDNY, he'll have to give up his pension, for the time being. Definitely won't be Chief of Staff to the FC. That's a uniform position.....and would be a major step down.

When you say #3, can you be more specific? COD Kilduff isn't leaving yet, Chief of Ops Esposito isn't either. Chief of Training, Galvin hasn't announced anything either and that there is #1, 2 and 3.

Word is floating around the FDNY that Sweeney is coming back in some Staff Chief capacity. There's even a Sept. 1st date rumor. So, is there any more word in YFD if he's leaving?

The NYPD shot and killed someone, just because that person shot at them? Man, I hope there's a video out there that catches the last 1/4 of the interaction so Al Sharpton has something to latch onto for his next news conference. Surely the NYPD officer could have danced between the bullets, approached the perp and de-escalated (new progressive buzz-word) the situation.....you know....without excessive force. Seriously though, thank god the officer and Marshall's are alive and I wish them a speedy recovery. Few agencies need support right now like the NYPD.

Why? Being that it's a product of combustion...... That said, I don't think I've ever heard that used at a CO run.

The term n"nothing showing" is fine. Short sweet and to the point. It can be a helpful assesment in conjunction with other reports as well. Perhaps units operating at a 1sty. commercial taxpayer have a strong odor, an the OV Man gives a report from the rear that "nothing is showing", could it be buttoned up really tight? Could there be fire, just not visible, indicating that it is in an early decay (possibly very dangerous) phase? Nothing showing is info, it means......there's nothing showing. At least for us, we wouldn't say "on scene, investigating", because they already know where on scene. Investigating, I'd think, is assumed. I don't think anyone's doing a cursory drive by.

The FDNY Lts now attend for 5 weeks, one additional after the upstate guys are done.