mllax14

Personally i think part of the problem is with the terminology commonly used Such as "mutual aid" which I feel is used to mask the problem that plagues our area.
From what I was originally taught and understood was that "mutual aid" meant 1) you needed additional resources such as manpower, or additional apparatus to assist you at the scene. 2) you need a specific reasource that you or another agency/department don't not have 3) you are already committed to a incident or whatever and need "mutual aid" to handle an additional call while you operate at your initial incident.
But, what I see "mutual aid" used for around here is a loophole to cover up the all but true actuality of what many have pointed out here that calls are going unanswered. I would like to see is the term (FTR) "Failure To Respond" used which would keep agency's/ departments more accountable for their inability to perform their primarily function and respond to emergencies within the acceptable standard. If that were actually used the facts would be presented front and center to the public and state that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Otherwise it just seems like this problem will continue to fly under the radar and put the public and first responders In danger.
Just my 2 cents.

Personally i think part of the problem is with the terminology commonly used Such as "mutual aid" which I feel is used to mask the problem that plagues our area.
From what I was originally taught and understood was that "mutual aid" meant 1) you needed additional resources such as manpower, or additional apparatus to assist you at the scene. 2) you need a specific reasource that you or another agency/department don't not have 3) you are already committed to a incident or whatever and need "mutual aid" to handle an additional call while you operate at your initial incident.
But, what I see "mutual aid" used for around here is a loophole to cover up the all but true actuality of what many have pointed out here that calls are going unanswered. I would like to see is the term (FTR) "Failure To Respond" used which would keep agency's/ departments more accountable for their inability to perform their primarily function and respond to emergencies within the acceptable standard. If that were actually used the facts would be presented front and center to the public and state that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Otherwise it just seems like this problem will continue to fly under the radar and put the public and first responders In danger.
Just my 2 cents.

Personally i think part of the problem is with the terminology commonly used Such as "mutual aid" which I feel is used to mask the problem that plagues our area.
From what I was originally taught and understood was that "mutual aid" meant 1) you needed additional resources such as manpower, or additional apparatus to assist you at the scene. 2) you need a specific reasource that you or another agency/department don't not have 3) you are already committed to a incident or whatever and need "mutual aid" to handle an additional call while you operate at your initial incident.
But, what I see "mutual aid" used for around here is a loophole to cover up the all but true actuality of what many have pointed out here that calls are going unanswered. I would like to see is the term (FTR) "Failure To Respond" used which would keep agency's/ departments more accountable for their inability to perform their primarily function and respond to emergencies within the acceptable standard. If that were actually used the facts would be presented front and center to the public and state that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Otherwise it just seems like this problem will continue to fly under the radar and put the public and first responders In danger.
Just my 2 cents.

Personally i think part of the problem is with the terminology commonly used Such as "mutual aid" which I feel is used to mask the problem that plagues our area.
From what I was originally taught and understood was that "mutual aid" meant 1) you needed additional resources such as manpower, or additional apparatus to assist you at the scene. 2) you need a specific reasource that you or another agency/department don't not have 3) you are already committed to a incident or whatever and need "mutual aid" to handle an additional call while you operate at your initial incident.
But, what I see "mutual aid" used for around here is a loophole to cover up the all but true actuality of what many have pointed out here that calls are going unanswered. I would like to see is the term (FTR) "Failure To Respond" used which would keep agency's/ departments more accountable for their inability to perform their primarily function and respond to emergencies within the acceptable standard. If that were actually used the facts would be presented front and center to the public and state that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Otherwise it just seems like this problem will continue to fly under the radar and put the public and first responders In danger.
Just my 2 cents.

Personally i think part of the problem is with the terminology commonly used Such as "mutual aid" which I feel is used to mask the problem that plagues our area.
From what I was originally taught and understood was that "mutual aid" meant 1) you needed additional resources such as manpower, or additional apparatus to assist you at the scene. 2) you need a specific reasource that you or another agency/department don't not have 3) you are already committed to a incident or whatever and need "mutual aid" to handle an additional call while you operate at your initial incident.
But, what I see "mutual aid" used for around here is a loophole to cover up the all but true actuality of what many have pointed out here that calls are going unanswered. I would like to see is the term (FTR) "Failure To Respond" used which would keep agency's/ departments more accountable for their inability to perform their primarily function and respond to emergencies within the acceptable standard. If that were actually used the facts would be presented front and center to the public and state that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Otherwise it just seems like this problem will continue to fly under the radar and put the public and first responders In danger.
Just my 2 cents.

Personally i think part of the problem is with the terminology commonly used Such as "mutual aid" which I feel is used to mask the problem that plagues our area.
From what I was originally taught and understood was that "mutual aid" meant 1) you needed additional resources such as manpower, or additional apparatus to assist you at the scene. 2) you need a specific reasource that you or another agency/department don't not have 3) you are already committed to a incident or whatever and need "mutual aid" to handle an additional call while you operate at your initial incident.
But, what I see "mutual aid" used for around here is a loophole to cover up the all but true actuality of what many have pointed out here that calls are going unanswered. I would like to see is the term (FTR) "Failure To Respond" used which would keep agency's/ departments more accountable for their inability to perform their primarily function and respond to emergencies within the acceptable standard. If that were actually used the facts would be presented front and center to the public and state that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Otherwise it just seems like this problem will continue to fly under the radar and put the public and first responders In danger.
Just my 2 cents.

Personally i think part of the problem is with the terminology commonly used Such as "mutual aid" which I feel is used to mask the problem that plagues our area.
From what I was originally taught and understood was that "mutual aid" meant 1) you needed additional resources such as manpower, or additional apparatus to assist you at the scene. 2) you need a specific reasource that you or another agency/department don't not have 3) you are already committed to a incident or whatever and need "mutual aid" to handle an additional call while you operate at your initial incident.
But, what I see "mutual aid" used for around here is a loophole to cover up the all but true actuality of what many have pointed out here that calls are going unanswered. I would like to see is the term (FTR) "Failure To Respond" used which would keep agency's/ departments more accountable for their inability to perform their primarily function and respond to emergencies within the acceptable standard. If that were actually used the facts would be presented front and center to the public and state that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Otherwise it just seems like this problem will continue to fly under the radar and put the public and first responders In danger.
Just my 2 cents.

Yorktown Heights FD (Westchester County, NY)
2012 -655 Runs (No EMS)
Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department (Prince Georges County, MD)
2012 - 6,219 Runs
Breakdown as follows
Engine Co. - 1,522
Truck Co. - 515
Rescue Squad- 420 (Was OOS for 45 days this year)
BLS Ambulance- 3,700
Volunteer Paramedic Ambulance- 26 (this is the units first year and saw limited service.)
Utility- 36

Yorktown Heights FD (Westchester County, NY)
2012 -655 Runs (No EMS)
Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department (Prince Georges County, MD)
2012 - 6,219 Runs
Breakdown as follows
Engine Co. - 1,522
Truck Co. - 515
Rescue Squad- 420 (Was OOS for 45 days this year)
BLS Ambulance- 3,700
Volunteer Paramedic Ambulance- 26 (this is the units first year and saw limited service.)
Utility- 36

Yorktown Heights FD (Westchester County, NY)
2012 -655 Runs (No EMS)
Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department (Prince Georges County, MD)
2012 - 6,219 Runs
Breakdown as follows
Engine Co. - 1,522
Truck Co. - 515
Rescue Squad- 420 (Was OOS for 45 days this year)
BLS Ambulance- 3,700
Volunteer Paramedic Ambulance- 26 (this is the units first year and saw limited service.)
Utility- 36

I received word from my chief up here in St. Lawrence County, and he said that "The NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control, as part of the Statewide Mutual Aid and Mobilization plan, has asked each county to canvass for available resources for deployment to NYS and Long Island area."
We are looking at sending an Engine down there within the next day or two and hope to be down there to help.

Only the best firefighters can be in the Squad. One time we pulled up to a report of a child in the river and the waters parted like Moses and the Red Sea. We get our bullet proof capes and learn to yell Squad loudly.

I never had the privilege of knowing Mark personally, but i'm friends with a few of the guys at Lutherville that did and i must say it was one of the largest LODD funerals i have ever been to. The show of support was unbelievable. These videos in conjunction of the ATF report offer alot of insight as to what happened that night and the things we can take away from this tragedy, especially with the 3rd video showing the alternative models that show how different things could have been if doors were shut, i know while operating on the fireground it can easily be forgotten, but it could make a tremendous difference in conditions.
http://statter911.co...mark-falkenhan/

I never had the privilege of knowing Mark personally, but i'm friends with a few of the guys at Lutherville that did and i must say it was one of the largest LODD funerals i have ever been to. The show of support was unbelievable. These videos in conjunction of the ATF report offer alot of insight as to what happened that night and the things we can take away from this tragedy, especially with the 3rd video showing the alternative models that show how different things could have been if doors were shut, i know while operating on the fireground it can easily be forgotten, but it could make a tremendous difference in conditions.
http://statter911.co...mark-falkenhan/

Alright guys,
As some of you may or may not know on February 24th, 7 PGFD Firefighters were injured while operating at a house fire In Riverdale, Maryland that has since been declared arson. Of those 7 injured, 2 were admitted to the Burn Unit at Washington Hospital Center with serious burns, Bladensburg Co.9 FF's Ethan Sorrell had respiratory burns and has since been released and FF Kevin O'Toole who is still currently recovering in the Hospital with burns over 40% of his body. I personally know both of these guys and was at the fire the night they were both injured and can honestly say they are two of the strongest people i know. Kevin has had multiple skin graph operations and has made great strides in the past few weeks enough so to be admitted in the step down unit from the ICU. With being said Kevin still has a long road to recovery.
So here is what he needs Kevin (A Native of New York, from Bethpage, Long Island) as you can imagine spends alot of time in his hospital room. Although his family and at least two firefighters from either Company 9 or Company 1 have been at his side 24 hours a day he would like to make his room feel a little more like home. So he is asking that any of those following his recovery could send him a company or department patch to liven up the room a little bit.
Any departments wising to send a patch and or a card to Kevin they are to be sent to 4213 Edmonston Road, Bladensburg MD 20710 and they will be sure to find a place on his wall.


I will be home this week for a few days if you would like to PM me i may be available to pick up the patch if that makes things easier before i head back to Maryland.



Here are a few of the news articles incase you have no idea what im talking about to bring you up to speed.

http://statter911.co...fe-threatening/
http://statter911.co...s-kevin-otoole/
http://pgfdpio.blogs...vin-otoole.html
Again Thank you guys for your support and we hope to see a few patches on the wall to show Kev some love from New York.
Thank You,
Matt Lauria
FF/EMT-YHFD
Live-In FF/EMT- Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department Co. 1

Alright guys,
As some of you may or may not know on February 24th, 7 PGFD Firefighters were injured while operating at a house fire In Riverdale, Maryland that has since been declared arson. Of those 7 injured, 2 were admitted to the Burn Unit at Washington Hospital Center with serious burns, Bladensburg Co.9 FF's Ethan Sorrell had respiratory burns and has since been released and FF Kevin O'Toole who is still currently recovering in the Hospital with burns over 40% of his body. I personally know both of these guys and was at the fire the night they were both injured and can honestly say they are two of the strongest people i know. Kevin has had multiple skin graph operations and has made great strides in the past few weeks enough so to be admitted in the step down unit from the ICU. With being said Kevin still has a long road to recovery.
So here is what he needs Kevin (A Native of New York, from Bethpage, Long Island) as you can imagine spends alot of time in his hospital room. Although his family and at least two firefighters from either Company 9 or Company 1 have been at his side 24 hours a day he would like to make his room feel a little more like home. So he is asking that any of those following his recovery could send him a company or department patch to liven up the room a little bit.
Any departments wising to send a patch and or a card to Kevin they are to be sent to 4213 Edmonston Road, Bladensburg MD 20710 and they will be sure to find a place on his wall.


I will be home this week for a few days if you would like to PM me i may be available to pick up the patch if that makes things easier before i head back to Maryland.



Here are a few of the news articles incase you have no idea what im talking about to bring you up to speed.

http://statter911.co...fe-threatening/
http://statter911.co...s-kevin-otoole/
http://pgfdpio.blogs...vin-otoole.html
Again Thank you guys for your support and we hope to see a few patches on the wall to show Kev some love from New York.
Thank You,
Matt Lauria
FF/EMT-YHFD
Live-In FF/EMT- Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department Co. 1

Yorktown Heights FD (Westchester County, NY) 779 Runs (No EMS)- Most runs in department history.
Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department Co. 1 (Prince Georges County, MD) 5,719 Runs for the Engine, Truck, Rescue Squad, and BLS Ambulance.