fitzjr11

The Secret List 5-8-08 / 0630 Hours www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com <http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/> VIDEO LINKS TO THE ABOVE INCIDENT: http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews...0,2429721.story http://www.wtnh.com/global/video/flash/pop...mp;rnd=38605334 While naturally, no one can yet determine if it will be declared federally as an official LODD, we have been advised that a Fire Explorer in West Haven (CT) was killed after he was struck by an SUV, as he was going to a car crash run on Monday. The Fire Explorer was 14 year old Ralph Russo of West Haven. (See TV video links below) Russo was riding his bike with a friend when they reportedly headed to a dispatched car crash, when Russo was tragically struck by a Jeep. Efforts to save his life were not successful and he died from his injuries. Russo was a middle school student and a part of the Fire Explorer program in West Haven. The SUV driver involved was obeying all traffic laws and is not facing any charges. This appears to be a very tragic accident involving a fine and wonderful community minded teenager who loved many things-including his role at the WHFD. And while the issue of LODD/non-LODD is an emotional one, you will remember the case of Junior Firefighter Chris Kangas from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, who lost his life in what appears to be a similar fashion, just a few years ago. That claim as an LODD was denied by PSOB...but has been challenged and is now in the hands of the Courts. Here are some details: http://brookhavenfireco.com/custom.html?id=1143 The issue and definition of what an LODD is, and what it is not, is dependent upon who you ask. At first glance it seems clear, but it isn't. For example, the PSOB folks at DOJ, who are the bottom line as far as benefits, have their definitions. Furthermore, the NFPA has their definitions of an LODD, while the USFA and NFFF have theirs. And at the local level, there are also diverse local definitions. There are many "Junior" members who play an important role in providing service much the same as there are many very "Senior" members, who as active members of their FD, also play critical roles locally....all whose services are very important. All good people wanting to help. Personally, we see a significant difference in various, yet all tragic LODD's, as examples: =a member losing their life while attempting the search or rescue of trapped victims at a fire, =a member being ejected because they chose to not wear their seat belt, =a member driving who blows a red traffic signal/stop sign, =a member lost in an unoccupied structure that was a write off upon their entry, =a member working out and having a heart attack, =a member lost during a fire training burn, =a member struck while operating on a scene...as well as the many other LODD's (which these all are) that fall on all ranges of the wide scale of definition. Don't read into this-these are all horrible losses of wonderful people who just wanted to help-and are all LODD's as defined by most. The one thing that is clear and well defined is that these are terrible, local-duty related losses to those who knew/loved them ...and those who are left behind. The PSOB folks and the Courts will figure out the rest. What we /can/ do-especially at the local level, is to take the action at all rank levels (Chief to Probie) to PREVENT the need for the LODD/Non-LODD debates...meaning to take local action to eliminate the unnecessary LODD's. We will never eliminate all LODD's because sometimes, as sad as it sounds, Firefighters must, on rare occasion, lose their lives in heroic manners. Sometimes we get killed in the Line of Duty where it was NOT preventable and sometimes, we tragically die when doing the job...Not Everyone Goes Home. But those numbers are the small numbers...the clear minority. It's the numerous tragic, but sometimes so obvious and unnecessary "that didn't have to happen" big number LODD's that we are talking about. That's where it can be managed and where change can happen. Giving credit to the late politician Tip O'Neil, who stated that "All politics are local"..it also applies to us, that "All LODD Prevention Is Local"...from the Chief to the Probie. Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to all affected, but especially the family of WHFD Explorer Ralph Russo on the horrible loss of a fine young man who just wanted to help. Take Care-BE CAREFUL. BillyG

thoughts a prayers to the family and friends, and explorers of West Haven FD

Any one attend the fire prevention seminar at Montour Falls this weekend? It was my 1st time going, and it was def. worth it. Lots of information, free materials and ideas passed around. For those looking for new ideas or to revamp their program, I highly recommend this weekend.

agencies can still transport if they want, once the empire bls rig is on a call depts will be transporting anyway- w/ the large amount of calls that brewster does they will always be busy, therefore not really affecting the rest of medic 4 area Not too say Brewster isn't doing a good job-- they just have LOTS of calls

May 31st is the muster in Conn. there is info on engine 260's website www.engine260.com

oh, i can't wait!!! Never seen it before

lake carmel info is on the way w/ 2 teams, mailing it tomorrow

Pawling usually 1st weekend in Aug- normally conflicts w/ Ossining parade, which is why we went w/ 2nd weekend

Lake Carmel 8/8/08

Sounds good, look forward to hearing more info

I am saddened to say that we have another "one of the best" responders to watch over us as we serve others - Cindy's fight ended a little before noon on the 31st. Having suffered so long she spent the last week with family and friends by her side. The 'angel' that she is will be in our hearts and hands forever. Dwyer Funeral Home - School Street Patterson Thursday 1/3/08 2:00 - 4:00 pm 1/3/08 7:00 - 9:00 pm (fire Dept service) Friday 1/4/08 10:00 service - @ Dwyer's and then to Maple Ave. Cemetery. Cindy had been battling cancer for the last several years. She was an active member of Patterson FD, and was very active on the ambulance. Cindy worked at Putnam ER, her husband is a past chief of Patterson FD. She will be extremely missed. Any questions please call the Patterson FD - 878- 6047

Anyone going to the dedication and parade up in Hudson this Sunday?

The new home is up and running, the dedication is Sunday- I wouldn't call it a development. I was up there in May- new home is very nice. The old one will eventually be comming down

Anyone going to Milford's Muster this Sat?

Putnam County will be offering an EMS Seminar in Sept, both speakers will be speaking about how to respond safely to calls, info is posted in the training forum

Sept 29th 2 sessions: 10:00-11:30 Nadine Levick will be presenting on Ambulance Transport Safety: What you need to know, for more info go to www.objectivesafety.net Ms. Levick has spoken at EMS seminars nation wide 11:30-12:30 lunch 12:30-2 is It's not always a traffic accident- given by Gary Ferucci seminar will give 1st responder the opportunity to understand the differences of a traffic accident vs traffic crash, will develop knowledge and understanding as to how actions can affect the outcome of a crimanl prosecution or civil tort. this class has been very popular in the last year, was given at Nassau University Medical Center, Vital signs, and at FASNY EMS seminar as well as the Montour Falls EMS Seminar Cost is $20 for 1 class or $30 if you sign up for both, if you sign up for both then you get a free lunch. you can call Bureau of EMS to register: 845 808-4000

rumor has it, they met tonight and will give ALS money needed to keep it operational for the rest of the year. Money is in budget for next year for ALS so I guess we'll have to wait till Jan 1 to see what happens.

lake Carmel FD will be hosting a class on psychiatric emergencies given by Dr. David Stuhlmiller, from Westchester Medical Center. Anyone intersted in attending, is asked to call the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services- 808-4000 to register for the class This is also a CME credited course

Wed Aug 29th 7pm Lake Carmel FD Rt 52

Why wouldn't they let us operate w/o ALS- I'm sure there are departments upstate that don't have ALS, and as far as us caring Epi and all- those are BLS Protocols- shouldn't be an issue. ALS is nice to have, it's convient and helps w/ patient care- but isn't a need in life, it's a want- yes it helped w/ response times and all, but we were providing BLS only till 1994. Unfortunatly instead of going forward we may have to go back. The county did not say no more ALS, they said no more money towards it- if EMPIRE retracks their increase, or another company come in at same price EMPIRE was at, then ALS will be back. Something will change between now and Oct.

my dept has an active explorer program, ages 14-21, most leave and join the dept at 18. They attend musters, NYS Fire Academy Explorer Weekend, local county explorer days, host their own explorer weekend, and many many other things they also train w/ the dept and on their own, have their own bylaws and meetings if that's what you're looking at- they going w/ the boy scouts is the way to go

how much younger are you talking about? Explorers run from ages 14-21, are you looking for a program for under 14?

Aug 18th, Station 2 from 1-11pm food, beverages, games and music $30 pp until aug 1st then tickets go up to $35

explorers- 2nd hudson 1st Ardsley, Color Gaurd- 1st mahopac, 2nd brewster, 3rd Athens Best Musical Unit- St Peters 3rd best apparatus Brewster Best Fire Dept Brewster Best Overall Mahopac A good time had by all, congrats Mahopac

A nice day, lots of trucks, and was nice to see Lake Carmel's old 1947 Ward LaFrance there too bad, not many teams for the muster- Mahopac had fun though, they won them all.