Best Cops Ever!

Tonight, COPS aired their 20th anniversary special on Fox.

This episode was full of action packed and unique clips filmed over the 20 seasons COPS has been on the air. The clips ranged from funny to dramatic to dangerous to outright shocking.

One reason why I liked the episode is because it portrayed the dangers Law Enforcment Officers face everyday, and the public doesn't usually see. This episode should be shown to community groups, with some narrative, to detail why LEO's use the force they do sometimes, because they want to go home at the end of the shift. I also liked this episode because it demonstrated how Tasers can effectively and quickly descalate an incident.

I'm sure this could have, easily, been a two hour special, if not more.

I hope they release this on DVD, with bonus footage.

The x635 Lego Project

Right now, I'm going through an extremly stressful period caused by a few isolated malicous, lying, heartless, and corrupt individuals. Since I'm cleared by my doctors and ready for full duty as a Firefighter again, yet not back at work despite doing all I can do to do to fight the above, I've been looking for ways to keep myself occupied, and my stress levels caused completly by the above people under control.

So, while in Montreal, I found this really cool Lego Technic set. I'm going to be building this, and posting my progress on my blog here. I've always wanted to do a Lego Technic set, specifically the crane (I really like the bulldozer too!), but have never had the time or desire to spend the money. So, when I came across this, I decided to splurge, and it might take my mind off things. I can only spend so much time out taking photos, working on the website, watching TV or reading. Need more frequent diverse things to do.

Build a realistic rescue vehicle!
This authentic model is ready to fight any
fire! Open the control panel on the side of the truck and use the 3 separate
gears to operate the aerial lift with ultimate precision. Adjust the boom
incline, angle and rotation -- the aerial lift raises to over 21" high and
rotates a full 360 degrees!
-Working outriggers lower to stabilize the truck!
-Use the gear at the back to control the steering!
-Rebuild into an equally authentic light-duty rescue truck!
-Includes building instructions for 2 models

Lego Technic has a bunch of cool machines to build, and if this goes well, there's a ton I want to do in the future! Check them out at:

http://technic.lego.com/en-us

Specifically, these are the models I want to do in the future when finances permit:

Tow Truck: http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=8285

Bulldozer: http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8275&cn=57

Unusual Occurence While At Mall In Montreal

While Kristen and I were browsing through the Complexe Desjardins Office Tower Shops in downtown Montreal on Thursday (9-27-07), all of a sudden we heard a loud "BOOM" from across the mall that sounded like an explosion. Quickly after that, we saw people running from opposite where the sound has come from.

As we made our way through the crowd that had calmed down and gathered to spectate, I saw EMS already on the scene treating a young girl, who was surrounded by shattered glass.

A large pane of decorative glass had, for an unknown reason, shattered, and rained down on this girl, who was on a field trip with her school. The patient was treated and transported to St. Francis Hospital with moderate cuts and bruises, but is reportedly in stable condition and injuries are not life threatening. Several other teens in the group were hysterical and treated for shock.

I noticed a couple of things that were different. What a difference a Country makes.

1. Patient wasn't removed from the immediate area where the glass collapsed.
2. Civilians were allowed to use the exact same entrance on the opposite side of the mall after the glass collapsed, despite their being numerous other ways to exit.
3. Spectatators were allowed to gather in immediate "collapse" zone.
4. Response was completly minimal. An ALS and BLS ambulance, one Truck company, one Patrol officer, and one Patrol Supervisor. That's it for being on scene for the first 15 minutes.

It seems Canadians are very laid back. They handled this incident calmly and differently then had it happened in the US. If this had happened in the US, I'm sure that additional apparatus, such as a Collapse Unit would have been summoned.

Additionally, the patient would have been removed from the collapse zone, and the area would have been secured until the cause of the shattered glass was determined.

However, the EMS anf Fire response was extemly expeditous.

Also, the media coverage on this was minimal. It was lunchtime, and the mall at the base of an office tower was packed. It was barely picked up by the local media. I feel the local media here would have been crawling all over this. Anyways, I'm glad the girl was alright.

Banksville FD Old Engine 158 To Become Dump Truck

Posted by an EMTBravo.net member: "Unfortunately the old 158, a Mack has been sold. It will be reincarnated into a dump truck. The truck has served us well for 19 years, and will serve its new owner well. It is definitely sad to see her go but it was time."

Any chance that it could be saved? I'm sure it's still a useful Engine with life still left in her.

There are departments in this Country that would consider it a blessing to be able to obtain this engine at a low/no cost, especially in the Hurricane Katrina/Hurricane Rita affected areas.

These areas have been very negelected by the goverment, and lack the proper tools to serve their communties. We here in Westchester are very fortunate to have what we have, and going to these areas is like going to a third world country, IN OUR OWN COUNTRY!

Everyone was so quick to want to help immediately after these horrific storms, but it seems many have already forgotten while these communities are still, to this day, completly devastated.

To turn this Engine into a dump truck, IMO, is a tremdous waste. It could be used to potentially save more lives in the future.

Now, I love Banksville FD and am friends with many of their members, and I don't know anything about the disposition of this engine other then what was mentioned above, but I really hope that this Engine can be saved from all things, a fate as a dump truck, and given to a needy community.

Or, maybe someone else reading this is getting ready to replace apparatus and will think how fortunate they are and how their "old" or "obsolete" piece could once again become very valuable to another community.

I know my department is going to be disposing of an Engine soon, that with some minor TLC, would still be very useful for many years. I hope they donate it to a needy community here in the USA, and I will push for that when the time comes.

Greenburgh Multi-Agency Cooperation Commendable

On 9-25-07, Greenburgh Police, Greenburgh Technical Rescue Team, Greenburgh (career) FD's (Hartsdale FD, Greenville FD, Fairview FD), and Greenburgh DPW assembled at Desanti Plaza in Hartsdale, for a confined space detail.

Greenburgh DPW was making an investigative entry into a storm drain/underground river that drains into the Bronx River that failed during heavy rains in April 2007, causing devastating flooding in downtown Hartsdale.

All units on scene cooperated to make sure all safety precautions were met, and entry was made by a Greenburgh Firefighter/Technical Rescue Team member and Greenburgh DPW member (also trained in confined space entry) to investigate and determine the problem.

During this detail, members of all agencies on scene also trained together on confined space and rope rescue techniques, and command and communications integration. Greenburgh PD's new Mobile Command Unit was on scene, and was utilized for technical assistance with the entry.

This successful multi-agency effort once again proved how all Town Of Greenburgh departments can respectfully synergize to provide top-notch, critical services to the Town Of Greenburgh residents.

Lessons learned at this detail/drill reinforced the importance of interagency cooperation and frequent training and utilization of equipment.

In addition, and most importantly, members investigated a possible cause of a devastating flood so that any problems can be rectified to prevent reoccurrence.

Many Hartsdale residents gathered in curiosity to watch the operation, and were very impressed (and IMO comforted for lack of a better word) by the level of service provided, qualifications of the manpower, and equipment used by the Town's agencies.

Photos are posted on http://www.emtbravo.com/

Norwalk's New RED Engine 1

City Of Norwalk, CT's New Engine 1

2007 Spartan/Marion

This is a new (conterversial) paint scheme for Norwalk FD. For many years, their apparatus has been all white with a red stripe. With this delivery, all Norwalk apparatus from this point on will be red, including the new Rescue, which is currently being spec'd.

Norwalk is appox. 45 minutes from NYC, on the Long Island Sound off I-95 in Southern Fairfield County, CT. They serve a very diverse city, with a large mix of income levels. Also, a very large area of diverse residential, commerical, industrial and institutional facilities, as well as several major roadways.

They have a really, really great and talented apparatus maintainence staff, that has built several custom apparatus for the department using a mix of aqquired chasis and bodies. They operate from a former transit bus garage opposite the Volk Central Fire Station (Sta 2) across I-95. The spacious facilty houses a large, well equipped shop as well as housing for Norwalk's antiques, and special operations vehicles.

Anyways, here's the photos. More can be found on http://www.emtbravo.com/

Westchester's Longest Serving Firefighter

According to an article "Westchester Superlatives" in the October 2007 issue of Westchester Magazine:

QUOTE
Bravest (longest serving) firefighter: Fire Chief Walter Schoonmaker,
of Hartsdale, who started as a firefighter on August 1st, 1959

I believe he's been Chief since 1971, and still going strong at the helm of my department. He's hired every career Hartsdale firefighter serving today....some have even retired already!!

Pascack Valley Hospital in Bergen County, N.J., to close by end of

It's amazing how populations grow and become more affluent, but more and more community hospitals are closing, especially this hospital located in a very affluent area. Is it not getting enough back from insurance, or poor financial managment? Patient census low? Why?

Pascack Valley Hospital also provides the Paramedics for the VAC's in the area of the hospital, which butts up against Rockland County. Does anyone know who may take that over?

Pascack Valley Hospital in Bergen County, N.J., to close by end of
year
By JANE LERNERTHE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: September 20,
2007)

Pascack Valley Hospital will close its doors for good by the end of the
year, Vice President John Corcoran said this afternoon.

The hospital has lost $50 million over the past four years and had a
projected loss of more than $16 million for 2007. It had been in negotiations to
merge with Hackensack University Medical Center, but those talks fell
through.

Read more about this story tomorrow in The Journal News.

Photo Of Campaign Litter

Here's a photo of the campaign litter I was talking about in a previous entry. This photo was taken on the afternoon of 9-19-07, the day after the primaries these signs were put up for. If anyone else did this, it would be a big deal. But I'm glad that the citizens have greater respect for the visual appeal of this town and don't do this on a regular basis. After all, there is a code concerning this.

Campaign Litter

Driving around my town lately, there are campaign signs EVERYWHERE you look.

These same politicians who are posting these signs are the ones who make the laws about business posting signs, and littering. However, when it comes to themselves, obviously, the laws aren't applicable to them.

In one municipality where these signs are appearing, you're not even allowed to post Garage Sale signs without a permit, and you must take them down immediately after the event. Other signs are regularly taken down, and violations are issued by Codes Enforcement officers. In fact, DPW personel are taking down signs, and the campaigns are right there behind them putting them back up.

It's even gotten so vicous between campaigns that they're even taking each others signs down, or blocking each others signs with their own.

However, the politicans campaigning obviously don't think that the law applies to them. It's sad they can't practice what they preach. The insane amount of campaign signs around my town is ridiculous....the people campaigning are going overboard. Not only is it visually unappealing, the amount of material they are wasting is disgusting. I know they have to get the message out and are trying to rally voters to vote for them, but enough is enough.