ALBANY - For the first
time, a state commission has recommended taking a hard look at
New York's volunteer-led system of fire protection and requiring
counties to at least consider assuming more control of their local
fire services.
It's such a touchy subject that five of the 15 members of the
Commission on Local Government Efficiency - including
Long Island's two members - voted against even studying the
idea.
But commissioners said they'd heard too many "horror stories" on
Long Island and statewide about multiplying
Taj Mahal fire stations stuffed with brand new equipment, at a
time when volunteer numbers are rapidly dropping.
"Our taxes are far too high, and we can't continue to embrace the
status quo and expect things to get any better," said Assemb.
Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo), chairman of the local governments
committee and a member of the commission, which presented its
recommendations to Gov.
David A. Paterson on Wednesday. "I guess they [volunteers] are a
powerful constituency, but at some point we have got to learn to say
no."
4hr sessions on the use of there decontamination/Haz-Mat trailer.
The dates will be May 12
&
13.
It is important that we have key personnel at this school, since we will
probably be the ones to assist if they have an incident.
Please let me know if you can attend. I need to let them know
how many will attend.
Chief Kowal
CIRCLEVILLE FIRE COMPANY WETDOWN
Saturday MAY 31, NOON- 4 P.M.
at Circleville Firehouse
2147 State Route 302 Circleville
Come join us for food, drinks, and games to
honor theintroduction of the new RESCUE
105.
All
are welcome!
R105….
SIZE MATTERS!
Like they say about men with
BIG
rescue trucks,
long hydraulic
HOSE.
Please fog stream only 50 psi, no silly
string
or anything potentially harmful to the
paint.
Any
questions, comments or concerns can be
directed to the Circleville Firehouse by
calling (845) 361-3461
We are now getting County
training class information in emails directly from the
County
They will be posted on the
Training and Safety
page as received.
Hopefully we will be getting them from the local Training Officer's too!
Responding New York Chief Ticketed After
Crash
The chief of the
Ellenville Fire Department was hospitalized and issued a traffic ticket
Sunday evening after striking another vehicle en route to an emergency
call, injuring two people who also had to be hospitalized.
Ellenville Chief of Police Phil Mattracion said that Fire Chief Steven
Krom was traveling northbound on U.S. Route 209 in Ellenville at
approximately 7:30 p.m. while responding to a call. Krom, who had his
emergency lights on, struck a sedan with his sport utility vehicle while
crossing the intersection of U.S. Route 209 and Center Street.
Krom was operating a
fire department vehicle and it is unclear if he had his siren on, said
Mattracion. The speed at which Krom was traveling had also not yet been
determined.
Mattracion said that Krom, as well both passengers in the car, were
taken to Ellenville Hospital. Krom was conscious and alert at the scene,
but complained of stomach pain. The two people in the car, a male driver
male and an unidentified passenger, were described as being in their
late teens or early 20's.
While the nature of the their injuries was not available Sunday night,
Mattracion said he believed they were not life-threatening injuries.
Mattracion called it an unfortunate incident, but said even emergency
officials need to be aware of a driver's right of way. The car Krom
struck was passing through a green light.
"Nobody likes to see something like this happen," Mattracion said, "but
we're held to the same standard as everyone else."
