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Events, Help, Fundraisers & Benefits:
Increased 10-14 Engine Response: More Engines Faster
As part of the negotiated settlement, theUFAgot the Dept to agree to the following guaranteed increased response protocol on all single source reports of structural fires (SSRSF). - NOW (Brand New Pilot Program): 2 engines & 1 truck (at a minimum) are now immediately dispatched (without 10-14 signal given) on the initial ticket for a SSRSF. A 2nd engine MUST be dispatched--every time! If either engine is a 4-FF engine, a 10-14 signal is given and a third engine must be immediately dispatched. This new policy results in 2 engines responding on the initial ticket all the time, and a 3rd engine 90% of the time--resulting in a huge advantage in getting water on the fire much more quickly than before.
- BEFORE: Under the old policy, the Dept was obligated to send only 1 engine and 1 truck for a SSRSF on the initial ticket. If the 1st due engine was a 5-FF company, and the 2nd due engine was unavailable, a 2nd engine would NOT be dispatched. If the 1st due engine was a 4-FF company, the 2nd due engine would NOT be dispatched on the initial ticket. It would only be dispatched if the 1st due engine acknowledged with a 10-14. This policy often resulted in only one engine being dispatched on the initial ticket--if the 1st due engine was a 5-FF company--and a delayed response if it was a 4-FF company acknowledging with a 10-14 signal. In either case, this would leave the 1st due lone engine at a big disadvantage in getting water quickly on the fire immediately after arrival if it turns out to be a job.
- THE DIFFERENCES: between the two policies are as follows: Now, all 1st due 5-FF engines will always have a second engine dispatched with them on the initial ticket, whereas before, if the 2nd due engine was unavailable, no additional engine would be dispatched. Now, all 1st due 4-FF engines will always have a second engine dispatched with them on the initial ticket, whereas before, if THE 2nd due engine was unavailable, the 1st due would have had to acknowledge with a 10-14 signal before a second engine would be dispatched. This often resulted in at least a 30 second delay in rolling the second company. Now, in each case, if the 2nd due engine assigned to a box is unavailable, the Dept must now reach as far as it needs to go to find a 2nd engine for response on the initial ticket. For example, if the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even the 10th due are unavailable, then the 11th due engine will be sent. The same holds true to find a 3rd engine if either of the 1st or 2nd engines is a 4-FF engine. Continuing with the preceding example, the Dept must then reach to the 12th due or farther in order to assign a 3rd engine to the box. This will result in us always having 2 engines assigned immediately. We will also continue to have a 3rd engine dispatched if either the 1st or 2nd due engine is 4-FFs and hits 10-14 on the teleprinter.
- Critical accomplishments of the new pilot program:
- Puts more firefighters on the scene much quicker than ever before, increasing manpower available to stretch lines if a 10-75 is given upon arrival.
- Civilian and firefighter lives will be saved in situations of rapid spread of fire, as water will be on the fire faster, possibly at up to several minutes sooner or more.
- More companies will be responding to all SSRSF on the initial tickets, increasing the likelihood of getting a piece of a job in the initial stages. Everyone benefits from this and additional lives will be saved, as no function is more important than getting water quickly on a fire.
- This new response protocol increases the workload of all engine companies by getting them sooner to working fires. It is a big win for increasing productivity, FF experience at jobs, and for public safety.
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10-14 Still Required for Safety
Despite the new 2 Engine response protocol for single source reports of structural fires, it is still critical for public and firefighter safety that a 10-14 signal be given by all 4-firefighter engines on the teleprinter when acknowledging an alarm. Back To Top
Cornell Workplace Study Continuese
The Cornell University Traumatic Stress, Workplace Conditions and Well-being Study is now being conducted in the field. This survey is a tremendously important undertaking that will benefit all New York City Firefighters. It is designed to give you the opportunity to voice your opinion on the many issues that you face on a daily basis. In order to improve firehouse conditions, training, equipment, management and the overall health and safety of our membership, concrete data is required in order to detail the inadequacies in the FDNY. The early results from the survey that have been returned are providing powerful data that will help us address the issues that affect FFs daily. It is absolutely necessary to have a high return rate in order to validate the survey results. If your company has been chosen, nearly 100% participation is necessary in order to ensure that it will be an effective tool for clearly identifying and documenting problems in a manner that the Department must recognize and address.CornellUniversityis obligated to operate under the strictest of confidentiality rules and academic standards. Neither the union nor the Dept will have access to any individual member’s survey information. However, the collective information will be a powerful tool. If you were selected and given the opportunity to give your input to bring about improvements for all NYC Firefighters, we need you to fill out your survey and return it ASAP. Only you can make a difference! Back To Top
PERB & Taylor Law
The Governor re-signed the PERB provisions of the Taylor Law unchanged. He had previously sought to change the law to favor municipalities by making ability to pay a mandatory provision in arbitration, which now cannot happen for at least another two years. This is a big victory for labor and will assist inUFAleverage during contract negotiations with the City, which has repeatedly refused to negotiate with theUFAto date, despite numerous formal requests. TheUFAwill keep you informed of any progress on this very important matter. Back To Top
Change of Address? You Could Miss Out!
Members who have moved to a different residence must prepare a UFA ‘Notice of Change of Address’ form in order to receive current UFA Security Benefits Fund health benefits info, UFA notices, Firelines and ballots on any UFA referendums. If you have not received the June issue of the Firelines, then your address is not current. See your Delegate for a copy of the attached form or you can download it from theUFAwebsite in the SBF section. Back To Top
It's Hot! Stay Cool.
It doesn't have to be a job for you to be adversely affected by heat exhaustion. Take time to cool down if you feel overheated after runs and other work which requires wearing bunker gear. It could be anEMSrun, an unfounded call that required you to do a thorough search in and around a building, or anything else. If you feel overheated from wearing your gear--cool down & hydrate. If your core temperature is too high--you are in danger! Take time. Back To Top
NYC Health Benefits Rate Changes
The new 2003 deduction chart from the NYC Office of Labor Relations was mailed to all firehouses and Delegates’ homes with 65-2 #43 on July 8th.Your payroll deduction may either decrease or increase, depending upon your selected plan. It takes effect on your paycheck that covers the first full pay period in July. Back To Top
CFR-D Compensation for Ladders
The UFA is currently arbitrating against the Dept that Ladder Company FFs who are CFR-D certified should be paid the CFR-D differential when responding onEMSruns involvingEMScarry downs,EMSforced entry and difficulty breathing/asthma runs. The Dept’s position is that Truck members should not be compensated. TheUFArequires documentation of these runs and would appreciate members faxing the ticket for such runs to the Recording Secretary’s office at 212-683-4359. Since time is of the essence, please forward any tickets ASAP. Back To Top
Labor College Credits thru Cornell
Active UFA members: earn college credits and help build our union. Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations is presently registering students for Fall classes in its Labor Studies program. Classes are held in midtownManhattanduring the evenings and Saturday mornings. Take 3-credit classes in Labor Law, Public Sector Labor Relations, Union Organization, etc. Tuition is only $130 per credit. Just call Jill Kubit on 212-340-2809 for more information. Back To Top
Free Block IslandTrips and Lodging
Retired FDNY Captain Joseph DiLiberto (L-121 & L-126), and now Viking Fleet Captain, has put together a nice family opportunity for our members. Champlains Resort & Marina on Block Island, in conjunction with the Viking Montauk Ferry will be offering free accommodations to NYC Firefighters on a space available basis from September 7th thru October 12th.Call Champlains Resort & Marina for info & reservations at 401-466-7777. Support those who support our members: for fishing or whale watching trips on the Viking Fleet, call 631-668-5700 for schedules and costs. Back To Top
Captree Charter Boats Help Widows & Children’s Fishing Trips
The 2nd Annual FDNY Widows and Children’s Fishing trip, which was held out of Captree State Park on July 1st, was a big success this year. Two 65 foot fishing boats donated the day and took our smiling families out for the big catch. Please support the the Charter Fishing boats that support our LODD families. If you fish, call the Fishtale at 888-FISHTALE (888-347-4825) or Junior Express at 631-969-3650 to plan your next full or half day out fishing. They sail every day. You can show up alone or with a group. You don’t need to charter the whole boat. Back To Top
D.C. Ray Downey 2nd Annual Memorial Golf Outing
Thursday August 14, 2003 @ Middle Island Country Club. Shotgun tee-off @1:00pm. Cost is $150/golfer includes-lunch, driving range, green fees, cart, cocktail hr, dinner, gift package & more. For info contact Chuck Downey (631) 543-5925, Joe Downey (631) 669-4051, or (631) 632-9556 or WWW.CHIEFRAYDOWNEY.COM. Back To Top
FDNY Comedy Benefit
August 14th at Queensboro College Performing Arts Center (222-05 56th Ave. in Bayside Queens) at 8pm. Starring Bobby Collins from the Letterman & Jay Leno Shows, HBO, Comedy Central & more, and Jim Norton from the Opie & Anthony Radio Show, Comedy Central, the Colin Quinn Show, HBO and more, and 7 NYC Firefighter Comedians. Revenues benefit the Elsasser Widows & Children’s Fund. Tickets are $20 at 718-631-6311. Back To Top
2nd Annual Chief Barbara Night with S.I. Yankees
Come join us watch the Staten Island Yankees play, Friday, August 15th at7:15at the Richmond County Ballpark. All members and their families are invited to attend. Call 718-720-9200 for advance ticket sales. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis, ask to sit in the “Chief Barbara Sectionâ€. Back To Top
Mt. Vernon FD 3rd Annual Softball Tournament Benefit
New York's 3rd Annual Softball Tournament to Benefit Sturge Weber Syndrome. Double Elimination Softball. Sponsored by the Mount Vernon Fire Department (a Mount Vernon Firefighter's son has the syndrome). August 9th & 10th, 2003 at Redmond (Cook) Field inYonkers,NY. Accepting A, B & C division teams - will be placed with their own divisions unless it is not able to be done. Please state division in your application. A registration fee of $375.00 is due no later thanJuly 30, 2003. All checks must be made payable to: THE STURGE WEBER FOUNDATION. Registration fees are non refundable. Please mail check and completed registration for to: Mrs. Angela Jimenez,329 Rich Ave,Mt. VernonNY 10552. (914) 664-8389. No outside coolers please. Back To Top
Army Football ‘Firefighter Day’ Game
The United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. will honor union firefighters at Army Football’s Labor Appreciation Day game onSept. 6, 2003. West Point, which educates future Army officers, will pay tribute to firefighters who serve as the first line of defense in their hometowns. The game will pit Army against the University of Connecticut at Michie Stadium on the banks of Hudson River. Sports Illustrated magazine has named Michie the finest venue in the country to watch college football. The game will be preceded by a full-dress parade by thousands of West Point cadets.
All IAFF members and their families, in particular those from NYC, are encouraged to attend the game. Firefighters can wear FF T-shirts to show solidarity.West Pointhas a special group ticket rate for firefighters and their families. IAFF members can purchase $25 sideline tickets at a group rate of $17 per ticket, or they can purchase a Family Plan package of four end zone tickets for just $36. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.goarmysports.com or by calling 1-877-TIX-ARMY (1-877-849-2769). Back To Top
Fraternally, Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary,
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