WORLD TRADE CENTER - UPDATE
After two weeks of negotiations and discussion, the Fire Department has returned the manpower to a level that is acceptable not only to the staff at the site, but also to a level that is acceptable to the Unions and the effected families. This would never have been accomplished without the support of this membership and the families of our fallen brothers. The City agreed to meet with the families of our fallen brothers something we asked for on November St.
It was this meeting held on November 12th that reconfirmed the need for proper manning to have a continued effort to provide a dignified recovery process as well as having our presence there for fire suppression.
I would like to thank first and foremost the families for their support. This would not have happened without their input, I would also like to thank Pete Gorman and Nick Visconti for the many hours of negotiations to reach this accord and especially Captain Joe Downey and Lee Ielpi who assisted as not only liaison’s to the families, but also as major contributors in our efforts to properly man the WTC site. I’d also like to thank Chief Sal Cassano for his support in an attempt to not only iron out an agreement but also for addressing the many other concerns we have at Ground Zero. And finally, I would like to thank the membership, not only for the tremendous job you did in supporting our efforts at the WTC site but for your continued support of our families through your participation at funerals and memorial services and the many hours you give in other ways so that we may survive not only the 9/11 tragedy but to continue to do what we do best and that is to protect the citizens and property of this Great City. We will continue to monitor the operation to assure that our interests and the interests of our families are addressed.
Now that we have returned the manpower levels to the proper number, it is imperative that both the UFA and the UFOA continue to make our membership available to man this site properly 24 hours a day. With this in mind and to address the concerns of our membership, the new detail policy will be for approximately 30 days only. With agreement of the Unions, the tours will be one 12 hour day tour with 24 hours off and one 12 hour night tour with 48 hours off. This will rotate the workforce away from straight days or night tours. Also, mutuals will be allowed as long as no member works 24 hours straight at the site.
Chief Cassano is continuing to address the concerns that we have at Ground Zero. 1) Our observers will be allowed better access to perform their duties in the recovery process; 2) The D.E.P. will only operate hoselines for dust suppression as per their contract; 3) De Con facilities are now available including showers; 4) Lockers will be provided to store your gear for the duration of the detail; 5) Bunker gear will be cleaned and returned to your firehose at the end of your detail; 6) Respirators, gloves, lights and other necessary equipment is being made available; 7) An air quality report is available at the site on a daily basis for review; 8) Parking facilities are available at Warren and West Streets and 9) A food center has also been planned at 3 World Trade Center. Chief Cassano also said long johns, winter boots and winter gloves will be made available when it gets colder. If there are any other problems that the UFA/UFOA can address, contact the Sergeant-at-Arms Tom Manley at the UFA and Chief Nick Visconti at the UFOA. Back To Top WTC MEDICAL
The World Trade Center Medicals are now being made mandatory. The Department has the legal right to order you down to take the medical even if you had a medical two months ago. Each firehouse has a list of dates for the medicals and times to go, choose one that best suits your needs instead of being told to go down when you have another commitment. You are still be getting the 4 hours overtime to take the medical - it’s just that everyone will have to take it now. We have been pushing for the medicals from the start because we wanted to know what chemicals, toxins we were exposed to at the WTC. The medical consists of pulmonary function testing, ekgs, hearing evaluation, chest x-rays and blood work to include blood counts, chemistries, liver functions, hepatitis screening and also screening for mercury, lead, beryllium, PCB’s. Blood for dioxins and hydrocarbons will be drawn and stored. If the original testing of the 400 members already tested shows no elevation, then this blood will be saved to test for additional substances in the future. If further information regarding the original exposure occurs, we have to know what’s in our system in order to deal with any problems that may arise later in our career. Look at what happened at the Telephone Company Fire in the 70's.
There was no testing done and we had members coming down with different types of problems years later. That’s what we want to prevent if we can. So the only way to know what we will be dealing with is to have a baseline on every member that was exposed. You will be sent the results of the test that was done at Mount Sinai Medical Center. You should receive your results 30 to 60 days after being tested. If you have any questions or problems, contact Tom Manley at (212) 545-6964. Back To Top DECEMBER “DELEGATES ONLY†MEETING
At the advisement of our attorneys and with the agreement of the Executive Board, the December 13th meeting will not be a roll call vote on the contract but will be a Special Order of Business (only) presentation and discussion of the proposed contract. This will fulfill our constitutional responsibility despite the interruption in the process caused by the September 11th tragedy. The starting time will be 10 A.M. A notice will be sent out soon. Back To Top 911 DISASTER RELIEF FUND FOR OUR FAMILIES (Check #3)
The third check for our families is now available. Please have a company representative contact the Treasurer’s Office to arrange pick-up of check for your firehouse. Please call before coming to assure the checks have not already been distributed - call (212) 545-6975. They will be available starting Monday, 11/26/01 during business hours. Back To Top FDNY PAYROLL BLUNDER
We were just informed from Payroll that overtime monies paid for the first week of the WTC disaster were paid in error. Normally, we are paid a bi-weekly “salary†and it doesn’t matter if we work a mutual or are off due to a mutual. The first paycheck after the WTC disaster had the mutual hours applied to the required 40-hour work week. If you worked a mutual you received credit for the 9 or 15 hours as overtime. If you were off on a mutual you were shorted. This was a serious error. Payroll is now correcting itself. If you received payment for a mutual you worked, that amount will be deducted from your paycheck. If you were off on a mutual, you will now be paid for the hours. These adjustments are being made without any inquiry forms being sent in. Examine your paychecks and only send in an inquiry form if an error was made according to the latest guidelines. If you were on medical leave during this time you will not be paid for time at the WTC. Back To Top A CORRECTION, FROM MICHAEL BLOCK
Re: Families of firefighters lost in the World Trade Center Attack and for firefighters injured as the result of said attack. You may have recently received a copy of a letter from my firm explaining the recent federal legislation known as the “September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001" and the pros/cons of using the procedures set forth in that statute. That letter contained a typographical error regarding possible claims against the Port Authority. Please note that if a lawsuit is to be brought against the Port Authority, it must be commenced within one (1) year of the injury or death. However, a Notice of Claim against the Port Authority must be filed at least 60 days prior to the commencement of the suit. Thus, at the outset, a Notice of Claim must be filed at least 60 days before September 11, 2002 (not September 11, 2001 as incorrectly noted in the letter). We are sorry for any confusion our prior letter may have caused. Back To Top PARKING SPACE AT HEADQUARTERS SHRINKS
Construction has begun on the site of the former side parking lot at 9 Metrotech Center. Parking at best is extremely limited. Just when you thought it couldn’t get much worse! Back To Top LAWSUIT FOR WTC MEDICAL PROBLEMS
As a follow up to the last 65-2 (#31), any member experiencing medical complaints from WTC 9/11 or after must notify Tony Gentile at GODOSKY & GENTILE as soon as possible. Office telephone is 212-742-9700. The FDNY liason is Firefighter Palmer Doyle of Engine 254 at 718-965-8333. Back To Top LACROSSE DOUBLE HEADER TO RAISE FUNDS
The Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum will host an FDNY-NYPD challenge, followed by a professional N.Y. Saints game, on Saturday December 8th. The Bravest vs. Finest challenge starts at 5:30 p.m., while the Saints take on the Calgary Roughnecks at 7:30 p.m. Eight dollars ($8) of every ticket sold will be donated to the Widow’s & Children’s Fund. Don’t miss this tribute. Back To Top COMMUNITY MAYORS CHRISTMAS PARTY
Volunteers are needed at the 56th Annual Operation Santa Claus at Kennedy Airport for 5,000 special children on set up day, Tuesday, December 4th and on party day, Wednesday, December 5th starting at 8:30 A.M. at Hangar #19. Back To Top Fraternally, WILLIAM F. MIRRO
Recording Secretary, KEVIN E. GALLAGHER
President
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