FIRELINES ERROR - CORRECTION RE: ENGINE 273
The current issue of Firelines. which is in the mail, mistakenly reports that on November 19' eleven members of Engine 273/Ladder 129 were transferred. This is NOT fact. This erroneously appears on a page I article and the page 2 President's Report. Kevin Gallagher's quotes were taken out of context. Judge Hutcherson did not make that decision at our last Brooklyn Supreme Court hearing. What he stated was that he is "considering" to allow the FDNY to transfer I I members out of that firehouse, pending the outcome of an expedited arbitration hearing. To date, Judge Hutcherson has not made any statement on the merits of the case. He ordered the dispute over the involuntary transfer of 53 members to be sent to the Office of Collective Bargaining for an expedited arbitration, which could take several months. To date, the Department has balked at the three offered dates and there is yet to be any agreement to a start date.
RESPONDING UNDERMANNED START OF TOUR 6x9 AFTER TRAINING OR MEDICAL DAY
A staffing problem could possibly arise on the 6x9 tour immediately following company medicals or Educational day. if the unit is awaiting details or overtime members, there may be less than the required minimum staffing at 1800 hours (when the company is supposedly back in service).
As per the fire commissioner you remain out-of-service if you are a) a 4 person engine company with less than 4 firefighters, b) a 5 person engine or ladder company with less than 5 firefighters; c) have no officer yet. Return online and in-service once your details arrive or if you have been ordered to do so. Responding understaffed would be viewed by the UFA as being a clear violation of the Roster Staffing Agreement. This is purely a safety issue. If you are ordered to return to service prematurely, take a mark in the company journal naming the officer who gave the order. Comply with the officer's directions, but notify your borough trustee for documentation purposes.
Back To Top HOSPITALS & QUALIFIED HEALTH FACILITIES MUST BE REMOVED FROM CFR- D, BUT THE LEGWORK IS UP TO YOU - HERE'S HOW
The UFOA just printed an excellent outline on this subject in their Pass Along Bulletin # 2 1, dated 12/2/99. It is reprinted below in italics for your review. Please make sure your officers read it also. My main question is "Why are we still being sent to the hospitals that were supposedly removed from the system three years ago?" The answer is simple. When the hospitals were entered into the programming for exemption status, only the main entrance street address was used. Multiple entrance addresses and all outbuildings were overlooked.
To overcome this problem, we suggest that every company visit the hospital(s) and qualified medical facilities in their district and conduct an updated inspection, as recommended by the UFOA below. Any facility capable of providing an equal or higher level of care than a CFR-D unit is eligible for removal from the system. You must drive around the entire perimeter of the grounds or block, searching for every address that may possibly be used by the facility. All applicable street addresses must be submitted for the facility to avoid the present waste of fire apparatus resources.
The Department is currently compiling the "removal requests " and expects that those facilities capable of being removed will be entered into the system after January 15, 2000. It appears that we can help ourselves dramaticall at this point if all companies would update and inspect (on AFID) those medicalfacilities that they feel should be removed from CFR-D responses and keep an accurate file. As before, these facilities MUST have qualified personnel on the scene during it's hours of operation along with the proper equipment (defibrillator, suction device,02). It cannot be overemphasized that all of the above; personnel, equipment and hours of operation are important when forwarding removal requests. When the new system is in place, you will be required to submit CIDS cards in addition to the removal request These two items will be examined at the Bureau of Operations and the company will receive a receipt from Operations indicating approval or disapproval. It was also suggested that a different color- CIDS card be used and regular semi annual or annual inspection be made of these facilities.
As a related side note, there are still many responses to hospitals that don't include any address- just an intersection It is impossible for the system to recognize these as removed sites any response such as this where the hospital or ER is stated in the comments section should be forwarded to Operations and the Union by way of an Unusual Incident Report. Commumcations must add this to a dispatch directive, to allow our dispatchers to cancel this type of fire response after it comes over via the 911 link.
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CARRY OVER RSOT - LINE OF DUTY MEDICAL LEAVE, ETC.
You are reminded to make certain that your officer forwards a RSOT Carryover report before January 15, or you will jeopardize your guaranteed fight to be offered these hours. Familiarize yourself with PAID 1/90. Firefighters on line-of-duty medical leave may carry over unused RSOT into the new calendar year as per Section 9. Members may also file if their circumstances for missed RSOT fall under the guidelines of Section 15. If not eligible for carryover request, you must work any rescheduled RSOT (as per Addendum 4) before January 1st
REMINDER!!! - REDUCTION OF MEMBER'S LEAVE ALLOWANCE
This is a reminder for all members to check their bi-weekly leave balances. Many members will be seeing a discrepancy in leave time on their payroll stubs, which creates weekly phone calls asking us how to correct negative leave balances. The problems seem to stem from incorrect TPR codes. It is incumbent upon each individual to verify the proper leave balance (in hours) and/or send an inquiry form to FDNY Payroll. This must be done each new year, because leave time is adjusted in January/February of each year. Corrections must be made right away, while proof of work is still readily available to you in day books and company journals. Balance carry over past one year is very difficult to research and correct. Do not ignore these reductions, as they will catch up with you! Delegates/senior members should explain to the junior member how to fill out inquiry forms and also stress the importance of good habits - like verifying correct bi-weekly balances from one paycheck to another.
A MILLENNIUM BLOOD BASH
On Wednesday, December 29, 1999, the New York City Firefighters of Putnam and Northern Westchester, along with the UFA, will host a Blood Drive. The Blood Drive will take place at the Daniel O'Brien V.F.W. hall located at Glenieda Ave (Rt. 52), Carmel, New York (between Putnam Motors and the Drew Methodist Church), from 2 :30 until 8:00 p.m. Unfortunately, due to the holiday season, the demand for blood increases and donations decline. All those who can, are encouraged to give. Walk-ins are welcome. There will be food and refreshments. For information, please contact Bob Straub - Bronx Trustee (212) 683-48' 32; Tom Lynch - Ladder 19 (718) 430-0250, Paul Zenir - Ladder 37 (718) 430-0279 or (914) 878-4859, Denis Hanrahan - Engine 90 (718) 430-0290 or (914) 225-3048.
Back To Top LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
We are pleased to report that the Governor has recently acted on three important pieces of legislation which affect firefighters and their families. Any questions regarding these or any other legislation should be directed to our Legislative Chairman, Michael Carter.
-Signed into Law - Communicable Disease - Creates a presumption that a member who is disabled as a result of HIV, Hepatitis and T.B. contracted such disease as a result of his or her duties as a firefighter. As such, that member would qualify for a 3/4 L.O.D. pension.
-Vetoed-Death Gamble for Tier II Firefighters- Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed our death gamble bill. The legislation would have provided a lump sum death gamble benefit equal to the pension reserve that would have been paid out. This legislation was applicable to all firefighters and police officers in the State of New York.
We feel that we made some significant headway in our fight for Tier equity and will submit a new Death Gamble Bill for City -fire-fighters and police next month.
-Signed into Law - Final Average Salary - The Governor signed into law a bill which will allow firefighters and police officers the right to bargain independently over the average salary provision. There is no change from the present pension guidelines at this time. This local option legislation may prove useful in the near future, as it is the first hurdle towards negotiating pension reform and improvement. Discussions will soon take place with the members of the New York City Council regarding the Final Average Salary benefit.
BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF NEW YORK CITY - LOOKING FOR YOU
Big Brother Big Sisters is currently looking for volunteers to serve as positive role models for young people between the ages of 10 and 15. Volunteers should be over 21 and willing to offer their much needed time and energy to kids living in the Bronx and Queens. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Maxine Dacres, CSW at (718)299-6410 in the Bronx Office or Adrienne Renfroe, MSW at (718)262-9600 in the Queens office. Or reach us at our main office at (212)686-2042, ext. 204.
SPECIAL WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, FIRE DEPARTMENT FUND
The special fund set up for the six firefighters killed in the fine of duty last week is as follows; Fallen Heroes Fund/Credit Union, Worcester Fire Department, 2 Eastern Avenue. Worcester, MA 0160-5. For additional information call (508)799-1816.
Back To Top Fraternally, WILLIAM F. MIRRO
Recording Secretary, KEVIN E. GALLAGHER
President
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