1. Major Win Prevents Firehouse Closings
The Mayor and City Council have reached a tentative deal restoring funding for the four companies that were slated to be closed on July 1st and the additional twelve companies that were scheduled to be closed on January 1st, 2010. This is for the fiscal year budget July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Since February the UFA has fought the Fire Commissioner and Mayor to keep all the targeted companies open and continue staffing at our current levels. Our ad campaign was City and State wide. The UFA personally lobbied all of our key elected officials. We would like to thank Chairman James Vacca (Chairman of the Fire & Criminal Justice Services Committee) and all the City Council members who supported our efforts to keep the Bloomberg administration from closing firehouses. The Fire Commissioner's demand that the UFA give up the fifth firefighter on 60 five-man engine companies exposed them as uncaring bureaucrats willing to compromise the safety of Firefighters and the public. The membership's support of the Executive Board's decision to fight proposed staffing reductions was a key to our victory.

Back To Top

2. FF LeRoy McGinnis New Queens Trustee Effective August 1st
Steve Humenesky has announced his resignation as Queens Trustee, effective August 1, 2009. The UFA thanks Steve for his dedicated service to not only Queens Firefighters, but the entire UFA membership. One set of candidacy/signature petitions to replace Steve was received by the deadline on the close of business on June 9th. No other petitions were submitted. The petition was submitted on behalf of the candidacy for LeRoy C. McGinnis, E-266, and the signatures were validated by Election Committee review. The Committee consists of one member from each borough. After his nomination at the June 11 Union Meeting, FF McGinnis was elected by acclamation to the position of Queens Trustee, effective August 1, 2009. Since the UFA Constitution does not permit write-in votes, it will be unnecessary for the UFA to incur the expenses of a ballot mailing for a single candidate.

Back To Top

3. Governor Paterson Vetoes Tier II Pension Extension Bill
Governor Paterson vetoed the Tier II Pension Extension Bill, which had previously been approved by the Senate, Assembly and Governor every two years for the past 30 years. Before reaching the Governor's desk for his veto, the bill passed overwhelmingly — 136-6 in the Assembly and 58-0 in the Senate. The UFA is looking at the ramifications for future hires and is working with all the Fire and Police unions throughout the state.

We are looking at all the options including asking the legislature to do a veto override. A veto override would require a two-thirds majority of each house. UFA President Steve Cassidy and Vice President/Legislative Chairman Jim Slevin have been in Albany addressing this issue with legislators since the Veto was announced. Only future hires are affected by the veto, which has no impact on any firefighter now employed by the FDNY. The UFA Legislative Chairman/V.P. Jim Slevin and Steve Cassidy have spent considerable time in Albany meeting with elected officials regarding the importance of maintaining current pension and retirement standards. The UFA will keep the membership informed.

Back To Top

4. Picket of Governor Paterson re Pension Veto
The UFA thanks all members who turned out on June 11 for our informational picketing, in conjunction with the PBA and other unions, to protest Governor Paterson's decision to veto our Tier II Pension Extension Bill. The picketing took place outside of Governor Paterson's fundraiser event in Manhattan.

Back To Top

5. FirePAC Member Lists & Enrollment
Fire Political Action Committee member lists, which were sorted by company, were distributed to all Company Delegates at the June 11 Union Meeting. Delegates who have corrections to their company lists please compile the list of updated names and fax all names together to the below number. Members wishing to join FirePAC can fax the attached enrollment form to the UFA, at 212-683-0710, ATTN Debbie Lynch.

Back To Top

6. Numerous Problems - Unified Call Taker via 911 Operators for FD Alarms
There continues to be numerous problems with inaccurate or missing information on UCT generated run tickets. The UFA has no confidence that the Dept will correct the numerous problems that are occurring daily with the dispatch system. Please fax the run ticket and a copy of your Officer's Unusual Occurrence Report to the UFA Recording Secretary's Office at 212-683-4359, Attn. Joe Miccio. If a UCT ticket contributes to a serious life threatening incident, or injuries, immediately contact the UFA general number, 212-683-4832, to speak with the covering Trustee.

Back To Top

7. Safe Response
Health & Safety Officer/Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka reminds you to follow all safe response protocols issued by the Dept. These include, but are not limited to, FDNY Regulations Chapter 11 and FDNY Safety Bulletins #6, #9, #10, #27, and #71. Previous UFA that highlight and emphasize a safe response should also be reviewed! Handouts were distributed at the April 21 Union Meeting.

Back To Top

8. Annual Improved Benefits Plan Opener
Per Dept Order #49, "the Improved Benefits Plan is open for membership to all Original Plan Members from June 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009. For those members who elect to join, applications must be received by the Pension Bureau no later than 1700 hours on August 31, 2009. Additional applications may be requested by contacting the Pension Bureau at (718) 999-1211."

Back To Top

9. Random Drug Testing Quarterly Report
The FDNY reports that the following units were tested randomly between 01/01/09 and 03/31/08. A total of 79 Units were tested within this period: 36 Engines, 26 Ladders, 13 Battalions, 3 Divisions, and 2 Squad Units. Nine Fire Marshals were also tested within this period. Reports listing each company tested and individual dates were mailed to each company last week with 65-2 #53. They are sorted by both company and chronologically.

Back To Top

10. Heat Index for Signal 10-51
The summer heat is upon us. When the Heat Index ('Feels Like' or 'Real Feel' temperature) is 105 degrees or more, a Signal 10-51 is mandated, in accordance with Fire Prevention Manual Chapter 3, Addendum 2. The Heat Index is reported by the National Weather Service (NWS) hourly and is also regularly reported in the media as 'Feels Like' or 'Real Feel' temperature. Exact current 'Feels Like' temperatures (Heat Index and also Wind Chill Index) can be found on the NWS web site at www.srh.noaa.gov/zipcity.php, by entering your zip code. The bottom of the UFA website home page also has a link to obtain this info. Your on-duty Officer is responsible to make immediate notifications to the Battalion whenever the 'Feels Like' temperature warrants a signal 10-51 and it is not given over the teleprinter.

Back To Top

11. UFA Delegate ID Cards
ID Photographs were taken of UFA Delegates present at the Delegate Education Seminar in May. The purpose is to provide each Delegate and Battalion Delegate with official identification to present when conducting official Union business with officials and other persons. Delegates who did not have their photo taken can do so at the September union meeting. ID Cards are expected to be issued later this fall.

Back To Top

Back To Top

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Cassidy
President

Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary