• Past President Reports

Special Business

Pick Up At Your Trustee Table Today

• Delegate ID Cards for names highlighted on borough sign-in sheets, see Jimmy Dahl.
• UFA Parking Placards (Delegates must sign for Placards)

UFA Delegate ID Cards Distributed Today
UFA Delegate ID Cards are being distributed today to Delegates who had their photos taken at a prior union meeting. Please see Jimmy Dahl at the SBF table. ID Cards will be released only to the Delegates identified on the ID card, which must be signed for today. Please check the information on both sides of your ID card for accuracy before accepting it. The DS number on the back of your card, for example 'DS 1995', indicates 'Delegate Since 1995'. If you have not had your photo taken yet, additional photo shoot dates will be announced. Lost ID Cards: If your ID card is lost or stolen, a complaint report must be filed with the PD. This is required before a replacement will be issued and to protect your identity.

UFA Parking Placards: Only from Your Delegate!!!
Borough Trustees are distributing the 2012 UFA Parking Placards, only to Delegates. Fire Marshal parking placards are being distributed by Fire Marshal Representative Steve Tagliani. The ONLY way to get a Placard is through your Company Delegate--as the Placard Permit numbers have been accounted for that way. Detailed members must contact their permanent assignment's Company Delegate. Battalion Aides should contact the engine company Delegate in your house. Delegates must contact their Borough Trustee if additional placards are needed. Delegates should return their company roster by February 15, with each member's placard permit # listed, to the UFA Recording Secretary's office at 212-683-4359 (or 212-683-0710 if busy), or by mail with the enclosed envelope or hand in at the February Union Meeting. If a placard is lost or stolen, insure the member files a complaint report with the PD. This is required before being issued a replacement. Any use by unauthorized persons can be traced back to the original person it was issued to for firehouse and/or law enforcement verification. Please insure you post Special Parking Placard 65-2 #2 (attached) at your FH. The 2012 UFA Parking placards are valid through February 1, 2014.

Today's Agenda

1. Union Meeting Locations
The February, March, April and June General Membership Meetings are all scheduled to take place here at the Hilton New York JFK Airport Hotel. The May meeting will take place during the Delegate Education Seminar.

2. Borough Meetings
UFA held individual borough meetings in December, which were open to all members. A primary issue addressed at these more informal meetings is the Roster Staffing Agreement Case. Other key topics were discussed, including the City budget, pension reform and collective bargaining. The UFA thanks all members who attended.

3. City Budget Cuts
Steve will discuss today.

4. Pension Topics
Steve will discuss today.

5. Roster Staffing Litigation
As you know, the UFA and UFOA filed a joint petition on January 31, 2011, alleging that the City's elimination of the 5th FF in the 60 Engines as set forth in the Roster Staffing Agreement violated its requirement to negotiate, as well as created a negative safety impact. In its Interim Decision, the BCB dismissed the unions' allegations of a violation of the duty to negotiate, but found that the unions had set forth sufficient facts to warrant a hearing to determine whether the reduction in staffing has a practical impact on the safety of FFs. The UFA and UFOA filed their joint Discovery Request upon the City in October for the safety impact hearing. The City delivered 17 cases of documents and four compact disks in response. The Office of Collective Bargaining has appointed Theodore St. Antoine, former Dean of the University of Michigan School of Law, as the Trial Examiner who will preside over the safety impact hearing. With regard to the dismissal of the unions' claims relative to the City's duty to negotiate, we filed an appeal of that part of the decision on July 29th in the N.Y. County Supreme Court. The BCB's Interim Decision is posted HERE.

6. Roster Staffing Safety Impact
On December 19 at the Crown Heights fire, less than 5 seconds after Firefighter Wiedmann came out of the window on fire, a cell phone video shows a line being opened on the fire from the interior and begin to extinguish the fire. If Engine 234 had been fully staffed they would have been able to get a charged hose line in place at least one minute earlier. If water was flowing just 15 seconds earlier, neither firefighter Wiedmann nor Gersbeck would have been trapped; 30 seconds earlier, and the front room would not have flashed over; one minute earlier and the fire would have been quickly knocked down and confined to the back room where it started. In the wake of this tragic fire, the leadership of the FDNY has decided to defend their decision that they had to know would compromise the safety of firefighters and the public. This video conclusively shows how a delay in getting water on a fire can have devastating consequences for firefighters and the public. You-Tube links were emailed to all NYC FFs. This dramatic footage shows what we all know: Seconds count!

7. Need Help from 60 Former 5-Man Engines for Roster Staffing Case!
We need ASAP (by January 23) from Delegates of all 60 former 5 FF engines a list of all 10-75s where their unit was the 1st engine on the scene, from February 1, 2011 through present date and any future 1st due 10-75s. Include the Box #, date and time of the box. Use the blank form provided. The UFA will be requesting the battalion audio tapes of all 10-75s provided. Fax or email the list by Monday, January 23 to UFA Recording Secretary Joe Miccio at 212-683-4359 or RecordingSecretary@UFANYC.org.

8. UFA to Fight Unreasonable Restrictions on Written Materials in Quarters
The Department recently issued Dept. Order 89, which prohibits any materials in quarters that contain opinions or viewpoints, whether or not related to Department business. The Order also prohibits the posting of any articles or materials from any publications or the internet. Read literally, the Order would prohibit a member from having a newspaper in the firehouse. The UFA views this Order as overly broad and an improper infringement of our members' freedom of expression. We have instructed our counsel to take appropriate legal steps to have the Order modified or rescinded.

9. Termination of Unit OOS Notification Program
Due to lack of member participation, the Unit Out-of-Service text notification system has been terminated. The results yielded in the 6-month pilot program did not yield enough data required to produce measurable results that are representative of the City-wide fire service outages.

10. Pharmacy Benefit Plan Changes for Active UFA Members Effective January 1, 2012
As a result of the new Federal Health Care Reform Act, the UFA was required to make certain changes to its Security Benefits Fund prescription drug plan. Federal health care reform legislation has added significantly to the Fund's cost by requiring the plan to extend coverage to young adults up to age 26, and also eliminating annual maximum family benefit usage caps. Additionally, prescription drug costs have continued to rise significantly over the past several years and this trend is expected to continue.

11. Political/Legislative Update
In the coming months we will once again be facing budget cuts at the City Council and potentially may be dealing with Tier VI in Albany. Public employees, including police and firefighters, have been under attack around the country and here in New York. It is critical that our members turn out for GOTV (Get-Out-The-Vote) events and participate in the political process. Next fall the entire NY Senate and Assembly are up for election, along with elections for both the US House and Senate, as well as for President of our country. The UFA will be calling for volunteers to turn out. If you enjoy the benefits you currently have and do not want to risk losing them, we urge you to get involved, turn out, and be a part of the process.

12. Special Election March 20th
Governor Cuomo announced the Special Election to fill vacant Senate and Assembly seats to be held on March 20. We will be looking to turn out volunteers for the following vacant seats.

• Assembly 93, Westchester
• Assembly 100, Orange
• Senate 27, C. Brooklyn

This is our opportunity to be heard and support the candidates that support us. If you are concerned about your Pension, Health Benefits or the possibility of a Constitutional Convention, then you should make yourself available for the UFA GOTV operations. We will need volunteers to help get UFA endorsed candidates elected. Email your name and contact info to PAC@ufanyc.org. Delegates must supply a list of at least 10 members per company that will be available Election Day (March 20th) and the days leading up to it. This list can be emailed or faxed to the UFA 212-683-0710 or PAC@ufanyc.org.

13. Volunteering in Paid FD? UFA & IAFF Constitution Violation
Article XVI, Section 3 of the UFA Constitution, as well as the IAFF Constitution, prohibit volunteering as a Firefighter in a paid fire department. Members who do this jeopardize other professional firefighters' careers and livelihoods. If the UFA receives a report of a member that is violation these provisions, as required, proceedings will begin to address the allegation. If confirmed, the offending member may be declared "a member not in good standing" as well as have his or her name listed in the UFA FireLines publication, which is circulated to all 20,000 active and retired members.

14. UCT Case Update
The Unified Call Taker hearings at the OCB took place on June 21, July 19, August 2, August 4, October 6, November 18 and December 21. The UFA and UFOA are working together on this case as well. Additional hearings are scheduled for dates in February.

15. Start-of-Tour Under / Reduced Staffing Grievance
The UFA filed this grievance in June. The Department has indicated a willingness to address this issue in a manner to preclude the necessity of an arbitration regarding this grievance. A meeting is scheduled with the Department on January 26 to address the issue with the objective of eliminating this practice. If your company is ordered to ride either Under Staffed (3 or fewer FFs in an Engine) or Reduced Staffed (4 FFs in a Truck) at the start of the tour, you must fax the 'Starting Tour Understaffed' Form and your Officer's Unusual Occurrence Report (if available) to the UFA, Attn: Joseph Miccio, Recording Secretary, at 212-683-4359, which will help our case. Remember to immediately notify the UFA if any Firefighter or civilian is seriously injured due to this staffing reduction!

16. Understaffed Unit Injury Reporting
Any member who becomes injured in the Line-of-Duty while working in an *Understaffed Engine or Under/Reduced Staffed Ladder is requested to notify your Delegate. The Delegate or another member of the unit should fax a copy of the Officer's Unusual Occurrence Report (if prepared by your Officer) and any additional pertinent information to the UFA at 212-683-4359 or 212-683-0710, ATTN: Joe Miccio, Recording Secretary. Immediately notify the UFA if any firefighter or civilian is seriously injured due to this staffing reduction!

*UNDERSTAFFED UNIT: Per AUC 287, any engine or ladder riding with fewer than 4 Firefighters (3 or less) is Understaffed. A ladder riding with 4 Firefighters is defined as Reduced Staffed Unit.

17. Safe Response
Health & Safety Officer/Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka reminds the membership of the importance of a safe and efficient response and 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. As recommended in the Safety Bulletins, chauffeurs need to pay attention to the varying weather conditions they are responding in and adjust their responses accordingly. Chauffeurs also need to be aware of the increased risk of an accident from changes in the response policies and responding from outside activities, such as the Building Inspection Safety Program. Also keep in mind the additional risks associated with a possible modified response and/or reduced manning. Previous UFA Safety Messages that highlight and emphasize a safe response should also be reviewed!

18. Firehouse Fax Number Changed?
If the UFA doesn't have your new number, we can't fax important info to your firehouse. Any unit that has had its fax number changed in the last 12 months, or has not been receiving faxes from the UFA, please notify UFA Recording Secretary Joe Miccio at 212-545-6973 or email to RecordingSecretary@UFANYC.org.

19. Parking Placards Valid for Two Years
The 2012 UFA Parking placards are valid through February 1, 2014.

20. Return Your Parking Placard # List to UFA
Delegates must record placard number assignments and fax (or mail) by February 15 the provided company placard roster list to the Recording Secretary's office, ATTN Joseph Miccio at 212-683-4359 (or 212-683-0710 if the first line busy). Enter the placard permit #s given to each member, and company roster changes. Delegates should keep a copy for their records.

21. Missing UFA Parking Placards: Police Reports
Parking placard permit numbers that are reported missing must be reported to the police on a Complaint Report. Any unauthorized person caught in possession can be arrested and investigated as to how they obtained the placard(s). Persons involved with illegally supplying Parking Placards to others WILL be prosecuted by the UFA to the fullest extent of the law. Non-firefighter use of UFA placards in the past has caused legitimate concerns among law enforcement and traffic agents in respecting firefighter vehicle parking privileges near quarters. Non-firefighters with UFA Placards have been arrested for impersonating a firefighter. Security features were added to insure OUR vehicles are afforded every legal courtesy--not anyone else!

22. Uniform Maintenance Non-Taxability Affidavit
It is extremely important that each member file the form with their Officer. Per 11-10-11 memo from the Chief of Department, "failure to properly complete and file an affidavit may result in the issuance of a corrected W-2 form that includes the Uniform Cleaning Allowance as taxable earnings." Affidavits and instructions may also be obtained by accessing the Department's Intranet. Audits will be conducted to ensure that affidavits are being completed and filed. Each unit must maintain all original completed affidavits on file for members assigned to the unit. See your Officer if you have any questions regarding this issue.

23. Delegate Education Seminar Dates
In accordance with the UFA Constitution, a seminar site was chosen by a majority vote of the Delegate body. The 2012 Delegate Education Seminar will be held May 8th through May 11th in Atlantic City at the Trump Taj Mahal. The May 2012 Union Meeting will also be held at the Taj Mahal during the seminar on Friday morning, May 11th. Information packets with details will be mailed shortly. NOTE: Lectures and classes addressing many important topics will be presented to help Delegates take care of their members' needs. All Delegates are required to attend this education seminar, in accordance with the UFA Constitution.

24. In-House Health & Safety Training
Delegates should contact Health and Safety Field Representative Tony Caracciolo to schedule in-house training on a variety of health and safety topics. Training topics include cancer for firefighters, taught by Erin Fusco, a Nurse Practitioner, and cardiac and respiratory issues for firefighters, taught by Lt. Rob Brown, a certified Physician Assistant. To schedule training with Erin, Rob or Tony, please contact Tony at 718-536-7223.

25. Marsh Catastrophic: New Policies Still on Hold
Marsh (US Life) informed the UFA that it is still awaiting a determination from the federal government to see if the plan can continue to offer coverage exactly as it was before Healthcare Reform. Marsh informed the UFA it is working vigorously to get an exemption, which would allow members to add all their dependents, and for new members to join. Members currently with policies may only add dependents within 30 days of a qualifying event (birth, marriage, divorce, etc.). Until then, the temporary hold will continue on new policy applications for catastrophic policies. Members will be informed as soon as a determination is made.

26. Random Drug Testing Quarterly Report
The FDNY reports that the following units were tested randomly between 10/1/11 and 12/31/11. A total of 68 units were tested: 33 Engines, 23 Ladders, 5 Battalions, 2 Divisions, 2 Squad Companies, 1 Rescue Company, 1 Borough Command, 1 BHS/Medical Officer and 9 Fire Marshals. Reports listing each company tested and individual dates are attached. Reports are sorted by both company and chronologically.

27. FDNY WTC & LODI Prescriptions: Walgreens & Duane Reade Excluded
The FDNY reported to the UFA that effective immediately Walgreens and Duane Reade will no longer be participating pharmacies under the Express Scripts' prescription plans. This means members will no longer be able to fill WTC and LODI prescriptions at these locations.

28. Vulcan Society Law Suit
General counsel Mike Block to give members an update today..

29. Polytech/FDNY Computer Based Training
Steve to discuss today.

30. Bureau of Training Focus Group
Steve to discuss today.

31. 7th Annual MDA $1 per Member per Meal Program
During the week of January 22nd the UFA will once again be asking members to participate in this fund raising effort to help those afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy. Donations received from this go directly to those in our area, including many of our own member's families. All donations can be sent to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Western Long Island District Office-3231, 5 Dakota Drive # 101, Lake Success, NY 11042.

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Cassidy
President