• Past President Reports

Today's Agenda

1. Roster Staffing Agreement
Roster Staffing Agreement expires in 18 months. The original Roster Staffing Agreement was negotiated in 1996 and was a 10 year agreement. In 2006 a 5-year extension was negotiated with an increase in five man engines from 60 to 64. A copy of the agreement was given to all Delegates Wednesday morning at the State of the Union address. Each member especially Chauffeurs should review the document with special emphasis on Section 11. As you know this agreement mandates guaranteed staffing levels and 96 hours of RSOT for all UFA members. Any questions please contact your Delegate, if further information is needed please contact your Trustee.

2. Manning Agreement
Commissioner Scoppetta stated in an interview on NY1, and again at the May 12th City Council hearing, that FH closings could be averted if the UFA gives up the 5th FF on 60 engines. Studies conducted by Chief Vincent Dunn at the FDNY Fire Academy have demonstrated that units with 5 FFs get water on the fire up to twice as fast as 4 FF units do on many of the building types typical to NYC. Obviously, Commissioner Scoppetta does not care about the safety of NYC Firefighters. (NOTE: In accordance with the RSOT Agreement, 137 engines are staffed with 4 FFs and the remaining 64 engines are staffed with 5 FFs). The City has asked the UFA to give up the 5th man on 60 engine companies. The UFA refused this request.

3. Productivity Meetings with the City & Fire Dept
The UFA Executive Board met with the City Labor Commissioner and the Fire Dept for the third time in the last two months, on April 28th. At this last meeting the UFA reiterated its recommendations for alternative budget cuts other than in field operations. The City responded it does not intend to deviate from it's previously presented budget cut plans. The content of the first two meetings at OLR were discussed by Steve Cassidy at the April 21 Union Meeting. The City continues to refuse to consider alternate recommendations. However, it has shifted its position regarding company closings. Commissioner Scoppetta has indicated that other than the 4 companies it has given the 45 day notice about on May 8th, it may not close the additional yet unnamed FHs until later in the year.

4. FDNY Announces Permanent Closing of E-4, L-53, E-161, E-271
The UFA was informed by the City Council that the FDNY gave the City Council its legally required 45 day notice, on Friday May 8th, of its plan to permanently close four companies (E-4, L-53, E-161, E-271) effective July 1, 2009. No other companies were identified by the FDNY in its notice. The UFA, City Councilman James Vacca (Chairman of the Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee) and numerous City Councilpersons held a press conference on Tuesday, May 12th on the steps of City Hall regarding the closings. The press conference was followed immediately by a hearing where Commissioner Scoppetta was grilled by the Council. Steve will update the membership today.

5. Ad Campaign: The Truth & Realities of Protecting New Yorkers
In response to an ongoing media assault on Firefighters - threats to close down fire companies, reduce manning, reduce EMS Staffing thus increasing work load of engine companies and the misinformation campaign about Firefighters pensions - the UFA has run full-page advertisements in every issue of The Capitol and City Hall newspapers since the beginning of March - to begin setting the record straight. These newspapers are widely circulated among elected officials in both City and State governments. The purpose is to inform our elected officials and correct inaccurate media reports. A special section of our ad campaign titled "The Truth & Realities of Protecting New Yorkers" headlines www.UFANYC.org Homepage, and shows all Op-Eds and ads published to date. Packages of the ad campaign were distributed at the April 21 Union Meeting and a more comprehensive package during the State of the Union and PR presentations on Wednesday morning. Please insure you leave a copy of this package in your firehouse kitchen for your members.

6. Numerous ProblemsÑUnified Call Taker via 911 Operators for FD Alarms
The UFA has no confidence that the Dept will correct the numerous problems that are occuring 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.

7. Bunker & EMS Gear in Living Areas is Hazardous
Dept Policy states that wearing Personal Protection Equipment or bringing any gear/tools/equipment (including radios) into living areas (i.e. kitchens, sitting rooms, bunkroom, housewatch, etc) is prohibited. These items become contaminated with or steadily impregnated with hazardous contaminants. The Dept issued the following memo on April 26, 2005: "In order to prevent the possibility of bringing fireground contaminants into the living areas of the firehouse, members are prohibited from wearing or bringing their firefighting ensemble or ensemble elements into any such areas. Living areas are kitchens, sitting rooms, television rooms, housewatch areas, offices, bunkrooms, gym areas, and other such areas where firefighting protective ensembles are not routinely stored or worn for protective purposes. The firefighter protective ensemble includes the bunker coat and pants, helmet, gloves, footwear, and hood."

8. Portal to Portal for Annual Medical
In accordance with the UFA Collective Bargaining Agreement, Portal to Portal compensation is required for all on-duty members attending their Annual Medical Examination at Metrotech; 1 hour and 15 minutes each way (45 minutes each way if you are assigned to Brooklyn). The UFA has received reports from members regarding officers questioning your right to portal for medicals. Please remind these officers that the UFOA's March Issue of its newsletter clarifies this matter for them. Also note that Officers and FFs are governed by the same contract language regarding portal pay.

9. UFA Financial Statement
Bob Straub reports that the UFA Financial Statement was mailed to FDNY Firehouses and Delegate home addresses last week.

10. Free Credit Reports
Due to erroneous FDNY Medical Bills appearing on members credit reports, the UFA strongly recommends that if you are planning on purchasing a house or refinancing your mortgage that you get a free copy of your credit report early in the process, so that you will have the opportunity to correct any errors that negatively impact your credit score. Any of the three major credit reporting agencies will provide members with a FREE copy of their credit report once a year. To get a copy of your free annual credit report, call one of the following credit agencies: Experian at www.experian.com or 888-397-3742; Equifax at www.equifax.com or 800-685-1111; TransUnion at www.transunion.com or 800-888-4213. For additional info or programs that will assist you or help save money, refer to 65-2 #39, dated May 8th.

11. Delegate Seminar Concludes
On behalf of the entire UFA Executive Board I'd like to personally thank each and every Delegate and Alternate who sacrificed their valuable time and made the effort to participate this week. It is our objective that the comprehensive training received while here will be of great assistance when helping your members and their families regarding the many issues they face. The agenda and course titles are also posted on the UFA website. Besides the time you spend at our Educational Seminar, we realize you invest considerable time throughout the year in order to educate yourself on issues of importance to your members. We'd like to once again thank you for all you do and the leadership role you take. It does make a difference!

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Cassidy,
President