June 3, 2005
854 PASS ALONG BULLETIN
#13 of 2005
COMPANY OFFICER INTERVIEWS
REGARDING RESPONSE TIMES
For three years, Commissioner Scoppetta has ignored the steady increase in response times. After doing nothing for a long time, he is now blaming the UFOA and the UFA for this increase. The UFOA has responded strongly against this unwarranted attack on Labor.
In retaliation, Commissioner Scoppetta is instructing Division Commanders to conduct interviews with Company Captains to explain increased response times. All Officers at all times should respond to alarms as quickly and as safely as possible. However, Fire Officers are not statisticians, and cannot analyze response times, nor can you account for each individual run of your company. When questioned by superiors, company officers should respond that they will continue to respond to all alarms as quickly, efficiently and as safely as possible. You should also inform Division commanders that you will conduct drills to have the most efficient turnout possible.
If at any time you feel that you are becoming the subject of an investigation you should ask your superior officer if you are a subject. If you are, you should cease the interview and call a UFOA Trustee immediately. Also, call a UFOA Trustee before you have any interviews.
Once again, we remind all officers to follow all Department regulations and safety bulletins when responding to alarms, and we continue to tell our Officers to use NFPA 1550 standards in order to properly supervise your firefighters. NFPA standards require fire apparatus to come to a complete stop before proceeding through a red light or stop sign while responding.
We will not allow this union or our members to become scapegoats for the failed policies of the Scoppetta administration.
Fraternally, Peter Gorman
Publications Committee: President
S. Carbone; J. Dunne; A. Parrinello
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