June 17, 2005
854 PASS ALONG BULLETIN
#17 of 2005

WTC PRESUMPTIVE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW !

On Wednesday, June 15, 2005, Governor Pataki signed the WTC Presumptive Bill into law at a formal ceremony in Battery Park.

The passage of this bill was the result of a three year battle in Albany. The Public Employees Conference (PEC) of which the UFOA is a member, made the passage of the WTC Bill #1 on their agenda since 2003.

The UFOA wants to thank PEC Chairman Peter Meringolo for his leadership during this lengthy process. We also want to recognize our own Jack Ginty and our lobbyist Marty Steadman for their hard work as well.

The UFOA and the City will be sending additional information to all members in the near future to explain the provisions of the bill. Yesterday's newspaper erroneously reported that you only have two years to file a claim. There will be a two year time period for members to notify the pension system that you meet the eligibility requirements of this bill. A form for this purpose will be provided to each member in the near future. Please refrain from calling the UFOA office until we get a chance to provide additional information to the membership.

The successful passage of this bill was a result of two words: “Political Action”. Please remember this on Primary Day and Election Day – show up for political action. “Fire Officers Remember in November.”

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. Commissioner Scoppetta has instructed 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 data, 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.

Although the interviews have concluded for now, please remember if at any time you feel that you are becoming the subject of an investigation you should ask your superior officer if you are indeed 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 1500 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.

If your company is located on a one-way street, please obey the provisions of the regulations, which states, “Use of one-way streets against traffic is permitted only when absolutely necessary in responding to alarms.” Whenever possible, you should respond with traffic. Do not disobey Department regulations . Safety first. Accidents are down 50% for the first four months of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004.

It is important for every Fire Officer to review Regulations, chap. 11.1.17 and Safety Bulletins #6, 26, 45 and 71. After reviewing these sections, there should be no doubt in your mind that OFFICERS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR APPARATUS ACCIDENTS !

Section 2.1 of SB #71 states, “ The Fire Department not only has the responsibility of protecting lives and property, it also has the responsibility to prevent death or injury from vehicular accidents caused by our vehicles. Our members also have a right to expect protection from injury and death from a traffic accident .” Section 2.2 of SB #71 also states that, “ Careful analysis of accidents involving fire apparatus has revealed common causes of apparatus accidents: A. excessive speed, B. Failure to stop at controlled intersections, C. Over reliance on emergency lights and sirens, D. Unsafe backing of apparatus .” As the Department states in 2.3 of SB #71, “ There is seldom an excuse for a responding intersection accident .”
The Commissioner is threatening to lift Captains for increased response times. Be assured that 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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