Two issues have repeatedly been the topic for many calls to your trustees. The two topics are the Reassignment of Tours for SA Officers and Spare Apparatus Conditions.  Therefore we will reprint your union’s position on these 2 issues:

Excerpt taken from membership meeting minutes of June 06

Reassignment of Covering Officers - As part of our collective bargaining agreement the UFOA agreed to allow the rescheduling of a defined number of covering officers' tours in exchange for a credit. There seems to be a great deal of confusion with the agreement with our members and OAD. The agreement is as follows:

• Covering Lt's may be rescheduled a maximum of 24 hours per calendar year; Captains, BC's and DC's may be rescheduled for a maximum of 36 hours per calendar year.
• The Department must notify you at least 48 hours in advance if they want to reschedule your tour.
• Once a tour is rescheduled, the Dept. must reschedule that tour so it is paid back within 30 days. If 30 days pass, you owe nothing. For example, if you are notified on the 29th day that you must work on the 31st day, that is not permissible. The 30-day window is for actual payback not for notification purposes. Therefore, you must be notified by the 28th day if you are to work on the 30th day.
• The Dept. must notify you at least 48 hours in advance when they want you to repay a tour.
• Rescheduling must be full tours only, no partial tours. For example, a Captain or Chief Officer who was already rescheduled for 2 – 15 hour tours (30 hours) cannot be rescheduled again since only 6 hours remain in his bank.

The UFOA has notified Officer Assignment that we will not permit any exceptions to our collective bargaining agreement. Deputy Chiefs should insure that our agreement is being complied with on a division level.
 

The Department has recently released a “memo” with the proceeding information included.  They failed to include the fact that these rescheduled tours shall be repaid within 30 days.  Your union’s current contract includes the following statement, “Surplus tours shall be rescheduled within 30 days upon 48 hours notice.”  If you are asked to repay a tour in violation to our contract please notify your trustee immediately. 

Excerpt taken from membership meeting minutes April 06

Apparatus Safety

 Last week the UFOA and UFA testified at City Council about apparatus safety and the problems the Department has with Seagrave regarding warranty work and new apparatus. The hearing highlighted the fact that the FDNY still maintains a spare fleet that includes rigs as old as 1986. Chief Cassano assured the Council that no apparatus would ever be placed in service if it were unsafe. We want to remind all Officers of their responsibility to conduct safety checks of your apparatus with your chauffeur as described in section 13.3.4 of the Regulations.

When your company must use a spare apparatus, officers should instruct the chauffeur and the member who accompanies him (as described in 3.5.3 d of AUC 264) to make a thorough inspection of the apparatus at the shops before accepting it. The inspection should include all lights, warning devices, door and door hardware, mask brackets and safety belts. Chauffeurs should be instructed to drive apparatus to assess braking, steering and suspension. Chauffeurs should bring any deficiencies to the attention of fleet maintenance and call his/her company officer immediately. All safety issues should be resolved with fleet maintenance before the chauffer leaves the shops. No apparatus should be accepted by a chauffeur if there are any unresolved safety concerns.

When the spare apparatus arrives at your quarters, officers should insure pumps, aerial or tower ladders and tormentors are working properly. The time to find these problems is before you arrive at a fire. All officers should review AUC 264 (Apparatus Repair, Exchange and Storage Procedures) and Regulations, Chapter 13 (Apparatus and Equipment).

Excerpt taken from membership meeting minutes November 06

Spare Apparatus

Just a reminder that the officer on duty is responsible for the decision of accepting the apparatus. If there is any question about the serviceability of a spare apparatus, DO NOT ACCEPT IT. Your safety and the safety of your firefighters come first.

Upon receipt of a spare or first line apparatus, the officer in conjunction with his chauffeur shall inspect that apparatus.  If you have any question as to the safety or serviceability of your apparatus including spares, don’t accept the rig.  Document your concerns in your Housewatch journal including names and all particulars. Then notify your union trustee.