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Events, Help, Fundraisers & Benefits:
Annualized Medical Leave #s Update
The annualized medical leave number dropped to 8.30%, which is below the 8.40% target number required for October 1st. In accordance with the manning agreement negotiated with the Department last June, this prevents the Dept from reducing manning to C+11 (eleven 5-FF engines). The next target dates and numbers are: January 1st (8.00%), April 1st (7.75%), July 1st (7.50%). Reaching the January target number will require the City to restore the 5th firefighter to five additional engine companies. Reaching the April number restores an additional five companies. And reaching the July number restores another 10 engine companies, which would bring manning levels back up to the original contractual guarantee of C+60 (sixty 5-FF engines). TheUFAhas contended that as we get farther away from9-11-01, annualized medical leave numbers would start to return to traditional levels, which is happening. Back To Top
Involuntary FF Details/Lifts Update
Despite the pending Grievance filed with the Office of Labor Relations, the Department has informed the UFA it still intends to go ahead with this “improper policyâ€. The intended lifts do not fall under the SMLP or Chronic Absenteeism policies. TheUFAmaintains that there is no official Dept policy that authorizes the intended lifts, and for the Dept to do so is a violation of collective bargaining agreements. The UFA has filed both a Grievance (before an arbitrator) with the Office of Labor Relations, and a Petition for Restraining Order (RO) before Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Thomas Starkey. Judge Starkey has declined to issue the RO to date. This issue will remain on the forefront of UFA agenda until final resolution either through the courts or conclusion of the grievance process. A timeline report titled ‘Involuntary Detailing of FFs’ was distributed to all Delegates at the 10/9 union meeting. Please insure you read it. Back To Top
Emergency Preparedness Presentation to City Council
A report by UFA President Steve Cassidy was made to the ‘NYC Council Committee on Fire & Criminal Justice Services’ on October 1 regarding FDNY Emergency Preparedness, Response Times and the HazMat Unit. Many deficiencies presented have been reported numerous times to this Committee, in Congressional Hearings, and to the Dept. of Homeland Security. Unfortunately, even after countless task forces, blue ribbon panels, consulting reports and testimonies, circumstances have not changed for the FDNY. Please insure you review a copy of this detailed report to City Council, which was distributed to all Delegates at the 10/9 union meeting. Back To Top
Increased Engine Response: Fax Tickets to UFA!!!
Last June the Department agreed with the UFA to implement a 6-month pilot program which requires it to dispatch a minimum of 2 engines and 1 ladder on any single source report of a structural fire. As you know, this is a big change from their previous policy that only required 1 engine and 1 ladder. Every member knows that sending 2 engines immediately to every report of structural fire will increase the safety of both FFs and the public we serve. We were able to get the Dept to institute this change on a trial basis as part of June’s manning agreement. It is absolutely necessary that we are able to document specific 10-75s where a 2nd engine company was initially assigned only because of this agreement. To accomplish this, all firefighters must fax every 10-75 ticket where either the 1st due or 2nd due engine company normally assigned to a box was unavailable and replaced by a 3rd due, 4th due or greater engine, as is now required under the June agreement. This information will be critical in influencing the Dept to make this successful program into permanent policy. Fax to 212-683-4359, ATTN: Joe Miccio, Recording Secretary. Back To Top
Governor’sIsland
Effective Sept 30, the Dept established the Governor island fire protection unit. It is staffed with 1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants and 10 FFs. The UFA is supporting Dept efforts to expedite the opening of an entire company on Governor’sIsland. Back To Top
Queens Fire Marshal Base Closing
The Queens Marshal Base closed the last week of September. The Brooklyn Base now has responsibility for the entire city. Additional Marshals have been detailed to operations or returned to firehouses. Please insure you review a UFA Fire Marshal Media Package which documents many of the statistics and issues. It was distributed to all Delegates at the 10/9 union meeting. Back To Top
UFA Website: New ‘Firehouse Issues Listings’ Section
The UFA Health & Safety Office recently activated the ‘Firehouse Issues Listings’ section of theUFAsite. It contains a working list of the firehouse complaints reported byUFAmembers and/orUFAstaff. No complaints about firehouse conditions will be removed from the site until the Delegate in the affected firehouse or the Borough Trustee report the condition corrected. If your firehouse is not listed and has problems, report this info to your Delegate, who can fill out our On-Line Web Form on theUFAsite, or call the UFA Health & Safety Office for a copy. Documentation is a key component of getting your issues resolved. Back To Top
Cancer Bill Expander is Signed
The governor recently signed the following bill into law: Cancer Bill Expander— Amends provisions of the original "cancer bill" to include cancers involving the neurological, breast and reproductive systems as being presumed to be incurred in the line of duty; extends presumption until June 30, 2005, and is retroactive back to June 30, 1999. Back To Top
Copies of 2000 - 2002 Contract Available
Signed copies of the finalized 2000 - 2002 contract is now available to review. A copy was provided at the 10/9 union meeting for all Delegates. Back To Top
2004 Delegate Educational Seminar in Atlantic City
In accordance with the UFA Constitution, Atlantic City was chosen by a majority vote of the Delegate body. It will take place once again at the Trump Taj Mahal from Tuesday, May 4th thru Friday May 7th. Back To Top
Personal Statement of Pension Benefits: Good Info!!!
A statement of your 2002 accumulated pension benefits was mailed in September to each member’s home from the FDNY Pension Fund Board of Trustees, which includes UFA President Steve Cassidy, VP Jim Slevin, Treasurer Kevin McAdams and Bronx Trustee Bob Straub as board members. It includes important data on your contribution account balance and Pension Fund Benefits as of12/31/02, which lists beneficiaries, estimated service retirement benefits, vesting info, ITHP contributions & balances, deficits or excesses and Improved Benefits Plan retirement annuities. Supplement #64 to D.O. #86, datedSept. 25, 2003contains detailed explanations of each part of your statement. After reviewing your statement and the D.O. #86 explanation, if you have any questions about the info contained therein, please forward a written inquiry to the Bureau of Uniformed Payroll and Pensions, 6th floor, at Headquarters. Back To Top
Health Questionnaire for Past/Present E279/L131 Members
If you were assigned to E279/L131 for more than 30 days from 1980 to today, contact the UFA Health & Safety Office for a copy of the questionnaire. We are looking to chronicle medical problems which may be a result of being assigned to that firehouse. Back To Top
Getting Your Event Published in 65-2s
Your info must be received by the first day of the month preceding the month you wish it published in a 65-2 (For example, November 1st for a December 65-2,...). Event info received late cannot be guaranteed placement due to the large increase in the number of events that now take place each year. Most events are planned many months in advance. Let us know early!!!
Required info: name, date, location, time of event, who it benefits, fire companies or family sponsoring (if applicable) with contact info to publish (which should include a telephone number, e-mail address or web site -- if applicable), address to mail registration and any costs (if applicable), a few sentences about the event, and contact info for the person submitting the item (for UFA use only). Please limit it to just the basic facts. Email info to 652@UFANYC.org, or fax to the UFA Recording Secretary at 212-683-4359. As always, we recommend a quick call to Denise at the UFA Recording Secretary's office just to verify your event info was received. Back To Top
Health Benefits Fall 2002 Transfer Period
The 2003 Health Benefits Transfer Period begins October 15, 2003 and ends onNovember 15, 2003. Health plans changes requested during the Transfer Period will be effective the first full payroll period in January 2004. During the Transfer Period, you may transfer into another health plan offered by the City, add or drop Optional Rider coverage, add or drop dependents. To transfer, add or drop an Optional Rider, or add or drop dependents, you must submit a Health Benefits Application to the Health Plans Unit, 6th Floor, Bureau of Personnel Resources. The health care providers had literature tables set up at the October 9 union meeting. Check with your Delegate for available info. Or, if you need an application, call the Health Plans Unit at (718) 999-2196 /2171, or you can download from the City's website, www.nyc.gov/html/olr. Back To Top
Firefighter 9-11 Injury Compensation
For extensive info on filing for claims of injury to firefighters related to 9-11, visit the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) website at www.usdoj.gov/victimcompensation. It has detailed info re FAQs, and local Claim Assistance Centerlocations in the New York area that can help you. The deadline for filing isDecember 22, 2003. No extensions are planned or expected. You can also callUFAgeneral council Mike Block at 212-732-9000. Mike is providing free VCF services to all UFA members. Back To Top
September 11th Assistance Guide
News from FEMA: New--the September 11th Assistance Guide (www.sept11help.org) – a comprehensive online directory of over 160 service, programs and agencies that are still available to individuals affected by the events of September 11th. The Assistance Guide’s targeted search capability helps people affected by 9/11 locate the programs programs and agencies working to meet their specific needs. As the most extensive searchable, online directory of current 9/11 related help, the Assistance Guide can be accessed by anyone with Internet access. Back To Top
Brothers Helping Brothers Charity Golf Event
Last Chance: Wednesday, Oct 15 at Cranberry Golf Club, West Windsor, NJ. ‘Brothers Helping Brothers’ makes donations to UFA Charity Fund & Engine 6 Memorial Fund. Many openings available. Please help fill slots. Great day & cause. For info: FF Billy Green, E-6 Tigers at 732-887-2068. (previously faxed to all houses) Back To Top
New Book to Raise Funds: Cooking with the Firehouse Chef
FF Keith Young L-156 has written a cookbook titled ‘Cooking with the Firehouse Chef.’ 25% of the proceeds of sale of the book will be donated to The Thomas Elsasser Fund in the names of Richie Muldowney and Patty Boylan (L-7). He is currently making TV appearances and doing book signings to promote the book. For more info, visit: www.cookingwiththefirehousechef.com. Back To Top
Post Retirement Career Counseling for FFs at John Jay
Free: NYDCC Career Transitioning/retiring seminar for firefighters on 11/15, 9:45am – 4pm at John Jay College (445 W. 59 St, btwn Columbus & Amsterdam). Key-note speakers in the morning, workshops in the afternoon. Focused on career transitioning issues to firefighters and their families as well as career skills assessments, etc. They will also have a “mini-trade†show; tables with literature and individuals available to answer questions about career opportunities, educational info, etc. Reserve your place: 212-582-8208, email nydcc@traumaResponse.org or www.nydcc.org. Hosted by NY Disaster Coalition. Back To Top
HEATUSA: Save Heating $$ & Support Lost FF families
The UFA would like to remind you of its fuel-savings program with HEATUSA, the country’s largest fuel-buying group. Benefits of belonging to HEATUSAinclude: savings that average $200 - $300 a year, FREE lifetime full-service contract, 24- hour emergency coverage 7 days a week, FREE annual cleaning and tune-up of the heating system, dependable service from a highly recommended local oil supplier. Membership in HEAT is only $25 per year. If at any time you are not satisfied with HEAT, they will refund your membership. For each newUFAmember, HEAT will donate $25 to the Thomas Elsasser Fund. HEAT is a long-time friend of theUFAwho donates a free year of heating oil to the families of firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty. For more info, please call toll-free 1-888-HEAT-USA (1-888-432-8872). Back To Top
FDNY LODD Big Brothers & Sisters Program
Created in cooperation with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC. They are recruiting FDNY members, their adult family members, and retirees who are interested in mentoring a child of FDNY personnel lost in the line of duty. This is a unique opportunity for FDNY members to make a positive impact in the lives of these children. Mentors must be 21 years of age and are required to commit 8 hours per month, for one year, to the child. For info call Kim Ahearn or Bob Kelly at CSU, 212-570-1693 or email Kim at ahearnk@fdny.nyc.gov. Back To Top
Golf Benefit for FF Billy Lake Memorial Fund
Last Reminder: Knights ofColumbusannual charity golf outing, Oct. 13 at Dyker Beach Golf Course. Shotgun start at7am.Proceeds will be donated to the Firefighter Billy Lake Memorial Fund. $90 per golfer, includes greens fees, cart, prizes and a steak and chicken barbecue at the Knights of Columbus Hall right by the course at at 8417 Seventh Ave. For information, call Jim Harkin at (718) 745-3997. Back To Top
Fraternally, Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
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