Union Issues
- Staffing Cuts = 4 Civilian Deaths on New Year's Morning
- RSOT Carryover into 2005
- RSOT While on Light Duty (5 days per week)
- Variable Supplement Checks
- Misprinted UFA Calendars
Events, Help, Fundraisers & Benefits:
- NY's Bravest Football Tryouts
- FDNY Family Day at the Circus
- UFA Family Ski Day At Sterling Forest
- Want to Play on the FDNY Volleyball Teams?
- FDNY Family Day at the Circus
- FamilyLife Free Marriage Conference
- FDNY Shirt Drive for G.I.'s Injured & back Home
Staffing Cuts = 4 Civilian Deaths on New Year's Morning
Four civilians died at a New Year's morning 10-75 in Brooklyn where E280 (previously 5 man--was 4 man at this job) stretched 10 lengths to 6th fl apt fire. Despite valiant efforts by our members, staffing reductions had huge impact on outcome. Steve Cassidy highlighted this fact on New Years morning by doing TV interviews with Channels 2, 4, 5 & 41, Radio News 880 WCBS & 1010 WINS and also with the NY Post Daily News, New York Times and Newsday. Brooklyn Trustee John Kelly, Queens Trustee Steve Humenesky, Fire Marshal Rep Lester Layne along with President Cassidy were all in the field covering the New Year's morning fatal fires, which also included a Queens fatal fire with a fully staffed E298 facing heavy fire on arrival despite fire just being around the corner. All units did a great job in both Brooklyn and Queens under very difficult circumstances--several rescues were made. See media clips at end of 65-2. The UFA will continue to highlight to the public the fatally dangerous policies of Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.
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RSOT Carryover into 2005
RSOT unused as of 12/31 is forfeited with only the below exceptions, as per PA/ID #1-90. All approved carryover RSOT tours must be used in the calendar year following the year it was originally scheduled-or it will be lost. You may only carry-over for:
- RSOT rescheduled due to Bereavement/Emergency/Military leaves or Departmental duties, including Chauffeur School or other assignments as dictated by Dept needs.
- Firefighters on light duty for less than 30 days or medical leave during the month of December whose scheduled RSOT tours occur when they are on the light duty/medical leave status and have therefore mutualed their scheduled RSOT tour.
- Firefighters on Line-of-Duty medical leave may carry over unused RSOT into the new calendar year, but not beyond that.
Battalion Commanders must send a list of all approved RSOT carryover members to the Division by January 15th listing all members under their Command who have been approved. Inform your Officer immediately so you do not miss the cut-off date. Your Officer must forward a 'Request To Carry Over Unused Roster Staffing Overtime' form (FS-270) to the Battalion Commander detailing the reasons for your carryover. NOTE: The UFA's position is that if you have been denied requests to reschedule RSOT tours that are owed to you (like-tour for like-tour-weekend for weekend, etc), then you are also entitled to carry them into 2005. If denied carryover, notify the UFA Recording Secretary, Joe Miccio, with copies of RSOT Denials via fax to 212-683-4359.
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RSOT While on Light Duty (5 days per week)
All members assigned light duty for longer than 30 consecutive days are entitled to roster staffing overtime. Generally, you must be offered 24 hours per quarter. Your present light duty assignment, no matter where it is or how many days per week you are scheduled, has absolutely no bearing on your guaranteed 24 hours RSOT per quarter. Familiarize yourself with PA/ID 1-90 on the process to follow. Inform your light duty supervisor to notify O.S.A. (Office of Staffing Assignment) and request that your RSOT be scheduled so as not to conflict with your present work chart. Under no circumstances will you be directed to utilize vacation or compensatory time for the purpose of scheduling your overtime. That would violate written FDNY policy and is strictly forbidden!
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Variable Supplement Checks
UFA Retiree Liaison Jimmy Dahl notes that the City mailed out the 2004 VSF checks late (on December 17th). Retired members who have not yet received payment either via mail or direct deposit must contact the Office of Pension & Payroll at 718-999-2327.
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Misprinted UFA Calendars
Several companies have reported that certain pages of their 2005 UFA Workchart Calendars were duplicated, and others missing, due to an error by the printer. Members are asked to check their calendars and inform their Delegates of any missing pages. Delegates are asked to notify the UFA Recording Secretary's Office at 212-545-6973 for replacement.
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NY's Bravest Football Tryouts
Mandatory meeting at the Rock, January 12th, 7pm. Tryouts begin January 18, 20, 25 & 27 at Jamaica HS in Queens. For info contact Mike Stackpole, Squad 1: cell 516-659-0333, work 718-965-8269, group 12.
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FDNY Family Day at the Circus
The Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Annual FDNY Circus Event is being organized for March 20, 2005. Packets on this event will be given out to each Company Delegate at the October 14th Union meeting. Organizers will be looking for volunteers to be Borough Coordinators to help with this event. Proceeds go to UFA Widows' & Children's Fund. If you are interested in attending FDNY Family Day at the Circus, please contact your Company Delegate after October's Union meeting for up-to-date information.
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UFA Family Ski Day At Sterling Forest
Friday, January 28th at Sterling Forest, Tuxedo NY. All day/all expense paid for the widows and children of FDNY's Bravest. Hosted by Engine 53/Ladder 43. We are asking the brothers in each firehouse to make the effort and contact any family they think might need assistance to attend this sure to be fun day out for the children. Whether it be transportation, or helping out with the children that day, all hands are appreciated to ensure that our widows and children have a memorable day. (Sterling Forest also regularly offers half-price lift tickets and rentals for FFs M-F upon presentation of FD ID) Lift tickets for others who wish to attend on the 28th are $10. For info or to volunteer to ski with the children that day, call Dave Rowan Ladder 43 or Louis Giaconelli Engine 53 at 212-570-4253 or visit www.elbarriosbravest.com.
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Want to Play on the FDNY Volleyball Teams?
They have represented the FDNY proudly in the World Police and Fire Games in Barcelona, Stockholm & Indianapolis. The teams travel to participate in regional, national and international tournaments and also play in local leagues with both the 'A' and 'B' teams throughout the year. Some previous volleyball experience is required. Practices have already started at Queens College Gym, Tuesdays at 7pm. Contact Mike Ward L-135, 718-476-6286 or 516-650-9519 if you would like to join.
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FDNY Family Day at the Circus
The Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Annual FDNY Circus Event is being organized for March 20, 2005. Packets and posters on this event were supplied for each Company Delegate at the November Union Meeting. Organizers will be looking for volunteers to be Borough Coordinators to help with this event. Proceeds go to UFA Widows' & Children's Fund. DEADLINE: JANUARY 28th for all Company Orders. If information or packets are needed, please contact Ann Elizabeth at the UFA.
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FamilyLife Free Marriage Conference
FamilyLife, the nationally known leader in marriage conferences, offers again this Spring, an opportunity for all FDNY members to attend a free marriage conference. This conference will offer you an opportunity to improve communication, inspire commitment and increase closeness in your marriage. Topics during the conference will include: Threats to great marriage, Purpose for marriage, Effective communication, Conflict resolution, Marriage roles, Parental responsibility, Developing a satisfying sex life, and Modeling a healthy relationship for your children. The conferences will be held at the locations and dates listed below. FamilyLife will cover the cost of your hotel and conference registration. For information and to register for one of these conferences contact Battalion Chief Tom Byrne at 908-233-8675 or 908-482-9470 (cell).
- Feb. 18-20 NY: Wyndham Syracuse, East Syracuse
- April 22-24 NY: Buffalo Niagara Marriott, Amherst
- Feb. 11-13 PA: Hershey Lodge, Hershey (Weekend before Valentine's Day)
- April 22-24 PA: The Resort at Split Rock, Lake Harmony
- Feb. 11-13 MD: Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor, Baltimore (Weekend before Valentine's Day)
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FDNY Shirt Drive for G.I.'s Injured & back Home
For every soldier killed in action, 5 come home disabled--and rehab at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC. The Corona Tigers are asking you to show them that their brothers of the FDNY will not forget their sacrifices--just as they have never forgotten our's at the WTC--and are asking each company to donate five (5) t-shirts. E-289 L-138 ‘The Corona Tigers' would greatly appreciate if Delegates can collect the 5 shirts each and bring them to the next Union Meeting. Shirts will be shipped to Walter Reed Hospital as a small token of our appreciation.
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Fraternally,
Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
