Stamford Make Plans to Lay Off Firefighters

[Guest]

Officials make plans to lay off firefighters

By Natasha Lee

Staff Writer

June 27, 2007

STAMFORD - At least 10 paid firefighters at three of the Big Five volunteer departments could lose their jobs this week after the departments failed to agree on a city proposal to merge the volunteer and Stamford Fire & Rescue into one paid system.

The merger, announced earlier this month, was an effort to avoid layoffs after budget cuts. It was expected to save $545,000 next fiscal year.

But volunteer fire chiefs and city officials disagreed over how the Belltown, Turn of River and Glenbrook fire departments would be managed and staffed. The city Charter requires Stamford to fund the five volunteer companies that staff and manage their own firehouses independently.

At a meeting yesterday, city and fire officials could not hammer out concerns about firehouse operations and staffing. As a result, the city says the layoffs are necessary.

"We made a sincere effort to try and provide consistent and reliable fire coverage, at the same time avoiding the likelihood of layoffs and we were unsuccessful in our negotiations," city Public Safety Director William Callion said in a voice-mail message. He could not be reached yesterday for further comment.

Turn of River Fire Department filed an injunction against the city last week to stop the layoffs, saying the city was in violation of its Charter and 1995 management agreement, said Mark Kovack, the department's Westport-based attorney.

The city recently gave the departments notice that it will terminate the management agreement with each department as of Dec. 4 because it cannot afford to maintain the manpower set in the contracts.

"We're seeking to preserve the status quo to give the parties an opportunity to sit down and either negotiate or mediate under the terms of the management agreement, or even arbitrate if mediation is not agreeable," Kovack said.

Turn of River Fire Chief Frank Jacobellis did not participate in yesterday's meeting because of the litigation, Kovack said.

A hearing on the injunction is scheduled July 9 at state Superior Court in Stamford.

The three volunteer departments were initially given a July 1 deadline - the start of the fiscal year - to decide whether to participate. It was unclear why the deadline was pushed up or exactly how many paid firefighters would be laid off.

Volunteer chiefs said they were not given an official count. Dennis Murphy, the city's director of human resources, did not return three calls for comment yesterday.

Volunteer chiefs said the layoffs would be a blow to their short-staffed departments and public safety. In some firehouses, the layoffs could leave only two firefighters per daytime shift and one at night.

Belltown Fire Department's paid staff could dwindle from nine paid firefighters to six. Fire Chief John Didelot said the department hasn't operated with six firefighters in 10 years. Didelot said his department may seek legal action.

"You lay off people in a department that's already shorthanded, but keep staff at current levels downtown. It makes no sense at all," Didelot said. "Public safety could possibly be compromised, but it's not Belltown Fire Department's choosing, it's the city of Stamford's choosing."

The proposed system would beef up citywide fire coverage and cut overtime costs by shifting 32 Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters into the volunteer stations. Paid firefighters at Glenbrook, Belltown and Turn of River departments would work for Stamford Fire & Rescue and would be represented under the same contract as firefighters downtown.

The volunteer chiefs would retain oversight of volunteers and continue to receive city funding for gasoline and other operating expenses.

Stamford Fire & Rescue Chief Robert McGrath declined to comment yesterday.

No changes would be made at Springdale Fire Company, which is staffed with 16 paid Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters, and Long Ridge Fire Department, which operates separate from the city but receives city funds.

Didelot and Glenbrook Fire Department President Edward Rondano said the city offered no compromise and rejected a counter proposal.

"There's never been negotiations, there's never been talking to the volunteer system," Rondano said. "The city has not altered from that one-sided plan."

He said he agreed two weeks ago to participate in the merger with the understanding that issues about staffing, equipment and job seniority would be addressed.

Rondano said he wanted to ensure that veteran Glenbrook paid firefighters would receive seniority on assignments within the department over less experienced Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters.

"I don't want a guy who has four years taking over and now you're thrown to the bottom," Rondano said. "I think the person with 40 years has earned more than that."

Over the last decade, volunteer departments have fought to maintain autonomy over their departments as the city has tried to gain more control. The power struggle has led to lawsuits and standoffs.

Now, citywide fire coverage and public safety are in jeopardy, fire union President Brendan Keatley said.

"It's gambling with people lives and it's going to lead to a significant cutback in fire services," Keatley said.

He said volunteer firefighters still have jobs, while several of the union's paid firefighters will have to start looking for new ones.

"They still have a means of making money. What's going to happen to our guys who have wives, kids, bills?" Keatley said.

Rondano said an attorney for Glenbrook and Belltown is trying to make a last-ditch effort to reach a resolution, and he hopes to avoid costly legal action.

"We're aggravating the people that fund us, so where are we going to go? They do have the ultimate control," he said.

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

[Geppetto 31]

Interesting how things are changing on a daily basis over there - The Advocate reported two weeks ago that Glenbrook was "on-board". Something doesn't add up-

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...0,5557928.story

Glenbrook will join fire merger

By Natasha Lee

Staff Writer

June 15, 2007

STAMFORD -The volunteer Glenbrook Fire Department agreed yesterday to participate in the city's recent proposal to merge Stamford Fire & Rescue and three of the Big Five volunteer departments into one paid fire system.

The plan was announced earlier this month in an effort to avoid layoffs after budget cuts. Mayor Dannel Malloy has said the new system will save $545,000 next year.

Glenbrook Fire Department President Edward Rondano said his department reached a tentative agreement yesterday morning with city public safety Director William Callion.

The two departments are continuing to address staffing, equipment and firefighter responsibilities, Rondano said.

"We're still trying to iron out little details," he said.

Belltown and Turn of River volunteer departments have until July 1, the start of the fiscal year, to decide whether to join the new system.

City officials have touted the reorganization as a way to improve citywide fire coverage and cut down on overtime costs by shifting Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters into the understaffed volunteer departments.

For Glenbrook, the plan will ensure the department is staffed with at least four paid firefighters on duty around the clock. The firehouse now is staffed with three paid firefighters during the day and two at night, in addition to its 10 to 12 active volunteers.

Layoffs are inevitable if the remaining two departments don't agree to consolidate, Callion said. The city also gave the departments notice that it will terminate management agreements with each department as of Dec. 4 because it cannot afford to maintain the manpower set in the contracts.

The volunteer departments entered into these agreements with the city in 1995 to solve staffing shortages.

"We don't have the funding to do business as usual. There's been a dramatic reduction in finances, and that's the only option when there's not enough money," Callion said.

Belltown Fire Chief John Didelot said his department is cooperating with the city to meet the deadline, but that he was unsure how effective the plan would be.

"We're doing the best we can to work with the city. The city is dictating to us what they want, but there are no particulars," he said.

Turn of River Fire Chief Frank Jacobellis could not be reached yesterday.

Rondano said he was disappointed the volunteer chiefs weren't given more opportunity to offer input on restructuring the system.

The Glenbrook department stood to lose three of its nine paid firefighters if it didn't consolidate into the system. Belltown Fire Department could lose three paid firefighters, and Turn of River Fire Department could lose five, volunteer chiefs said.

"I don't like the way it was done. Basically, volunteer departments were forced into it because of threats of layoffs," Rondano said.

The reorganization would shift 32 Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters from downtown into the understaffed volunteer stations.

Paid firefighters at Glenbrook, Belltown and Turn of River fire departments would work for Stamford Fire & Rescue and would be represented under the same union contract as the firefighters downtown.

The volunteer chiefs would retain oversight of volunteers and continue to receive city funding for gasoline and operating expenses.

The system reflects a similar model at Springdale Fire Company, which is staffed with 16 paid Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters. That company would not require any changes.

Long Ridge Fire Department is exempt from the changes because it operates separately from the city but receives city funds.

Stamford officials have said the new setup would be temporary until the city conducts a fire study that could bring more changes.

Rondano said Glenbrook residents will benefit from the increased coverage because it will be more reliable under a larger staff of paid firefighters.

Volunteers typically cannot respond to every call because of other commitments such as work.

"One thing with a volunteer system is there's no guarantee," he said. "With the Stamford Fire Department, you do get a guarantee you will get a certain number to respond. You can't promise you're going to get the same thing with the volunteers, it's not always the case."

Rondano said he is worried that the new system will come at the expense of the volunteer departments, which have existed as independent entities in the city for more than a half-century.

"It'll probably slowly take away the autonomy of the individual fire departments," he said. "The bottom line is, 'What's a better fire service?' We'll see if they'll work together with us. If they have a mindset to make it work, they'll make it work."

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

[x152 179]

Interesting how things are changing on a daily basis over there - The Advocate reported two weeks ago that Glenbrook was "on-board".   Something doesn't add up-

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...0,5557928.story

←

Gepp...... I remember a book/movie..."That was then, this is NOW....."

There is an e-mail circulating from the Union outlining the latest series of events. It provides some additional details and personalities that were contributing factors.

Edited June 27, 2007 by x152

[Geppetto 31]

Well, the lawyers will eat every day. Good luck to the pink slips -

[fire2141 33]

WOW, cutting 10 ff will save them a whopping $4.53 a year per person based on recent census data. Perhaps eliminating 5 bean counters would save them roughly the same amount. Something to think about.

Edited June 28, 2007 by fire2141

[Guest]

WOW, cutting 10 ff will save them a whopping $4.53 a year per person based on recent census data. Perhaps eliminating 5 bean counters would save them roughly the same amount. Something to think about.

←

There was also an article in yesterday's Advocate regarding the changing of trash pick-up services, as well as the need for dpw to cut 100 million from the budget. it looks as though they may have to lay off 5 or 6 guys in DPW along with the 10 firefighters. All this is going on and Malloy put off commercial revaluation to try to catch a mjor downtown realestate deal that seems to be going belly up as this is being typed. This is only the begining in Stamford!

[Geppetto 31]

X152 - and what was old is new again!?

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...local-headlines

Glenbrook to merge with city fire services

By Natasha Lee

Staff Writer

June 29, 2007

STAMFORD - Faced with budget cuts and layoff notices, the volunteer Glenbrook Fire Department buckled yesterday and agreed to join in a city proposal to merge its department with Stamford Fire & Rescue.

The plan, proposed by Mayor Dannel Malloy earlier this month, calls for consolidating three of the Big Five volunteer departments with the city's downtown fire department into one paid fire system.

The plan is expected to avoid layoffs and save $560,000 next year, city officials said.

Belltown Fire Department has until today to respond or risk losing 30 percent of its paid firefighters, city officials said.

Turn of River Fire Department filed an injunction last week against the city to prevent losing five paid firefighters until a hearing July 9 at state Superior Court in Stamford.

Turn of River Chief Frank Jacobellis deferred comment to attorney Mark Kovack, who could not be reached yesterday. A call to Belltown Chief John Didelot was not returned yesterday.

Edward Rondano, Glenbrook department president, said he signed a tentative agreement yesterday after two of his nine firefighters were presented with layoff notices.

"Either we spend a lot of money and get an injunction or sign the agreement. If we didn't get the agreement signed, Saturday they're laying off our guys, so we really had no choice," Rondano said.

The nine Glenbrook firefighters, who now operate under a separate labor contract, will be placed under the same contract as Stamford Fire & Rescue.

The merger will move additional Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters and an engine into the firehouse at 17 Arthur Place to help improve fire coverage in the district and cut overtime costs. The Glenbrook firehouse is staffed with nine paid firefighters and stood to lose two if it did not agree to the deal, Rondano said.

Rondano said the agreement must be voted on by the department's seven-member executive board and volunteer membership before it is approved.

If the department fails to approve the deal, layoffs will happen.

The fire union and city Board of Representatives also must give final approval, he said.

Stamford public safety Director William Callion said he was pleased with Rondano's decision and hopeful the remaining two departments would join the plan.

"For the people who have rejected the plan, the ball is in their court," he said.

Three layoffs at Belltown and five at Turn of River would cut staff at each department by 30 percent and put public safety in jeopardy, volunteer chiefs have argued.

No changes were expected at Springdale Fire Company and Long Ridge Fire Department.

The move will beef up Glenbrook firehouse apparatus from two paid firefighters riding to a call to four firefighters, and cut overtime, Rondano said.

Malloy has said Glenbrook and the other two volunteer departments are costly because they heavily rely on overtime to cover co-workers on vacation or out sick.

Initially, volunteer chiefs clashed with city officials and the fire union over how to manage the volunteer firehouses that operate under different safety and staffing standards from a career firehouse.

The reorganized system will allow Glenbrook's volunteer Chief Frank Passero to maintain control over the volunteers and manage the firehouse, and paid firefighters will report to Stamford Fire & Rescue Chief Robert McGrath.

Glenbrook's paid firefighters would be given seniority on assignments within the department which was a sticking point in previous negotiations, Rondano said.

Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 786 President Brendan Keatley said he is satisfied with the agreement but worries about the pending layoffs of his union members.

"Our plan is we will do what we legally can for our employees," he said.

Rondano said it would have been difficult to operate the firehouse with two fewer firefighters because volunteers work during the day.

" 'Volunteers' and 'guarantee' don't really go together. Having a set number of firefighters to respond to a call, you can't argue with that," he said.

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

[CTFF 65]

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...local-headlines

Belltown to join fire department merger

By Natasha Lee

Staff Writer

Published June 30 2007

STAMFORD - The Belltown Fire Department joined a city plan yesterday to consolidate three volunteer fire companies into Stamford Fire & Rescue, leaving Turn of River Fire Department the last department standing.

City officials said the merger will move Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters into Belltown and Glenbrook fire departments to improve fire coverage and cut overtime costs generated by the understaffed volunteer departments.

Turn of River filed an injunction against the city blocking five layoffs at its department until a July 9 hearing at state Superior Court in Stamford.

Glenbrook Fire Department agreed to the reorganization Thursday. The volunteer companies receive city funding, but are autonomous under the city Charter and have their own methods of managing and staffing their firehouses.

Threatened with losing three of its nine paid firefighters, Belltown signed a tentative agreement with the city yesterday that must be approved by the department's membership, Belltown Chief John Didelot said.

The union, Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 786, and the city's Board of Representatives must give final approval.

Didelot will maintain authority over his volunteer staff and the firehouse, and work with Stamford Fire & Rescue Chief Robert McGrath on daily operations and assignments for the paid firefighters. The nine Belltown firefighters, who operate under a separate labor contract, will be honored under the same contract as Stamford Fire & Rescue.

"We will work together as far as what their day-to-day operations are and try to move forward in a cooperative manner," Didelot said.

The plan, announced earlier this month by Mayor Dannel Malloy, is expected to save the city $560,000 next year. No changes are expected at Long Ridge Fire Department, which operates under a separate agreement from the other volunteer companies, and Springdale Fire Company, which is already staffed with 16 Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters.

Public Safety Director William Callion said he was pleased with Didelot's decision.

"We are going to get consistent, reliable coverage in most of the city and we have averted laying off professional, highly trained firefighters, and I remain prayerful that the other department will reconsider," Callion said.

Turn of River Fire Department attorney Mark Kovack said that decision is in the hands of a judge.

"The court will probably decide whether that order stays in force and if it's modified or amplified," Kovack said.

[Guest partyrock]

I understand there are still several issues to be resolved with the contractual differences between the city ff's and the volunteer house ff's, but I don't see the down side from the paid perspective. I do see the loss of control on the volunteer side but other than that is there anything else I'm missing?

[Geppetto 31]

Update -

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...local-headlines

Judge orders Turn of River fire dispute to mediation

By Natasha Lee

Staff Writer

July 10, 2007

STAMFORD - A judge ordered Turn of River Fire Department and the city to seek mediation yesterday to resolve a dispute over whether Turn of River must participate in a plan to consolidate three volunteer fire departments into Stamford Fire & Rescue.

Turn of River filed an injunction against the city last month to stop the layoffs of five paid firefighters threatened if it didn't comply with the merger. Turn of River attorney Mark Kovack said the merger violates the city Charter and a 1995 management agreement between the fire department and the city.

Kovack declined to comment on the judge's decision.

But city officials said the merger is the only way to save money and avoid layoffs in the aftermath of budget cuts, particularly an $850,000 cut this fiscal year to the Office of Public Safety, Health and Welfare.

Judge John Downey gave Turn of River and the city two weeks to find a mediator and ordered the fire department to pony up a $5,000 bond to cover the city's legal costs should mediation fall in the city's favor.

Downey said it's not unusual for plaintiffs to submit bonds. City attorney Tom Cassone said the bond would cover costs the city would accrue by having to participate in unexpected legal action.

"We're having to fund something that's not in the budget and it could drive the city into a deficit," Cassone said.

Turn of River was given 45 days to respond to a motion filed by the city last week to dismiss the injunction.

"I hope in the end good things will happen for the benefit of the people," Downey told the courtroom after his decision.

In the meantime, the injunction stands and Turn of River could lose nearly 30 percent of its 17 paid firefighters, depending on the outcome of mediation.

City officials said the plan will beef up fire coverage and cut overtime costs generated by the understaffed volunteer departments. Volunteer chiefs say their departments are autonomous under the city Charter and that they have the right to manage their own firehouses.

Belltown and Glenbrook fire departments signed tentative agreements just before the July 1 deadline, giving the city permission to move 32 Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters into their firehouses. The two departments stood to lose a total of five paid firefighters.

Springdale Fire Company - which already is staffed with 16 Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters - and Long Ridge Fire Department - which operates under a separate agreement with the city - were exempt from the merger.

Under the new plan, the 26 paid firefighters from both departments will report to Stamford Fire & Rescue Chief Robert McGrath for daily operations and assignments. The paid firefighters in the volunteer houses, who now operate under a separate labor contract, will be placed under the same contract as Stamford Fire & Rescue.

The volunteer chiefs will retain authority over volunteers and continue to receive city funding for gasoline and other operating expenses.

The merger slightly increased property tax fees in the three districts because they will have more paid firefighters. Depending on the district, taxpayers will pay 50 cents or $1.92 for every $1,000 of assessed property value - still less than the $3.10 paid by taxpayers in the district staffed entirely by paid firefighters.

Cassone said Downey's decision yesterday follows the terms of the 1995 management agreement that allows disputes to be resolved first by mediation and, if necessary, arbitration.

"We have to run a city and keep a fire service," Cassone said. "We submitted to the fire companies a proposal to manage the budget and improve fire service. Two went along and I'm pretty sure we'll be able to resolve this."

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

[Geppetto 31]

The grapevine says that personnel from 2 of the involved departments (Belltown and Glenbrook) have layed off personnel. Any truth to the matter? Buehler? Buehler? Anyone? Anyone?

[Geppetto 31]

Disregard - I read it in today's Advocate, so it MUST be true!

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...local-headlines

5 paid city firefighters are laid off

By Natasha Lee

Staff Writer

July 12, 2007

STAMFORD - Five career firefighters lost their jobs this week, after two volunteer fire departments pulled out of a city plan to merge with Stamford Fire & Rescue and are battling against the city for control of their firehouses.

Volunteer firefighters and executive board members for the Glenbrook and Belltown fire departments voted against a consolidation that would have shifted 32 Stamford Fire & Rescue paid firefighters into the departments, and joined career firefighters in three volunteer fire departments under the same labor contract as the downtown firefighters.

City officials threatened layoffs if the deal was not reached by July 1 and said it was the last option to save the city $560,000 after budget cuts. The city's Board of Finance cut $850,000 from the Office of Public Safety, Health and Welfare this fiscal year, and officials have said the understaffed volunteer departments spend too much on overtime.

The Turn of River Fire Department never agreed to the merger and filed an injunction against the city last month to block five layoffs at its department. On Monday, a state Superior Court judge in Stamford ordered the department and the city to mediation to resolve the dispute.

Hartford attorney Pat McHale, who is representing the Belltown and Glenbrook departments, said he has sent the city several requests for mediation in hopes of avoiding legal action. If they are denied, the departments will seek an injunction, McHale said.

In the meantime, firefighters say the city and volunteer chiefs are gambling with public safety. The layoffs of three career firefighters at Belltown Fire Department and two at Glenbrook Fire Department have reduced the staffs by 33 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

Public Safety Director William Callion said he wasn't given a reason why the merger was rejected. The five firefighters were laid off between Tuesday and yesterday morning.

"We had hoped to avert that by having the proposals in place. The proposal was rejected so we had no choice," he said.

Callion deferred questions about resident safety to the volunteer chiefs.

"They have decided they want to follow their plan, so they need to tell you how they plan to follow public safety. I made my effort," Callion said.

Mayor Dannel Malloy, who announced the plan in June, did not return a call for comment yesterday.

The loss of two paid firefighters leaves the Glenbrook firehouse, "not functionable," said volunteer firefighter Lt. Troy Jones, a six-year veteran.

Down to seven career firefighters, only two will be on duty on daytime shifts, and one at night and on weekends, he said.

Jones said having Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters would have increased manpower responding to emergency calls, especially during the day, when volunteers are scarce.

"The numbers aren't there," he said. "You can't function with one guy on a rig. And in the daytime, you only get two or three people able to respond, versus 10 to 12."

But Glenbrook Fire President Edward Rondano said the majority of the membership and seven-person executive board voted against the merger after issues like firefighter assignments and training - initially discussed and resolved verbally with the city - were left out of the written tentative agreement. The volunteer departments are autonomous under the city Charter; though funded by Stamford, they control and staff their own firehouses.

Last month, Rondano and Belltown Fire Chief John Didelot signed tentative agreements before the deadline, pending necessary approval from volunteer membership. Rondano said the written agreement did not include that certified volunteers could work with downtown career firefighters and train with them.

"Certain talks and discussions were left out of the agreement, and that did not sit well with the membership," he said. "All we're saying is let us have some input into how it's being done."

Rondano insisted public safety was not in jeopardy. He said he did not plan to hire back paid firefighters because of overtime costs. Glenbrook, Belltown and Turn of River together spent $700,000 on overtime last fiscal year, which ended June 30.

Volunteers would have to step up their response to calls to support the paid staff, and the department would still rely on neighboring volunteer Belltown and Springdale departments for help.

"(Volunteers are) being told we're at a loss here, they have to step up to the plate and do what they have to do," Rondano said.

Belltown Chief John Didelot deferred all comment to McHale.

Glenbrook career firefighter Herman Naring, who was laid off Tuesday, said he was concerned about how he will support his wife, 16-year-old daughter, 11-year-old son and disabled father. He said the volunteer chief and executive board showed little compassion for his livelihood.

Naring said the volunteers' disagreement with the city stemmed over "silly little issues" like what fire patch Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters assigned to the firehouse would wear and where paid firefighters would sleep.

"You have five mouths you have to feed. It's a hardship, it really is," he said. "They didn't show any concern about my welfare or my family or anything else."

Naring, a five-year veteran, also is concerned about public safety. He said the Glenbrook paid firefighters and volunteers have maintained an amicable relationship, but there are not enough qualified volunteers to support paid staff.

"If it wasn't for the nine (career) guys there, there wouldn't be a department. We check the machines, we check the medical equipment, we do the payroll, we do everything," Naring said. "Everyone has their own spiel, but we really don't have that many volunteers to fight a fire right now. God forbid something happens, it's going to be a problem."

McHale said Belltown and Glenbrook want the laid off firefighters rehired and hope to avoid costly litigation. Volunteer chiefs said legal fees are paid from the volunteer departments' fundraising budgets.

"There is no reason we ought to be adversaries with the city," McHale said. "Where else do you find people this day and age willing to provide services for free?"

But fire union President Brendan Keatley said volunteer fire service does cost taxpayers, and now residents aren't getting those services.

"We're not against the volunteer system. When something happens we depend on them. But now what are we depending on? One guy coming down on a rig?" he said.

Keatley said the union was working to help the laid-off firefighters.

"We're pretty upset. We thought we had an agreement, then these small-minded, narrow-minded fire chiefs again stepped up," he said. "It's about control, and I don't think that's right."

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

[Guest]

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...local-headlines

5 paid city firefighters are laid off

By Natasha Lee

Staff Writer

July 12, 2007

STAMFORD - Five career firefighters lost their jobs this week, after two volunteer fire departments pulled out of a city plan to merge with Stamford Fire & Rescue and are battling against the city for control of their firehouses.

Volunteer firefighters and executive board members for the Glenbrook and Belltown fire departments voted against a consolidation that would have shifted 32 Stamford Fire & Rescue paid firefighters into the departments, and joined career firefighters in three volunteer fire departments under the same labor contract as the downtown firefighters.

City officials threatened layoffs if the deal was not reached by July 1 and said it was the last option to save the city $560,000 after budget cuts. The city's Board of Finance cut $850,000 from the Office of Public Safety, Health and Welfare this fiscal year, and officials have said the understaffed volunteer departments spend too much on overtime.

The Turn of River Fire Department never agreed to the merger and filed an injunction against the city last month to block five layoffs at its department. On Monday, a state Superior Court judge in Stamford ordered the department and the city to mediation to resolve the dispute.

Hartford attorney Pat McHale, who is representing the Belltown and Glenbrook departments, said he has sent the city several requests for mediation in hopes of avoiding legal action. If they are denied, the departments will seek an injunction, McHale said.

In the meantime, firefighters say the city and volunteer chiefs are gambling with public safety. The layoffs of three career firefighters at Belltown Fire Department and two at Glenbrook Fire Department have reduced the staffs by 33 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

Public Safety Director William Callion said he wasn't given a reason why the merger was rejected. The five firefighters were laid off between Tuesday and yesterday morning.

"We had hoped to avert that by having the proposals in place. The proposal was rejected so we had no choice," he said.

Callion deferred questions about resident safety to the volunteer chiefs.

"They have decided they want to follow their plan, so they need to tell you how they plan to follow public safety. I made my effort," Callion said.

Mayor Dannel Malloy, who announced the plan in June, did not return a call for comment yesterday.

The loss of two paid firefighters leaves the Glenbrook firehouse, "not functionable," said volunteer firefighter Lt. Troy Jones, a six-year veteran.

Down to seven career firefighters, only two will be on duty on daytime shifts, and one at night and on weekends, he said.

Jones said having Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters would have increased manpower responding to emergency calls, especially during the day, when volunteers are scarce.

"The numbers aren't there," he said. "You can't function with one guy on a rig. And in the daytime, you only get two or three people able to respond, versus 10 to 12."

But Glenbrook Fire President Edward Rondano said the majority of the membership and seven-person executive board voted against the merger after issues like firefighter assignments and training - initially discussed and resolved verbally with the city - were left out of the written tentative agreement. The volunteer departments are autonomous under the city Charter; though funded by Stamford, they control and staff their own firehouses.

Last month, Rondano and Belltown Fire Chief John Didelot signed tentative agreements before the deadline, pending necessary approval from volunteer membership. Rondano said the written agreement did not include that certified volunteers could work with downtown career firefighters and train with them.

"Certain talks and discussions were left out of the agreement, and that did not sit well with the membership," he said. "All we're saying is let us have some input into how it's being done."

Rondano insisted public safety was not in jeopardy. He said he did not plan to hire back paid firefighters because of overtime costs. Glenbrook, Belltown and Turn of River together spent $700,000 on overtime last fiscal year, which ended June 30.

Volunteers would have to step up their response to calls to support the paid staff, and the department would still rely on neighboring volunteer Belltown and Springdale departments for help.

"(Volunteers are) being told we're at a loss here, they have to step up to the plate and do what they have to do," Rondano said.

Belltown Chief John Didelot deferred all comment to McHale.

Glenbrook career firefighter Herman Naring, who was laid off Tuesday, said he was concerned about how he will support his wife, 16-year-old daughter, 11-year-old son and disabled father. He said the volunteer chief and executive board showed little compassion for his livelihood.

Naring said the volunteers' disagreement with the city stemmed over "silly little issues" like what fire patch Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters assigned to the firehouse would wear and where paid firefighters would sleep.

"You have five mouths you have to feed. It's a hardship, it really is," he said. "They didn't show any concern about my welfare or my family or anything else."

Naring, a five-year veteran, also is concerned about public safety. He said the Glenbrook paid firefighters and volunteers have maintained an amicable relationship, but there are not enough qualified volunteers to support paid staff.

"If it wasn't for the nine (career) guys there, there wouldn't be a department. We check the machines, we check the medical equipment, we do the payroll, we do everything," Naring said. "Everyone has their own spiel, but we really don't have that many volunteers to fight a fire right now. God forbid something happens, it's going to be a problem."

McHale said Belltown and Glenbrook want the laid off firefighters rehired and hope to avoid costly litigation. Volunteer chiefs said legal fees are paid from the volunteer departments' fundraising budgets.

"There is no reason we ought to be adversaries with the city," McHale said. "Where else do you find people this day and age willing to provide services for free?"

But fire union President Brendan Keatley said volunteer fire service does cost taxpayers, and now residents aren't getting those services.

"We're not against the volunteer system. When something happens we depend on them. But now what are we depending on? One guy coming down on a rig?" he said.

Keatley said the union was working to help the laid-off firefighters.

"We're pretty upset. We thought we had an agreement, then these small-minded, narrow-minded fire chiefs again stepped up," he said. "It's about control, and I don't think that's right."

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

[Goose 188]

:angry: Someday maybe someone will realize that the fire service is not a club, a social organization or a hang out. That manpower is needed on every call, not just the real ones and that a Chief's car does not count.

A battle over control forgets the reasons these organizations exist in the first place...the public. It is about GD time people started looking out the front door and started looking at what our purpose is to begin with.

Rant concluded, feel free to go about your business :angry:

BINGO!!

It's time for people to wake up and smell the coffee. A chief/officer's vehicle doesn't cut it in the REAL WORLD. It's time for organizations/departments to wake up, put their "pride" aside and provide the honest and proper fire protection it's citizens deserve. If you can't do the job, bring in paid personnel. I am so sick and tired of seeing people pay taxes up the wazoo and getting crap fire/ems service in return. :angry:

[Guest]

:angry: a Chief's car does not count.

Rant concluded, feel free to go about your business :angry:

When did this thread become about chief's cars?

Did I miss something here?

[Future Fireman 4]

When did this thread become about chief's cars?

Did I miss something here?

That's what I would like to know!

Mike

[Goose 188]

When did this thread become about chief's cars?

Did I miss something here?

I think both of you missed the bigger picture.

It's not about the chief's car, its about the scaling back on manpower. Obviously there was a need for the career staff, now that they have cut back or eliminated that altogether whats going to happen? Your losing your standard response and are likely to see more sub par responses like chief cars only on AFAs b/c no one else is willing or around to properly man a response. And, in the real world, that is an unacceptable response, it gets you nowhere if that AFA turns out to be a fire.

Edited July 13, 2007 by Goose

[OLDGUY19 6]

It is sad when ego's play politics. Any good will between career and volunteer has been jeopardize.When we run short the only people that suffer are ourselves[career and volunteer] and the general public.It is a NO WIN for anyone.The damage has been done and it will take a long time to fix what has been done. I guess it is OK for politics and ego's to kill and injury people.It is a sad day in Stamford fire service.

[Guest]

Disregard - I read it in today's Advocate, so it MUST be true!

This made me snort coffee through my nose onto my keyboard.

[Guest]

This made me snort coffee through my nose onto my keyboard.

One thing that you guys fail to look at it is that the 3 departments we are talking about here...Glenbrook, Turn of River, and Belltown spent combined $700,000 on OT last year...for less than 50 employees. That is out right ludicris! I would LOVE to see how many of these guys made over $100,000 last year, when their counter parts in the SFRD didn't even come close to that, more like $30,000 less. I can see both sides of this coin...BUT when the blatant OT hording gets to be of this magnitude, then it was just a matter of time. I would LOVE to know what the SFRD paid out in OT to a force MUCH larger in size. This is what happens when your hand gets caught in the cookie jar 1 time too many!

How many of you guys who are paid ff's on this board would LOVE to make $100,000...I know I would BUT at least I would have to earn it where I crawl down hallways.

Edited July 13, 2007 by FDNY99

[Geppetto 31]

FDNY99 -

From the gospel according to the Advocate - July 2, 2007 (Stamford Mayor Malloy Raises Taxes, to pay for merger) Posted on this site elsewhere -

Glenbrook, Belltown and Turn of River combined spent $700,000 on overtime in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2006. Stamford Fire & Rescue spent nearly $1.9 million in the same period. (From the department website; stamfordfire.com - 238 personnel)

[Guest]

FDNY99 -

From the gospel according to the Advocate - July 2, 2007 (Stamford Mayor Malloy Raises Taxes, to pay for merger) Posted on this site elsewhere -

Glenbrook, Belltown and Turn of River combined spent $700,000 on overtime in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2006. Stamford Fire & Rescue spent nearly $1.9 million in the same period. (From the department website; stamfordfire.com - 238 personnel)

So the SFRD spent $1.2 million more for 200 more employees...I REST MY CASE! And for those of you out there that are wondering...ask a SFRD Local 789 member (not a 789 member who is from the Big 5) how they feel, I am sure they most likely will express the same opinion as I am with my posts; the gravy train for these guys is now OVER! If you take the $700,000 spent on OT for 40 guys and compare it to the SFRD amount if the SFRD worked comparable OT their bottom line would be just under 4.2 million.

Edited July 14, 2007 by FDNY99

[CTFF 65]

I would LOVE to see how many of these guys made over $100,000 last year, when their counter parts in the SFRD didn't even come close to that, more like $30,000 less.

5 firefighters from the big five (excluding longridge, I think) made over $100,000 in 2006. The range was from approx 119K to 108K.

1 firefighter from SFRD made over 100K ( not including officers, marshalls and the mechanic), it was around 110K.

[Guest]

5 firefighters from the big five (excluding longridge, I think) made over $100,000 in 2006. The range was from approx 119K to 108K.

1 firefighter from SFRD made over 100K ( not including officers, marshalls and the mechanic), it was around 110K.

I have just heard some VERY disturbing news regarding the layoffs in Stamford. It has come to my attention that the 5 positions which were vacated by layoffs in Glenbrook and Belltown are now being filled via OT. The MOST disturbing fact is that these positions are being filled by Union brothers including paid drivers from Turn of River FD who had none of their personnell laid off because of a court ruling. The fact that members of Turn of River have the audacity to even think of making a dollar off the back of the 5 guys who were laid off is UNBELIEVEABLE! Maybe it is time to take a look in the mirror and bring these guys up to the IAFF and Local 786 on charges. If this is in fact true any union memeber working a shift of a laid off ff should be tossed out!

[firebuff08 29]

The volunteer fire companies in Stamford may very well be autonomous under the City Charter, but City Charter's can be changed. Perhaps when the average Stamford homeowner residing in an area covered by a volunteer department realizes the level of fire protection he or she has versus what they could have with the City plan, there will be a call for Charter Revision. In Connecticut Cities the City Charter can be changed through the following process; the governing body appoints a Charter Revision Commission and gives the Commission direction on what needs to be changed. The Commission hold hearings and comes back with recommendations for specific changes to the Charter. The governing body then puts the proposed revisions up for a vote at the next general election or at a special election. The Stamford Charter could be changed to eliminate the Volunteer Fire Departments if the voters are angry enough and put enough pressure on city hall !!!!

As others have pointed out, Stamford Volunteer Fire Companies appear to be more concerned with maintaining control over their "clubhouses" than they are about providing the taxpayers with the highest level of firefighting capability at the lowest cost.

[Guest]

The volunteer fire companies in Stamford may very well be autonomous under the City Charter, but City Charter's can be changed. Perhaps when the average Stamford homeowner residing in an area covered by a volunteer department realizes the level of fire protection he or she has versus what they could have with the City plan, there will be a call for Charter Revision.

Perhaps when the average Stamford homeowner realizes that the City plan comes with a tax hike, they will realize the value of services provided by the Stamford Volunteer Fire Companies. Last I knew, there have been no complaints about the level of service being provided.

As others have pointed out, Stamford Volunteer Fire Companies appear to be more concerned with maintaining control over their "clubhouses" than they are about providing the taxpayers with the highest level of firefighting capability at the lowest cost.

Could you qualify this statement? When is the last time you were in a Stamford Volunteer firehouse?

[Geppetto 31]

As I see it -

Consider some of the factions involved here - 1) The true volunteers in District 2 appear to not want to let go of their "fiefdoms." The true volunteers are the guys who do not collect salary. What is troubling here is that a deal was struck with the city for at least 2 of the companies; which was then, apparently, promptly re-voted on and cancelled. One could only surmise that some back-room trading went on, or perhaps not enough dinsoaurs were available for the first vote. 2) At least some of the paid personnel in District 2 do not want to come under control of District 1. This is probably due to 6 figure salaries, lack of supervision and possibly a disdain for firefighting with an adequate staff. Apparently, many of these employees perform so many functions for the volunteer companies that, that gives them additional sway over their employers. 3) Probably some membership from District 1 want nothing to do with District 2. Understandably so, because it also appears that District 1 has adequate staffing. And why would anyone want to work in what could be a very hostile workplace? 4) Politicians, as a whole, want nothing to do with this live grenade, especially those representatives, finance people and other bean counters who created this mess to start with.

The bottom line here is that the city should probably look at how "countywide" services are run down south. Anne Arundel, Fairfax, Prince George's counties, ie. have systems which allow for career/volunteer systems to exist. Officers are required to meet performance objectives, so that when an order is given - paid or volunteer, there is a reasonable assurance that the person has some idea what's going on. That is not a quick fix, nor is it going to come without cost. I am aware that the city is looking for a consultant/study to try and see what really is necessary. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail and what is necessary - implemented.

Let's hope for a positive outcome.

I still stand by my earlier remark - "... the lawyers will eat every day..."

[Geppetto 31]

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...local-headlines

Former volunteer fire chief says city plan would hinder response

By Natasha Lee Staff Writer

July 19, 2007

STAMFORD - A court hearing on whether to uphold Turn of River Fire Department's injunction against the city's plan to lay off its paid firefighters continued yesterday, with a former volunteer fire chief saying the cuts would lead to delayed responses to calls and decreased fire service.

Former Turn of River Chief Ray Whitbread said yesterday the potential loss of five paid firefighters would "seriously impact operations" and cut staffing from two firefighters riding on an engine to one.

Whitbread testified for a second day in state Superior Court to help defend the department's stance against a city plan to merge three of the city's five volunteer departments with Stamford Fire & Rescue.

The merger is supposed to save money and avoid layoffs in the aftermath of budget cuts. But the Turn of River Fire Department argues it violates the city Charter and a 1995 management agreement between the volunteer departments and the city.

Judge John Downey, who ruled last week that the parties must seek mediation, recently revoked his decision and ordered a hearing. Downey, who was recently nominated to the Appellate Court, is on vacation. Judge Edward Karazinis is presiding over the case.

The hearing began Tuesday.

Downey's decision came after Glenbrook and Belltown volunteer fire departments pulled out of the merger last week. In response, the city laid off five firefighters at the departments. Glenbrook and Belltown are challenging the city's actions and seeking injunctions.

Volunteer chiefs say their input was left out of the city plan. They said the merger means a loss of autonomy for the volunteer departments.

The city Charter allows all five volunteer fire departments to receive city funding and have the right to operate their firehouses independently.

Turn of River stands to lose a third of its 17 paid firefighters.

Yesterday, Whitbread said the staff cuts would hinder response to medical emergencies, which make up 60 percent of department calls.

One firefighter driving a truck to a scene would have difficulty setting up equipment or administering aid and would not be able to perform fire or rescue functions without the assistance of at least one other firefighter.

Whitbread retired as chief in May after three years in the position. He joined the department in 1965 as a volunteer firefighter.

"Ideally, it's a two-person operation," Whitbread said.

Asked by city attorney Ken Povodator yesterday if Turn of River could rely on its volunteers to pick up the slack in the event of layoffs, Whitbread said, "Not at this time."

Whitbread said Turn of River has 30 fully certified and trained volunteers, but could not provide an average of how many volunteers show up to weekly calls.

"I would be guessing. I have no way of estimating that," he said.

In desperate times, Whitbread said he would hire volunteer firefighters, including Belltown and Glenbrook volunteers, to fill in when the department was severely short-staffed because paid firefighters were out sick or on vacation.

Whitbread was on the witness stand for nearly three hours yesterday.

City officials said the merger would shift 32 Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters into the three volunteer firehouses to increase coverage in the understaffed volunteer departments and cut down on overtime. Glenbrook, Belltown and Turn of River together spent $700,000 on overtime in the last fiscal year, which ended June 30.

Turn of River attorney Mark Kovack could not be reached yesterday for comment.

City attorney Tom Cassone said the merger comes down to the city's budget, and in the aftermath of the cuts, it has no choice but to develop a cost-effective plan or lay off staff.

The budget of the Office of Public Safety, Health and Welfare was cut by $850,000 for the present fiscal year, which started July 1.

"It's about whether the city has the right to overspend its budget and it doesn't," Cassone said.

Turn of River Fire Chief Frank Jacobellis, Mayor Dannel Malloy and the city's public safety director, William Callion are expected to take the stand when the hearing continues today.

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

[Guest]

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...local-headlines

Former volunteer fire chief says city plan would hinder response

By Natasha Lee Staff Writer

July 19, 2007

STAMFORD - A court hearing on whether to uphold Turn of River Fire Department's injunction against the city's plan to lay off its paid firefighters continued yesterday, with a former volunteer fire chief saying the cuts would lead to delayed responses to calls and decreased fire service.

Former Turn of River Chief Ray Whitbread said yesterday the potential loss of five paid firefighters would "seriously impact operations" and cut staffing from two firefighters riding on an engine to one.

Whitbread testified for a second day in state Superior Court to help defend the department's stance against a city plan to merge three of the city's five volunteer departments with Stamford Fire & Rescue.

The merger is supposed to save money and avoid layoffs in the aftermath of budget cuts. But the Turn of River Fire Department argues it violates the city Charter and a 1995 management agreement between the volunteer departments and the city.

Judge John Downey, who ruled last week that the parties must seek mediation, recently revoked his decision and ordered a hearing. Downey, who was recently nominated to the Appellate Court, is on vacation. Judge Edward Karazinis is presiding over the case.

The hearing began Tuesday.

Downey's decision came after Glenbrook and Belltown volunteer fire departments pulled out of the merger last week. In response, the city laid off five firefighters at the departments. Glenbrook and Belltown are challenging the city's actions and seeking injunctions.

Volunteer chiefs say their input was left out of the city plan. They said the merger means a loss of autonomy for the volunteer departments.

The city Charter allows all five volunteer fire departments to receive city funding and have the right to operate their firehouses independently.

Turn of River stands to lose a third of its 17 paid firefighters.

Yesterday, Whitbread said the staff cuts would hinder response to medical emergencies, which make up 60 percent of department calls.

One firefighter driving a truck to a scene would have difficulty setting up equipment or administering aid and would not be able to perform fire or rescue functions without the assistance of at least one other firefighter.

Whitbread retired as chief in May after three years in the position. He joined the department in 1965 as a volunteer firefighter.

"Ideally, it's a two-person operation," Whitbread said.

Asked by city attorney Ken Povodator yesterday if Turn of River could rely on its volunteers to pick up the slack in the event of layoffs, Whitbread said, "Not at this time."

Whitbread said Turn of River has 30 fully certified and trained volunteers, but could not provide an average of how many volunteers show up to weekly calls.

"I would be guessing. I have no way of estimating that," he said.

In desperate times, Whitbread said he would hire volunteer firefighters, including Belltown and Glenbrook volunteers, to fill in when the department was severely short-staffed because paid firefighters were out sick or on vacation.

Whitbread was on the witness stand for nearly three hours yesterday.

City officials said the merger would shift 32 Stamford Fire & Rescue firefighters into the three volunteer firehouses to increase coverage in the understaffed volunteer departments and cut down on overtime. Glenbrook, Belltown and Turn of River together spent $700,000 on overtime in the last fiscal year, which ended June 30.

Turn of River attorney Mark Kovack could not be reached yesterday for comment.

City attorney Tom Cassone said the merger comes down to the city's budget, and in the aftermath of the cuts, it has no choice but to develop a cost-effective plan or lay off staff.

The budget of the Office of Public Safety, Health and Welfare was cut by $850,000 for the present fiscal year, which started July 1.

"It's about whether the city has the right to overspend its budget and it doesn't," Cassone said.

Turn of River Fire Chief Frank Jacobellis, Mayor Dannel Malloy and the city's public safety director, William Callion are expected to take the stand when the hearing continues today.

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

[Guest]

Nice quote Ray at no time has a Belltown Volunteer ever worked a shift at the Turn Of River Fire Dept, The only people that have worked shifts at the station were the career guys from Belltown. The shifts that were covered there when a shift could not get covered was by a Turn Of River Volunteer....