Greenburgh Fire District Consolidation Report Released Today (And Consolidation Minority Report)

[x635 4,066]

Here is the Consolidation Minority report, which, of course, Supervisor Feiner doesn't want you to see......

consolidation minroity report.pdf

And here is the report from Paul Feiner's email list:

THE FIRE DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION REPORT, WHICH WAS JUST RELEASED TODAY, WILL SOON BE POSTED ON THE GREENBURGH TOWN WEBSITE: www.greenburghny.com.

If you would like to be kept informed of the progress re: implementing the recommendations of this report, please advise. A summary of the report follows…

FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSOLIDATION & GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMISSION

GREENBURGH FIRE CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION ISSUES FINAL REPORT

Seeks Administrative and Benefits Savings, Recommends Only Partial Consolidation Now

GREENBURGH, NY, November, 16, 2010 – Greenburgh‟s three independent fire districts that on average spend 32 percent more for personnel compensation than comparable peers were urged today to initiate cost-savings measures to lessen the impact of a “Perfect Storm” of financial troubles that appear imminent, even though for the last two years, tax increases have been minimal.

The request and warning was issued in a report by the Fire Department Consolidation & Government Efficiency Commission (FDCGEC), an independent commission comprised of citizens, business leaders and fire officials that was created by the Greenburgh Town Board just over a year ago following adoption of a state law that encourages local communities to explore potential tax savings through the consolidation of municipal services.

Because of what it perceived was a weakness in that new state law that gives citizens the ability to put consolidation referendum on the ballot, and for other reasons, the FDCGEC did not recommend at this time full consolidation of the Fairview, Greenville and Hartsdale fire districts. It did say that savings and efficiencies could be achieved by administrative consolidation whereby one fire chief would substitute for the current three and by improved fiscal and business practices.

Last year the compensation for the Fairview chief was $215,605, the Greenville chief was $206,969, and the Hartsdale chief was $199,500. Under administrative consolidation, commissioners of the three districts (five commissioners each) would continue to exercise local control, levy taxes, and incur indebtedness. State law already authorizes them to consolidate fully, if they chose.

The FDCGEC also urged the town government to hire independent outside experts to study optimal staffing levels of the fire departments. It urged creation of a permanent watchdog committee to keep the community aware of the activities of the three fire districts, and also proposed changes in state law that could lead to reductions in fire suppression costs, including basing pension payments only on base pay and excluding overtime and other benefits.

“The Perfect Storm is upon us,” the report stated, noting that revenue was declining because of reductions in the tax base as property values shrink. Meanwhile, expenses are escalating for salaries, health care costs, pensions, and lack of pension contributions by personnel who were hired prior to this year.

Alan Hochberg of Hartsdale, who chaired the commission, said the mandate given it was to examine whether the money could be saved without jeopardizing public safety. “It is important that we seek to find ways to increase the number of firefighters available for firefighting duty, maintain the existing number of fire houses in the three districts, and encourage greater voter participation in elections for fire district commissioners and district budgets. Fire protection is a significant portion of our local property tax bill, and we deserve to get the maximum bang for our buck.”

Among the findings of the study:

Over a seven-year period (between 2003 and 2010), property taxes levied by the three fire districts increased by 63 percent, or an average annual gain of 7.03 percent, while the corresponding cost of living was up an average of only 2.6 percent per year.

Assuming that salaries continue to increase at 4 percent per year, contributions to the pension fund increase by 18 percent per annum, and medical and dental premiums increase by 15 percent per year, than property tax rates starting in 2011 through 2015 are expected to increase 8.4 percent per year.

The average income for firefighters in three districts was $125,712 in the latest reporting year; total compensation is higher by 32 percent when compared to a peer group of firefighters in the City of White Plains, Village of Scarsdale and Eastchester Fire District that averaged $95,210. The peer group consisted of predominantly paid career firefighters. The disparity stems primarily from higher base salaries and overtime.

The average income for a fire chief in each of the three districts in 2009 was $207,358; this compensation is higher by 34 percent when compared to a peer group consisting of the City of White Plains, City of New Rochelle and Village of Scarsdale that averaged $156,077.

Fairview, Greenville and Hartsdale fire districts have 111 fire suppression personnel and combined salary and overtime costs of $14.6 million; by comparison, the City of White Plains has 167 fire personnel and combined salary and overtime costs of $15.4 million. For an additional $800,000, White Plains has 56 additional firefighters.

Salaries, overtime and benefits comprise about 86 percent of the three districts‟ budgets. Hartsdale and Fairview have a more generous and costly pension program; pensions are based on the final year of service instead of the three-year averaging of Greenville and most other fire departments. The change to a final year averaging increases retirement contributions to the state pension system by Hartsdale and Fairview by 2.5 percent and required them to pay the state $1.7 million for past years. The one-year final average plan resulted in eight of the last 18 retirees receiving pensions that exceeded $100,000 a year.

In 2009, the three districts incurred overtime costs of $2.4 million (16 percent of compensation); a pattern was found of employees who incurred a disproportionate amount of overtime in the years leading up to retirement relative to other overtime eligible individuals which may inflate their retirement pensions.

Fire districts pay for the full medical and dental costs of all fire personnel, their spouses and dependents, and continue to do the same for firefighters and spouses in retirement.

Fire districts pay for the full pension benefits of all fire personnel (except for employees hired after this past January 1, who are required to contribute 3 percent of the pension costs).

The three fire districts employ four civilian employees (secretaries, clerks, treasurers) earning in the aggregate almost $350,000 in 2009, and some receiving comparable medical/dental and pension benefits and paid holidays to those of uniformed firefighters.

Only Greenville has signed up with 60-Control, a popular program run by the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services which provides dispatching of phone calls for fire department assistance at no cost to the participating members; 44 other fire agencies throughout Westchester and 20 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies currently utilize this service. Hartsdale and Fairview use existing personnel as dispatchers at a cost totaling more than $800,000 a year.

Fire district employees receive up to 14 holidays off and get paid for those days on top of base salary; Fairview personnel get their birthdays with pay.

Fire personnel provide inspections of commercial buildings, conduct training exercises, school lectures, train babysitters, pump out basements during floods, and other duties.

The FDCGEC group recommended that a further study explore the feasibility of using paid civilian personnel to handle call dispatching and/or the use of Westchester County 60-Control for centralized dispatching (either solution could free personnel for firefighting duties while reducing overtime expenses); better communication among fire districts and constituents regarding upcoming elections, budgets and other important news; moving elections for fire commissioners and budgets to a more convenient date in the spring or fall instead of the present second Tuesday in December; and schedule regular meetings among fire commissioners of the three districts to share “best practices”; an exploration of the most equitable way to spread past and future bonding obligations in case of a consolidation in addition to the appointment of an independent watchdog group to conduct ongoing oversight of the respective fire districts.

The FDCGEC commended the career firefighters and volunteers for their bravery, dedication and hard work. In addition to use of better fiscal and business practices to put more firefighting personnel on the street, the FDCGEC expressed the desire to maintain all current fire district buildings and equipment – in fact, improving the condition of these buildings and equipment, where necessary, particularly in Fairview where the two fire stations are badly in need of repairs.

Mr. Hochberg stated, “The „Perfect Storm‟ may be fast approaching due to the combination of growing expenses – many of them mandated by state laws and collective bargaining agreements, shrinking sources of revenue, and resistance by taxpayers to further tax increases. The alternative to change may only be more taxes or reduced firefighting capabilities. We don‟t wish to see either occur. I am sure all of the members of the FDCGEC agree that they would not want to reduce firefighting personnel”

Luis Polit, a member of the FDCGEC, added that administrative consolidation is one small step to achieve savings which can be redeployed to augment resources. More meaningful savings would come from the union representing the Greenburgh firefighters working hand in hand with the districts to give concessions on healthcare costs and aligning salaries with those of its peers. He also called on the state‟s lawmakers to reevaluate and amend the current pension laws. While there has been some pension reform requiring employees hired after January 1, 2010 to contribute to the pension plan, the full benefit of this change in the law will not be realized until there is full turnover in the force, which in the districts could take about 20-years. More reform is needed. He also summoned on the state‟s lawmakers to amend the pension law so that overtime is excluded for purposes of determining retiree benefits.

A copy of the FDCGEC report in located on the official Town of Greenburgh website at http://www.greenburghny.com/

About the Greenburgh Fire Department Consolidation & Government Efficiency Commission (FDCGEC)

Appointed by the Greenburgh Town Board in September 2009, the commission is comprised of a current district fire chief, a deputy fire chief, a fire district commissioner, a retired senior editor of The Journal News, a Certified Public Accountant, a retired chief auditor of United States Department of Transportation, a retired executive director of a large religious organization, and three current or former corporate business executives.

About the Fairview, Greenville and Hartsdale Fire Districts

The three fire districts originated about a century ago, initially as all-volunteer bucket brigades, and became taxing districts during the 1920s. They cover about 73% of unincorporated Greenburgh, or about 11.7 square miles (the other 27% are in fire protection districts which are contracted by the Town of Greenburgh). The Town of Greenburgh collects property taxes that have been levied by the three fire districts and transfers the collection to the respective districts.

[INIT915 1,119]

Some very interesting findings. Especially, the comparisons between White Plains and Greenburgh. If I'm not mistaken, WP is ISO-1, no? Anyone (BNechis) familiar with the ISO rating of the three Greenburgh agencies?

As for the contract inclusions of "birthdays with pay", I don't believe I've ever seen that before.

[IzzyEng4 427]

As for the contract inclusions of "birthdays with pay", I don't believe I've ever seen that before.

I have never seen that with a FD but I have seen that before with private companies. When I was a computer tech we got "birthday pay" at the place that I worked.

[wraftery 1,275]

Some very interesting findings. Especially, the comparisons between White Plains and Greenburgh. If I'm not mistaken, WP is ISO-1, no? Anyone (BNechis) familiar with the ISO rating of the three Greenburgh agencies?

As for the contract inclusions of "birthdays with pay", I don't believe I've ever seen that before.

Barry: it appears that a new Holiday was negotiated and, as opposed to choosing an official holiday like Flag Day ,for example, they chose to use the member's birthday as a holiday.

This accomplishes two things:

1. The member gets paid for his birthday

2. Depending on how holidays work in Fairview, it has the potential of driving the Scheduling Officer to the looney bin.

Not sure about now but G'burgh depts were rated 4. I think that's the highest for combination FD's.

Remember my info is old, but you get answers quicker and to the point.

Edited November 17, 2010 by wraftery

[x635 4,066]

Here is the Consolidation Minority Report, which Supervisor Feiner doesn't want you to see (in .PDF format).

consolidation minroity report.pdf

Sorry, I am unable to convert this PDF to text.

[dc2t 80]

Here is the Consolidation Minority Report, which Supervisor Feiner doesn't want you to see (in .PDF format).

consolidation minroity report.pdf

Sorry, I am unable to convert this PDF to text.

The minority report is just the tip of the iceberg. Nothing is mentioned about the fire protection districts. If there is to be a "Greenburgh Fire District" it should encompass all the areas in the Town, the same area covered by the Police Dept.

[Bnechis 3,961]

Not sure about now but G'burgh depts were rated 4. I think that's the highest for combination FD's.

2 have 3's the other is a 4. There is no limit to the rating a Combo dept can earn.

[dadbo46 50]

What a disappointing report.

[antiquefirelt 994]

What a disappointing report.

Interesting comment, it what way does the report disappoint you? While I have very little knowledge of the actual communities studied, these reports are always interesting to me as they shed light of the disparity in the fire service.

Edited November 17, 2010 by antiquefirelt

[antiquefirelt 994]

Are benefits that robust typical in NY? What I mean is 100% medical for the whole family, before and after retirement? Also what percentage is the retirement based on, regardless of the 1 year vs. "best 3 average"?

I know we struggle every contract year to maintain our 85/15 medical coverage, that ends at retirement. My FD is one of the last in Maine to offer the 2/3 retirement plan, with 95% of others having sold out for 50%. And we thought we had it good?

I hope this works out for the Brothers/Sisters in the area this report covered, as it appears that the public is starting to grow leery of public servants benefits vastly exceeding their own, though they were gained through bargaining over the years.

[helicopper 1,050]

Attached is the Consolidation Report (majority report if you wish).

GreenburghFDConsolidationReport.pdf

[wraftery 1,275]

WHEN YOU FINISH READING THE CONSOLIDATION REPORT

Get all the related info. Read the minority report and the Fairview FD rebuttal.

Then go on to the Town's website GreenburghNY.com. On the home page, the following links appear directly below the Consolidation report:

GREENBURGH NAMED 80TH BEST PLACE TO LIVE BY MONEY MAGAZINE

GREENBURGH NAMED 80TH BEST PLACE TO LIVE BY MONEY MAGAZINE - Click for story.

CNNMONEY.COM RATES GREENBURGH AS #12 IN LIST OF 6 FIGURE TOWNS

Now you can form your opinion

Edited November 18, 2010 by helicopper
Link to Fairview response added.

[M' Ave 1,466]

I didn't read the entire report thoroughly enough, but two easy savings areas jump out. One is the existence of three chiefs who's combined salary's are almost $600,000. The other is the additional cost of dispatching in house and not with a professional dispatch agency. In this day and age, with the technology and redundancy afforded and agency like 60-Control, why not utilize it.

I'd like to think that one department could be more effective by whittling down the brass and adding more manpower on the street.

[spin_the_wheel 460]

I find it very hard to believe that at 60 control 3 different dispatchers were putting Fairview out for 3 different call types all in the same area, and each did not know the others were doing the same thing. I would think that there would be 1 radio dispatcher for Fairview. In this day and age with cell phones a ped struck at a major intersection at the right time of day can generate a dozen calls to a dispatch center, the dispatcher should relay all the info on to the responding agency, including variations of the call type. Maybe the IC had 60 control tone out each alarm and location instead of checking to see if they were all one in the same. I'm sure there is more to that story.

But as is the case in Nassau County if an agency does not want to go to the County for dispatch, they will come up with many reasons why they should not, including the popular "our dispatchers know the area better" defense.

Edited November 19, 2010 by spin_the_wheel

[dc2t 80]

As one who experienced the third party dispatch there was delays in dispatching, lack of local knowledge to name a few. It comes down to time the more people handling the call the delay in response. County dispatching did improve response for those agencies who had a mismatch of call taking from a answering service in White Plains who would dispatch for a local dept or Police setting off siren and waiting for FD to respond and then tone out. I'm sure this will draw a heated debate.

[Geppetto 31]

Firefighter Pay Questioned

Report: Chiefs in Greenburgh, N.Y., Earn More Than Counterparts in Bigger Cities

Wall Street Journal

November 17, 2010

By MICHAEL CORKERY

Chiefs in three fire districts in Greenburgh, N.Y., earn an average of $207,358, as much as 30% more than their peers in larger cities such as New Rochelle, according to a report by a citizens' group that wants to combine some administrative functions to save money....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704312504575618842936161902.html?mod=WSJ_NY_LEFTTopStories

[16fire5 693]

Also what percentage is the retirement based on, regardless of the 1 year vs. "best 3 average"?

Not everybody is in the same plan 384d,e,f?

The most common is probably 50% final average salary after 20 years of service. Some can't earn past 20 others earn an extra 1/60th maxing out at 66% after 30 years of service. Thats all for Tier II hired after 1973 I believe. Tier I had no max. There are some discrepencies between NYS Police and Fire & NYC as they are serperate pension funds. All new hires are Tier III which are again different between City of NY and State of NY. I hope this answers some of your questions.

Edited November 23, 2010 by 16fire5

[x635 4,066]

From Paul Feiner's "Town Of Greenburgh" email list.....

Subject: FIRE DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION TO PRESENT REPORT TUESDAY...

FIRE CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION TO PRESENT TOWN BOARD WITH REPORT (majority and minority report) THIS TUESDAY (December 21) AT THE TOWN BOARD MEETING at 9:30 AM. MEETING OPEN TO PUBLIC. STREAMED LIVE ON WWW.GREENBURGHNY.COM AND TELEVISED ON PUBLIC ACCESS TV.

READ THE EDITORIAL PUBLISHED BY THE SCARSDALE INQUIRER ENDORSING THE WORK OF THE FIRE DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION. LINK BELOW--READ EDITORIAL IN IT'S ORIGINAL FORMAT:

http://www.greenburghny.com/Documents/A%20job%20well%20done.pdf

The Fire District Consolidation Commission report can be read on the town website.

Scarsdale Enquirer "Editorial":

http://www.greenburghny.com/Documents/A%20job%20well%20done.pdf