By Brian Meyer
Buffalo News (New York)

While the October Surprise storm fostered a cooperative spirit within the city's work force, some longer-term disputes are festering behind the scenes.

Hours after the fierce weather hit Oct. 12, the fire union agreed to suspend some work rules. Firefighters hit the streets to cut fallen limbs and perform other key tasks, winning praise from city administrators.

But last summer, the fire union filed a class-action grievance challenging the city's decision to start training firefighters to become emergency medical technicians. Up until now, fire crews received first-responder training, allowing them to perform basic first aid and other emergency procedures. EMT training is more comprehensive and will enable fire crews to perform more medical tasks. The training began earlier this year.

"We want the training, but we also believe it has to be negotiated," Foley said.

The city disagrees, pointing to a 1993 arbitration ruling that it insists gives Buffalo the right to mandate EMT training for firefighters.

Foley said there's a dispute over the "interpretation" of the decision's language. After receiving a request from The Buffalo News, Human Resources Commissioner Leonard A. Matarese supplied a copy of the decision. It reads: "The city may, at its option, implement a program designed to train unit members as First Responder "D" and/or EMT, and to direct trained unit members to function as such upon successful completion of the program."

Matarese said there is no ambiguity in the arbitrator's edict.

"The language is clear and speaks for itself," he said.

Other union members said there's an issue of timeliness, noting the city waited 13 years to implement the change.

The EMT training flap isn't the only behind-the-scenes struggle involving firefighters and the city. The union also is challenging Buffalo's recent decision to sign a contract that will see city firefighters respond to hazardous materials emergencies in the Town of Elma. A state labor relations board met with officials Wednesday to review the dispute.