Labor and Union Issues
Pawtucket firefighters are criticizing a decision by the fire chief to place a probationary firefighter as an acting deputy chief
A tire came off a tower ladder assigned to Truck 23, damaging two vehicles
The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and the Bureau of Fire are at odds over firefighters taking over patient transports and rescues
The city received backlash after a fire engine was temporarily taken out of service and a 10% wage cut for all city employee was discussed
Officials are considering increasing pay for first responders and other front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
The mayor of Watertown, N.Y. disagreed with the union’s argument that 24-hour shifts would mean less firefighters being exposed to the virus
First responders in the state are urging lawmakers to pass the bill in order to ease the path to workers’ compensation
A bipartisan proposal would prevent affected first responders in the state from needing to using their sick, personal or vacation days while they are unable to work
A Change.org petition launched by a Kentucky EMT has received nearly 25,000 signatures over the last two weeks
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said a fourth stimulus package could include hazard pay for those on the front lines of the crisis
The order raised concerns that personnel who work part time at other public safety agencies would no longer be available to assist those communities
Union leaders said the COVID-19 crisis has driven 911 calls up by 40% while staff is decreasing as department members test positive
Union representatives say quarantined firefighters are being denied workers’ compensation because it’s too difficult to prove they were exposed through work
The city of Camden had decided earlier this year to eliminate 12 positions to make up for budget shortfalls
The union said parts of the plan, including the decision to “brown out” one of the city’s fire stations, are “unsafe”
The union said the elimination of one of the city’s apparatus will increase response times and should be postponed until after the crisis
The firefighters say they were wrongly demoted to captain when they should have been reassigned as battalion chiefs
Personnel will instead be asked to wear masks and monitor for symptoms in order to prevent staffing shortages
Santa Clara County has decided to expedite COVID-19 testing for emergency personnel in the hopes of avoiding staffing shortages
Officials said federal privacy laws mean first responders can’t be told if they came in contact with a patient who tested positive for the virus
Paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, deputies and dispatchers will receive a pay raise of up to 5% and bonuses of up to $4,000 as the county seeks to retain personnel
The bill would permit firefighters and police officers to retire after 20 years, but without health benefits
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Saturday that a Brooklyn firefighter tested positive; shifts for firefighters and EMS have been modified in response to the outbreak
New Bedford city leaders will decide whether to decommission the engine company in order to end the city’s blackout policy
A task force is drafting alternative qualifications for those who don’t meet the education requirements to become public safety officers
Denver’s fire chief resigned after an incident this year echoed last year’s ball featuring a sex toy with a “Latino caricature” on its box
Officials say a glitch in the city’s payroll system caused about 240 firefighters to be overpaid by as much as $5,000
The Iowa city’s eight remaining firefighters who aren’t cross-trained as public safety officers have been placed on administrative leave
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said negotiations between EMS unions and city officials are underway
The 18 firefighters had resigned at a meeting last week due to the town manager overturning the fire chief’s decision on a personnel issue
A union representative said response times would double and up to 15 people would lose their jobs if the station closes
The president of the union said the chief’s decision to reduce staffing for safety programs to save up to $1 million put firefighters at risk
The resignation of the firefighters has not been accepted and they are set to meet with town officials on Monday
