Labor and Union Issues
Union President John Sibiga said the report shows the Baltimore County Fire Department “lacks sufficient fiscal, physical, and human resources to accomplish its core mission”
Baltimore County Fire Department cited for 11 “serious” violations in an investigation of a mayday during a three-alarm commercial structure fire
Newark Public Safety Director, and former fire chief, Rufus Jackson testified that years had gone by with no training for ship fires
Council members said the language was too watered down; union OK with returning to old, stronger provision
No matter how much passion you have for the job, everyone has a breaking point; we want to know what that point is
The budget will now only pay for basic operating costs such as insurance, electricity and gas
Some said complaints of discrimination have gone unaddressed in the department and others like it around the state for years
With the five layoffs and other vacancies, the department has lost about one-third of its manpower
Mayor Paul Soglin said the protection provides higher quality service with equivalent or better response times
For some, the fire chief resigning was just another reason to leave after a long list of deteriorating resources
A total of 799 voters wanted to disband the fire department and 618 voters wanted to keep it and the one paid firefighter
A temporary building is expected to arrive in two weeks, but it cannot be put to use until it has electricity
Investigators who worked the case have recommended the installation of surveillance cameras in all city fire stations
She said the mayor violated her civil rights because her Facebook comments did not support his bid for reelection as mayor
Chief Paul Labbadia is seen leaving work to go play golf, drinking during the day and smoking marijuana before getting behind the wheel
Now firefighters are required to work a 28-day, 212-hour work period before acquiring overtime pay
The study concluded that consolidating the departments into one entity is in the best interest of both the city and the county
Chief Daryl Osby said the reforms were needed to protect the agency’s core values and guard against nepotism and cheating in hiring
Commissioners are now tasked with finding and appointing three new board members
The action eliminates a 1988 ordinance that said police and firefighters should cross-train; the concept never gained traction
The fire department was seeking to build a new, expanded fire station, and permission from voters to sell two fire district lots to keep the cost at or under $17.7 million
The change would require fire alarms and sprinklers only in residential buildings with at least seven units
At least 183 sons of current or former firefighters have served on the force since the start of 2012
Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas also wants to add staff to increase supervision and begin an outreach program to recruit in high schools
The approved changes will bring firefighters in line with police officers’ pension benefits
Commissioner John Perkins: “I’d just like to see more control by elected officials”
The fire chief also holds a position as fire captain in another town two hours away
New data will help increase accountability, improve decision-making and lead to better allocation of personnel and equipment
His daughters and future son-in-law will remain with the district, pending the outcome of an internal inquiry
They wanted a pension deal that would’ve let them increase their own contributions to maintain their retirement benefits
They wanted a pension deal that would’ve allowed firefighters to increase their own contributions to maintain the formula for retirement benefits
The two-year deal would address a pay disparity that has left firefighters earning 2 percent less than their counterparts in the police department
The city initially said they didn’t want to train firefighters and have them work elsewhere