REGARDING REDUCED SERVICES
Some of the city leaders appear to be confused about what we are trying to accomplish with this effort.
Let us make this clear.
This union is simply making an attempt to inform you, the citizens of the changes that have and are taking place regarding the services of your fire department and how they impact you.
This is not about money, demotions, or power.
We are trying to maintain adequate emergency services to our city.
This local was the driving force behind the inception of providing EMS care to the citizens of Ormond Beach.
We are not willing to watch our efforts and the efforts put forth by those before us be thrown away.
Especially when it comes at the expense of the citizens of this city.
There were statements made that we are using scare tactics to strike fear into our citizens.
We never set out to scare anyone. We are merely trying to impart factual, unbiased information to our citizens.
The simple truth is this;
Going from five response vehicles to four is a reduction in the level of service provided to you, the citizens of Ormond Beach.
This reduction drastically increases the probability for extended response times for EMS calls which make up the vast majority of our responses.
It is simple math. Less vehicles responding to the same coverage area and the same number of emergencies can only mean decreased efficiency in handling call volume.
If this reduction is allowed there will be people experiencing longer waits for response to their emergencies, as our resources are stretched thin and reliance on outside agencies increases.
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REGARDING STAFFING
Well, it seems that our city leaders can't make up their minds. Do they want to cut staffing or not?
As we stated before, on the 20th of January city leaders made statements concerning the option of buy-outs without replacement of personnel, lay-offs, or a combination of both.
Direct quote from Mayor Costello on January 20, 2009
Click here to listen to the audio clip of this statement (must have windows media player installed)
" I am for early retirement that eliminates positions. Let me make sure you're clear on that, eliminates positions. I don't want the union saying okay we're for early retirements but we expect you to go hire some new people. NO! I'm not for early retirements if you're expecting us to hire new people to replace them. We have to make some cuts "
Direct quote from Commissioner Partington on January 20, 2009
Click here to listen to the audio clip of this statement (must have windows media player installed)
"I knew we were going to the Quint concept. I knew we were reducing the department in size somehow. I'm not sure we're 100% sure how we're going to do that yet. Whether it's an early retirement or whether it's layoffs of some kind "
On Tuesday the 3rd, Commissioner Gillooly now states that the union should be happy that there has been no loss of personnel implying but not exactly stating that there would not be any.
Our current staffing levels under the Quint concept have two units manned with four personnel at all times. One of these is Rescue Engine 94 which is required to be staffed with four under our current structure per ISO. It is our belief that when the information is received from ISO it will show no impact to our rating if the fourth person on the second unit is not there. The city will then attempt to eliminate (at least) those three positions.
They keep saying no layoffs have happened and that right now they have no plans to reduce staffing, however the topic, as you can see above has been discussed.
The Quint concept has historically been implemented to aid municipalities in reducing staffing without impacting their ISO rating. This is what we believe is happening here in Ormond.
THE ISO RATING IS A FIRE SERVICE RATING,
NOT AN EMS SERVICE RATING.
It does not consider EMS responses and does not evaluate EMS services at all. This is what the city seems to be overlooking. They keep stating there is no impact to our ISO rating. That does not mean that there is no impact to services.
The reduction from five units to four has been a negative impact to services, and will continue to be.
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Don't be misled. Your services have been reduced, and if staffing cuts are allowed on top of the already diminished services, the city will be left with very much substandard FIRE/EMS services.
Remember...If you ignore your emergency services they will go away.
If you have any questions or comments please click the following link to send us an email. info@iaff3499.com back to top |
