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Firefighter Staffing
Posted
On: May 28, 2010 (08:03:27)
New Residential Fire Study Shows Effects of Crew Size on Fire Fighting Operations From the IAFF website: April 28, 2010 -- A landmark study released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows that the size of fire fighting crews has a substantial effect on the fire service's ability to protect lives and property in residential fires.
Conducted by a broad coalition in the scientific, fire fighting and public safety communities, the study results found that four-person fire fighting crews were able to complete 22 essential fire fighting and rescue tasks in a typical residential structure 30 percent faster than two-person crews and 25 percent faster than three-person crews.
The report is the first to quantify the effects of crew sizes and arrival times on the fire service's lifesaving and fire fighting operations.
This and other scientific data in the report will help educate public officials, fire chiefs and other decision-makers on the importance of adequate staffing and deployment with respect to fire fighter and public safety.
Study investigators from NIST and the IAFF announced the results of the study at a press conference at the Hilton Washington in Washington, DC, before the start of the annual Congressional Fire Services Institute meeting of top fire safety officials from the across the nation.
The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters grant program. Click here for the full report. Landmark Residential Fire Study Shows How Crew Sizes and Arrival Times Influence Saving Lives and Property
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Criticism is Part of Good Leadership
Posted
On: Nov 28, 2009 (10:50:19)
“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – Elbert Hubbard  Right alongside the cash and credit cards, I keep a number of strange things in my wallet. The largest is a folded-up page from the July 6, 2009 issue of Fortune magazine. In a profile, Scott Boras, widely regarded as the most powerful agent in professional baseball, describes a dinner with one of his mentors after a record-breaking contract: “He said that if you are really effective at what you do, 95% of the things said about you will be negative. Keep your head on straight, don’t get emotional, take the heat, and just make sure your clients are smiling.” Doing anything remotely interesting will bring criticism. Attempting to do anything large-scale and interesting will bring armies of detractors and saboteurs. This is fine – if you are willing to take the heat. There are good reasons to be willing, even eager. Colin Powell makes the case: pissing people off is both inevitable and necessary. This doesn’t mean that the goal is pissing people off. Pissing people off doesn’t mean you’re doing the right things, but doing the right things will almost inevitably piss people off. Understand the difference. Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off. Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the group, which means that some people will get angry at your actions and decisions. It’s inevitable, if you’re honorable. Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity: you’ll avoid the tough decisions, you’ll avoid confronting the people who need to be confronted, and you’ll avoid offering differential rewards based on differential performance because some people might get upset. Ironically, by procrastinating on the difficult choices, by trying not to get anyone mad, and by treating everyone equally “nicely” regardless of their contributions, you’ll simply ensure that the only people you’ll wind up angering are the most creative and productive people in the organization. (full presentation here) Don’t go through life with kid gloves on. The stakes are too high, and it is oftentimes more important to give people what they need, rather than what they want. This includes ourselves. By facing the fire early and often, we ensure the confidence and breathing room later to do bigger and better things. Or to just sit back in a hammock with the peace of mind that only comes with belief that you did your best. Be criticized for doing small “safe” things, or be criticized for doing big things that you’re passionate about. That is the choice. The criticism will come either way, whether in the form of self-talk (the former) or ankle biters (the latter). Let the critics criticize. It’s the builders who count.
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CONTRACT DISPUTE
Updated
On: Nov 28, 2009 (11:02:00)
Contract dispute: Caldwell Firefighters submit letter to City CALDWELL — The Caldwell Firefighters Union has submitted a new letter to the city addressing their concerns over a contract dispute. It contains arguments from the union regarding whether or not firefighters should receive a raise and more work hours this fiscal year. The city did not give the firefighters the raises, saying a multi-year contract could be renegotiated. But the firefighters maintain the contract could not be renegotiated unless both the city and the union agreed to do so.
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Crews Rescue Girl in Big Fall
Updated
On: Nov 05, 2009 (11:14:00)
Bryan Dooley CALDWELL — Caldwell firefighters rescued a 13-year-old girl Tuesday night after she took a big fall in an abandoned grain mill. Battalion Chief Danny Hartwig said a group of teenagers entered the mill, which was part of a building in the 200 block of Main Street destroyed by a fire in May 2008. The injured girl had climbed about 20 feet from the mill's second level, which is about 50 or 60 feet above ground, he said. The cause of the fall wasn't immediately clear. The teen suffered a broken ankle and also complained of back and neck pain, Hartwig said. "She wasn't getting out of there on her own. The only way in and out is a metal-faced ladder," he said. Firefighters used a high-angle rope rescue, in which a rescue basket was raised onto the platform, after which the teen was secured and lowered to the ground with a rescue worker. "It was quite an undertaking," Hartwig said. The teen was transported by ambulance from the scene. Hartwig said he was unsure of her condition. She was reported to have a broken ankle. The teens appeared to have entered through an unlocked door, Hartwig said.
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The Road in Front of the Hood Ornament
Updated
On: Nov 28, 2009 (11:03:00)
 Now that all of the elections in the City of Caldwell have come to a close, we can continue on with business as usual. The Caldwell Firefighter’s IAFF Local #1821 would like congratulate the challengers for running a great and professional campaign, and we thank each of them for their continuing support. We also would like to congratulate each of the incumbents for being elected to office again, and we look forward to working with you on enhancing the working conditions for the Firefighters and providing progressive and enhanced safety services to the citizens.It is hoped that with the end of the campaign races, the Union and the City can refocus on the issues at hand and work toward a settlement for the contract dispute. This is a very important issue and long term costs verses benefits of the goals identified in the contract need to be carefully weighed. At the core of this issue also lie the importance and the legal rights for Unions to have collective bargaining rights and to have legally binding contracts. Idaho Code 44-1802 states, “The firefighters in any city, county, fire district or other political subdivision in the state of Idaho shall have the right to bargain collectively with their respective cities, counties, fire districts or political subdivisions and to be represented by a bargaining agent in such collective bargaining process as to wages, rates of pay, working conditions and all other terms and conditions of employment.” All parties have a responsibility to ensure that this Statute is upheld. The Union and the City also have a responsibility to ensure that contract language is written clearly, and that each party fulfills their obligation to the written document. If modifications are needed, both the Union and the City must openly and honestly work together in good faith to produce results that provide safer working conditions for Firefighters and fiscal responsibility to the Citizens. The Caldwell Firefighters Local #1821 understands the difficulties the current economic conditions have placed upon all of us. The impact of the economic climate has been carefully examined by the Union. We have placed much scrutiny on answering if this is the proper time to be fulfilling the contracts terms. When considering this one must look at the cost of the contract and the impact it places on the budget. All of our research shows that the money promised to the Firefighters is available and available within the terms that the City claims represents the intent of the contract. In harsh economic times the Union should not be asking for more, and should not be asking for what is not there. In contrast, however, the City should not be using the economy as an excuse to withhold collected taxpayer money that has been designated and can be designated to fulfill their obligations to the contract. If we suffer, shall we all suffer together, but if we thrive, shall we thrive alone? This question is at the core of the emotions in this matter when looking at the economy. The Firefighters’ position on the budget and economy is best summarized by financial expert, Professor Alan Frankle when he states, “We are in the  middle of an uncertain economic downturn. Fortunately the City of Caldwell entered the downturn in excellent fiscal health. Using the latest data available it appears that the City will have a budget shortfall for FY2009. However, the City has ample reserves to manage the shortfall and enter FY2010 in excellent fiscal health. Although the City of Caldwell needs to be vigilant in monitoring expenditures versus revenues for FY2010, there appears to be no economic reason the City could not fund the Fire Fighters’ 3% raises and 4 additional Kelly Days for FY2010 while remaining conservative in their approach to fiscal responsibility.” The current condition of the recovering economy has no impact upon the City’s ability to fulfill their obligation, using funds that have already been collected. The long term advantages to both the Firefighters and the community show that completing the contract it is the responsible thing to do. This contract will increase staffing without the cost of hiring, and provides for a Ladder Company by the end of its term. The Caldwell Firefighters Local #1821 has always taken a conservative approach in negotiating terms for contracts with the City. The current contract continues to reflect that philosophy and the terms agreed upon within it are modest and achievable. The emotions are running high in the Union, the City, and among the citizens over this matter. We must remember that this is a management issue between the Union and the City, and does not reflect upon the Firefighters’ integrity, and ability to do their best at providing service to the citizens. These Union Firefighters always go above and beyond the duty that is expected of them. Many people never get to see the unselfish acts of kindness the Firefighters perform on a daily basis. One example of this is when an Engine Company realized that as arriving to an elderly lady’s house for an emergency, the ramp to her front door was in need of repair. After the call, those Firefighters went back to her house and repaired the ramp. Another Firefighter when responding on a sick mother noticed her baby’s diaper was dirty, and changed the diaper for the mother. The Firefighters have stopped to help change out flat tires, have stayed behind to help clean up a person’s house, and have sat with families to provide a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry on. The Caldwell Firefighters continue to respond to each request from the citizens with the highest level of compassion, honor, and professionalism. They continue to place the safety of the citizens before the concerns of their own. Before considering what we shouldn’t get, consider what we are willing to give.
Download:
Financial Report.pdf
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Making a Difference
Updated
On: Nov 06, 2009 (10:39:00)
To Submit Your Comments, Click Here "I appreciate the quickness of getting here and handling the situation in a very professional way. My wife might not be alive today if they hadn't handled the situation like they did. I am very thankful." - Larry "The service provided by the Caldwell Fire Dept. was excellent. Service was immediate and well executed and provided a much needed and appreciated service. Thank you" - M. "We are so thankful you fire fighters put our fire out and saved our home from burning down. It was a very hot day. The flames were high & very not. I'm sure they were miserable in those hot outfits. They remained very good natured and kind and we really appreciate all they did! The house smelled like smoke, it was a very upsetting experience. You were very kind and paid for a nice motel for us to stay in that night. It was so good to get away from here. I've been telling everyone what a good job you did & how helpful & kind you were. In much appreciation" -Bonnie & Harold "I appreciate the Fire Department for all that you do. I want to thank you all for helping me and coming to my aid, when needed. You all are very nice and helpful. Thank you again." "I have nothing but the utmost respect and compassion for Fire Fighters, Law Enforcement and most Paramedics. You are always in my prayers. Big Mama Loves You All!" "Even though the fire emergency turned out to be minor & under control by the time CFD arrived, they were very helpful and understanding. Thanks! Makes us feel safer to know your guys are top-notch." "Thank you so much for being so great! As a Mother, it hurts more than anything to see your kids hurt. Everyone was so informative, pleasant and made a very tough situation more bearable. Thank you." - Beth "I pray everyday for all of our Firefighters and Police. The Fire Dept. were excellent and very attentive to what was happening to me. I commend all of them.” "WalMart is the one who called on my behalf. Everyone was very friendly and handled the situation (I was panicked) very well. The guys that come into WalMart have asked how I am. I'm thankful that they remember me. Thank you for friendly faces and great attitudes. It's a tough job and I'm grateful you are there to help. Thank You." - Carolyn "I just want to say thank you very, very much to all of you."
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