News - Oromocto Fire Fighter Association

Oromocto Fire Fighters Appear Before Town Council

Oromocto Professional Firefighters had a large turn-out last Tuesday night in council chambers as association President Brian Ferguson and association vice-president Andrew Hawkes presented the union's findings on the department's excessive overtime expenditures for the budget year 2009. In its' presentation, Vice president Hawkes informed town council that the department's overtime expenditures were in excess of $300,000 for the year due to a staffing shortage within the department. "Using a detailed analysis of the overtime expenditures, we were able to illustrate to council how much they could have saved if the department had maintained proper staffing levels throughout the year" said vice-president Hawkes.

The association has put forward to council 5 recommendations, which they wish to see implemented to help the department reduce overtime expenditures, while maintaining the same levels of service the town has been accustomed to for the past 50 years. President Ferguson emphasized that maintaining a safe staffing level of 4 firefighters on the initial responding apparatus is a safety issue for our members and the citizens we serve. "The town's recommendations on reducing overtime were to reduce minimum staffing to 3 men on the truck and only re-call 3 men for emergencies to cover the station. That puts our members and the public in jeopardy, and increases the workloads on our members. The result will actually be an increase in sick usage, which in turn results in an increase of overtime expenditures." said President Ferguson.

The association’s recommendations were:

1.) To hire immediately, 2 more part-time firefighters and bring back the 2 part-time firefighters that are currently laid -off. "This would immediately impact the over-time situation" said Hawkes. "There being little scheduled leave during the winter months, any sick usage by members would not likely create any over-time. Further, it would allow OFD to have more career firefighters available for emergencies during our typically busier structure fire period"

2.) Gradually increase the full-time complement by 1 member per year, beginning in 2011. This would bring staffing levels up to 20 full-time and 4 part-time members by 2014. "The gradual increase allows for budgeting of the positions and a chance for the town to study if it is having an impact on reducing over-time expenditures." said Hawkes, "and while there is an increased cost in salary and benefits for the town to have more full-time firefighters, the town benefits exponentially in the capabilities to expand services, conduct training and reduce overtime."

3.) Switch to a 24 hour on, 72 hour off duty rotation. "Currently, our members work a 2 day, 2 night, four day off rotation. Studies done by the Toronto Firefighters association show that this schedule is healthier for our members, and results in less sick usage by firefighters who work this rotation." said Hawkes

4.) Increase budgeted amounts for over-time. "For a long time now, our department has fallen far short when budgeting enough monies for overtime. Last years budget fell $50,000 short just to cover callbacks for emergencies. It is time a realistic amount was budgeted for." said Hawkes

5.) Hire a Human Resources specialist to conduct an attendance management training program within the fire department, and then assist the labor-management committee in setting up a new policy for attendance. Hawkes noted "While there is no proven abuse of sick usage within the Oromocto Fire Department, a properly run attendance management program in the department would help manage the sick leave program in a more accountable manner, and quite possibly lead to a reduction in the amount of over-time within the department."

Fire Chief Jody Price, for his part, stood up on behalf of his career staff and re-iterated to council that he is opposed to any reductions on the apparatus, and recognizes that a staffing level of 4 men is safer than that of 3.

Town council gave a majority consensus decision to not reduce staffing on the apparatus below 4 men for a 6 month period, while directing Fire Chief Price and the Union to work together to reduce the overtime expenditures in the department and implement the union's recommendations.


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