SUMMER 2020 Photo by Adam VanGerpen
THE NOZZLE
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PRESIDENT’S PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MESSAGE Brothers & Sisters, On behalf of the Union Executive Board, we are proud to present the Summer 2020 Edition of The Nozzle. First, we would like to say THANK YOU to all our members and their families for the incredible dedication, professionalism, and care you have shown to our communities as we navigate the constantly changing frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and national civil unrest. This has not been an easy few months and we know that this pandemic has placed a strain on you and your families. Thank you for continuing to serve our most vulnerable at great personal risk to you and your families. You are our frontline heroes and we can never thank you enough. As we enter yet another intense wildfire season we are reminded that we still have many more obstacles to overcome. We will get through this as we always do with SOLIDARITY AND STRENGTH. We would like to remind our members to please stay safe and healthy both physically and mentally. Please be mindful of taking time to recover and be mindful of how much or often you are watching the news or on social media. Use the resources in your stations, our Peer Support Teams, and/or HealingOurOwn.org if you or your family need to support or need to talk to someone.
Dave Gillotte President Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014
As you know the events of this year have put a strain on the County budget and resources. Rest assured that your Union Board is in constant contact with the Board of Supervisors, the CEO, and the Department to continue to fight for our members and their families. As we near the opening of our next contract negotiations, we remain constantly vigilant and are working with our partners to ensure that we have the resources we need for our communities and our families. As we watch the economic impacts of COVID-19 throughout the State and their effect on public safety, we stand in solidarity with our brother and sister unions to ensure that we remain whole as we fight on the frontlines. Finally, your Union board remains committed to securing the Trial Shift Schedule Change for 48/96 voted in by the membership earlier this year. Please know that COVID-19 has delayed work on most items that require the Board of Supervisors’ approval and support. However, we continue to work this item and lobby the Board of Supervisors for support. As we navigate the system on your behalf, we have begun handling the logistics and technical items that need to be accomplished to make this happen. We convened a small committee of subject matter experts to review all items for IPFIRS, ePCR, eCAPS, and temporary staffing changes to accommodate a different schedule. We will keep you updated as we move this to a final decision by the Board of Supervisors. Thank you to the committee members who have helped us with FireSync, Fire Office, IPFIRS, eCAPS, and Payroll. We hope that you find this newsletter to be informative and educational. In this newsletter, you will find a summary of our community events during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a spotlight on our new COVID-Compliant Drill Towers. Additionally, you will learn about our legislative and political action efforts at every level of government in order to ensure protections for members and their futures. Finally, you will also find an article on our 2020 Virtual Fill the Boot Campaign benefitting the MDA. And a reminder about COVID-19 safety precautions. As always, feel free to contact me or our Executive Board Members at any time if you have questions, comments, or suggestions. I can be reached at daveg@local1014.org or 310-925-2358. In Solidarity,
Dave Gillotte President LA County Firefighters Local 1014
Thank you for continuing to serve our most vulnerable at great personal risk to you and your families. You are our frontline heroes and we can never thank you enough.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Message Local 1014 Hosts First-Ever Blood Drive Giving Back: Feeding 4,000 Families at Drive Thru Food Pantry Working for You: Legislative Updates CA Supreme Court Upholds PEPRA But Preserves CA Rule on Pension Rights New Instagram Account Training the Next Generations of Firefighters During COVID-19 MDA “Fill The Boot” Campaign: Going Virtual! Reminder: COVID-19 Safety Precautions
Photo by Austin Gebhardt
BLOOD DRIVE
Local 1014 Hosts First-Ever Blood Drive at the Union Hall In June, Local 1014 was proud to host our first blood drive benefitting The American Red Cross. The Red Cross is experiencing a severe shortage of blood due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has not only limited donors but also available sites for blood drives. We are proud to say that we had a full house with 100% of our appointment slots filled. Thank you to all of our partners who came out to support us especially, Supervisor Hilda Solis, who was instrumental in promoting the drive and supporting our efforts as well as the City of El Monte, Mayor Pro Tempore Maria Morales, Councilmember Jerry Velasco, and City Clerk Cathi Eredia. We would also like to thank our own LACOFD Deputy Fire Chief Jon O’Brien and Medical Director Clayton Kazan for showing up to support our efforts and give blood!
We are looking to host more drives in the future to help fill the critical need for blood in our communities.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this a successful blood drive!!
GIVING BACK
Giving Back: Feeding 4,000 Families at Drive Thru Food Pantry On July 15, Local 1014 joined Supervisor Hilda Solis and the LA County Regional Food Bank to help distribute food to over 3,500 families in El Monte. As public servants, our job goes well beyond providing EMS and Fire services for our communities, we are also leaders who are called upon to help in times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of our communities and residents in dire economic circumstances. The Coronavirus is disproportionately impacting lower-income communities. School closures, changes in work schedules and social isolation are layering extra burdens on our neighbors throughout Los Angeles County. Since the pandemic began the LA Regional Food Bank and our Union partners have distributed over 590,000 emergency food boxes 1.8 million residents. Donations are vital to distributing healthy food for hungry neighbors in Los Angeles County. 97% of revenues go directly to programs providing food for children, hardworking families, struggling seniors and more. A gift of only $25 + 100 meals. If you are interested in donating to this effort please visit the LA Regional Food Bank website at: https://www.lafoodbank.org
$25 = 100 Meals
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Continued
Photo by Austin’s Photography
Legislative Update Over the past several months Local 1014 has continued aggressively engaging in political action at every level of government in order to protect our members’ benefits, wages, and working conditions. As we face an uncertain economic climate next year, we have focused our efforts on continuing to advocate for funds and resources to support our operations and our members as we continue to serve our communities. At the State level, Local 1014 worked with the California Professional Firefighter's (CPF) legislative team to lobby our state elected officials on several important pieces of legislation that protect revenue streams and institute critical safety reforms. We are pleased to announce the following successful lobbying efforts: In June, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his Executive Order on COVID-19 Rebuttable Presumption for all healthcare and public safety workers. This is a big win for our members and our brothers and sisters in the healthcare space as we fight on the frontline of this pandemic. Thank you to our longtime friend and partner Governor Newsom for your partnership on this legislation and for your quick action to protect those on the frontline. While this is only a precursor for our far-reaching and more aggressive California Professional Firefighters (CPF) sponsored legislation on COVID Presumption (AB 664), this is a big step forward toward getting our members the care and time they need to get healthy and continue to serve our communities. Our hard work as the 7th District within an alliance of Local Affiliates in solidarity with CPF paid off. Special thanks to our legislative advocacy team and CPF President Brian Rice. President Dave Gillotte personally thanked the Governor for his continued strong support for Firefighters and the members we represent. Local 1014 worked tirelessly to lobby state officials for the SCA 2 / ACA 11 The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families and Victims of Wildfire and Natural Disasters Act. We are pleased to announce that following our lobbying effort it overwhelmingly passed the senate floor. This legislation will provide needed tax benefits to our most vulnerable and affected residents and will establish a California Fire Response Fund and a County Revenue Protection Fund and continuously appropriate funds for the purpose of reimbursing eligible local agencies. We would especially like to thank Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Senators Maria Elena Durazo, Bob Hertzberg, Holly Mitchell, Anthony Portantino, and all those who voted in favor of the critical legislation. Additionally, 2nd Vice President Dave Morse provided essential feedback to CPF’s EMS Committee regarding the implementation and enforcement of SB 432 at hospitals and the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) regulatory package. Finally, our 1014 Brother Derek Urwin continues to assist in lobbying for SB 1044 Firefighting Equipment and Foam: PFAS Chemicals including testifying at the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, assisting in drafting opinion editorial and participating in outreach events with bill author Senator Allen. SB 1044, by State Senator Ben Allen(D-Santa Monica), would ban the manufacture, sale, and use of firefighting foam containing PFAS. It also would mandate that manufacturers of firefighting gear include a written notice if the equipment contains PFAS chemicals. These “forever chemicals” do not break down in the environment, and have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, reproductive and immune system harm, liver or thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, and other health problems. At the local level, we continue to partner with the Board of Supervisors to lobby our federal government for our fair share of CARES Act and Heroes Act funding for both the County and our contract cities. As we navigate the changing landscape following COVID-19, it has never been more important that we continue to actively engage in political actions at every level of government to ensure that the needs of our members are met as we continue to serve on the frontlines of protecting our communities.
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PENSION RIGHTS
Continued
CA Supreme Court Upholds PEPRA But Preserves CA Rule on Pension Rights As many of you may have heard by now, the California Supreme Court has issued a narrow ruling upholding several provisions of the 2013 Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) that limit terminal pay provisions that were negotiated before the law went into effect. However, the court has preserved the core of the California Rule, which holds that basic pension promises made when an employee is hired must be kept, unless offset by other compensation. In partnership with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF), Local 1014 has been tracking and analyzing several court cases that have now made it to the CA Supreme Court on this issue. This issue landed where everyone thought they would. In a very narrow ruling, the Court upheld the constitutionality of the reform items PEPRA changed in 2013. So simply put “Ventura Decision� remains the same for legacy employees and changed for new employees post-PEPRA (Plan C). President Gillotte, along with President Rice of CPF, have had numerous productive conversations with the Governor about protecting negotiated benefits. There is always a possibility to see additional pension or retiree healthcare attacks in the future, and now the challenge affirms it is not only legal but constitutional. More now than ever our political action and legislative advocacy work are critically important. We must also be judicious in the cases we take to challenge such an important issue in court. We will be continuing to use all our available resources and relationships to achieve a level playing field for all members. This remains one of the top priorities for not only our Union but Fire Unions throughout the State of California.
1014 Instagram In an effort to create more opportunities for outreach to our members and enhance our communications, we have launched an Instagram account! Make sure to follow us @IAFFLOCAL1014 for photos and important updates on what your Union is doing for you and your family.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!
@IAFFLOCAL1014
Photo by Austin Gebhardt
Recruit Classes Continued
Training the Next Generation of Firefighters During COVID-19: Recruit Class 156 & Recruit Class 157 This year, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, your Union has remained committed to holding the Department accountable the goal of consistent staffing and hiring. With the new challenges brought on by the pandemic and the nature of our drill tower training, we worked outside the box to create a “COVID-19 Environment Drill Tower.� We are proud to say that the first two classes, Class 156 and Class 157, have added over 100 exemplary new Firefighters into our ranks and helped to backfill the need we have as we see calls and wildfires rise throughout the County and the State. These classes represent not only the future of our Department but also the dedication, collaboration, and ingenuity of our labor-management partnership to get this done in a COVID-19 world. In an unprecedented time, both the Department and the Union came together to meet the challenge and get the state firefighter curriculum and training needs of the Los Angeles County Fire Department into a format that would allow us to train our newest members and also be compliant with social distancing and isolation needs.
CLASS 156
We made this program from the ground up, called our military partners, and worked to have a shortened 6-days a week drill tower with essential skills handled on the grinder. We engaged Zoom, and online learning in addition to outside classrooms and precautions like washing and decon stations. While it was not a perfect training environment, we relied on the Training Instructors to adapt and remain flexible as we navigate these uncharted waters. Finally, we secured contracts with two hotels at each drill tower site where recruits were sequestered, just like boot camp, for six days a week with Sunday off allowing for socially compliant family time. We included the Peer Support and Clinicians for both the recruits and the Instructors during this time. The thought of just one positive recruit and the impact of exposure to all recruits was daunting. However, we were committed to getting our newest members trained and out into the field to help fill the vacancies. Not only did we meet the challenge head-on, we succeeded in crafting a never before sequestered “boot camp” style drill tower. The bread and butter basics of hose lays, ladders, SCBA’s, search & rescue, ropes, and knots actually received more training days vs. rating days than the standard tower. The remainder of the curriculum that fulfills the State Firefighter 1 will be taught in the field with follow-ups and additional ratings completed while the firefighters are in their first and second spots and on probation. We are very proud of this accomplishment. Other departments from throughout California and the nation are calling to get our program as a model for their drill towers. This is a critical component of continuing to hire and fill our vacancies, reducing recalls and preparing for the now rapidly approaching brush season that will put a strain on our already taxed system. We would like to thank Assistant Chief Dennis Breshears, Battalion Chief Jim Sullivan, and the Training Captain Cadre who all came together with Local 1014 to craft this training model and work through the challenges to get it done. They are to be commended for their sacrifice and effort as they were also sequestered 6 days a week to make it happen. Congratulations to the newest members of Local 1014 and may you be safe and richly rewarded as you travel on your Los Angeles County Firefighter journey.
CLASS 157
Photo by Austin Gebhardt
Fill The Boot Continued
MDA “Fill The Boot Campaign� Going Virtual! For 66 years, the IAFF has been committed to supporting MDA and the families they serve. The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted that support. Local 1014 has been a proud sponsor and fundraiser of the MDA for over 60 years! As public servants, our members are not only serving on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also helping our most vulnerable communities survive and thrive. Children with muscular dystrophy are some of the most susceptible to this virus. Additionally, the quarantine has limited available resources for their parents and caregivers. The inability of our members to conduct traditional Fill the Boot drives has been devastating to MDA, which still must continue to provide vital services for families in need, especially for their most vulnerable children in the midst of this pandemic.
If every member donates just $15 we will make our goal of $50,000!!! MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND
DONATE TODAY! https://tinyurl.com/1014FillTheBoot2020
#SaferAtHome LACoFD Junior Firefighters #SaferAtHome LACoFD Junior Firefighters #SaferAtHome LACoFD Junior Firefighters #SaferAtHome LACoFD Junior Firefighters
Guidelines for station life during the COVID19 Incident
PERSONNEL SHALL MAINTAIN 6 FT SOCIAL DISTANCING WHENEVER POSSIBLE
Uniforms and Gear • Keep all uniforms at the station. Do not wear your uniform home • • Wash all work-related clothes at the fire station • Clean uniform boots with disinfectant after each call • Do not wear uniform boots in station living quarters, wear clean shoes instead • Designate an area in the app bay to place boots when changing into shoes • Providing for modesty, consider removing uniform before entering living quarters • Wear uniform on calls and in public • Refrain from wearing bunker pants on EMS calls unless warranted • Consider wearing approved PT gear while in the station, probationary FF’s included • Set up uniforms by apparatus to maintain quick response times • Remember to decon items that aren’t laundered, such as badge, belt and pens • Wipe down everything in your pockets (i.e. cell phone, wallet, keys) • Consider using a hands-free device to avoid putting your phone near your face
Throughout the Station • The CDC, IAFF and LACoFD suggest wearing a cotton face mask in the station, rig and public • Wash your hands often, for a minimum of 20 seconds • Use hand sanitizer that contains a minimum of 60% ethyl or 70% isopropanol alcohol • Place cleaning supplies where they are accessible in all areas • Post occupancy signs in common areas to ensure social distancing • Move or limit seats to ensure 6ft spacing between personnel • Prop interior doors open to reduce contact with surfaces, where possible • Designate seating arrangements per position for the entire shift • Cover recliners with a clean sheet or blanket • Wash bed sheets every shift change • Wipe down dorm room prior to setting up your belongings • Decon hamper before refilling with clean laundry
In the Gym • Clean gym equipment before and after each use • Limit number of crew members working out in the gym to ensure proper distancing • Consider exercising outside for better spacing and ventilation observing social distancing
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 1014 3460 FLETCHER AVE., EL MONTE, CA 91731 LOCAL1014.ORG