AMR gifting and layoffs

From: Jackman, William

Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 06:25
To: Chain of command
Cc: 'billj@webband.com'
Subject: Here's a money saving idea chapter II

 
Over six months ago I submitted thru the chain of command what I thought was a legitimate money saving idea.  This came about as a result of a meeting Mayor West had with us at Station #3 that very same day. Back in May, he spoke sincerely about the dire need to come up with money saving ideas.  He later even offered to attach financial incentive to these ideas.
 
This isn't about the incentive money - I'd rather see the money used to keep people working.
 
This week, for the first time in over twenty-five years we have had to lay-off firefighters.  Chief Williams hand delivered these notices to each person involved, I'm sure that wasn't easy and it showed his sincerity.  As an organization, can we honestly say we have done everything possible for the public with respect to this crisis? 
 
I respectfully request a written reply as to why the department has ignored this simple idea to save money.
Consider the following:

1.) Local 29's attorney has reviewed the AMR contract and this issue and has offered the opinion that this practice amounts to "gifting" our EMS supplies.
2.) At my own expense, my own lawyer has reviewed the same issue and also considers the re-supply issue "gifting".
3.) Rex, the local AMR manager was also contacted about this issue and he even agrees that his company should not be accepting these supplies under most circumstances.
4.) Rustie Stewart says "we spend about $150,000/yr in EMS supplies."
 
Again, I respectfully request a reply in writing about why the department doesn't want to do anything about this issue.
 
Respectfully yours
 
Bill Jackman
14's "B" shift

Last chance to doorbell!

Greg Borg says we've got 2000 more postcards. He says there will be someone at the office tomorrow at 10 am to pass them out to anyone who wants to doorbell.

Hold that volunteerism!

I just received a sad piece of news from a friend in-the-know. Richard Clear - Hater of unions, Despiser of the firefighter and all-around nice guy - had his show cancelled yesterday. So forget about volunteering to replace him. At least, Mr. Clear can find solace in his firing that he didn't have a union sticking up for him. Now, he can really stick it to the man by not filing for unemployment.

JG

"It's not who votes that counts. It's who counts the votes."

Well, Joseph Stalin probably meant something different from what we're driving at, but we do need help counting the votes for our Local 29 elections. Can we count on you to help count the votes on Monday, December 13th, 9:30, at the union office?

If you have any questions, contact Greg Haff - grghaff@comcast.net

Volunteer and make Spokane better!

If you want to volunteer for this noble cause, click on the link and write your letter to Mr. Richard Clear. I am sure he has Spokane's best interests at heart and will step down (or at least take a pay cut) immediately. Working as a radio show host probably is really tough, though. So discuss it with your family, write a will, make sure your immunizations are up to snuff and get all the training you can. This volunteer work will be difficult, and Mr. Clear will be a tough act to follow. But, at least you know that, by spreading disinformation, you will ensure regional talk-radio listeners remain comfortable in their ignorance! Cha Ching! My offer follows:

12-09-04

Good Day!

Listened to Richard Clear’s 12-08-04 attack on firefighters and police officers. It was an entertaining fest of ignorance. Mr. Clear got about seven “facts” wrong for every one he got right. But, hey – that’s Show Business!

One suggestion made on his show was – “Why not have volunteer firefighters protect our city?” Those of us familiar with the fire service and volunteer protection, know why volunteers won’t work for a city our size. But, the question was good and it got me to thinking…

I would like to be a volunteer radio talk show host and do Richard Clear’s job. I can’t do it every day. How about once a week? I have broadcast experience. And unlike firefighting, apparently there isn’t a lot of preparation that goes into what Mr. Clear does. Once a week, give Richard the day off – without pay. Take the money you save and pass it on to your advertisers. They, in turn, will pass the savings on to businesses and they, in turn, on to consumers. It’d be like a tax break for everyone! It would really help the Spokane economy start rolling.

Let me know when you want me to start.

With a desire to serve the community,


John Griffith
(Contact info follows)

What you did with your doorbelling!

City council members have received hundreds of phone calls and hundreds of postcards from citizens who don't want their fire department gutted. And that's all because of the work you did.

Now the ball is in their court. They've heard from the citizens. They've seen the stats. They've heard alternative solutions.

We'll see what happens...

In the meantime, a couple of pieces of news...

The city council meets tomorrow, Thursday, 12/9/04 at 3 pm at City Hall for the last budget meeting. It's open to the public.

Eric Staggs says that the City of Salem Fire Department is interested in hiring any or all of our laid-off medics.

Snohomish job offers

We were contacted by Snohomish Fire District 1 about hiring some of our laid off personnel.  More details when I find out.


Kevin Haughton

Station 1 B

City Council Meeting Tonight - 6 PM!

Tonight will be our last opportunity to stand in front of the city council and tell them why it's a bad idea to gut public safety funding to balance the overall budget. At the last council meeting there was terrific testimony from so many citizens who knew what this cut will mean to them and to our city's future. We still don't know what kind of effect this testimony has had on council members.

It's easy to become discouraged that, having listened to the facts, having seen the figures, having heard the testimony, and knowing that this budget will cut twice as deep into public safety as other departments, the council could turn its back on the electorate and approve the mayor's budget, regardless.

But don't be discouraged. We need to keep speaking the truth and keep reminding our city's leadership about their accountability. And if they proceed with approving this budget, we will be there - in the future - right after "the big one." And we will hold them accountable. And so will the voters.

But that's the future. Right now, we each have a fresh bottle of air. Let's go in one more time to finish this job. See you tonight.

JG