Another Fire...

ISSUING OFFICER: Battaloin Chief Dan Brown
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/8/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 307 West 2nd Ave
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: On December the 8th at 5:44 p/m the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to 307 West 2nd Ave to a reported room fire in the Tscany Apartments. Upon arrival it was reported that light smoke was showing from the second floor. Fire crews entered the building and discovered a room on fire on the second floor. A search was immediately conducted on the second and third floors to check for possible trapped tenants and at the same time attack leads were advanced to fight and extinguish the fire. This took about fifteen minutes to knock down the main body of fire. Over haul and final extinguishment took about three hours. No one was located during the search. The fire was confined to the room of origin and there was no spread upward. Sixteen rooms were occupied in the twenty five room apartment. Light smoke was sent throughout the second and third floors. The fire room suffered extensive damage causing the tenant to be displaced. Red Cross was assisting those tenants who need help. No injuries were reported. The fire was determined to be accidental electrical. Nine fire apparatus and two command vehicles were dispatched to this incident for a total of thirty personnel.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Accidental electrical
DAMAGE EXTENT: Room of origin total loss
DOLLAR LOSS: 30,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 30
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Some sad news...

SSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/6/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 44 West Riverside
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: The Spokane Fire Department was notified by the King County Medical Examiner's office last night with news that Taiylor Dawley had passed away at 1825 at Harborview Medical Center. Taiylor was rescued by SFD Firefighters early Sunday morning when her home received significant damage from an accidental fire on the second floor.

The news of three-year Taiylor Dawley passing away has stunned the entire SFD family. I personally cannot imagine any pain more severe to a Firefighter than that suffered when a child dies. Our deepest condolences go out to Taiylor's family at this heart-wrenching time. Her passing is particularly distressing to the members of the SFD and SPD due to the extreme heroic efforts made by both agencies to rescue her from the second floor apartment.

Please know that the thoughts and prayers of our organization are with the family during this highly difficult time.

Holy Smokes! Church Fire Press Release - December 5th...

ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/5/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 115 W Riverside
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: On Tuesday, December 05, 2006 at 10:19 AM, two Spokane Fire Department companies; one Engine and One Ladder from Station 4 were dispatched to an automatic alarm sounding at 115 West Riverside, the Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Church. Upon arrival, the company officer began investigating the cause of the alarm when a working fire in the foyer area of the Riverside entrance was discovered. The alarm was immediately upgraded by Acting Lieutenant Groe to a first alarm-working fire. Fire Chief Bobby Williams responded from the immediate area and assisted the initial crews by helping them stretch supply line and coordinate their efforts. After a large amount of smoke developed from the bell tower of the church and the potential for rapid fire spread was realized, a second alarm was requested. The second alarm resulted in Fire Dispatch assigning one Rescue Company, two Pumper/Ladders, eight Engines and two Senior Ladder companies under the direction of Battalion Chief Ken Kirsch and Bruce Moline. Arriving Firefighters assisted the Station 4 companies and initiated an aggressive interior attack focusing on confining the fire to its area of origin in the foyer while simultaneously confirming that all occupants of the church were evacuated and accounted for.

Engine and Ladder companies were successful in controlling the fire within 30-minutes. Ladder and Rescue companies worked diligently to protect and overhaul the church's property while also providing forced positive pressure into the building to clear the atmosphere inside. Companies were assigned on all of the building's floors to coordinate searches and locate hidden areas where fire potentially could have traveled. In all, nearly forty (40) Firefighters and Chief Officers were utilized to mitigate the incident. There were no injuries to civilians; however a Fire Officer was injured during a ladder company assignment.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire remains under investigation by SFD Investigators; however it has been ruled incendiary. The local office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been notified. The Spokane Fire Department is asking for anyone that may have information regarding this incident to please call 509-625-7052.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The main area of damage is located in the foyer. The contents near the origin of the fire and adjoining areas sustained significant damage and the entire building received varying levels of smoke damage.
DOLLAR LOSS: 80000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 40
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Greg Borg for President Letter.

I respectfully ask for your vote again to serve as your president.
VOTE BORG for PRESIDENT

Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you very much for your votes in the primary. More importantly, thank you for supporting the e-board’s request to redo our dues and build a legal defense fund. Your support on these issues will help assure the strength and stability of our Local in the coming years. I would also like to address a few issues.

Our future - together: While I’ve been president, I’ve tried to encourage active participation in Local 29. A union is about inclusiveness. And on some level, in the past six years, we’ve all had a say in our union’s direction. Many new members have sought e-board positions and have won them. They’ve worked hard for all of us. And I’ve always sought to have you vote on every major decision facing the body. When the chance came to buy the union office building, I thought it was a good idea. But, I made sure you decided. And with your vote, you agreed. And many of us joined together in the fight to gain firefighter representation on the LEOFF II Pension Board via I-790. Together, our individual donations of time, work and cold-hard cash won a big one for the whole job – even for those who contributed nothing. Your list of “wants” went in with me during every contract negotiation. During my term as president, we implemented the Local’s first budget. This, along with the support you just gave on dues and legal defense, gives the Local a bright financial future. Together, we are positioned in strength to win the issues of the future – whatever the future holds for us!

Experience: In this coming year, we will start negotiations for a new contract. I will use my experience to build a contract that, hopefully, will be even better than the last one. And our last contract was great - a 22% wage increase over the life of this contract! In addition, we gained more deferred comp, free uniforms, more gains for our medics, and water rescue finally received tech pay. You know how hard-fought this contract was. We gained these things not because the city likes us, or because they wanted to do the right thing. You know that we won only through tough bargaining. If I am elected again, I will do it again.

Knowledge: I have had the privilege of serving you, in some capacity, for the last 25 years. Over this time, I’ve attended around 50 educational seminars put on by the WSCFF, IAFF, L&I, labor council and LEOFF. I have worked in about 30 lobbying campaigns in Olympia and Washington DC - striving to protect and improve our bargaining rights and LEOFF II.

I have the knowledge to do the job. And, this knowledge is not just put to use during negotiations, but each day when you call, or when I’m meeting with the mayor, Bobby or the city council. I constantly deal with contract questions, LEOFF I and LEOFF II pension issues, L&I problems, disciplines and the city budget. For example, in the last few months, the knowledge of labor law has gained clothing and better shifts for Fire Prevention. You know the war stories. You know the battles. You know our string of wins. And you know the value of knowing what you need to know!

Passion and Integrity: I have dedicated 27 of my 31 years in the fire service to working for all of us. It has never been about me, or issues that just affect me - it has been about the body (you) and unionism. I have helped influence improvements in LEOFF II, and was on the L&I committee that re-wrote our safety standard three times.

I have had the integrity to stand up for what was right, and not let politics, friendship or personal gain affect my decisions or actions. And, I know this has angered some. But, I believe I have a charge to keep. That’s why you elected me.

In many ways, keeping this charge has proven successful. Mark, Mike and I have improved the Local’s relationship with the administration. We’ve done this only through hard-won respect. Things are better now than any time in the last 10 years. And things are only going to get better.

I have been there for you with knowledge, experience, passion and integrity. I am asking for your vote, so together we can build a great future for us and for all who follow.

Fraternally,

Greg

As you decide on your vote for this election, please consider that the following e-board members: Greg Haff, Darryl Wisniewski, Bill Gonzalez and Thad Frater all support my re-election. I also have the full support of Mike Bacon and Mark Vietzke, as well as Dan Renner’s and Doug Bacon’s endorsement.

Another Fire Press Release! Yikes!

ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/4/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2220 East 3rd Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202

NARRATIVE: On December 4, 2006 at 07:26:13 AM, nine Spokane Fire Department companies; one Rescue Company, one Pumper/Ladder, four Engines and one Senior Ladder company under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Dan Brown and Bob Green responded to a report of a fire in the home at 2220 East 3rd Avenue.

Firefighters arrived on scene within 5-minutes and 38 seconds to find a two story home with smoke showing from the front of the house. Firefighters immediately began an aggressive interior attack and focused on confining the fire to its area of origin while simultaneously confirming that all three occupants were evacuated and accounted for. A grandmother and two teenage grandchildren were home at the time of the fire and awoken by their smoke alarm activating. They were able to evacuate safely primarily due to the early warning from the smoke detector and taking the time months prior to develop an evacuation plan.

Engine and Ladder companies were successful in controlling the fire within 15-minutes with the assistance of ventilation provided by Ladder companies. Firefighters were utilized to mitigate the incident in approximately 2 hours and there were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire appears accidental and a portable electrical heater is to blame. The area of origin was determined to be located on the first floor and the home's "balloon" construction aided fire spread to the second floor.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The home's contents and interior walls were significantly damaged. The Spokane Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the family by providing temporary accommodations and clothing.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 27
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Joel Fielder/ Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/3/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 307 East Nora
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: Today, December 3, 2006, the Spokane Fire Department responded at
approximately1:12 AM to 307 East Nora. As fire crews were responding, Fire
Dispatch reported that members of the Spokane Police Department were on scene
reporting a small child was trapped on the 2nd floor and would need to be
rescued. The first crew on-scene reported smoke and flames showing from the
2-story of wood framed apartment building. Fire fighters aggressively attacked
the fire from the back of the structure while a rescue team entered a second
floor window via a ground ladder placed at the front of the structure. Within a
matter of seconds the child was found on the living room floor of the apartment
and was transported to a local trauma hospital, where her status is unknown at
this time. Additional fire crews completed fire extinguishment, search and rescue, and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within
30 minutes and there were no reported injuries to firefighters. Nine fire
companies with 30 firefighters responded to this fire and were on scene through
out the remainder of the morning.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by Fire
Investigator Captain Mike Zambryski and he may be contacted at 625-7052.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire and smoke damage was confined to the second floor apartment.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 30
MUTUAL AID: None Given

ELECTION RESULTS

Pres: will be a runoff between Phillips and Borg,
ballots will be mailed Monday.
*Phillips 94
*Borg 82
D. Bacon 44
Renner 39

E-Board:
*Waller 136
*Frater 131
Carr 86
R. Peterson 79
Cassell 44
Haughton 30

Awards Committee:
*Libby (I don't have the numbers)
*Shaw

Trustees:
*Rossi 222
*Matthews 210
Jones 62

Dues restructure: pass 75%
Legal Defense Fund: pass 72%
No Confidence vote on Leo Griffin: pass 93%

ELECTION RESULTS

Still waiting for official results. But, I've heard Phillips was number one in the presidential election, followed by Borg. There will be a runoff between the two. I haven't heard about eboard elections, or the ballot propositions. I'll post it all when I have it.

Thanks, John

Another Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/1/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1908 W. Dean
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: On 12/1/06 at 5:55 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded with 3 engine companies, 2 ladder companies, a rescue unit and two battalion chiefs to a reported house on fire located at 1908 W. Dean in the city of Spokane. First in fire crews found a home that was well involved in flames on the second level. A rapid entry was made to search the structure for anybody still inside. At the same time hose lines were advanced to extinguish the fire. All occupants were not at home at the time of the fire and the fire was successfully extinguished in approximately 30 minutes. The tenant who lived in the house will be staying with a friend. The cause of this fire is unknown at this time; however it is currently under investigation. A total of 20 firefighters responded to this fire. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Unknown at this time. Under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Investigation Division.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Personal belongings, carpeting, walls, floors and ceilings. Smoke and water damage throughout the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS: 50,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/1/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2515 East Upriver DR
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: On the evening of November 30th at 9:58 the city of Spokane Fire Department responded to 2515 East Upriver DR to a reported structure fire. E8 reported smoke and flames showing as they were approaching. Upon arrival E8 reported a one and a half story wood frame house fully involved in flames, it was confirmed that all occupants were out of the structure. Hose leads were placed to cover exposures and attack leads were advanced to the interior. A search was conducted to make sure that everyone was out and accounted for. The main body of fire took about thirty minutes to knock down, overhaul and final extinguishment was completed in about two hours. Cold weather and ice made it difficult for Firefighters to work. There were no injuries reported. A family of five that were displaced is being assisted by Red Cross. Initial response to this alarm brought five engines one ladder one rescue and two command vehicles for a total of twenty four fire personnel. A fire watch was kept on scene through the night.

The cause of thie fire has not been determined; investigators are on the scene today.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Underinvestigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: House and contents a total loss
DOLLAR LOSS: 180,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given

A couple of fire press releases...

SSUING OFFICER: BC Craig Cornelius
DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/29/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5802 S Meadow Lane
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: At approximately 0220 hours on November 29, 2006 the Spokane Fire Department received a 911 call for a reported house on fire at 5802 S Meadow Lane. Six fire apparatus consisting of 2 Ladders, 3 Engines and 1 Rescue vehicle responded to the fire.
This residence is located in an area that some distance from city fire hydrants so an additional fire apparatus from Fire District 8 was requested to Tender Water.

Access to this residence was provided by a gravel road approximately 3/4 mile off the main road (Meadow Lane). This access road was uphill and covered with snow and ice. Responding Fire Officers anticipating problems with the road requested 3 additional "four wheel drive" Brush Engines to negotiate the road. The "four wheel drive" vehicles were used to shuttle equipment and Fire Fighters up the road to the fire.

The first crews to the home reported fire in the walls behind the wood stoves on the first and second floors. These walls were covered with stone and brickwork slowing access to the fire. Hand tools carried up the hill by the Fire Fighters were used to force open the masonry walls. Garden hose lines belonging to the home owner were used to knock down the fire until hose lines from the Brush Engines could be brought into play. The home owner also provided the ladders and tools he had on site for use to the Fire Fighters. His efforts lead to a positive outcome in the extinguishment of this fire.

There were no injuries to any of the residents of the home. The residents were not displaced from their home. The fire cause is still under investigation at this time. Early indicators are pointing towards the area around the wood stove.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Still under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Exterior wall on the first and second floors.
DOLLAR LOSS: 40,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 34
MUTUAL AID: Fire District 8

ISSUING OFFICER: Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/29/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1303 East Illinois
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: Today, November 29, 2006, the Spokane Fire Department responded at 5:13 AM to 1303 East Illinois. The first fire crews on-scene reported smoke showing from the front door of the structure and from the eaves. Firefighters discovered fire in the attic of the residence above the kitchen and an aggressive interior fire attack was initiated. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes and there were no injuries to the occupants or firefighters.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by Investigator Tom Oliver.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the kitchen and attic space with smoke damage through out the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 32
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Rick Pennington comments on recent events...

This has gotten far beyond what it should be. We are sending emails, information packets and blog responses back and forth and all this does is perpetuate the situation . In hindsight there are probably many things that could have been done differently on all sides. The sad thing is that if we just took a step back we would realize is that there is no "your" side or "their" side, there is only our side. This issue is becoming an 800 lb. gorilla and polarizing the membership. I don't believe any of the candidates for any office is intent on hurting the union. We will never agree with everyone but we will have to, at times, put our personal opinions and differences aside to work for the good of the body. I imagine Admin is loving all the turmoil that this has caused. When this election is over, and for me it can't come soon enough, regardless of who is in what position we need to get back on track, work together, and provide a united front.

Humbly,
Rick Pennington

Rick Horey responds to Griffith's blog entry...

I JUST WANTED TO CLEAR UP A FEW THINGS YOU STATED IN YOUR BLOG. FIRST OF ALL ALOT OF PEOPLE DID KNOW ABOUT THIS RUMOR AND HAD FOR SOMETIME BEFORE I FOUND OUT. I HAVE HAD PHONE CALLS AND E-MAILS FROM MANY STATING THAT THEY KNEW OF THIS RUMOR AND THANKED ME FOR ALERTING THEM THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER SIDE TO THE STORY. THEY APPRECIATED THE INFO SO THEY COULD CALL THE OTHERS INVOLVED AND FIND OUT ABOUT THE OTHER POINT OF VIEW FOR THEMSELVES. ITS SAD TO SAY BUT I CONDUCTED A MORE IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION IN ONE HOUR THAN THE UNION OFFICERS DID. I TALKED TO EVERYONE INVOLVED AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE CONTENT OF THE RUMOR WAS BASED ON A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF INFORMATION. SIMPLY BECAUSE ABSOLUTELY NO EFFORT WAS MADE TO GET ALL THE INFO BY TALKING TO CHRIS AND ALL THE OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED. WE ALL NO HOW FAST RUMORS ON THIS JOB CAN SPREAD AND GROW. I THINK THAT IF ANY OF US HAD A RUMOR SPREADING AND GROWING ABOUT US WE WOULD WANT BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY TOLD, SO WITH WHAT I HEARD AT THE TABLE IN WHICH THE WORDS " REPRIMAND AND PUNISHMENT" WERE USED. I FELT THIS RUMOR SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT COULD HURT THE CHANCE OF A FAIR ELECTION, NOT TO MENTION THAT IT WRONGS CHRIS AS A UNION BROTHER. AND SINCE THE BALLOTS HAD JUST BEEN MAILED THAT DAY I THOUGHT IT WAS TIME CRITICAL SO I CALLED THE UNION VICE PRES. AND ASKED THEM TO SEND OUT A LETTER TO HALT THIS RUMOR. LATER HE CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT AFTER TALKING WITH BORG AND BACON THEY WOULD NOT. TO ADDRESS YOUR LAST PARAGRAPH YOU SAY THAT IN THE END OF MY LETTER I ENDORSED CHRIS PHILLIPS, MAYBE YOU SHOULD READ IT AGAIN. I SAID THIS MIGHT MAKE YOU REALIZE THAT YOU NEED TO VOTE FOR ALL NEW BLOOD IN THE UNION. THERE ARE THREE OTHER PEOPLE RUNNING FOR PRES. AND OTHER POSITIONS IN THIS ELECTION BEING VOTED ON SUCH AS E-BOARD,TRUSTEE, AWARDS COMMITTEE. I DIDN'T SAY WHO TO VOTE FOR, I SAID IF THE RUMOR WAS GOING TO AFFECT WHO YOU WERE GOING TO VOTE FOR YOU SHOULD DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND TALK TO EVERYONE INVOLVED BEFORE YOU VOTE. SO MAYBE THIS ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION ON WHY I WROTE MY LETTER. I THINK THAT BEFORE YOU WROTE YOUR BLOG LETTER YOU SHOULD HAVE TALKED TO EVERY ONE INVOLVED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS ISSUE AND IT MAY HAVE CHANGED THE WAY YOUR BLOG LETTER READ. I GUESS IN THE END JUST ASK YOURSELF THIS. IF YOU WERE PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE THE UNION WAS LOOKING INTO AN ALLEGATION TO SOMETHING YOU DID, WOULD YOU WANT THEM TO TALK TO YOU AND ALL THE OTHER INVOLVED PARTIES BEFORE THEY MADE THEIR DECISION. OR WOULD YOU SIMPLY DO NOTHING ? I THINK BOTH OF US KNOW THE ANSWER MIGHT BE THAT YOU PROBABLY WOULD DO THE SAME AS I DID AND TRY TO CLEAR IT UP OR GET THE CORRECT INFO OUT BY SOME TYPE OF E-MAIL. ITS NOT TO LATE TO CALL THE OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED SUCH AS PHILLIPS, ZAM, Mc CLATCHEY, SMATHERS, CH. SCHAFFER AS I DID. AS FOR MY OPINION ON HOW OUR UNION OFFICERS AND E-BOARD HANDLED THIS. EVERYONE KNOWS I HAVE NO PROBLEMS EXPRESSING MY OPINION. BUT BEFORE I DO I THINK ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO ATTEMPT TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION

THANKS RICK HOREY

PS. PLEASE EXCUSE MY GRAMMAR AND SPELLING, SOME TIME AGO AT A RODEO I WAS KICKED IN THE SPELLING PART OF MY BRAIN.

SFD Press Release - Hotel Fire

ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/21/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4301 West Sunset Drive
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99206

NARRATIVE: On Monday, November 20, 2006 at 5:58 PM, ten Spokane Fire Department companies; one Rescue Company, one Pumper/Ladder, five Engines and two Senior Ladder companies under the direction of Battalion Chief Joel fielder responded to a report of a fire in the kitchen at the Travel Lodge Airport Hotel, 4301 West Sunset Drive.

Firefighters arrived on scene within 6-minutes to find a five story hotel with fire showing from the roof and heavy smoke throughout the public-access areas of the lobby and restaurant. Firefighters immediately began an aggressive interior attack and focused on confining the fire to its area of origin while simultaneously confirming that all hotel residents were evacuated and accounted for. Engine and Ladder companies were successful in controlling the fire within 15-minutes with the assistance of positive pressure ventilation and vertical ventilation provided by Ladder companies. Companies had to be assigned one every floor to coordinate searches and locate hidden areas where fire had traveled vertically to the roof. The hotel had approximately 89 rooms with a current occupation of less than eight persons at the time of the fire. In all, nearly forty (40) Firefighters were utilized to mitigate the incident in approximately 60 minutes and there were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire remains under investigation by SFD Investigators, however preliminary information gathered at the scene suggests the fire's cause was accidental. The area of origin was determined to be near a cooking area in the kitchen. Reports from employees indicate that the food "flashed" and produced a rapidly moving grease fire which traveled up the hood system and horizontally in the kitchen area. A hood and duct fire protection system was activated, however was not successful in keeping the damage limited to the cooking area.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The fire extended vertically through the ductwork and caused significant damage in the duct and void-space areas of nearly all floors and the roof. The kitchen suffered severe damage and the results of investigation will most likely be known late tomorrow.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
MUTUAL AID: None Given

pdf of investigator supplemental agreement...

Click title to view.

Chris Phillips Response. Please click on this title to read document.

What a despicable way to end what was otherwise a clean campaign. I am disgusted and embarassed that we fight amongst ourselves like children. Poor timing, mis-information and hurt feelings once again...when will it stop so that we can move our membership ahead as a functional "team". Please see my reply to the recent unfounded accusations at this link.

Fraternally,
Chris

Chris Phillips Response.

Just to let you readers know, yesterday, Chris sent me a response to Greg's response. Chris' letter is 5 pages long. Because of its length, I didn't know if Chris wanted it as a linked document (easier to read, easier to print), or the whole thing cut and pasted onto the blog. It would be more accessible this way, especially if folks don't have WORD installed on their home computers, or the capability to view PDFs. But such a lengthy response would be a little bit more unwieldy. I emailed Chris, as soon as I received his post, asking him which he preferred. As soon as I hear back from Chris, I will post his letter in his chosen form.

Please, stay tuned!

Thanks, John

A comment from John Griffith regarding the comment by Todd Powell

I think we would all agree that e-board members must respect the confidentiality of members involved in grievances and other issues. What I find odd about this matter is that if an e-board member leaked the information about someone being asked not to negotiate for himself, I didn't hear anything about it. And nobody I know did either. I would suspect most of us didn't know anything about it, until reading the email from our brother.

So, let me get this straight. An e-board member whispered that a certain member (one who's running for president) received a letter asking him to comply with long-established union policies and procedures (not to mention laws). And the response to this privacy infraction was a job-wide email telling everyone that the union had "reprimanded" and "punished" this member! This universally-dispersed email concluded with an endorsement for the member as president. Huh!?!

Is it a coincidence that these events unfolded as ballots arrived in our mailboxes? I hope so. I would hope that the email and subsequent endorsement were borne out of a genuine concern and was not simply a campaign publicity stunt.

I feel bad for the member who wrote the job-wide email. It seems he was told things that weren't exactly true and, because he's a good guy, he justly acted upon what he was told.

Now that the correspondence (including the letter which started it all) is in all the stations, everyone can read that there were never any mentions of punishment or reprimands - just a simple, nicely-worded request. In my book, being kindly asked to stop doing something, without any kind of threat attached, is a far cry from a reprimand or a punishment. But, that's just how I see it. I guess we all look at the world, and how we interact with it, differently.

And that leaves me wondering what this is really all about.

Thanks for letting me have my two-cents worth!

John

A Comment from Todd Powell

John,

Could you post this on the Blog?

Thanks,

Todd

_________________

A cornerstone of any successful organization is its ability to maintain privacy and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive issues regarding its members. The members, customers or clients not only should expect this but demand it of any organization they belong to or do business with. Because issues of a sensitive nature are discussed with the board of directors or E-Board, they are required to sign confidentiality agreements. In a well run organization, a violation of this confidentiality agreement requires swift and aggressive action. If violations are allowed to happen with no consequence, the credibility of the organization quickly erodes.

The question is:
When the E-Board is allowed to discuss private, confidential issues to outsiders without consequence, where is our organization headed?

Todd Powell

Important Notice

11/17/06

Dear Brothers and sisters:

Yesterday, one of our members claimed that Local 29 had “reprimanded” one of its members for negotiating pay and benefits outside the union contract. I would like to address this issue.

First, let me say that the union did not reprimand anyone. Nor, does the union have the capability to “reprimand” any of its members. Nor would we want to – ever. Also, the narrative account of what compelled this member to address this “WRONGING OF A BROTHER” is inaccurate. While what had happened was confidential for protection of the member, it is public information – especially since the email that went out over the city’s email. So now we have to address the issue, as it is important for all members to understand not only the events, but also as a reminder of what it means to be a union.

As many of you now know from the email, we had a member who was asked if he would be interested in coming back for several months to mentor new investigators. From the beginning, the administration should have brought the union on-board in this conversation. They did not. Accordingly, the member wanted to be paid the rate he was being paid before, when he was previously as an investigator – and he said so in an email to the chief. The local was then informed by these negotiations by one of our members. I called the Assistant Chief to ask if this was accurate. He sent me the email from the member who was negotiating.

As many of you already know, individuals cannot negotiate individual benefits for themselves. For those of you who don’t know this let me talk a little bit about this. First, it is not legal for a member to do this – according to Article II Recognition of our current contract.

Beyond the legality issue, here’s the “why” of it. We stand together as a union, or we fall together as a union. It’s my job, as president to protect the integrity of the union. And when I say “integrity” I mean that the union is about all of us. It’s not about one person over the other. I am required to safeguard the institutional strength of the union. As president, I would have to take action when any member approached management to negotiate wages, hours or conditions of work.

So, let me tell you the action that I took. On the 7th of November, I received the email from the Assistant Chief. I then forwarded it to all the e-board members and said that we would have to discuss this issue at the November 14th e-board meeting. At the e-board meeting, our last order of business – with only e-board members present – a motion was made and carried to send a letter to the member asking him not to negotiate on his own behalf. I abstained from this conversation and vote because of the election. And that was it – no reprimand, no discipline – just a request and a reminder that Local 29 could be subject to an Unfair Labor Practice because of this. Please see the attachments to see this and other emails.

A reminder – I wanted to keep this matter between the parties involved. But, because one of our members mailed it through the city email, it’s now a matter of public information.

Since this has transpired, we have received a request from the Investigation Office that they would like us to negotiate for this member to receive his justly deserved compensation. And we will. There’s also the issue that the city has engaged in an Unfair Labor Practice by talking directly to the members involved in these proceedings. To resolve this issue, we will argue that the city pay the member more than what he originally asked for. It’s important that everyone honors our contract. It’s this unifying document that defines who we are and what we do.

In closing, I will address the “WHAT YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELF ARE THESE QUESTIONS:” segment of the email.

1. First, an individual cannot ask for something that is not in the contract. Only the union can do that. Second, while arson investigators have additional pay for what they do, it is not a “supplemental pay.” There is language in the contract to address this HazMat issue. There is no language to address arson investigator pay around the same issue. Any clarification that comes from this will come from Local 29.
2. The decision was made the first time the e-board met, after receiving the information. We had a responsibility, as your elected officials, to respond immediately. And again, I didn’t release the information. You know about this matter because of the email sent by one of our members.
3. After reading the correspondence and talking to Chief Schaeffer, we had the information needed to ask the member not to contact management about wages, hours or conditions of work. There was no finding of guilt, there was no punishment. It was simply a request.
4. See # 3. No guilt found. No punishment delivered.

Additionally, I would like to address the closing comments in the email. This solicitation asking a member to vote for one candidate over the other, on the heels of this error-filled email, does a disservice to all, including those running for office.

I have contacted the IAFF Vice-President and our labor attorney. They both concluded that the executive board made the correct and legal decision in requesting the member to cease. Please read the attachments.

Yours,


Greg Borg

Local 29 President