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Labor Management Initiative (LMI)
Fire Captain Academy!
PAID ON-DUTY!
In a process mirroring the IAFF / IAFC Labor Management Initiative (LMI) both the Department and the Union partnered to finally bring a true Fire Captain Orientation and Indoctrination Program to light. For over a decade newly promoted Captains have had to look it up, 50/50, call a friend or figure it out as they go. Some time ago there was a movement to have “off-duty” orientation and indoctrination sessions that were helpful, but clearly not a world-class franchise organization putting stock in their number one resource… the people; in this case the first in officer.
Well, after months of discussions and negotiations between the Department and the Union to use a Labor Management Initiative (LMI) to build a “Captains College” or “Fire Captain Academy” it is done. Both the Department and the Union brought in subject matter experts from management and rank and file to put together a “First Day – First In” Fire Captain Training and Orientation program to give some guidance on what the new position will literally entail on day one, bell one. We thank the Training Services Section Members who handled the heavy lifting to bring the training together.
Local 1014 Executive Board and Department Executive Staff worked to oversee the group and the work product is finally here and we are excited to see how it goes. The first ever FULLY PAID, ON-DUTY TRAINING TO ORIENT AND INDOCRINATE FRONT LINE FIRE CAPTAINS. A promotee will receive an unambiguous letter indicating you have been promoted to the position of Fire Captain, with an effective start date, and instructions to report to the Fire Captain Academy on that date to complete 5 – 8 hour days of training. You will then receive a station assignment and a company to command. Promoted members will complete 16 hours of online pre-course work on-duty and paid. This will be followed by a probationary plan that gets the certifications and state training mandated for our strike team applications and Engine Boss done during your first 6 months also so you can deploy and earn SRC! Important to note this is not part of the testing process and is training only and no pressure other than to go get the training and feel prepared to work your first shift, and answer the first bell! The instructor cadre is comprised of Labor Rank and File, Management and Chief Officer Personnel.
This has been a long time coming, and we are quite proud of the partnership that finally brought about this historic “Class 1” of Officer School and to follow will be a program for newly promoted Battalion Chiefs as well as we recently pitched the thought of developing a “New Paramedic” practical orientation and indoctrination as well. We’ll take it step by step and evaluate the program for future improvements and any changes much like we have done for WFI, FGS and Wildland and Haz-Mat training programs that we have embraced and crafted through an IAFF / IAFC LMI. We are going to try and capture the training and make it available on-line for current fire captains also as a resource.
Thank you to all who have helped make this a reality from both the Union and the Department in the LMI and we look forward to the success of the work. Congratulations in advance to the newest Fire Captains and their historic placement in “FCA – Class 1”. Heads Up… December 1 is tentative go date!
Fraternally,
Local 1014 Executive Board
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