Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Friday Update 

Brothers & Sisters,

Today as America waits for ballots to be counted in the Presidential race, Los Angeles County and California also wait for election results to be finalized.  Los Angeles County had over 4 million ballots left to count as of last night.  These ballots will ultimately determine several races of significance for our membership including Assembly and Congressional seats as well as final totals on state propositions.

We will put out a full summary next week after all the final results have been recorded including any results under appeal.  For now, we would like to share a few races and initiatives that will help our members and legislative efforts going forward. 

In the State Legislature, we supported Republicans Phillip Chen (AD-55 Diamond Bar) who won his seat by a large margin. Assemblymember Chen is a long-time friend and supporter of Local 1014 members and in particular pension protections for our members. We look forward to his work once again on our behalf.  Democrat Josh Newman was elected to Senate District 29 winning his race over Ling Lng Chang, both friends of Local 1014.  We also saw our very own retired member Kelly Seyarto, Republican from Murrieta, join the California State Assembly. He knows about public safety pensions and we will help him navigate a Democratically-controlled legislature and Governor to ensure his success.  Two races that will unfold as the remaining California ballots are counted are Senate District 21 with Republican Scott Wilk, our endorsed candidate, battles Mueller for the seat, and Democrat Christy Smith in a close race with Mike Garcia for United States Congressional District 25 in Santa Clarita. 

While California remains and will largely remain a Democrat-controlled state, as you can see, we support all candidates that support our issues. Our winning endorsed candidates are diverse in districts important to Los Angeles County Fire Fighters Local 1014 members. 

Finally in the Board of Supervisors race for District 2, long-time friend and champion from the CA Senate, Holly Mitchell takes the seat to make the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors the first all-woman Board of Supervisors ever.  We have relationships with all five Supervisors and we will get to work immediately with our 2020 and 2021 agenda on behalf of our members.  Congrats to all who ran excellent campaigns and all who won this cycle.  
 

Congratulations to Class 159
                                   
Congratulations to Class 159 on joining us as Los Angeles County Fire Department! The LA County Tower is as hard as ever with 56 recruits beginning training and 42 making it to the finish line. In the graduating class we have former firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement recruits, including six women, and some of our own FSAs. This graduating class will hit the field and help us with staffing, and begin the most rewarding career in the world. CONGRATULATIONS! 

Staffing 

As we head into this weekend, Local 1014 continues to present ideas and solutions to resolve out problems and systems for the Fire Chief and Administrative Executive Staff. We need to continue hiring, staffing and promoting to keep the ranks full and allow us to accomplish the mission and take care of our members.  One of the areas of constant work is exam appeals and Internal Affairs representing our members.  Thank you to Internal Affairs and Appeals Chairman Pat Dolan and his crew of Directors for this perspective. See his update below on Captain appeals below. 

Potential Captain’s AP Appeals (Pat Dolan) 

To the members who filed appeals on their AP’s for the current Captains exam, we have met with the Department on several occasions, and the appeals have been argued for you.  Unfortunately, many of you will not agree with the decisions the Department made against you, specifically as it pertains to what was told to you in the Promotional Exam Workshops and how Memo’s would suffice as adequate documentation. The Union argued vociferously on your behalf, and it appears it wasn’t successful. Many of you, will (or have), received your letter from DHR regarding the results of your appeal.  Near the bottom of your letter is a paragraph that advises you that if you STILL feel like you have merit to your appeal, to file an appeal with the Civil Service Commission and has a link on how to go about it. 

Before you do that, I would strongly advise you to contact Pat Dolan (pdolan@local1014.org) or Jason Cervantes (jcervantes@local1014.org) so we can hopefully give you some advice before you file.  We had nearly 40 appeals, so email is preferable to notify us as opposed to a phone call or text.  Thank you for your understanding as it pertains to this, and we understand that your future in this organization as a potential Captains is very important to you.
 

Local 1014 Elections 

Local 1014 Executive Board Elections ballots dropped today.  All active and life members in good standing will be able to cast a vote to elect the leaders of your Labor Union.  Los Angeles County is a heavy labor town and our Union is strong within that family. Electing your leaders is so very important.  Take time to listen to the issues, the candidates, and remember to vote!  Good luck to all who have stepped up and stepped in to be considered including those who have been passionately serving already. 

As always, stay safe and take care of each other. 

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Friday Update 

Brothers & Sisters,

This week we were once again reminded of the dangers of our job as we learn that two Wildland Firefighters from Orange County Firefighters Local 3631 were critically burned while fighting the Silverado Fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and our brothers and sisters of Local 3631 as we pray for their recovery. Chief Osby and President Gillotte have reached out to offer not only resources for the fire but access to our Peer Support and IAFF Burn Support Team.

Special thanks to our Peer Support Teams especially Coordinator Captain Scott Ross and our Team members for reaching out to our OC fire family to assist our brothers and sisters in their time of need.

As a reminder, Open Enrollment is also now available through the mylacountybenefits.com website for the CAPE Healthcare Plan for all 1014 members as well. It is your right to choose the best plan available for you and your family. Make sure to log on today before tomorrow's deadline. 

As always, stay safe and take care of each other. 

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Friday Update 

Brothers & Sisters,

Our good friend and IAFF 10th District Vice President Frank Lima is running for IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer.  Frank a 30 plus year LAFD and UFLAC 112 Firefighter (Captain 2) in every sense of the word will be the choice of the nation united in labor issues affecting our profession.  Right-to-work states that have no collective bargaining and those states like California that know the riches of collective bargaining will band together to send Frank Lima to represent our great International Union as we move into 2021 at Convention. A good man, a Union President, and a humble hard-working friend to us all.  More to come, but stand proud with CA, HI, AZ, NM, and Guam as the 10th rises to new heights. 

President Gillotte is in discussions with Chief Osby on 48/96.  President Gillotte has broached this with the BOS and with Chief Osby and is addressing questions from the Fire Chief and the BOS as we move this to a final point of support or no support by the Fire Chief.  We are having fruitful talks about the logistics and operational issues that must be addressed for everyone’s comfort to proceed.  President Gillotte will continue to push this to be resolved by end of October or the beginning of November.  This will be a great trial and once and for all everyone can see what it is like and determine if it is what we want permanently.  

Additionally, have many staffing items at the table for ST staffing and recalls with the continued vetting of the concepts we have proposed to help with our operational needs while also providing common sense and schedule appropriate staffing for our red flag, augmented staffing, and campaign fire needs.  We continue to push for some reforms that work given our staffing shortfalls. 

We also continue to push forward with our drill towers and as the candidates move towards graduation we look forward to the January class and likely 3 or 4 more towers in 2021 to fill our ranks.  In addition, congratulations to our newest promoted members in the Engineers and Captain ranks.  A life-changing move for our members and their families and critical to fill vacancies.  Train well and work hard and enjoy the next chapter in your career as we head into the peak of the Santa Ana brush season. 

Welcoming the City of Vernon to the LACOFD Family

On Wednesday, we welcomed the City of Vernon to the Los Angeles County Fire Department! This has been many years in the making and we are happy to welcome them to our Local 1014 family! Click below to view the video.

Special thank you to The City Council of Vernon and our own Supervisor Hilda Solis for her steadfast commitment to the community. To commemorate Supervisor Solis’ commitment to our members, Local 1014 presented her with a 1014 helmet and a plaque of the Vogue feature on our 1014 members. We welcome the newest 1014 members to our fire family!

Supporting Prop 19 - A Stable Revenue Stream for the Fire Service   

This week, President Dave Gillotte together with California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, Chair of the Democratic Party Rusty Hicks, LA City Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez, and Paul Kortez and participated in a press conference to support Proposition 19 this election. LA County Fire has been underfunded for years as our only funds are from property taxes and not from the county’s general fund. As we all know, we are stretched to the max and need additional resources. Prop 19 will create new and dedicated funds for our department and departments across this state. And it cannot be raided by the state, something we know as been an issue in the past. This funding is an important step forward towards increasing funds for fire and emergency response. Click below to view the press conference. 

OPEN ENROLLMENT REMINDER     
                                      
October 1-31 is the LA County Open Enrollment period for 2021 benefits. Local 1014 would like to remind you to review your benefits and encourage you to look at The Local 1014 Health Plan as an option for your family. It is also the #1 choice for our members and their families.

As a reminder, Open Enrollment is also now available through the mylacountybenefits.com website for the CAPE Healthcare Plan for all 1014 members as well. It is your right to choose the best plan available for you and your family. Make sure to log on today before the October 31 deadline. 

As always, stay safe and take care of each other. 

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

                                                                              

Brothers & Sisters,

After lengthy discussions with the County regarding a variety of administrative issues on both sides, the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) has reached an agreement to verify membership for enrollment in the CAPE Healthcare Plan.

As we mentioned last week, this was an issue for every Union within the CCU but we are pleased that we have found a resolution. It is every member's contractual right to have access to all plans and benefits for which they are eligible. 

Beginning Thursday, October 22, all CCU members will have the ability to choose all healthcare options, including CAPE Healthcare and our own Local 1014 Health Plan for 1014 members, through the mylacountybenefits.com website. 

We would like to thank the new LA County CEO Fesia Davenport, along with her staff, the Department of Human Resources, and County Benefits for their efforts to get this done and work with the CCU for all our members countywide. 

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Brothers & Sisters,

If you have CAPE Union Health Insurance, and we know of a small group of members who have elected this plan, there are significant issues with the County and CAPE in verifying Union Membership for eligibility.  Issues in the format and configuration of the eligibility lists for the County as well as technical issues in verification have hindered many members from having their Union Membership in good standing confirmed by the County to allow selection of CAPE Medical Insurance. 

We are not alone, all Unions in the Coalition of County Unions (CCU), our partnership alliance of Unions for fringe benefits, are having the same issues with their members and the County.  We had an emergency meeting yesterday and ALL UNIONS in the CCU will be appealing to the CEO to try and fix the issues of verification. It is every member's contractual right to have access to all plans and benefits they are eligible and we have taken the position that administrative issues should not prevent any Union member from access to the plans they desire.

We have filed a formal complaint and are going to have a conference call with the CEO to try and rapidly resolve this issue. It is very clear the County is playing games and being obstinate in their approach to a simple member verification issue in order to try and prevent Union Membership as criteria for having a plan. CAPE Union and CAPE Health Plan took steps to REQUIRE Union Membership in good standing as eligibility criteria to continue or select CAPE Medical Plan.  We support their efforts and this has been tremendously productive in the General Membership Union family. 

The County’s continued actions to prevent our members and the members of other Unions from a simple verification are not only frustrating but deeply personal for members who have had a medical plan for years and want to merely continue with the standard of care for their families.  We have taken an aggressive position with the County and sent list after list with only to be rejected by the County, as have other CCU Unions.  LA County Choices Open Enrollment runs until October 31 and we will do everything we can along with our CCU partners to ensure our members have access to all healthcare options. 

We will update you as we get this done with the CCU and the County. 

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Friday Update 

Brothers & Sisters,

Your Union will have leadership stability heading into the end of the year and for the next two years.  At the General Membership meeting on Tuesday, October 13th, nominations were taken for your Union Executive Board seats.  There were single nominations for President, Treasurer, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President.  President Dave Gillotte, 1st VP Lew Currier, and Treasurer John Smolin returning along with Director Kurt Kobler stepping up and into the 2nd Vice President’s job.  We also had all incumbent Directors receive nominations and a few other interested members as well.  

We applaud all brothers and sisters for stepping up to be considered for the Local 1014 Executive Board.  Our Union work and issues are so important. It is critical that we have members who embrace hard work and commit to passionately working on the issues for you and your families.  We are a complex, strong, effective Union that has influence on the issues affecting your wages, hours and working conditions.  Political Action and Legislative Advocacy are at the core of all our issues and necessary to make things happen.  It requires dedication and effort to tackle the difficult conversations needed to get it done.  

We have a lot of serious issues on the line this year with negotiations, 48/96, operational issues, hiring and promotions to fill the ranks, rebuilding the Camps, Dispatch, Health Hazmat, Forestry, Fire Prevention and other operational issues, grievances and legal challenges.  We will be continuing to handle that important work as we get through the next few weeks of elections. We will keep you posted on these issues and provide ample opprotuinty to hear from our Union candidates. Click below to view video message regarding Union Election update. 

                                 

Launching Peer Support K9 Program

This Tuesday, LACOFD officially accepted the donation of two fully trained peer support dogs from the nation’s leading dog training foundations, the Thor’s Hope Foundation in partnership with Performance K9 Training, Inc. and the Patriotic Service Dog Foundation, to launch the new Peer Support K9 Program.

Dogs “Milo” and “Echo” were specially selected and completed hundreds of hours of intense specialized training to support firefighters with PTSD or high levels of anxiety in a variety of situations and settings. They not only assist in identifying individuals experiencing increased levels of stress, they are also trained to comfort those individuals. These two dogs are the first in a new Peer Support K9 Program in the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Both dogs have already been deployed to assist firefighters and first responders on the recent Bobcat Fire.

Over the last five years, the number of suicide for firefighters has surpassed the number of line of duty deaths nationwide. As our firefighters face an unprecedented wildfire season and ever-increasing call loads with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the mental and physical health of our firefighters has never been more critical. The addition of peer support dogs will help first responders manage stress and anxiety during large-scale incidents and extended deployments.        

Click above to view CBS coverage. Click here to view full press conference on KTLA.

Thank you to Chief Osby and Chief Whittle for their support of this program. This is an example of how the labor and management work together to get the best outcomes and the best programs to support our members and their families.

Special thanks to the Board of Supervisors who has committed funding and support for the expansion of this program and for our Firefighters.

OPEN ENROLLMENT 2021      
                                      
October 1-31 is the LA County Open Enrollment period for 2021 benefits. Local 1014 would like to remind you to review your benefits and encourage you to look at The Local 1014 Health Plan as an option for your family. The Local 1014 Health Plan is among the most comprehensive plans available to Firefighters anywhere in the nation and is tailored to meet our Firefighters’ needs. It is also the #1 choice for our members and their families. Higher allowances, increased coverage, new benefits, and greater options are just a few of the highlights of The Local 1014 Health Plan in 2021.

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

                    


Brothers & Sisters,

Today Local 1014 sends to you our Union Voter Guide for the November 2020 Election.

This guide is meant to inform you about the candidates and issues that have Firefighter Union support. The endorsement for the candidates and issues are based on Firefighter issues including: wages, hours, working conditions, health & safety issues, workers' compensation, staffing, funding, behavioral health, contract issues, retirement security & funding, retiree & active health care issues and more.

We work hard to place ourselves in federal, state and local races and issues based on how it affects our profession. Our endorsement of candidates is based solely on their stance on Firefighter issues. Similarly, we analyze ballot measures throughout the County and the State that impact our pensions and our service levels in various cities where we provide Fire and EMS services. They are not partisan choices and they are not based on our personal political beliefs. 

We encourage every member, and the families of members to VOTE this November no matter who you vote for or what issues you may end up supporting or opposing.  Each member, each vote is deeply personal and should be cast with a perspective on all of the issues including your profession and how we survive in our trade-union craft.  We are no different than the other trades with respect to the need to participate heavily in political action, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining. 

There is probably no race more polarizing than the office of the President of the United States.  We know a large group of our members will vote for the incumbent, a large group of our members will vote for the challenger, and a large portion of our members have not decided who they will vote for this November.  Each member is entitled to their vote and their vote and the reasons behind it should be respected. There is room for everyone’s perspective as well as the ability of the Union to support issues and candidates on behalf of our profession and our issues. It is truly that simple. 

Take a moment and reflect on all that you have and all that we benefit from in working in Los Angeles County, California, and what that provides for our families. Take stock in all that you believe in personally and cast your vote.  We are a diverse membership but that diversity makes us stronger when we stand in solidarity with each other, our families, and our profession. COUNTY!  LOCAL 1014 STRONG!

For recommendations in your voting area visit CPF’s Online Voter Guide at cpfvoterguide.org.

NOTE: All registered voters will be mailed a Vote by Mail ballot to ensure a safe and accessible voting option during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mailing of Vote by Mail ballots in all elections begins 29 days prior to Election Day. For information on how to return your ballot, how to track your ballot and other information visit LAVote.net.

We appreciate your consideration as you head to cast your vote. Whomever you choose to vote for this election day, please remember to vote! 

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Brothers & Sisters,

Your Local 1014 Executive Board has been very busy on the legislative front lobbying support from Assembly and Senate members in our District.  

As we have said many times, political action is the most powerful tool we have to ensure that our members have the benefits, wages, and working conditions they need to remain safe and healthy as we serve the public. In order for our firefighter-sponsored bills to pass we need both sides of the house, both parties, and the Governor’s support.  Your Local 1014 Executive Board works constantly to ensure that our elected officials at every level of government understand the issues for our members as well as the benefits vs cost to get it done. This your Executive Board weighed in on every bill through our robust advocacy efforts to ensure that every State Senator, Assemblymember, and the Governor embraced these bills and their passage into law. 

Thank you to the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) Legislative Team and all our brother and sister affiliates for the hard work. COVID-19 made things even more difficult to navigate with communication and meetings being done virtually, but we got it done! Take a look at the list of firefighter-sponsored legislation that has been signed into law this year below.

• AB 1544 (Gipson) – Community Paramedicine or Triage to Alternate Destination Act (Status: Signed by Governor)  AB 1544 creates the Community Paramedicine or Triage to Alternate Destination Act, which authorizes a local emergency medical services agency (LEMSA) to develop and seek approval for a program that provides the following community paramedic or triage paramedic services: directly observed therapy for patients with Tuberculosis; case management services for frequent EMS users; care and comfort services for hospice patients; triage and assessment services to authorize transport to an alternate destination facility, including a mental health facility or sobering center.  Importantly, the bill provides a public safety first right of refusal for community paramedicine programs. 
• SB 1044 (Allen) – Firefighting equipment and foam: PFAS chemicals (Status: Signed by Governor) SB 1044 phases out the use of Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals, with some time limited exceptions, and requires notification of the presence of intentionally added PFAS in the personal protective equipment of firefighters. PFAS are a family of synthetic chemicals that are widely recognized as being harmful to human health and the environment and have been dubbed “forever chemicals” for their persistence in both the body and natural systems. Special thanks to our own 1014 Brother Derek Urwin who advocated strongly for this bill together with Senator Allen. 
• AB 2967 (O’Donnell) – Public Employee’s Retirement System: contracting agencies: exclusion from membership (Status: Signed by Governor)  AB 2967 expressly prohibits employers from amending their contracts to exclude a class of employees from CalPERS coverage that were previously otherwise included.  
• AB 2068 (Petrie-Norris) – Voluntary tax contributions: California Firefighters Memorial Fund: California Police Officer Memorial Foundation Fund (Status: Signed by Governor) Since the construction of the California Firefighters Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol to honor our fallen firefighters, California’s taxpayers have been granted the opportunity to directly support the maintenance of the memorial through the California Firefighters Memorial Fund. AB 2068 extends the sunset of this tax check-off program through January 1, 2028.
• SB 1159 (Hill) – Workers’ compensation: COVID-19: critical workers (Status: Signed by Governor) SB 1159 establishes a rebuttable presumption for injuries including illness or death resulting from COVID-19 within the workers’ compensation system. This presumption would cover employees who contract COVID-19 through the course of their employment, including firefighters, police officers, and healthcare workers, beginning on or after July 6, 2020 until the sunset date of January 1, 2023. 
• AB 1867 – Small employer family leave mediation: supplemental paid sick leave (Status: Signed by Governor) AB 1867 provides supplemental paid sick leave to emergency workers who were excluded from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, ensuring that firefighters who are exposed to or infected with COVID-19 are able to take supplemental sick leave without burning their own accrued sick time. This law applies to firefighters and other emergency workers who are subject to a quarantine order from a governmental entity, a healthcare provider, or their employer due to concerns regarding transmission of the disease. Firefighters who had been scheduled to work an excess of 80 hours for the two weeks before their leave will be granted supplemental sick leave in the amount of the hours they were scheduled to work for those two weeks. This bill took effect immediately upon being signed by the Governor. The Department of Industrial Relations developed an FAQ on the implementation of this law that can be found HERE.
• AB 685 (Reyes) – COVID-19: Imminent hazard to employees: exposure: notification: serious violations (Status: Signed by Governor)  AB 685 requires that employers give workers notice of workplace exposure to COVID-19 within one business day and report outbreaks consisting of 3 cases within 14 days to the local public health officer for inclusion in the state database. 

As always stay safe and take care of each other. 

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board 

Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

Representing over 3200 Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Pilots, Wildland Firefighters, Fire Prevention, Forestry
and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Friday Update 

Brothers & Sisters,

This Friday we have much to be thankful for as Local 1014 members and yet we also have much work to do to navigate the current environment.  We provide the best service in the world with the most talented members in our profession and we have challenges we overcome each and every day.  Please see the updates below on some of those challenges and the work we have in progress.  

Yesterday, marked the 30th anniversary of the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)! Local 1014 members built the program from the ground up, brick by brick.
Our USAR team is known as Task Force 2 and is one of only two UASI certified and FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency certified international teams able to respond to disasters and emergencies worldwide.

     

Our team has responded to several major international and national incidents including September 11th World Trade Center recovery, Hurricane Katrina and Rita, Christ Church New Zealand and Haiti and Mexico Earthquakes, the Sri-Lanka and Japan Tsunamis, the Atlanta Olympic Bombing, the Paradise Fire Recovery, and many many more incidents. Our members put themselves in harm's way to rescue people around the world.

For the last 30 years, Local 1014 has fought for the funding and the use of TF-2 through advocacy at the Congressional, Senate and Presidential level to ensure our team and the system stays funded and protected. Your Executive Board has walked the halls in Washington DC halls on behalf of this program and our team. When the team called us and proposed added a PM spot to the team for protecting their own, we listened, crafted a plan and negotiated that change as well. We take great pride in all our USAR team members accomplish.

Please take a minute honor the members of Local 1014, both past and present who have made this team an amazing part of our rich and diverse history in the fire service. We set the trends, we pave the way, we craft the future. 

In closing...

Finally, please remember to give space for a difference of opinions in the firehouse including views on politics, COVID-19, and operations.  We are diverse and we have members on both sides of the aisle, and both sides of the issues.  Meme posting and social media degradation of each other, the Union, or the mangers of the Department for that matter serve no purpose.  

We have a Local 1014 election around the corner, and we have already heard from a handful of passionate and skilled members with interest.  If you have interest pick up the phone and call anyone on the board to chat about the work and the duties and issues the Union is involved in.  There are so many at the state, national, and local levels.  This is our Union with open doors and plenty of work to go around.  The future belongs to the rich and diverse workforce getting younger each year, and the talent in our millennial and mid-career firefighters is immense.  Let us cultivate that talent and ensure Local 1014 remains strong and powerful on behalf of us all past, present and future.

As always stay safe and take care of each other. 

 In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board