Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014

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

Friday Update

Brothers & Sisters,

This week, we saw the heart-wrenching footage of our brothers and sisters at United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 (UFLAC) enduring a massive explosion in Downtown LA. By the grace of God, all members from Station 9 survived. Our thoughts and prayers are with the 12 injured members and their families as they begin the long road to recovery. 

This incident footage highlights the intense danger our members face each day. The investigation has begun on this incident and information from the fire will be shared with all so we can train and improve our operations. Click here to watch Chief Terrazas interview on the incident.  We are working closely with UFLAC, as our Chiefs Terrazas and Osby, on coordinating our Peer Team to help all impacted members and their families cope with the aftermath of this incident.

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, Forestry and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Friday Update

Sisters & Brothers,

Today Class 156 graduated and joined our ranks as Local 1014 members! This class represents 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 was a combination of Firefighters and Paramedics who already had Firefighter 1 training and veterans from V Band off our new list.  We started with 56 and lost 6 graduating a total of 50 new members of Local 1014.  

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.

Lifting the Overtime CAP

Thank you to all the workers who step up to work the spots and fill our needs both in the field and in special assignments to carry out the mission of the Department in serving the citizens of Los Angeles County.  

The past few months have put an even greater strain on our membership in meeting the demands of the COVID-19 environment.  We have worked with the Fire Chief to remove the Overtime CAP and allow our workers to work as we begin to prepare for the brush season that will further tax our resources.

Local 1014 continues to oppose any OT CAP for total hours worked and we will continue to make our concerns known and attempt to bargain for a permanent cessation of any such CAP. OT will be broadened by simply hiring and filling the ranks in a consistent and fair manner that will not result in vacancies in any rank that impact the workforce with very high recall numbers as we have seen in the past few years.  

Ratification of 603-604 Tentative Agreement 

Today, it is our pleasure to announce that the Tentative Agreement for 603/604 Bargaining Units has been ratified with overwhelming support. Our brothers and sisters in bargaining units 603/604 serving in Dispatch, Health HazMat, Forestry, and Fire Prevention serve vital roles in our fire-based EMS and multi-mission work. This contract reflects that value. Thank you also to our Local 1014 bargaining team who worked tirelessly for our members and their families. 

THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT IS RATIFIED WITH 99.2% IN FAVOR OF RATIFICATION. 

We thank the membership for your voice. Next, the Tentative Agreement will be sent to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for a ratification vote. We will keep you updated as the process continues. Thank you for your vote and your voice. Stay tuned for updates as we begin that process with the County once more. 

The Heroes Act - Coronavirus Recovery Supplemental Appropriations Act 

Today, The Heroes Act, the federal COVID-19 aid package is going to be voted on in Congress. Local 1014 has been lobbying along with our affiliates in the IAFF, our Board of Supervisors, and CEO partners to ensure that local revenue loss monies are included for Los Angeles County. 

The federal HEROES Act would provide a lifeline of funds to state and local governments that are struggling under the burden of pandemic-induced shortfalls. The bill focuses specifically on the important areas of supporting essential work, replacement of revenues due to lost economic activity, and reimbursing governments for COVID-19 spending.

For California, that would translate into nearly $22 billion in 2020 and nearly $26 billion in 2021 of assistance to support critical services, including the purchase of personal protective and decontamination equipment, replacement of revenues due to lost economic activity, and hazard pay for firefighters and other essential workers. This bill is critical for our County’s fiscal health and will help offset the estimated $2 billion sales tax shortfall this year.

At the federal level, we also worked to remove the restrictions on SAFER Act monies to allow them to be used to retain personnel in these fiscally challenging times. 

Additionally, Governor Gavin Newsom has fully-funded CAL-Fire budget inclusive of mutual aid funds that will be used for Municipal Mutual Aid Departments such as Los Angeles County Fire. This is very important to allow us to pre-deploy and staff not only our engines responding to the fires, but also those backfilling in the stations.  We want to thank the Governor for and early and open commitment to the Firefighters as we deal with the financial impact of COVID-19 response. 

We will continue to work tight the Governor and the State Legislature as we navigate the budget shortfalls heading into the next fiscal year.  

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, Forestry and Health Haz Mat Personnel

Friday Update

Sisters & Brothers,

This week, we celebrated our brothers and sisters in the healthcare profession for National Nursing Day! Thank you to our amazing Los Angeles County Fire Department Nurses, our own Local 1014 Health Plan Nurses, and all nurses who stand with us on the frontline every day to serve and protect our communities.

As we continue to navigate this pandemic and look toward the long road of recovery, we are reminded that we cannot take anything for granted. Our wages, benefits, and working conditions are critical to the health and safety of our members. Now more than ever we need to stand in solidarity with each other and with our brothers and sister in the healthcare space to fight for legislation and benefit protections for our members. 

Legislative Update
This week, 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. 

Click here to view video.

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 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.

This week, our Brother Derek Urwin participated in a Facebook live event with CPF, Clean Water Action, and Senator Ben Allen regarding our support of SB 1044, CPF’s co-sponsored legislation to phase out the usage of PFAS in firefighting foams. 

                              

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. Thank you, Brother Urwin, for participating in this important event and thank you to our CPF legislative team for helping to set this up. 

603/604 Tentative Agreement Ratification 

                                     

Next week in-person voting begins for the ratificaiton of the Tentative Agreement for Bargaining Units 603 and 604 which includes Health Haz Mat (HHM), Fire Protection Engineers (FPEA), Dispatchers, and Forestry Technicians. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are allowing in-person voting on Tuesday, May 12 through Thursday, May 14 at the Health Hazmat Division from 0800-1000 am and at Dispatch from 0630-0800 am all days. You must have your Department ID to vote. If you are out on Injury, please contact Local 1014 and a ballot will be mailed out to you. Note: For Dispatch personnel, a Union representative will arrive at 0630 am on all three days to allow on and off going shift to get their ballots in.

Votes will be counted Friday, May 15.  If ratified, the Board of Supervisors will then vote on the contract ratification at their next scheduled meeting.

Your Local 1014 Executive Board and Bargaining Team worked tirelessly to ensure that our 603/604 members received the recognition and pay they deserve for their tireless work and sacrifice. This is the richest per member non-safety contract in the County. 

This contract includes a retroactive +2% to 6/1/19 and a retroactive +2.5% to 10/1/19 in addition to +2% specialty bonuses in ALL groups retroactive to 6/1/19.  Please see the attached fact sheet for more details. 

We left no money on the table and we strongly urge a “YES” vote to ratify this Tentative Agreement. Thank you for your support.   

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, Forestry and Health Haz Mat Personnel

603/604 Tentative Agreement Ratification Vote
 

Sisters & Brothers, 

We are pleased to announce the final language for our successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) for Bargaining Units 603 and 604 has been finalized between the County and Local 1014. Bargaining Unit 603/604 includes Health Haz Mat (HHM), Fire Protection Engineers (FPEA), Dispatchers, and Forestry Technicians. 

Your Local 1014 Executive Board and Bargaining Team worked tirelessly to ensure that our 603/604 members received the recognition and pay they deserve for their tireless work and sacrifice. This is the richest per member non-safety contract in the County. 

This contract includes a retroactive +2% to 6/1/19 and a retroactive +2.5% to 10/1/19 in addition to +2% specialty bonuses in ALL groups retroactive to 6/1/19.  Please see the attached fact sheet for more details. 

We left no money on the table and we strongly urge a “YES” vote to ratify this Tentative Agreement. Thank you for your support. 

VOTING PROCESS

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are allowing in-person voting on Tuesday, May 12 through Thursday, May 14 at the Health Hazmat Division from 0800-1000 am and at Dispatch from 0630-0800 am all days.  

You must have your Department ID to vote. If you are out on Injury, please contact Local 1014 and a ballot will be mailed out to you. Note: For Dispatch personnel, a Union representative will arrive at 0630 am on all three days to allow on and off going shift to get their ballots in.

Votes will be counted Friday, May 15.  If ratified, the Board of Supervisors will then vote on the contract ratification at their next scheduled meeting.  

Thank you to our members who stood tough and allowed us to fight it out to secure the other items in addition to general salary. It has not been an easy road and we had to fight the Department and the County on many proposals to protect our members. This has been a long road but well worth it to get our members the pay and recognition they deserve. 

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, Forestry and Health Haz Mat Personnel

FRIDAY UPDATE 
 

Brothers and Sisters,

As we continue to serve on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also seeing the enconomic impact of this pandemic not only in our communities but in our forecasted revenue for the County of Los Angeles. Your Local 1014 Union, is doing everything in its power to continue to fight for the resources, staffing, wages, hours, and working conditions our members deserve as we fight this pandemic. Make no mistake, this will be a difficult recovery process for our County. It is critical that we remain in solidarity with each other and that we continue to provide first-class service to our residents. Your Union is working hard on the legislative, political, and departmental fronts to ensure that we weather this storm and that we continue to make critical items like staffing a priority for our future.

Economic Outlook 

Legislative Update 

Local 1014 along with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) have been pushing for greater protections for our members. We are pleased to announce that we now have CPF-sponsored state legislation for COVID-19 PRESUMPTION for our members. 

If passed, AB 664 will ensure that firefighters, law enforcement officers and healthcare workers responding to the COVID-19 crisis will be eligible for workplace protection should they contract the virus or any other communicable disease when a state or local government emergency is declared. Protections include full medical and disability coverage, and death benefits as wells as temporary disability payments for any periods of ordered quarantine.

Thank you to the incredible coalition of coauthors of this bill: Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D- Elk Grove), Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D- San Diego) and Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D- Alameda) and Senator Tom Umberg (D- Santa Ana), as well as, Assemblymembers Aguiar-Curry (D- Winters), Burke (D- Inglewood), Chen (R- Yorba Linda), Chiu (D- San Francisco), Flora (R- Ripon), Lackey (R- Palmdale), McCarty (D- Sacramento), Petrie-Norris (D- Irvine), and Waldron (R- Escondido), State Senators Hueso (D- San Diego) and Stern (D- Calabasas).

We will have more on this as we continue to build a strong coalition of support and fight to get this critically important bill passed once the legislature resumes its sessions. 

Next week our Brother Derek Urwin will participate in a Facebook live event with CPF, Clean Water Action, and Senator Ben Allen regarding our support of SB 1044, CPF’s co-sponsored legislation to phase out the usage of PFAS in firefighting foams. 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. 

PFAS Video Debut and Q&A Session 
Tuesday, May 5 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. 

Click here to RSVP to the chat or to submit a question for the Q&A session: cleanwateraction.org/pfas-movie

Community Partners 

Thank you to our long-standing friend Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R) for securing a donation of 10,000 disposable surgical masks from Condor Outdoor Products, Inc and their Irwindale location! These masks will be used to help our members and members of the public prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Thank you to Assemblymember Chen for always supporting our members in our mission to serve the public. Chen is also one of the coalition of coauthors for our California Professional Firefighters sponsored COVID-19 Presumption Bill (AB 664) we will be fighting to pass to protect our members. 

As always, please get your information from reliable and confirmed sources: Local 1014, Department EA’s, IAFF and CPF as well as FireSync App which all have COVID-19 information links with the COVID-19 reporting link as well. 

Stay safe; take care of each other. Remember that your conduct both on and off duty with regard to social distancing, cleaning and proper PPE makes a difference in not only your health but the health of those you work with and their families.  Be responsible and let us all do our part.

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, Forestry and Health Haz Mat Personnel

FRIDAY UPDATE 
 

Brothers and Sisters,

This week, our members continue to see a steady influx in the severity of calls due to COVID-19. Your Union is working collaboratively with the Department, LA County Public Health, our Board of Supervisors, and the State to ensure that we continue to receive the equipment and resources we need to serve our communities and keep our members safe. As we continue to navigate this process, your Union is looking for more ways we can support our members, their families, and the community. 

On a positive note, we have encouraging news from our Brothers and Sisters at Torrance Firefighters Association Local 1138, who had a member who needed a plasma donation due to COVID-19. See their message of thanks below: 

Thank you to our Union family for stepping up and finding a donor. While this is good news, we must remain vigilant as we are still facing this danger every day out in the field.

In our own Local 1014 Family, we have a member who needs our thoughts and prayers next week. Brother Germain Aguilera from FS 20 is undergoing surgery to have a brain tumor removed next week. Please keep our Brother in your prayers next week. We will have more information for those who wish to support him and his family next week. For now, thoughts and prayers for a smooth surgery and a quick recovery. 

Peer Support and Telemental Health Services and Services for Families

As a reminder, the Warriors Research Institute (WRI) - run by IAFF Behavioral Health partner Dr. Suzy Gulliver - is offering telemental health services at no cost to all IAFF members. 

Treatment is provided on a secure web platform by licensed therapists who have experience working with firefighters. Call in by phone or participate via your personal computer in the comfort of your own home. Treatment can address a range of behavioral health challenges and you do not need a specific diagnosis to participate. Learn more here.  

Additionally, please remember to use the resources available through the Union from IAFF, and CPF including the Peer Support Program, which includes active, retiree and family resources, and the Healing Our Own website if you need help.  

We often focus on the stress of our members while on the job; however, the stress at home for families is equally great right now with schools closed and activities postponed. Please share these resources with your families and encourage them to reach out if needed. 

As always, please get your information from reliable and confirmed sources: Local 1014, Department EA’s, IAFF and CPF as well as FireSync App which all have COVID-19 information links with the COVID-19 reporting link as well. 

Stay safe; take care of each other. Remember that your conduct both on and off duty with regard to social distancing, cleaning and proper PPE makes a difference in not only your health but the health of those you work with and their families.  Be responsible and let us all do our part.

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, Forestry and Health Haz Mat Personnel

FRIDAY UPDATE 
 

Brothers and Sisters,

As we end another dynamic week of our members saving lives out in the field and altering their own lives at home to meet the challenges of COVID-19. 

This week’s update will be brief, here are a few items to keep you up to speed on what your Union has been doing for you and your families at all levels to ensure we get through this crisis. 

Department Update 

Per our update last week, we are working on getting the benefits of The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act implemented for our members. When this legislation was first enacted, it did not apply to public safety personnel. Now through our hard work and collaboration with the CEO, we have reached an agreement where our members will now be included in the benefit. We are in contact with management regarding the hours and administrative issues and hope to have this implemented soon. As a reminder, please see the guideline below regarding time off, proper coding and exposure reporting. 

• Sick Time - Members who take sick off duty or found at morning screenings.
• Ordered Absence - ZI for those to have been exposed and are symptomatic - full pay, no benefit time used. 
• Confirmed COVID-19 Test Positive - Converted to Injury Claim and “I” process.  
• Please Follow COVID-19 reporting policies to track and also set up for reimbursement for the County and Fire in the future. File a workers’ compensation case where appropriate. 

Note: if you find yourself out of benefit time and have the need to self-quarantine please call the Union for help with those special circumstances and we will address those issues individually as well as with priority. 

PPE Update 

The Department has been proactive in securing any and all available PPE for our members. We did receive some from the national stockpile that had faulty bands. Please review EA-183 which addresses this issue. The Warehouse, Procurement, and the EMS section have been busy ensuring our Department has the supplies they need including contract purchases for PPE.

Many of our members have asked if the information gets back to the stations from the hospitals for suspected COVID-19 positive patients to confirm to the crew that they had a positive patient. The answer is yes, this is happening.  If a hospital receives a Person Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID and test show positive, then health programs section contacts crews to inform them of the potential exposure.  Crews need to be diligent and document all potential or suspected exposure to PUI utilizing the Department's COVID exposure form.

Please be sure to use Department COVID resources. They are located on the main intranet page for LACoFD in the highlighted box, which is in the center and is labeled COVID Resources. This link contains all COVID-19 related info including EAs, Exposure Reports and the COVID Dashboard which tracks suspected COVID cases through our EMS Dispatch System. 

Legislative Update 

We continue to diligently work on legislative issues at all levels of government to ensure our members have the protections and benefits they need to not only endure during this crisis but remain healthy. Your Union Executive Board regularly meets with the Fire Chief, the Board of Supervisors and the CEO to partner on state and federal issues that impact funds and support for LA County as a whole and our LA County Fire Department. 

To end this week, President Gillotte along with Labor Leaders from the State had a conference call with Governor Gavin Newsom to discuss critical legislative action that will help our members in the field provide care. This included the suggestion by Chief Osby and Local 1014 to temporarily allow alternative destination transport in California. The federal government recently allowed the use of Medicare to pay for ambulance transport to alternative destinations rather than the emergency rooms, we cannot yet do that in California. Local 1014 submitted a recommendation to temporarily implement a similar ordinance in California so we are not taking COVID-19 patients to the Emergency Room. This would be another tool, similar to telemedicine, to stop the flow of people into crowded emergency rooms. The Governor assured us he is making progress on this front and will update us as it becomes a reality. 

Additionally, we also discussed on the call, the lack of local funding in the federal stimulus packages. This has the potential to significantly impact our staffing as this crisis progresses. It is essential that we partner with our state partners to ensure that money comes to where it is needed most, the local level. The Governor assured us that he is in contact with Washington and has lobbied for a bottom-up approach to this issue in order to protect our local economies and our ability to provide service. We are working hand in hand with the CEO and the BOS on this important task that will affect our budget.  

Once again, we see that our political action is the most important part of ensuring that our members have a voice at all levels of government. 

AB 1945 - Dispatchers

Special Note for our Dispatchers - You may have seen or heard about AB-1945, a bill introduced to give Dispatchers “First Responder” status.  The author of this bill and those pushing this effort have refused to talk with the CPF and Local 1014 about the bill. This bill as currently written does nothing more than giving a title to Dispatchers and furthermore leaves the negative impact of CalPERS amendments and other such language that would harm efforts to get our Dispatchers covered under PTSI Presumption and other needed coverage for our Dispatchers.  The author has frankly taken the low road and the easy road to try and appease Dispatchers with a “Name Only Title” of First Responder.  We have offered to help amend the bill and or craft language that would differentiate public dispatchers from private dispatcher systems and also move our Dispatchers along the path of the much-needed coverage by our Behavioral Health Bill.  The author had refused amendments and in its current form would be DETRIMENTAL to public safety dispatchers.  Local 1014 along with CPF oppose this bill and we will take this matter up ourselves and craft our own sponsored Dispatch legislation.  The matter is before the Executive Board as the next legislative session starts.  More next week on this effort.  

1014 Health Plan

At the Union Hall, our Local 1014 staff continuing to adapt and make the migration to work at home with telework. We are committed to staying open for business processing claims and ensuring care for our members and their families continue during this time. 

As a reminder, in order to keep our members and their families informed we have created a COVID-19 Family Resource Guide.  Click here to download a copy. 

Staffing and Training 

On the staffing front, we have seen some positive movement starting to shift with days off and less recalls. Class 156 is up and running and we have two more towers in June and two in September. We would like to thank the Training Staff and TSS for their work to get this drill tower handled with the combined use of technology, old school grinder work, social distancing and cleaning in place. This is a new way, but a way that is working well and may influence a model for future training towers.

On the state level, the State Board of Fire Service and Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC) are working with Labor and management to ensure our method secures full dollars on training which is critical for securing our funding.  

Peer Support Help and Resources 
We recognize that this is a trying time for many of our members and their families as they often risk exposure in order to protect our communities.  Please remember to use the resources available through the Union from IAFF, and CPF including the Peer Support Program, which includes active, retiree and family resources, and the Healing Our Own website if you need help.   

As always, please get your information from reliable and confirmed sources: Local 1014, Department EA’s, IAFF and CPF as well as FireSync App which all have COVID-19 information links with the COVID-19 reporting link as well. Click here to view all Local 1014 COVID-19 Resources.

Stay safe, take care of each other. Remember that your conduct both on and off duty with regard to social distancing, cleaning and proper PPE makes a difference in not only your health but the health of those you work with and their families.  Be responsible and let us all do our part.

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, Forestry and Health Haz Mat Personnel

FRIDAY UPDATE 
 

Brothers and Sisters,

As we close out yet another week in grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, we would again like to thank our members and their families for continuing to selflessly serve our communities and make the sacrifices in order to provide care to those who need it. The Executive Board is proud to represent you and your families as you fight on the frontlines. 

Legislative Update 

On the legislative side, your Union has been hard at work together with ALADS and LACOLA to ensure that our members receive the benefit time they need to take care of themselves and their families. 

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. When this legislation was first enacted, it did not apply to public safety personnel. Now through our hard work and collaboration with the CEO, we have reached an agreement where our members will now be included in the benefit. 

The Act provides that employees are eligible for:

• Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis
• Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine, or to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition 
• Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee, who has been employed for at least 30 calendar days, is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

The Union is currently in negotiations with the Department to develop a policy for administering this time, including front-loading the time from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 for members to use as needed. We will have more details on this as we solidify the arrangement and develop systems for processing with the Department.  We will be helping the Department to make the conversions for 56-hour personnel and also a simple and easy to use policy and procedure for this time.  Additionally, any individual who met the criteria from April 1 on we will move to get that time converted under this act and Board of Supervisors (BOS) order for public safety.  We will continue to move the issue of time, workers' compensation coverage and antibody testing forward with the Governor and legislature as well. 
 

We want to thank the BOS and the CEO Sachi Hamai for moving this item forward for all employees but specifically for including public safety in the order where we were exempt in the original language.  We will continue to work with the County BOS, the CEO and the Chief as we deal with all of the issues affecting our members.   

This is a huge win for our members and their families. As this pandemic progresses our members will need this additional time to deal with quarantine, self-isolate or tend to sick family members.  Look for more details on this as we roll this out in the next few weeks. 

Taking Care of Our Fire Family 

As a reminder, in order to keep our members and their families informed we have created a COVID-19 Family Resource Guide. This guide was mailed to homes last week and contains important information such as symptoms, cleaning practices, behavioral health guidelines, making a plan for your family in the event of quarantine, and more. Click below to download a copy. 

PPE AND SAFETY AT WORK 

Please continue to make sure your crews have the proper PPE with gowns, masks, and goggles as well as cleaning supplies and follow the mandates and guides for dealing with COVID-19 suspected patients and in general while at work.  It is critically important that all of our members adhere to the twice-daily screenings to ensure no one comes to work and brings COVID-19 exposure into the firehouses and sites.  In addition, please review the latest PPE and Social Distancing Guidelines (See guidelines here).

Peer Support Help and Resources 
The month of April is Stress Awareness Month and we would like to remind our members that health is not just physical it is also mental. We recognize that this is a trying time for many of our members and their families as they often risk exposure in order to protect our communities.  Please remember to use the resources available through the Union from IAFF, and CPF including the Peer Support Program, which includes active, retiree and family resources if you need help.   

Our Peer Team has been meeting weekly to assess needs not only with our regular calls but the additional impact due to COVID-19.  Our Peers, along with clinicians, have been reaching out to those in quarantine or exposure situations, to families, to the Executive Staff and to the Executive Board of the Union. They have made a huge difference during this crisis. 

Finally, the California Behavioral Health Task Force met virtually every day this week in order to add more resources for our members and their families through Healing Our Own. If any members or their families have a COVID-19 related story about dealing with the pandemic, PPE issues, quarantine issues, or dealing with a family member or peer's illness, please send us a note so we can contact you. Your story could help others who are also battling stress, anxiety and physical issues due to the impact of COVID-19. If you would like to share your story please email President Gillotte at daveg@local1014.org or call or text at 310-925-2358.  

As always, please get your information from reliable and confirmed sources: Local 1014, Department EA’s, IAFF and CPF as well as FireSync App which all have COVID-19 information links with the COVID-19 reporting link as well. Click here to view all Local 1014 COVID-19 Resources.

Stay safe, take care of each other. Remember that your conduct both on and off duty with regard to social distancing, cleaning and proper PPE makes a difference in not only your health but the health of those you work with and their families.  Be responsible and let us all do our part.

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, Forestry and Health Haz Mat Personnel

FRIDAY UPDATE 

 Click here to view the video. 

Brothers and Sisters,

Good evening. Thank you to all Firefighters, Paramedics, Pilots, FSA's, Dispatchers, Fire Prevention, Forestry, and Health Hazmat Fire Personnel for your tireless efforts on the front lines. We have all been working so hard, both on and off duty, to deal with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching impacts. 

This Friday update, like each week, contains useful information in the attachments and links for our members and for our families at home. Please get your information from reliable and confirmed sources: Local 1014, Department EA’s, IAFF and CPF as well as FireSync App which all have COVID-19 information links with the COVID-19 reporting link as well.  

Click here to view all Local 1014 COVID-19 Resources

PPE AND SAFETY AT WORK 

Please continue to make sure your crews have the proper PPE with gowns, masks, and goggles as well as cleaning supplies and follow the mandates and guides for dealing with COVID-19 suspected patients and in general while at work.  It is critically important that all of our members adhere to the twice-daily screenings to ensure no one comes to work and brings COVID-19 exposure into the firehouses and sites.  

In addition, please remember that your conduct both on and off duty with regard to social distancing and cleaning makes a difference in not only your health but the health of those you work with and their families.  Be responsible and let us all do our part.  Please review the latest PPE and Social Distancing Guidelines (See guidelines here).

We are embedded in the Ready Net order and supply center with our IMT in charge. The Union and Department are in contact with the CEO, BOS, and Public Health to coordinate priorities within the County and ensure we are a priority. If you have any issues getting your PPE please contact Director Jason Green who is working with Chief Robertson and Ewald.  

Quarantine Information 

Members have access to County-controlled hotels dedicated to public safety only (Fire, Sheriff, and Lifeguards) to use in the event quarantine at home is not an option due to the inability to have safe social distancing from other family members or high-risk family members at home.  All Unions have thrown together a relief fund to provide food, internet, etc. at these three hotels. The hotels are located in Santa Clarita, LAX, and East End.  The Union along with ALADS, PPOA, and LACOLA worked together in a lobbying effort with the CEO to secure these resources. 

If you are positive or have symptoms and have a need for the accommodations please notify your supervisor and call any Union Board Member. We will handle that arrangement.  We have also set up Health Programs Services, Union and PEER outreach calls for our quarantined members. As a reminder, quarantine is for 7 days and 72 hours symptom-free. 

Time Off and How it is Coded - COVID-19 Exposure Reporting 

• Sick Time - Members who take sick off duty or found at morning screenings.
• Ordered Absence - ZD for those to have been exposed and are symptomatic - full pay, no benefit time used. 
• Confirmed COVID-19 Test Positive - Converted to Injury Claim and “I” process.  
• Please Follow COVID-19 reporting policies to track and also set up for reimbursement for the County and Fire in the future (See EA here) 
   

Firefighter Testing 

Dr. Kazan is the coordinator for all LA County COVID-19 testing.  He has secured Firefighter priority for testing, but please watch the Doc Talk videos below for information on the criteria necessary for a test.  However, it does us no good to burn through the tests as they are limited (“false negatives”, not effective in the timeline of quarantine or treatment).  Signs and symptoms are also necessary for the documentation of this virus.  Please note the CPF, our state Union is working to secure Firefighter tests through a large diagnostic firm. Local 1014 will help to administer those tests for LA County Department. More on the additional testing as we finish that negotiation.  Also, the Local 1014 Health Plan will cover the test, but most doctor’s offices and clinics will approve with criteria.

Please also see the latest training "Doc Talk" videos done by Dr. Kazan below for more information on health safety and sanitization best practices. 

• COVID-19 PPE Update Doc Talk
• COVID-19 Testing Doc Talk
• Telemedicine and DHS Treatment Protocol 1245 Doc Talk
• Social Distancing and Exposure Precautions Doc Talk
• COVID-19 EMS Rescues Doc Talk
• Updated Donning-Doffing 

Class 156 is a go!  - Recruit classes remain a priority to fill Vacancies during the crisis 
                            
Local 1014 along with the Fire Chief, Training Services Section, BC, Training Captains, Chief Breshears, Dr. Kazan, and our partners at County Public Health came together to make history. With the impending cancellation of drill towers in other Departments, we decided to work outside the box to create a COVID-19 Environment Drill Tower.  We made this program from the ground up, called the 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 this is not a perfect training environment, we are relying 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 will be sequestered, just like boot camp, for six days a week with Sunday off allowing for socially compliant family time.  We have included the Peers and Clinicians for both the recruits and the Instructors during this time. The medic FF class will be out in 5 weeks and the non-Firefighter veterans' portion of the class will be out in 8 weeks. Going six days a week makes that literally 25 days and 42 days. We will keep you posted as we progress. Other departments have already reached out to mirror our plan.  We are also preparing Del Valle for June’s class and three more after that.  We must stay on course to hire and fill vacancies throughout this pandemic or we will see the ramifications later on.

Peer Support Help and Resources 

Our Peer Team has been meeting weekly to assess needs not only with our regular calls but the additional impact due to COVID-19.  Our Peers, along with clinicians, have been reaching out to those in quarantine or exposure situations, to families, to the Executive Staff and to the Executive Board of the Union. They have made a huge difference during this crisis. Take a look at the Behavioral Health Tools from IAFF, CPF and Local 1014 including the attached COVID-19 Family Guide which we mailed to our members' homes. The Peers will be an integral part of Class 156. Thank you so much for your work. 

Legislative and Political Action Report 

At the Local County level our relationships with the BOS, CEO and Fire Chief helped ensure we had a seat at the table for the COVID-19 response. In every aspect including, tools. equipment, policies, procedures, best practices, and timekeeping, we were included and able to ensure our members had a relatively seamless transition to a COVID-19 work environment.  Thank you to Chief Osby for partnering early and often--we continue to navigate this storm together. 

At the State level, as 7th District Vice President, and at the National level in the 10th District, I am working on behalf of the Executive Board and Local 1014 to help ensure the Federal and State financial aid is in place for LA County and LA County Fire.  Additionally, we are helping write the legislation for workers' compensation, health, and safety for COVID-19. The legislature is back in session in April and we are confident we will have bipartisan support for our legislation.  In the meantime, we are also working on a Governor’s Directive.  Local 1014 proposed law to ensure that existing 4850 time for injured workers off duty is tolled during this time due to the inability to access IME’s and Doctors for treatment.  We are also working through the IAFF to amend the Ryan White Act to include COVID-19 for reporting of exposure. 

                            

We were also part of the LA County Labor Management Team that worked to secure the USNS Mercy. This was a tremendous effort. Thank you to the President for working with us to get that done.  Also thank you to Governor Gavin Newsom for his help and continued support for Firefighters with regard to PPE’s, testing, health, safety, and work comp issues. A bipartisan effort is truly happening at the state and federal level. 

A word of caution however on the federal aid packages, we are in the third financial relief package and no relief for folks making what our members make, and no real money for local government for the loss of revenue.  Just as businesses are getting aid, LA County and all Counties need general revenue loss relief.  While LA County Firefighters are essential workers and we have Fire District funding, we are all subject to the financial situation at the County of LA. We will continue to stand with our fellow Unions to lobby for direct financial support which is so critical to the County budget, our healthcare and pension funding.  We will keep you posted. Please follow along with Local 1014, CPF and IAFF for updates. 

Local 1014 Health and Welfare staff moved to telework
  
Safe Social Distanced Briefing of Local 1014 Health Trust Team on Telework with our IT consultant James Sileo of CityscapeITPros.

Local 1014 Executive Board and the Health Trustees came together to create a plan to move our workers to telework. Given the closures of non-essential businesses and a possibility we may get moved into that category, we acted immediately for the safety of our employees and their families.   This was a huge undertaking. We moved quickly to secure the hardware, cell phones, and establish internet with the bandwidth needed, and secure HIPPA and ensure security for every job at the Union Hall. This three-phase plan includes some office time for essential personnel with once a week runs where our postal machines and reports must be handled on-site.  Thank you to all who worked on this endeavor so we can ensure uninterrupted health care coverage for our members while protecting our employees. 

Staffing Levels 

Local 1014 is working daily with Chief Deputy Richardson and his OPS Executive Staff to formulate a COVID-19 safe staffing levels plan.  This is not easy and we have already been at near 20% vacancy due to injury and vacancy in the ranks. Engineer and Captains ranks are filled up a bit better and the FFPM positions are fairly good. The FF rank is devastated and as we work to fill those ranks by running the towers we also seek other relief.  We are clarifying for the Department that pre-COVID-19 staffing levels are what we have been dealing with for months now. There are things like lifting the cap, not counting work downs or recalls against the cap, and other staffing agreements we can structure to help.  Fixing workers' compensation so that our members can be seen, diagnosed and treated in a timely manner and efficiently running drill towers are all items that are part of this plan. For COVID-19 impact for regular staffing and strike team needs, should we be in that situation, we are working on trigger points by agreement and methods to secure staffing levels rather than lose staffing during this time.  Even a two-platoon system is in the mix should we get there.  

In conclusion, do your part, follow the rules both on and off duty to work and live safely in this environment.  Be kind and supportive to each other at work, and take time to ensure your families are secure and safe with good information and communication.  Physical and mental health is important. Leave time for plenty of that at work, as well as consider reaching out to the peers if needed.  We will continue to update you each week and as necessary when new information on health and safety is available.  

LA County Fire and Local 1014 members have done a remarkable job to ensure our workforce is safe and protected as we serve on the front lines.  Let us know if you have any needs or items you need help with during this time that we may not be aware of yet. 

In Solidarity and Strength,

President Dave Gillotte and the Local 1014 Executive Board