The Cambridge Fire Department has been named one of thirty-five national finalists for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This is the U.S. Government's highest recognition for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

The Cambridge Fire Department was selected from more than 3,200 nominations submitted. 15 recipients will be selected from the 35 finalists. The awards will be presented at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on September 17, 2009.

 FAQS REGARDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE ACTS OF 2009

Are payments under the “Quinn Bill” regular compensation under Chapter 21?
“The Quinn Bill” established by G.L. c. 42, § 108L clearly provides that Quinn Bill payments become a permanent part of an individual’s base pay. Therefore, they are included in the new definition of regular compensation. Funding of the Quinn Bill is a separate issue.

Are other so called educational incentives regular compensation under Chapter 21?
If educational incentives for individuals are a permanent part of the base salary, such payments are included in the new definition of regular compensation. If not part of the base salary, no, unless provided for in a collective bargaining agreement or employment contract in effect on May 1, 2009, in which case it will remain regular compensation until the contract expires but no later than July 1, 2012.

Are longevity payments, EMT payments, HazMat payments, Defibrillator payments, Homeland Security payments, Stand-By payments, and other similar payments regular compensation under Chapter 21?
If longevity EMT, Hazardous Material, Defibrillator, Homeland Security, Stand-by payments, and other similar payments are permanent part of base pay, such payments are included in the new definition of regular compensation. If not part of the base salary, no, unless provided for in a collective bargaining agreement or employment contract in effect on May 1, 2009, in which case it will remain regular compensation until the contract expires but no later than July 1, 2012.

Do amounts paid for working holidays for certain public safety personnel continue to be regular compensation?
Yes.

A collective bargaining agreement or employment contract was in effect prior to May 1, 2009. There is no new contract as of July 1, 2009 and the parties are operating under the old agreement until a new one is executed. If a new agreement is executed after July 1, 2009 how will this be assessed under Chapter 21?
If the old contract was in effect prior to May 1, 2009, the successor contract would be effective on the date the old contract expired and payments that were regular compensation will retain that status until the end of the successor contract, but not later than June 30, 2012. Retirement contributions should continue to be withheld while the new contract is being negotiated.

Does the definition of regular compensation impact payments made prior to June 30, 2009?
The new definition of regular compensation established by Chapter 21 does not impact payments made prior to July 1, 2009. Regular compensation status for payments made prior to July 1, 2009 will be determined according to the "old" definition. As a result there will be instances in which a member’s three year average will include regular compensation which is determined under both definitions. For example, regular compensation for June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008 and for July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 will be determined under the "old" definition and regular compensation for July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 will be determined under the definition established by Chapter 21.

PERAC WILL CONTINUE TO POST ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN THE COURSE OF THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

CLICK HERE to view the PERAC Memo on Chapter 21 of the Acts of 2009

U.S. Supreme Court Reverses Lower Court Decision in Ricci v. DeStefano Case 

Eighteen New Haven, Connecticut, fire fighters who filed suit in federal court against the City of New Haven after the City threw out the results of promotional exams prevailed over the City today when the United States Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote, reversed a lower court’s decision. 
 
In the case, Ricci v. DeStefano, the Supreme Court ruled that the City of New Haven could not throw out the results of a promotional exam simply because it feared the outcome of a test could potentially leave it vulnerable to lawsuits from minority fire fighters who did not qualify for promotion as a result of a test, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
 
The IAFF recognizes that promotional systems are developed locally, where virtually every fire department in the country uses its own, unique system to best fit the needs of that community and its fire department. The IAFF also recognizes the fact that a variety of valid promotional testing processes have been developed that place emphasis on different elements of the testing procedure – including written and oral testing, seniority, table top scenarios, efficiency ratings and job-related skills, to name a few. 
 
“Fire fighting involves life and death situations on a regular basis, so any system that is used to hire or promote must be completely unbiased and ensure that candidates are truly qualified to do the job,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “It’s a tough balancing act for jurisdictions in developing their procedures, but they have a responsibility not to fail on either account because lives are at stake.”
 
In addition, the IAFF supports and advocates for unbiased, job-related, validated hiring and promotional systems for fire fighters on the basis of their skill and ability in the technical and demanding work of fire fighting and emergency response without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.
 
In the New Haven case, the Supreme Court reversed the decision of the lower courts, saying that the City could not throw out the results of a promotional test based on “fear of litigation alone.” The City believed that applying the test scores would result in a disparate impact on minority test takers who did not qualify for promotion based on the test results. 
 
The Court further said that “absent a strong basis in evidence that the tests were deficient and that discarding the results is necessary to avoid violating the disparate impact provision,” the results could not be thrown out.
 
The case has been remanded back to federal district court to determine final action consistent with the decision of the Supreme Court.
 
The IAFF will be preparing a more detailed analysis of the ruling and will post it once it’s completed.

  Congratulations and Welcome

FFOP Joseph Fournier, son of our own Cammy Fournier, graduated from The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (Class 184) on June 19, 2009. He will be assigned to Engine 3/Group 1. 

FFOP Fournier was classmate to FFOP Galvin Murphy Jr, son of our own Galvin Murphy. FFOP Murphy is a member of the Malden Fire Department.

CLICK HERE for photos of the Recruits

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Jack Shinkwin on his election as Sixth District Vice-President of the PFFM, and Brad Tenney on his re-election as Secretary-Treasurer of the PFFM.

The time has come for ticket info for this years Canobie Lake Outing. As it has already been reported the event will be held on August 11, 2009, Group 2 is working. Attached is the order form for this years tickets, I will also get them out to the firehouses this week sometime. Some things to remember, PLEASE make checks payable to Cambridge Firefighters Local 30, please get the forms back to me on time July 15th, and the most important thing I WILL NOT HAVE TICKETS on the day of. There will be more info to follow in the weeks leading up to the event.

Michael Dwyer
978-375-4096 Cell
781-646-3567 Home
mjdwyer65@verizon.net
mdwyer1@cambridgefire.org

To:  PFFM Executive Board and PFFM Locals

From:  Bob McCarthy, President

Brothers and Sisters; Today the House of Representatives and the State Senate voted unanimously to pass and enact the Conference Committee Report submitted by the conference committee in regards to pension reform. Senate Bill 2079," An Act Providing Responsible Reforms in the Pension System." This bill is before the Governor and will be signed in the very near future and thus will be effective July 01, 2009 for all public employees.

I am pleased to report, although the bill pertains and is applicable to all public employees who retire after July 1, 2009, the new section titled "wages" does not change what we as firefighters currently use as compensation for retirement calculations presently. The only exception could be clothing allowances as this is one of the definitions to be excluded. Other than clothing allowance the new section on "Wages" is what we submitted as an amendment.

ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT  

In the conference committee report; new language appeared that is absolutely punitive to all of our members who are injured in the line of duty while serving in an acting or temporary paid position. This new section changes the calculations of a disabled firefighter who retires  from an accidental disability while working out of grade; from seventy two per cent of the previous twelve months  of compensation to "The Average compensation of the twelve months prior to the date of injury." This change is draconian and would actually reduce a members expected pension significantly. This new language would not include any negotiated raises or promotional status after the date of injury for retirement purposes. This language came out of nowhere as we supported both versions of the House and or Senate; although we preferred the Senate version because they had an appeal process that could rectify inequities.

We have reached out and communicated to the leadership of the House and Senate to articulate to them the harshness and ridiculous language that they accepted and they assured us that that was not the intent of the language and will work with us to prepare and enact a corrective technical amendment as soon as possible.

It is imperative that every local research their injured firefighters who are receiving benefits under MGL Ch 41 111F and document if any of our members were injured while serving acting out of grade and If so immediately notify me as soon as possible. This is extremely important. We must document every member receiving injured on duty benefits while working out of grade this includes heart and lung injuries if the Departments and or contracts pay them their full salary in accordance with MGL Ch 41, 111F. injured on duty.

ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT    ALERT 

Also, It is imperative that our members call, email, visit, and communicate to their respective legislators to officially notify the "Conference Committee Conferees" on the State Budget  for fiscal 2010 to accede to the Senate Language in regards to Municipal Health Insurance and oppose any language that would circumvent, eliminate and or delete collective bargaining in regards to Municipal Health Insurance. Please communicate to them that MMA's proposal of impact bargaining with plan design is unacceptable, outrageous and shifts all future costs to participants and decimates the quality of our health insurance plans.

THE 2010 BUDGET CONFEREES;

REP. CHARLES MURPHY, REP. BARBARA L'ITALIEN, VINNY DEMACEDO,
SEN.  STEVEN PANGIOTAKOS, SEN STEVEN BREWER, AND SEN MICHAEL KNAPIK

Please get out the word in every way possible.

Thank You

 If you're having trouble viewing this email, view it here: http://www.kintera.org/cms.asp?id=782623&campaign_id=78326

Please read the following attachment for fundraiser information on July 17, 2009 regarding the falling Son of FF Dan Lewicki:

Brothers and Sisters,

During a recent training session we were introduced to employees of New York Life who gave us a brief introduction to alternative retirement & life insurance options our members have available to them. We wanted to let you know there are many alternatives to choose from including those that the City of Cambridge offers us, and the services of one of own members Chris Melendy of Ladder Co. 1, Group 3. Although we do not endorse any single provider of benefits we hope you explore all your options.

It’s time to join together with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and “Fill the Boot” for Jerry’s Kids. Your efforts will provide hope to hundreds of families in the Cambridge and Greater Boston area living with one of the 43 different neuromuscular diseases, including ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

I am proudly approving members of the Cambridge Fire Department to conduct “Fill the Boot” drive events for MDA. Off duty members of Local 30 are given approval to “Fill the Boot” in intersections and streets throughout the city. Department members are reminded to keep safety a priority and choose intersections and locations accordingly. Erin McNamee, our MDA representative, is available to assist in your planning and implementation of “in the street” boot drives. 

In the words of IAFF General President, Harold A. Schaitberger, “I am proud to say that the fire fighters are the longest and most generous donors to the MDA. 'Jerry’s Kids' truly are very special and deserve every penny. That is why it is important that we continue this time-honored tradition."  I urge you to show the spirit, tradition, and history of our relationship when you hit the streets to support MDA. Through collecting for MDA, we are providing a service to the citizens of Cambridge by raising money and awareness for those living with muscle wasting diseases, and by utilizing MDA’s materials we are distributing fire safety rules to each donor.

A citywide “Fill the Boot” drive will be held throughout the summer (May – September) and all houses are encouraged to hit the streets to raise money for MDA.  Many houses have already chosen representatives to carry MDA’s message back into the house, and I encourage you to use MDA staff to recruit new members to help out with your Fill the Boot program. 

Our union – your union - has a long and prestigious history of helping to fight neuromuscular disease and I encourage each and every member to assist in any way they can.  Every little bit makes a difference. So get ready to “Fill the Boot” in Cambridge this summer to help those affected by muscle disease.

If you have any questions please contact Howie Smith, Local 30 MDA Chairman at (617)714-5030, or Erin McNamee MDA Boston Program Coordinator (617) 368-9155.

Thank you and good luck in your efforts.

Chief Gerald Reardon

Cambridge Fire Department

Members of Cambridge Fire Fighters Local 30, Worcester Fire Fighters Local 1009, and many other PFFM Locals help build a ramp for VP Emeritus Spike Lawless' return home

Click Here to view more photos from our Photo Gallery

 Click Here to read an article and watch a video on Spike's Homecoming

Merrimack College is offering a bachelor's degree completion program in Fire Science and Fire Administration and Leadership. Classes will be offered at PRO-EMS on Smith Place in Cambridge.

Click Here to visit the Merrimack College web site for additional information.

THE ROSTER FOR THE 2009 SEASON IS AT FIRE HEADQUARTERS PATROL ROOM
 
ANY MEMBER INTERESTED IN PLAYING PLEASE SIGN THE ROSTER WITHIN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS. AFTER THAT TIME THE ROSTER WILL BE AT THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE, 51 INMAN ST FLOOR #3.
 
COST IS $75.00 PER PLAYER.
 
GAMES WILL BE ON MONDAY NIGHTS (MOST GAMES WILL BE AT 6:00 P.M.)
 
ANY QUESTIONS CALL  FRAN GALLAGHER DIVISION 1 GROUP 1.  617-851-2483

June 30, 2009

• Fill the Boot added underneath the Events Calender (New Section)

June 11, 2009

• General Orders 2007  (New Section)
• CFD EMS Info  (Updated)

June 10, 2009

• General Orders 2008  (New Section)

May 31, 2009

• We Will Never Forget section (includes tribute to the Worcester 6 and the FDNY 343) added beneath the Important Links section  (New Section)

May 29, 2009

• CFD Phone Numbers  (Updated)
• Cambridge Fire Auxiliary added to the Important Links section  (New Section)

May 24, 2009

• Longfellow Park (Part 2) fire pics added to the Photo Gallery  (New Section)
• E3/E8 Relay Pumping Drill added to the Training Pictures section (New Section)

May 21, 2009

• Longfellow Park fire pics added to the Photo Gallery  (New Section)
• General Orders added to the Member Resources section  (New Section)

May 19, 2009

• Foam Drill @ Logan Airport added to the Training Pictures and the Photo Gallery  (New Section)

May 16, 2009

• CFD Company Journal added to the Main Menu section  (New Section)

May 11, 2009

• Water Rescue Training added to the Training Pictures section and the Photo Gallery  (New Section)
• Support FF Ray Vaillancourt link added to the Action Center  (New Section)

May 6, 2009

• IAFF Fit to Survive link added to the Action Center section (New Section)
• Job Related Links added to the Main Menu (to prevent clutter in the Important Links section  (New Section)

Due to technical difficulties, the previous Additions and Updates list has been lost in Cyber Space!

Here's the previous Additions and Updates List (without the dates that they were added to the website):

Main Menu: (New Section) (Updated)

• Live CFD Radio Transmission  
• CFD Company Patches
• Purchase CFD Items Here
• Smith Place
• Specialty Apparatus
• Past Apparatus/Company History
• Historical Fire Houses
• CFD Signal 10-15
• ISO Class I
• Cambridge Fire EMS
• Training Pictures
• Fire Prevention
• CFD Kid's Club
• All Company Folders 
• Annual Run Totals
• Work Schedule
• PFFM Locals

Member Resources: (New Section) (Updated)

• Street Boxes w/Running Cards
• CFD Roster Info
• Classified Ads
• Committees
• Department Roster
• Department Phone Numbers
• CFD GO's & SOG's
• Officers & Staff
• Meeting Minutes
• Events Calender (color coordinated by groups)

Important Links: (New Section) Later moved to Job Related Links

• Professional Ambulance
• The Fire Station
• Fire Tactics
• Hot Shot Photo
• Doug Boudrow Images
• Mass Fire Truck Photos
• Code 11 Photography