WILKES-BARRE FIREFIGHTER STAFFING LEVELS LOWERED
PA HOMEPAGE.COM - March 6, 2010 - WILKES-BARRE, PA - Wilkes-Barre firefighters will try to do more with less. The city announced its lowering fire department staffing levels for every shift.
Firefighters' Union President Thomas Makar says staffing levels can't be lowered. "They're doesn't seem to be any sort of recognition of the fact of their safety," said Makar.
Starting Monday, staffing levels for city fire fighter shifts will be dropped from 14 per shift to 12. The mayor's office told the fire department about the cuts this week.
Mayor Tom Leighton defends the decision. Mayor Leighton said, "I respect the job that they do but on the other hand i have to be fiscally responsible for the city of Wilkes-Barre and make sure we don't bankrupt the city."
Mayor Leighton said the fire department has used nearly $100,000 of its allotted overtime this year. That's roughly 70% of its overtime budget. The mayor says if staffing levels weren't lowered, the city would have faced tough financial decisions later this year.
The union says the decision will cause one engine to be put out of service. Takar said, "The residents hear us but the people that work in city hall don't seem to hear us."
This will be the third time in seven years city fire department levels have been adjusted.
DELAWARE CITIES: FIREFIGHTERS DECRY BUDGET CUT
One fewer truck threatens safety, Wilmington union leader says
DELAWARE ONLINE - January 16, 2010 - WILMINGTON - The city's practice of taking one firetruck out of commission round-the-clock to save $1 million a year has led to a nasty war of words between the firefighters' union president and top city officials.
The practice, called a "rolling bypass," saves the city about $1 million a year, mostly in overtime costs, Mayor James M. Baker's Chief of Staff William S. Montgomery said. That's the equivalent of a 3 percent property-tax increase, he said.
But firefighters union President Kevin Turner sees it differently and told Fire Chief Willie Patrick so in a scathing letter this week. Firefighters also have begun visiting local civic groups to tell their story, which is essentially that they think firefighters and residents are less safe now than they were before July 1, when the rolling bypasses began. Firefighters have distributed fliers with the same message throughout the city recently as well.
"We had six engine trucks until June 30, and now there are five," Turner said. "That's a significant reduction. Things are by definition more dangerous now. Leaders thought that six engines were how many we needed to be safe. They didn't cut it to five because it wasn't needed. They cut the truck to save money at the expense of the safety of the people and the firefighters."
Patrick says that safety has not been compromised. Even though some engine trucks have had to travel farther to some fires since the rolling bypasses began, response times have not increased to an unacceptable level, he said.
"As a firefighter, I would love to have all six engine trucks," he said. "But as an administrator, I realize the fire department has to do its part to bridge the city's financial gap, just like all the other departments have had to do."
In Turner's letter to Patrick -- which also was sent to Baker, City Council members and dozens of civic groups across the city -- he suggested Public Safety Director James Mosley "played a role" in transferring a firetruck with four firefighters in it to cover a First Night fireworks display instead of sending it back to a vacant fire station.
Mosley said he would never do such a thing. Montgomery said the letter infuriated him. He said city officials leave the management of the fire department to Patrick.
"I get my back up when I see things that say otherwise," he said. "Frankly, they border on insubordination."
As it turns out, there was no fireworks display on New Year's Eve in Rodney Square because of a computer malfunction, city Communications Director John Rago said.
But the display was almost canceled before the malfunction was discovered, Rago said, for a different reason. All the city firefighters working that night were called to a major fire in the 2200 block of West St.
Normally, there are extra firefighters working the First Night fireworks. Two work in an ambulance performing paramedic duties and four are in a truck in case anything goes wrong with the fireworks display, Patrick said.
But top department officials could not get a single firefighter to accept the overtime assignment this year, even though more than 100 of them were asked, Patrick said. He's not sure why that is, but part of the reason is that the First Night overtime assignment is straight time and there were many opportunities that night for firefighters to get time-and-a-half for overtime shifts for normal firefighting duties.
So, because there was no assigned crew for First Night, the city's plan for the fireworks was to borrow firefighters from their normal duties for the fireworks display as long as there were no fires in the city. When the one broke out on West Street, they nearly had to cancel the display.
But Rago said the West Street fire was brought under control in time to have some of the firefighters who were at the blaze go to Rodney Square to monitor the fireworks display. They did that, but then the fireworks computer board frizzed out, so the display was canceled anyway.
After Turner's letter, which implied that the firefighters sent to Rodney Square could have put citizens in peril in the event of another fire, the city issued a news release calling Turner's letter and other recent union activities "unprofessional and irresponsible."
"It's one thing to come in and meet with us to complain about something you don't like," Rago said. "It's another to essentially tell citizens that their lives are in danger, when in fact they are not, and rolling bypasses are used around the country to successfully control costs."
Turner said he wrote the letter to try to protect his members' physical safety, but city officials wonder if there are other motives. The mayor gives his budget address in March and more rolling bypasses are expected for the next fiscal year, Montgomery said.
Also, the city and the firefighters union could be at the bargaining table soon, as the union's contract expires in six months.
OFFICIALS RAID CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
THE DAILY LOCAL NEWS - January 12, 2010 - COATESVILLE - City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday night inviting federal and county authorities to conduct a forensic audit of the city's finance and realty transactions.
City Council Vice President Karl Marking added this item to the agenda at the beginning of Monday night's council meeting.
The resolution states:
"Chester County Detectives, in conjunction with the FBI, will immediately conduct a forensic audit of the city's finance and real estate transactions for the purpose of determining evidence of obstruction of justice, misdirection of funds, willful negligence and actions of criminal intent by the city's administration and/or council."
Recently, authorities reportedly raided the office of Harry Walker, the city manager placed on administrative leave earlier this month.
Chester County District Attorney Joseph Carroll confirmed Monday that federal and county authorities had seized various documents — print and electronic — from City Hall on Friday afternoon.
Carroll said these measures were done strictly at the request of city officials. He said he could not comment on why authorities were at City Hall or what they had found there.
FBI Agent J.J. Klaver, a spokesman for the bureau's Philadelphia branch, said Monday he could neither confirm nor deny whether an investigation was under way.
At Monday's meeting, Councilwoman Karen Jorgenson asked how much the forensic audit would cost and how long the process would take to complete.
Marking said he was told by the District Attorney's Office that the audit would cost the city nothing. And he said the investigation should take three to six months.
In addition to making copies of city records, Council President Ed Simpson said he expects authorities will conduct interviews of city employees.
During an interview after the meeting, Simpson said Walker remains on paid administrative leave.
Walker was placed on administrative leave by council during its Jan. 4 reorganization meeting.
Following the reorganization meeting, two members of council reportedly delivered a letter to Walker at his home. Simpson said the written notice informed Walker that he could be terminated after five days if council believes it's necessary.
City spokeswoman Kristin Geiger confirmed that the notice existed and said it was generated by council. She deferred any further comment about it to council.
Newly appointed city Solicitor John Carnes said he did not have a copy of the notice and had "no personal knowledge" about it.
Council hired Carnes last week after removing Andrew Lehr from the city solicitor's position. Assistant City Manager Kirby Hudson is acting as the interim city manager.
FBI RAIDS WALKER'S CITY HALL OFFICE
CHESTERCOUNTYREPORTER.COM - January 11, 2010 - The FBI on Friday afternoon raided former City Manager Harry Walker's office at City Hall talking numerous documents, according to multiple sources.
The ChesterCountyReporter.com has further learned that the FBI, accompanied by detectives from District Attorney Joe Carroll's office, made an electronic copy of all the files on Walker's computer.
Neither council President Ed Simpson nor Walker could be reached for comment.
Walker was placed on administrative leave by a 5 to 2 vote shortly after the new council was sworn in at last Monday's council meeting. The two council members voting against the motion were Jarrell Brazzle and Karen Jorgenson.
But, according to sources, shortly after the meeting two council members visited Walker at his home and presented him with a letter informing him he was to be fired within the next five days.
Simpson refused to comment on the reported firing. "This is a personnel issue and I refuse to comment," he said when contacted at his home prior to the FBI revelation.
The ChesterCountyReporter.com has also learned that the terminaiton letter informed Walker he was not permitted access to his office nor his computer.
Within minutes of the new council being sworn in last Monday night they voted to dismiss city Solicitor Andrew Lehr and put Walker on administrative leave. John Carnes was appointed the new solicitor. Carnes served as city solicitor during the eight years the Paul Janssen served as city manager. Assistant City Manger Kirby Hudson is now serving as interim city manager.
PENNSYLVANIA FIREFIGHTERS HONORED FOR HELPING ARSON VICTIMS
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IAFF - January 6, 2010 - The Crime Victims Center of Chester County, Pennsylvania, has awarded Coatsville, PA local 3790 fire fighters with its annual John J. Crane Allied Professional Award.
The honor is given to those who help crime victims. “Many area families were affected by the rash of arsons we had in 2008 and 2009, so we organized three events to help them through that difficult time,” says Local 3790 President Jim Lentz.
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Lentz adds, “Although it was a team effort, I must give special recognition to Local 3790 Secretary-Treasurer Craig Weaver. He and his wife, Jamie, really went above and beyond to make sure the events went smoothly.”
Local 3790 first stepped in to assist these families in the spring of 2009. Working with the Crime Victims Center of Chester County, the fire fighters planned an event for arson-affected children.
“Sesame Street was in town doing some live performances,” says Lentz. “At our request, they agreed to come to one of our fire stations to meet the children. There were a lot of smiling faces that day.”
But fire fighters knew that the kids needed more than cheering up, so the next event focused on helping them get ready for the school year. They organized a back-to-school event where they handed out 30 backpacks filled with school supplies.
For the holidays, fire fighters escorted Santa to the homes of affected families to deliver pre-lit Christmas trees and toys.
COATESVILLE'S NEW COUNCIL SHAKES THINGS UP
PHILLY.COM - January 5, 2010 - Minutes after taking office, a new Coatesville City Council wasted no time yesterday in making personnel changes.
City Manager Harry G. Walker was placed on administrative leave; his assistant, Kirby Hudson, was appointed acting city manager; and Solicitor Andrew Lehr was replaced by John Carnes, a former solicitor.
"They are movers and shakers," Councilman Ed Simpson said of new colleagues Karl Marking, Jarrell Brazzle, Ingrid W. Jones, and Joseph Hamrick. "It was evident today."
Simpson, one of three council members who was not up for reelection in 2009, was elected president. He will serve with the four new members, former president Martin Eggleston, and Karen Jorgenson.
"The new council has invigorated me with a renewed passion," Simpson said.
Simpson said he had been discouraged by Coatesville's recent history. The once-thriving steel mecca, which has struggled for years to make a comeback, was plagued by a spate of arsons in 2008 and 2009 that made national headlines and exacerbated the city's budget woes.
"I had almost given up, and now I'm filled with confidence," he said. "The new council is interested in looking to the future; we're not going to dwell on the past."
Simpson said he could not speak for other council members; however, he has been a consistent critic of Walker's leadership. He was particularly dismayed by a decision Walker made in February to spend nearly $500,000 from the city's trust fund to meet expenses without telling the City Council.
He said Walker, who has worked as city manager since May 2006, will continue to be paid. Walker's salary is about $104,000, according to city records.
"We haven't made a decision yet, but I'm sure we will make one very quickly," Simpson said.
COATESVILLE COUNCIL PLACES MANAGER ON LEAVE
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DAILY LOCAL NEWS - January 5, 2010 - City Council placed City Manager Harry Walker on administrative leave and removed Andrew Lehr as city solicitor at Monday afternoon's annual reorganization.
These decisions came after the swearing-in of four newly elected Democratic council members: Jarrell Brazzle, Joseph Hamrick, Ingrid Jones and Karl Marking.
Marking was nominated council vice president and Ed Simpson was nominated council president.
Councilman Martin Eggleston made the motion to remove Lehr, and the move was approved in a 5-2 vote, with council members Brazzle and Karen Jorgenson dissenting.
Jorgenson asked why the decision to remove Lehr was being made Monday. She said she was concerned about making the decision without a replacement.
"I had the same concerns four years ago," said Simpson.
Shortly after the vote was taken to remove Lehr, Marking made a motion to appoint attorney John Carnes as solicitor.
Carnes is a solicitor in Parkesburg and West Nottingham and was Coatesville's solicitor for eight years during the Paul Janssen Jr. and E.
Jean Krack administrations.
"If I'm solicitor, I will do a good job," Carnes told council.
Brazzle took issue with Carnes working under Janssen, a former city manager from 1999 to 2005. Janssen resigned just before City Council discovered the city had incurred almost $7 million in debt during his six-year term.
But Simpson responded, "The solicitor serves City Council, not the manager."
Council unanimously approved the hiring of Carnes.
Carnes will do legal work for the city at a rate of $135 an hour; Lehr charged $150 an hour.
Simpson thanked Lehr for his service.
Lehr said nothing to council before walking out of City Hall.
Next, Eggleston made a motion to place Walker on administrative leave, effective immediately. Again the motion met opposition from Brazzle and Jorgenson.
"So we're going to pay Walker to sit at home and do what he wants?" asked Brazzle.
Eggleston, the former council president, said Walker lacks the competence to run the city. He said he based his decision on his experiences working with Walker.
Walker "has reached his limits as city manager, and the city is in need of transition," Eggleston said.
Brazzle said that while he understood Eggleston's view, the new council members should take time to do research before rushing into any decisions.
Jorgenson noted Walker is under contract so the city must pay him. Walker's contract does not expire until May 2011, and he currently makes about $87,818 a year.
Walker's contract states the city may remove him with or without cause at any time. If the manager becomes disabled or is removed without cause, the city will continue to pay his salary, retirement contribution and health insurance benefits for six months.
The termination pay will cease, however, if the manager begins comparable employment at the same or higher salary. If the new salary is lower, the city will pay Walker the difference between the two salaries for the remaining portion of the six-month termination pay period.
If the manager is terminated for cause, the city will not be obligated to provide any termination pay, according to the contract. The contract defines "for cause" reasons as: embezzlement; material dishonesty; disloyalty; material breach of contract; repeated failure to perform duties and responsibilities; commission of an act of moral turpitude; misuse of public funds; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor that involves dishonesty or fraud; use of drugs and alcohol intemperately; and commission by the manager to any intentional act that causes injury or potential harm to city, its employees and the public.
Simpson noted the motion was to put Walker on administrative leave. He said council will discuss this issue further at upcoming executive sessions.
Marking responded to Brazzle's comments about the new council members not doing their due diligence.
"I may have only been a council member for 55 minutes but I've been a city resident for five years and I've been doing my due diligence for five years," Marking said.
Council approved the motion to place Walker on administrative leave in a 5-2 vote, with Brazzle and Jorgenson dissenting.
Council then unanimously appointed Assistant City Manager Kirby Hudson as interim city manager.
Outside of Council Chambers, Walker said he had been anticipating council's decision for a while.
"Let's put it this way: I have a contract, and they have to honor it," said Walker.
Walker said council had been critical of him and the city administration for a long time.
"I'm fine with what I accomplished the past four years," Walker said.
Monday marked the official beginning of the terms of the four new council members and the end of the Bloc of Four. In 2006, City Council members Kareem Johnson, Patsy Ray, Kurt Schenk and Robin Scott took office. Since then, the four nearly always voted together, and their decisions, including a vote to hire the former police chief, often have been controversial.
Ray and Schenk sought re-election but lost in the May 2009 primary. Scott did not seek re-election, and Johnson ran for constable.
Brazzle, Hamrick and Jones were sworn in by the Rev. Jeffrey A. Miller Sr. of Hutchinson Memorial UAME Church. Marking asked Magisterial District Judge Gregory Hines to swear him in.
Lehr did not immediately return a phone call Monday night seeking comment.
NIOSH RESPIRATOR APPROVALS TO BE REVOKED
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is issuing this notice to inform respirator users that Global Secure Safety Products., Inc. is no longer producing NIOSH- approved respirators or replacement parts and is not planning to resume production in the future. Global Secure Safety Products, Inc. stopped production of respirators in April 2008 and has ceased doing business.
Global Secure Safety Products, Inc. (formerly CairnsAir Inc. or Neoterik) Respirators will be listed on CEL as Obsolete and Certificates of Approval will be Revoked
NIOSH will revoke the approvals of these respirators on December 31, 2009. Revoked status means that the respirators in question will no longer be listed as NIOSH-approved respirators. Once revoked, respirators bearing these approval numbers may no longer be manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed as NIOSH-approved respirators. Furthermore, they may not be used where NIOSH-approved respirators are required regardless of the current state of maintenance.
CPR RESTORATION AND CLEANING SERVICES PARTNERS WITH DEL VAL
March 17, 2008 - Executive Board Members of the Greater Delaware Valley Professional Firefighters Association Trust met with Mr. Michael Fingerman, President and Founder of CPR Restoration & Cleaning Services, LLC during the March 17, 2007 Executive Board Meeting.
Mr Fingerman has chosen to sponsor our association. Through his generous donation, we are able to host our upcoming Riversharks Event.
Thanks to CPR Restoration and their generosity.
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