Minutes from May 21, 2009

Minutes from last meeting read and amended to read: Station 17 construction being researched on possibility of being built from stimulus money. Andrews moved to accept. 2nd Jones. passed

T. Brandon gave financial report. Moved to accept Andrews. Jones 2nd. Passed

OLD:
No attendee selected to attend IAFF EMS conference because of perceived opposition to Local’s involvement with RAA acquisition planning.

Staffing shortage appeared to be fixed until after the meeting last month when department’s policy changed.

Retirees have received COLA.

NEW:
April 17 the shutting down of companies began. Pulliam met with Chiefs Creecy, Wakeham, Jackson and Pulliam to discuss Local’s response. They were told the mayor’s office was the next stop and then the press would be contacted.

A press release was created and all major media outlets received a copy. Channel
6 did an interview immediately; the other media outlets’ response was delayed until a second press release was sent and several members of companies affected by the shutdowns handed out flyers in the districts affected.

Fire Department personnel participating in the flyer distribution are as follows: M. Spivey, M. Smith, J. Harris, S. Edwards, R. Nelson from Station 10 and L. Neville, T. Butler, R. Nunnally, C. Shears, C. McMillin, B. Ring from Station 13, and R. Neville from Station 1.

Calls were made to attempt to have several fire personnel attend the city council meeting the following Monday. Nine people attended. Many were the same who distributed flyers.

Budget Process:
Additional money added to department budget to boost overtime money available; still no sufficient to fund overtime for entire fiscal year.

Budget will be voted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. No additional money is in budget for fire department budget.

Motion by VonMille not to fund any sitting council members campaign in the future. No second.

Department studying sick leave usage for signs of abuse by employees.

New snow day policy in effect. Shifts which work during time of emergency closure will be paid double time for the hours worked during the closure.

No official reason released for dismissal of Chief Wakeham.

Gran moved to direct third dues payment in May to the Building Checking account. 2nd Salotti. Passed.

Motion made by VonMille to place building up for sale pending appraisal and investigation into capital gains tax burden. 2nd Ledbetter. Passed.

Taylor moved to request Local 995 representation on any city committee that may discuss the acquisition of the RAA by the fire department. This is not an endorsement of any said acquisition. 2nd Gran. Passed

Career Development Change
Ring to meet with concerned members on CDP changes and present Local’s position to the fire chief.

MDA
Summer camp June 8-12. Volunteers needed every day, Richmond day is Tuesday. Contact W. Taylor for details.

MDA representatives have forwarded an ordinance that will allow fire personnel to collect on duty. Seven council members are patrons. The city attorney’s office is refusing to approve language in proposed ordinance based on legality of the language.

GOOD & WELFARE
J. Hohnbaum-lung cancer J. Rixner-going through rough personal times
R. Gray-recovering from surgery A. Meadows-passed away
D. Salotti-Birthday June 9, 61 years old.

Richmond Fire Beat the Heat 5K

June 20, 2009, in Byrd Park.

Info and registration here: www.richmondfirefightersbeattheheat.org/cms/

April 2009 Minutes

General Membership Meeting
April 16, 2009

Pledge

Roll Call

Motion to suspend reading of the minutes, motion passed.

T. Brandon gave financial report, motion to accept and file Andrews, 2nd Von Mille passed.

OLD:
Still waiting on final approval for snow day hours

Working on policy affecting staffing on a daily basis.

Retiree COLA retroactive to January 2009

NEW:
Pay raises for 2009 frozen (pending budget approval)

Budget: Department facing a 5-percent cut. Hiring freeze should take care of budget shortfall.

Stimulus Package
Station 17 will be built from fund

Apparatus replacement: 21 million operating budget
Need to find status of technical rescue equipment ordered some time ago.
ICS system, possible changes coming

Public Safety meeting
Possibility of department assuming EMS response: transition period 2 to 5 years

E board motion to send one member to EMS conference in Miami, FL cost approx. $1500, Von Mille 2nd, passed

Employee Wellness Fair
May 4th at Arthur Ashe Center

MDA organization meeting at the Omni Hotel on April 22, 2009; Shears, Wells, Pulliam and Brandon to attend.

Adjourn

Next Meeting

The next general membership meeting will be on May 21, 2009. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
Topics for discussion will include staffing, MDA and other important topics. Your input is needed and appreciated.

March 2009 Minutes

General

Membership Meeting

March
19, 2009

Pledge

Roll Call

Motion to suspend reading of minutes Andrews, VonMille 2^nd passed

T. Brandon gave financial report; Andrews moved to accept, VonMille 2^nd
passed

E Board moved to close fund raising account and move $175.88 to savings account; Williamson
2^nd passed

NEW:

Building Bridges Package released

Public Safety Meeting-City investigation collecting taxes twice/year to up bond rating

City will have $21 million deficit at end of fiscal year

Pulliam is working with Chief Creecy on budget.

Minimum safe staffing is reduced to 98 from 101

Chief Creecy discussed history of staffing and how the department arrived
where it is now. Chief also gave views on the need for staffing to increase to
meet current safety standards. City is growing up and this increases
public safety danger as well as responder safety issues.

Council indicates it recognizes need for increased staffing.

Under stimulus plan from feds, no matching funds needed for SAFER Act

Retirement news-COLA increase of 1.5% retroactive to January 2009 on council agenda.

Richmond Retirement System fell from $700 million to $350 million over the
last reporting period.

MDA-Lockup on March 26^th, need volunteers to transport prisoners back

Council Members Jewell and Tyler to address panhandling laws in April

Local Sponsorship of Marvin Griffin Golf Tournement W. Taylor moved for the Local to donate $500 to Marvin Griffin Tournement, VonMille 2^nd, passed

City Council-Council ordered Chief Creecy to apply for SAFER grant and any funds
department is eligible for under federal stimulus package.

No news on CAO appointment.

GOOD & WELFARE

C. Ellis wife passed

Retirees Luncheon had 123 attendees; Phillip McCarter 14B, received the Lt. B. Emerson
Honor Guard Member of the Year award.

Adjourn

February 2009 Minutes

General
Membership Meeting

February
19, 2009

Pledge

Roll Call

Minutes read; Andrews
move to accept and file, Spivey 2^nd passed

New member present:
Clinton Lewis 10C

T. Brandon gave
financial report; Andrews moved to accept, VonMille 2^nd
passed

E Board moved to close
fund raising account and move $175.88 to savings account; Williamson
2^nd passed

Deputy Chief R. Wakeham
is the newest member of the Local.

OLD:

Post ’91 vacation
issue: Patrons for the paper being selected; waiting for budget to be
finalized.

COLA for retirees:
waiting for budget to be finalized before action is taken

Council member D.
Conners working on correcting pay plan for employees who have been
omitted.

Local is endorsing C. Bessler for CAO

Details on new apparatus plan forthcoming

Tridata will deliver final portion of BBP in mid March

NEW:

Andes letter to Richmond Times-Dispatch discussed

Thank you letters from Hilbert and McQuinn for political support read

President Obama’s stimulus package includes $8.8 billion for public safety and $210
million for capital improvements and the SAFER program for fire
departments

Only one complaint came to Local for DMV check on all members.

Local needs to check on police dept.’s supervisor career development

General Assembly will send bill to Governor making killing a fire investigator an automatic
capital offense. Governor will probably veto.

Fire Chief asked to cut $4 million from budget. Chief offered Station 21 and 25. No action
taken.

Budget must be completed by April 30

James “Duke” Stewart is hired as civilian EOE officer for one year contract.

Jerry Overton resigned as RAA director

Shears moved to request $630 to pay for an entry fee for RFD softball team. Owens 2^nd
passed.

C. Shears, C. Wells are MDA volunteers as of now; need A shift volunteer.

Chief Creecy working on disciplinary procedure

GOOD & WELFARE

Don Etheridge-passed

Russ Acor’s father-passed

Keith Andes-shoulder surgery

Kelli Stowell-pregnant

Adjourn

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at the Union Hall at 2302 W. Main St. The General Membership Meeting starts promptly at 7 p.m. Please come out and share your opinions and questions.