A Philadelphia arbitration panel has awarded Philadelphia Local 22 of the International Association of Fire Fighters several significant contract provisions following testimony from IAFF staff and Local 22. Parts of the award are pending a possible appeal by the city.

“Getting these provisions in our contract was really about ensuring the safety of our fire fighters,” said Brian McBride, president of Local 22. “It offers us protections against fire company eliminations, potential relief for our paramedics and power to address health and safety hazards such as diesel fumes at the fire houses.”

The award provides a 3% wage increase retroactive to July 2005, another 3% increase to take effect in July 2006, and a 4% increase beginning in July 2007. The award also requires the city to increases its contributions to the firefighters' health and welfare fund.

The new contract calls for a mandatory independent review of company eliminations that might be proposed, with binding arbitration over disputes and no eliminations pending completion of the process.

“This provision is significant for two reasons,” said McBride. “The first is that it incorporates NFPA 1710 standards. The second is that the city attempted to eliminate eight fire companies two years ago which we have been fighting in court ever since. Now, with this new provision, we have a way to prevent lengthy court battles and dangerous station closures.”

The second of the most notable provisions is a pilot ALS-Engine Program for paramedics. Philadelphia has one of the highest EMS unit run volumes in the country. This trial program could lead to ways to give currently overworked paramedics some relief.

“What we are really hoping can happen here is to have our paramedics cross-trained in fire suppression,” said McBride. “What that will do is allow them to alternate between the two types of job duties. This gives them an opportunity to get a break from the stress of the EMS high-call volume, which can cause burn-out.”

Also in the award is a provision that affords Local 22 the capability of addressing health and safety concerns such as providing proper ventilation systems in the fire houses to reduce diesel fumes. “We need to be able to defend ourselves when working conditions affect our wellness-fitness,” said the Local 22 president. “This general health and safety language allows us to do so.”