Staffing/Human Relations

May 16, 2013

Commentary

No-confidence vote in Boston fire chief shows cultural divide 2

Is it better to promote within to meet the cultural demands of a fire department, or should cities feel free to bring in outside people for new ideas?...More
Apr. 25, 2013

Commentary

Young firefighter is an example of hope for future of volunteer fire departments

It is with sad irony that as the rest of the country celebrates National Volunteer Week, we mourn the deaths of 10 volunteer firefighters and emergency responders killed in the fertilizer-plant explosion in West, Texas....More
Apr. 24, 2013

Commentary

How volunteer fire service can evolve to meet changing needs 1

By D. Brady Rogers -- Perhaps it is time for a “new age” in volunteerism. Volunteers could respond and staff fire stations as “greeters” when a station and its personnel are committed to incidents. They could be available to give out road directions, assist walk-ins in getting the proper help, or to provide a simple level of security at a time when stations are vulnerable....More
Apr. 10, 2013

Commentary

Interest-based bargaining provides flexible labor-management solutions

In essence, the parties use their desired outcomes as the starting point for discussion, without first framing how they would like to achieve those outcomes....More
Apr. 4, 2013

audio

Baltimore's Clack discusses move to 24-hour shifts, fire staffing reductions

For the past 18 months, Baltimore officials and fire unions have been wrangling over a proposed shift change from 10- or 14-hour days to 24/48. Going to 24/48 will allow for firefighter pay raises in FY 2014 in the form of a 2% cost-of-living hike and a 10.5% raise, while saving the city an estimated $4 million in overtime annually....More
Mar. 4, 2013

Commentary

How personnel practices can reduce the allegations of junior-firefighter abuses

When training personnel who will be working with junior firefighters, explain personal-space boundaries, the need to be professional at all times, the need to be cognizant of hand placement when boosting someone up on a piece of equipment, and so on....More
Feb. 20, 2013

Commentary

What employment law says about hiring convicted felons as firefighters 10

Last week, the FDNY announced that it would hire “qualified” convicted felons, qualified meaning that they meet the hiring requirements and have received some special certification from a parole board that they are considered fit for duty in the eyes of the state of New York. But what does the law say about the FDNY's decision? Let’s take a look....More
Feb. 17, 2013

Commentary

Despite progress, fire service still needs to change firefighter safety culture 2

Occasionally, I like to thumb through old issues of FIRE CHIEF. Doing so reminds me of how much progress has been made in the fire service. Still, each time I do it, I find several topics that linger on like toxins in the soil....More
Feb. 13, 2013

Commentary

What federal, state laws say about temporary transfers for pregnant firefighters 1

It is clear that if a fire department offers temporary transfers to firefighters with non-work related conditions, then pregnant firefighters must be offered the same option. This is a general rule relating to pregnancy discrimination, given the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)....More
Feb. 13, 2013

Commentary

Fire Chief

Team approach needed in labor-managment relations

Having served as both a fire chief and a union president, I fully understand the importance of an effective labor-management relationship and how much effort it takes to build and maintain it. In this regard, we must be both leader and manager — creating a vision for cooperation and our common success, but also taking a hands-on role in making the vision a reality each day....More