HEALTH & SAFETY

UPDATED 03/09/11

Health and Safety Issues contact

Capt. Charlie Fraser at 1-800-289-7161.

 

Health & Safety Update

 

Command Car Temperature Grievance

Step 3 Grievance for Air Conditioning in Command Cars is scheduled for October 21, 2010.  The Executive Board has gathered the data outlining the required temperatures of the various medications and certain equipment that it should be maintained at. This will be presented during the grievance process.

The goal is to establish an agreement between the City and Department to maintain the current and spare vehicles used by the Officers of the local. Heat and Air Conditioning is vital to the comfort and safety of the Officers of this local, especially after operating in personal protective equipment during periods of a high heat index or extreme cool temperatures

 

Local 3621

Health and Safety Report

March 2011 General Membership Meeting – 3/09/2011

 

Medical Equipment Committee Meeting

The last Medical Equipment Committee (MEC) scheduled for January 26, 2011 was cancelled. The next meeting date has not been scheduled as of yet.

Workplace Violations

The local is following up on various health and safety violations reported at EMS Station 15.

Station 40 violations were addressed by the New York State Dept. of Labor, the following two reports were forwarded to the Local in regards:

PPE Meeting

A meeting has been established between the Department (Management) and both locals to discuss the current selection process and status of the PPE boots. This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Headquarters. Report to follow.

Vehicles

The local is following up on a complaint in regards to the current command cars utilized by the EMS Officers for patrol. Apparently the metal pull out trays installed in the rear bed of the vehicles cannot support the weight of the equipment placed in the rear. It is reported some of the trays have become stuck in the locked position due to unmoutning from the tracks. If any Officers have experience such problems, please notify the local promptly. This issue will be discussed with the Department at the next labor management meeting.

With warmer weather approaching (hopefully) Officers should check the vehicles used for patrol to ensure the air conditioning is properly functioning.

Facility Issues

A situation has occurred in regards to the stability of the bay doors at various EMS Stations in which they do not stop automatically and re-track when striking an object.

This situation is being followed up through the Departments facility management bureau in regards. Any member of the local who is aware of this situation should report it to the local immediately for follow-up. A survey is being developed for the Station Commanders to report any issues with facilities related to this item as well as outstanding unresolved items is being developed.

Training

A program is being developed through Niagara University and the NYS Dept. of Health to assist first responders to manage patients with special needs. The program developers are conducting a needs assessment as to the material and deliverance of the program to meet the needs of first responders within the confines of New York City. This program would focus on the management and understanding of assisting patients with special needs such as deaf, blind, handicapped etc. Once developed this program would be delivered by FDNY EMS Instructors through the Bureau of Training.

 

 

(Decision Pending) Safety & Health Grievances Step III

(Bay Ridge) Station 40 # 46837 : There are four violations that urgently need to be addressed. They are no secondary egress for the second or third floor, no gas detection monitor in the kitchen, the front door is part of a roll down gate with a trip hazard and the Lieutenants office fails to meet ergonomic standards.

(Coney Island) Station 43 # 46477 : There are many violations noted. During a walk through on 11/19/09 more violations were discovered and added to the grievance. On 11/25/09 we are scheduled to appear at OLR for a Step III hearing in regards to these violations.

On November 25, 2009 a Step III hearing was held in regards to the Safety and Health violations that exists at Station 43. We were successful to get on record the department to acknowledge that these violations do exist. We acknowledged the city has begun to address some of the violations at Station 43 but with the amount of time that has past more should have been completed. The department has agreed to correct these violations and conduct another walk through in approximately two weeks. All parties agreed to meet again at OLR in forty-five days to discuss what progress has been made.

April 27, 2010: Repairs and renovation continues at Station 43. We are satisfied that our issues are being addressed. We will continue to monitor the progress until completion.

 

(Concluded) Safety & Health Grievances Step III

(EMD) One Metrotech: On December 3, 2009 the Local conducted a Health & Safety walk-thru of EMD and PSAC. Although there are issues that need to be addressed at PSAC we found all of the violations at EMD were corrected. We have notified OLR and the department we are satisfied with the corrections made to EMD and consider those issues resolved.