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Good afternoon Madam Chairman, Madam Vice-Chairman, Members of the Board, and Mr. Long.
My name is John Niemiec and I am the President of the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Union – IAFF Local 2068.
To begin, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to address the board in regards to the pressing matters that are essential to our members and the continued interests of public safety in our County.
It is my privilege to be here before you representing close to 1900 active and retired uniformed firefighters and paramedics to include civilians within all sections of the Fire and Rescue Department; the Apparatus Shop, Fire Prevention, and the Department of Public Safety Communications Center or 911 Call Center.
I could not be more proud of the men and women in our Local who have worked so hard as a highly functioning team to deliver critical public safety services to our community. These brave men and women disregard the most basic of human instincts and run into harm’s way in order to restore some degree of normalcy when the events of life go spiraling out of control. And behind every fire truck racing to the fire, or accident, or injured child my members are changing oil, taking 911calls, inspecting fire alarms, or doing one hundred other critical tasks needed to field an award winning department. While our Fire Fighters and Paramedics are the front line, so to speak, I am honored to represent our entire team - I am proud of them, as well. We also recognize that our role in the community is a very visible one, and that much is expected of those that are drawn to public service.
For instance, community based programs such as the “Safety in our Community” or SIOC Program enhances the safety and wellbeing of our citizens while engaging the members of our department with their surrounding neighborhoods. Many of these programs go well beyond the normal scope of our job but provide a personal connection to those we serve.
Our “Fill the Boot” campaign was once again number 1 in the nation, with collections close to a half a million dollars thanks to the coordination efforts of Joel Kobersteen. We also have various members of our union involved in a number of different charities and community actions. Willie Bailey, Local 2068’s Vice-President Emeritus, who organizes a back pack drive, and a coat drive in the fall as well as a toy drive over the holidays, providing gifts to those who would otherwise go without. Finally, the members of our International Urban Search and Rescue have brought a tremendous amount of recognition and publicity to our wonderful county.
In addition, in the past year your Fire and Rescue Department was the first in the Commonwealth to achieve an ISO (Insurance Service Office) Class I rating. What does this mean to the County homeowner? Homeowners could see their homeowner insurance premiums reduced - a savings to the taxpayer from the ISO investment the county made.
As safety ambassadors to our citizens, our members serve in a capacity that is unique among our peers. At the same time, we have all suffered the economic consequences of the “Great Recession.” In this challenging environment, our members never retreated from our mission of delivering the highest quality Fire Service available in any area, or in any other state in this great country of ours.
Madame Chairman, you and many of your colleagues know that for years – our union has always brought solutions to the table when problems exist. Our initiatives, empowered by a strong partnership with the Fire and Rescue Department administration have been responsible for meeting many of our mutual challenges.
Whether it’s issues with the budget, finding ways to promote a program with no taxpayer funds, or offering you an alternative to fund merit steps for all public safety personnel , our union has always been willing to engage with the Board of Supervisors to find the highest and best solution for all involved.
Madam Chairman and Members of the Board, to provide you an example, Local 2068 was instrumental with the implementation of the EMS Transport Billing - generating over $125M since its inception on April 1, 2005. Next fiscal year, EMS Billing is projected to bring in $17.6M to the General Fund. Soon, EMS Billing will generate $22M, or the equivalent of one penny of the real estate tax.
Recently, Local 2068’s Principal Officers and I have met with each of the board members, including Mr. Long and Mr. Rohrer. While Mr. Long’s proposed FY2016 Budget included a .84% market rate adjustment (or MRA) for all county employees, our meetings with board members suggested that there is support to raise the MRA above this level. After the sacrifices made by our members in recent years, I would hope that you would fund a market rate adjustment which would, at a minimum, keep up with the rate of inflation. This would require something close to the full MRA of 1.68%.
Madam Chairman, at our FY2010 Budget Testimony, I stated that our membership had managed their expectations and that we understood that it was not practical to request any pay or benefit enhancements for FY2010.
At that time, your fire fighters and paramedics respectfully requested that the budget not be balanced on the backs of our members or any county employee.
And in that spirit, our union is asking you, the Board of Supervisors, to strongly advocate and support our budget priorities when the FY2016 Budget is voted on later this month.
We are respectfully requesting the approval of the following items:
* Implement and fully fund the 1.68% MRA or COLA for all county employees.
* Implement and fully fund the Merit and Longevity Steps for all eligible Public Safety Personnel
* Remove the 2-year hold at Step 8 for all Public Safety Pay Plans
* Lastly, Honor the commitment of eliminating the final 15% of the Social Security Disability Off-Set to our members who retired on a Service Connected Disability. Thank you Supervisor Gross for championing this effort to eliminate the Social Security Off-Set.
I want to take this opportunity on the behalf my members and Chief Bowers to publicly thank Mr. Long for proposing the funding of the 31 SAFER positions once our federal grant expires. With the Board’s approval of county funding for the 31 SAFER positions, 8 of our 14 ladder trucks will have a 4th person as minimum staffing. In addition, we have another grant application pending which would allow us to complete minimum staffing on the other 6 ladder trucks.
As you know, those additional positions will enhance fire ground safety, as well as, supporting Chief Bower’s goal of having all “front-line” apparatus staffed with at least one paramedic.
Today is a very bitter-sweet day, especially for 2 supervisors, Supervisor Mike Frey and Supervisor Gerry Hyland. Both of you are hearing budget testimonies for the last time.
Thank you Supervisor Frey for your 24 committed, tireless, and dedicated years as the Sully District Supervisor. For all that you have done and what you continue to do for the Sully Community and all Fairfax County Employees. Our relationship over the years has been very productive, and one which demonstrates that our organization continues to work with both sides of the political aisle. Mike, you have been an ally, a friend, and supporter of not only our local but of the entire public safety community.
Thank you for your service, and I am hoping you find time to watch more Phillies games.
Supervisor Hyland, Gerry, my good friend. From me personally, and from all our members, thank you for 28 years of outstanding service. For all that you have done and continue to do for the Mount Vernon Community and all Fairfax County Employees, we are extremely grateful.
Gerry, your professional fire fighters and paramedics wish you nothing but the best. On a personal note, I will miss our shared time cooking lobsters and clam chowder. You are a “regular guy”, which is high praise coming from a Fire Fighter. Simply put, you will always have a friend in the Fire house.
Thank you for your service, and I am hoping you find more time to visit the Eastern Shore.
On a different note, the 2015 World Police and Fire Games are coming to Fairfax this June 26th through July 5th. Our union along with so many others are doing everything that we can to ensure the games are successful and that the athletes, their families, and visitors have an enjoyable and memorable experience during their time in Fairfax and the National Capital Region.
Lastly, the topic of revenue and looking at possible sources of revenue to the county budget continue to be a major-point of discussion lately. Similar to the EMS Transport Billing, our union is respectfully requesting that we have a seat at the table when new initiatives to grow revenue are being considered.
My fellow brothers and sisters continue to stand before you here today and tomorrow as champions for the best interests of our County. My members' history of compromises and shared sacrifice validate this truth.
My members continue to make Fairfax County Fire and Rescue the best organization of its kind, with a level of professionalism that is second to none. It is my sincere honor and privilege to stand with them before you here today.
Thank you.
