Who
We Are,What We Do
The North Hudson Firefighters
Association
In 1999 when
the five municipalities consisting of Guttenberg, North Bergen, Weehawken,
West New York and Union City unilaterally decided to merge their individual
fire departments into a single department under the newly created North
Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue, they disrupted long term collective
bargaining groups and firefighter international and fraternal organizations.
In direct response to this, the firefighter organizations of West New
York/Guttenberg IAFF Local 620, Weehawken FMBA Local 26, Union City
FMBA Local 12 and North Bergen IAFF Local 1387 formed a singular organization
to protect its members from any forms of injustice; to secure just compensation
for their services and equitable settlement of their grievances; to
promote the establishment of just and reasonable working conditions
and strive constantly for their improvement; to improve the efficiency
of its members; and to cultivate friendship and fellowship among its
members. Hence, the North Hudson FireFighters Association was established.
SCROLL DOWN FOR COMING EVENTS
Coming Events |
July 21-26 - Sunday - Friday - Fire House Expo - Baltimore, MD.
Register before June 19th for discounts.
Go to http://www.FirehouseExpo.com or call 800-827-8009
August 12, 2009 - Wednesday - FMBA State Meeting. At Bar Anticipation in Lake Como, NJ. Nominations for President, VP, District VP'S and Trustees are due by the close of the meeting. (See page 3 of the May 2009 FMBA Bulletin.)
September 12, 2009 - Saturday - 7TH Annual FMBA Fallen Heros Memorial 5K Race. Start & finish at Bar Anticipation, Lake Como, NJ. (See page 5 of the May 2009 FMBA Bulletin.)
September 14, 2009 - Monday - Scott Gerber Golf Outing.
September 14 to 17, 2009 - Monday thru Thursday - NJ FMBA Convention.
November 18, 2009 - Wednesday - State FMBA meeting at NJ League of Municipalities Convention in Atlantic City. |
Promotion Process Update - 6/16/09
All members need to be aware of what is transpiring with the department and promotions.
The department has requested that the CSC certify three positions off the "old list" not the list that goes in effect on the 18th.
As you know your association has been asking the regional to promote for over 8 months.
It is disheartening that they would now promote days before a new list begins. Your association is not in favor of this manipulation by the regional.
Our members are on the old list and new list, but all should be treated fairly. What the regional is doing ( although it maybe within their right) is wrong and not fair.
Over the next few weeks if the old list is used, your association will be very vocal and will show our dissatisfaction with the regionals blatant disregard for all our members.
We will be vocal because of the process not because of which member gets promoted.
Many members will have a different look-take on how to react.
Although we are elated that our members are being promoted (we wish them well) we must represent all of our members.
It is our intention to act on behalf of 200 firefighters.
If we do not believe in the system or if we do not have faith in the process then there is no point. That is where our energy will focus.
The PROCESS.
As things develop we will advise all members in a timely manner.
To All North Hudson Firefighters - 5/7/2009:
Your Association has taken out an informational AD in today's (5-7-09) Jersey Journal (see above - page 27).
We believe that all apparatus should be staffed each and every day, either through new hires or if necessary, overtime.
We all swore to protect the citizens of the five cities we cover, and with only 57 men on duty and a strategically placed engine company closed, we feel both the residents and ourselves are being put in harm's way.
With only 57 men on duty, we are able to efficiently and safely handle a one-alarm working fire. On a confirmed working fire, 31 fire personnel are being dispatched, initial 24 and another 7 upon confirmation.
As firefighters we will always be courteous and professional to all residents, management and town officials while we work through this period of under-staffing. As far as manning and equipment are concerned, we can only work with what is given to us. Work aggressively, but safely.
Dominick Marino
North Hudson Firefighters Association President
To All Members:
As you are aware, the NHRFR has not been able to maintain the required number of firefighters (220) to properly man all apparatus on a daily basis. This is due to a number of reasons.
With our firefighter numbers being at about 205 and before the summer arrives, that number will be under 200, the regional is taking steps to alleviate the overtime that they will incur.
The Regional is developing a plan to reduce the overtime cost.
As it looks now, the regional is changing the minimum number required to operate from 60 to 57. If the number falls between 60 and 57, they will close Engine 9 and disperse those members to other companies. This is what they will do right now. If the number falls below 57, for now, we believe they will call overtime.
If they feel they have to reduce the overtime more, they will change the number to 54 and then Engine 11 would be closed and disperse those members to other companies.
If they feel they have to reduce the overtime even more, they will change the number to 51 and then Squad 2 would be closed and disperse those members to other companies.
It is also believed that if an apparatus is “shut down” because they do not want to spend money on overtime, then the safety would be move to which ever house they do shut down.
There has been nothing in writing or verbal from the department at all.
All members need to be aware of this, because if an apparatus is shut down, it now changes response times and which apparatus will arrive on a scene at what time.
As things develop we will keep you informed.
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