March 1st

[crash_&_smash]

I have two questions;

As March 1st approaches, what is the best course of action for those of us that still have not been upgraded? It was 01 MAR 04 that the new standard came out with a one year implementation date (so the navy says), right?

What recourse do we have if the Navy rejects our TIG waiver? The Chf has no idea what's happening with our waiver. I think they (the Navy) are holding out till 01 MAR 05 to save the money they should be paying us.
:confused: :mad:

[Charlie10]

From what I know dealing with the NE region your only recourse if the navy in your region does not upgrade your firefighters who meet the criteria is to file a classification appeal with OPM. OPM will then decide if someone meets the criteria and then you should get your upgrades.

Also the navy wide goal was Feb 1 to have the upgrades completed. Our upgrades in the NE region went in on Feb 6. One other thing to consider is the Navy can decide what is needed at each base. Example if your base has a Haz-Mat team the navy can require all personnel to hold dual certification (both Haz-Mat Tech and EMT-B).

Speaking for my Base all GS 6 ff with tig went up to GS 7, All GS 7 with tig went to GS 8, ff GS 6 with out time in grade were granted waviers. As long as they had at least one of the Certs to meet the classifcation criteria, with a time frame to get the other cert. All firefighters at my base are being required to hold dual certification. GS 5 ff with out tig were not upgraded.

We have spoken with one of the commanders and are working on trying to get the waviers for the GS 5's. I would just recommend that everyone who is performing the duties (EMT-B) keep records so when you appeal there is something to had to OPM.

Sorry that was long but, I hope it answered your questions. Good luck.

Gary

[crash_&_smash]

Thanks for the reply Gary.

As of toady, we're still GS-05 F/F's. We've been told that we're going to 07's if we have the Cert. (pending the wavier). As I understand it a grievance should come before a classification appeal.

It's getting close to March and still no news. :confused:

[Third_due]

where can I get a copy of the 081 rewrite,, for federal fire fighters thanks

[crash_&_smash]

where can I get a copy of the 081 rewrite,, for federal fire fighters thanks

PM me with an e-mail address, and I'll send one to you.

[Loony TICK]

What kind of union do you guys have AFGE or IAFF?We all got the upgrades but at first only the GS-6 got it then the rest of us did finally.They are now hiring all newbies as GS-7 and with this Rumsfield crap who knows what will happen. :mad:

[crash_&_smash]

AFGE....All the firefighters going one step Have been up-graded. It's the firefighters that have to be waivered that are in limbo...

Loony, when did the up-grades happen, and which branch do you work for? seems like Army and Air Force have been up-graded for months now.

[Loony TICK]

Marine Corps and we got our waiver

[DVP16]

If you have not been regraded and meet the criteria you can file a classifcation appeal, not a grievance. File directly with OPM, not the agency. Review the classification standard on the OPM web site to ensure you meet grading criteria, just search for fire fighter classification and you should find it. Also, check their web page on claassifcation appeals for appeal guidance.