Engine Co's

[GhettoPiper]

Effective March 25,2005 @ 0800 the NRMA F&ES Philadelphia will lose an Engine co. No FF's will lose there jobs. They will run as a 6 man engine and the ramaining FF's will be in a "chase vehicle". Has any other bases for the Navy come across this? I dont think that anyone saw this coming.

[crash_&_smash]

We've been cross manning an ARFF truck with and Engine Crew for about 6 months now, essential losing a dedicated engine crew. Our manning has been reduced from 55 personnel to 43. We have 48 in the department with instructions from regional command to "get down to 43 by Oct 05.” I don't see 5 guys retiring by then, so you do the math...

What’s happening to you, sounds like what happened to us about 6 months ago. We’ve been told that there will not be a RIF, but I’ll bet the tune will change around Oct. Do you believe the Navy will pay “extra” firefighters on duty?

[Charlie10]

I recently read a letter dealing with the Philadelphia Shipyard that indicated that the shipyard would go down to a 6 man Engine co. Not sure were the navy came up with this genius plan. Are you confirming that this happened? If so did the navy issue RIF notifications or did they just provide the department with what was to come and if so did they give a time line for the reductions?

At my base we have been fighting for the better part of the last year to try and convince the Navy that reductions were not the way to go. To some extent we were successful, but HRO issued RIF notifications to 8 employees with termination date of 30 Apr 05. Now were tring to fight cross staffing that will occur due to the RIF. However, I have not seen anything until now about a 6 man engine company anywhere in the navy.

Good luck I certainly can relate to what's going on hope you guys can fight this.

Gary

[crash_&_smash]

Charlie10,

If you feel comfortable doing so, PM me with some info where I can contact you. There is to much info to type. If you're uncomfortable with that, I'll try to answer your questions here. Same goes to you GhettoPiper.

[Fed-UP]

You are correct. With 20 hours notice the minimum manning went from 9 to 6 with the introduction of a ROBUST engine co carrying 6 firefighters and reduction of 1 full engine company unless a full compliment of 9 was on duty. And after 3 years of no incidental leave being granted due to manpower shortages, that won't happen soon. They (still not sure who is calling the shots, CNI or Hampton Roads) did not ask for a riff so firefighter jobs are OK for now, but with only 1 Captain now required on duty, that leaves an 2 Asst Chiefs and 2 Captains out there in the wind.
Phila Fire has already been dispatched when 2 box alarms were received simultanously and, with only 1 engine available could not be covered. They won't be happy campers if that continues, as they have their own problems.
The saga will continue.........

[crash_&_smash]

Something to consider;

-Current Navy Fire Protection Budget is ~$215 Million
-The future looks grim at best. CNI has directed a $5 Million reduction in Fire Protection Budget nationwide in FY05*
-Reduction increased to $27 Million in FY06*
-Consideration is being given to increasing reduction to ~$70 Million in FY07 or FY08
RESULT: Elimination of 1/3 of Navy’s Fire Protection Personnel and Equipment!

With that in mind, do you think the Navy will continue to pay for "extra" guys on an Engine Company? Each engine company cost the navy $1 million a pcs. The cost comes from 4 seats on the truck times 2.66 to man the truck (round up to 11 guys). Salary and benefits for 11 guys and the maintenance for the truck is how you get the $1 million figure (incase you where wondering). SO if you’re keeping score, that’s

5 engine companies in 2005 (ours was one of them)
27 engine companies in 2006
And maybe 70 engine companies in 2007 and 2008

I’m not making this up. These are the numbers they’re looking at.