glad we can talk about it here. i see your point. but i guess it comes down to how much somebody wants to be on. here in michigan its pretty well spelled out that if you want to be a fire fighter then you must pass the fire fighter 1 class and most of the counties here offer it in the day and night time. also my dept we meet once a month for training and we offer it in the morning and evening to fit everyones schedule. i am just saying why do you need some law. if you want to be fire fighter then you must fit it in. another point is then emts, will want time off then nurses, and doctors, and the law clerk at a lawyers office. my point was there are alot of jobs out there that require training, so what do we do let all those people out of work and then there is no one to work those jobs when you need service. those of you that go to college you can ask your job to work around class but they don't haft to. i guess here in michigan you make time to get to training either in the morning or at night and if you can't do that then you probably don't have time at all to be even on the fire dept. i work in a factory and my employer would just laugh if i told them that i was leaving to goto training and on my way out they would probably tel me to pick up my last pay check. thats why we have training in the evening and day time that way everyone makes it to training ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sean & Kimberly Aaron" <cifn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <cifnmedia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 9:57 PM Subject: [cifnmedia] Re: Volunteer Firefighter Job Protection Act Marc, I agree to a point, but I think our main problem is that the federal government is putting more and more as far as mandating training to volunteers who have families and jobs and so on, and they expect the volunteers to continue the same amount of dedication, volunteers really don't have alot of time to train, look for instance at the U.S. Military, when I was in the reserves each year you are required to do 2 weeks training and 1 weekend a month, (Your Employer) has to let you go they can not get rid of you or disipline you for missing that time. Without volunteers your town or city is unsafe, due to having to wait for neighboring departments or what ever. I was a firefighter for 15 years in Maryland, I was an Instructor at the UofMD Fire & Rescue Institute, I was career for 5 years, career is great because you train and take classes while at work so you can keep that standard of training up. Employers should be happy to see that they have people working for them that are willing to dedicate themselves and their lives to taking care of the people & property in the community. Back when I started w/ the Hurlock Vol. Fire Department in Maryland it was nothing of local business's to let firefighters leave work to assist on calls, but I think those days are over, don't get me wrong I understand that the company has work to be done and they have a time period to get it done, but I used to work for a consturction co. when I was younger and the owner was a volunteer ff and he understood the importance of getting training, being ready and prepared to handle anything at anytime, I do think however that the company should NOT have to pay you if you take off for training. I think this is also a problem as to why we are seeing less and less volunteer Emergency Medical people because they are mandating so many hours of continuing ed. that most people who love to volunteer but who have families and 2 jobs to pay bills or what ever can't afford to keep their training up so they just drop their license and give up on years of hard work, Then you look at the paid side, you read alot of articles more and more about paid EMS services shutting down because the cities or towns or counties just can't afford to operate anymore, so now where do you stand? No paid department, No volunteers, so now you are back to the beginning again where does it stop? We will always need volunteers and they will always need training, but the government needs to figure out a way to make things easier for the volunteers who care about what they do. Just my 2 cents... Sean A. Aaron (CIFN*1) Central Illinois Fire Network cifn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.geocities.com/central_illinois_firenet --- "MARCO" <MISOME@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: in michigan we are protected if were at a call before work, then we can not be fired as long as we bring in a letter from the chief. but we are not covered for training i think thats going a bit to far, if you want to goto training the use your vacation days. Think about the employers when your gone from your job your are costing them money because they haft to get someone else to do your job. i goto alot of trainings at the fire academy in maryland and in michigan and i use my vacation days. my employers in no way has to give me time off so i can train, besides we may train during the day but at night its one big party usually. marc ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sean & Kimberly Aaron" <cifn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "CIFN LIST" <cifnmedia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: <cubsfreak@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <hollywoodfire822@xxxxxxxx>; <cops_wyfe@xxxxxxxxx>; <dougt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <cmwilcox@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <davidemt@xxxxxxxxx>; <bover@xxxxxxxxx>; <catten@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; <firedog66@xxxxxx>; <pokie60@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <Kb9liq@xxxxxxxxx>; <mrradio@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <firenrescue3308@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <pstubbs8558@xxxxxxx>; <aems_61@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <deters454@xxxxxxxxx>; <jmhemtb@xxxxxxxxx>; <indylre@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <af24@xxxxxxxxx>; <designasign@xxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 7:50 PM Subject: [cifnmedia] Volunteer Firefighter Job Protection Act Fellow Illinois firefighters, As you may have heard House Bill 4851, Volunteer Firefighter Job Protection Act, has passed both houses and is sitting on the Governor’s desk. If he does not veto the bill within the next couple of weeks, it will become law. This Bill is something that the state of Illinois has needed for years to protect our volunteer firefighters. However, in looking over the bill several local firefighters and myself noticed some important things missing. First, there was no inclusion for volunteer EMTs. I have searched all weekend on the website and cannot find any sister bill that would protect volunteer EMTs. Secondly, we thought it was more important to get time off from work to maintain training! It would be great to be allowed time off to attend Fire College or some other training class. Attached is a letter that I am sending out today to the sponsors and members of the General Assembly trying to get amendments for EMT protection and time off for training added to the Volunteer Firefighter Job Protection Act. The attached names in bold print were sponsors of the bill, while the others are Senators and Representatives for our local area. Please, if you feel the same as I do, that training is just as or even more important, take the time to write a letter to your Senator, Representative, and the sponsors of HB4851 to have them add these amendments. Sincerely, Rod Stewart Firefighter/EMT Taylor Springs Fire Department Taylor Springs, IL http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=4851&GAID=3&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=9506&SessionID=3 9-11-01: Never forget our fallen brother firefighters __---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rodney A. Stewart 1201 East Tremont Hillsboro, IL 62049 217-532-6102 E-mail: hollywoodfire822@xxxxxxxx Monday, August 02, 2004 Representative Jim Watson 200-4N Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Honorable Representative Watson, As a proud member of the Illinois Fire and Emergency Medical Services community for eighteen years, I would like to applaud you and the members of the Illinois General Assembly for passing HB-4851 – The Volunteer Firefighters Job Protection Act. I believe that this Bill speaks very highly for the Illinois General Assembly’s support for the fire service community. There are, however, two issues that should be added to the Act that require your support. The addition of these two issues would greatly improve the Volunteer Firefighters Job Protection Act and would benefit all members of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services within the State of Illinois. First, there is no provision under the Act for the protection of volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians. Communities that rely on volunteer firefighters also rely on separate volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians. While in these communities the primary EMS crews may be “on call” (persons that have made themselves available for that specific day), it is the need for additional units that more than likely requires Emergency Medical Technicians to be late for work or miss work completely. I believe, either through this Act or another similar Act, volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians should be afforded the same job protection as volunteer firefighters. Secondly, especially in the case of very small communities, it is often not an issue of having enough firefighters on the scene of an incident as it is allowing volunteer firefighter’s time for training. Training issues have plagued the Illinois fire service for years. Often it is difficult for volunteer firefighters to maintain up to date training, including basic firefighter training because of work commitments. And now, in the post 9/11 world, firefighters, especially volunteers, are being required to spend more time training on advanced and specialized skills such as hazardous materials. Due to recent mandates, many of these classes have specific teaching time periods they must be taught in and specific locations that the classes must be taught at. The governing bodies (Office of the State Fire Marshall, Illinois Emergency Management, and the Illinois Fire Service Institute) are either unwilling or unable to make special provisions for each volunteer department. An amendment to the Volunteer Firefighter Job Protection Act, whereas volunteer firefighters would be allowed time off for training with prior notification in writing by the fire department supervisor, is imperative to the safety of the citizens of the state of Illinois. This amendment would be similar to the state of Illinois requirements for employers when dealing with members of the National Guard and military reserves. The inclusion of this amendment would put Illinois in the national forefront in the protection of volunteer firefighter’s jobs. It would allow for volunteer firefighters to receive training that they would otherwise be unable to get. It would increase revenue to the state and communities by allowing more firefighters to attend local and statewide training that would involve traveling, meals, and lodging. And again, the bottom line would be safer communities and a safer Illinois. It is my hope that you would take these amendments into consideration and introduce legislation providing for these amendments. Passage of these amendments would solidify the General Assembly’s support to the Illinois fire and emergency medical service community and the volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians that protect this great state. Sincerely, Rodney A. Stewart Firefighter-EMT Taylor Springs Volunteer Fire Department Taylor Springs, Illinois ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Representative Mike Boland 243-E Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Careen Gordon 276-S Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Larry McKeon 279-S Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Patrick Verschoore 250-W Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative John E. Bradley 275-S Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Senator Gary Forby M115 Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Senator Patrick Welch 121A Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Senator Denny Jacobs 123 Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Senator Carol Ronen M113 Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Senator Frank Watson 309A Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Senator Larry Bomke 105D Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Senator Deanna Demuzio 323 Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Gary Hanning 300 Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Ron Stephens 220 Capital Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Robert F. Flider 282-S Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Rich Brauer E-1 Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Raymond Poe E-1 Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Representative Jim Watson 200-4N Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 Sean A. Aaron (CIFN*1) Central Illinois Fire Network cifn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.geocities.com/central_illinois_firenet _____________________________________________________________ Get email for your site ---> http://www.everyone.net _____________________________________________________________ Get email for your site ---> http://www.everyone.net