Cleveland EMS Union Fights CFD ALS Engine Expansion

[dougd]

http://www.cleveland.com/realtimenews/inde...nd_paramed.html

Cleveland's EMS Union is finally getting in to gear to do what EMS management did not to - attempt to stop the gradual takeover of EMS functions by the Cleveland Fire.

One CFD'er I know told me the ALS Engine program at CFD isn't very popular with the rank-and-file. (Granted, this is an n=1 sample size.) Apparently, CFD management took some FF's who had their EMT-P, determined what house they wanted an ALS Engine at, and moved them in and the assigned crew out. That didn't go over very well. Also, Cleveland EMS started staging a squad in the neighborhood and racing CFD to any runs. So, basically, the current situation is lose-lose.

[p3medic]

Maybe laying off some Cleveland firefighters, who apparently are not needed to fight fires would give the city more money to hire Cleveland EMS Paramedics, to provide much needed EMS response. Typical IAFF Bull shyte.....Just my opinion of course.

[Dustdevil]

Isn't Cleveland one of the cities that supposedly had budget and manpower cuts in the last few years, with fire stations closing or threatening to close? If so, this is exactly what any half-intelligent fire chief would to to try and recoup some budget priority. Sucks for the citizens and firemonkeys, but is nice for the chief and the union.

[dougd]

Isn't Cleveland one of the cities that supposedly had budget and manpower cuts in the last few years, with fire stations closing or threatening to close? If so, this is exactly what any half-intelligent fire chief would to to try and recoup some budget priority. Sucks for the citizens and firemonkeys, but is nice for the chief and the union.

Yes it was. Both the PD and FD had some layoffs a couple of years ago. As I understand it, most have been brought back on the job and CFD is planning an exam in July 2009. Of course, this is the same city that is still offering jobs to people whom they gave conditional employment offers to in 2002... guys who took the test in 1998. So caveat emptor.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/07/cl..._academy_1.html