The International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs are encouraging members to jointly support proposed revisions in the proposed 11th edition of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) model.
The CFAI model is used by many fire departments to evaluate and refine their ability to respond to emergencies. Fire and emergency service agencies have until Aug. 30 to submit any comments.
Specifically, the IAFF and IAFC support language that supports labor/management alliances that can work toward improved staffing, safety and other updates.
In a letter announcing the associations’ joint position, General President Edward Kelly and IAFC President John Butler stated, “ Encouraging quality improvement, identifying areas of strength and weakness, establishing improvement plans, making data-supported decisions, communicating management and leadership philosophies, ensuring a clearly defined mission and related objectives, developing organizational procedural documents, and achieving greater community alignment all require the workforce and management to come together on a neutral ground.”
The IAFF and the IAFC understand that such collaborations are easier in states that allow collective bargaining. However, the two organizations also note that several accredited fire departments from North Carolina and other areas have successfully demonstrated the benefits of labor-management alliances.
Recommended insertions into the 11th edition include:
CC3A.4, lines 296-297, “The agency solicits feedback and direct participation from internal, which minimally includes management and labor union/association leadership that has not been appointed by management, or in the absence of such an organization an employee that has been selected by the membership/employees at large, and external stakeholders in the development of the agency’s goals and objectives.”
CC7C.6, lines 906-908, “The agency has a process that provides for discussions between the labor union/association, or a group of employees/members that have been selected by other employees/members, and the administration on at least an annual basis regarding, but not limited to, agency budgeting, coordinating, organizing, staffing, safety, and planning.”
CC11A.7, lines 1218-1221, “The agency has a collaborative process, overseen by a committee comprised of a representative(s) from the administration and representatives(s) of the labor union/association or a group of employees/members that have been selected by other employees/members, to investigate and document real or perceived unsafe acts, accidents, injuries, legal actions, etc., to determine the root cause, identify solutions, and develop and implement training as a means of prevention.
The IAFF is also proposing criterion that mandates fire apparatus be staffed with a minimum of four firefighters, the apparatus fleet is appropriately maintained, and that members can work in lawfully compliant work spaces.
Recommended insertions include:
CC 5E.3, after line 561, The agency staffs apparatus to meet the minimum objectives of NFPA Standards or can provide a plan that includes a timeline to increase staffing and eventually meet the objectives.
6C, line 784-785, Apparatus resources are designed, purchased, and maintained to adequately meet the agency’s goals and objectives and in accordance with NFPA 1901 Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus and NFPA 1917 Standard for Automotive Ambulance.
CC 6C.2, line 788-789, The reserve vehicle fleet is adequate, meets industry standards, and there is a documented contingency plan is in place for removing vehicles from service when the reserve fleet has been exhausted.
Under the Center of Public Safety Excellence umbrella, the CFAI accredits fire departments and emergency services with a 13-member board from various sectors including fire departments, city and county management, labor, standards, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Following resolution 29 from the 2022 convention, the IAFF has lobbied and attained additional spots on the CPSE commissions. As a result, James Mitchell, President of Carmel, IN Local 4444 and Dave Coker, President of Greensboro, NC Local 947 now hold positions.
Previously appointed CPSE board members include IAFF Assistant to the General President for Training, Education and Grants Administration Dr. Joshua Smith, Ph.D., CFO; Assistant to the General President for Technical Assistance and Information Resources Thomas Breyer, and IAFF Director of Fire and EMS Operations Robert McClintock.
