The Bl azing Bugle

Plckeri ng Pnofessional Fi refighters Associ ati o n

Pickerir*g Frsfeesis$d Fir+Egktet= *ss+ci#ian

Volume

1 lssle 2 Fell ?S0 |

ts- Kinsrnan

Editsr

Messge from your Executive

We would like to start off with this newslet-

Inside ysur newsletten

ter remembering the Firefighters, police officers, mergency workers and all the civilians
vvho we!-e lost in such a senseless tragedy

on Septernber I l, 200 | in New York City.

We know our iob as a Firefighter is one that

very $ressful and physical anytime the we receive an abrm. The Firefighters in New York had no idea that the World Trade Centre woufd coffapse and cost them their fives. The final total of Firefighters who were lost on this d"y \firas 340" The
is

\tre can. We woufd also like to thank afl of our members who helped self the t-shirts at the Pickering Town Centre to support our brothers in New York Citf. The Pickering Professional Firefighters Associatio n wou ld like to thank all the helpers and their families who also hefped out.

lHessuge

furn Four E.*

ecuuw Updcte on issres

Contract Rotffie4
PJotoon Cfthfi,

Nerv Frre Hsff

Promotrns,

Grcrnment

Reftniorm,

ws,8
Bossmanio Exposure Report Forms,

Pickering Profession al Firetighters Asso c iation dedicated this year's boot drive to the 9- | | Disaster Fund of New York City. The Pickering Professional Firefighters Association will be donating over $50,000.00 that was raised in the 2-day evenL The Association has nnde up 1,000 +shirts that are being sold for $ | 5 each with afl the profits going directly to the Disaster Fund. 53 of our rrrembers signed up to go to New York City if they need Firefighters to help out. We rnay not be cafled upon at afl but if we are we will do our part and help any way that

United Woy Run OffERS u@te, NFPA 17 10, Firefgfrter

Ceffiottff
lVleeungs

Prvgran

Gneroj ffernbenhrp
Retiremen* tu 20Al
The new name has been put on all the Fire Service vehicles. The City is in the process of designing a rlew logo.

New lHembers, Erecuurc lHembers Alarrn nurnbers

Specid points of interesf,

Pickering Professional F irefighterc Association Update on various issues

.
This year's boot drive was held on October 6th and 7th at various locations throughout the Citlr. We raised over $50,0W,00 not including the sale of the t-shirts. meeting on Thursday September 13,
200

o General Membership
Meetings take place eYery 2nd Tuesday of the month except in July and

| held at Papp's

August We have

been

Restaurant
Befl

The pop rrachines are back at .50

cents thanks

to Steve

who

has

We have a new Promotional Policy

Conrmittee and we hope to have an update for you in the next newslet-

taken over the stocking and cfeaning of them. T-shirts will b* given out to members who help out with various functions and charity events.

meeting at the Fox and the Fiddle at Liverpoof and Kingston Road at 20:00 hours,

c lf you have any ideas or

articles that )nou would
fike

to see in the

nerct

ter.

We hosted the OPFFA Distnict

newsletter pfease forward them to Bruce.

o Get involved in your iob.

Contract Ratified
The bargaining team finally reached a tentative agreement on March 9, 200 | , This \^ms taken to the rrrembership to vote on and it vves voted 54- | in favour of the neu/ agreemenL
is that the City peid us a fair and reasonable amounL The contract uras for a 4-year period ending on December 3l, 2003: At that

tirne a lst-class Finefighter will be rrnking

$&4,&+0.00.

This was a contract that bodr sides are happy with, The Pickering Professional Fire-

The Association would like to thank the members of the bal,gaining team vrlro went above and beyond to reach this deal" The Bargaining Team rrrernbers \ffere:
fan Eibbitt {Chairperson)

fighters Association saw for the first time in our history, Platoon Chiefs added to the Association. This wiff be the first of rmny changes that the Association will see in dre next few years, The question that eyeryone seerns to ask is how rnuch money did you settle for? The ansurer the Associetion says

Bruce Kinsrran
John H"gg

Fred Hyland

The bargaining team reached an agreeilnent.

Pfatoon Chiefs positions filled July 21200 I.

The mnjor cancern had r{/cs tlre trock af supervfuo* on tfie frre ground snd dlrs ffi#
d?e r4ssscrotlon

hefp tfie ffsfoons

t&frcenfrste on what
ure do

fus4 Fut t ut ttle ftes ond cssrst

rtte pubfc.

The new rank of Pfatoon Chief which the bargafning team was successful in reaching at bargaining has become a reality. On the week of Juty 2nd, dnew Pfatoon Chiefs set up their office in Station # 5. The Pickering Professional Firefighters Association wou ld like to thank the Chief, Deputy Chief and the ffEnagement at the City for helping us get these positions that have been fong over due. Tfre rrajor concern the Association had was the fack of supewision on the fire ground and this wiff help the Pfatoon con-

centrate on what we do best, put out the fires and assist the public" The Platoon
Chiefs have been gmen the Deputy Chiefs 4wheel Ford Explorer as their car, The Pfatoon Chiefs car will be known as Car # | 0" (The Captains when asked what number

they preferred, wanted Car

54.)

The 4-new Phtoon Chiefs are:

PC Gord Ferguson, PC Brian Danks, PC Geoff Nicholson and PC Bruce Cornpton,

Congratulations tuys.

New Fire Hall Committee

This committee has been set-up with the Chief and Deputy, Fire Prevention Cfficer,
Fnesident of the Pickering Professional FiretJrat \iras needed for a headquarters it

fighters Association, Director of Operations and Ernergenc)t Services and Tim Moore who is in charge of overseeing the operation for the Citf, The first two nreetings took place and the only discussions that took place \nras how big of a Fire Hall uras needed. You rna)t think this is an easy task to decide but it vrasn't After we decided on the size

started to fall into phce. We are now at the point where we have the sguare footage that will rnake up the building hyout This ne\nr buifding wiff senffce our customers in the North- This Fire F-lafl will also put the Administration std, Fire Prevernion and the Training Division aff in one building, The location is being fooked dter by the CAO who is working with the fedenaf government

to

secure tfre bnd.

Governrnemt Relations Comrnittee

The Go,rernnrcnt Rehtions Connmittee has been up and running for the past two years and we can say that it is one of the rnost productive Cornmittees that the Fickering Professional Firefighters Association has. The Committee will be once again offering funch's to the Mayor, All Councillor's and Division Heads and of course the CAO. We will start in November to set up dates whene we can get together and discuss current issues and future ideas that will benefit the citizens of Pickening and our safety, This Committee has been working hard on your behatf and the relationship is good with the Executive and all rnernbers of the Cit)r. This Cornrnittee wo*s hard lobbyint the local politicians as well as the Provincial and Federal Governments to rneke changes that will benefit the Firefighters of Ontario and our Association.

Ottawa to discuss our issues with our Federaf representative Dan McTeague. At the Provincial level the Committee meets with Janet Ecker at Queen's Park as well as meeting with her at her office in Pickering. We

This )rear s/e sent two representatives to

will be heading to Queen's Park in NoverrF ber to discuss issues once again. One of the topics that will be discussed will be
needed changes

to OMERS.
One of the lirst thingF the new Dep nty did was order leather helmet flashes for all the members.

Chief, Deputy Chief, Training OffieE new Captains and Acting Captains Promotions
The Pickering Professional Firefighters Association would like to take this time and congratutate Bill Doughs who H/?rs prornoted from Deputy Chief to Chief. Mark Diotte has been proffloted to the position of Dep uty Chief Mark held the position of Training Officer before his promotion. Mike Gamba has been prornoted to the position of Training Cfficer. Mike \rvas an Acting Captain before his promotion. The Division also promoted 4-new Captains

that started the week of Juty Znd, and one that started in October they are:
Captain Dominic Browne, Captain John H"gg, Captain John Mairs, Captain Al Urbas

Ihe

Pfcftenng

Professionsl Hrefighters
Assoclstr'on woufd Ske

And Captain Paul Wagner (Octob".).

We also had S-new Acting Captains put into

service on July 2nd: Tim Jeffery, Bruce Kinsnan, Dave Laskey,

Lorne McNeil and Kirk Smythe.

Congratulations to alf.

to tofte &rs &me ond {ongroturate sff Dougfas wfm rvfis promoted from Deputf Cfref to Ctuef

vYSIB
There has been numerous problerrls once again \n4th the f'ailure to report a work related injury in the proper time lines" The Association would like to oncg ngain ask every nrernber to review with your Captain what is expected of you as an employee in the CiEf of Pickering in case of an illness or accident while on duty.
The foffowing sceps should be taken:

Captain as soon as it occurs.

Document it in the accident books that are located at eveny hafl.

3.

Fill out the necessary paper

work
A look at the n\rr numbering slstern that was been put on all the trucks in Pickering. There harre been issues in the past of which truck was which-

WSIB forrrn and or Fire Marshal Causlrty form if the injury happened while performing the dwy's of firefighting.
4.

l.

Report the iflness or accident to your

Notfy Colin Arnott

sentative.

GUr

WS|B repre-

BassmaniaTournamentTrail 2001, Team # 3?

YYritten bp Kevin Dickinson
As many of you already know 200 | rft.as our 'Rookie'year on the tournament circuit Early in the year I asked the Pickering Professional Firefighters Association to sPonsor us for nominal one dollar affKlunt, and in return I had the Pickering fuofessional
Firefigfrte rs Asso ciatio n

.'.d b.rnm&tetim

Nash

fighters fishing the tour this year, and I'm happy to rF port that our Association nairre got a lot of air time for the one dollar investrnent.

Bait allor,vd). The team with the mcst weight trvitts. rvith leswr amormts going
to the top ten places, The top 20 out of 100 teams at the ed cf the y'ear quafl*' for the 'Classic' - A $25.0ffi e\,'eut held annually on Rice Lake. It's bren great firn. but the pace \.\as nothing short af franticl The last 6 r+'eks are a blur of: Ivlotel roorns. &ag rae starts and rerious comlrctition. (See MANAGED pg # 5)

About the tournament trail:

A series of I tournaments
on 8 different hkes, each payrng a first prbe arnount of $5,000 plus up to $ 1,400 for the 'big fish' of the day, Each team weighs in 5 bass at the end of the event" they rnust be alive and minirnurn | 3" in length tno live

name announced to the audience at every tournarnent weigh-in. The rnaster of cenemonies v\rirs keen to

talk about the two Fire-

ExpOSUfe RepOft FOffnS

frre$gftters $re st a
tngh rfsk
$n

bp colin ArnottwslB representative

exposure.
Recent developffIents in the
\flf o rker's Cornpenstia n Poliry fcr Firefighters have

sf

expos{,rre

ts toxrc contomincnts"
sddfron {o exposures at frreg Hre $re cho exposed to in{earaus Ssesse of
nredicaf caffs as wefj ss fhe dongers of

The Fickering Frofessional Firefighters Association is cCIncerned about the exposures that our members experience eYer)t d"y. In-

fectious disease at rrredical

calls as well as the dangers

of hazardous rnaterial calfs. brposure reports have been

anailable in the wonkplace

forrrntion

avai lable

from

numerous sources indicates

to document all exposures to smoke, hazardous rnaterials and infectious diseases. Many members have uken advantage of these reports and fiff them out consistently when th"y have an

rrade tracking exposures

eYen lrrclre important- Enti-

that Firefighters are at a h,gh risk of exposure to

tlement to WCB benefits for Brain Cancer, Ly*phatic

Cancer and non-Hsdgkin's

toxic contaminants. In addition to exposures at fires, we are afso exposed to in-

Ly*phsfful

has

been

(See

hwardom mrtenofo

brposure Reports page # 5)

UnitedWay Run held Sunday september 9rh 2001 ar the

Pickering Nuclear Generating Station
The Hci<ering hoftssional Hrefighters Association had 25 participants in *re 5k run and walkh was a beautiful hot d"y. Actualfy tm hot fur running. One week before this event, the Pickering PrEftssional fi refighters Association YYere invited down to CITY-TV to prornote this Unked \ff")r event on Breakfast Television. Down at City we participated in a urg of war against the Durharn Regional

Some of the Firefighters who helped in the United W*y nrn at the PhfGS. Even +"rt-y ra$ the race in full costuITle"

Police lt was a close call bm the Hckering hofussional Hrefighters Association came second at this event On dre day of the rEce it was filoFe than evident who was faster. The ftckering Professional Hrefighter:s Association smoked the DRPS and everT other team entered in this e\rent We won the prize as the hstest

Picker"ing ProfEsional Frefight-

team. Pat Sheridan ame 2nd

overall in the 5K run. Sparky the Dq also ran the 5K" The

ers Asociation also won another prize as d"re Team with the most spirit'. h was over 90 dgrees that day and we had sorrre Hrefighters spraying mter with one of our pumpefs lt was a welcame relief as you crmsed the finish line and we couldn't keep the kids out of it Sorrte of our membels participated in the lOK walk. lt was a fun day for everyone involved.

\ftfSIB Iniury Repcrt

There have been | 3 rnernbers vyho have suffered a work rebted injury Gver the pasfi )iear. This reprF sents l7"A of the suppression Division- Most of these iniuries have occurred at strucurre fires- We have our rnembers going through I or 9 Scott bottles at each call, This is unheard of in Fire Senvices simply does not have ttre rnanpower to accornplish this feat. We respond to structure fires frorn June to September and other narious holidays throughout the year with a
rninirnum

of l2

Firefighters"

hrger Fire Departrnentr Sorne other Departrnents spell it out in an SOG that they must go to refrab aften 2 bottles. The Pickering

Larger Departrnents respond to simihr size structure fires whh up to 40 Firefighters as an initiaf response- This is why u/e are suffering a large increase of

lirnit with fittle and sorn+ tirnes no rehab. That is when injuries urill happen. The Heatth and S"f*ty Connrnittee has been working with the Chief and D*p. uty to introduce a Sf*ty Officer on the fire gnound, but as you can see we iust

dont

have the rrnnpower

to free sorrleone up to do this iob- We need to

change our thinking when we receive a fire call- We should be calling for off

work rehted injuries. We are being worked to the

duty Firefighters irnmediThe Chief supporting the Pickering Prc fessional Firefighters Association by wearing one of oun t-shirts at the United W")n Run.

Managed to racl( up one win

We
nnanaged

to rack

uP one tournament win earty in the year, and finished in 3$tlr pface CIveratrl at the
sea$on end, fufNing

Wish us luck fon the 2002 season, I think we're ready for 'em tJris time!
Special Thanks

See you on the Water,

Kev" Team # 32 would also like to thank it's sponSOTS.

to

short of oun goal of qualifyi*g for the 200

fassiC.

Bob Halliday who substituted for Jirn (large mouth) Nash on Lake Scugog Nice work Bob

Pickering Professional Firefighters Association, Tightline and Fishermans Sfarehouse

We rnfin{rged to rack up one t$umornent vYrn esrhf in the yen4 6nd fnfsfie d in 30th pface overrrff ot tfre seuson en4 fcl$ng shsrt of our goal of

guaffillg

dor tfre

}BAt'C#msrt"

EXpOSUfe RePOftS
Granted, but certain conditions appbr. To quote the polrcy, "The Baard will adjudiete the chirns <f Ffu-efighters vdro have sustained other cancers, taking into csnsiderati,on the intensity, t)rpe and durat*on of occupational exposures, and the
presence of non-

continued frorn page#

disease in each case, This underscores the necessity to docurnent all exposures.
Each individual member
has attended the folfowing types of situations should'cornplete an Enposure Report Structure Fires, Garbage containers, Atrtornobile fires, Grass

{
ers nny by present), An),

known or suspected infectious disease, contact with blood or bodily fluids, Any
Hazardous Materials incidenq Any situation that rray cause a heakh probfem-

who

Document all exPcsures

occupational causes for the

fires (pesticides or fertifiz-

Omers Revised Surplus Reduction Package

The reduction of the CPP Offhet from 0.675% to 0.6% has been rernoved from the package with possible reconsideration at a future date" The OMERS Board has cfearly stated that stakeholders will be thoroughly consuhed with, prior to this item being re-introduced.
The Member/ernployer

now intended to end earlier than planned. lt is anticipated that contributions will re-start on july l, 2002, using a threeyear phase in period. Contributions will be f /3 the nonraf rate. In July of 2003 the rate wifl be A3 and finally on Juty 2004 it will be back to the full nate.
The Earfy Retirernent

unchange* OMERS continues to be an excellent

pension plan, these measures are being taken by the Board to rnaintain

the strengths of the pfan. GMERS continues to be

fufly funded and alf pensions are guaranteed.

contribution hofiday is

Window has remained

NFPA | 710 standard

Quints stoffed as an engine or truck Fhis fiext one is very i*terestf Ftg,
An overview of Sre standard was er<pfained by Bruce Carpenter, IAFF f 3th District Vice-President at the Fall Seminar put on by Four Firefighters per engine company. Five or six with tactical hazards, high hazard occupancier Four Firetighters Per truck comPany"
Five

A Sfety Cfficer must be

depfoyed on afl incidents beyond an initial abrm.

We \rvill have a cspy in each

hall es socn as \tre can for

{hief0fficerAfdes
required f*r oll superwsary {}tief

the OPFFA in Niagara Falls October 2 | -25, 200 | . I will iust touch on a few of the highfights from the presentation.
STAFFING:

or six with high fevel of hazards. Quints mffed as

your reading.

an engine or

truck

This

A"y questions regarding

this NFPA | 7f 0 sandard phase direct them to Bruce Kinsrrnn who attended this
sessiron.

ne>ft one is very

intere*ing

Chief Officer Aides required for alf supewisory Chief Officers.

Firefighter Certification Prcgrarm

Bob French, Chair of the Certification Program from the Fire Marshal was also on hand at the Fall Seminar and presented the Firefighter Certification Program update. dent of Local 3888 told the audience. The Fire Marshat is now in t}re process of having a program for Fire Prevention Officers. What
u/as also new

to everTone

The OPFFAsti$ hu *ot changed it's stand rqarding certificationis up to each Local.

lt

tt was sated that the Certification Program was Voluntlit-y, this is not the case in

that was listening to Bob \fl/as that eYen if you chose

to Certfu )rou must then

renew your certification eYery four )tears, This part

of the program is not even printed )ret. The OPFFA stated that they had success in changing the certificates the fufl-time and the volunteers receive. h still looks like it is a prograrn that is a iob security for the Fire
Marsfral's effice. Pickering

Toronto

as

Jim Lee Presi-

Local 1632 still does not endorse this program.

Vofuffre 2, lssue 2 Fal!

2**l

Pickering Frdessisnaf Firefighters &ssaciaticsr General F{embership Meetlngs

The Hckerlnt hofessional Firefigtrters Association rneets every second Tuesdry of the month except for Jufy and Augusu These rneetings &re being held regufarly at the Fox and the Fiddfe at the corner of Liverpool and Kingston Road, upsbil-s. These meetings shrt right at 20:0S

hours,

\fiy'e need

at

least 8-members for

each rneeting! so rnark the secorrd Tuesday of each month on your cafendar and come out

and hean what )rour Association is doing for you. These meetings usualfy last until 22:00 hours, The Secreary / Treasurer posts a notice on each board at

all Stations so each member will know what will be discussed at the upcornlng meeting. This is the time for the mernbership to fisten and ask guestlons regarding Issues that concern us. lf you have any iterns that you would like to discuss pfease conhct the Secreary / Treasurer.
The Pickering Professional Fire fighters Associa'r"ion meets erelf " second Tusday of the month except for July and August

Retirernents
This year is dnawing to
a close fairly quickly

200 |
December3fstand
Captain Mike Hockley has also decided that December 3l st will be the hst day for him.
and location wifl be decided at a later date by

Ifiis yecr is
drcwfng to a cfose fairty guickly cnd so $re the creer's 0f 4+nembers

and so are the career's

of 4-mernbers of the PPFA. Dispatcher Dave tsall retired in Apr;l with Ron lreland retiring at the end of $epternber. Rick Strong has retired as of

The PPFA will be putting on a retirernent dinner in earfy January 2002, The exact time

the retirement committee. Kirk Smythe heads this committee and wifN keep eve{fone informed when the {inal details beconne
availabfe"

o{tfre

PPFA.

Alarms {are up ]8% over last

Platoon Chiefs
Ahnm Calls as of Cctober lst vs. hst year
200 I Station 2000 Station

Year

2m

#5 #6

1093 1069

Station#Z 987 Station#? I85 Station#4 182

826

Total Alarms
144 144 2000:

2001:

35 I 6

2978

TIrc Associatian w-ould like to also congratulate the three rnernbers who \rrere successful in obtaining an Acting Platoon Chief rank rr,'ithin the Fire Sen'ices. They are Captain Bob Cubbage, Captain Fred Hyland and Captain Ian Eibbitt.

lf you want to write an article or idea in an upcoming newsletter plese tefl us.

PO. Box

144

Plckering Onhrio,
LI V 2R2

Phone 905-427-64l5 Fa:c ?0}4?7-64 | 5 Ernai : pickfi re@id irecrcGffl

I

Dedicated

to Saving Lfe and Prop"ntf

FIRIFIGHTER$ IHVI}LYEI} II{

YfiUN C{}HHIIIIITT

Flease Gstrtfictu$ ff

grDuhmmy
ETTGSTiSTTS