COVID-19 Guidance and Update

March 22, 2020

Bulletin 15-20

 

COVID-19 Guidance and Update

 

The announcements made by our state and local elected leaders over the past 72 hours about the COVID-19 global pandemic have prompted us to remind all United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) members and their families about important details and guidance related to UFLAC operations and safety measures.

Earlier this week, UFLAC President Freddy Escobar joined Fire Chief Terrazas and Assistant Chief Jaime Moore as they presented an update to the public regarding the LAFD’s response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus). They explained how each station would be provided an adequate supply of sanitation kits, masks, and wipes. The full video can be found HERE.

UFLAC has also been included in daily briefing meetings at the Department Operations Center (DOC) in order to remain informed and voice any questions or concerns coming from the field.

 

 

UFLAC MONTHLY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & OFFICE OPERATIONS

In response to the Mayor’s Office directive to City Departments and related agencies, UFLAC is taking additional precautions to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and adhere to proposed limits to public gatherings in City facilities.

For this reason, UFLAC has cancelled the General Membership Meeting scheduled for March 25, 2020 and suspended public access to our offices from external visitors at this time.

Please know that we remain available via telephone and email during our normal business hours, 7:00am to 4:00pm, excluding holidays.

TOLL-FREE: (800) 252-8352

PHONE: (213) 895-4006

FAX: (213) 250-5678  (DO NOT send any medical personal health information/PHI)

 

COVID-19 TESTING

As announced by the DOC, the Department will provide COVID-19 testing for all LAFD members who exhibit signs and symptoms of COVID-19 illness. Members will be initially placed off duty SK while awaiting their test results. 

The testing will be conducted by appointment for members who on or off duty display any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) symptoms

Please Click HERE for instructions on how to get tested for COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 STATION AND APPARATUS SANITIZING PROCEDURES 

Chief Terrazas has recently issued procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at all of our Fire Stations. You can find the comprehensive list of measures in the March 19th DOC Bulletin for First Responder Risk Management Guidance, as well as in this video from the LAFD.

 

STATION VISITORS

Your health and safety are of the utmost importance to UFLAC and it is for this reason that we are reminding members to not have or allow any outside visitors in the Fire Stations during this time. This also includes family members so that we can maintain a safe working environment for those on duty and also to protect our loved ones from potential exposure.

 

 

PROMOTIONAL LISTS, EXAMS, & DRIVER/MATE BONUS

The postponement of the upcoming AO exam will be addressed in a notice and followed by information for personnel. Members will be provided advanced notice when a new test date has been established. Promotions from other established lists are being discussed regarding the Mayor’s directive and the health and safety exemption is expected to be honored to not impact any current lists.

The Department and Personnel will be sending out information on the cancellation of classes required to obtain the Driver/Mate bonus. As a reminder, per the MOU, the Department needs to provide the classes as needed for the bonuses; so due to the situation, UFLAC has already been in discussion with the Department regarding this.

 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

This is a unique situation as daily life has changed dramatically for most people. And the uncertainty can cause a great deal of anxiety and stress for not only ourselves, but also our families at home. Click HERE for some Coping Tips & Strategies to help you and your family get through this challenging time. You can also visit the UFLAC PEER SUPPORT and Firestrong webpages for additional resources. IAFF has just released a document Helping Your Family Cope With COVID-19, which has lots of great information on how to support your spouse and talk to your kids about COVID-19.

As we keep you apprised of the most current information that is available, please know that the health and safety of our members is our top priority. We are in daily communication with Chief Terrazas and other city leaders to ensure that we have the resources and support that is necessary to ensure a safe working environment. We are committed to providing you the latest information on this epidemic and will be sure to keep you updated on the latest from the Department as well as local, regional and national resources.

If you have questions regarding COVID-19, Chief Terrazas has instructed members to contact the LAFD Emergency Medical Services Bureau at (213) 978-3885. You can also direct your questions to UFLAC’s Health & Safety Committee by sending an email to: [email protected].

 

Thank you for everything that you do every single day for the people of Los Angeles and for your brothers and sisters in the LAFD.

 

Stay Safe,

UFLAC Health & Safety Committee

UFLAC Executive Board

 

BULLETIN 62-23 MEMBER UPDATE

November 22, 2023
Bulletin 62 – 23

 

UFLAC PREVAILS AGAINST MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTS VITAL DUE PROCESS RIGHTS OF ITS BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS FORCED ON LW

In late 2021, the City took unilateral action against UFLAC bargaining unit members who were deemed to not be in compliance with the City’s COVID vaccine mandate.  In direct violation of the MOU, the City Charter, and personnel policies and practices, the City and previous LAFD management placed these UFLAC bargaining unit members on leave without pay.  UFLAC immediately took legal action and filed a grievance on behalf of all unit members who were placed on leave without pay.

During the arbitration hearing, UFLAC successfully proved that the management’s actions were in fact unlawful.  Yesterday, we received the arbitration decision and award, and the arbitrator found the City liable on all counts.  Specifically, the arbitrator agreed with UFLAC and found that the City unlawfully placed UFLAC members on leave without pay without providing the required due process which includes a Board of Rights under the City Charter.  The arbitrator ordered the parties to identify all affected unit members in order to make them whole for the losses incurred by being placed on leave without pay.

It is important to note that this decision was just made yesterday. The City has not confirmed whether it intends to comply.  We will keep all members posted with new information in real time as it becomes available. In the meantime, it is important to recognize the importance of this ruling. The UFLAC Executive Board had consistently said that it will do everything in its power to protect the rights of its bargaining unit, and this arbitrator’s ruling is just the latest result of our efforts.

To view the arbitrator’s decision, please click here.


In Solidarity,
UFLAC Executive Board

BULLETIN 61-23 MEMBER UPDATE

November 21, 2023
Bulletin 61 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

To all members:

SUPPLIES:

The membership has reported various discrepancies regarding the proper inventory of all medications and supplies as required by LA County DHS (specifically ALS inventory ref. 703).

We have all been aware of the supply shortages over the last year or more but have been notified by Medical Supplies that there is no current medication shortages reported.

We are asking all members to:

  1. Inventory your supplies to ensure that there are no current EXPIRED medications that are in a front-line capacity. If you find yourself short, immediately notify your EMS Captain. Reach out to a UFLAC EMS Committee member if this isn’t resolved in a reasonable amount of time.
  2. Re-evaluate your EMS supply stock. Make a conscious effort to rotate medications and supplies using the oldest medication lot first.
  3. Re-evaluate your ordering and inventory methods. Several stations have found boxes of unused stock hidden away in lofts/above lockers. Many of the current members had no idea that these products were stowed away.
  4. Track your inventory to ensure that you have ALL the needed items including lesser used medications of Ketorolac and Olanzapine. An ALS RA should carry all of these medications as listed in ref. 703.
  5. Ensure that medications and medical supplies are properly documented on your ePCR. This will aide in getting the appropriate amount of supplies allotted to your station.

Battalion 1 is performing a trial program to have a centralized restocking mechanism in place to remove the responsibility away from the members. This program is being established by our own field members and will be done in a flexible and data driven manner. Supply levels will be adjusted as the needs change. Hopefully, this trial is successful and it removes the burden of the ordering and inventory control of the members as well as the headaches of not having the proper supplies.


In Solidarity,
UFLAC EMS Committee

BULLETIN 60 – 23 UFLAC General Membership Meeting

November 20, 2023
Bulletin 60 – 23

UFLAC General Membership Meeting
November 29th at 0800 hours
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112
1571 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA  90026

0730      Stewards Meeting

0800      General Membership Meeting

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence for our past fallen UFLAC Firefighters
Invocation
Roll Call of Officers
Adoption of the Minutes
Committee Reports

Agenda Items:

  1. Discussion on 2% voluntary retiree health contribution from 2011
  2. Unfinished Business
  3. New Business

Adjournment

Executive Board – United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local #112

BULLETIN 59-23 MEMBER UPDATE

November 20, 2023
Bulletin 59 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

On November 13, 2023, UFLAC and IAFF attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal district court against the City alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act for the City’s complete failure to pay compensation owed to UFLAC bargaining unit members. This lawsuit covers hundreds of our bargaining unit members.

The filing of this lawsuit is just one of the many actions UFLAC has taken on behalf of its members. We are in near constant communication with the Department to push them to correct the pay discrepancies more quickly, we have discussed this issue with City Council members, we made a presentation to the Fire Commission and we arbitrated this issue and are waiting for a decision. We will not rest until each and every one of UFLAC’s bargaining unit members are made whole.

You can find a copy of the Complaint here. Please keep in mind that litigation can be a lengthy procedure. We will keep you up to date.

In Solidarity,
UFLAC Executive Board

BULLETIN 58-23 MEMBER UPDATE

November 13, 2023
Bulletin 58 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

On Friday, November 10th, UFLAC was notified that some members who were involuntarily Assign Hired on Halloween were not compensated according to the terms of the Coded Assign Hire Letter of Agreement.

UFLAC immediately contacted the Department and received a response that it would be addressed right away. Over the weekend, the Department confirmed that an NSS programming oversight resulted in all 68 members who qualified for the premium pay not being properly compensated. The issue was immediately directed to the Payroll Section, with the direction to make the appropriate 5054 corrections to have the premium pay reflected on the next paycheck. In the future, premium pay for those who qualify should be received automatically.

If you have any questions about this issue, please reach out to any member of the UFLAC Executive Board.

In Solidarity,
UFLAC Executive Board

BULLETIN 57-23 MEMBER UPDATE

November 10, 2023
Bulletin 57 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

On November 7th, UFLAC Board Members attended the LAFD Fire Commission meeting to speak on a couple of agenda items and to give general public comment about the ongoing payroll problems and discrepancies that continue affecting our members and their families.

UFLAC First Vice President Chuong Ho spoke in regards to the proposed 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget for the LAFD, highlighting some of UFLAC’s priorities and urging the Fire Commission Board to support a fully funded fire department.

Secretary Adam Walker spoke next and informed the Fire Commissioners of the payroll issues that have been affecting our members since 2021. His comments included:

“UFLAC will not rest until every single one of our Firefighters is paid correctly because the men and women of the LAFD who risk their lives every day deserve better.”

Director Rich Ramirez concluded by sharing the personal stories of how these pay issues are having a tremendous impact on our members and their families.

To see a video of the meeting, and public comment from all three UFLAC Executive Board Members, click LAFD Fire Commission 11-7-23 and go to the 1:20:00 mark.

We will continue to keep you updated with our actions related to the ongoing payroll problems.

In Solidarity,
UFLAC Executive Board

BULLETIN 56-23 MEMBER UPDATE

November 7, 2023
Bulletin 56 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

View and Print 2024 Shift Change Calendar 
As previously posted on Bulletin 44-23, Firefighters First Credit Union discontinued their production and distribution of the yearly LAFD shift calendar. For this reason, UFLAC has collaborated with the Relief Association to develop a shift calendar for our members.
Click HERE or scan the QR code below to view a PDF version of the 2024 calendar that can be printed at your convenience. Due to the enormous cost, the wall calendars will only be provided to individual stations and department locations.
UFLAC is aware of a third party that has advertised selling hard copies of the calendar. This is NOT a UFLAC venture, but can be an option to individuals wanting to purchase instead of printing out at home.
For any questions, please reach out to any UFLAC Executive Board Member.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

BULLETIN 55-23 MEMBER UPDATE

November 7, 2023
Bulletin 55 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

This morning at 0900 the LAFD Fire Commission will be holding their regular meeting.

Several UFLAC Executive Board Members plan to speak about the ongoing payroll problems and discrepancies that continue to impact our UFLAC members and their families.

Please tune in to hear the full meeting with public comment to take place in the first hour.

To listen to the meeting as it is happening, please call:

(213) 621-2489

Follow the prompts to listen to the Board of Fire commissioners meeting.

In Solidarity,
UFLAC Executive Board

BULLETIN 54-23 MEMBER UPDATE

October 30, 2023
Bulletin 54 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

As you know, our current UFLAC MOU with the City will end on June 30, 2024.

In the weeks to come, your UFLAC Negotiating Team will begin the process of establishing formal communications with the City regarding negotiations for our next contract and we want to hear from our members.

Please click HERE to submit your ideas and suggestions for our new contract.

Your input will be collected and reviewed by members of the Negotiating Team with appropriate follow up as needed. We want your input.

In Solidarity,

UFLAC Negotiating Team

Adam Walker
Chuong Ho
Scott Lazar
John Frye

BULLETIN 53-23 MEMBER UPDATE

October 18, 2023
Bulletin 53 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

UFLAC is aware of the most recent disaster regarding pay discrepancies where as many as 500 of our members were not paid correctly this week.

We have made it clear to LAFD management and city leaders that this is unacceptable and inexcusable. There has been no accountability and no sense of urgency to fix these problems once and for all.

We are going to fight back and we’re not going to be silent about the repeated mistakes that our department and our city continue to make that end up negatively impacting our members.

More to follow…

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City