Rank Restructure Committee

IAFF-NFD Rank Restructure Committee

September 29, 2007 - The following are the highlights from the last three rank restructure meetings. The meeting held September 25, 2007 worked out a lot of the details in the plan. 

The new ranks are recommended to be:

• Corporal
• Lieutenant
• Major
• Assistant Fire Marshal

*There will be new badges that reflect the new ranks for all except Corporal.

Corporal time in grade requirements: Upon completion of two years on the department, firefighters may attend the corporal academy.  After passing the academy and completing three years as a firefighter, you will be eligible for corporal.

Corporal education requirements: Must have SEVEN of the certifications below. (This may be looked at for further changes or adjustments.)

*Current relief drivers will be “Grandfathered” for the rank of corporal and may test for driver under the current eligibility requirements.  Corporals will still be required to attend an academy as a refresher.

Lieutenant time in grade requirements: Upon completion of one year as driver/sergeant, you may attend the lieutenant academy.  After passing the academy and completing two years as a sergeant, you will be eligible for lieutenant.

Lieutenant education requirements: Must have EIGHT of the certifications below with Instructor I, Caroline Bible computer class and a Tech in a discipline being mandatory. (This may be looked at for further changes or adjustments.)

*Current relief captains will be “Grandfathered” for the rank of lieutenant and may test for captain under the current eligibility requirements. Lieutenants will still be required to attend an academy as a refresher.

Major time in grade requirements: Upon completion of one year as captain, you may attend the major academy.  After passing the academy and completing three years as a captain, you will be eligible for major.

Major education requirements: Must have NINE of the certifications below with Fire Officer I, NIMS 300 and 40hrs of college being mandatory. (This may be looked at for further changes or adjustments.)

*Current relief Assistant Chiefs will be “Grandfathered” for the rank of major and may be appointed to Assistant Chief under the current eligibility requirements. Majors will still be required to attend an academy as a refresher.

Certification List (This may be looked at for further changes or adjustments.)

1. FF I
2. FF II
3. Instructor I
4. Instructor II
5. Haz Mat Awareness
6. Haz Mat Ops
7. Has Mat Tech
8. Rope Rescue Awareness
9. Rope Rescue Ops
10. Rope Rescue Tech
11. Confined Space Rescue Awareness
12. Confined Space Rescue Ops
13. Confined Space Rescue Tech
14. Trench Rescue Awareness
15. Trench Rescue Ops
16. Trench Rescue Tech
17. Vehicle Extrication
18. IMS
19. NIMS 100 / 200 / 700 / 800 / 300 / 400
20. First Responder
21. Paramedic (considered the Tech level of medical training)
22. Caroline Bible Computer Class

College Hours

NOTE:  There are still some details to be worked out and this is just the foundation of what the committee has talked about.  Some of this may change through the committee and the fire chief/union still has to look at the final outcome.

FAQ's: Some questions answered in the meetings:

Q: What are the goals of the union?
Butch spoke with Leroy Luckenbill and the committee feels the goals are met in the policy.

Q: What are the goals of the administration?
Chief Bailey stated goals at first meeting and they seem to be the same as the unions.

Q: Who is going to teach academies/refreshers?
The training division or their designee will teach academies with stated curriculum in the training center.  Designee’s may be lieutenants and majors.

Q: Who is going to create the curriculum?
The training division and committee will develop the curriculum.

Q: How many academies will there be per year?
At this time, there will be one per year, per rank.  Dates will be identified prior to vacation picks and may be 8hr classes with admin leave after training.  Still not confirmed as of today’s meeting.

Q: Will there be refreshers?
Yes.  Annual refresher lasting 8hrs covering new policies, procedures, apparatus, equipment, computers, ect.

Q: Will there be requirements to keep the rank? (Example, refreshers)
Yes, may be annually.

Q: Will there be college education as a requirement?
Yes.

Q: Training documentation/certification?
All training will be through the training division and if courses are taken outside the department, they will be from a credible organization.  NFD training will count.

Q: Will any of the training certifications listed be offered in house?
All the training on the list will be brought to the NFD.

Q: Will the city pay for training?
Chances are NO per Chief Bailey, but not sure.

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IAFF Rank Restructure Committee Members include:

• Leroy Lukinbill - IAFF
• Travis King - IAFF
• Steve Roberts - IAFF
• Keith Nelson - IAFF, Staff
• Rick Bacon - IAFF, Staff
• Jim Bailey - Staff