NHFD’s In The House

Total waste of money. More overtime!!

My questions when they come to Westville.

Nice try with the OT fear-mongering Dennis but this is while the Deputy Chiefs are on their regular shifts, available to respond to all alarms.

Nice try with the OT fear-mongering Dennis but this is while the Deputy Chiefs are on their regular shift, available to respond to all alarms.

FD Fact Check: Sounds like I touched a nerve!

You conveniently neglected to answer questions 1, 2 and 3.
Where are your answers to these questions???


I realize the NHFD isn't used to people challenging their 'holier than thou' status. I just wish the NHFD spent as much time trying to lower OT as it does revving up the Frank Ricci PR machine.

Dennis Serfilippi

Dennis serf,

Frank holds a position off the line.

You should do basic research like this before commenting, that way you'll appear more knowledgeable, more prepared, and less like you're trying to just make waves.



The chief was NOT on overtime as that's his assigned shift. So again, be prepared, which is a nice way of saying stop lieing.

Tax payers pay Frank to do his non line position, the union pays his salary for non fd work.

At the end of the day, you're mad the Fd is part of community management. Which actually seems like a pretty obvious arrangement, but when u pop in on every thing that mentions fd to make eronious points, it hurts ur stance.

Tammaro: Sounds like I touched a nerve!

Historically the Union President would spend the day shift on union business and the night shift working in a firefighting capacity. The current Union President no longer does this. 100% of the Union President time is on union matters. He may visit a call, but not in a firefighting capacity. Which firehouse does the union President work from? What are his scheduled shifts?

Also, you conveniently neglected to answer questions 1, 2 and 3.
Where are your answers to these questions???

Again, Dennis chimes in with mass-hysteria tactics to put a negative spin on a positive gesture. This is a positive action by the FD leadership. Kudos to them. Dennis, those other issues, however valid they may be, have nothing to do with this article. This is a positive move by our FD for the community... period.

Clarity: "mass-hysteria tactics". Clarly we have different definitions of mass hysteria.

This is not " a positive move for the community". This is a PR move for the NHFD.
LCI and the police show up because those departments deal with LOTS of calls and issues and the community benefits from the conversation. Jillian Driscoll from LCI and Lt. Rose add value to the mtgs. Again - lots going on with these departments. Not so much with the NHFD. Less than one half of one percent of all NHFD calls require fire suppression.
If we're inviting NHFD each month, then lets also invite every other department - traffic, dpw, health, public schools, etc. Tell me what the NHFD is going to report on each month?

You want to invite NHFD when a major incident happens, like the Delaney's fire, that's fine.

In the meantime, I'd rather see the Chief spending his time figuring out the $2.3 million OT deficit.

The truth is that the CMT meetings have become filled with political talking points. The Alders come, spend 10 minutes pushing their agenda and then the public who attend have no time to ask the hard questions.

Adding the NHFD to the mix would make matters worse.

Dennis Serfilippi

Clarity,

Just because Dennis's questions don't fit into the 'feel-good' nature of the article, he still has some open questions which he feels are valid.

Answer them and you will educate us all!!!!

Wow Dennis.
I was at the same meeting you were about the FD contract, and as you may recall (or have recorded on your ill-positioned video clips) there were a number of ways the Chief proposed savings to the taxpayers including a change to paid sick time accrual, adjustment of strategic personnel at different houses, a cascading hiring plan which would see new Fire Fighters into the academy and begin the reduction of OT required, as well as longer time on the job before retirement. Hopefully you're also able to realize that hiring on OT instead of countless new staff is a savings in fringe benefits to the City. You're simply fear-mongering as FD Fact Check said.

Have you ever worked in a union? It's pretty standard practice that the union president and other leadership staff are often not in their day-to-day job when they are fulfilling their union leadership duties. This is the case with Yale unions and countless others.

As a taxpayer, I'm pleased that our emergency personnel is getting out into the community and getting to know us and the issues we face in our respective neighborhoods as well as sharing information about safety and hazards. Are you against this same plan when it comes to NHPD, or just because you are against the FD across the board?

I've said it before and I'll say it again... let's all hope those bashing our emergency personnel don't find themselves in a position in which their services are required. Wouldn't that be egg on your face!

As a taxpayer, I'm pleased that our emergency personnel is getting out into
the community and getting to know us and the issues we face in our
respective neighborhoods as well as sharing information about safety and
hazards.

Nice try. Save us the bs.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... let's all hope those bashing
our emergency personnel don't find themselves in a position in which their
services are required. Wouldn't that be egg on your face!

Not really. I've used the FDNY before. No egg here my friend. We pay a lot for the services we get. It's not free.

Nobody is bashing the employees. It's the gross mismanagement of the dept that's nauseating. Maybe you cant handle the truth!!

By the way, the $2.3 ,million deficit in NHFD is OVER AND ABOVE the $2 million that THE CHIEF HIMSELF set.

Now, that's an emergency.


I plan to keep criticizing the leadership until they release the facts regarding the new contract.

Dennis: Perhaps you should go to the Fire Training Academy and witness what the recruit firefighters go through in order to graduate and retain a permanent position. Just like the military - the men and women of the department are trained "combat ready" . It doesn't end there. Companies are called to the Training Grounds throughout the year to continue various tactics required in using the equipment properly in combating fires and emergencies. In-StationTraining also continues at each fire house. Maintenance of the stations and keeping equipment in top notch condition occurs on a daily basis. Pre-fire planning of buildings in each district plays a major role in the operations at the fire scene. It doesn't make any difference what the weather is the fire department operates like a semi-military organization. It is good leadership and team work that makes New Haven stand out as an outstanding fire department. There are ten fire stations in the City of New Haven. Each one is located strategically in the community to ensure rapid response in saving lives and property. Public fire education plays a major role in fire prevention and who do you think is responsible for public fire education? Dennis I hope you are never threatened by a major fire event in your life but if you are New Havens Bravest will be putting their lives on the line for you.

Edward Francis: Boy, you guys are very sensitive. As soon as someone raises the question of money and nhfd resources, it's a knee jerk reaction to try and smear the author. Somehow the taxpayers have no right to question the pay, the OT, the resources needed in the NHFD. Try to shut it down. Guess what? That's why we're in the position we're in - $600 million in pensions unfunded, $2 Billion in debt, and perpetual OT deficits. We're in this position because none of the elected officials have had the guts to speak up. Frankly, I'm not afraid to speak up. I don't care about elections. Present the details - the spreadsheets behind the ghost savings in the newest contract, the MOUs governing the union leadership job assignments. Present the data and then lets discuss it. If I'm wrong, I'll be the first to admit it. But last year I called it a hoax, a fraud, a scam. The City and the NHFD said it was a great deal. So far, I'm right. the OT Budget is $2.3 million OVER budget!!!

$2.3 MILLION dollars. We need more police, more teachers, and more basic services. We don't need 350 fire members. 99.8% of the calls are not for fire suppression. Those are the facts.

You prefer to switch the conversation to the membership, the qualifications, the credentials, the bravery, the heroics. But, it's a diversion and one that is unwarranted and unfounded. You can go through and read all of my statements and comments. At no point have I ever questioned the bravery or dedication or qualifications of the members of the NHFD. Never. But I will speak out if someone is trying to beat the system and shortchange our taxpayers. That's why I've complained about the City keeping 5 - 10 members on paid administrative leave.

This is about dollars and cents and efficiency and how much we spend on the fire department when the city has limited resources.

Dennis Serfilippi

Dennis,

Nobody is trying to silence your concern with the projected $2.3M deficit. If anything you should be elated that you'll now have a direct channel to ask your questions.

The issue is you state lies and speak your assumptions as facts. You referred to this as "more overtime" when it is the deputy chiefs' regular shift. You state that the union president does not serve in a firefighting capacity and is paid by the city to work 100% on union business, when he is the Drillmaster assigned to the Training Division and his union position is paid through union dues.

Furthermore you stated that 99.8% of the call volume is not fire suppression related, without providing any data or source to confirm your "fact." You may not have directly questioned qualifications or heroics but reducing our relevance to 0.2% of the time and neglecting to reference any of the other services we provide speaks for itself.

FD Fact Check:
Let's get one thing out of the way first. Being a fireman is a noble career/profession and is hard work and most people can't do it past the age of 55. None of that is in dispute, nor has it ever been.

This is a conversation about dollars and cents. I live and pay taxes in New Haven. 70% of NHFD employees live outside of New Haven. I'm here advocating for New Haven taxpayers. Now to your points:

I'm not so sure that having a deputy fire chief at the CMT is going to answer my questions about overtime. I've been asking for a long time and nobody seems to have an answer. In fact , the problem has gotten worse since the new contract was signed.

The BUDGET for OT was for $2.2 million for the period July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. The PROJECTIONS for OT are now $4.5 million. The Budget Director is projecting $90,000 per week in OT costs. Huge numbers. AND that doesn't include the extra pension costs that are incurred because about half of the members (the most senior members earning the most) are governed by a contract that includes OT in the pension calc.

Absent data and facts (spreadsheets, MOU's) people make assumptions. Release all the information. I spoke directly with people within the union on the night the contract was debated at city hall and nobody denied my statements. Now, maybe something has changed since I made a stink about it, but last I was told this is the way it is. So, I'll stick with it until I see otherwise. Given the pathetic management of OT in RECENT history my assumptions are not a stretch.

"Furthermore you stated that 99.8% of the call volume"; that number came to me from someone within the NHFD. Again, publish the numbers.

"You may not have directly questioned qualifications or heroics but reducing our relevance to 0.2% of the time and neglecting to reference any of the other services we provide speaks for itself". No, only if you choose to. My point is we have too many FIRE personnel.

Dennis, it's time for you to start citing some references for these figures you're throwing out there. You're entitled to your opinions, but you are not entitled to make up information and pass it off as facts. When I and others answered your questions 1, 2, & 3, you skipped right over that information to continue peddling your propaganda.

In fact, the conversation and article are about continued efforts by the FD to reach out to communities and to be more present to the citizens; you are the one who continues to drag them about "dollars and cents" any chance you get. Your constant bashing only minimizes your points.

Dew21: "Dennis, it's time for you to start citing some references for these figures you're throwing out there"

Here's the most important reference - the one about the $4.5 million in OT. The City puts together a monthly financial report. It's available to the public. About half way down on Page 3 of the report you'll see the stats I referenced. Notice how the NHFD is the only department grossly over budget, despite being at full staff. The Police Department, by comparison is AT budget, despite being 82 officers UNDER staff.

Here's the link. Get back to me after doing your homework.

https://www.newhavenct.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=35876

So, instead of spending 18 hours a month (there are 12 CMTs and the mtgs run 1.5 hrs) for a total of 216 hours a year on a Public Relations effort, the Deputy Chiefs should be figuring out how to meet the budget.

Dennis Serfilippi

I see none of the critics responded to my last comments showing the NHFD at $4.5 in OT for the year. The latest monthly financial report was published today and the $2.3 million deficit remains unchanged.

Here's the reference on Page 12
https://www.newhavenct.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=36135

The Dept is fully staffed, yet $4.5 million in OT.

If Chief Alston can't manage his budget he should resign. When you think about it, the City made a big mistake hiring someone from outside the department. We had dozens of seasoned fire personnel who knew the neighborhoods, staff, history, building layouts, building codes and Mayor Harp and the BOA decided to give a bloated contract to someone who ran a department with no EMS or ambulance service at a time when the overwhelming majority of the calls in New Haven are for medical.

Probably a nice guy and good person, but the hard working taxpayers of New Haven deserve much better. Chief Alston should resign and hand over the department to someone who knows how to manage a budget.

Dennis Serfilippi

Just haven't had a free moment to read through that Dennis. Not to worry, we'll get there.

Dew21: No worries. Ill be here for you and the taxpayers

You and the other commentators should do us all a favor and start using your real names . Not sure why you all need to hide behind an alias when you believe so strongly in the cause.

Dennis Serfilippi
223 Alden Ave #1

"We don't need 350 fire members" states Dennis Serf in a previous post. As I stated previously there are ten fire stations in the City of New Haven. Each one is located strategically in the community to ensure rapid response in saving lives and property. They are ready to respond to fire suppression calls, hazardous materials, emergency medical calls, building collapse, carbon monoxide responses, flooding, automobile fires/accidents and numerous other demands in the community to assist New Haven residents. How would you Dennis Serf reduce the strength of the New Haven Fire Department without comprising the safety of New Haven residents?

"We don't need 350 fire members" states Dennis Serf in a previous post. As I stated previously there are ten fire stations in the City of New Haven.....

How would you Dennis Serf reduce the strength of the New Haven Fire Department without comprising the safety of New Haven residents?

That's the wrong question. The question is how many do we need and how many can we afford? That's what surrounding communities do. Most don't have minimum staffing requirements. In fact, most don't even have a paid full-time fire department. You can always make the argument for more.

Let me ask you, Dew, and Tammaro another question seeing you won't address the gross OT I referenced and documented above.

How much PTO (Paid Time Off) do fire personnel receive. It's my understanding that it's 8 weeks to begin with (4 weeks of vacation and 4 weeks of sick time) and after 5 years it goes up to 10 weeks (6 weeks of vacation and 4 weeks of sick time)?

Dennis

Allan - Might as well close out the commenting.

Nobody is interested in answering any of the hard questions or providing their real names. We'll need to wait a few more months until this blows up more.

Dennis you ask: "How much PTO (Paid Time Off) do fire personnel receive. It's my understanding that it's 8 weeks to begin with (4 weeks of vacation and 4 weeks of sick time) and after 5 years it goes up to 10 weeks (6 weeks of vacation and 4 weeks of sick time)?"

If this is your understanding where did you get your facts from? How do you know your facts are correct? Have your talked with the Mayor, Board of Fire Commissioners, Fire Chief, Board of Aldermen members or other city agencies that are involved in collective bargaining contracts about the facts? What do you know about the unfunded liability of the Fire Department Pension Plan. Have you investigated how the unfunded amount grew? Do you know the Police Department is part of the pension plan? Do you know the Pension Fund has an outside actuary that makes recommendations to the funding? Did you know the actuary attends meetings of the pension board? Have you ever attended a pension board meeting? Instead of asking questions on the New Haven Independent ( an excellent source of information of what is going on in the City) why not set up meetings with any of the above to get the answers you seek.

Edward Francis; ALL my answers are below ALL your questions:

If this is your understanding where did you get your facts from?

I got my facts from reading the most recent collective bargaining contract AND speaking with members of the Department.

How do you know your facts are correct?
Actually, I'm not 100% sure and that is why I am asking. Please enlighten all of us with the facts.

Have you talked with the Mayor, Board of Fire Commissioners, Fire Chief, Board of Aldermen members or other city agencies that are involved in collective bargaining contracts about the facts?

Yes, I have. Still none want to release the details of the estimates for cost or savings.
Will be filing new FOIA request bc the NEW Mayor is committed to transparency.

What do you know about the unfunded liability of the Fire Department Pension Plan?
It's huge. $490 million at the end of 2018, the period for which the last audit was done. And its growing bc of the excesses in OT. AND this excludes the $600 million in unfunded OPEB - medical

Have you investigated how the unfunded amount grew?
Yes. Many reasons including unfunded at the ARC amt + pension padding by adding OT in the calc and taking the HIGHEST 3 years of service.

Do you know the Police Department is part of the pension plan?
Yes. There is one for Fire & Police, and a second plan for CERF

Do you know the Pension Fund has an outside actuary that makes recommendations to the funding?
Yes. They calculate the ARC. The Actuarially Recommended Contribution.

Did you know the actuary attends meetings of the pension board?
So what?
Have you ever attended a pension board meeting?
No.
Instead of asking questions on the New Haven Independent (an excellent source of information of what is going on in the City) why not set up meetings with any of the above to get the answers you seek.

a) We have the answers. b) It's important to keep public

You and the NHFD PR Machine STILL have NO answers to ANY of my questions.

Dennis perhaps you need some assistance in finding the answers and actions you are looking for. Do you attend the Management Team Meetings in your district? If so you have several sources to vent your concerns with. What do you know about the CT Municipal Employees Relation Act (MERA) enacted in 1965? What do you know about the former Policemen's Relief Fund and the former Firemen's Relief Fund? What effect did these two funds have on the City budget? When did you attend a Board of Fire Commissioners meeting and who did you talk with? I'm sure your concerns are legitimate but perhaps you need to vent your frustrations in more than one area.

In my response to you on January 29th regarding the number of firefighters the City should have I asked "How would you Dennis Serf reduce the strength of the New Haven Fire Department without compromising the safety of New Haven residents?"

Your answer was "That's the wrong question. The question is how many do we need and how many can we afford? That's what surrounding communities do. Most don't have minimum staffing requirements. In fact, most don't even have a paid full-time fire department. You can always make the argument for more."

My question to you is where are the surrounding communities located? What is their population? How many fire apparatus (Engine Companies & Hook & Ladders) do they have. What is their minimum manning of each apparatus. Why do they have volunteer firefighters who respond from their homes. What happens when these volunteers are working elsewhere? What is the Fire Insurance Rating given to these other departments by the Insurance Service Organization( ISO)? For your information this is the system ISO uses to determine the rating of a fire department and is called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule -- a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best score. Perhaps you would like to compare Fire Suppression Rating of these other departments with New Havens. The rating impacts insurance rates!

Edward: Once again, MY answers to ALL your questions in line below. Still no answers from you.

Dennis perhaps you need some assistance in finding the answers and actions you are looking for.  Not really. I have most of the answers. Just need the City to release the secret MOU's and the spreadsheets behind the ghost savings in the latest contract.

Do you attend the Management Team Meetings in your district?    I'm sure your concerns are legitimate but perhaps you need to vent your frustrations in more than one area.   
 
I attend the Westville CMT mtgs, Budget Hearings, and FRAC Mtgs. I recently applied to the FRAC Commission. 

In my response to you on January 29th regarding the number of firefighters the City should have I asked "How would you Dennis Serf reduce the strength of the New Haven Fire Department without compromising the safety of New Haven residents?"

You didn't like my prior answer so here's another. Look at the plan Chief Grant put together just before he retired.  

My question to you is where are the surrounding communities located?  What is their population? How many fire apparatus (Engine Companies & Hook & Ladders) do they have.  What is their minimum manning of each apparatus. Why do they have volunteer firefighters who respond from their homes. .....

You're really going off on a tangent now.
We have fewer and fewer fires because of improvements in technology. Less than 1% of calls are for fire suppression. 

We had more than 75 people shot in New Haven last year. Violent crime was up 46% in the last 6 months of the year. We have limited resources. We need more police resources and fewer fire personnel.   

Edward: This thread is about 8 days old and will likely get closed out soon. There are 341 people who have recommended this article. I will prepare and submit my closing arguments so everyone can move on. Thank you in advance for participating.