Today a Southside family of five found themselves in a dire situation when their home caught on fire - on the very same day when the Belize City firefighters called in sick. While there were some personnel at the stations, it was mainly supervisors - and even the fire chief - that were on call.
The tension at the National Fire Service reached a head last Friday when the firefighters were informed that their overtime pay would have been cut. After the lead fireman at the Northside station gave an interview, the situation was cracked wide open.
On Monday the western branch of the NFS sent a letter to Minister Perez, CEO Carillo, and the Fire Chief stating that they would also enact a go-slow due to their working conditions.
A meeting was held yesterday between the ministry, the PSU, and representatives of the fire service, after which our news team interviewed Perez. This opened another can of worms and the Dangriga branch of the NFS today issued a letter stating that while they felt the discussion was fruitful, they were taken aback by the minister's comments regarding "belt-tightening" and that the firefighters should budget based on their flat salary and not rely on the overtime. The Dangriga station said that they, quote, "find these remarks contradictory to the presumed fruitful discussion." End quote.
They have now made several requests, much akin to the ones made by the other stations. They were the overtime regulations be reverted as well as additional allowances, including hazard, wet and dirty, and compensation for EMT services they now provide. They also want an increase in their housing allowance, which is only $150.
And it seems the requests are being heard. Courtney Menzies spoke with Fire Chief Colin Gillett today and he explained what the department is doing to meet these demands. Here is that story.
A house fire broke out a little after 11 this morning on Antelope Street Extension. In normal circumstances, the firefighters on shift would rush out of the station to extinguish it. Except today, there were none on duty at the north and southside stations since they reportedly staged a sickout.
It was actually three fire truck mechanics and the station's 2 supervisors that had to respond to the fire.
This sickout is the firefighters' response to a slash in their overtime pay. But today the fire chief agreed that it was 'preemptive' since the Ministry held a meeting with the PSU and the firefighters to work out these very same issues. He also explained the reason for the proposed slash in overtime payment.
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"We wrote to the cabinet and we said we need additional manpower. This is how we can pay for it. Well, how are we going to pay for it? Through the overtime. So what happened was that last week we got approved from the Ministry of Finance for eighty new recruits, which is excellent. It's going to help us in so many ways. But what does that mean? We have to start to prepare the guys that once these guys, these new recruits, come on, they won't be making as much overtime. It's as simple as it gets. But what has happened is that the new shift that we have them working would still give them some overtime, which would they would still also get holidays and those but they would not make as much. This would not kick in until the end of March."
"And I think the new shift that they would have worked would have seen them get two days off in some cases, and also up to five days, and some weeks."
Courtney Menzies:
"So do you feel that the reported sickout that's happening today is preemptive or drastic, since you say that these things are in the pipeline?"
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"Right. Because remember these meetings happened yesterday. So yesterday evening, we figured, you know, we're on the path to moving forward. The minister has already informed that they will be paying the overtime so we don't have to cut right now, so at this point, the sickout is pretty preemptive to me, but we already put things in place to make sure that the city is covered with manpower, including myself. I'm on shift right now too, so I have my kit in there and Mr. Matura."
But the plight of the firefighters is not so cut and dry. The slash in overtime is coupled with the allowances they believe they should be getting, but are not. However, Gillett assured them that they will get what is due.
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"We have also written for them to get additional allowances to make up for that. Again, what we write is a request, but they actually a compendium of allowances which we've written for them to get. So there's additional allowances like, On Call and Bush Allowance, Wet and Dirty, things like that. So it's up to the Minister of the Public Service to grant those allowances. But what I'm happy to say is that they are in communication with the union this time to see how we can get all of those allowances, then it's also for, we also have the new ambulance service. So we have EMTs and EMRs who we already wrote for them to get allowances for."
But what about the working conditions for those at the Marion Jones? Gillett says new supplies are also on the way, which is as much as they can do.
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"Remember, the Marion Jones Stadium has always been a temporary spot. So there's only so much we can do to that spot without claiming it, right? But we've already given certain things to them. Whatever they ask for, at no time have I ever said no. Right. So any request that they bring once, it's reasonable, so they want mattresses. We are we got requests for the mattresses a couple of weeks ago, but we have to get special mattresses with the leatherette feeling on it. So those have to be made. Those are not the same ones. They don't just sell it. Right. So those are in the process for us to give it to them. Right. The south side just got theirs. They will get theirs as soon as they're finished. Right. The other things like, the fridge? I don't know, but whatever else they need, as long as it's a reasonable request. We always try to help them with it."
Courtney Menzies:
"Some of the firefighters were saying they have to come in tennis to work because like 70 boots I think went missing?"
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"I have no idea about seventy boots, right? We are checking our inventory right now, but this year, they all got a full uniform set two years ago. Right? Every two years we tried to push for a full set. We've already gotten all their uniform shirts, pants. There's a delay with the boots, and as soon as we get them, then we'll send them out."
And while all that sounds good on paper, the one concrete thing that the firefighters will see today is that the new overtime regulation will be reverted:
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"I think the biggest issue was the overtime, and I think that has been fixed. So I've already drafted an email to send to all of the officers in charge of the stations that they have to switch back to the shifts that they were before so that they can make the overtime as per usual."
But whether this is enough to end the sickout will be seen at the start of the next shift.
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