As the UFA Contract Expires City Changes Roster Staffing In Firehouses

By Dan Miller
February 2, 2010
 
Beginning February 1, the FDNY will reduce staffing in each of its 60 engine companies by one firefighter so that all 194 engines in the city will be staffed with four firefighters and one officer.  The commissioner announced, “No firefighters will be laid off as a result of this change,” which will provide savings of approximately $30 million in overtime that is currently needed to staff the fifth firefighter position.  The change comes as the FDNY’s 15-year agreement with the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) expires at midnight tonight. 

“We just recorded the fewest fire deaths on record and our response time to fires is the fastest ever,” said. “Our number one commitment to this city has always been and continues to be the safety of New Yorkers.” THE FDNY reported that is had notified the UFA months ago that it would not continue the policy referred to as “Roster Staffing,” that assigned a fifth firefighter in 60 engine companies. These changes will not affect the city’s 143 ladder companies that will continue to be staffed with five firefighters and  one officer at the start of each tour.

Photos by Dan Miller/DMD IMAGES