AFGE Firefighter's Council Site

Training

I. Actual language negotiated by Local 1547, Luke AFB

Normal training exercises shall be conducted during regular duty hours with the few exceptions covered herein. To maximize emergency response capabilities and promote employee occupational safety and health, management will ensure that nighttime training exercises, including the re-servicing of equipment, is conducted as early as practicable during hours of darkness.

All training, exercises and drills [i.e. aircraft arresting barriers, hanger training, and timed emergency responses, etc.] will be conducted during normal duty hours, Monday thru Friday. Saturdays will be used to accomplish make up classes and to accomplish work related items unable to be scheduled or accomplished because of the flying mission.

With [7] day prior notice provided to the Union, firefighter training may be conducted on Sundays and Holidays only when absolutely necessary; [i.e. serious backlog, new life saving procedures, etc.] Any training time scheduled outside of normal duty hours, will be made up at the earliest available time on an hour for hour basis by rearranging the normal duty hours. When the flying mission permits, this compensation will be accomplished no later than the following shift.

______________

II. Actual language negotiated by Local 1770, Fort Bragg:

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: Within available resources and when enhanced training would benefit the Fire Department, Firefighters may be trained in skills such as advanced firefighting technology, heavy rescue, advanced pump operations, etc.

a. When a firefighter is assigned to any position in which he/she has had no previous or recent experience, he/she will be given a reasonable training period in which to become proficient, as deemed necessary by management. However, this period will normally not exceed sixty (60) calendar days.

b. The Employer agrees to provide and maintain a department library consisting of fire prevention films, books, periodicals, journals, etc., for employees’ self-development which may be checked out by firefighters for their use. A list shall be maintained of all current training aides that will be e-mailed to all firefighters within thirty (30) days of the signing of this contract, and at anytime requested by the Union, or when substantial revisions are made to the list. The list will also be posted on Station bulletin boards. When a training aid is requested by a firefighter at Camp Mackall, the item will be sent out as soon as possible.

______________

III. Language proposed by Local 1770, Fort Bragg:

The purpose of this section is to enhance the training process, improve performance and strengthen the professionalism of all Fort Bragg Fire and Emergency Service personnel. The established training program cited in this article provides quality control elements for the training process. These measurements and quality control elements will be accomplished through the administration of standardized written tests and performance evaluations. Furthermore the Parties agree that unit employees are required to participate in the DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program. To this end, the Employer and the Union:

A. Agree that training and development of employees in the Unit are important in accomplishing both the mission of the Employer and the Federal career goals of the Employee. Both parties agree to fully support the Department of Defense [DOD] Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program outlined in DOD 6055.6-M and other relevant development opportunities.

B. Recognizing the challenges presented by these training requirements, the parties agree to establish an AFGE/Fire Department committee to address short and long term training strategies & goals related to the Certification Program.

C. Management has the right to train and assign work anytime during the tour of duty. However, make-work training is discouraged and will not be assigned as punishment, reprisal or harassment. A monthly training schedule will be posted and all deviations will be approved by the Fire Chief or his designee. The Union will be advised in writing of the authorized designee. Changes may be required because of weather conditions (extreme cold, extreme heat, high humidity and high winds), availability of facilities, availability of aircraft, etc. An ambulance and crew will be physically present on site during live fire training drills. In the event the Ambulance and crew are needed to respond to an actual emergency, the live fire training drill shall be terminated as quickly and safety as possible. The Parties agree that such training will not resume until such time as the ambulance and crew can be physically present on site.

D. The Employer agrees to provide and maintain a department library consisting of fire prevention films, books, periodicals, Technical Orders, Trade Journals, etc., for employees’ self-development and technological advancement which may be checked out by unit members for their use.

E. The Employer agrees to maintain and/or provide access to adequate facilities

necessary to support the practical portion of the approved training program.

F. Once the Employer has identified a training requirement and more than one employee is considered by management to be equally in need of the training, the training assignment will be offered to volunteers from that group by seniority in descending order.

If there are no volunteers from that group, the assignment will be given to the least senior.

1. Exceptions may be made for hardship reasons in the following manner:

Employees must submit a request to the Fire Chief, in writing, within five calendar days of being notified that he/she has been selected to attend a training course. The below panel will accept only emergency hardship requests after the five calendar day limit.
The request must contain the specifics as to what the hardship consist of.
The Fire Chief will immediately refer to a panel consisting of two members, one member designated by the Employer and the other by the Union. The panel will render a decision on the request within two eight-hour working days of receipt.
In the event the panel renders a split decision, the matter will be referred to the Commander, Directorate of Emergency Services, or designee for a final decision.
Any employee granted a hardship exception would be scheduled to attend the same type training at the earliest possible date.
The employee requesting the hardship exception may not participate as a panel member on the panel considering his/her own request.

G. The Employer shall provide counseling, training and guidance to all employees in an effort to assist them to remain current in their assigned position, and, insofar as possible, for the purpose of assisting their career development.

H. When an employee of the unit is assigned to any position in which the employee has had no previous or recent experience, he/she will be given a reasonable training period in which to become proficient, as deemed necessary by management.

I. Job related training opportunities will be offered without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, disability, political/or union affiliation or any other non merit factor.

Back to Subject index