||| FROM INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS (IAFF) LOCAL 3911 |||
The San Juan County Paramedic & Firefighter Association, IAFF Local 3911, is a Labor Union, representing the professional career Paramedics, EMTs and Firefighters of Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. In September at a membership meeting of IAFF Local 3911, the Paramedics and Firefighters in attendance, after much internal debate and considerations, voted unanimously to declare, “No Confidence” in OIFR Fire Chief Scott Williams.
It is with a deep sense of responsibility to the public we serve, and our commitment to each other as protectors of this community, that we must publicly share this action by our members.
The Vote of No Confidence occurred on September 14. The Fire Commission did not contact Local 3911 about this action for over three weeks, until October 9. In response to this, Local 3911 communicated details about the Vote of No Confidence in correspondence with the Fire Commission on October 18.
The Paramedics and Firefighters of OIFR believe this vote represents a failure of leadership and management in the Fire District. It also represents an opportunity for a governance success story. It is the desire of every Paramedic and Firefighter of IAFF Local 3911 to work in an atmosphere of collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose. While the reasons this labor body chose to proceed with this action are numerous, it is our continued desire to work to find solutions to the problems we have publicly raised. These concerns arise out of an abundance of frustration, exhaustion, and concern for the public and our organization’s long term health.
Therefore, the Paramedics and Firefighters of IAFF Local 3911 call on the Board of Fire Commissioners to facilitate an independent investigation, led by a mutually acceptable investigator, regarding the complaints made about the OIFR Chief and to report to the public, where allowed or permitted by law, the findings, and proposed actions to resolve these complaints. Elected Fire Commissioners have clear expectations placed on them by the laws and statutes of Washington State for the role they play in representing the public interest. We take no pleasure in publicly airing these grievances but feel the avenues for communications are unbalanced due to the amount of participation our elected Fire Commissioners have in the day-to-day operations of this Fire District.
Our love of Orcas, the people, this county, and OIFR are our motivation for the work we do. We remain committed to serving island residents and visitors and will continue to work towards identifying solutions to problems, and ensure your Paramedics and Firefighters always have a voice in improving the services, responses, and the lives of those on Orcas Island.
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Thank you, IAFF Local 3911. I have been waiting to hear from these voices. The entire Orcas Community has a stake in our Fire Department’s long-term health!
WAIT!! WHAT? Your “love for Orcas, the people … and OIFR” is your motivation?
But Commissioner Helminski said you all are “in it for the money”!
One thing I’ve learned in this life is that people who are brave enough to step forward and speak truth to power are often painted by the “power” as “disgruntled” – “unbalanced” —“selfish” – “greedy” and worse. That is because “power”‘does everything it can to hold onto power… regardless of the truth.
Bravo to Local 3911 for unanimously stepping forward, risking their jobs and love of their participation in emergency services, to seek having the truth told.
Let’s see if the “power” is also so inclined.
Can anyone expound on the issues here? Seems particularly important as we are voting on one Commission member slot next month.