||| FROM INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS (IAFF) LOCAL 3911 |||
International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 3911 announces a Vote of No Confidence in Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) Chief Scott Williams. Concerns regarding Mr. Williams’ competence and integrity for the job of Chief have been known without resolute action for too long. Our fire department culture is now toxic and the Chief’s job performance is negatively impacting members’ health, daily operations, volunteer response and the quality of emergency services on Orcas Island.
This message is written by IAFF Local 3911. We are the union representing the eight professional Firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics on Orcas Island. IAFF Local 3911 is a non-profit labor union. We support Orcas firefighters, defend public safety and maintain the critical emergency services we provide. Local 3911 members serve alongside and support our volunteer colleagues as a critical component of emergency services on the island.
IAFF Local 3911 Members
Vote Roll Call: Do you support a Vote-of-No-Confidence in Chief Williams’ job performance?
- Alex C. Paramedic/Firefighter Yes
- Bryce H. Paramedic/Firefighter Yes
- Chad K. EMT/Firefighter Yes
- George S. EMT/Firefighter Yes
- Kasey Jo W. Paramedic/Firefighter Yes
- Nick K. Paramedic/Firefighter Yes
- Probationary* EMT/Firefighter Abstain
- *Probationary = 1st year firefighter
- Seth Y. EMT/Firefighter Yes
I was lucky enough to serve as a Fire Commissioner on Orcas Island for a few years. I cannot say enough about the team of men and women who make up the small but dedicated firefighters’ union on Orcas. I know it could not have been easy for them to come to this decision, but I also know that they have and deserve all of the respect of the community they serve day in and day out. I am hopeful that the Orcas community will listen to the concerns of the team and be there for them the way they are for each of us everyday.
I agree, Amanda. We must listen and be there for each of our Orcas Firefighters as they are here for us every hour of every day.
It’s embarrassing for our fire commissioners that it has fallen on the rank and file staff to have to make this statement. The commissioners are the one’s who should be protecting both our local firefighters and the departmental culture. Instead it seems they are for protecting the status quo. The fact that the union had to take this measure is a sign of the utter failure of the current commissioners. I hope they at least due the bare minimum and protect these union members from retaliation for this stand, but I have my doubts.
As a past Volunteer, followed by 12 years as a Fire/EMS commissioner.. I will say, I’ve had several individuals that I hold in Very High Regard ask me to please consider reuniting with the OIFR again.
I honestly don’t know all the issues, but am hearing from a few of the heavy lifters that there’s a problem.. It would be unfair for me to judge, but my concern for all is.. is the commission Governing.. or Managing.
Scott was an exemplary Paramedic, this I know first hand.
If something is lacking, I would look to the Commission for guidance..
There are five Commissioners now.. surly, there’s competence present. I know there’s been some struggles internally, but this is an opportunity maybe for some adjustment with our elected officials to go back to our written statement on.. Who are we, what is our mission.
There’s a reason for a mission statement.. it keeps us grounded.
If a course change is needed, the Commission has the ability to do that. These are individuals who have stepped up, let’s give them the opportunity to do so.
It’s very easy to give opinion on what’s needed, it takes sometimes hundreds of hours for change to occur..
any individual who’s created change knows this.
I appreciate all that our department is doing and know full well a lot rests on our Commissions shoulders.
If changes need to occur, there’s a sound structure for that to happen.. the Commission has in the past, as present I’m sure, to creat small panels or focus groups designed by the Commission for problem solving. It’s up to the Commissioners on what this structure looks like, they are the elected representatives.. only they, have the responsibility of accountability to their constituents the voters. I don’t for one minute think any of these individuals stepped up to their duty to serve selfishly. Hence, I thank each and everyone of them for the service we each now enjoy.
There has been issues with the Fire Department even when Clyde Duke was a Commissioner. The medical and fire responses from the staff and volunteers has been great since The 30 years that I have lived here. I have attended so many of the public meetings since 2003 and also volunteer some time taking care of the garden. I am deeply troubled by the current situation.
I wold like to make it clear that the union does not represent the volunteer members or the volunteer officers. The above letter is the view of 7 union members of a largely volunteer organization.
Jim,
Thank you for commenting. I have a few points to share.
1.) We (Local 3911) do not presume to speak for anyone except our members.
2.) We appreciate the invaluable contributions of all our volunteers. We certainly appreciate your volunteerism – it’s great to have you present on calls.
3.) Each volunteer has a different level of experience and depth of interaction with the department. Of course there will be a plurality of views.
4.) I understand that the matter of this letter was discussed at the Volunteer Association meeting last night – I don’t believe you attended. However, I also understand views quite different than your own were expressed.
5.) Members of the Volunteer and Volunteer Officer ranks have expressed concerns about the Williams administration to us. They are fearful of speaking out because of concerns related to retaliation and retribution. We do not speak for them – but hope there is a safe means for them to share their views soon.
6.) Local 3911 did not publish these opinions without concerns of retaliation – the fear is real. But we feel that we must speak. We also have the shield of long-established union labor law that is not afforded to volunteers.
7.) Yes, our organization has a volunteer ranks greater in number than the career staff. For clarity however, I know you realize that 100% of the Advanced Life Support interventions (ALS – i.e. flying sick patients to the hospital) is performed by Local 3911 members. As well, the vast majority of Basic Life Support (BLS) patient lead responsibility lies with Local 3911 members. This does NOT mean that Local 3911 members can do it alone. We can not. Unless we substantially increase the number of career, Local 3911 members, we are heavily reliant on volunteer response.
7b.) Every member of Local 3911 started their fire service career as a volunteer. Five of us, including me, started as a volunteer on Orcas. We embrace and respect volunteerism at OIFR.
8.) While you are a valued member of the volunteer team, in full transparency it should be noted you have a paid administrative job in the department. As a member of the Williams’ administrative team, I’d further urge self-reflection on your responsibility for current department culture.
Alex
President, IAFF Local 3911
Alex, thank you for that clarification.. thank you all for what you are doing and have done.
Is it possible that this vote of no confidence has anything to do with the Fire Chief having to enforce the regulation that health and safety employees in Washington are now required to be vaccinated against CV-19? We support this action and do not want paramedics or EMT’s responding at our home if they are unvaccinated. A Fire Chief must keep all employee matters confidential including disciplinary actions. It would be prudent to examine this unilateral action by IAFF more closely before drawing any conclusions regarding the competency and integrity of the Fire Chief.
No, Eric, that is not a likely explanation…
As a former volunteer (15 years), past president of the volunteer firefighter/emt association, and a fire commissioner I can say with certainty that the foundation of the current problems with this administration can be directly linked to the previous chief and commission.
The department under Chief Harris grew into a well oiled machine. The budget was well tended and the future of capital expenditures were accounted for. Although there is always “drama” it was barely a ripple. There certainly wasn’t a mass uprising against the chief.
The administration that followed ran all of that hard work into the ground as future considerations of capital expenditures (new ambulances, fire trucks, buildings, etc) were basically abandoned in lieu of building a bloated administrative staff. Orcas fire went from 2.5 full time paid staff in 1998 to 16 full time positions in 2014!
When that chief abandoned his post with very little notice for a more lucrative position off island the board at the time was left a mess from which they have never truly recovered. The current chief was hired in desperation because they HAD to have someone. With no lead time to find a proper replacement a guy with zero experience as a chief was hired. It wasn’t fair to him and it certainly wasn’t good for the department.
Looking past the current drama, because it will be resolved, Orcas Fire is in deep do-do budget wise. There is no line item for capital improvements! The WASP engines that we bought (5 I believe) are now 15 years old. They were pushing $400,000 each 15 years ago…I can only imagine what the replacement cost is today. It is important to note here that fire vehicles and equipment have mandated expiration dates and regardless of their condition must be replaced sooner than their usefulness has ended. At the time we had SEVENTEEN vehicles in 7 stations. That is a big nut to crack.
When you fly a plane you have a plan. You plan for your trip by making sure you have enough fuel to get to your destination. Running a fire department is similar. The “fuel” in this case is funding.
The current board’s “solution” is to have $1.6 million in reserve which is now being used to cover budget shortfalls. According to one source it is likely that the district will be using $250,000 of that this year alone. Reserve funds are generally used for emergencies -not for operations.
The current levy expires in the next few years. Expect an early request for more money from this commission as the mismanagement has left them no choice.
Make no mistake. I believe Orcas Fire is our most critical resource. They do incredible work. There are amazing people involved dedicated to saving our lives while risking their own. It must be maintained.
When the time comes I will vote yes on their levy request but it kinda sucks.
Barbara & Eric, I’d like to share some facts to counter your conjecture. I am perplexed as to why you would think this has anything to do with COVID vaccinations. This is a categorically incorrect supposition.
– Thank you for bringing up the dangers of COVID. I completely understand your concern about unknowingly bringing COVID into your home. Every day, Local 3911 members and volunteer colleagues respond to EMS calls that may result in COVID exposure. We take precautions to protect ourselves of course, but there is also risk and it is substantial. Everyone’s worst fear is to have an exposure and subsequently bring the virus home to family, friends and loved ones. This is a risk we take every time we respond.
– FACT: On 11 August, I sent the following in an email to Chief Williams: “I have been in contact with IAFF and WSCFF leadership. We agree that the Governor’s mandate, with an Oct deadline, applies to Local 3911 members.” I intentionally shared this in advance of the August Board of Fire Commission (BOFC) meeting in order that Chief Williams be informed and have a chance to communicate our position to the Commission. I do not believe this message was communicated.
– Local 3911 fully endorses vaccination for all union and volunteer responders.
– FACT: Chief Williams has not always been transparent about vaccine availability for members. In December 2020, a Local 3911 member made inquiries regarding when the vaccine would be available for OIFR. Chief Williams subsequently contacted this Local 3911 member at home while he was off-duty with his young family – on Christmas Eve – to berate this member about his COVID vaccine inquiries. The member characterized the encounter as bullying.
– Your comment refers to health and safety. Local 3911 members have long expressed concerns that the Williams administration does not prioritize training and regulatory compliance for health and safety matters adequately. To share just one example, in May of this year, the WA State Dept of Labor & Industries (L&I) contacted the Fire Department in writing and ordered OIFR to immediately cease using certain heavy equipment due to regulatory violations related to safety. These safety notices from L&I remain posted per legal requirement, and the safety concern has not yet been resolved.
– Your comment refers to Local 3911’s Vote-of-No-Confidence (VONC) as unilateral. Indeed, we wish unilateralism to end. If we felt that our concerns were being heard – if we felt that our contributions were valued – if we felt that we could have meaningful and productive dialogue with the Fire District to resolve problems, there would be no need for a VONC. The VONC as an act of unilateralism is a response to the Fire District’s refusal to collaborate and problem solve with us.
– Local 3911 has a wealth of facts, financial information and objective data to support our position. We will share more details at an appropriate time.
Alex
President, IAFF Local 3911