A letter from the President:
Dear Citizen,
Firefighting is a job only some will do, and
those who fight fires would prefer not do any other job. The members of the
Frankfort Fire & Emergency Medical Service (EMS) watched their department deteriorate
slowly to the point that they did not love their job anymore.
Frankfort Fire & EMS have been lacking in staffing, training,
equipment, and leadership, just to name a few areas. So, in March
of 1997, thirty-seven members decided to
join the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and form Local
1017, Frankfort Professional Firefighters
Although much has been accomplished in four
years, there is still much to do. The road is long and hard and obstacles
are still being thrown at us. The following is a list of some of our
accomplishments:
- Our staffing increased by 24%
- Six new fire and rescue vehicles purchased
- A new fire chief and training officer hired
- The implementation of the first training academy for new recruits
- Several front line apparatus equipped with thermal imaging cameras
- Several of the apparatus staffed with paramedics
- Replaced old, outdated breathing apparatus with new
- Two-men engine companies staffed to three-men engine companies
- The IAFF/IAFC fitness/wellness program within the department
implemented to help ensure our firefighters are and remain in good
physical condition
- Local 1017 membership increased from 37 members to its current 58
members
We have many goals that we wish to accomplish, but
there is no greater than to gain recognition of our city leaders and their
acceptance of our organization, Local 1017. Our current and most
difficult goal is to establish a Meet-and-Confer status with
Frankfort's City Commission. The meet-and-confer agreement will
simply allow designated members of Local 1017 to sit down with Commission
members and discuss issues that could ultimately effect all the citizens
of Frankfort and Franklin County. Several of the Commission members
refuse to support meet-and-confer status for reason known only to
them. It has been thoroughly explained that meet-and-confer status
is only an agreement between the two parties to meet and discuss
departmental issues. This DOES NOT mandate or require
them to take a stance or an action on the issues that are discussed.
Meet-and-confer status just gives Commission members the opportunity to
become aware and informed of current issues facing the City of Frankfort
Fire and EMS members, and the residents of the community.
The brothers and sisters of Local 1017 have become a part of
the community and hope to continue to grow within the community. The
IAFF, which consists of over 250,000 members throughout the United States
and Canada, is the largest annual donor to the Muscular Dystrophy
Association
(MDA). In August our members can be found pounding the streets to
raise money for this worthy organization. Local 1017 works hard to
support and contribute their share to the MDA drive each year. Local
1017 had established a strong working relationship with the Franklin County
Firefighters, Local 3952. Together, Local 1017 and Local 3952
continue to help victims with used furniture, appliances, and other
necessities after a disaster. Although its not much, its our
way of saying we care about our community and it helps victims get back on
their feet. Every year around Christmas, Local 1017 believes in
spreading the holiday spirit. Local 1017 members work with the Big
Brothers/Big Sisters and Commonwealth Credit Union to ensure less
fortunate children and their families have a memorable Christmas.
Local 1017, Frankfort Professional
Firefighters take pride in the fact that we are a proactive-progressive
organization and extremely active in our community involvement.
Members of the Local 1017 strive for the safety of department members, the
residents of and visitors to our community. In order to better serve
you, please feel free to provide us with input.
For those who have supported us, we say a
great big THANK YOU!!! For
those who have not, we look forward to the opportunity to win your
support.
Sincerely
Tim Johnson, Pres.
Local 1017
Frankfort Professional Firefighters