Jackson Free Press

City budget woes are keeping the heat on firefighters and stoking fiction between Interim Chief Todd Chandler and some firefighters.

Last month, firefighters were outraged at comments Chandler made during a series of addresses talking up the importance of preserving valuable fire equipment. Some fire-fighters complain that Chandler was demanding an injured firefighter for every $10,000 piece of equipment destroyed in a blaze.

"(I) saw one thermal imaging camera that got so burned I couldn't even recognize what it's supposed to be. First question hits my mind is, man, if something like this happens, there's got to be a dead firefighter or one seriously injured somewhere. But there wasn't," Chandler pointed out at one meeting in March. "How does something get burnt up to pieces and nobody's injured?"

Audience members said Chandler gave the impression that he values expensive equipment more than he does firefighters.

"We're already short-staffed, and now the fire chief here wants to know . . . how he got a piece of burnt-up equipment without a dead fireman on the end of it," said Local 87 Firefighters Union President Brandon Falcon, who added that the combination of losing needed resources and these insensitive comments "is putting a pretty good track record on what he cares about us as labor."

Chandler did not return calls.

When asked if he could be misinterpreting Chandler's statement, Falcon said Chandler had plenty of time to revise his message to reflect his point more accurately.

"This is a planned statement. He had nine meetings, two a day for three days in a row, and in every statement he asked where the dead firefighter was," Falcon said.

Chandler's recent decision to rescind Memo No. 2005-63 further raised firefighters' ire. The memo, written in October 2005, allows firefighters to swap time with other firefighters. If a firefighter needs to take off a morning to take a child to the doctor, that firefighter can ask another firefighter to work his half or full shift, under the agreement that the first firefighter will reciprocate the time at a later date. In this way, a firefighter looking to set aside some vacation time can work a few double shifts for a comrade.

On April 3, Chandler put an end to the practice, which is not mandated by the union contract. "The Fire Administration is regretfully rescinding Memo No. 2005-63 … concerning shift exchange," Chandler wrote in a memo, arguing that he is forced to rescind the policy at the urging of the Jackson Firefighters Association president, who demands the interim chief "honor the contract for the purpose it was written."

Falcon, who is that president, says Chandler intentionally took his words "honor the contract for the purpose it was written," out of context.

"I made no reference to swap time, and Chandler knows it. This is punishment, pure and simple," Falcon said, adding that he made his demand in reference to a contract violation regarding two firefighters' schedule changes.

Two firefighters recently complained to union leaders that their 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. jobs were changed without negotiation, in violation of Article 10, Section 3, of a union contract demanding that schedule alterations must be discussed with employees. In that regard, Falcon said he advised the administration to "follow the contract."

Station 15 Captain A.J. Bryant explained that rescinding the memo also means returning borrowed work time within 30 days of getting it and pre-planning when the beneficiary intends to make up the exchanged work. Bryant warned that almost every firefighter in the city will regard this as castigation.

"Chandler's trying to punish us because the Local 87 president actually stood up," Bryant said, accusing Chandler of being selective in adhering to contract agreements. "There are plenty of other contract violations (by JFD officials). Don't pick and choose what you want to follow. Just follow the whole thing if that's what you intend to do."

Previous Commentsshow

Adam, I had hoped that there had been significant changes within the fire department after your previous piece concerning a fire dept. captain, I believe his name was Mr. Johnson who had filed a federal complaint. Obviously, that is not true as is reported above. Regarding the statement made by Interim Chief Chandler, I sincerely believe that 'something' should be done regarding his obviouse lack of administrative ability. In NO way, should a statement of any kind be made regarding the life/death of a firefighter. These brave men and women put their lives on the line for us each and every day - how dare he make a statement like that! Whether he used the statement to make a theatrical point or not, this country has seen too many of it's 'heroes' pass away in the line of duty, and I see no reason he (Chandler) could substantially explain such a callous, insensitive, and stupid statement. Could it be that HE is one of those firemen who should have chosen a different field to be in, or has his interim position taken away his recall of firefighting, and being in the field? I appreciate JFP and Adam for ensuring that the citizens know what is transpiring within the Fire Dept., I do however wonder if this interim position should end, as quickly as it came about. I have no doubt that there are disagreements within and among firemen, supervisors and/or the chiefs command staff, as with any other job, YET, it has only been since this new interim chief have there been so many public problems. In some ways this 'new' fire department administrative staff appears to run hand in hand with what would once be called 'slap-stick-comedy'! Although it is very entertaining and informative, I doubt that the morale of this department is higher than the red hydrant's we see about town. I view this as a growing problem, as research has shown many times over, if your morale is low, more problems tend to follow.

Katie D

Apr 20 2006

The mayor's appointees are mirror images of himself. Just when you begin to think that things have began to mellow out a little, you see something like this. Didn't Chandler come straight-from-the-field himself? How could he be so insensitive to make a remark about a fellow firefighter. Or does he now consider himself better than his fellow man/women? Would he have been happier if there HAD been a dead firefighter? How would he go to that firefighter's family and tell them what happened and how he felt about it? Not only does he not care about the firefighters putting their lives on the line everyday but he seems to be trying to make it as hard on them as possible. Did he ever get confirmed or is he still sucking up behind the mayor? He needs to realize that mayby Frank feels about him the same way that he feels about his firefighters. Remember the song........Ain't no love in the heart of the city, ain't no love in this big ole town.

lance

Apr 20 2006

What ever happened to that blogger called "firefighter"? He usually hogs this type of articles. I haven't read anything about him defending Chandler and bragging on what a good job he is doing. And wasn't Firefighter in the union? Falcon is the union president, and he seems to feel just the opposite of Firefighter. One thing is for sure though, there is a saying; where there is smoke, there is fire. Oops did I make a pun?

rufus

Apr 21 2006

Yeah, where is firefighter? Mayby he is with Chandler trying to get a gameplan together. And Katie you're right also. What DID ever happen to Johnson's complaint? I wonder did they get it worked out? So many questions, so few answers.

lance

Apr 22 2006