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r <br />MAY 19 1981 <br />BOOK 68 FADE335 <br />R. Letter to Firefighters' Assoc. re Change in ALS/BLS Operations <br />The Board reviewed the following letter from the <br />representing the Fire Fighters Association: <br />LAW OFFICES <br />KAPLAN SICKING & BLOOM, P.A. <br />JOSEPH H. KAPLAN <br />RICHARD A. SICKING <br />STEVEN BLOOM <br />RICHARD VESPUCCI <br />KATHLEEN N. PHILLIPS <br />'GEORGE F. MOELLER <br />RAND HOCH <br />SONIA B. YAHR <br />BARRY R. LERNER <br />CHARLENE CARRES <br />of Counsel <br />a <br />VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS <br />May 14, 1987 <br />Don C. Scurlock, Jr. <br />Chairman <br />South Indian River County <br />Fire District <br />Indian River County Administration <br />Building <br />1840 25th Street <br />Vero Beach, Florida 32960 <br />Dear Mr. Scurlock: <br />attorneys <br />MIAMI OFFICE <br />1951 NORTHWEST 17th AVE'UE. <br />P.O. DRAWER 520337 <br />MIAMI, FLORIDA 33152 <br />1305) 325-1661 <br />WEST PALM BEACH OFFICE <br />SUITE 200 • FORUM III <br />1675 PALM BEACH LAKES BLVD. <br />WEST PALM BEACH. FLORIDA <br />33401 <br />(305) 681.94(X) <br />REPLY TO: WEST PALM BEACH <br />DISTRIBUTION LIST <br />Commissioners.. • ^ _-� <br />Administrator fO <br />Attorney <br />Personnel <br />Public Works <br />Community Dev. <br />Utilities <br />Finance <br />Other ';�trx ' y,tr. G.)tero <br />Re: Change in ALS/BLS Operations <br />Vero Beach Fire Fighters Association, <br />Local 2201 <br />This office represents the Vero Beach Fire Fighters Association, Local <br />2201. We have been consulted regarding a proposal to alter the <br />Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) system <br />currently operating out of three of the Fire District's Fire Stations <br />and with the support of the Fire District's Emergency Medical <br />Technicians (EMT's) and Dispatchers. <br />We understand from a newspaper article that a proposal has been <br />approved by the Indian River Memorial Hospital Taxing District <br />(Hospital), and approved by the Commissioners. We understand that the <br />Hospital plans to hire twelve (12) more paramedics. This would result <br />in the displacement of the Fire District's EMT's, while encrouching on <br />the working conditions at the Fire Stations by adding more paramedics <br />in the work areas, living areas, kitchens and bunk rooms. <br />It is our opinion that this proposal, if put into effect, would <br />violate the collective bargaining agreement between the Fire Fighters <br />and the Fire District and would be an unfair labor practice. If uni- <br />laterally implemented, we are prepared to file a grievance under the <br />union ,contract, and to file an unfair labor practice with the Public <br />Employees Relations Commission (PERC) in Tallahassee. <br />The Fire Fighters believe that the proposal now under consideration <br />not only is a violation of your legal obligations under the union <br />contract and PERC, but is a waste of axpayers money. The Fire <br />District has been providing EMT's for ALS and other rescue calls as <br />part of the Fire District's normal operating budget and function. <br />There :will be an unnecessary duplication of services for the Hospital <br />to hire paramedics while Fire District EMT's are ready and available <br />to provide first response service to the community, as has been done <br />in the past. <br />18 <br />