Secretary-Treasurer’s Message

Writing articles for this publication was not something that I considered when I decided to run to be your Secretary-Treasurer. By the time you get the magazine, the pressure to write another article has already begun. Suzanne, from our offi ce, is responsible for Fire Watch. When she left on maternity leave in September of this year, I was in a panic.

So, I reached out to James Coones, my predecessor. He, along with Frank Ramagnano created Fire Watch back in 2005 and I asked him if he was interested in assuming the role once again. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to take it on at this time, but he recommended Ken de Jong as someone to approach for the job. I contacted Ken and his answer is one that I will never forget. “You don’t have the right to complain if you aren’t willing to step up yourself when the opportunity arises.” So far, I don’t think he has changed his mind.

Ken’s vision for this edition was “Throwback.”

It has been 15 years since the inaugural edition of Fire Watch. Previous editions are available on our website under the Media tab. If you look back on the 15 years since the magazine began, you will see some considerable changes that have occurred. I decided that I should take a look at our database, and what I found should not have come as a surprise. When TPFFA published the fi rst issue of Fire Watch in the fall of 2005, only half of you were on the job! The First Class salary was $69,362. Captains made 110% (119% today, 120% in 2022) of the First Class rate and DCs made 130% (133% today, 135% in 2022). If you were a “Senior Firefi ghter,” someone with ten years of service, and who passed an annual exam, you would get an extra 2%. If you were already on an acting list, you did not have to do that exam. We were still a couple of years away from 3%-6%-9% recognition pay.

If you were an Acting Captain or Acting District Chief, you were hoping to get promoted within a three-year window or face having to re-qualify. Of course, this was before the module system that has come and gone. It had only been a year that members faced mandatory retirement at age 65. Only those in 42 District were working on a 24-hour shift schedule. The rest of us were working 10 hour days and 14 hour nights. I vividly recall my Captain at the time saying, “If we get a 24-hour shift, I will retire immediately!” Years later, his opinion had evolved, “If we lose the 24-hour shift, I will retire immediately!” He retired, “eventually.”

If you wanted to transfer, you needed to fi t into an “experience category.” 0-5, 6-10, and >10 years. If your seniority didn’t match the category, you didn’t get the transfer. If no one fi t the box, then the junior-most applicant in the class above the vacancy got the spot. Perhaps you can see why that didn’t last.

Within the Association, things looked very different as well. Looking at the Principle Offi cers, our President was Scott Marks, who now serves as an Assistant to the General President of the IAFF in our Canadian offi ce in Ottawa. The VP was Ed Kennedy, who was President during my fi rst term on the Board. He was a gentleman and a friend. You will be able to read more about him a little later in this edition. The Secretary-Treasurer was our current President, Frank Ramagnano. You can tell by looking back at some of the articles he wrote that he already had incredible knowledge in the fi eld of pensions. The only other member of that Board still serving today is our current VP, Kevin McCarthy, an East Command Representative that chaired the Benefi ts Committee. Today, he is considered the go-to throughout the province on benefi ts issues in the fi re service. They worked out of a former Toronto Fire station, converted to an offi ce, at 39 Commissioners Street. That building could likely tell some stories. It had a ton of character, including a large patio and a bar! Times have certainly changed.

It was fun looking back at some of those early magazines. I picked up some great ideas for articles in the future. Speaking of what’s upcoming, I’m starting to look forward. In March of 2021, we will be nominating the next Executive Board of Local 3888. As always, it will be an opportunity for you to hear from all of the candidates. In-person campaigning may be off the table still, as it is currently with the East Command Bi-election. I imagine the use of technology and creativity may be necessary this time around. On July 1st, a new Executive Board will begin their work. I don’t know what that Board will look like, but my experiences tell me that there will be 15 people in that room dedicated to representing the membership.

This year has been a year like no other in my lifetime. I have to admit, I will be happy to see 2020 in the rearview mirror. Maybe in another 15 years, people will look back on how we handled this situation. I think that our response will stand the test of time. Those of you who remember all of the “throwbacks” above will be enjoying retirement. The rest of you will be the “Senior Firefi ghters”. Some of you will step up to be the leaders of this organization. It might be you that’s stuck trying to come up with an idea for your next Fire Watch article. I’m already trying to fi gure out the next one.

I wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas.

James Reed, Secretary-Treasurer Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888