Greetings everyone, I hope this email finds you well.  A lot going on this week so let’s get started so this won’t be a Sunday edition!

• New MDT’s---for the chiefs, the install should begin next week.  For the Rescues, we are still waiting on a solution for the 12 lead issue.  One is forthcoming.  In the meantime, the new MDT’s are a big improvement from the previous versions.  We will begin replacing the Tanker and Brush Truck MDTs we borrowed asap.

• High-rise nozzle replacement---the vendor has agreed to replace free of charge, the fog nozzle part of our high-rise nozzle.  Current model flows 53 gpm at 65 psi and shuts off when turned completely clockwise.  The new nozzle will flow 120 gpm at 65 psi and does not shut off.  If you have removed this nozzle from your engine, please locate your old one as TSF will be delivering the new ends.

• VHF Radios—new VHF radios have been ordered for the brush trucks.  Please e-mail Capt. Powers if you have one of the older units.  The picture is attached.

• Speaking of Radios—the new lapel mic’s are in!  Please let your chiefs know if you are in need of a lapel mic.  I can begin issuing out on Monday….I just need the number for each chief.  This is an enhanced safety measure to ensure our FFs can hear the radio traffic better while in gear.  The mic’s are at HQ for ease of distribution.

• New TICs—53 new thermal imaging cameras have been ordered!!!  We will assign two additional to all ladders and the remaining will go to the busiest 29 engines / squads.  You will keep your old TICs until they break or fail.  This means most companies should have a TIC for every riding position.  That’s good stuff!

• New Sick Leave policy—is coming out today.  Please remember, 90% of you won’t be affected by this policy.  For those who have true medical issues and / or on FMLA, this policy won’t affect you.  The main change is you now call the district or battalion chief to check off sick, not your station.  If you are calling in sick leave the shift before, then call the appropriate on-duty chief…the number of sick leaves is based on the previous 365 days.  So if you were off 5 days in May 2013 and check of SL tomorrow, then you enter at step one.  If you call in SL in June, then you would have been reset to zero.  Your chief can explain in a little better detail the policy. 

• RMS PL issues—after the tests are over, we will begin discussing the possibility of limiting the number of PL requests to 5 with an override option for those who really need more days off such as two separate vacations or taking 3 weeks off, etc…the idea is to free up RMS and to get people out of the habit of gaming the system (staying up till midnight to put in for weekends 6 months out).  I promise nothing will change until conversation is had with the Union and you….but I would like to free up the logjam of PL requests because of the 5% cap issues.  This is just food for thought.

• Signal 34—recently a unit gave a signal 34 over the air and fire comm gave the alert 3.  This was followed by a few units going on scene at the hospital.  Please remember…if a signal 34 has been given or your hear an alert 3…please adhere to radio silence.  You can go on scene via the MDT.  This is just a friendly reminder….

• JFRD news article—in case you missed the news last night, here is the link to the article.  The written version has a lot more information on the subject.  Please note, Lt. Todd (Hazmat) Smith was instrumental in developing this program with me…that was lost in the news article.  The list of names who have died because of cancer is staggering.  I only mentioned the ones that I knew how to reach their families by phone for permission.