Marin Firefighter News

44 firefighters from the Southern Marin Fire District recently filed suit in federal court over the District's failure to properly calculate overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Although the violation goes back decades, the firefighters seek only three years of backpay.

Under federal law, overtime must be based on the "regular rate of pay" which has to include premiums and other forms of remuneration.  The District had not been including holiday pay, educational premiums and working out of class pay.  The Southern Marin Professional Firefighters' Association, which represents the firefighters, had been trying to resolve the matter for more than a year before the lawsuit was filed.  The firefighters hope that the filing of the lawsuit conveys how important it is for employers to comply with federal law requirements.

San Rafael Fire Department recently participated in a comprehensive evaluation of  fire protection services and capabilities conducted by the Insurance Services Office (ISO).  

As a result of the evaluation, the City has was advised that effective April 1, 2016, their ISO Public Protection Classification (PPC) will be upgraded from a Class 3 to Class 1. 

NOVATO, CA – Marin Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775 will host a program for elected and appointed officials, as well as members of the media, known as Fire Ops 101. This day long program will give our local decision makers the chance to be a firefighter/paramedic for a day. They will perform hands on firefighting and rescue operations under the watchful eyes of career firefighters from various Marin County Fire Departments.

This workshop will demonstrate many aspects of fire and emergency medical service operations, from wearing the proper protective gear to actually fighting fires. Participants will be confronted with multiple emergency scenarios (descriptions attached) and given the opportunity to do what Marin Firefighters and Paramedics faces on a daily basis.  Each participant will learn how to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus, essential for operating in smoky conditions, as well as other tools of the trade including thermal imaging cameras and cardiac defibrillators.