What is this all about?
This is in reference to an action taken by the National Park Service. This action was implemented on January 1, 2000 and affects ALL collateral duty fire fighters in the NPS.
Since August 14, 1972, "Special Retirement for Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers" (FF/LEO) legislation has been in effect and available to Federal Firefighters. This special retirement (referred to as 6c) was to provide for early retirement because of the rigorous physical requirements of the covered LEO and FF positions and replacement by younger employees who would "improve" the service.
This legislation sets a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement age for those covered positions. This legislation (6c) does NOT cover collateral duty firefighters and does not reference them in any way.
On January 1, 2000, the NPS implemented a directive from the Associate Director, Administration, Sue Masica and Acting Associate Director of Park Operations and Education, Robert Yearout. This directive stated that the term "designated firefighter positions" would include all positions covered under enhanced annuity fire retirement (6c) AND all non-6c covered employees who actually fight fire on the fire line. In other words, any collateral duty fire person who has an arduous duty rating on their Red Card can NOT participate in an arduous duty position after the age of 55. You can continue in overhead.
Age 55 is the "mandatory retirement age with 20 years covered service". It is my contention and that of others who I have met with and spoken with that if we are not covered by 6c then how can we be covered by its requirements. We feel that this is "age discrimination". If we have to meet 6c requirements then we should have 6c benefits.
Three of us have met with an attorney and have retained his services. I have contacted my regional EEO counselor and notified her that I intend to file a "class action" age discrimination suit. Others have also filed with their EEO counselors.
The NPS is the only agency that has implemented this.
We are looking for your help, comments, and support. If you are a NPS employee who is affected or will be affected this year we need your help. Contact your EEO counselor and file a complaint. Let us hear from you via e-mail. The cost of the attorney is high and any help you can give us would be appreciated. We also urge you to contact your congressmen/women and let them know what is going on. We know that this action by the NPS will affect a large number of park service employees in all parks.
If you are an FMO look at your in park firefighters. If you lose one or two because of this action what will it do to your initial attack in park? This action WILL reduce your available resources this fire season and for many to follow. I know that not all persons affected by this action have been notified of the fact that they can no longer participate as firefighters. Notify your folks, have them look at this web site or have them contact me. We need their and your support.
With reduced staffing in almost every park, the effects of downsizing throughout the Federal workforce we can not afford to lose any firefighters, let alone some of our most experienced ones. If a person can meet and pass all the physical and medical requirements he/she should not have to give up part of their job because of age. Collateral duty is part of your job when it is in your PD.
HELP US HELP YOU
