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Home My WebLink AboutItem #15 - Discussion ItemCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: CESAR H. ODIO CITY MANAGER FROM: M. ATHALIE RANGE COMMISSIONER w i 1281 SEP 13 12' '- + DATE: SEPTEMBER 8, 1989 FILE SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM FOR THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON 9/28/89 REFERENCES: ENCLOSURES: 12 i PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT A DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE STATUS OF THE BLACK FIREFIGHTERS IS TO BE SCHEDULED AS THE FIRST AGENDA ITEM FOR _ THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 28, 1989. THIS DISCUSSION WAS REQUESTED DURING THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON JULY 13, 1989. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE CITY ADMINISTRATION BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND/OR APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO THE FOLLOWING ISSUES CONCERNING THE CITY'S BLACK FIREFIGHTERS: 1) MEMBERSHIP IN AND REPRESENTATION BY THE FIRE UNION 2) ELIGIBILITY FOR PENSION AND INSURANCE BENEFITS 3) MINORITY RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION Ca) ETHNIC/RACIAL (b). MALE/FEMALE 4) AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S EXECUTIVE RANKS 5) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL'S RECOMMENDATIONS 6) HARASSMENT OF MINORITIES AND WOMEN 7) DISPARATE TREATMENT/DISCIPLINE «) cc: ,HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS AURELIO PEREZ-LUGONES, LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR b csC'usEt-3 SEP 29 '89 09:46 MIAMI FIRE DEPT iS5 {02 fa: Yo: Cesar H. Odio City Manager CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA Wen -OFFICE MEMORANDUM VALE. September 26. 1989 rn is . Letter from chief mire 1stlglFCT Officer Richard T. Farren Dated 9/21/89 OWERENCES f Director of Fire• Rescue ENCLEISunEs and inspection Services 1 have received a copy of a letter from chief Fire officer Richard T. barren. This letter deals with an incident that took place on September 12, 1989, during Human Relations Training at the Miami Fire Department Training Center. Chief Farren's letter indicates that he has been through a trying experience and states that I did not take appropriate action. His statement is that "The Fire chief trade no attempt to control Chief Jordan nor to protect me." At the beginning of this class our instructors tried to not the tone for open exchange between participants, including such statements as "There are no Chiefs in the room today" --even to the point of instructing us to write our first names on our identification table markers. A brief explanation of this incident, as I saw it, is as follows. *Then the incident occurrede understanding the dynamics of the Department, I immediately made notes to myself of as close to the exact wording of statements made as possible. A discussion between participants in the room was taking place. Chief Jordan had made some comment to which Chief Farren stated "You don't have bugles on; don't try to intimidate me." Chief Jordan's response was "If I wanted to intimidate you, I would take you to the parking lot." As you know from past practice, I do not condone the use of threats or intimidation by any members of the Fire Department. My observation at that time was that two intelligent individuals with different opinions had chosen their words well, each making a statement in the controlled environment that we were in. When Chief Jordan had finished his statement, he turned back to the instructor and continued his conversation in the same voice level that he had been using prior to the statements by Chief Farren and himmelf. physically, Chief Farren was sitting within a few feet of me and Chief Jordan was across the room. Neither individual left his chair nor threw anything at the other. No attempt by me was made to protect Chief Farren as none was needed. CHD: tma Submitted into the public record in connection with item _11` on _4_:' 49 Matty Hirai 89"'8�Z•.� City Clerk r MP 2e 'e9 09:47 MIAMI FIRE DEPT - september 21, 1989 Mr. Cesar Odio, City Manager 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, F1. 33133 Dear Mr. Odio I have been in a quandary my loyalties to my department. - •However.- 2. believe you to be a on providing quality service to a safe work environment for all Submittn., into the P111_3 i cY reco-d iZ, item. _- on b-10 TV n City Cierk Richard T. F'arren Chief Fire Officer District 1C for several days concerning my personal and career safety. fair and reasonable roan intent the citizens of Miami and city employees. On September 12, 1989 at the Human Relations Training session held at the Fire Department Training Center, Deputy Chief Jordan = Chief of Operations threatened me with physical harm in that he said " If I wanted to intimidate you I'd take you out to the parking lot". Chief Jordan made this threat in front of the Fire Chief and the entire Fire Department staff. The Fire Chief made no attempt to control Chief Jordan nor to protect me. I want you to know that I feel threatened by Chief Jordan in that this is not the first time he has lost control of his emotions. In the past he has used harsh words, threats and his position to intimidate me and other employees under his command. I believe he may be emotionally unstable and appears to be single issue oriented towards race as a sole reason for any question or objection to his actions or policies. It is my perception that he may use his superior rank and/or size to my detriment. Since the Fire Chief has not taken any corrective action for this inciaent, z aw iaft tb baliova ho nnntinnPg the use of threats and intimidation by his top staff officers. I feel I have no choice but to Appeal to higher authority outside of my own department for remedy and protection. I have hope and wish sincerely that this problem can and will be handled within the City administration. Hopefully yours R.T. Farren, CFO r. cc: Honorable Mayor Xavier Suarez cc: C.H.Duke, Fire Chief cc: F. Jordan, Deputy Chief cc: P.J. Mount, Employee Assistance Officer ce: Me. Kaaren P. Johnson, KJA Learning systems,Inc f i .i I B9"'85i�• •, Subrolitecl into the ublir. rcco-rd in rc.r p_ r' ion.. ,vi l*h if crnf . on _ INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT FOR DISCUSSION ITEM CbNCERTJN THE CITY OF MIAMI'S BLACK FIREFIGHTERS MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION. THE CITY OF MIAMI'S FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF RATHER INTENSE REVIEW AND SCRUTINY FOR NEARLY THREE(3) YEARS SINCE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS OF DISCRIMINATION PUBLICLY SURFACED AND WERE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION IN FEBRUARY OF 1987. AS THE RESULT OF LONG DISCUSSIONS AND THE PRESENTATION OF TESTIMONY BY BLACK AND OTHER MINORITY FIREFIGHTERS, THE CITY COMMISSION ON MAY 14, 1987 ADOPTED RESOLUTION 87-42'3 CREATING AN INDEPENDENT PANEL OF SEVEN (7) EXPERTS TO CONDUCT A WIDE-RANGING INVESTIGATION INTO CHARGES OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IN DECEMBER OF 1987 THE CITY OF MIAMI RECEIVED THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL'S REPORT AND FORMAL PRESENTATION OF ITS INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS,•AND RECOMMENDATIONS, PURSUANT TO ALLEGATIONS OF DISCRI- MINATION BASED ON ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AND GENDER WITHIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AS A RESULT OF THIS REPORT, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT -', A PROGRESSIVE ACTION PLAN BE DEVELOPED TO REMEDY THE SPECIFIC PRACTICES WHICH WERE IDENTIFIED AS SYSTEMIC AND DISCRIMINATORY, AND WHICH HAVE j RESULTED IN INEQUITABLE TREATMENT OF MINORITIES AND FEMALES. I THE CITY MANAGER DIRECTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITS AND REVIEWS TO THOROUGHLY REVIEW THE PANEL'S_ - RECOMMENDATIONS AND FINDINGS AND TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO REMEDY THE —# IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION,'THE CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED A SPECIAL ADVISOR TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS, .( REQUIRED ACTIONS, AND SPECIFIC TASKS FOR CONSOLIDATION INTO A COMPREHENSIVE ACTION PLAN. BY A MEMORANDUM DATED FEBRUARY 3, 1988 THE CITY MANAGER TRANSMITTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION A REPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL FINDINGS WHICH INCLUDED SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS, ACTIONS, AND TASKS DEVELOPED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITS AND REVIEWS. 89--85- ol DURING A SPECIAL TING HELD ON MAY 19., 198E � HE CITY COMMISSION ADOPTED MOTION 88-465 ACCEPTING IN PRINCIPLE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL REGARDING ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FURTHER INSTRUCTED THE CITY MANAGER TO FORWARD TO THE CITY COMMISSION A PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS. JIN ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN RESOLVING THE WIDE -RANGE OF PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED BY BOTH THE CITY ADMINISTRATION AND THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL, IT APPEARS THAT TO A SIGNIFICANT EXTENT ACTIONS DISCRIMINATORY TO MINORITIES AND WOMEN CONTINUE TO TARE PLACE WITHIN THE MIAMI FIRE DEPARTMENT. ON MAY 5, 1989 THE CITY MANAGER WAS SO DISTURBED BY THE LACK OF SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESS THAT HE ISSUED MEMORANDA TO THE FIRE CHIEF ON THE SUBJECTS OF "DISPARATE TREATMENT/DISCIPLINE" AND "HARASSMENT OF MINORITIES AND WOMEN PROHIBITED PRACTICE". IN HIS ASSESSMENT THE CITY MANAGER MADE THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATION: THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL'S REPORT CONCLUDED "SOME INEQUITABLE TREATMENT HAS BEEN SANCTIONED INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY BY THE DEPARTMENT." THEY ALSO DETERMINED THAT "ADVERSE ACTIONS HAVE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BLACKS AND HISPANICS. THESE ACTIONS INCLUDE SELECTIVE DISCIPLINE SUCH AS WRITE-UPS AND BRINGING OF CHARGES ON MINOR ACTIONS." ALTHOUGH THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL ISSUED ITS REPORT IN OCTOBER, 1987 , CONDITIONS THAT CREATE A SUBSTANTIAL IMPRESSION OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE DEPARTMENT STILL EXIST. IN LIGHT OF THESE FAIRLY RECENT OBSERVATIONS, ONGOING CONCERN THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, AND THE CONTINUATION OF ALLEGATIONS REGARDING UNFAIR TREATMENT BY BLACK AND OTHER MINORITY FIREFIGHTERS IT IS ALTOGETHER FITTING THAT THE CITY COMMISSION HEAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PROFESSIONAL BLACK FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, AS APPROPRIATE, CONCERNING THE STATUS OF ETHNIC/RACIAL RELATIONS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SPECIFICALLY FOR TODAY'S MEETING I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE CITY'ADMINISTRATION BE PREPARED TO``P9OVIDE;AN UPDATE AND.APPROPRIATE PAGE 2 OF 3 89-852 RESPONSES TO THE FOLLOWING ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE CITY'S BLACK FIREFIGHTERS: 1) MEMBERSHIP IN AND REPRESENTATION BY THE FIRE UNION 2) ELIGIBILITY FOR PENSION AND INSURANCE BENEFITS 3) MINORITY RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION (A) ETHNIC/RACIAL (B) MALE/FEMALE 4) AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S EXECUTIVE RANKS e xv 5) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL'S RECOMMENDATIONS 6) HARASSMENT OF MINORITIES AND WOMEN 7) DISPARATE TREATMENT/DISCIPLINE MR. MAYOR, I WOULD AT THIS POINT LIKE TO PROCEED WITH A DISCUSSION OF THESE VARIOUS ITEMS IN TURN WITH THE INPUT AND PARTICIPATION OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION. 1 ai CltY Clerk PAGE 3 OF 3 89--852..a