The below resolution was adopted by the convention delegates at the IAFF convention.  This was the first censure resolution of a federal sector chief in the IAFF’s 90 year history.

 Resolution No. 37

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Resolutions
Re: Censure of Edward G. Stillwell, Regional Fire Chief, Naval District Washington

WHEREAS, the Naval District Washington (NDW) Regional Fire Department was formed on October 3, 2003, through a merger of five independent federal fire departments located in the Washington Metropolitan Region; and
WHEREAS, the IAFF Local F-121 was thereafter selected by an overwhelming majority vote to be the organization to represent the interest of the over 240 firefighters, lieutenants, captains and training officers protecting America’s military bases; and
WHEREAS, NDW’s firefighters are proud to serve and protect those that risk their lives to protect our freedoms and safety; and
WHEREAS, the NDW’s Regional Fire Chief serves as the most senior fire officer with authority to direct and oversee all fire and emergency services programs at five major military bases and several minor installations, and since the inception of the NDW Regional Fire Department Fire Chief Edward G. Stillwell has held that position; and
WHEREAS, the NDW Fire Department is obligated to comply with National Fire Protection Association standards under Defense and Navy policies and the regional bargaining agreements; and
WHEREAS, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard, NFPA 1500, is the hallmark document in this country to ensure the occupational health and safety of America’s firefighters; and
WHEREAS, during the nearly five year period that has elapsed since the formation of the NDW fire department, Fire Chief Stillwell has failed to improve the general health and safety of the fire fighting force by fully adopting and implementing the entire NFPA 1500 standard; and
WHEREAS, Fire Chief Stillwell issued Standard Operating Guidelines in January 2008, that severely degraded the general safety posture of the firefighters employed at the Naval District Washington Regional Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Fire Chief Stillwell has failed to provide adequate, modern communications equipment in accordance with NFPA 1221, in that radios are not interoperable among installations and have not had activated the emergency distress capabilities; and
WHEREAS, the issuing of modern, adequate radio equipment and accessories have faced repeated delays; and
WHEREAS, the organization risk management practices lack standardization throughout the NDW region, causing waste and inefficiency in the department, hindering inspections and compliance with safety codes, hindering the ability to share equipment throughout the region, and hindering the response capabilities of the region by reducing firefighter staffing by 39 positions while further directing personnel to cross-staff several apparatus; and
WHEREAS, Local F-121 officers have repeatedly raised specific concerns regarding health and safety or other matters of concern with Fire Chief Stilwell, and he has repeatedly declined to address them; and
WHEREAS, the poor safety climate, lack of region-wide progress, and/or ineffective communications has had a detrimental impact on the morale of the fire department, adversely affected employee careers and led many fine firefighters to seek or accept employment elsewhere; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the International Association of Fire Fighters join with Local F-121 (the National Capital Federal Fire Fighters) to affirm the local’s vote of censure and in doing so, formally notifies Fire Chief Edward G. Stillwell of our displeasure; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the General President of the IAFF, or his designee, shall disseminate notices of this censure to the Secretary of the Navy, Commandant of the Naval District Washington and appropriate members of the United States Congress; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of the censure shall be delivered to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, including the federal sector committee, asking that they support the IAFF in demanding that NFPA 1500 be honored in the spirit in which it is written.

Submitted by: Local F-121, National Capital Federal Fire Fighters, DC
Cost Estimate: None

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:  Adopt
CONVENTION ACTION: Passed-Adopted Unanimously