The City of San Luis Obispo is now hiring for the position of Firefighter-Lateral and Firefighter Paramedic.  The application deadline has now come and gone. Nearly 500 people have applied for the upcoming 5 positions and additional positions which become available within the next two years. The testing process begins in July with the written test, followed by the physical agility test, the panel and Chief's interviews. The members of 3523 would like to wish the best of luck to all qualified candidates who applying (especially any laid off brother or sister IAFF Union firefighters!)  Good luck and be safe!

 Good Luck!

Under the Leadership of Mayor Dave Romero, Councilmembers Jan Marx, and John Ashbaugh the whole City breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Council voted 4-1 at the March 3rd council meeting to take no further action to repeal Binding Arbitration and work together with both Public Safety Unions to solve the worst budget shortfall the City has faced in decades. 

Relations were strained over the past 8 months by the continued public attacks by some on the Council and a vocal elite from the chamber of commerce attacking the citizen approved binding arbitration law that ensures if a complete failure of communication occurs duing the negotiation process for labor contracts, that a neutral and unbiased third party will be brought in to weigh the evidence and render a decision that is binding on both parties.  This process is viewed as an absolute last resort, and has been utilized only one time in the past decade by mutual decsion of the City and SLOPOA.

The decision by the majority of the Council to move beyond this bitter and devisive issue and work proactively with Local #3523 and SLOPOA to protect City jobs and ensure public safety service levels are maintained to the high standard demanded and rightfully deserved by our citizens are continued during these challenging fiscal times is welcomed by our members.  Local #3523 has a long history of stepping up when called to action by the City to protect and enhance City fiscal resources such as during the Proposition 1A campaign and the Measure Y campaign, and we will once again answer the call by negotiating in good faith with the City to protect jobs and services during what many are calling the depression of 2009. 

Together with our Brothers and Sisters of SLOPOA, the members of Local #3523 will do our part to contribute to the solution to this crisis, and look forward to a better future when both the private and public sector are thriving once again in our great City, and this great Nation of ours.

Effective November 15, 2008- The following members have officially been promoted within the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department

Fire Captain Neal Berryman promoted to Battalion Chief

Fire Engineer Sammy Fox promoted to Fire Captain

Firefighter Jarl Nerdrum promoted to Fire Engineer

Congratulations brothers on your hard earned promotions, we look forward to your continued excellence in service delivery to our great City in your new assignments!!

 

The SLO City Firefighters’ 2008 Charity Ball was a huge success!

The members of the San Luis Obispo City Firefighters’ IAFF Local 3523 would like to thank all of our sponsors, supporters and attendees which helped to make this year’s event the best ever. All proceeds are going directly to the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum. Total donations and proceeds are still being tallied. Check back soon to learn the total amount earned for the Children’s Museum. Remember to join us next year for the San Luis Obispo City Firefighters' 2009 Charity Ball.