(The Harlingen Professional Firefighters Association Local 3404 recently conducted a survey of its members. Out of 96 union members, 68 participated in this survey. Three members refused to take the survey for fear of reprisal. Twenty one declined to participate. Four junior personnel where not included in this survey. Non union member where also not included in this survey. Non union member where also not included in the survey. Julio Zetina, the president of the local association, presented a copy of this survey to the Harlingen City Manager and the City commissioners. Excerpts of the survey results are posted below.)
1) How would you rate the Fire Administration on safety regarding manpower on the fire ground as it is recommended/required under NFPA 1710?
Total 68: Excellent: 3 Good: 10 Fair: 16 Poor: 39
2.) With the current “Run Card” and the removal of personnel and gear from central station, how confident are you that the Harlingen Fire Department would be able to safely work two structure fires in our response territory?
Total 68: Excellent: 3 Good: 6 Fair: 15 Poor: 44
3.) How would you rate the quality of our apparatus and the condition they're in?
Total 68: Excellent: 2 Good:10 Fair: 37 Poor: 19
4.) How would you rate the quality of Tools and Gear that we use?
Total 68: Excellent: 7 Good:15 Fair: 39 Poor: 7
5.) When units are taken out of service for repair/maintenance, do you feel that we have
adequate Reserve units available to safely respond and work an emergency effectively?
Total 68: Yes: 5 No: 44 Somewhat: 18 I Don’t Know: 1
6.) Do you feel that the fire department/City has an interest in you (the employee)?
Total 68: Yes: 8 No: 37 Somewhat: 20 Don’t know: 3
7.) How would you describe the overall morale of our fire department?
Total 68: Excellent: 0 Good: 7 Fair: 23 Poor: 38
8.) Do you feel that you're encouraged by your supervisors to reach your personal career goals?
8.) Do you feel that you're encouraged by your supervisors to reach your personal career goals?
Total 68: Yes: 29 No: 15 Somewhat: 22 Don’t know: 2
9.) How would you rate the current working relationship between the fire administration and the general populace of the fire department?
Total 68: Excellent:1 Good: 6 Fair: 18 Poor: 43
10: How would you rate the training that you receive so that you may perform your job safely and effectively?
Total 68: Excellent:2 Good: 25 Fair: 23 Poor: 18
11. How would you rate our living conditions?
Total 68: Excellent:4 Good: 22 Fair: 31 Poor: 11
12.) How would you rate the Fire Administration in regards to listening to your overall needs?
Total 68: Excellent:3 Good: 5 Fair: 19 Poor: 39 (No answer: 2)
13.) Do you feel that communication from the Fire administration down to the front-line personnel is efficient and effective?
Total 68: Yes: 7 No: 40 Somewhat: 20 Don’t know: 1
14.) If you were facing disciplinary action, how confident would you feel that our Fire Administration would treat you fairly and justly?
Total 68: Very Confident: 8 Somewhat Confident: 23 Not Confident at All: 36 (No Answer: 1)
15.) How well would you rate our Fire Administration in managing our fire department?
Total 68: Excellent:2 Good: 7 Fair: 19 Poor: 40