WAYLAND, MA — A local firefighters' union has publicly commented on Wayland's handling of firefighter injury claims.
Wayland Firefighters Local 1978 shared an open letter to residents on June 30 stating that Wayland firefighters have seen a pattern of line-of-duty injury claims denied under Town Manager Michael McCall, including one involving a female firefighter whose benefits were terminated after an independent medical exam.
In response, McCall told Patch that the town supports its firefighters, negotiates in good faith, and will not discuss personnel, contract negotiations, or pending legal matters in the media.
The letter, signed by Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts President Richard D. MacKinnon Jr., said firefighters are asking for proper equipment, staffing and support, as well as fair treatment when they are injured in the line of duty.
The union said one case involves a female firefighter whose line-of-duty benefits were terminated after what the letter described as “a brief independent medical examination.” The letter said the firefighter recently became a new mother and could lose income and health insurance before her case is heard in arbitration.
The PFFM letter also cited a recent staffing study that it said found Wayland firefighters are operating below recommended staffing levels about 76 percent of the time. The union said that increases physical demands on firefighters and raises the likelihood of injury.
The letter said the issue is not the first legal challenge involving firefighter injury claims in Wayland. The union said firefighters previously challenged a town requirement for independent medical examinations tied to injury claims and prevailed in arbitration.
McCall said the town “supports and appreciates the noble work and sacrifices” of Wayland firefighters, and said Wayland offers some of the most competitive starting salaries in the region. He also said the town works to provide firefighters with modern equipment, apparatus and advanced training.
“The Town of Wayland has a long history of cordial and professional negotiations with all of our employee unions, and we actively negotiate in good faith at all times,” McCall told Patch in the statement. “The Town will continue to negotiate in the best interests of both our residents/taxpayers and our employees.”
McCall said the town will not comment further while the process is ongoing.
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