Mabas

[kprsn1]

The Illinois forums have been kind of slow minus the announcement of Art's new grandbaby so I thought I'd try to stir some good discussion.

Anyone want to throw in some input on the changes being made by MABAS?

Anyone in the "know" as far as what is going on. I know I'm not, but I've heard stories that membership dues are being requested to cover expenses to be a member and that some divisions and/or departments are not happy with that decision. Are the dues really required or is it just voluntary at this time? Would it be possible to be kicked out of MABAS if you don't pay your dues? Could the "rift" be a danger to the continued existence of MABAS?

So, does anyone know what's going on if anything at all?

[trainer]

OK, I'll bite. As of now no one knows what will happen if you don't pay, but trust me you will have to pay. MABAS is currently funded by grants and the dues are for the future, when or if the grants dry up. I know at on time I seen a report that said with the dues structor that was put in place, was to generate around 250,000 but I think that was wrong. Many have not paid yet but there is only around 75,000. It takes 60,000 just for insurance. As far as people being ****ed, at the meeting where the vote was taken to restructor, all but 2 div were present and the vote was 1 no, 1 abstain, and the rest were yes. Now at the last meeting we voted Jay Reardon in as CEO, a paid pos. of the div's there the vote was 3 no 2 abstain and the rest were yes. If it creatred a rift it's in private.

[kprsn1]

trainer, thanks for the info. And I just want to clarify that the word "rift" that I chose was not to indicate anything in particular with regards to a problem within MABAS but since I've heard grumbling I had to come up with something. And if I were a bettin' man, anytime someone comes up with the idea of having to pay for something, somebody gets grouchy.

[80FIRE]

MABAS has seen a considerable growth in the last few years and is in needing to move toward a more structured organization to keep up with the needs of the orginazation. As Larry said there are a lot of expences such as insurance that can not be funded with federal grant money and the dues increase was to help cover these types of expences.

Now at the last meeting we voted Jay Reardon in as CEO, a paid pos. of the div's there the vote was 3 no 2 abstain and the rest were yes. If it creatred a rift it's in private.

Actually the vote was to approve the contract to be offered to the CEO, not to name Jay as CEO. One of these NO votes came from the guy sitting beside you. Our divisions concerns was that there was a lot of "pork" in the contract and could get expensive if abused, especally with a limited and unreliable revenue source to pay for the contract.

[Firefighter2160]

We joined MABAS last year I think it was..... MABAS is great and if you need it...it will be GREAT....it only has one huge downfall....that is in the way of giving help it really is only good for paid depts. Not many people on a Vol. Department could give up 2 or 3 days or even a week from their normal jobs if the response lasted that long.

Now I am not talking about using it for just a structure fire because in that respect it is good for all.

The only way I see use really using it is some sort of huge disaster

Last time I checked Vol. Depts way out weighed Paid Depts..........

The Katrina deal was way different cause guys that went there got paid, well most of em anyhow (I figured some one might bring that up)

As firefighters all of us are willing to go help any other area any time needed, but ya still have to pay the bills

[bummer]

Dues

And what amount of equipment do you get for your dues? If you belong to MABAS you have gotten plenty, I am sure. Small price to pay for the benefits derived from membership costing so little.

[trainer]

Ya Les I heard, and agree, but I just can't see Jay lettin that happen.As far as a long term deployment,if it's a federal disater you'll get reimbursed even if your a volunteer. A big 10-4 on equipment. We had a little get togther in our div a month or so ago,had all the "stuff" in one place, we figured a total of about 1.3 mil. Kp1 thats ok about the rift thing, I couldn't spell what I wanted to say.

[jboczek]

Chad, weren't you listening at our last meeting? I thought our pres. did a pretty good job of explaining what went on at the last meeting of the higher ups.
I for one don't mind paying the dues. MABAS is where the grant money is going to be given to. If we belong, we've got the chance to get some of the equipment. Don't belong? Don't expect to get it. That's my take on the whole thing.
I think we were one of the NO votes, too, but for a specific reason.

[kprsn1]

Jack, I was listening. I don't think I fell asleep. But I've never been to a MABAS meeting up north to hear anything directly from the horse's mouth and that was the first meeting I have been to that discussed the issue. Not that I don't believe or agree with what our prez says especially since I know he's always on the ball, but I always like to get as much information about something from other people to help me understand what is going on. I also agree. Small price to pay for such huge benefits and advantages.

Chad

[npfd801]

No one has even talked about what the actual dues structure is. I could be wrong, but for the average smaller department, I didn't think the annual dues were very much, like in the $100 range. Am I wrong here?

To me - to make sure I had lots of help if and when I needed it, that insurance policy isn't so bad.

[pmed19]

For the really small depts. it is like $25-50 a year to the MABAS organization plus your MABAS Division dues of $25. Not bad at all if you ask me.

[Riv3404]

The prices might not be bad at all (they aren't) but you will have those departments that won't have it in there budget...In reality they might not or they "might not". I am just worried that you'll see a drop out of some departments due to the dues. But I understand that this is a needed expenditure and I have seen some of the equipment that MABAS has purchased and its very worth it to belong. But some departments leaving just worries me.

[trainer]

Dues ars budget based. o-25,000-$50 25,001-100,000-$100 100,001-1,000,000-$150.thats all I can remember. This covers most of us. If a department can't afford this, there in trouble, however there is a hardship clause. The state is broke down into 9 zones,or maybe it was 12, anyway each zone that has a hazmat or TRT team got a boat load of equipment + training. Each dept in the state had a chance to get at least 1 radio maybe 2 for a total of about 9 grand, with more equipment on the way, that justifies a lot of dues. We pay dues to several organizations that I have yet to see any thing back from. In our div I don't think that it was they couldn't afford it but couldn't figure what amount to pay since there is some deductions from your amount. About 75% of the div's have payed totally. I'm not sure what there going to do about the ones that have not paid, our next meeting is not till Feb, and next years dues go out in Jan. Something is going to have to be done, I noticed a couple of div's north of me have not paid and they have received a ton of money and equipment, that isn't fair to the rest of us.

[ChiefReason]

OK, I'll bite. As of now no one knows what will happen if you don't pay, but trust me you will have to pay. MABAS is currently funded by grants and the dues are for the future, when or if the grants dry up. I know at on time I seen a report that said with the dues structor that was put in place, was to generate around 250,000 but I think that was wrong. Many have not paid yet but there is only around 75,000. It takes 60,000 just for insurance. As far as people being ****ed, at the meeting where the vote was taken to restructor, all but 2 div were present and the vote was 1 no, 1 abstain, and the rest were yes. Now at the last meeting we voted Jay Reardon in as CEO, a paid pos. of the div's there the vote was 3 no 2 abstain and the rest were yes. If it creatred a rift it's in private.

So; if I understand the math, MABAS is taking in $75,000 in dues and you are going to pay Reardon over $100,000 as the full time director of MABAS?
Question for the group: how long will it take to go broke?
I understand the idea behind having a full time person, but can you afford it?
Remember: at this time, joining a MABAS is voluntary. You can join and you can choose to "unjoin". Traditional mutual aid will still exist, but if you need a much greater response, MABAS will be an only option, equipment-wise.
And besides; you will still have those groovy Red, White and Blue frequencies programmed into your radios.
Yeah, I know; I'm just mad because I can't get a good paying gig in the fire service. Writing Jake and Vinnie don't pay squat.
CR
CR

[80FIRE]

So; if I understand the math, MABAS is taking in $75,000 in dues and you are going to pay Reardon over $100,000 as the full time director of MABAS?
Question for the group: how long will it take to go broke?

Thats my concern too Art. I believe most of the funding for his position is budgeted to come from federal grant money but it's just a matter of time before this revenue source drys up. When that happens get ready for the next increase in dues. I do think our department is getting our $100's worth now but am not sure what will happen the next time they jack the dues up.
We had been a member of IAFPD for many years until they got carried away raising the membership fees a few years ago. They have not received any more of our money! MABAS may be on their way to doing the same thing.