Uninsured firefighters unaware

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By

D.C. firefighters say they are discovering during doctor visits that their health insurance has been canceled for nonpayment by the District, even though their paychecks indicate that insurance premiums are being deducted.

Lt. Ray Sneed, president of the D.C. Firefighters Association, said he has been contacted by five firefighters who discovered the problem after visiting doctors for themselves or family members.

"The five that have been identified isn't the problem," Lt. Sneed said. "We don't know how many people are without insurance."

Health insurance is not the only payroll problem city firefighters have struggled with recently.

Among 53 who have reported pay problems, two haven't been paid for six weeks, Lt. Sneed said. In addition, two others have tried unsuccessfully to get the department to correct their checks because they have been getting paid too much money.

Others have earned step increases and promotions but have not been compensated accordingly. Some are owed extra money for performing additional duties. Some simply started getting the wrong amounts in their paychecks.

Chief Adrian H. Thompson said last night that the payroll problems can be traced to a new computer system at the D.C. Office of Personnel.

He said he was not aware of the insurance problems but pledged to take up the matter with the personnel officials immediately.

"That's a guarantee," he said.

During D.C. Council hearings March 7 and April 12, council member Phil Mendelson raised the issue of back pay with Chief Thompson.