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Welcome to the IAFF Frontline News Brief, distributed twice a month to IAFF affiliate leaders and IAFF members. We encourage you to forward this news to your members and others in the fire service.

The Frontline News Brief is delivered directly by email and is also published on the IAFF web site. You can view past issues at http://daily.iaff.org/frontline/morenews.html.

Your feedback is also welcome - email pr@iaff.org with questions and comments.
 

"Fire Fighters Save A Life, Then Run Marathon to Benefit IAFF Burn Foundation" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighters' Contract With Airport Continues to Spark Controversy" (Herald Tribune)
"Firefighters try to smoke out mayor" (Daily News Tribune)
"State OK's Priority List for Black, Hispanic Firefighters" (Boston Globe)
"Federal Fire Grants Not Risk-Based; Alabama Leads, Despite Size" (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA))
"South Carolina Fire Fighter Unfairly Terminated" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighters, Legislators Have Sought Stiffer Penalties for Arson" (Desert Sun)
"Fire commissioners back rescue attempt" (San Francisco Chronicle)
"Gotcha on Tape: Fundraising Fraud" (Good Morning America)
"Marathon Fire Fighters Demand Recognition" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"16 houses burn in Devil's Night arson spree" (MSNBC)
"City Unions Picket Buffalo News" (WBEN Newsroom)
"Smokin' Firemen Launch Calendar With Runway Show" (Vancouver Province)
"Fire Fighters Cook Healthy" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Looking for a Few Good Firefighters" (Pensacola News Journal (FL)
"Fire Fighter-Developed Software Could Go National" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"False Alarms a Risk to Firefighters" (The Journal News (NY)


 

"Frontline News Brief" is Sponsored By:

Fire Fighters Save A Life, Then Run Marathon to Benefit IAFF Burn Foundation
International Association of Fire Fighters (10/31/06)

Jaime Joroff, a member of Prince George's County, MD Local 1619, and Jason Buttinshaw, a member of Fairfax County, VA Local 2068, were among the more than 40 IAFF members and family members from the United States and Canada participating on the IAFF Burn Foundation Marathon Team in the 31st Marine Corps Marathon held in Washington, DC, October 29, 2006. Just a few yards beyond the start line, Joroff and Buttinshaw stopped to assist a runner who went into cardiac arrest. The two fire fighter/paramedics administered Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for R.J. Turner until U.S. Marine Corps paramedics could reach the scene and take over treatment. Joroff and Buttinshaw then completed the marathon.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters' Contract With Airport Continues to Spark Controversy
Herald Tribune (10/24/06); McLaughlin, Kathleen

Fredrick Piccolo, head of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, defends the airport's decision to hire 15 fire fighters represented by Rural/Metro. The airport had previously hired fire fighters through Suncoast, FL Local 2546. The termination of Suncoast fire fighters prompted the union to submit a filing with Florida's fire marshal office, and the union hopes there will be an official probe to determine whether the Rural/Metro employees are qualified. The filing specifically cites the lack of Florida certification of the Rural/Metro staff, but Piccolo maintains that the new hires are qualified. Piccolo has offered the terminated fire fighters a lump-sum retirement payout of more than $1 million.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters try to smoke out mayor
Daily News Tribune (11/2/06); Loh, Christopher

Newton, MA Local 863 fire fighters and supporters from across the state rallied on the steps of City Hall in protest of Mayor David Cohen and stalled contract talks. The fire fighters' contract expired June 30, 2003, and the battle for a new contract is well into its fourth year at 1,216 days and counting. Local 863 President Fran Capello said the major sticking point in the stalemate is a sick-time policy requiring fire fighters to file notes from their doctors whenever they call in sick. Ten-year veteran fire fighter Dan Doherty said, "We do our job every day. No questions asked." He is a father of four young children and his wife is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer that was diagnosed in September. The International Association of Fire Fighters unanimously passed a censure of Mayor Cohen at its Convention in Toronto in late August. Ward One Alderman Scott Lennon said the negotiation is an "issue of equity" and that the fire fighters deserve the support of the Board of Aldermen. Ward Three Alderman Anthony Salvucci, Ward Four Alderman at large Lenny Gentile and Ward Five Alderman at large Paul Coletti were also in attendance at City Hall. "It's been a long time since their contract expired," Salvucci said. "It's right to show them support. Four years is a long time to wait." Bob McCarthy, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, issued a warning. "Sooner or later," McCarthy said, "if (Cohen) doesn't come down, we're coming up."
(Web Link)
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State OK's Priority List for Black, Hispanic Firefighters
Boston Globe (10/31/06); Murphy, Shelley

Massachusetts has agreed to give priority in hiring to past high-scoring minority fire fighter candidates in wake of a court ruling that 2002 and 2004 exams for applicants were biased against black and Hispanic Americans. The state plans to publish a new civil service list on December 1, 2006, which will list minority candidates from the 2002 and 2004 exams with high scores that should have made it on the list on an even playing field. The federal ruling came after four men of minority ethnicity failed to secure a fire fighting position after scoring 94s on the applicant exam. The exam also mostly tested fire fighters for cognitive skills. Since then, it has been revamped to measure other factors.
(Web Link)
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Federal Fire Grants Not Risk-Based; Alabama Leads, Despite Size
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA) (10/29/06); Evans, Ben

The state of Alabama has received more fire fighting grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) than any other state so far this year, despite its status as a small southern state. In fact, for the past several years, only a handful of states have received a larger share of grants from the DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant program than Alabama. The key to securing these grants is being aggressive about making requests and submitting applications, observers say, noting that the grants are based mostly on number of applications received rather than risk-based factors or population totals. Georgia has twice the population of Alabama, but Georgia received only $10.4 million in grants from the program during 2005, compared to $21.7 million for Alabama. This discrepancy is explained by the fact that Georgia fire departments only submitted 342 funding applications while Alabama submitted 677. The fire fighting grants were created by Congress before the September 11 terrorist attacks with the aim of helping local fire departments across the country, unlike grant programs created after the September 11 attacks, which tend to focus on urban areas.
(Web Link)
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South Carolina Fire Fighter Unfairly Terminated
International Association of Fire Fighters (10/31/06)

A South Carolina fire fighter has been unfairly fired after being injured on the job last year. With the support of the IAFF, Anderson City, SC Local 4450 President Roger Odachowski is taking powerful action. Odachowski was injured on Thanksgiving Day 2005 while responding to a commercial structure fire. As he made his way out through thick smoke, Odachowski injured his ankle. After months of failed attempts to treat the ankle, an orthopedic surgeon found significant cartilage and tendon damage. Odachowski continued to work until his scheduled surgery on May 11, 2006. City of Anderson officials told him that he would have to go on FLMA leave during his recovery, and that if the ankle was not healed within 12 weeks, he would be terminated - which he was. "This is not my choice," says Odachowski. "All I want to do is get better and start fighting fires again."
(Web Link)
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Firefighters, Legislators Have Sought Stiffer Penalties for Arson
Desert Sun (10/31/06); Brambila, Nicole C.

In 2004, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) fire fighters backed tougher penalties for arson that could get legislative support in 2007. Penalty hikes have been hard to sell in the state because of an ongoing belief that tough laws are already on the books, according to CDF's public policy director, Terry McHale. "Today, all of us who have made fire fighting our life have witnessed once again the price arson can exact," CDF Firefighters President Bob Wolf stated on the organization's web site in reference to the fire fighters killed recently in the California wildfire. Three years ago, Assemblyman Russ Bogh (R-Beaumont) proposed an arson registry similar to Megan's Law, which fell apart in committee. One-third or more of felons found guilty of arson will commit the crime again, the state Department of Corrections claims.
(Web Link)
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Fire commissioners back rescue attempt
San Francisco Chronicle (10/27/06); Van Derbeken, Jaxon

The San Francisco fire lieutenant who tried to save a man at the edge of a rooftop, only to have the man fall to his death, was hailed as a hero and given unanimous support by the city's Fire Commission. "This is a very brave act by a very brave fire fighter,'' commission President Paul Conroy said after Chief Joanne Hayes-White's summary of the actions of Lt. Victor Wyrsch on October 12. Wyrsch tried to grab Nick Torrico, 26, as the Seattle resident was perched on the edge of a building. Torrico fell four stories to his death. While expressing sympathy for Torrico's family, all five members of the commission supported Wyrsch's conduct. "I'm proud of his selflessness -- he put his life on the line,'' Commissioner Victor Makras said. "Unfortunately, it took a wrong turn.'' Hayes-White said there would be a joint review by police and fire officials of some aspects of the matter, but concluded: "There's certainly no second-guessing in this department related to what occurred." She  added, "There was a valiant attempt to save a life'' by a fire fighter who "risked his own life.'' San Francisco, CA Local 798 Pr esident John Hanley said, "To step back and do nothing, that's not in our blood. That's not the way we fight fires.''
(Web Link)
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Gotcha on Tape: Fundraising Fraud
Good Morning America (11/03/06)

Americans need to be cautious of "badge scams," charities that play on people's desire to help the people who help police organizations, fire departments and rescue companies. Because there is no law requiring any particular percentage of a donation to be used for the good cause you want to support, it often isn't. When fundraisers for the American Deputy Sheriffs Association phoned Lisa Heddens and Bob Brammer, they called the wrong people. "Some sort of gut instinct said something just wasn't right," Heddens, an Iowa state legislator, said. "I don't think they knew who they were calling," said Brammer, who is a spokesman for the Iowa attorney general. When Heddens asked where the organization was located, the fundraiser told her that donations were mailed to Des Moines, but she persisted. "We do all of the calling from Wisconsin," the fundraiser finally admitted. Brammer asked at least nine times how much of his donation would go toward the charity. "I recall asking repeatedly what share of my donation is going to be used for the charitable purpose," Brammer said. "And you really can't get a straight answer to that question."
(Web Link)
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Marathon Fire Fighters Demand Recognition
International Association of Fire Fighters (10/26/06)

The members of Marathon, FL Local 4396, with the support of fellow Florida fire fighters, are stepping up their battle to be recognized by the City of Marathon. On October 23, Local 4396 and fire fighters from around the region staged a peaceful picket after the City failed to make good on its promise to recognize Local 4396 lieutenant and captain bargaining units. If the City continues to refuse to recognize Local 4396, Marathon fire fighters will conduct another, larger picket on November 14. "We organized two years ago, and City officials have been doing everything they can to force us to dissolve," says Joe Forcine, president of Local 4396. "We are encouraging any IAFF member who can be there on November 14 to join us."
(Web Link)
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16 houses burn in Devil's Night arson spree
MSNBC (11/01/06)

Sixteen houses in Saginaw, Michigan, most of them vacant, were burned during a pre-Halloween arson spree on what is known as Devil's Night. At least five of the 16 fires were rekindles -- symptomatic of a fire department understaffed to deal with the high volume of fires. Fire officials said almost all the blazes are likely to prove to be arson.  
(Web Link)
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City Unions Picket Buffalo News
WBEN Newsroom (11/01/06)

Leaders of several Buffalo, New York, unions picketed outside The Buffalo News offices because the The News has ignored the unions and want subscribers to cancel. Buffalo, NY Local 282 Joe Foley says the paper's editorial board embraces the Buffalo Control Board.
(Web Link)
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Smokin' Firemen Launch Calendar With Runway Show
Vancouver Province (10/20/06) P. A23; Hunter, Stuart

Several Vancouver fire fighters are featured in the 20th anniversary edition of the Greater Vancouver Fire Fighters Hall of Flame 2007 Calendar. Proceeds from the calendar will benefit the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund and other charitable organizations. Vancouver Fire Department fire fighter Christopher Won, who is also the calendar's production manager, says the publication pays tribute to past fire fighters.

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Fire Fighters Cook Healthy
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/06/06)

The Fit to Survive web site features fire fighters from Norwich, CT Local 892 and Melbourne, FL Local 1951 and their cultural shift to healthy eating and staying physically fit. The updated web site also features recipes and tips for your Thanksgiving dinner, as well as other tips and advice for staying active, fit and healthy.
(Web Link)
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Looking for a Few Good Firefighters
Pensacola News Journal (FL) (11/01/06); Cresswell, Chrissy

There is a growing need to hire fire fighters as more and more reach retirement age, experts say. In Florida, the retirement rate is predicted to be 25 percent over the next two years, says Richard Henderson at the Northwestern Florida Fire Academy at Pensacola Junior College. "The population is expanding and the fire departments have to grow to meet those needs," he says.
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighter-Developed Software Could Go National
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/08/06)

David Goble and Edward Herbst, members of Philadelphia, PA Local 22, have developed software designed to efficiently manage resource inventory, training needs and regulation changes at the local, regional, state and federal level. The United States Asset Management System (USAMS) helps fire fighters and governmental departments manage the massive amounts of data associated with a post 9/11 world. In the event of a large-scale disaster, it is designed to assist with resource deployment at every emergency preparedness and response level.
(Web Link)
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False Alarms a Risk to Firefighters
The Journal News (NY) (11/03/06)

False fire alarms are detrimental to local fire departments for a number of reasons, including monetary, high turnover, and human risks. But prosecuting every perpetrator of a false alarm might not be the best way to respond, because false alarms are sometimes a result of error. The town of Clarkstown, New York, has deployed a false alarm reduction effort that has helped reduce the percentage of false alarms from 50 percent of all fire calls to 30 percent, says the town's fire inspector. Under the program, when a location makes two false alarms, the fire department sends a form to the fire inspector's office, which subsequently sends a warning letter to the offender. After a third false alarm, the offender is instructed to appear in court, and a fine is possible. Usually, however, the town justice court hears the case and settles it via a civil compromise that involves a payment to the fire department. Fire fighters are also instructed to advise the property owner about how to rectify the situation, such as removing a fire alarm that is near a heat source like steam.
(Web Link)
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