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Enter the IAFF 2010 Media Awards Contest

Conducted annually to honor communications, media reporting and photography that best portray the professional and dangerous work of fire fighters and emergency medical personnel in the United States and Canada, the IAFF Media Awards Contest is open to all IAFF affiliates. Entries must have been published or broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2009.

Hearing Held On Bargaining Bill
(03/10/10)

A House Education and Labor Subcommittee held a hearing March 10 on the IAFF’s national collective bargaining bill, HR 413, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, setting the stage for action in the House. The Subcommittee heard testimony from five witnesses who backed the measure - including Jim Tate, president of Fort Worth, TX Local 440 - and two representatives from the anti-union National Right to Work Committee and the states’ rights-focused National League of Cities who opposed it. Tate told the Subcommittee how collective bargaining has improved his department since Fort Worth fire fighters won collective bargaining rights in 2007. He said, "Withholding the right to collectively bargain is a denial of a measure of fairness and dignity to fire fighters who put their lives on the line day in and day out for the communities they serve.” Collective bargaining, Tate testified, has put Fort Worth in a position to become the second contract in Texas to guarantee safe staffing levels.

National Ban on Flame Retardant Chemicals
(03/09/10)

Over the past several months, the IAFF has been working with the chemical industry to structure a national withdrawal of the controversial brominated flame retardant, Decabromine, from the market. “The IAFF is proud that we played a major role working with our congressional and administration allies and with the major manufacturers of flame retardant chemicals to ban Decabromine from the market by the end of 2013,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. In state legislatures across the nation, IAFF affiliates have succeeded in passing legislation banning this product. The success of those efforts sparked negotiations between the IAFF, Chemtura, Albemarle and ICL-IP -- the three major manufacturers of Decabromine -- to discuss the prospects of an orderly nationwide withdrawal of Decabromine from the market. Subsequently, the industry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreed to an expedited timetable that will ban the production and sale of the controversial product in only three years.

DHS Releases FIRE Act Grant Workshop Schedule
(03/09/10)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted the schedule for applicant workshops for 2010 Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grants. The schedule will be updated daily with any new/updated information about the scheduled workshops. The IAFF encourages affiliates to work with their fire departments to apply for FIRE Act grants, which help fund training, equipment, protective gear and emergency vehicles.

Status Update on FAA Reauthorization
(03/08/10)

The United States Senate is expected to consider S. 1451, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, in March 2010. S. 1451 is the Senate version of FAA Reauthorization bill H.R. 915, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009. Unlike the House-passed bill, S. 1451 does not contain IAFF-backed language requiring the FAA to bring Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) standards into conformity with existing national consensus standards. Having undergone the last significant revision in 1988, current ARFF standards do not reflect the reality of modern fire fighting or modern air travel. Current standards place fire fighters and the flying public at significant risk in the event of a fire emergency.

Nominate Candidates for IAFF Local Leadership Award
(03/01/10)

The IAFF is accepting nominations for the Local Leadership Award, which recognizes and honors active and active-retired local leaders who have dedicated more than 15 years to their local. The award was created by Convention resolution at the 49th Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, to champion the standard of leadership set by Dennis J. Murray - one of the longest-serving local presidents in IAFF history and the first recipient of the award.

MDA Releases 2010 Summer Camp Schedule

Every year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) supports some 90 summer camps across the country for children with neuromuscular diseases. MDA camp offers a wide range of activities specially designed for young people who have limited mobility or use wheelchairs. Although structured, camp programs are conducted in a relaxed atmosphere that gives campers an unmatched opportunity to develop lifelong friendships, share interests and build self-confidence.

Economic Crisis News Headlines

The economy is affecting IAFF members throughout this union through staffing reductions, station closures, cost shifting and wage concessions as local governments lose revenue. To help IAFF members get a clearer understanding of the depth of the financial crisis, the effect it's having at every level of the economy -- including local and state budgets -- the IAFF has prepared the following summaries of and links to "economic crisis" news articles related to cuts in state and local budgets, fire fighter staffing, health care benefits, compensation, pension plans and other areas as a result of the economic downturn.

Fire Fighters in the News

Philadelphia Fire Fighter Prevails In Hearing Loss Lawsuit
About Lawsuits (03/05/10)

A Philadelphia jury has awarded a fire fighter $100,000 in a hearing loss lawsuit filed over the design of sirens used by the City’s emergency response vehicles. The case is one of several hundred similar lawsuits involving hearing damage for fire fighters caused by Q-Sirens, made by Federal Signal Corp.

Albuquerque President Back to Union Work
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/05/10)

The County of Bernalillo Second Judicial District Court in New Mexico has ruled in favor of Albuquerque Local 244 in its prohibited practice lawsuit against the City of Albuquerque. In its ruling, the court ordered the City to honor the collective bargaining agreement by allowing Local 244 President Diego Arencon to return to his 40-hour work week exclusively dedicated to union business. “In this case, the language in the labor-management agreement was very specific,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “The local president is a valuable asset to not only Albuquerque fire fighters, but also to the community as a whole. It would behoove the City to embrace this fact.” “I am thankful that the court has handed down this just ruling so that I can focus on the business of not only serving and protecting Local 244 members, but also ensuring that the community continues to receive high-quality public safety services,” says Arencon. In January 2010, Local 244 filed the suit after the City ordered Arencon to report to the fire administration for assignments, which would not include conducting union business. The move was in direct violation of the labor-management agreement which states: “To develop a more cohesive relationship between the union and the Albuquerque Fire Department, upon the request of the union president, to place the union president on a 40-hour work week for union business.”

U.S. Fire Administrator Recognizes Women Firefighters
U.S. Fire Administration (03/05/10)

Since 1981, this nation has recognized the month of March as an opportunity to celebrate the contributions made by all women to this great nation of ours. This month we recognize the countless and unselfish acts of so many women serving their communities in fire and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations as fire fighters and emergency medical technicians. Since women have joined the ranks of the American fire service as, the quality and richness of our culture and honorable profession has been truly enhanced. Their contributions to our previously male-dominated industry have been transforming and compelling in departments and communities across this nation.

Future of CPR Discussed at FH World
Firehouse.com (03/03/10); Caspi, Heather

Fire service should expect new emergency cardiovascular care guidelines later in the year, Joshua Stapleton, Fire Capt./paramedic and an EMS representative for the American Heart Association's Regional Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, said during a presentation this week during Firehouse World in San Diego. The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, the group that releases guidelines to the world's heart associations, reached a final consensus three weeks ago, and the AHA will release them in October. Stapleton expects the guidelines will cover community-based CPR and self-instruction, in addition to transport to cardiac arrest centers or Stemi centers, compression to ventilation ratios, therapeutic hypothermia, prehospital 12-leads by BLS providers, and prehospital administration of Beta Blockers. For fire service, the guidelines might force them to purchase new equipment and place them on rigs, and to put new training into practice. Fire services should sign up for updates through the AHA Instructor Network in order to prepare for the upcoming changes, which could take about a year to implement, according to Stapleton.

Canadian IAFF Members Keep Olympians Safe
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/08/10)

As the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games were taking place in Vancouver, Canada, several IAFF members were among those providing protection for the athletes and spectators. The effort, dubbed Operation PODIUM, was led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Guelph, ON Local 467 fire fighter Brandon Tavares, Hamilton, ON Local 288 fire fighters Rick Fuller and Mike Gould, Halifax, NS Local 268 fire fighter Paul Edwards and Westminster, BC Local 256 fire fighter Robert MacDonald are also members of the Canadian Naval Reserve.

No Layoffs for Phoenix Officers, Fire Fighters
KPHO TV; (02/26/10)

The Phoenix police and fire departments no longer plan to lay off sworn officers and fire fighters, thanks to the newest budget proposal from Phoenix City Manager David Cavasos. The budget recommends no layoffs for sworn members of the police and fire departments.

Union leaders from Flint police, fire speak out against layoffs at city council meeting
The Flint Journal (03/08/10); Longley, Kristin

The heads of the Flint police officers' and firefighters' unions pleaded with the Flint City Council tonight to find a way to avoid the mayor's proposed public safety cuts. "Hopefully the budget will be reopened and you guys will make the necessary cuts to avoid public safety," said Officer Keith Speer, president of the Flint Police Officers Association. "We're pleading with you, with the council, please don't let this happen." Dozens of police and fire personnel and members of their families attended the city council meeting to protest 80 public safety layoffs that are expected to take effect at the end of the month.

Fire Department Lauded for Supporting Military Families
Merrimack Journal (02/25/10); Jillson, Patricia

Risking one’s life to safeguard another’s is all but written in the fire fighter job description. But for the past three years local emergency response crews have gone above and beyond that calling, even making sure someone takes out the trash for absent co-workers. Currently three Merrimack fire fighters are serving as active reservists of the Army National Guard C Company 172nd Infantry, at an Indiana training site awaiting deployment overseas.

Firefighters protest citizen group, mayor gets caught in middle
Atlanta News (03/09/10); Stirgus, Eric

An estimated 200 Atlanta fire fighters waved protest signs and yelled "Stop, thief!" outside a Buckhead restaurant at members of an organization that sued the city last week, claiming it illegally approved pension increases for city employees in 2001 and 2005 that taxpayers cannot afford. Mayor Kasim Reed got caught in the fire fighters' verbal crossfire. Fire Rescue union leader Lt. Jim Daws said his members' anger wasn't directed at Reed, although they wished the mayor had talked to them after the luncheon. Daws and other fire fighters believe the foundation's lawsuit could reduce pension benefits for City workers and discourage some fire fighters from working for Atlanta.

A Different Career Ladder
Houston Chronicle (03/01/10); Hewitt, Paige

Nearly two dozen high school girls gathered in late February to participate in Camp Houston Fire, part of a new initiative to draw more females into the Houston Fire Department. The free, twice-yearly event will be held again this fall. Though the City employs approximately 3,900 fire fighters, only about 100 are women, said Kim Phillips, event chairperson and spokeswoman for The Siren, an organization for female fire fighters that has about five dozen active members. Another program called Third Saturdays also targets women, who, like all incoming fire fighters, must be no older than 36 when they are sworn in. Phillips said that in the past few months, about 20 women have attended the open-house style programs held at the Houston Fire Department's training facility near Hobby Airport. Applicants can hear more about job requirements, such as a physical fitness requirement to run 1.5 miles in 13:07, said Phillips.

Jacksonville Fire Fighter Named 2009 Fire Fighter of the Year
Jacksonville.com (03/08/10); Scanlan, Dan

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department honored its own during its annual awards ceremony. The 2009 Firefighter of the Year went to Rescue 22 Engineer James Sparks for his donation of a kidney to fellow fire fighter John Hall. Hall was facing only a few more years of life a year ago due to failing kidneys when best friend and fellow fire fighter Sparks got tested and learned he was a perfect match. Surgery was done in July, and Sparks told the Times-Union he was “just grateful I’m able to help my buddy.” Hall said, “I owe him my life.”

Brotherhood Ride Honors Fallen Texas Fire Fighters
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/02/10)

Approximately 30 fire fighters, EMS personnel and police officers will ride their bicycles from Tallahassee, Florida, to Houston, Texas, to honor fallen Houston, TX Local 341 fire fighters James Harlow and Damion Hobbs. The 10-day 3rd Annual Brotherhood Ride begins April 1. Harlow and Hobbs were among the first on the scene of a southeast Houston house fire. The two went inside to look for possible trapped victims, but didn’t make it out.

Spokane Fire Fighters Run to the Top in Stair Climb
Spokesman-Review (03/08/2010)

A team of stair climbers from the Spokane Fire Department finished in third place out of 129 teams competing on March 7 in a Seattle stair climb fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Spokane fire fighters Eric Ross, Jason Keen and Jesse Ayotte completed the climb with a cumulative time of 41 minutes, 36.8 seconds. The Spokane Valley Fire Department placed sixth with Paul Kimball, Mark Knokey and Dustin Waterbly finishing in 41 minutes, 49.4 seconds. The Scott Firefighter Stair Climb is an annual event at Columbia Center tower in downtown Seattle and involves a climb with fire gear up 69 flights with 1,311 steps. The Spokane department raised $12,960 for the charity this year.

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