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://www.iaff.org/Comm/frontline/news.htm.

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

"Economic Crisis News Headlines" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Virginia Fire Fighter Joins First Lady for Speech" (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
"Dodd Works to Create Firefighter Jobs in Recovery Package" (StamfordPlus.com)
"City officials release final results of investigation into Sofa Super Store fire" (WCST TV Charleston)
"Union president finds friendlier White House " (The Hill)
"Live Fire Experiments Examine Changes in Fire Fighting Resources" (Scientific Centric)
"Firefighters Make It Official" (Washington Post)
"Biden/Schaitberger Meeting Focuses on Economy and Homeland Security" (International Association of Fire Fighters )
"IAFF Fire Fighters Respond to Buffalo Plane Crash" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Vermont Wants to Ban Fire Retardant Chemical" (Times Argus)
"San Francisco Firefighters Offer $25,000 Reward" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"East Bank Fire Fighters Strike Deal With Jefferson Parish" (The Times-Picayune )
"Airport Official to Negotiate Fire Fighting Contract" (Bradenton-Herald)
"The Barred Door" (New York Times)
"FDNY Boxing Team Reach Out to Wounded Warriors" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"British Columbia Fire Fighter Wins Body for Life Challenge" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"New Mexico Fire Fighter to Promote Cookbook Along Route 66" (International Association of Fire Fighters)

 

Economic Crisis News Headlines
International Association of Fire Fighters

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.
(Web Link)
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Virginia Fire Fighter Joins First Lady for Speech
Richmond Times-Dispatch (02/25/09)

As a Lynchburg firefighter, Abbey Meacham is always ready to answer the call. But this one took her by surprise. She was asked to join first lady Michelle Obama in the U.S. Capitol for President Barack Obama's first address to a joint session of Congress. "I was blindsided. I was teaching a [trauma] class. They told me to cancel the rest of my classes, pack my bag and get on an airplane," Meacham said of the call, barely nine hours before Obama's speech. "This is incredible. It's the most incredible experience and a huge honor to represent my union," said Meacham, who is a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters. "It's amazing. It's a once in a lifetime experience." Inviting a fire fighter to sit in the First Lady's box in the House gallery is "further proof of the respect the president has for professional fire fighters and emergency medical professionals," said union president Harold Schaitberger.
(Web Link)
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Dodd Works to Create Firefighter Jobs in Recovery Package
StamfordPlus.com (Quarter 1, 2009)

The federal economic recovery package includes several measures to help fire departments.One provision eliminates the need for communities to provide matching funds for fire departments awarded grants through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which offers five-year grants to cover a portion of newly hired fire fighters' salaries and requires communities to pick up more of the salaries over time. According to Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), "This measure will ensure fire departments in Connecticut and across the country will not have to refuse much-needed federal assistance because of strained local and state budgets. This is about job creation and protecting our communities." States also will have access to $8.8 billion in stabilization funds through the economic recovery package, minimizing reductions in public safety services and preventing layoffs of fire fighters and police officers. Additionally, $210 million will be earmarked for the Firefighter Assistance Grants (FIRE Act) program to fund the construction of fire stations.
(Web Link)
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City officials release final results of investigation into Sofa Super Store fire
WCST TV Charleston (02/16/09)

The City of Charleston has shared the results of a new federal report on the Sofa Super Store fire. The final report from NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, makes 43 recommendations. According to Chief Thomas Carr, almost all of the recommendations have been met by the Charleston Fire Department.
(Web Link)
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Union president finds friendlier White House
The Hill (02/18/09); Youngman, Sam

Harold Schaitberger, the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), is feeling welcome at the nation's most famous address. On February 16, Schaitberger was invited to sit down with Vice President Biden for an hour-long meeting to discuss the stimulus package and the role of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in fire fighter response. Schaitberger said the stimulus package has been of great interest to his union members, as budget crunches at the city and state level have led to fire station closings and mass layoffs.
(Web Link)
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Live Fire Experiments Examine Changes in Fire Fighting Resources
Scientific Centric (02/11/09)

Experiments conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other organizations using real fires and real fire fighters are part of a landmark study examining the effect of fire fighter crew sizes and equipment arrival times on fire growth rates and an occupant's ability to survive a building fire. The study focuses on the effects of crew size (two, three, four and five persons per fire engine) and apparatus arrival time (all engines/trucks arrive close together or arrive at longer intervals) on the fire conditions within one 2,000-square-foot two-story townhome. Over the course of two weeks, about 50 fire fighters from Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia, participated in the experiments. The research is being conducted by a broad coalition in the fire fighting community, including the International Association of Fire Fighters. If the funding is continued, researchers plan to develop and validate a computer model that will allow "what if" analyses to help make informed choices about managing resources for public and fire fighter safety.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Make It Official
Washington Post (02/16/09); Craig, Tim

The Virginia Professional Firefighters Association (VPFF) has decided to back Terry McAuliffe in the Democratic primary for governor. VPFF President R. Michael Mohler says the union trusts McAuliffe to create more jobs. "We understand the connection between a strong economy and our jobs," Mohler says. "We have to turn the power of the legislature over to the Democrats. … The person who can do that is with us today, the person with us today obviously has the financial resources, he's got the network, he's got the vision, he's got the energy to get out the message -- its about jobs."
(Web Link)
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Biden/Schaitberger Meeting Focuses on Economy and Homeland Security
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/17/09)

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger spent the Presidents' Day holiday meeting with Vice President Joe Biden to discuss major issues of concern to the IAFF and its members - particularly the economy - to be addressed in the 111th Congress. As the economy continues to affect IAFF members through staffing reductions, station closures and benefit and wage concessions, Biden lobbied favorably for the IAFF in securing $8.8 billion in the recent stimulus package to protect the interests of fire fighters and emergency medical personnel. In addition, he sought and won a provision for $210 million in new funding for fire service infrastructure. "Joe Biden has always been on the frontline for fire fighters, and his recent work in ensuring money for public safety in the stimulus further demonstrates his commitment to this union and its members," says Schaitberger. 
(Web Link)
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IAFF Fire Fighters Respond to Buffalo Plane Crash
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/17/09)

Members of Buffalo-Niagara Airport Local S-25 and Buffalo, NY Local 282 remain on the scene of a plane crash in the Clarence Center area of Buffalo, New York. Fire fighters are working with various other emergency agencies to secure the plane and the home it crashed into. "Our members have been working tirelessly on the scene of this fiery crash since the plane went down on February 12," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "I am proud of their efforts there to ensure public safety."
(Web Link)
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Vermont Wants to Ban Fire Retardant Chemical
Times Argus (02/19/09); Porter, Louis

Vermont has a history of banning or limiting sales of compounds believed to be toxic, from mercury to a class of plastic softening chemicals called phthalates. Now, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, which has led some of those efforts, said it wants to add another worrisome chemical to the list, and it has enlisted the help of lawmakers, Vermont fire fighters and other organizations. The chemical -- a form of a fire retardant chemical called polybrominatede diphenyl ether -- is in consumer products from mattresses to televisions. It poses a threat to fire fighters when products made with the chemical burn, said Matt Vinci, the president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont. "Fire retardants are very important," said Vinci. But "we know there are safer alternatives out there."
(Web Link)
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San Francisco Firefighters Offer $25,000 Reward
International Association of Fire fighters (02/13/09)

Hundreds of San Francisco, CA Local 798 fire fighters gathered on the steps of City Hall to offer a $25,000 reward for the capture of the arsonist who set fire to a home, injuring six fire fighters. One fire fighter, Chris Posey, remains in critical condition with burns and inhalation injuries. "The San Francisco fire fighters want to send a message loud and clear that we will not stand by idly while one of our union brothers lays hospitalized with critical injuries. We want the person who committed this crime behind bars so no one has to go through what the Posey family and the San Francisco Fire Department family is going through right now," said John Hanley, president of Local 798.
(Web Link)
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East Bank Fire Fighters Strike Deal With Jefferson Parish
The Times-Picayune (02/18/09)

The months-long labor dust-up over Jefferson Parish's East Bank Consolidated Fire Department has ended. Eastbank Consolidated fire fighters again packed the Jefferson Parish Council chambers. This time they left with an agreement that all but ended a protracted fight over pay, work schedules and other issues. The council voted unanimously to adopt the proposal, in a meeting room packed to capacity with off-duty fire fighters, their families and supporters. "Let me be honest," said union President Bob Burkett, "I think this was unprecedented."
(Web Link)
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Airport Official to Negotiate Fire Fighting Contract
Bradenton-Herald (02/24/09); Marsteller, Duane

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will negotiate with two public agencies about providing fire-rescue services at the airport. The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority told airport staff to simultaneously negotiate with Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue and the Sarasota County Fire Department. Both expressed interest in taking over for a private fire-rescue provider when its three-year contract with SRQ expires on September 30.
(Web Link)
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The Barred Door
New York Times (02/15/09); Beyer, Gregory

The latest New York Fire Department training academy class is currently in limbo because the department has deferred the class indefinitely due to the financial crisis. With the door to becoming a fire fighter closed to them for now, many are turning to work in construction and other fields as they await word that they can join the force. “Everything in my life is directed toward being a fire fighter," said Drew Lebed, a fire fighter candidate. “I just have no idea if it’s ever going to happen.” He watches films about fire fighters and is trying to learn to cook in order to prepare for life in the firehouse, but the uncertainty makes everything gloomy. He was initially pre-med at Columbia and taught English in China for a semester, but became obsessed with becoming a fire fighter — even having Lasik surgery to qualify for the medical exam. He now works construction to learn more about structural engineering and better his understanding of putting out fires, and thinks the department is unlikely to start hiring until 2011.
(Web Link)
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FDNY Boxing Team Reach Out to Wounded Warriors
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/19/09)

When Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Boxing Team members enter the ring, they don't do it for the money. In fact, all the money earned at the events goes to various charities, including the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Over the last three years, the team has donated more than $27,500 to the WWP, which benefits severely injured service men and women. "Especially after 9/11, we have felt that our military service personnel have risked everything to keep us safe," says FDNY Boxing Team President Bobby McGuire, head coach and retired member of Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York (UFA) Local 94.
(Web Link)
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British Columbia Fire Fighter Wins Body for Life Challenge
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/17/09)

As an extra incentive to get back in shape, Surrey, BC Local 1271 fire fighter Rob Best entered fitness guru Bill Phillips' Body for Life Challenge 2008. The contest was just the motivation he needed: Best was named the 2008 Canadian Grand Champion. In a February 28, 2009, ceremony, Best will be presented with $10,000 in cash, a $5,000 travel gift certificate, a jacket and ring. "When the Body for Life people called to tell me I had won, I didn't believe it at first," says Best. "I thought it was my friends playing a trick on me. Now that it is sinking in, my family and I are thinking about taking a vacation to celebrate."
(Web Link)
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New Mexico Fire Fighter to Promote Cookbook Along Route 66
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/13/09)

Cooking has been a lifelong hobby for Farmington, NM Local 2850 member Kipp Rix. In March 2009, his first cookbook, Fire House Cookbook: Farmington Favorites, will be released so that anyone can make his recipes. To promote the book and raise money for charity, Rix and several other fire fighters will be embarking on a motorcycle tour of the historic Route 66 on July 22, 2009.
(Web Link)
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