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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.
 

"IAFF Presidential Forum" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Rudy A No-Show At Firefighters Conference" (CBS News )
"Firefighters Gain Favored Spot With 2008 Hopefuls" (The Washington Post)
"Obama: Smoke and no fire?" (MSNBC Tucker Carlson)
"IAFF chief on presidential hopefuls" (MSNBC's Hardball)
"Clinton goes for top rung of firefighters' ladder" (Los Angeles Times)
"At Candidates Forum, Silence About the War Speaks Volumes" (The Washington Post )
"Facing the firefighters" (The Hill)
"Firefighters kindle interest in '08 race" (TheReporter.com)
"Hil smokin' hot in D.C." (New York Daily News)
"Giuliani avoids firefighters gathering" (USA Today)
"Rudy, firefighters feud" (New York Daily News)
"IAFF Says Federal First Responder Support Is Inadequate" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"New Orleans Fire Fighters Win Dispute Over Pay Raises" (International Association Fire Fighters)
"Report Confirms City of Newton Miscalculated Fire Fighter Sick Leave" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"States' Pension Shortfalls Widen Amid an Increase in Tax Receipts" (Wall Street Journal)
"Firefighters union contract approved -- but with conditions" (Indianapolis Star)
"Controversial Investigation In Baltimore Fire Fighter Probie Death Continues" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Fire Safety, Financial Arguments Made Before Council" (Telegram & Gazette)
"Fire union reaches out to kids" (PJStar.com )
"Firefighters Push for Pension Fund" (News 8 Austin (TX)
"WFD's Wellness Program Keeps Firefighters Fit" (Wilton Villager (CT)
"A Heated Debate: Career Firefighters Clash With Volunteers Over Staffing, Training" (Stamford Advocate (CT)
"Deaths of Police Officers, Firefighters Highlights Need for Blood Supply" (Winnipeg Free Press)

"Frontline News Brief" is Sponsored By:

IAFF Presidential Forum
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/14/07)

Presidential hopefuls seeking the IAFF's endorsement in 2008 addressed IAFF leaders and members at the IAFF Presidential Forum March 14, 2007. "This is the first bipartisan Presidential Forum of its kind," notes IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "No other union - and very few organizations - has the credibility and respect to attract top-tier candidates from both political parties. The lineup of speakers who agreed to participate is truly a testament to our great union and to the reputation we have built as a powerful political force and a coveted endorsement."
(Web Link)
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Rudy A No-Show At Firefighters Conference
CBS News (03/15/07)

Ten presidential hopefuls descended on Washington  to court the nation's largest fire fighters union for its endorsement, but the gathering was noteworthy mostly by who wasn't there: former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the Republican frontrunner best known for standing with first responders at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. While his absence was surprising, some members of the International Association of Fire Fighters union do not view Giuliani kindly. "He showed up for a few funerals after September 11. He shook some hands. But, you know, what did he do before then? What has he done since then?" asked Sam Fresina, an IAFF member from New York . Giuliani has been feuding with the fire fighters over recovery efforts at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks. Jim VandeHei, executive editor of Politico.com, told CBS that the animosity between Giuliani and the fire fighters union "certainly is damaging."
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Gain Favored Spot With 2008 Hopefuls
The Washington Post (03/15/07); Balz, Dan and Goldfarb, Zachary A.

The International Association of Fire Fighters made a strong case March 14 for the title of the politicians' favorite labor union. Who else but the union that represents many of America's first responders -- the heroes of September 11, 2001 -- can draw 11 declared or would-be presidential candidates, Republican and Democrat alike, to speak on the same day in Washington -- and along the way get into a public spat with former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, who was a no-show?

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Obama: Smoke and no fire?
MSNBC Tucker Carlson (03/14/07)

Barack Obama, John McCain and Chuck Hagel attended the International Association of Fire Fighters Bipartisan 2008 Presidential Forum in Washington, DC. Tucker Carlson analyzes the contenders.
(Web Link)
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IAFF chief on presidential hopefuls
MSNBC's Hardball

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger appears on MSNBC's "Hardball" with Chris Matthews regarding 2008 presidential candidates who spoke at the IAFF Presidential Forum on March 14 in Washington, DC.
(Web Link)
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Clinton goes for top rung of firefighters' ladder
Los Angeles Times (03/15/07); Gerstenzang, James

A seven-hour parade of presidential candidates offered the latest opportunity for Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) -- who have dominated the spotlight in the Democratic race -- to square off in direct appeals to powerful potential supporters. Clinton seemed to best Obama at a forum sponsored by the International Association of Fire Fighters, winning repeated cheers, whistles and applause. William Taylor, a fire fighter from Marlborough, MA Local 1714, summed up the face-off, saying, "Hillary pretty much blew the crowd away." Part of her success stemmed from tailoring her speech to some of the union's specific concerns. The rank-and-file members of the fire fighters union are almost evenly divided between Republicans (about 42 percent) and Democrats (about 40 percent), according to President Harold Schaitberger. While many labor organizations embraced former Vermont Governor Howard Dean in the early stages of the Democratic nomination process, fire fighters wearing their union's gold-and-black jackets showed up en masse at rallies in Iowa for Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA), the eventual nominee. Schaitberger said that based on surveys by the union, attitudes among its members toward the war have shifted dramatically. In 2004, he said, more than 70 percent of the members supported the U.S. role in Iraq. Now, he said, 75 percent favored either immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops, a drawdown based on a specific timetable or a redeployment of military forces elsewhere in the region. Clinton built much of her speech around the union's continuing battle to win the right to organize in states that thwart such efforts. She earned standing ovations for her calls to allow fire fighters in every state to bargain collectively. "When you plunge headfirst into burning buildings for a living, you have more than earned the right to organize for better conditions on the job," she said.
(Web Link)
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At Candidates Forum, Silence About the War Speaks Volumes
The Washington Post (03/15/07); Milbank, Dana

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) was one of 11 presidential candidates -- Democrat and Republican -- to address the fire fighters union, but he was the only one to risk making a passionate case about why the war in Iraq must continue. "It's not hopeless," McCain said. McCain admitted that his own contribution to the national debate on the war in Iraq could imperil his candidacy. "Presidents don't lose wars," he said. "Political parties don't win wars. Nations lose wars, my friends, and nations suffer the consequences -- and those consequences are far more serious than the loss of elections."
 
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Facing the firefighters
The Hill (03/15/07); Youngman, Sam

A black man and a white woman stepped onto a political stage yesterday seeking support for their White House bids from an audience made up almost entirely of white men. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) shared neither gender nor race with the overwhelming majority of the crowd of more than 1,000 fire fighters whose backing is coveted by presidential aspirants. At the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Presidential Forum, Clinton received raucous applause for her tales of work in New York after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Obama continued to wow crowds with his charisma. But it was lesser-known candidates, such as Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joseph Biden (D-DE) who moved the crowd most by offering what one union boss described as rhetorical "red meat and a six-pack." Biden, who asked the group to join him for a beer at the Billy Goat Tavern following his speech, spoke to the crowd, somberly at times and challengingly at others, as if he were a union boss. And Dodd received repeated standing ovations while speaking about his work on popular pieces of legislation he has co-authored on behalf of first responders. "You can get them to their feet with a speech, but you can't necessarily get them to change their minds," said one union official of Edwards, Obama and Clinton. "Dodd and Biden speak these guys' language." The biggest influence on how candidates finish in the endorsement battle depends on their policies on collective bargaining, which is the top legislative goal of the IAFF and other unions, and a host of other issues more specific to the fire fighters' union. The endorsement battle is likely to end around Labor Day.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters kindle interest in '08 race
TheReporter.com (03/15/07); Nolan, Karen

Talk about a busman's holiday. I spent Wednesday being part of the Washington press corps as it covered 11 Democratic and Republican presidential candidates courting endorsement by the International Association of Fire Fighters. No doubt the field will be weeded out by February 2008, and at the very least we'll save time by paying attention only to those contenders in our own party. Still, there's something to be said for being able to do a nearly side-by-side comparison of all the candidates. No one came away with the fire fighter union's endorsement -- IAFF President Harold Schaitberger noted from the get-go that "this is the day we begin the process" of deciding who to back. It won't be an easy choice, said Ron Walker, a member of Contra Costa County, CA Local 1230. "The union will have to back a candidate who can win the support of its members, 57 percent of whom are Republican." Yet the Republican candidates proved the most disappointing, said Walker, a Democrat who left the GOP after he became active in the union. "There were two things that this made clear," he said. "Number one is that the Republicans just don't get it. They are not concerned with working people." The second thing, Walker said, is that Republicans already are working from the same script. Each made at least one reference to Ronald Reagan, each talked about the need to build a wall to stop illegal immigration and each backed the current policy in Iraq, he observed. As for the Democrats, "I have a lot of hope," he said. "I don't think we'd lose with any of them. They all have great goals. They believe in what I believe in."  
(Web Link)
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Hil smokin' hot in D.C.
New York Daily News (03/15/07); McAuliff, Michael

Senator Hillary Clinton drew ovations from a convention of fire fighters for promising them support and suggesting President Bush's vow of support at Ground Zero was little more than a "photo op." "It's great for the photo ops, but how about taking care of the people who have taken care of us?" Clinton said at a cattle call of 11 presidential candidates at the International Fire Fighters Association. Clinton invoked their experience in the September 11, 2001, terror attacks and the aftermath, charging that since then fire fighters had become "invisible" to the president. "I want to make clear today, you're not invisible to the people of this country and you're sure not invisible to me," she said. "When we retake the White House, you will no longer be invisible to the president of the United States." Clinton got three standing ovations for her speech after warming up the crowd with a Mae West-like quip about a cocktail reception the night before. "Thanks so much -- and thanks for last night, too," she said, bringing laughs and "whoas!" from the fire fighters.
(Web Link)
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Giuliani avoids firefighters gathering
USA Today (03/08/07); Lawrence, Jill

Republican Rudy Giuliani will be conspicuously missing from an all-day parade of 10 presidential prospects appearing at a union conference in Washington, DC. Organizers of the International Association of Fire Fighters conference considered not inviting him, even though Giuliani is the leader in every recent national poll of the 2008 Republican field. They decided last Thursday that they wanted members to hear from all leading candidates, so Giuliani was invited. On March 5, union spokesman Jeff Zack said Giuliani accepted through aide Tim Brown and the schedule was rearranged so he could have a morning speaking slot. On March 7, Brown called and canceled. "We're disappointed he won't be there," Zack said. "We did offer the invitation and ... we went to some lengths to accommodate him in the schedule that his campaign told us had to be met. We did our part."
(Web Link)
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Rudy, firefighters feud
New York Daily News (03/09/07); Saltonstall, David

The nation's largest fire fighters union all but declared war on former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani after he backed out of a forum for presidential hopefuls. His withdrawal from the International Association of Fire Fighters forum exposed simmering tensions between the former mayor and city fire unions over his decision in November 2001 to limit FDNY personnel at Ground Zero. Before Giuliani's decision, hundreds of fire fighters were allowed to stay at Ground Zero to dig for remains of their 343 missing comrades, an intensely emotional quest. But citing safety concerns, Giuliani decided in November 2001, to limit the number of FDNY searchers to 25, touching off brief but furious scuffles between the NYPD and the FDNY and earning Giuliani the lasting animosity of many city fire officers. Lingering resentment from that moment was laid bare this week in a letter that was drafted but not sent by city union officials, who were considering not including Giuliani in the planned Presidential Forum in Washington. But Giuliani was invited and agreed to attend, only to say no two days later after the letter began to circulate more widely. "The disrespect that he exhibited to our 343 fallen FDNY brothers, their families and our New York leadership in the wake of that tragic day has not been forgiven or forgotten," reads the draft. The letter could ultimately prove damaging to Giuliani, for whom 9/11 remains a defining moment.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Says Federal First Responder Support Is Inadequate
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/09/07)

Blaming a lack of commitment by the Bush administration, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger testified before a U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing March 9 on "Preparing for Disasters, Natural or Otherwise" that the United States is not much better prepared to respond than before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In his testimony, President Schaitberger urged members of the Subcommittee to demand that federal grants are allocated on the basis of risk, as recommended by the 9/11 Commission, and to fully fund programs designed to ensure baseline capabilities for local fire departments.
(Web Link)
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New Orleans Fire Fighters Win Dispute Over Pay Raises
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/05/07)

The Times-Picayune is reporting that a Civil District Court judge has ruled that New Orleans, LA Local 632 fire fighters are entitled to full and appropriate longevity raises. In this ruling - the latest in a long-running dispute with the City over years of unpaid raises - Judge Kern Reese found that the calculation that the City used unilaterally stripped away legally conferred benefits, and created hardships of unwarranted pay cuts to fire fighters. Because of these deficiencies, the City was ordered to implement the longevities mandated by the courts and proposed by fire fighters. The City says it will appeal. "Mayor Ray Nagin has been trying to ignore court orders and give fire fighters less than they are owed," says IAFF General President Schaitberger. "It's time for the City to honor its commitment." Nick Felton, president of New Orleans Local 632, says the fire fighters are happy with the decision. "We got most of what we wanted," he reports.
(Web Link)
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Report Confirms City of Newton Miscalculated Fire Fighter Sick Leave
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/13/07)

The Newton Tab is reporting that the City of Newton, Massachusetts, calculated sick leave inaccurately for Newton, MA Local 863 fire fighters. This is the latest development in the four-year dispute over a sick-time policy in which Newton Mayor David Cohen alleged that fire fighters have been abusing sick leave. The report acquired by the Newton Tab says that fire fighters used an average of 12.34 sick days in 2002 - twice the actual amount. Fire fighters are awarded 7.5 sick days per year. In 2002, they used an average of 6.17 days. "This proves what we've been saying all along," Local 863 President Francis Capello Jr. told the Newton Tab. "We're not abusers of sick time. Our job - at times - takes a toll on us, but even with that said, we still don't use as much sick time as other departments in the city." The ongoing fight with Mayor Cohen stems from a sick-time policy requiring fire fighters to file notes from their doctors whenever they call in to use sick time. The sick leave provision is included in all Newton public employee contracts, but it's only being enforced for the fire fighters.
(Web Link)
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States' Pension Shortfalls Widen Amid an Increase in Tax Receipts
Wall Street Journal (02/28/07) P. A2; Cooper, Christopher

A new report from Standard & Poor's (S&P) reveals that states' unfunded pension liabilities are still rising even though tax receipts have been increasing. Overall, states had approximately $330 billion in unfunded pension obligations in fiscal 2005, roughly $45 billion more than compared to fiscal 2004. S&P notes that pension deficiencies have been on the rise and could boost borrowing costs for some states, but the ratio could slightly improve over the next few years as a result of improved investment gains in 2006 and possibly 2007. Robust investment gains suggest that states could make smaller cash contributions to pension funds, thus allowing more money to be distributed to other governmental obligations. State pensions in fiscal 2000 were funded on average at just above 100 percent of obligations, and later market sluggishness caused the ratio to stand at about 82 percent of anticipated liabilities. For fiscal 2004, the ratio was estimated by S&P to be at 83.5 percent. The disparity is the unfunded amount of anticipated liabilities, based on the existing workforce and benefit levels. The states with the largest unfunded obligations were Connecticut, Illinois, and Okalahoma, with disparities in the lower 40 percent range; the best position was realized by Florida, with obligations funded at 107.3 percent, seconded by North Carolina with a ratio of 106.5 percent.

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Firefighters union contract approved -- but with conditions
Indianapolis Star (03/13/07); Penner, Diana

Indianapolis, IN Local 416  fire fighters have approved a new union contract with the city and will receive progressively higher pay raises for three years, ending with a 5 percent boost in 2010 -- if state lawmakers approve Mayor Bart Peterson's legislative package, which includes merging the county's fire departments. The city's negotiators and about 90 percent of Indianapolis fire fighters have agreed to the contract. However, it is contingent upon legislative approval of the fire department merger, a second bill to allow the use of bonds to fund pension liabilities and a third measure that would give local government greater flexibility in how it funds public safety. All three measures must be approved in order for the firefighters' contract to go into effect, said Kobi Wright, the city's chief attorney. If lawmakers turn down all of the bills or approve only some of them, the contract would have to be reopened, he said. Firefighters who voted in favor of the collective bargaining agreement know it depends on the legislative approval, Wright said. "Beyond the 90 percent approval for the contract itself, I think the strong support is representative of the fact the city and local firefighters remain unified in achieving county-wide fire consolidation," Mayor Bart Peterson said in a written statement. Wright said the salary increases in the contract add up to about $20 million, and to fund that amount, the city must achieve the savings it projects will come with consolidation. The Indiana House has approved the consolidation bill, which now must be approved by the Senate, he said. About 675 members voted on the contract over a week's time earlier this month, said Ron Kautsky, Indianapolis district president of the firefighters' union. The union represents about 840 active firefighters and several hundred retirees whose pensions are tied to current salaries. Negotiations began last summer, and the firefighters' contract expired Dec. 31; they have been working under terms of their old contract since then. This year, some firefighters' salaries would be adjusted retroactively to Jan. 1 to bring them in line with officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Kautsky said. Those increases vary from person to person, depending on rank and years of experience, he said. They are not tied to a flat percentage increase. Firefighters would receive 3 percent raises in 2008 and 4 percent raises in 2009. The base salary of a third-year firefighter is currently about $51,000; in their first two years, firefighters are considered probationary and are not covered by the contract, Wright said. Peterson lauded the contract as a win for both sides. "This contract accounts for the difficult fiscal challenges the city faces but still provides well-deserved raises for firefighters and their families," he said.
(Web Link)
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Controversial Investigation In Baltimore Fire Fighter Probie Death Continues
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/07/07)

The controversy continues in the investigation of the February 9 live burn exercise that killed Baltimore, MD Local 734 member and fire recruit Racheal M. Wilson, 29. The Baltimore Examiner is reporting that Fire Department Chief William Goodwin new about the details of the training exercise before Wilson's death.
(Web Link)
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Fire Safety, Financial Arguments Made Before Council
Telegram & Gazette (02/28/07); Kotsopoulos, Nick

At the urging of Frank Raffa, president of Worcester, MA Local 1009, the Worcester City Council has referred a Fire Department redeployment plan to the Public Safety Committee. The March 12 meeting allows for further public discussion of the redeployment plan. Raffa's request came before the City Council at the end of February, and he was joined at the Council meeting by more than 100 off-duty fire fighters. City manager Michael V. O'Brien said Worcester's fiscal challenges mean that some changes need to be made at the city fire department. According to the plan, two of the 23 engine companies would be eliminated with the 24 line fire fighters from those companies moving on to the remaining companies. The overall staffing level would fall from 410 to 406 uniformed personnel. "We will not be able to effectively do our job under this plan," said Raffa. "All we ask for is the tools to enable us to do our jobs."
(Web Link)
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Fire union reaches out to kids
PJStar.com (03/06/07); Davis, Jennifer

Peoria, IL Local 50 hopes to start the Peoria Kids First Program, reaching out to high-risk students about the benefits of being a Peoria fire fighter: starting pay of $43,561 a year; great benefits; and no college degree required. "I think some kids who don't have the option of college view high school as four years of nonsense, so they drop out. Maybe some of them think, 'Why not go out and sell drugs and steal.' They don't see a future for themselves," said Local 50 President Tony Ardis. "We want them. We think if they have something positive to be involved with, they'll change."
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Push for Pension Fund
News 8 Austin (TX) (03/02/07); Hackleman, Reagan

Austin, TX Local 975 fire fighters are taking their pension fund fight to the state capitol. In 1995, the City of Austin committed to an annual 2 percent increase to the Austin Fire Department pension fund, but reneged on the agreement when the time came to renegotiate the contract a few years later. Mike Martinez, a former Austin fire fighter, is a City Council member today, and says he sympathizes with his former colleagues. "This is part of what we say to them, because of the service you provide, this is the guarantee we make to you when you retire we are going to take care of you," Martinez says. To take their case to the state capitol, the Austin Fire Department will have to obtain the City Council's support. If state lawmakers approve the bill, the City of Austin will have to pay the pension fund $1.5 million annually.
(Web Link)
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WFD's Wellness Program Keeps Firefighters Fit
Wilton Villager (CT)(03/02/2007); Adade, Audrey

The Wilton, Connecticut, Fire Department has experienced a decline in fire fighter injuries and sick time since the launch of its Wellness and Fitness Program. With fire fighting being one of the most stressful occupations, the fire department introduced the program last year to help limit heart attacks, heart disease, and other on-the-job injuries. The program gives Wilton, CT Local 2233 fire fighters an opportunity to improve their cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility and endurance, according to Lt. Michael Michelsen. "Fire fighters are able to practice things that require physical activity for a long time and exercise the heart for additional capacity when needed," he says. "It is designed to allow ourselves to be stress loaded." Many of the fire department's goals have been met thus far. The Wellness and Fitness Program is funded in part by a $105,000 grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security.

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A Heated Debate: Career Firefighters Clash With Volunteers Over Staffing, Training Stamford Advocate (CT) (03/04/07)

Stamford, Connecticut, is gathering data on Stamford Fire & Rescue and the City's five volunteer departments with hopes of gaining a better understanding of how prepared the city is to provide fire protection in all of its districts. The growing city does not know whether it has enough staff, equipment and resources because it has no jurisdiction over the five volunteer departments. While the City says the statistics, training data and information on coverage ultimately would help improve service, volunteer departments are suspicious that career fire fighters are trying to take over. According to Brendan Keatley, president of Stamford, CT Local 786, uniform response and coverage is needed. He adds that career fire fighters often arrive at the scene of a blaze and encounter volunteer fire fighters who they do not know and have no idea what level of training they have received. Moreover, Keatley notes that Stamford needs standards because it faces the greatest liability if a tragedy occurs. "There should be a standard and consistent level of staffing citywide, and there is not," says Keatley. Although Stamford has yet to receive the requested information from its volunteer fire departments, City officials remain optimistic that they can begin their study by the summer.
(Web Link)
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Deaths of Police Officers, Firefighters Highlights Need for Blood Supply Winnipeg Free Press (03/02/07); Owen, Bruce

Fire fighters, police and Canadian Blood Services hope that the launch of the 2007 Sirens for Life Blood Challenge will provide Winnipeg with the strong blood supply it needs. Members of Winnipeg Local 867 will compete with the WPS to see which service gets the most donors. Last year, fire fighters and paramedics won by a margin of 20 donors. Together, the two services produced a total of 246 donors. The public is also encouraged to donate. Martin Johnson, a Firefighters Burn Fund spokesman, reveals that approximately 100 burn survivors a year are treated with blood donations. The importance of a stable blood supply hits close to home -- two fire fighters were killed in February.
(Web Link)
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