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.

 

"IAFF Legislative Conference Webcast" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Democrats Offering Ambitious Agenda to Firefighter Union" (The Hill)
"Economic Crisis News Headlines " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Congressional Bill Looks at Firefighter Fatalities" (Firehouse.com)
"Oregon Cancer Presumption Heads to Governor's Desk" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighters Laud Rule Change on Lung Cancer Claims" (Surrey Leader)
"Fire Fighter Community Helps Chief's Daughter" (WCIV-TV)
"New Mexico Fire Fighters Close to Passing Presumptive Legislation " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Colorado Bill Would Let Police, Fire Fighters Bargain Collectively" (Denver Daily News)
"Costs of Proposed Standardized Firefighting Rules for Airports May End Up on Local Tax Bills" (Post-Crescent )
"Fire Fighters Blame Mayor's Budget Cuts for Collision" (Why It's Our City)
"Alabama Fire Fighters Help Elect New Mayor" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Seven Laid-Off Fire Fighters Reinstated in Uniontown" (TMC News)
"New Jersey Township Must Deliver Fire Fighter Uniforms " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"British Columbia Extends Invitation to 2009 World Police & Games " (2009wpfg.ca)
"Iowa City Names Female Fire Lieutenant" (Chicago Tribune)
"Former Flame Fights Fires" (Calgary Herald)
"Hero to Hero Canada Sends Shirts and Hats Overseas" (International Association of Fire Fighters)

IAFF Legislative Conference Webcast
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/16/09)

A webcast of the 2009 Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference is available on the IAFF web site. The annual Legislative Conference is the cornerstone of the IAFF's legislative efforts, and has led to significant victories on Capitol Hill -- largely as a result of the relationships that local IAFF leaders have formed with their elected officials.
(Web Link)
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Democrats Offering Ambitious Agenda to Firefighter Union
The Hill (03/16/09); Wilson, Reid

Lawmakers addressing the International Association of Fire Fighters annual convention promised to work for many of the issues important to fire fighters in the next session of Congress, including collective bargaining rights and more funding to fight forest fires. Vice President Joe Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) praised the fire fighters for their work, while Biden promised that the new government will “take bold action to ensure that as a community of fire fighters you are as strong as possible.” Pelosi and Biden said the Senate will take up the House-passed collective bargaining bill, which President Obama has said he supports. Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) said he plans to bring up the Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act, which would improve standards to reduce fire fighter deaths, and the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act, which would legally classify certain diseases contracted by fire fighters as job-related.
(Web Link)
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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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Congressional Bill Looks at Firefighter Fatalities
Firehouse.com (03/17/09)

Firefighters with the International Association of Fire Fighters visited the offices of two members of Congress to voice their support of the Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act of 2009.
(Web Link)
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Oregon Cancer Presumption Heads to Governor's Desk
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/11/09)

Oregon state legislation (HB 2420) that will expand the list of cancers presumed to be work related and covered under workers' compensation insurance for fire fighters is on its way to Governor Ted Kulongoski's desk.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Laud Rule Change on Lung Cancer Claims
Surrey Leader (03/14/09); Nagel, Jeff

Non-smoking fire fighters in Surrey, British Columbia, who contract lung cancer will now automatically be eligible for benefits, thanks to the passage of a new local law that classifies the disease as job-related. The law is retroactive to May 27, 2008, when the provincial government first began tackling the issue. Fire fighters are “elated,” says British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association President Michael Hurley, adding that many fire fighters who have been fighting for benefits can finally focus on getting better rather than dealing with legal disputes. The union is still pushing to have esophageal cancer included in the law as well, and many Democratic MLAs have said they would support such an amendment. Lung cancer is the ninth form of cancer added to the list of job-related diseases for fire fighters, and Labour minister Iain Black says British Columbia has, in five years, gone from not recognizing any cancers as job-related to being a leader on the issue in Canada.
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighter Community Helps Chief's Daughter
WCIV-TV (03/14/09)

Charleston County, South Carolina Fire Department Battalion Chief John Poston is witnessing firsthand the love and respect of his fellow fire fighters as members band together to help Poston's daughter, Jennifer, pay for cancer treatment. The department held a special fundraiser on March 14 to help cover some of Jennifer's medical expenses, which already amount to $30,000 and will likely grow as she seeks treatment for melanoma. "Money is tight for a lot of people and they're still willing to open their checkbooks and wallets and they don't even know me," says Jennifer. "It means a lot that they would do this for me and that they respect my dad enough to do this for him." Jennifer, whose prognosis is good, also has the support of Charleston, SC Local 61, of which her father is a member.
(Web Link)
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New Mexico Fire Fighters Close to Passing Presumptive Legislation
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/12/09)

New Mexico state legislation (SB 303), which will presume 11 cancers and five infectious diseases are work-related for fire fighters, has passed the state senate and moved on to the appropriate house committees.
(Web Link)
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Colorado Bill Would Let Police, Fire Fighters Bargain Collectively
Denver Daily News (03/19/09); Marcus, Peter

The debate concerning collective bargaining is heating up again -- with sights set on local police and fire fighters. Senator Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton), has introduced legislation that would grant fire fighters and law enforcement officers the right to form a union and bargain collectively. Several Colorado cities and towns already give officers and fire fighters the right to collective bargaining. Denver has allowed both its police and fire fighters to do so for more than a decade. The Colorado Professional Fire Fighters association says the measure is about fairness and equality, not pay raises and draining local budgets. "SB 180 creates a fair process for public safety employees and public employers to present their concerns and evidence to each other or to a neutral in an effort to reach an agreement," states the union in a letter to lawmakers. "If those efforts fail, the voters have the final authority over the compensation, hours and working conditions of their fire fighters and law enforcement officers."  
(Web Link)
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Costs of Proposed Standardized Firefighting Rules for Airports May End Up on Local Tax Bills
Post-Crescent (03/14/09); Squires, Susan

A bill currently making its way through Congress may require airports to have enough fire fighters on hand to respond in two minutes -- the National Fire Protection Association standard -- rather than the current three-minute requirement. Airports complain that the extra cost would put them out of business, but the International Association of Fire Fighters says the rule is a good idea. Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards are “worse than any other agency’s airport safety standards,” says Appleton, WI Local 257 President Mike Woodzicka. Currently, airport fire fighters are responsible for clearing runways so that passengers can exit, but not for actually rescuing passengers from planes, and the bill would change that as well.
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighters Blame Mayor's Budget Cuts for Collision
Why It's Our City (03/20/09); Tu, Alan

The Philadelphia's firefighters' union blamed the mayor's recent budget cuts to the fire department for the reason two fire trucks collided in Center City March 19. The collision at 8th and Lombard streets injured nine fire fighters and one other person. Brian McBride the president of the Philadelphia firefighters union IAFF Local 22, said when Mayor Michael Nutter announced he would shut down five fire engine companies and two ladder companies last November he increased the risk for accidents like this one.
(Web Link)
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Alabama Fire Fighters Help Elect New Mayor
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/13/09)

With the endorsement and campaign support from Montgomery, AL Local 1444, Todd Strange recently became the City's new mayor with 53 percent of the vote. A special election was called after the incumbent mayor, Bobby Bright, vacated his seat after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. When it came to supporting a candidate, Local 1444 President Ronnie Howard Bozeman, Jr., said the choice was obvious. "We sent Strange a questionnaire to determine how he stood on issues important to fire fighters," says Bozeman. "He answered all questions well."
(Web Link)
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Seven Laid-Off Fire Fighters Reinstated in Uniontown
TMC News (03/13/09); Zemba, Liz

Seven laid-off Fayette County fire fighters were to return to work today with full pay and benefits after an arbitration hearing. The seven fire fighters were among 41 employees the city laid off in October and February. The city says it is broke as it struggles to pay bills left over from a previous administration, including a $700,000 tax anticipation loan and $300,000 in unpaid bills. Joshua Bloom, attorney for the fire fighters, said the agreement marks a starting point for the city and fire fighters to begin working together.
(Web Link)
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New Jersey Township Must Deliver Fire Fighter Uniforms
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/12/09)

A Middlesex County, New Jersey, Superior Court judge has ordered Edison Township to supply missing protective station uniforms immediately to Edison Township Local 1197 fire fighters. The Township was also found in contempt of court for failing to uphold an arbitrator's decision that the town is required to fire fighters with the uniforms. "We thought the ruling was very fair," says Robert Yackel, president of Local 1197. "We should not have to go to court to receive uniforms required by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration and mandated by our contract."
(Web Link)
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British Columbia Extends Invitation to 2009 World Police & Games
2009wpfg.ca

Experience the thrill and excitement of the 2009 World Police & Fire Games July 31-August 9 in British Columbia. This international sporting event, open to all full-time or retired fire fighters, law enforcement, customs and correctional officers around the world, features more than 12,000 athletes competing in more than 60 sports at approximately 40 venues across the Mainland and Sea to Sky regions of British Columbia.  Held every two years, these Games were established in 1985 by the Californian Police Athletics Federation. The Games bring together the emergency services community for 10 days of sport, comradeship and competition.
(Web Link)
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Iowa City Names Female Fire Lieutenant
Chicago Tribune (03/24/09); Keppler, Carla

Iowa City Fire Lt. Tina McDermott was so set on becoming a fire fighter that she acquired her certification as an emergency medical technician before she even graduated from high school. When she had earned a bachelor's degree in fire science management at Western Illinois University, she hit the ground running. Now, at 27, McDermott is the first female lieutenant in the Iowa City Fire Department and one of only 38 female fire fighters in the state, including only one other lieutenant.  
(Web Link)
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Former Flame Fights Fires
Calgary Herald (03/14/09); Fortney, Valerie

After nearly a decade in the NHL -- playing for such teams as the Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames -- being in the limelight is second nature to Brad Ference. But the native Calgarian chose last year to trade in his hockey jersey for a new kind of uniform, that worn by our city's fire fighters, as well as trading a life in the limelight for one behind the scenes. "I always knew I wanted to do something like this rather than retire to a desk job," says the 29-year-old just before he takes his place with his fellow 24 recruits who are graduating.
(Web Link)
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Hero to Hero Canada Sends Shirts and Hats Overseas
International Association of Fire Fighters (03/23/09)

>From Kamloops, British Columbia, to Kennebecasis Valley, New Brunswick, Canadian emergency service personnel donated 2,000 shirts off their backs and 450 hats off their heads to send to Canadian troops overseas. Sarnia, ON Local 492 member Kevin McHarg has been organizing the Canadian Hero to Hero program since it began three years ago. "It has been extremely gratifying to watch this program grow," says McHarg, a 28-year veteran fire fighter. "We shipped 228 shirts in 2007 and 1,200 shirts in 2008. And, we nearly doubled last year's number this year." McHarg attributes most of Hero to Hero Canada's popularity to word of mouth, the T-shirt collection tour and special speaking engagements, such as the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Convention.
(Web Link)
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