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.

 

"Obama Administration Supports Providence Fire Fighters" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"House Panel Approves Obama SAFER Funding Proposal" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Fire Fighters Most Trusted" (Reuters )
"Economic Crisis News Headlines" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Register for the World Police & Fire Games" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Governor Betrays Colorado Fire Fighters" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Rockingham Fire Chief Continues Vendetta Against Fire Fighters" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Lehigh Fire Fighters Take Battle to the Streets" (WPRI )
"IAFF EMS Conference Kicks Off in Miami" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Bosses' Pay Riles Orlando Workers Who Might Be Laid Off" (Orlando Sentinel)
"Cal/OSHA Adopts New Standard for Airborne Diseases" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Contra Costa Local Seeks Support From Fire Fighters of Shorter Stature" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"DOJ Accepting Nominations for Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"PA Professional Fire Fighters Association Is First State Association in Nation to Offer Smoking Cessation Program" (PR Newswire)
"Kenosha Officials Spend a Day in the Life of a Fire Fighter" (Kenosha News)
"Barrie Local Credits New Firehall to Political Action" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"NFPA Releases Fire Fighter Injury Report" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Two Federal Fire Fighters Catch Swine Flu in Hawaii" (KGMB)
"City to Host Hot Contest for Firefighters" (Charleston Daily Mail (WV))

Obama Administration Supports Providence Fire Fighters
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/05/09)

The IAFF thanked the Obama administration for honoring the picket line planned for the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Annual Meeting June 12-16 in Providence, Rhode Island. Providence Local 799 Fire Fighters - along with members of the Rhode Island Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Rhode Island AFL-CIO and many of its affiliate unions - will walk picket lines throughout the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting to protest Mayor David Cicilline's treatment of fire fighters. "We appreciate the Obama administration's support of fire fighters. This is another example of the administration's unqualified support for workers and organized labor," IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said.
(Web Link)
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House Panel Approves Obama SAFER Funding Proposal
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/09/09)

The U.S. House of Representatives has taken the first step toward increasing funding for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants in 2010 by providing $420 million for the program in a draft appropriations bill. The bill, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010, was approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. 
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighters Most Trusted
Reuters (06/05/09)

Fire fighters are the most trusted professionals in Europe and the United States, and politicians the least, with bank employees considerably less trusted than a year ago, according to a survey. After a year in which much of the world slid into recession led by a crisis in the financial sector, just 37 percent of respondents to a survey by market research institute GfK said they trusted bankers, compared with 45 percent a year ago. Fire fighters were trusted by 92 percent of respondents, and politicians by 18 percent.
(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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Register for the World Police & Fire Games
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/05/09)

Don't miss your chance to experience the World Police & Fire Games, scheduled for July 31-August 9, 2009, in British Columbia, Canada. June 15 is the last day to register without paying a $25 late fee. More than 9,200 athletes have registered to compete in 63 sports at 40 venues across British Columbia. This international sporting event, open to all full-time or retired fire fighters, law enforcement and customs and correctional officers around the world, brings together the emergency services community for 10 days of sport, comradeship and competition.
(Web Link)
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Governor Betrays Colorado Fire Fighters
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/05/09)

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has vetoed a bill that would have given fire fighters collective bargaining rights without local government approval. Senate Bill 180, which passed the state legislature in May, would have given fire fighters' unions with a minimum of 50 employees equal negotiating status with management in decisions on pay, benefits and working conditions -- but not the right to strike. "Every day, Colorado's fire fighters risk their lives to protect the public, but Governor Ritter has refused to stand up for them," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "Despite making campaign promises to support fire fighters, he has turned his back on the men and women who risk their lives for others. This veto is a rejection of the labor movement's core philosophy and robs fire fighters across the state of having a voice in their safety."
(Web Link)
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Rockingham Fire Chief Continues Vendetta Against Fire Fighters
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/09/09)

Rockingham Fire Chief Charles Gardner has fired Rockingham, NC Local 4702 President Robbie Barber, the second union member fired since Rockingham fire fighters formed Local 4702. Attorneys representing Rockingham fire fighters filed the Fair Labor Standards Act lawsuit seeking unpaid wages in the federal district court for the Middle District of North Carolina on March 13. Since then, Chief Gardner has engaged in a pattern of retaliation and abuse against members of Rockingham Local 4702.
(Web Link)
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Lehigh Fire Fighters Take Battle to the Streets
WPRI (06/06/09); Soens, Darren

Fire fighters took their battle to the streets of Lehigh Acres with big signs and flyers in an effort to save their jobs and to save lives. They plan to keep it up all week, they said. Dozens of fire fighters, many of whom have already been told they have lost their jobs or face layoffs, waved signs asking the public to help save their jobs. Chief Don Adams announced last week that nine fire fighters and two administrative office workers would not have job in four weeks. He also called in another 30 to tell them they would be facing layoffs next month, too. He has a list ready for the next 30. He said employees are being laid off according to the length of time they have been with the department.
(Web Link)
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IAFF EMS Conference Kicks Off in Miami
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/08/09)

IAFF members from the United States and Canada are in Miami, Florida, this week for the 10th Biennial Dominick F. Barbera EMS Conference. This year's theme, "Leading Through a Crisis: EMS and the Current Economy," addresses the ongoing recession and its effect on IAFF members and fire-based EMS. Welcoming members to the conference, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger explained that the best defense against dangerous resource cuts and budget reductions is political action. "Elections do make a difference," he said. "We must always remind ourselves that the most effective way to ensure we have a seat at the table when decisions are made about our profession, about EMS integration and about an all-hazards approach is by educating the public and electing to office those who'll embrace our views, and working to defeat those who don't have our interests at heart."
(Web Link)
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Bosses' Pay Riles Orlando Workers Who Might Be Laid Off
Orlando Sentinel (06/08/09); Schlueb, Mark

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer wants city employees to tighten their belts to avoid a $43.5 million budget deficit, but some workers say top managers' belts aren't getting tight enough. Dyer has 88 "appointed" positions -- including the highest-paid staffers on the payroll -- under his control. He has ordered them to give up next year's pay raise, take a weeklong unpaid furlough and give up some perks, which together amount to about a 6 percent pay cut. Dyer, paid $156,205, would take the same cut. To some lower-level workers, particularly those who would be laid off under Dyer's plan, it seems like a token sacrifice. Hit with falling revenue and rising costs, Dyer has proposed shedding more than 10 percent of the city's work force, including laying off 222 employees. The layoffs would hit most departments, including cops and fire fighters.
(Web Link)
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Cal/OSHA Adopts New Standard for Airborne Diseases
International Association of Fire Fighters (05/28/09)

In an historic action on May 21, 2009, flanked by a room full of unionized workers - including representatives from the IAFF and California Professional Firefighters (CPF) - the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved the adoption of a new Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Disease (ATD) Standard by a unanimous 6-0 vote. "I congratulate our California members, and all within organized labor, for working with Cal/OSHA to implement this first-in-the nation workplace standard designed to protect workers from airborne transmitted diseases," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "The IAFF is committed to working to address this important worker protection issue throughout North America. The IAFF has joined a number of other labor unions and the AFL-CIO to petition the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to address this issue, and will continue efforts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to scientifically address the proper respirators needed to protect against exposure to aerosolized infectious diseases.
(Web Link)
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Contra Costa Local Seeks Support From Fire Fighters of Shorter Stature
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/03/09)

Contra Costa County, CA Local 1230 is encouraging fire fighters across Northern California to attend a June 25 fire district meeting to speak out against a Rodeo-Hercules Fire District board member for questioning the ability of 5'2" women to be fire fighters. "It is our intent to have fire fighters there to speak out against these statements," says Wells. "We want as many women and fire fighters of shorter stature as possible there for support."
(Web Link)
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DOJ Accepting Nominations for Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor
International Association of Fire Fighters (05/29/09)

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is accepting nominations for the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor. This medal is the highest national award that can be bestowed on a civilian public safety officer. It is awarded by the president of the United States to officers who have exhibited extraordinary courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life. 
(Web Link)
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PA Professional Fire Fighters Association Is First State Association in Nation to Offer Smoking Cessation Program
PR Newswire (06/02/09)

The Professional Fire Fighters Association of Pennsylvania (PPFFA) is to become the first fire fighters state organization in the country to implement a smoking termination program for its members. The tobacco-free initiative coincides with the possible passage of HB 1231, legislation awaiting a vote in the state House that would guarantee access to cancer treatment for afflicted fire fighters. "Today PPFFA ... takes an important step forward in proactively protecting the health of fire fighters by becoming the first union in Pennsylvania to attempt to become tobacco free," announced PPFFA President Art Martynuska on June 2.
(Web Link)
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Kenosha Officials Spend a Day in the Life of a Fire Fighter
Kenosha News (06/01/09); Hornickel, Mark

Kenosha, WI Local 414 gave elected officials and media a chance to spend a day as a fire fighter, participating in live fire fighting and EMS scenarios. "I think the average citizen knows very little about what actually goes on," said Jeff Weidner, Local 414 president, who led the event. "They drive by the fire station, they see the guys washing a truck. Maybe they went with their kids on a tour ... but in reality, there's a lot more to it."  
(Web Link)
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Barrie Local Credits New Firehall to Political Action
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/09/09)

After numerous delays, the City of Barrie, Ontario, is finally getting funds for a new firehall and emergency operations centre, thanks to political action by Barrie, ON Local 1753. Funding for the project was announced June 5 by local member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Brown, member of Provincial Parliament Aileen Carroll and Barrie Mayor Dave Aspden. The cost of the $14 million building will be split between the federal provincial and local governments.
(Web Link)
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NFPA Releases Fire Fighter Injury Report
International Association of Fire Fighters (06/03/09)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released an analysis of fire fighter injury data from the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The analysis was undertaken to examine factors that are beyond the scope of the results obtained in the annual NFPA injury survey.
(Web Link)
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Two Federal Fire Fighters Catch Swine Flu in Hawaii
KGMB (05/29/09); Sakahara, Tim

Nine more people in Hawaii have the swine flu. In all 800 people have been tested. A total of 82 people in Hawaii have caught swine flu. Two of them are federal fire fighters. Now its union is complaining not enough is being done to prevent the swine flue from spreading to first responders.
(Web Link)
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City to Host Hot Contest for Firefighters
Charleston Daily Mail (WV) (06/05/09); Bailey, Cara

More than 250 fire fighters from West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and other areas of the country will convene in Charleston, West Virginia, September 11-12 for the Firefighter Combat Challenge, touted as the "toughest two minutes in sports." Charleston, WV Local 317 President Myron Boggess was instrumental in helping the city land the event, expected to bring in more than $440,000 in revenue. The fire fighter says he has watched the event on television in previous years and has always wanted to compete, and now has the opportunity to do so in his own city. "Now that I'm older, I'm not looking forward to it as much, but I'm still going to give it a shot," says Boggess, who will join the competition with about 15 other fire fighters from his department. To finish the challenge, a fire fighter must run up a five-story building in full gear carrying a 45-pound hose over his or her shoulder, then drop the hose down the side, pull another hose up the side of the building, and descend the stairs. At the bottom, the fire fighter pounds a keiser sled with a sledgehammer to simulate breaking through a roof and moves the sled five feet, after which he or she must run through a number of hydrants, move a charged hose 75 feet, and turn it on and blast a target, all within a projected time of two minutes.
(Web Link)
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