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.
 

"Riley selects Carr to be new Charleston Fire Chief " (Charleston Post & Courier)
"IAFF Legislative Achievements Mark Session's End" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Vehicle Accidents: Deadly But Preventable" (International Fire Fighter)
"Florida Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Fire Fighter in Hepatitis Case" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Ruling Restores Minimum Staffing for Airport Rescue Fire Fighters" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Contentious 47 Pulled, Leaving Fight Over 'Right to Work'" (The Coloradoan)
"Lifetime Bond: Fire Fighter Still Close With Child He Saved" (Northwest Arkansas Times)
"IAFF Monitoring IRS Review of Retirement Eligibility Standards" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Arizona Local Gains Meet and Confer" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Pennsylvania Fire Fighter Reinstated" (The Patriot News)
"Former Union President Becomes Fire Chief in Alberta" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Amid Partisan Gridlock, IAFF Scores 11th Hour Legislative Victory " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"EMT Fight Continues" (Hackensack Chronicle)
"Council Approves Fire Fighter Raises" (The Times Picayune)
"Dodd, Collins Recognize Fire Prevention Week" (Norwalk Plus)
"IAFF National Children's Burn Camp Helps Teen Burn Survivors" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighter Fitness Program Pairs Trainers and Peers" (News-Gazette)
"Massachusetts Local President Deployed to Iraq" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighters Union Wants State to Force Collective Bargaining" (Frederick News-Post (MD))
"Fire Fighters Union Censures Two Officials" (The Times Picayune)
"Newport Firefighters, City in Arbitration Over Contract" (Providence Journal (RI))
"Gary Cops, Firefighters Bailing Out of Jobs" (Post-Tribune (IN))
"Firefighter Causes Promoted at Forum" (State-Journal (KY))
"Timing Lousy for Emergency Communications Plan" (Washington Times)
"Mayor Proposes Change to Fire Fighter Pensions" (The Journal Star)
"Tune in to the FireLine Radio Show" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Labor Report--Local 92 on the Campaign Trail" (WNWO NBC24 (Ohio))
"Filipino American TV to Feature History-Making Beach Firefighter" (Hampton Roads News)
"Firefighters Putting More Priority on Saving Pets" (KSL NewsRadio 1160 (Utah))
 

Riley selects Carr to be new Charleston Fire Chief
Charleston Post & Courier (09/28/08); Smith, Glenn

Mayor Joe Riley on Monday selected Maryland Fire Chief Thomas Carr to lead the Charleston Fire Department as it attempts to rebuild and modernize in the wake of last year's deadly Sofa Super Store blaze. Riley chose Carr, 54, from a field of seven candidates, all veteran firefighters from across the Southeast. Carr, chief of Montgomery County (Maryland) Fire and Rescue Service, emerged as a leading contender early on. He has local ties, a reputation as an innovative leader and leads a department considerably larger than Charleston's. Several fire service veterans have said it would be a coup for Charleston to get Carr as its new chief.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Legislative Achievements Mark Session's End
International Association of Fire Fighters (10/06/08)

The final days of any two-year congressional session are always chaotic, but the need to rescue of the nation's financial markets and the hotly contested November elections combined to make the conclusion of the 110th Congress particularly challenging. Despite the long odds, the IAFF achieved a number of significant victories in the closing days of the session, including increasing funding for SAFER and FIRE Act grants, promoting adoption of fire fighter health and safety standards, securing disaster assistance funds to help communities recover from Hurricane Ike, and protecting threatened federal fire fighter jobs. Congress also successfully passed a short-term patch to protect fire fighters from the alternative minimum tax (AMT). "By passing these important initiatives, this Congress once again demonstrated its commitment to the IAFF and its members," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "The IAFF has worked with its friends in the 110th Congress to enact crucial fire fighter legislation, starting with H.R. 1 in its first week. These final achievements place on emphatic explanation point on a very successful session."
(Web Link)
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Vehicle Accidents: Deadly But Preventable
International Fire Fighter (September-October 2008)

"Working to Death" is a series of articles in the International Fire Fighter that examine the health risks fire fighters face. More importantly, the series looks at what can be done to prevent fire fighter deaths and illustrates how some are improving the health and safety of fire fighters.
(Web Link)
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Florida Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Fire Fighter in Hepatitis Case
International Association of Fire Fighters (10/01/08)

The Florida Supreme Court ruled September 25 in favor of an Orlando, FL Local 1365 fire fighter in a fight to establish that his hepatitis was contracted on the job. The decision, which will likely have sweeping impact on first responders with HVC and other infectious diseases, comes after nearly eight years of litigation by the IAFF and Local 1365 on behalf of Robert Flamily. Sadly, Flamily died May 22, 2007. Following his death, Flamily's daughter continued the battle on behalf of his estate.
(Web Link)
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Ruling Restores Minimum Staffing for Airport Rescue Fire Fighters
International Association of Fire Fighters (10/01/08)

An arbitrator has ruled that the Air Force Material Command (AFMC) headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, violated provisions of a labor agreement between the IAFF and the Command by reducing staffing last year. The arbitrator determined that the Command did not have the authority to reduce staffing on Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) equipment required by Department of Defense (DoD) policy and that the employer must either return to previous staffing levels or apply for a waiver from DoD. In the decision, the arbitrator agreed with the IAFF's position and held that the Command violated DoD policy and the governing provisions of the labor contracts which required it to adhere to pertinent regulations and policies.
(Web Link)
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Contentious 47 Pulled, Leaving Fight Over 'Right to Work'
The Coloradoan (10/05/08); Ferrier, Pat

Business and labor averted a November 4 showdown that could have changed labor relations in Colorado forever. At the heart of the dispute was Amendment 47, commonly referred to as the "right to work" amendment. Put on the ballot by a group spearheaded by Jonathan Coors, the amendment sparked four union-backed countermeasures that some said would bring economic Armageddon to Colorado. Labor agreed to pull the four amendments (Amendments 53, 55, 56 and 57) off the ballot in exchange for business' help defeating Amendments 47, 49 and 54, which target unions.
(Web Link)
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Lifetime Bond: Fire Fighter Still Close With Child He Saved
Northwest Arkansas Times (09/29/08); Tracy, Dustin

After the little girl he saved from a burning crib was in the air on her way to the hospital, Marty Powers, a Fayetteville fire fighter, didn't know if he'd ever see her again.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Monitoring IRS Review of Retirement Eligibility Standards
International Association of Fire Fighters (09/25/08)

IAFF Governmental Relations staff has been working with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to ensure that an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) review that began in 2007 of requirements concerning the appropriate age at which public employees may qualify for a service retirement doesn't negatively affect public safety workers. Under the proposed regulations, normal retirement age for most workers would range from between 55-62, but a special provision for public safety officers permits a normal retirement age as low as 50. However, the newly proposed regulation from the IRS has called into question the use of years of service to determine eligibility for a full pension benefit. For example, under the new regulation, a system that allows fire fighters to retire at the completion of 25 years of service, regardless of age, could run afoul of the new IRS-proposed regulations.
(Web Link)
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Arizona Local Gains Meet and Confer
International Association of Fire Fighters (09/30/08)

Perseverance has paid off for the members of Buckeye, AZ Local 4311. After months of lobbying by the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona (PFFA) and Local 4311, the Buckeye Town Council voted in favor of an ordinance granting fire fighters the right to meet and confer.
(Web Link)
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Pennsylvania Fire Fighter Reinstated
The Patriot News (09/24/08); Luciew, John

A fired Harrisburg fire fighter was ordered reinstated by an independent arbitrator, who also granted the fire fighter two years of back pay. Joseph K. Williams, a 12-year veteran, said he is looking forward to being back on the job. "I'm just thankful I can go back to work and serve the citizens of Harrisburg," he said. Williams was dismissed September 28, 2006, after being accused of misconduct and insubordination for refusing to attend a department hearing.
(Web Link)
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Former Union President Becomes Fire Chief in Alberta
International Association of Fire Fighters (09/29/08)

For the first time ever, Fort McMurray, Alberta, has appointed a former union president fire chief. Bob Makey served as Fort McMurray Local 2494 president from 1995-2005.
(Web Link)
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Amid Partisan Gridlock, IAFF Scores 11th Hour Legislative Victory
International Association of Fire Fighters (09/25/08)

Despite continuing partisan wrangling ahead of the November elections, legislation strengthening the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is on the verge of becoming law. Both chambers of Congress have voted to pass S. 2606, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008. The legislation, sponsored by Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate and Representative Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) in the House, includes key IAFF recommendations to expand and improve USFA's training activities, improve fire fighter safety and better serve the needs of the modern fire service. The legislation also authorizes funding to improve USFA's data collection efforts through the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) to better identify fire safety trends.
(Web Link)
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EMT Fight Continues
Hackensack Chronicle (09/25/08); Bonamo, Mark J.

Lawyers representing union officials who are fighting the transfer of daytime emergency ambulance service from the fire department to Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) have requested that a state judge hold City officials in contempt, stating that they went against a September 12 court ruling prohibiting them from privatizing the ambulance service. Union officials and their lawyers were unable to stop the September 14 layoffs of the eight emergency medical technicians (EMTs) after Superior Court Judge Menelaos Toskos ruled that the City was within its rights to go forward with the dismissals. The latest legal skirmish in the battle between the City of Hackensack and union officials over the fate of the eight EMTs came in the aftermath of another contentious City Council meeting. 
(Web Link)
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Council Approves Fire Fighter Raises
The Times Picayune (10/03/08); Eggler, Bruce

The New Orleans City Council approved a package of long-disputed raises for fire fighters that Mayor Ray Nagin's administration opposed. The raises, approved by the city's Civil Service Commission in June, will increase the base pay for all members of the Fire Department by 10.45 percent, starting December 1. Leaders of the fire fighters union told the council in July that the 10.45 percent raises recommended by the Civil Service Commission would still leave their members below the regional average.
(Web Link)
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Dodd, Collins Recognize Fire Prevention Week
Norwalk Plus (10/01/08)

The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that designates October 5-11 "Fire Prevention Week." Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), both long-time advocates of fire safety, introduced the resolution. "The designation of Fire Prevention Week helps support the efforts of fire fighters throughout the nation to educate families on fire prevention and safety," says Collins, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. The International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Congressional Fire Services Institute were among the fire fighter organizations backing the resolution. "The brave work of our nation's fire fighters to save lives through fire prevention deserves our strongest support," adds Dodd, who chairs the Congressional Fire Services Caucus with Collins.
(Web Link)
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IAFF National Children's Burn Camp Helps Teen Burn Survivors
International Association of Fire Fighters (10/03/08)

The IAFF Burn Foundation hosted the annual National Children's Burn Camp September 27-October 3 in Washington, DC. The trademark event, which has won accolades from the American Burn Association and other burn organizations around the nation, was developed in partnership with regional burn camp directors. More than 40 campers, all 13-15-year-old burn survivors, descended on the Nation's Capitol accompanied by their burn camp counselors -- IAFF members nominated by their respective regional burn camps and approved by their affiliate presidents.
(Web Link)
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Firefighter Fitness Program Pairs Trainers and Peers
News-Gazette (09/28/08); Monson, Mike

Fire fighters in Champaign, Illinois, are getting into shape with the help of a unique fitness program. The peer-fitness-trainer program is inspired by a national model promoted by the International Association of Fire Fighters. Since the program was implemented in Champaign, worker's compensation claims for City fire fighters have fallen from an average of $244,000 a year to $137,000 in 2006-07. Under the deal negotiated in 2004 contract talks with the City, fire fighters receive bonuses when claims come in below the five-year average.
(Web Link)
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Massachusetts Local President Deployed to Iraq
International Association of Fire Fighters (09/30/08)

Springfield, MA Local 648 President Dave Wells is among the latest to be deployed to Iraq. Wells is a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force Reserves. His unit is stationed at the Kirkuk Regional Air Base. While in Kirkuk, Wells is serving as fire chief, managing 39 fire fighters, many of whom are also IAFF members.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Union Wants State to Force Collective Bargaining
Frederick News-Post (MD) (10/03/08); Tully, Meg

Frederick County, MD Local 3666 is asking Maryland lawmakers to require collective bargaining with the county that would be open to factors other than wages and benefits. The General Assembly passed a law in 2006 allowing for such negotiations, but the county has refused to enter into them due to pending lawsuits. Nine lawsuits were filed by fire fighters, seeking $100 million in damages and alleging pay disparities and unfair promotional practices.

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Fire Fighters Union Censures Two Officials
The Times Picayune (10/07/08); Rainey, Richard

Pointing to dwindling staff, stalled negotiations and the response to Hurricane Gustav, the Jefferson Parish Firefighters Association has censured two officials within Parish President Aaron Broussard's administration. The association, with 225 members making up most of the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department, unanimously voted no confidence in interim Fire Chief David Saunders and his boss, Homeland Security Director Deano Bonano. While little more than an outward gesture of frustration, the vote escalates 10 months of political rancor that followed the union's initial threat in December to target Bonano and Saunders.

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Newport Firefighters, City in Arbitration Over Contract
Providence Journal (RI) (09/30/08); Salit, Richard

Newport, Rhode Island, fire fighters hope to settle their dispute with the City over a labor contract in early 2009, according to David Hanos, president of Newport, RI Local 1088. The two sides are in arbitration once again over pay and benefits after reaching an impasse a few months ago, following the city's rejection of the union's offer at that time. The fire fighters are open to negotiating a long-term contract, according to Hanos. However, "We can't be expected to take a pay cut," says Hanos. "We understand times are tough but with the cost of everything going up, this is our livelihood, this is how we make our living."
(Web Link)
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Gary Cops, Firefighters Bailing Out of Jobs
Post-Tribune (IN) (09/29/08); Caldwell, Lori

Since early June, 11 fire fighters have exited Gary, Indiana's fire department. Some have resigned or retired; some have transferred to other departments; and others have moved to private-industry positions. Pay reductions, threatened layoffs and additional fallout from Gary's economic crisis are causing more stress for fire professionals. While a judge ordered Gary to keep fire fighters' pay at 100 percent, Gary, IN Local 359 President Raynard Robinson noted his check in mid-September was short $371. Fire Chief Jeff Ward stated the paychecks had already been processed when Gary found out about Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins' decision mandating pay be returned to 100 percent. Hawkins' ruling, though, is a temporary measure. City and union officials will pursue the issue in another court, where a final decision will be given, although probably not until sometime in October. Robinson stated that "at least 18" fire fighters are applying at area steel mills, and the department is already down 46 positions from its total complement.
(Web Link)
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Firefighter Causes Promoted at Forum
State-Journal (KY) (09/25/08); Zambenini, John

Frankfort, KY Local 1017 used a forum on September 24 for City Commission candidates to voice its concerns and plans and to hear from candidates. The requests included additional staff, improved allocation of Frankfort's resources in the area of public safety, and the ability to "meet and confer" with Frankfort officials concerning fire fighter issues. Union President Gary Gebhart noted that the union feels that to "meet and confer" would be good both for fire fighters and City officials. Fire fighters stated during the exchange with candidates that there is a stigma connected with "meet and confer," which some people believe could result in collective bargaining for the union. Commission candidates gave support for the possibility of "meet and confer."
(Web Link)
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Timing Lousy for Emergency Communications Plan
Washington Times (09/25/08); Dunbar, John

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning a second vote on a proposal to establish a nationwide emergency communications network using private funds. The action comes several months after private investors passed on underwriting the plan, saying at the time that it was not specific enough and was too risky a venture to sink billions of dollars into. The vote is on a revised FCC plan that addresses these shortcomings and makes the network less risky to potential investors. Under the proposal, the minimum bid for a national license is cut by half, and requirements on a timetable for the bidder to build the network have been relaxed. Bidders would also be allowed to bid on regional licenses instead of a single, national license. The network would be used by fire fighters and other first responders in the event of a national emergency or disaster.
(Web Link)
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Mayor Proposes Change to Fire Fighter Pensions
The Journal Star (10/02/08); Winter, Deena

When you're the head of the fire fighters union, you get a lot of phone calls. Like the one Dave Engler received from a retired fire fighter who was having trouble making ends meet on his pension. "I can't live off this," the retiree told Engler, president of the local union. "I get these retirees and they're like, 'My whole pension check goes toward health insurance,'" Engler said. "Most people would be surprised to hear what our former public servants are living off of." Engler hopes to get fewer calls like that in the future if the City Council signs off on a labor agreement reached by his union and the mayor's office. Lincoln fire fighters agreed to forgo salary increases this year in exchange for annual cost-of-living increases, or COLAs, to their pensions.
(Web Link)
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Tune in to the FireLine Radio Show
International Association of Fire Fighters

Don't miss a brand new radio show dedicated to fire fighter issues and hosted by Atlanta, GA Local 134 fire fighters Jim Daws and Jeff Hayes. FireLine explores fire service operations, safety, training, tools, equipment, labor issues and politics. The show also features expert guests and personalities from throughout the fire service, as well as a look at the lighter side of fire fighting. Each broadcast includes a brief memorial for those who die in the line of duty each week, firehouse politics, equipment topics and, of course food, as well as many other topics. Call-ins are welcomed. The FireLine Radio Show airs every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on 1620 AM and live and is archived on the Internet at www.radiosandysprings.com.
(Web Link)
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Labor Report--Local 92 on the Campaign Trail
WNWO NBC24 (Ohio) (10/01/08); Taylor, Jennifer

Members of Toledo, OH Local 92 spoke recently with Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, expressing concerns about the economy and the need for stable work. "The stuff that faces us locally is basically the same things that the country is facing. We need the economy to move forward not backwards. We need jobs," said Local 92 Captain James Martin.
(Web Link)
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Filipino American TV to Feature History-Making Beach Firefighter
Hampton Roads News (10/02/08); Frankenberry, Rita

Since she was 19, Kathleen Simpao of Virginia Beach, Virginia, has wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father, uncles and stepsister and become a fire fighter. Such a dream can be difficult to have for many Filipinas like Simpao, because some traditional Filipino families do not support their children's choice of a public service career because of their concerns about safety and their unfamiliarity with the way public service departments operate. However, Simpao said her family has been incredibly supportive because it knows so many fire fighters. With the help of her family, Simpao was able to achieve her dream, becoming the first Filipina fire fighter in Virginia Beach when she joined the city's Thalia Fire Department last year. Simpao's history-making achievement has not gone unnoticed by Jay Sanchez, the producer and creator of Filipino American Television, a television program that celebrates Filipino culture in the Virginia Beach area.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Putting More Priority on Saving Pets
KSL NewsRadio 1160 (Utah) (09/26/08)

The Salt Lake City Fire Department is committed to giving four-legged victims of fires the same care they give humans. Fire fighters in the department have always made an effort to rescue pets from house fires, but they and other emergency personnel now make a concerted effort to resuscitate animals overcome by smoke inhalation. "I think maybe in the past, if we can rescue an animal out of a house, we would set them off to the side and hope they could make it, whereas now we are aggressively starting to take care of these animals and resuscitating them," says Salt Lake City fire fighter and paramedic Justin Poarch. In addition to reviving pets, Salt Lake City fire fighters are being trained to administer IVs and give advanced cardiac drugs. Programs developed by veterinary hospitals are used in the training. All Salt Lake City fire engines now carry resuscitating equipment for pets.
(Web Link)
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