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.
 

"Orange County Releases Fire Shelter Deployment Report" (Los Angeles Times)
"City's fire chief resigns" (Baltimore Sun)
"IAFF Calls on Canadian Government to Ban PBDEs" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Bodies of Three Missing FBU Fire Fighters Found" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Fort Worth Wins Collective Bargaining Rights" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighters oppose Air Force's reduction plan" (Dayton Daily News)
"Arbitrator Gives Fire Fighters 2.5 Percent Salary Increase" (The Providence Journal)
"Fire Fighters Call for Ouster of 'Turncoat' Chief" (Lake County News-Sun )
"Firefighter's Case Goes Before State Supreme Court" (Oakland Press (MI))
"City May Impose Limits on OT Pay, Give Comp Time" (Clarion Ledger)
"Texas Local Wins Collective Bargaining on November Ballot" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"IAFF Members Compete in 2007 Marine Corps Marathon" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Panama Fire Fighters Bring Multi-Warehouse Fire Under Control" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Building Markers Would Alert Firefighters to Hazards" (Plain Dealer (Cleveland))
"World Trade Center In-Depth Series (Part 2): The Disease Within" (Risk & Insurance)
"MRSA Bug Hits 2 at FDNY" (Newsday)
 

Orange County Releases Fire Shelter Deployment Report
Los Angeles Times (11/8/07)

The Orange County Fire Authority has released a preliminary report on its fire shelter deployment during the recent southern California wildfires. Twelve Orange County, CA Local 3631 fire fighters were ordered to deploy their shelters while fighting a wildland fire near Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon when one of two hose teams lost water because of ruptured hose lines. The twelve fire fighters remained in communications from inside their shelters as the Orange County Fire Authority made several high-priority water drops on the approaching fire. Once conditions were cool enough, all 12 fire fighters left their shelters and were evaluated onsite. None of the fire fighters required medical treatment. "The heroic actions by these fire fighters to save people and property under such severe fire conditions are awe-inspiring," says Joe Kerr, president of Local 3631. "I am also extremely proud of the quick response by the crews who came in to save them, including the air crew." Watch a slide show with radio communications during the incident.
(Web Link)
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City's fire chief resigns
Baltimore Sun (11/14/07); Fritze, John and Reddy, Sumathi

Baltimore Fire Chief William J. Goodwin Jr., hailed for his early leadership but increasingly under pressure after a fatal training accident this year, has resigned. Goodwin -- a third-generation fire fighter who has served as chief since 2002 -- formally resigned November 13, ending months of speculation over whether he would lose his job in the wake of the death February 9 of Cadet Racheal M. Wilson. "There is a god," Captain Stephan G. Fugate, president of the fire officers union, said after learning of Goodwin's resignation.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Calls on Canadian Government to Ban PBDEs
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/02/07)

The IAFF has added its voice to the growing list of concerned groups and individuals calling on the Canadian government to ban the import and manufacture of polybrominted diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are dangerous chemical-based flame retardants found in everyday household objects. On November 1, the IAFF wrote a letter to federal Environment Minister John Baird explaining that fire fighters encounter PBDEs, which are on Canada's list of toxic substances and which are classified as a carcinogen in the U.S., in a combusted state in the course of their duties. The letter calls on the Government of Canada to ban all forms of PBDEs in Canada and to support ongoing research into safe alternative flame retardants.
(Web Link)
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Bodies of Three Missing FBU Fire Fighters Found
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/08/07)

More than 200 fire fighters lined up outside the burned remains of the Atherstone on Stour, vegetable packing plant in Warwickshire, England, as the bodies of three of their fellow fire fighters were carried out of the building November 7. FBU fire fighters Ashley Stephens, 20; Darren Yates-Badley, 24; and John Averis, 27; went missing after the roof collapsed during the November 2 fire. A fourth fire fighter -- Ian Reid, 44 -- involved in the accident was pulled out alive soon after the fire, but later succumbed to his injuries.
(Web Link)
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Fort Worth Wins Collective Bargaining Rights
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/08/07)

Fort Worth, TX Local 440 has successfully passed a special ballot initiative giving fire fighters collective bargaining rights, making Fort Worth the 22nd city in Texas to adopt collective bargaining. Proposition 1, which received 55 percent of the votes, faced strong opposition from the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and other local business leaders. The Fort Worth City Council had also voted 7-1 against Proposition 1.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters oppose Air Force's reduction plan
Dayton Daily News (11/11/07); Nolan, John

The Air Force's ongoing effort to reduce its personnel totals, to save money for new aircraft and weapons, has reached into the fire fighter ranks at its bases. Firefighters' union officials say the reductions are falling too hard on their ranks and could hurt the ability to rescue crews from downed, burning planes. The Air Force said, however, that its study concluded the reductions can be safely made.
(Web Link)
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Arbitrator Gives Fire Fighters 2.5 Percent Salary Increase
The Providence Journal (11/01/07); Smith, Gregory

A labor arbitrator has awarded fire fighters a 2.5 percent pay raise and spared them from sharing in the cost of their health insurance premiums. In a near-complete victory for the labor union that represents fire fighters, arbitrator Michael C. Ryan also continued cost-of-living pension increases for fire fighters in excess of the COLAs now provided by municipal ordinance and limited the city's power to force disabled fire fighters to retire. Rank-and-file union members are "very excited" by the award, declared Firefighter 1st Class Paul A. Doughty, union president. "This is a huge victory."  
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighters Call for Ouster of 'Turncoat' Chief
Lake County News-Sun (11/13/07); Moran, Dan

Conflict within the Waukegan Fire Department went public with a City Hall protest by local and regional members of the International Association of Firefighters, who called for the dismissal of Fire Chief Patrick Gallagher. "There's no place for a turncoat chief in a professional fire department," said Jon Nordgren, president of Waukegan Firefighters Local 473. "It's time to say 'enough is enough,' and he's got to go."
(Web Link)
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Firefighter's Case Goes Before State Supreme Court
Oakland Press (MI)(11/06/07) ; Smothers, Kaniqua Daniel

The Michigan Supreme Court will be deciding a case involving a contract dispute between Pontiac, MI Local 376 and the city. The union brought a case against the city after officials breached the union's contract by ordering the layoff of 28 fire fighters. Under a collective bargaining agreement, layoffs are prohibited during the term of the contract. Although the fire fighters' contract expired, its provisions theoretically remain in effect until terms of a new contract are established. After the city refused to negotiate, the fire department sought an injunction, fearing the layoffs would jeopardize the safety of the city's fire personnel. The injunction was granted by a circuit court and affirmed in a Michigan court of appeals, but whether the injunction will stand remains to be seen. Regardless of contractual obligations, the state Supreme Court may decide the circuit court judge did not have authority to grant the injunction. Fire fighters in Detroit are facing a similar case which will be brought before the court after the Pontiac case. Detroit also attempted to force layoffs after the latest collective bargaining agreement between the department and the city expired on June 30, 2001. Another agreement has not been reached.
(Web Link)
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City May Impose Limits on OT Pay, Give Comp Time
Clarion Ledger (11/01/07); Lindsay, Arnold

A policy being drafted by the city of Jackson will recommend that fire fighters, police and public works employees be limited to 40 overtime hours' pay per bi-weekly pay period before having to take compensatory time. Mayor Frank Melton already has said that exceptions would be made -- when more overtime is needed. "We will hold the heads of those departments for managing the overtime. But I will not tie their hands," Melton said. "If we have a fire, I want the fire put out. I don't want the guys worried about the overtime." Fire Department Captain Brandon Falcon, president of Local 87, said he was pleased that Melton kept his word about "needed" overtime. "I don't look for this to affect the fire fighters because the mayor has made the commitment in the past," Falcon said.
(Web Link)
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Texas Local Wins Collective Bargaining on November Ballot
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/07/07)

After some tough campaigning, Pampa, TX Local 3293 fire fighters have the right to bargain collectively with their employer. The final vote in favor of collective bargaining was 516-447. "Winning this ballot measure has afforded us an incredible opportunity," says Craig Harkcom, president of Local 3293. "The membership is very enthusiastic about negotiating our first contract." Fire fighters anticipate that will happen after the City Commission verifies the votes on November 15.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Members Compete in 2007 Marine Corps Marathon
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/05/07)

More than 35 IAFF members participated in the 32nd Marine Corps Marathon held in Washington, DC as part of the IAFF Burn Foundation Marathon Team. Robert Kuhn, from Strongsville, OH Local 2882, was the fastest male IAFF member, finishing in 3:00:19, and Valorie Minton, from Richland, WA Local 1433, was the fastest female IAFF member, completing the race in 3:38:20. As members of the IAFF Burn Foundation Marathon Team, each runner pledged to raise a minimum of $1,000 to support the IAFF Burn Foundation. Runners raised a total of $41,908.51 to help improve the lives of burn survivors throughout North America through prevention and education, new treatment research and burn camp and other survivor support programs.
(Web Link)
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Panama Fire Fighters Bring Multi-Warehouse Fire Under Control
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/13/07)

Panama Local 13 fire fighters responded through a mutual aid agreement with local fire fighters -- the Bomberos -- after several warehouses burned out of control in the France Field area of the Colon Free Trade Zone of the Republic of Panama. 
(Web Link)
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Building Markers Would Alert Firefighters to Hazards
Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (11/02/07) P. A1; Caniglia, John

Dangerous warehouse fires have killed dozens of fire fighters nationwide over the past 10 years, prompting one member of the Cleveland Firefighters Association to propose a system for labeling building hazards. Abandoned warehouses often contain structural problems and toxic chemicals. Many bankrupt warehouse owners neglect to inform the city of what remains in cans and barrels. Homeless individuals and gang members sometimes move into abandoned warehouses, as well. Sean DeCrane of the Cleveland Firefighters Association explains that, "You really want to know everything about a building once you get there, but the reality is that you don't know much at all." As a result, DeCrane is lobbying Cleveland legislators to endorse a system that would help first-responding units focus on the fire, not on the building's problems. Under the plan, fire fighters or inspectors would survey empty buildings and place reflective markers outside of the buildings to alert officers to the number of hazards within, such as open roofs, missing stairs and hole-ridden floors. Numerous cities have adopted similar systems.
(Web Link)
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World Trade Center In-Depth Series (Part 2): The Disease Within
Risk & Insurance (10/07) Vol. 18, No. 12, P. 28; Rousmaniere, Peter

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks created an unprecedented amount of workers' compensation claims for the state of New York. Despite the best intentions, the only claims that have been successfully paid were for those killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center. Currently, lawyers, unions and legislators are doing their best to find the money to pay out claims to rescue workers suffering the after effects of the time they spent working at Ground Zero. Much of this money will have to come from federal grants, liability awards and disability pensions. According to a 2004 audit of the New York State Compensation Board, about 48 percent of claims related to 9/11 were still outstanding. The staggering number of outstanding claims from Ground Zero workers shows the current compensation system is not prepared to deal with a large-scale disaster like 9/11.
(Web Link)
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MRSA Bug Hits 2 at FDNY
Newsday (11/05/07)

Two New York City fire fighters have been treated for MRSA antibiotic-resistant staph infections. The two fire fighters are being treated and have been restricted to administrative duties until the infections clear up. The infections are the most recent of seven reported in the city fire department in the past year. The other five fire fighters all have since returned to work. MRSA is normally passed by skin contact or sharing contaminated surfaces. Fire fighters are cautioned to take extra hygienic precautions and not share products like towels or razors that could transmit the disease.
(Web Link)
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