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 and USFA Release Voice Radio Communications Guide" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Charleston considers honors for firefighters" (Associated Press)
"Fighting Fires, Fighting Cancer" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Atlanta Budget Cuts Trigger Warning From State" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution )
"FHWA Rule Requires First Responders to Wear Reflective Vests" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Arizona Local Settles First Contract With City" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Political Action Pays Off in British Columbia Elections" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"IAFF Members Deployed to Baghdad" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Ohio Fire Fighters Band Asked To Perform In Inaugural Parade" (Newsnet5)
"Arbitrator Rules Ohio Fire Fighter Reinstated" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"FDNY's Slash and Burn" (New York Post)
"Milwaukee Council Overrides Barrett Veto on Firefighters" (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI))
"Drug Test Policy Change Denied" (MassLive.com)
"Springdale Firefighters Agree to Cameras in Firehouse" (Stamford Advocate (CT))
"Mesa Fire Chiefs Overhauling Department to Save Money" (The Arizona Republic)
"Raises Awarded to Fire Fighters " (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader)
"No Shift Is Typical for Fire Fighters" (The Reporter)
"Boston Firefighters Want Fitness Bonuses, Too" (Boston Herald)

  IAFF and USFA Release Voice Radio Communications Guide
International Association of Fire Fighters (12/02/08)

The IAFF and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) have released a new manual, Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service, that provides updated information on communications technology and discusses critical homeland security issues and concepts that did not exist when the original manual was first published in 1996. 
(Web Link)
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Charleston considers honors for firefighters
Associated Press (12/04/08)

A Charleston commission is considering a number of ideas to honor nine firefighters killed in a furniture store fire last year. The 26-member commission held its first meeting December 3. The Post and Courier of Charleston reported the panel is considering a state-of-the-art training center surrounded by a park, monuments and an eternal flame.
(Web Link)
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Fighting Fires, Fighting Cancer
International Association of Fire Fighters (12/11/08)

"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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Atlanta Budget Cuts Trigger Warning From State
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12/04/08); Stirgus, Eric

Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner John Oxendine says that Atlanta's plans to weather a budget crisis by reducing fire service in some neighborhoods could put public safety at risk. If the response time goes down, the safety of citizens will be substantially reduced, the commissioner said in an interview. "I think fire and police services should be the last places to be cut." 
(Web Link)
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FHWA Rule Requires First Responders to Wear Reflective Vests
International Association of Fire Fighters (12/05/08)

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has reviewed the requirements of the American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests (ANSI/ISEA) and found that public safety vests meeting this standard are compatible with its requirements for night-time visibility. Effective November 24, 2008, all fire fighters, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement and other pubic safety workers operating in a federal highway right-of-way are required to wear high-visibility clothing that complies with Class II or III requirements of the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA). 
(Web Link)
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Arizona Local Settles First Contract With City
International Association of Fire Fighters (12/24/08)

After re-gaining its meet and confer rights earlier this year, Maricopa, AZ Local 4561 has recently negotiated its first contract with the City. The contract makes provisions for improved wages, benefits and working conditions. 
(Web Link)
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Political Action Pays Off in British Columbia Elections
International Association of Fire Fighters (12/03/08)

IAFF locals across British Columbia are poised to reap the rewards of vastly improved relations with their city councils in the wake of extremely successful local political action campaigns conducted in conjunction with municipal elections held across the province November 15. In cities large and small, British Columbia fire fighters helped elect fire-friendly mayors and councillors in record numbers -- mayors and councillors who have a fresh education on fire fighter issues and who have in many cases made important commitments to IAFF affiliates on fire protection and other local matters.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Members Deployed to Baghdad
International Association of Fire Fighters (12/03/08)

IAFF members from Tennessee, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon and New York serve at Sather Air Base in Baghdad.
(Web Link)
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Ohio Fire Fighters Band Asked To Perform In Inaugural Parade
Newsnet 5

A northeast Ohio band has been given the honor of being asked to perform in next month's presidential inaugural parade. The Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums Band wants to go to Washington, but getting there is tough. Because the invitation just came, the band of fire fighters from 18 different northeast Ohio departments quickly found they had a problem. "When we finally got the nod that we were going we had already looked around and found out we were not going to get any hotel rooms and transportation would be difficult so we figured we'd just scrub it," said Cleveland fire fighter Andy Clark. But then came the early wave of support from the community and other departments, and the hope that maybe they could make it work. 
(Web Link)
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Arbitrator Rules Ohio Fire Fighter Reinstated
International Association of Fire Fighters (12/11/08)

An arbitrator has ruled that Union Township, OH Local 3412, President Jamie Osborne be reinstated and that union officers are not required to divulge union activities.
(Web Link)
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FDNY's Slash and Burn
New York Post (12/05/08); Shilling, Erik; Holley, Peter; Liddy, Tom

The Fire Department of New York has announced it will be cutting nighttime staff at several firehouses in response to hard economic times. As part of a $60 million cost-cutting package, the department is looking to save nearly $9 million by deactivating three engine companies and one ladder company for the overnight shift when the plan comes into effect on January 17. However, the department has received sharp criticism from union officials, who argue that “more fatalities happen at night,” according to Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy.
(Web Link)
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Milwaukee Council Overrides Barrett Veto on Firefighters
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)(11/25/08) ; Sandler, Larry

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett's veto threat against the city council's amendment to his budget proposal, which would have reduced the number of fire fighters on Fire Department ladder trucks, has been overridden. The Common Council voted 13-1 to override Barrett's veto and retain five-member crews on eight Fire Department ladder trucks. Citing budget constraints, Barrett had proposed lowering the crews from five-member crews to four. However, fire fighters warned that such staff reductions would pose a safety hazard. Bobbie Webber, head of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association, pledged to continue to fight against staff reductions. "I'm prepared to dance the same dance as we have in the last four or five budget cycles, but we have to get to the point where the citizens say, 'Enough is enough.'"
(Web Link)
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Drug Test Policy Change Denied
MassLive.com (12/01/08); Ross, Ken

A proposal that would compel new fire fighters to obtain a commercial driver's license is being reviewed by the Holyoke (Massachusetts) Fire Commission. Under current state law, fire fighters are not required to have a commercial driver's license to operate large vehicles. Such a change would have to be negotiated for the next contract. There is some speculation that the proposal stemmed from the Holyoke Fire Department's decision to alter its drug testing policy, but officials deny the charge. "This was under no circumstances an issue pertaining to any issues with our fire fighters," says Fire Commission Chairman Daniel M. Glanville.
(Web Link)
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Springdale Firefighters Agree to Cameras in Firehouse
Stamford Advocate (CT) (12/02/08); Morgansteen, Jeff

After an 11-month stalemate over the use of surveillance cameras in the Hope Street firehouse, union representatives for fire fighters with the Springdale Fire Co. in Stamford, Connecticut, have reached an understanding with the city. Under the terms of the deal, the city and union have agreed to keep 15 cameras in the firehouse, and to scrap a plan to put cameras in the paid fire fighters' living quarters and in the hallway outside of the living quarters. The deal closes the chapter on a dispute that prompted the union to lodge a complaint with the state labor board. Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association President Brendan Keatley says the union's main problem with the proposal was not the cameras themselves, but where the city wanted to install them.
(Web Link)
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Mesa Fire Chiefs Overhauling Department to Save Money
The Arizona Republic (12/05/08); Walsh, Jim

 Faced with the grim realities of a huge budget shortfall, Mesa fire chiefs and union representatives are crafting a leaner and meaner department to improve efficiency without damaging patient care. The overhaul's goals include saving $500,000 by restricting firetrucks and crews of four fire fighters for life-threatening emergencies and sending two-man units to non-emergency calls that clog the system.
(Web Link)
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Raises Awarded to Fire Fighters
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader (11/25/08)

An arbitration panel has awarded the city fire fighters union a seven-year contract that calls for a 3 percent pay hike every six months through 2014. Mayor Chris Doherty said the decision will be overturned on appeal. Attorney Thomas W. Jennings, counsel for the 150-member Firefighters Local 60, said the mayor is wrong and said it is regrettable the litigation is continuing. Dave Gervasi, vice president of Local 60, said the courts will have to decide the case.
(Web Link)
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No Shift Is Typical for Fire Fighters
The Reporter (12/03/08); Plummer, Russell

When newly appointed Fire Chief Peter O'Leary walks into the Fond du Lac Fire Department in January, he will not only have a new job but a new family. Paramedic Lt. Don Salvaggio spent the morning of November 29 with The Reporter to give a sense of the family, friendship, discipline and skills needed to be Fond du Lac's 65-person insurance policy.
(Web Link)
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Boston Firefighters Want Fitness Bonuses, Too
Boston Herald (12/04/08); Dwinell, Joe

Boston fire fighters want the city to award fitness bonuses to fire fighters who pass fitness tests. Not unlike the pay increase state police troopers won in 2006, Boston fire fighters are seeking fitness bonuses for fire fighters who complete physical, medical and fitness tests. "We don't want our members dying young," says Boston, MA Local 718 President Edward Kelly.
(Web Link)
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