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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://daily.iaff.org/frontline/morenews.html.

Your feedback is also welcome - email pr@iaff.org with questions and comments.
 

"President of Firefighters' Union Visits Coast" (WLOX 13)
"IAFF Endorses Remaining 9/11 Commission Recommendations" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighter, Child Die Of Flu Complications" (WCCO 4)
"Hawaii Fire Fighters Win Binding Arbitration Award" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Fire Department Report Details Events Leading to Baltimore Fire Fighter Probie Death" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Watertown Fire Department Captain passes away" (WWTI Newswatch 50)
"Dispatch errors hamper responses" (The Washington Times)
"Merger battle hits Statehouse again" (Indianapolis Star)
"You're Fired! " (City Pages )
"Oshawa Firefighters Pumped for World Games" (Durham News)
"An Amendment to the City Charter Would Improve Pensions for Police Officers and Firefighters" (Los Angeles Times)
"On-Going Assessments Should Be Mandatory for Public Safety Employees" (SIOP News)
"Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in House" (International Association of Fire Fighters )
"Ottawa Fire Fighters Injured in Dramatic Three-Story Plunge" (International Association of Fire Fighters )
"Gizmo would keep eye on firefighters" (The New York Daily News)
"Boston Fire Fighter Recognized for Heroic Rescue" (International Association of Fire Fighters )
"Improving Public Safety Communications" (Issues in Science and Technology)
"Winnipeg Fire Fighter Records Moving Musical Tribute" (International Association of Fire Fighters )
"Old-school cop credited with modernizing force" (Toronto Star)
"Green Bay Firefighters: At Work, at Risk" (CBS 5 Green Bay)

"Frontline News Brief" is Sponsored By:

President of Firefighters' Union Visits Coast
WLOX 13 (02/26/07)

The president of the International Association of Fire Fighters made another trip to South Mississippi, vowing to help meet the continuing needs of fire fighters in the coastal region. Following Hurricane Katrina, South Mississippi fire fighters retrieved bodies from the rubble so loved ones would have some type of closure. "I'm here to see exactly what kind of condition they're in, and to go to Capitol Hill, or through cooperation with governors throughout these various states, to see if we can't cut through some of the bureaucracy, excuses and the finger pointing, and get these [fire] stations rebuilt and restored, and allow our members to do a tough job in at least a reasonably decent environment," said Harold Schaitberger, who  met with local fire fighters to get their input on post-Katrina needs. He said the union is already pushing for legislation in Congress that would provide millions of dollars for medical help for fire fighters who may have been exposed to hazardous materials during Katrina, as well as funding for rebuilding of fire stations.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Endorses Remaining 9/11 Commission Recommendations
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/28/07)

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger met with members of the 9/11 Commission, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and other U.S. senators February 28 to discuss the implementation of the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations and other first responder needs.
(Web Link)
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Firefighter, Child Die Of Flu Complications
WCCO (02/13/07)

Barry Delude, a 44-year-old Minneapolis, MN Local 82 fire fighter, died February 12 as a result of the flu. Delude and an eight-year-old child are the fourth and fifth victims to die of influenza in Minnesota. A 20-year veteran of the Minneapolis Fire Department, Delude had been hospitalized for several days. Kris Ehresmann of the Minnesota Health Department says it's unusual for a healthy adult to die of the flu, but not unheard of. Health officials are investigating whether he had other health problems that may have contributed to his death. Both victims had the A/H1 strain of influenza, which is the most common this year and is covered by the current stock of flu vaccine. Tom Thornberg, president Minneapolis Local 82, says DeLude's colleagues are reeling. "We're devastated," he said.
(Web Link)
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Hawaii Fire Fighters Win Binding Arbitration Award
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/21/07)

Hawaiian Islands, HI Local 1463 will receive an across-the-board pay increase of 5 percent per year over four years as part of a binding arbitration award. Local 1463 entered into binding arbitration in January when it was unable to reach an agreement on a collective bargaining contract. "I'm pleased with the outcome of the award," Robert Lee, president of Local 1463, told the Star Bulletin.
(Web Link)
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Fire Department Report Details Events Leading to Baltimore Fire Fighter Probie Death
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/24/07)

The Baltimore Fire Department has released a 27-page report detailing the chronology of the fatal February 9 training exercise that killed Baltimore, MD Local 734 member and fire recruit Racheal M. Wilson, 29. The intensive investigation continues.
(Web Link)
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Watertown Fire Department Captain passes away
WWTI Newswatch 50 (02/27/07)

William C. Nolan, 52, a fire captain with the City of Watertown, New York, died February 26 after a long battle with esophageal cancer. A 21-year veteran of the Watertown Fire Department, his occupational illness is covered under the New York State presumptive cancer law.  
(Web Link)
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Dispatch errors hamper responses
The Washington Times (02/25/07); Emerling, Gary

Communication errors between 911 operators and Washington, DC Local 36 fire fighters and emergency workers have led to response delays and incorrect dispatches to dangerous incidents around the District, Lt. Daniel Dugan, president of Local 36, told D.C. Council members at a February 23 fire department oversight hearing before the council's Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary. "There have been a number of serious incidents in both the dispatching of emergency equipment and a breakdown in communications between units and individuals operating on the fire ground," Lt. Dugan said. "Enough incidents to cause my members to feel that their safety has been jeopardized." The most recent incident stemmed from the derailment of a Metro train last month. In that event, a 911 dispatcher incorrectly classified the case as a "medical local," meaning only one fire engine and one ambulance initially were dispatched to the scene because minimal injuries were expected. However, about 20 people were injured. "Metro incidents are enormous," Dugan said. "They're very difficult to mitigate." He also said the incident later was mistakenly characterized as a "plane crash" instead of a "train crash."   
(Web Link)
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Merger battle hits Statehouse again
Indianapolis Star (02/13/2007); O'Shaughnessy, Brendan

A partisan battle over Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson's plan to consolidate city and township fire departments has surfaced in the Statehouse for a third time. Having won the right to merge budgets and police departments two years ago, the Democratic mayor hopes to win the authority to consolidate township fire departments and tax assessors in 2007. The bill would allow the Indianapolis City-County Council to merge the township fire departments without the consent of township officials. Unlike past versions, this year's bill does not include a provision calling for the merger of nine township trustees into two offices. Washington Township has agreed to merge its fire department with Indianapolis ', a process that began January 1. A single department of the city's 1,500 firefighters would save about $15 million per year and stave off immediate tax increases that townships need to maintain service levels. Thomas Hanify, president of the Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana, said a reconfigured force would be more effective. It would be able to respond within the recommended eight-minute time frame 81 percent of the time, a bump of nearly 10 percentage points, he said.
(Web Link)
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You're Fired!
City Pages (02/28/07); Demko, Paul

St. Paul, MN Local 21 fire fighters are expected to pass a vote of  "no confidence" on Fire Chief Doug Holton next week. The vote is the culmination of years of acrimony between fire fighters and Holton, who allowed former Mayor Randy Kelly to make cuts to the fire department in 2003. "I've got two testicles says it passes," says Pat Flanagan, president of Local 21. "I've been on the department for 24 years and I've never seen morale this low." Since July, members of Local 21 have filed 43 grievances against the department. The vote comes as the fire department prepares for what could be a significant shakeup as a comprehensive audit of the department's staffing levels and equipment by Tri-Data, a national consulting firm, is soon to be released. The union's primary issue is the department's practice of forcing fire fighters to take unscheduled vacation days. In recent months, extra personnel have been sent home and docked a vacation day when staffing levels exceeded the city's required minimum force of 111. 
(Web Link)
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Oshawa Firefighters Pumped for World Games
Durham News (02/22/07); Follert, Jillian

The 12th World Police and Fire Games will take place March 16-25 in Adelaide, Australia. More than 6,000 police officers and fire fighters from across the globe will compete in more than 65 events. Four Oshawa, ON Local 465 fire fighters have been rigorously training for the games: Jim Lee in wrestling; Mario Perrino in the triathlon; and Jim Stoddart and Duanne Dickinson in golf. Winners receive medals, but according to Lee, the experience itself and the interaction with other fire fighters are what make the Games so exhilarating, though they are also "a great way to represent your department and compete against some world-class athletes." When the participants are not competing they will have the chance to tour the Australian outback, parks and islands.
(Web Link)
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An Amendment to the City Charter Would Improve Pensions for Police Officers and Firefighters
Los Angeles Times (02/26/07)

Charter Amendment M, a measure enabling Los Angeles fire fighters and police officers to purchase service credit for any years spent with the military or with a public agency, is up for vote on March 6. Actuarial formulas would determine how much the employee would pay, and should bring about no new unfunded liability to the fire and police pension plan (which right now is capable of meeting almost 100 percent of its future commitments). The Los Angeles Times endorses the measure's pension buyback system, calling it "a responsible move," and pointing out that civilian city workers are given the same opportunity. Meanwhile, California's escalating unfunded pension liability is leading the state towards a financial crisis, which is why Los Angeles voters will be amending one of the city's pension systems for public workers. The IAFF successfully changed the law a few years ago to allow fire fighters to use their 457 money to purchase service credits.  

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On-Going Assessments Should Be Mandatory for Public Safety Employees
SIOP News (02/21/2007); Boutelle, Clif

NASA has announced it will review its psychological assessment procedures for astronauts in light of the Lisa Nowak scandal to ensure that candidates remain mentally healthy during the selection process and throughout their careers. Washington University in St. Louis industrial psychologist Fred Thumin says that the review is a good step towards preventing mental-health breakdowns, but pointed out that professionals in all public-safety related fields should have their psychological health regularly monitored. Ongoing assessments are particularly important, emphasized Thumin, as job stress can take a toll on these workers gradually throughout their careers. Thumin also suggests that relationships with family members be included in psychological evaluations. Although optional psychological counseling is available at many firms, often employees are unwilling to take advantage of these programs because they are reluctant to admit they need help, are unwilling to have colleagues view them as weak, or are unaware that a problem exists. As a result, it may be beneficial for companies to intervene when they see a high-performing employee showing signs of mental-health problems.
(Web Link)
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Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in House
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/20/07)

Legislation granting disability retirement benefits to federal fire fighters who contact certain illnesses on the job has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 1142, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, was introduced by Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Jo Ann Davis (R-VA). The bill creates a rebuttal presumption that federal fire fighters who become disabled by heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers and certain infectious diseases contracted such illnesses on the job.
(Web Link)
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Ottawa Fire Fighters Injured in Dramatic Three-Story Plunge
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/16/07)

Just one week after a violent flashover claimed the lives of IAFF members Tom Nichols and Harold Lessard in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canadians witnessed yet another shocking reminder of the dangerous nature of fire fighting when five Ottawa fire fighters were forced to jump to safety from the third floor windows of a blazing townhouse.
(Web Link)
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Gizmo would keep eye on firefighters
The New York Daily News (02/24/07); Lucadamo, Kathleen

The Fire Department of New York is is teaming with the Navy to create a small chip that would be embedded in fire fighters' bunker gear and activated when they board their trucks. The device is designed to track fire fighters electronically to help ensure that none gets lost inside burning buildings. Peter Gorman, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association Local 854, welcomes the effort. "We think the technology is out there and this is one way to improve ... safety," Gorman said. "We hope over time the program can be expanded."
(Web Link)
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Boston Fire Fighter Recognized for Heroic Rescue
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/16/07)

Three Massachusetts children owe their lives to Boston, MA Local 718 member Andrew Lee who located and removed the youngsters from an apartment fire. Lee is new to the Boston Fire Department and still within his probationary period. He joined the department after serving three tours in Iraq with the U.S. Marines. Acknowledging the valiant efforts of Lee and his Engine Company 24, Mayor Tom Menino issued a special citation for the entire company and designated February 14 as "Andrew Lee Day."
(Web Link)
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Improving Public Safety Communications
Issues in Science and Technology (02/07) Vol. 23, No. 2, P. 61; Peha, Jon M.

The lives of first responders and citizens are put at risk when public safety communications systems fail. A nationwide broadband communications network designed as an integrated infrastructure would shore up the holes in the existing public safety communications systems. And the move to digital technology, which has prompted the federal government to make plans to transfer premium spectrum -- 24 megahertz (MHz) -- from analog TV to public safety use in 2009, is an enormous opportunity to obtain the resources that will be needed to build a national broadband network. Policymakers will have to make a concerted effort to achieve some progress on communication systems for public safety, considering the ineffectiveness of past policy that has led to a system that has failure, cost, spectrum and capability issues. First responders should have access to multiple systems, as well as a primary system that at the very least supports mission-critical voice communications. Secondary systems to support first responders could involve cellular carriers, a nationwide commercial carrier, municipal infrastructure, ad hoc networks and satellite networks.
(Web Link)
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Winnipeg Fire Fighter Records Moving Musical Tribute
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/27/07)

A Winnipeg fire fighter who performed a moving musical tribute during the February 14 memorial service for Winnipeg Local 867 members Tom Nichols and Harold Lessard is set to record the song, and the proceeds from the resulting CD will be used to create a scholarship in the name of the two fallen fire fighters. Winnipeg Local 867 member Jason Buhr penned song, "Unite Our Hearts Today," the morning after the February 4 tragedy in which Nichols and Lessard, both captains with more than 30 years on the job, were killed when a flashover occurred at a residential fire in the city.
(Web Link)
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Old-school cop credited with modernizing force
Toronto Star (02/28/076); Smith, Joanna and Freed, Dale Anne

Jack Marks, 80, who served a five-year reign as Toronto's chief of police in the 1980s, died of cancer at his Pickering home February 27. He leaves behind his wife, Joyce, and children Karen, John and Scott -- who is president of Toronto, ON Local 3888.  Marks headed the 7,200-member police force through what many would call a tumultuous time. In 1988, when members donned baseball caps and refused to issue traffic tickets to protest the treatment of an officer who was fired by a citizens' complaint commission after he was convicted of assault, Marks  showed up to a highly charged union meeting sporting the cap as a show of solidarity. Marks is credited with modernizing the force, turning its focus away from chasing criminals to promoting racial harmony and community policing. 
(Web Link)
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Green Bay Firefighters: At Work, at Risk
CBS 5 (Green Bay) (02/22/07); Elliott, Tammy

Green Bay, Wisconsin, fire fighter Arnie Wolff's death six months ago has prompted the Green Bay Fire Department to conduct a year-long investigation into the fire that killed him. A committee will review departmental equipment, training and staffing. In the meanwhile, Green Bay fire fighters worry that the circumstances which led up to Wolff's accident could result in more accidents unless change happens soon. Veteran fire fighter Eric Johnson attests to the department's difficulty getting requested equipment and training, as well as "enough fire fighters on scene to get the job done and do it safely."
(Web Link)
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