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House
Passes Legislation Improving FIRE Act/SAFER Grant Programs
November 18, 2009 – By a vote of 395-31, on November 18, the U.S. House of
Representatives passed H.R. 3791, the FIRE Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009.
The bill makes improvements to both the Assistance to Fire Fighters (FIRE Act)
and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs
that will significantly benefit professional fire departments in the United
States. Read
More...
House
Approves Landmark Health Reform
November 10, 2009 – By a 220-215 vote late Saturday, the U.S. House of
Representatives passed the most comprehensive reform of our nation’s health
insurance system since Congress created Medicare and Medicaid over four decades
ago. The bill (H.R. 3962) creates a new insurance exchange similar to the one
available to members of Congress and expands Medicaid to reduce our nation’s
uninsured population by over two-thirds—all without taxing health benefits.
Read More...
November 5 Is Day of Action on Health Care Reform
November 3, 2009 – The IAFF remains committed to fighting on its members' behalf
for health care reform that protects the benefit plans our members have and
reduces costs both to our members and their employers. Specifically, this union
has been lobbying against a plan to tax so-called "Cadillac" health insurance
plans to finance the health care overhaul.
Read More...
Ryan White Notification
Protections Restored
October 22, 2009 – The U.S. Congress has approved legislation restoring
notification requirements for emergency response personnel exposed to infectious
diseases while on duty. The provision was included as part of S. 1793, the Ryan
White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.
Read More...
Legislation Doubling SAFER
Funding Soon to Become Law
October 19, 2009 – A House-Senate Conference Committee has approved a final
version of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriation for FY 2010
that doubles funding for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response
(SAFER) grants. HR 2892 increases the SAFER appropriation to $420 million,
providing funding to hire thousands of fire fighters. The bill passed the House
on October 15 by a vote of 307-114, and is scheduled for a final vote in the
Senate. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.
Read More...
Defense Bill Benefits Federal
Fire Fighters
October 14, 2009 – The FY 2010 Defense Authorization bill soon to be approved by
Congress includes several provisions important to the nation’s federal fire
fighters. HR 2647 eliminates the National Security Personnel System (NSPS),
transitions employees in Hawaii and Alaska to locality pay, credits federal
employee sick leave toward retirement, and excludes a provision to create
special age requirements for military retirees for certain federal jobs,
including fire fighter positions.
Read More...
IAFF Affiliates to Gain Under Proposed
FIRE/SAFER Amendments
October 9, 2009 – Legislation about to be introduced in Congress would make
improvements to both the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) and Staffing for
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs that will
significantly benefit professional U.S. fire departments. The IAFF and other
national fire service organizations have secured the endorsement of a key
congressional committee for a compromise proposal that will reauthorize the FIRE
Act and SAFER programs for five years and change the way grants are awarded.
Read More...
Apply for the 2010 Political
Training Academy
September 4, 2009 – The IAFF is
accepting applications for the 2010 Political Training
Academy, scheduled for February 27-March 5, 2010, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Applications must be received at the IAFF no later than Friday, November 6.
Collective
Bargaining Bill Re-Introduced In Senate
August 7, 2009 – The IAFF’s national collective bargaining bill, the Public
Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (S 1611) has been reintroduced by
Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA), just moments before the
Senate adjourned for its month-long summer recess. This gives IAFF members the
opportunity to lobby their senators during the August break when many will be in
their home states.
Read More...
New Bills Benefit Federal Fire
Fighters
July 31, 2009 – With strong support from the IAFF, Representative Gerry Connolly
(D-VA) and John Sarbanes (D-MD) have introduced a pair of bills that would make
historic progress on two key issues for federal fire fighters: retirement pay
and trade time agreements.
Read More...
Health Benefits Tax Losing Steam
July 9, 2009 – An aggressive lobbying campaign led by the IAFF has dampened
enthusiasm on Capitol Hill for paying for health reform by imposing a tax on
employer-provided health benefits. The IAFF has argued that such a tax would
disproportionately impact the nation’s fire fighters and other unionized
workers.
Read
More...
IAFF Testifies Before House on
Improving FIRE Act and SAFER
July 9, 2009 – The IAFF testified before a House Subcommittee July 8 regarding
the need to amend the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) and Staffing for
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs to enable more
communities to take full advantage of the programs.
Read More...
House Approves Doubling SAFER Funding
July 1, 2009 – The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a Homeland
Security Appropriation bill that doubles funding for the Staffing for Adequate
Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The bill calls for spending
$420 million on the program, which provides grants to help communities hire fire
fighters. The bill also provides funding for a variety of other fire service
programs, including $390 million for the Assistance Firefighters Grant (AFG)
program, commonly known as FIRE Act grants.
Read More...
President Obama Approves New SAFER Rules
June 24, 2009 – President Barack Obama has approved new rules that govern how
fire departments can use funding from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, an important change during the
economic crisis that has caused widespread layoffs of fire fighters throughout
the country.
Read
More...
Senate Panel Matches SAFER, FIRE Funding Levels
in House
June 19, 2009 – A U.S. Senate panel has provided $420 million for the
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and $380
million for Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) grants in 2010. The funding was
approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee in its draft Homeland Security
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 on a unanimous vote.
Read More...
New Rules Allow SAFER Grants to Prevent Layoffs,
Restore Cuts
June 18, 2009 – Congress has
voted to allow the use of federal funding to rehire laid off fire fighters and
prevent fire department staffing reductions. The new rules for Staffing for
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants make funding available to
help keep IAFF members safe and on the job and bring back those who have been
laid off as a result of the current financial crisis. The bill is now on its way
to the White House.
Read More...
House Panel Approves Obama SAFER Funding Proposal
June 9, 2009 – 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.
Read More...
Fire Station Construction Grant Application Period to Open June 8
June 3, 2009 – The Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction grant
application period is expected to begin June 8, 2009. These grants will provide
funding directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or
modify existing fire stations in order to enhance response capabilities and
better protect communities from fire and fire-related hazards. The Fire Station
Construction grants were derived from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
of 2009. Congress appropriated a total of $210 million for Fiscal Year 2009 for
this program.
Read More...
IAFF Looks Forward to Improved Fire
Fighting Standards and Better Safety at U.S. Airports
Washington, DC – International
Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold A. Schaitberger today
released this statement on passage of H.R. 915 by the U.S. House of
Representatives. With passage of the FAA Reauthorization, the Federal Aviation
Administration will be required to update current aircraft rescue and fire
fighting standards and the safety of the flying public will be vastly improved.
Read More...
IAFF Testifies on Improving Hazardous
Materials Safety
May 15, 2009 – The IAFF
testified before the U.S. House
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials May 14 as part of
the committee’s efforts to update federal laws addressing the transportation of
hazardous materials. Elizabeth Harman, director of the IAFF Hazardous Materials/WMD
Training Department, discussed the importance of hazardous materials response
training and the need to improve hazardous materials identification tools for
fire fighters.
Read
More...
Funding to Protect Fire Fighter Jobs Moves
Forward
May 15, 2009 – Legislation to provide federal financial assistance to
enable local fire departments to rehire laid off fire fighters and avoid
staffing cuts has moved forward in both the House and Senate.
Read More...
IAFF
Urges Lawmakers to Bolster Airport Safety by Improving Fire Fighting Standards
Washington, DC
– International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold A.
Schaitberger today released this statement prior to a hearing on Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization held by the U.S. Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Aviation Operations,
Safety and Security.
Read More...
Obama Calls for
Doubling Funding for SAFER
President
Responds to IAFF Priority
May 8, 2009 – In his first formal budget request, President Barack Obama
fulfilled a campaign commitment by proposing a huge funding increase for
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, the IAFF’s
signature program. The Obama budget proposed $420 million for SAFER, doubling
the funding that the program received last year.
Read More...
Congressional
Panel Approves Use of SAFER Grants for Rehire, Retention
May 7, 2009 – The House Appropriations Committee has approved legislation that
would enable fire departments to use Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) grants to rehire laid off fire fighters and avoid reductions in
force (RIFs). The language, which was crafted and proposed by the IAFF, would
allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to waive various requirements on
SAFER grants that prevent grants from being used to address cuts in fire
department staffing.
Read More...
Tune in to the IAFF Legislative Conference
Webcast
March 13, 2009 – A webcast of the 2009 Alfred K.
Whitehead Legislative Conference will be available on the IAFF web site
beginning Monday, March 16.
Read More...
Funding for Fire Service in
Stimulus Bill
Key Provisions Provide Aid to Struggling Communities
February 13, 2009 – Congressional leaders and the Obama administration have
agreed on a compromise economic stimulus package that will provide more than
$200 billion to states and localities facing budget shortfalls. This critically
needed funding will help alleviate the pressure on fire department budgets in
communities across the nation. The legislation is expected to pass Congress this
week, and be quickly signed into law by President Obama.
Read More...
Napolitano Confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary
January 21, 2009 -- In the hours immediately following Barack Obama’s
inauguration as president of the United States, the U.S. Senate voted
unanimously to confirm Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the
Department of Homeland Security. Her confirmation follows hearings by the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs at which Committee
members praised her record on public safety and her commitment to working with
first responders.
Read More...
IAFF, IAFC, CFSI Support Keeping FEMA in DHS
January 8, 2009 – The IAFF, in conjunction with the International Association of
Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus (CFSI), is urging
the Obama administration to retain the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) as a core component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Read More...
IAFF Legislative Achievements Mark Session’s
End
Boost for SAFER
Funding Included in Year-End Mad Dash
October 6,
2008 – 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.
Read More...
Amid
Partisan Gridlock, IAFF Scores 11th Hour Legislative Victory
September 25,
2008 – 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.
Read More...
IAFF
Monitoring IRS Review of Retirement Eligibility Standards
September 25,
2008 – 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.
Read More...
Apply for the 2009 Political Training Academy
September 8, 2008 – The IAFF is
now accepting applications
online for the
2009 Political Training Academy, scheduled for March 1-6, 2009, in Baltimore,
Maryland. Applications for the 2009 Political Training Academy are available
online.
Read More...
IAFF
Expands Student Loan Forgiveness for Fire Fighters
August 28, 2008 – The IAFF has won a major
benefit for its members through the enactment of legislation expanding student
loan forgiveness benefits for professional fire fighters. H.R. 4137, the Higher
Education Opportunity Act, creates a new program allowing fire fighters to
receive up to $10,000 in student loan forgiveness and expands Perkins loan
cancellation benefits to fire fighters.
Read More...
IAFF Member Promotes Defined Benefit Plans Before Congressional Committee
July 11, 2008 – Will Pryor, a member of Los Angeles County, CA Local 1014 and
Chair of Investment at the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association,
testified July 10 on the importance of defined benefit (DB) pension plans to the
retirement security of fire fighters and all Americans in a hearing before the
Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress chaired by Senator Bob Casey
(D-PA).
Read More...
IAFF Casts Doubt on FCC Plan to Build a Nationwide Communications Network
July 11, 2008 – The IAFF has filed comments with the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) questioning their plan to build a nationwide public safety
communications network. The comments cast doubt on the ability of such a
network to address the current shortcomings in emergency communications and
question whether the network envisioned by the FCC will benefit commercial
entities at the expense of public safety.
Read
More...
Senate Committee Approves Presumptive Disability Benefits for
Federal Fire Fighters
June 26, 2008 – A U.S. Senate Committee voted to approve legislation granting
presumptive disability benefits to federal fire fighters who contract heart
disease, lung disease, certain cancers and certain infectious diseases.
Read More...
House Committee Restores First Responder Funds
June 11, 2008 – The Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security in the U.S.
House of Representatives has unanimously approved legislation to provide
additional funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services
(SAFER) and FIRE Act grant programs. As approved, the 2009 Homeland Security
Appropriations Act for 2009 includes $230 million for SAFER and $570 million for
FIRE Act.
Read
More...
SAFER Grant Application Period Open
June 3, 2008 – The IAFF encourages its affiliates and their fire departments to
apply for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) grants. The
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began accepting applications May 27, 2008.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on
June 27, 2008.
Read
More...
Senator Edward Kennedy will
Overcome Latest Health Challenge
Washington, DC – International Association of Fire Fighters General President
Harold Schaitberger issued this statement today following the announcement that
U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.
Read More...
Collective Bargaining Bill Delayed
May 16, 2008 – After an historic 69-29 cloture vote to bring the Public Safety
Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (H.R. 980/S.2123) on the floor of the U.S.
Senate for debate, presidential politics, partisanship and the Senate's arcane
procedural rules combined to temporarily stall progress on the bill that would
give every fire fighter the right to collectively bargain.
Read More...
Supermajority of Senators Vote to Consider Cooperation Act
May 13, 2008 – In a remarkable show of bipartisan support for the IAFF and its
members, 69 senators voted May 13 to consider H.R. 980, the Public Safety
Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. The 69-29 vote on the motion to proceed
permits the Senate to debate and amend the bill.
Read More...
Senate
to Vote on Collective Bargaining Bill
May 12, 2008 – The Public Safety
Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, the IAFF's national collective bargaining
bill (S 2123) is expected to be brought to the floor of the United States Senate
for a vote Tuesday morning May 13, 2008.
Read More...
Senate Bill Strips House Provision Requiring FAA to Update Airport Standards
April 30, 2008 – The lax safety culture of the
Federal Aviation Administration extends beyond aircraft maintenance to the
outdated 20-year-old FAA standards for fire and rescue operations that
jeopardize lives in the event of an aircraft incident at an airport, the
International Association of Fire Fighters charged today.
Read More...
IAFF Urges House Scrutiny of Public Safety Communications
Network
April 15, 2008 – IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger has issued a
statement on the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the Federal
Communications Commission’s auction to create a communications network for first
responders.
Read
More...
House Approves IAFF Recommendations to Strengthen U.S. Fire
Administration
April 11, 2008 – The U.S. House of Representatives voted 412-0 last week to
adopt legislation strengthening the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). H.R. 4847,
the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008, included 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.
Read More...
Bill to Promote Fire Fighter Safety Standards Introduced in
House
April 9, 2008 – IAFF priority legislation to enhance fire fighter safety and
health has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. On April 2,
Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) joined with 17 original cosponsors from both
parties to introduce H.R. 5686, the Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act of 2008.
Read More...
Sign Up for the New
FIREPAC Recurring Online Contribution Option!
July 3, 2007 -- The IAFF
has introduced an online contribution option for members to contribute monthly –
and automatically – to one of FIREPAC’s donor clubs. The new auto-draft program,
available now, is similar to a dues check-off program.
Read More...
IAFF Wins Second
Pollie Award
June 25, 2007 -- The
American Association of Political Consultants has recognized the IAFF once again
with the prestigious Pollie Award in the “Independent Expenditure/527
Communications” category for direct mail for “Wildfires.”
Read More...
President Bush's Proposed Budget Threatens Safety
January 30, 2008 -- IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger issued this
statement February 4 on President Bush’s proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget:
“As the end of the president’s term in office mercifully draws closer, his
proposed budget is another example of his words not matching his deeds.
Read More...
A Month Late, Bush Signs Defense Bill
January 30, 2008 -- After his veto delayed the implementation of
important fire fighter provisions in the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization
bill (H.R. 1585), including reforms to the National Security Personnel System (NSPS),
President Bush has finally signed into law a new FY 2008 Defense Authorization
bill (H.R. 4986) with all of the IAFF’s federal fire fighter provisions intact.
Read More...
Bush Vetoes Defense Bill
January 2, 2008 -- In a surprise development, President Bush last week “pocket
vetoed” the FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill (HR 1585). The president’s
refusal to sign the Defense bill will delay implementation of several provisions
important to the nation’s federal fire fighters, including the amendments to the
National Security Personnel System (NSPS).
Read More...
IAFF Wins Significant Funding for SAFER Grants
December 21, 2007 -- Despite a variety of significant obstacles as Congress
approached its annual year-end recess, the IAFF succeeded in winning a
unprecedented increase in funding for the SAFER grant program. H.R. 2764, the
Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2008, included $190 million for SAFER, an
increase of more than 65 percent over the previous year.
Read More...
Defense Bill Scores Big Win for DoD Fire Fighters
December 15, 2007 -- Congress is on the verge of passing landmark legislation
containing several important protections for federal fire fighters who protect
military installations. The FY ’08 Defense Authorization (HR 1585) reinstates
important DoD employee protections, repeals the $400 cap on the DoD uniform
allowance, reinvests mutual aid reimbursements back into DoD fire service
accounts, and kills a Bush administration proposal to privatize military fire
fighting.
Read More...
Anti-Labor Senators Derail Fire Fighter Bargaining Bill
December 14, 2007 -- With the Senate on the verge of passing the IAFF’s national
collective bargaining bill, a small group of hard-line anti-labor senators
engaged in a series of parliamentary tactics late last night to block the Senate
from acting. With no way to overcome the obstacles, the Senate was forced to
postpone action on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act until
after the New Year.
Read More...
Senate Votes to Strengthen Fire Fighter
Fatality Investigations
October 25, 2007 -- The U.S. Senate unanimously voted to double funding for
the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) within
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The program,
created by the IAFF in conjunction with President Bill Clinton, conducts
investigations of fire fighter line-of-duty deaths to formulate recommendations
for preventing future deaths and injuries.
Read More...
Breakthrough on Hometown Heroes?
October 9, 2007 -- Department of Justice officials who administer the Public
Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program have announced that DOJ is overhauling
the way it determines eligibility for heart attacks and strokes. Domingo Herraiz,
Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, spoke at a gathering of fire
service organizations and promised to make significant changes in the way his
agency evaluates PSOB claims under the Hometown Heroes Act.
Read More...
IAFF Testifies Before Congress on Reducing
Fire Fighter Deaths
October 4, 2007 -- Captain Bob Livingston, legislative director for the
Oregon State Council of Fire Fighters, testified before the U.S. House of
Representatives Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation on ways the United
States Fire Administration (USFA) could help reduce fire fighter line-of-duty
deaths.
Read More...
Bargaining Bill Introduced in Senate
October 2, 2007 -- The IAFF’s top
legislative priority, the Public Safety Employer-Employee
Cooperation Act, was introduced in the Senate October 1 with
bipartisan support. Led by Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and
Ted Kennedy (D-MA), 10 Republicans and 11 Democrats joined
together as original
sponsors of the legislation,
S.2123.
Read More...
House Moves to Strengthen Airport Fire
Fighting
September 21, 2007 – The U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve
legislation strengthening current fire safety standards at airports. The FAA
Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2881, was passed by a vote of 267-151. As passed, the
bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to bring Airport Rescue
and Fire Fighting (ARFF) standards into conformity with existing national
consensus standards.
Read More...
DoD Fire Fighters Get Long Overdue Uniform Allowance Hike
September 21, 2007 – The Senate has unanimously approved an amendment to the
defense authorization bill offered by Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Lindsey
Graham (R-SC) effectively doubling to $800 the maximum yearly uniform allowance
for Department of Defense (DoD) fire fighters, the first increase in 18 years.
Read More...
Student Loan Forgiveness for Fire Fighters Approved
September 10, 2007 – The U.S. Congress has approved legislation creating a
new student loan forgiveness program for full-time professional fire fighters
and other public safety employees who have served their communities for at least
10 years. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act, HR 2669, passed the House
292-97 and the Senate 79-12.
Read More...
Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in Senate
August 3, 2007 – Legislation granting disability retirement benefits to federal
fire fighters who contract certain illnesses on the job has been introduced in
the United States Senate. S. 1924, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act,
was introduced by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and John Warner (R-VA). The bill
creates a rebuttable 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.
Read More...
IAFF Encourages Fire
Departments to Apply for SAFER Grants
July 30, 2007 – The
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the application period
for the Assistance to Firefighters Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) grant program will begin at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on
July 30, 2007. All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight
Time on August 31, 2007.
Read More...
Busy Week on Capitol
Hill for Fire Fighter Issues
July 30, 2007 – With its
annual August recess fast approaching, Congress has been hard at work on a
number of legislative initiatives championed by the IAFF and of great benefit to
America’s fire fighters. In the last week, Congress passed legislation
further implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, the Senate
approved its Homeland Security funding bill for 2008, the House voted to
increase spending on E-911 initiatives, and the House passed legislation aimed
at ending the delays facing families who have applied for Hometown Heroes
benefits from the Department of Justice.
Read More...
House Passes Collective Bargaining Bill
July 17, 2007 – The U.S.
House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed HR 980, the Public Safety
Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007, which guarantees collective
bargaining rights for every fire fighter in the nation. The measure received
widespread, bipartisan support, prompting leaders from both parties to consider
the bill under an expedited procedure usually reserved for non-controversial
legislation. HR 980, which cleared the House by a margin of 314-97, is the
IAFF’s single most important legislative initiative.
Read More...
Sign Up for the New FIREPAC Recurring Online Contribution
Option!
July 3, 2007 -- The IAFF
has introduced an online contribution option for members to contribute monthly –
and automatically – to one of FIREPAC’s donor clubs. The new auto-draft program,
available now, is similar to a dues check-off program.
Read
More...
IAFF
Wins Pollie Award
June 25, 2007 -- The American Association of
Political Consultants has recognized the IAFF once again with the prestigious
Pollie Award in the “Independent Expenditure/527 Communications” category for
direct mail for “Wildfires.” The winning mailer was part of a four-piece direct
mail campaign the IAFF used during the Montana Senate general election in 2006.
Read More...
House Panel Approves IAFF Bargaining Bill
June 20, 2007 – Years of hard work by IAFF members
across the country has paid off with the June 20 House Committee vote of 42 to 1
to guarantee collective bargaining rights for every fire fighter in the nation.
The vote sends HR 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, to
the full House of Representatives. Read
More...
Bargaining Bill Posed for Action
June 11, 2007 -- Within the next few weeks, the U.S. House of
Representatives is expected to cast the first recorded vote in its history on
granting fire fighters collective bargaining rights. The Committee on Education
and Labor is working toward scheduling Committee action this month, followed by
a vote in the full House of Representatives.
Read More...
Bargaining Bill Supported by Majority in House
May 29, 2007 -- IAFF legislation to ensure collective bargaining rights for
all fire fighters has won the support of a clear majority in the U.S. House of
Representatives -- 229 of the 440 members of the House have signed on as
cosponsors. The bill continues to enjoy strong, bipartisan support with 60
Republicans joining 169 Democrats on the bill.
Read More...
Legislative Victories for New York, Gulf Coast Heroes
May 25, 2007 – The IAFF has achieved two major legislative
victories with the recent passage of the Iraq War Supplemental Appropriations
bill. In addition to providing funding for American troops overseas, the
legislation includes $50 million for New York City fire fighters who responded
to 9/11 and frees up federal funding for Gulf Coast fire fighters impacted by
Hurricane Katrina. The bill also includes a provision increasing the minimum
wage to $7.25. Read
More...
House Panel Doubles SAFER Funding
May 18, 2007 -- A House Appropriations Subcommittee has
approved legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security, doubling
funding for the SAFER grant program. The spending bill, sponsored by
Subcommittee Chairman David Price (D-NC), also provides increased funding for
the FIRE Act grant program and funds a new interoperable communications grant
program. Read More...
House Committee Stands Up For Military Fire Fighters
May 11, 2007 – The House Armed Services Committee, led by Chairman Ike Skelton
(D-MO) and Ranking Member Duncan Hunter (R-CA), have unanimously rejected a
proposal by the Department of Defense (DoD) to privatize military fire fighting.
The Committee also added language to the annual Defense Authorization bill to
secure collective bargaining rights for thousands of fire fighters and other DoD
civilian employees.
Read More...
IAFF-Backed Provisions Included in Iraq War Supplemental
May 2, 2007 -- President George W. Bush has vetoed the Supplemental
Appropriation Bill providing funding for the Iraq War that also includes a
number of provisions important to the nation’s fire fighters. Bush rejected the
measure because it seeks to end U.S. military involvement in Iraq, but his veto
derails several other provisions included in the bill.
Read More...
IAFF Seeks Fair Implementation of Hometown Heroes
April 20, 2007 -- The IAFF, in conjunction with the International Association of
Fire Chiefs and other national groups representing the interests of the fire
service, have sent a letter to President George Bush requesting that he examine
the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program to ensure that fallen fire
fighters are receiving benefits mandated by the Hometown Heroes Act.
Read More...
Collective Bargaining Bill Is More Than Halfway to Goal of
218 Cosponsors
April 20, 2007 -- Thanks to the efforts of grassroots IAFF activists, 133
members of the House of Representatives have signed on as cosponsors of HR 980,
the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. The number puts the IAFF
well on the way to achieve its goal of having 218 cosponsors – a majority of the
House of Representatives – and virtually ensures passage of the legislation.
Read More...
Application Deadline for FIRE Act Grants Is May 4
March 30, 2007 – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be accepting
applications for the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program through
May 4, 2007. Using new criteria – which should benefit many of the fire
departments represented by IAFF locals – DHS will give a higher level of
consideration to departments with a high call volume and to departments that
protect large populations.
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Message to Congress: AMT Should Not Tax Fire Fighters
March 23, 2007 – Michael Day, president of Baltimore County, MD Local 1311,
testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee
March 22 that the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) could hit fire fighters hard
with a tax increase next year if Congress fails to protect them from it.
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IAFF Presidential Forum Catches National Spotlight
The IAFF Presidential Forum -- the first bipartisan event of its kind --
captured international media attention March 14, making headline news as eleven
of the top candidates from both parties addressed more than 1,000 IAFF leaders
and members. The Presidential Forum began the process of deciding which
candidate will earn the IAFF’s support in the 2008 election.
Follow the coverage...
Legislative Conference Attendees Make Great Strides in
Congress
March 19, 2007 – Members of Congress have responded overwhelmingly to the more
than 900 IAFF members who stormed Capitol Hill March 13 as part of the 2007
Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference. Dozens of members of Congress have
signed on to support IAFF legislative priorities over the past week.
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IAFF Says Federal First Responder Support Is Inadequate
March 9, 2007 – Blaming a lack of commitment by the Bush administration, IAFF
General President Harold Schaitberger testified before a U.S. House Homeland
Security Subcommittee hearing March 9 on “Preparing for Disasters, Natural or
Otherwise” that the United States is not much better prepared to respond than
before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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IAFF Endorses Remaining 9/11 Commission Recommendations
February 28, 2007 – 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 (ID-CT) and other U.S. senators
February 28 to discuss the implementation of the remaining 9/11 Commission
recommendations and other first responder needs.
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Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in House
February 20, 2007 – 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.
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Bargaining Bill Introduced in House
February 12, 2007 – The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation was
introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Dale Kildee (D-MI)
and John Duncan (R-TN). IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger has
identified the Cooperation Act, HR 980, as the IAFF’s highest legislative
priority.
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More...
DHS Posts Workshop Schedule for 2007 FIRE Act Grant
Applications
January 25, 2007 – Beginning January 25, the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE
Act) FY 2007 workshop schedule is
available online. Administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office
of Grants and Training (G&T) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration,
the FIRE Act grant program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments
throughout the United States in funding activities including the purchase of
fire fighting equipment, personal protective equipment, training, fire fighting
and EMS vehicles and other first responder safety projects.
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New
Congress Highlights Fire Fighter Issues
January 10, 2007 -- The new 110th Congress is off to a quick start, placing fire
fighter issues at the forefront of its agenda, including HR.1 – a proposal to
fully implement the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission – which the House of
Representatives passed overwhelming in a 299-128 vote January 9.
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