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.
 

"Economic Crisis News Headlines" (International Association of Fire Fire Fighters)
"President-elect Obama Says 'Don't Cut Fire Fighters' " (CNN Politics)
"IAFF, IAFC, CFSI Support Keeping FEMA in DHS" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighter Deaths Declined Slightly in 2008" (Examiner.com)
"Boston Fire Fighter Killed In Truck Crash" (The Boston Globe)
"Union links firefighter's death to city's inaction on vehicles" (The Boston Globe )
"City Unions Win Support in Opposing Bankruptcy" (Vallejo Times Herald (CA))
"Firefighters Still Seeing Counselors" (Charleston Post and Courier)
"Charges Expected in Fire at Deutsche Bank Tower" (New York County District Attorney's Office)
"Detroit's Firefighters Battle Dangerous Ghosts" (NPR Online)
"Suburbs Ready to Woo Atlanta's Police, Fire Fighters" (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
"Flame War In Jefferson Parish" (The Gambit)
"Small South Carolina Local Shows Political Prowess" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Local Fire Fighters Help Ravens Practice" (FOX Sports)
"Katrina Kids Toy Drive a Success" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Celtics Honor Natick Fire Fighters" (Metro West Daily News)
"Tallahassee May Charge At-Fault Drivers Fire Response Fees" (Tallahassee Democrat)
"71-Year-Old Fire Fighter Might Be Oldest Ever in Columbus' Ranks" (The Columbus Dispatch )
"Billings Fire Fighters Give to Families" (The Billings Gazette)
"And the Most Stressful Jobs Are …" (Toronto Globe & Mail (Canada))

Economic Crisis News Headlines
International Association of Fire Fire Fighters

The economy is affecting IAFF members throughout this union through staffing reductions, station closures, cost shifting and wage concessions as local governments lose revenue. To help IAFF members get a clearer understanding of the depth of the financial crisis, the effect it's having at every level of the economy -- including local and state budgets -- the IAFF has prepared the following summaries of and links to "economic crisis" news articles related to cuts in state and local budgets, fire fighter staffing, health care benefits, compensation, pension plans and other areas as a result of the economic downturn.
(Web Link)
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President-elect Obama Says 'Don't Cut Fire Fighters'
CNN Politics (01/08/09)

In a speech from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, on January 8, President-elect Barack Obama called on Congress to act quickly on his economic package which focuses on investing in priorities like energy and education, health care and a new infrastructure. "...[T]he overwhelming majority of the jobs created will be in the private sector, while our plan will save the public sector jobs of teachers, police officers, fire fighters, and others who provide vital services," he said.
(Web Link)
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IAFF, IAFC, CFSI Support Keeping FEMA in DHS
International Association of Fire Fighters (01/08/09)

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).
(Web Link)
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Firefighter Deaths Declined Slightly in 2008
Examiner.com (01/07/09)

The U.S. Fire Administration reports the number of fire fighters who died in the line of duty fell to 114 in 2008 from 118 in 2007. Approximately 46 percent of the deaths were from heart attacks and strokes, and almost two-thirds happened while performing emergency duties. U.S. Fire Administrator Gregory Cade stresses that a large percentage of the losses were avoidable. He notes that the fatalities help point to the need to upgrade the operational safety of fire departments.
(Web Link)
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Boston Fire Fighter Killed In Truck Crash
The Boston Globe (01/09/09); Slack, Donovan; Cramer, Maria; and Valencia, Milton

One fire fighter was killed and one received life-threatening injuries when a Boston Fire Department ladder truck crashed into a building. One city official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the truck may have lost its brakes as it hurtled down a steep hill. Three other fire fighters were treated for minor injuries and are in good condition. Three children who were in the building when the truck hit are being treated for minor injuries.
(Web Link)
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Union links firefighter's death to city's inaction on vehicles
The Boston Globe (01/12/09); Drake, John C.

The Boston Firefighters Union is blaming the death of a veteran lieutenant on the fire department's failure to replace aging vehicles and called on the state to inspect the city's fleet of ladder trucks and engines. Local 718 president Edward Kelly said at an news conference that when a ladder truck crashed into a parked car outside fire department headquarters, it was the third time a Boston fire fighter lost control of a vehicle and crashed in less than two weeks.
(Web Link)
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City Unions Win Support in Opposing Bankruptcy
Vallejo Times Herald (CA) (01/05/09); York, Jessica A.

The city of Vallejo, California, is trying to renegotiate employment contracts for fire fighters and other workers as part of its federal application for bankruptcy, and Southern California locals are organizing to raise funds to fight to protect their fire fighters’ contracts. Vallejo, CA Local 1186 fire fighters have doubled their dues to $285 a month to help fund the fight. The union is challenging the federal decision that the city qualified for bankruptcy protection as well as the city’s plan to cancel existing employee contracts and renegotiate. Vallejo is considered a test case for the rest of the country.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Still Seeing Counselors
Charleston Post and Courier (12/28/08); Menchaca, Ron; Smith, Glenn

Fire fighters who were involved in the 2007 Sofa Super Store fire in Charleston, South Carolina, which killed nine of their colleagues, continue to work with counselors to deal with their grief, guilt, and post-traumatic stress. The Charleston Firefighter Support Team is counseling 140 fire fighters and their families, and many say the team should become a permanent fixture to assist with not only this tragedy but the daily stress of their jobs. The team’s budget is about $360,000 per year, though, and depends on grant funding to sustain itself at a time when every dollar is stretched to the limit. There are other support programs in the city that fire fighters could take advantage of, but supporters say the team is aimed at the specific issues faced by fire fighters and is much more valuable than generic counseling.
(Web Link)
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Charges Expected in Fire at Deutsche Bank Tower
New York County District Attorney's Office (12/28/08)

Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau has announced the results of the investigation into the August 18, 2007, fire at the Deutsche Bank building in which fire fighters Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino lost their lives. Three individuals and one company have been indicted for manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment in the deaths of the fire fighters.
(Web Link)
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Detroit's Firefighters Battle Dangerous Ghosts
NPR Online (12/27/08); Lyden, Jacki

With Detroit’s population shrinking and the number of abandoned homes soaring, the number of fires is growing and fire fighters are finding their work increasingly dangerous. The city estimates that it has more than 70,000 empty homes and by next year one in four homes will be abandoned. Fire fighters have begun marking empty homes with a red X on their foundations so they know to be extra careful. In November a fire fighter died when the interior stairwell of an abandoned home collapsed, and the fire was declared to be the result of arson. At the same time, the city’s limits continue to sprawl, and just 66 companies must cover a 139-square-mile area. This means longer response times, especially to the more isolated neighborhoods.
(Web Link)
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Suburbs Ready to Woo Atlanta's Police, Fire Fighters
Atlanta Journal Constitution (01/08/09); MacDonald, Mary

While Atlanta sheds hours or cuts pay for public safety positions, some of its more stable neighbors are focused on recruitment strategies that might entice people to jump. Salaries aren't the only consideration. And financially strapped Atlanta isn't the only target. Department leaders who are in a position to hire are thinking of competitive advantages, such as financial benefits, that will be most attractive to workers who could sacrifice retirement savings if they bolt.
(Web Link)
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Flame War In Jefferson Parish
The Gambit (01/12/09)

A lot of dirt has been thrown in the ongoing dispute between Jefferson Parish and fire fighters in the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department, and it has served only to muddy the main issue: paying fire fighters. Other areas of contention are drug testing, disclosure of prescription medications and sick leave policies -- but fire fighters are most concerned with how much they are paid. For their part, parish officials should focus on keeping the fire district's Class 1 fire protection rating, which is the highest in the state.
(Web Link)
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Small South Carolina Local Shows Political Prowess
International Association of Fire Fighters (12/23/08)

Inspired by political success stories heard at the IAFF 49th Convention in Las Vegas, Florence, SC Local 3352 fire fighters campaigned hard for union-friendly mayoral candidate Stephen Wukela. Wukela emerged with 9,045 votes to opponent Rocky Pearce's 7,375 votes. "With just 15 members, I am really proud of the work we did to elect Mayor Wukela," says Joe Vanadia, president of Local 3352. "For the first time, we have a mayor who is willing to sit down and talk with us. This is huge."
(Web Link)
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Local Fire Fighters Help Ravens Practice
FOX Sports (01/09/09); Maese, Rick

All season, a group of Baltimore fire fighters has assumed the role of the opposing team's defense at early-morning Ravens' practices. They mimic the players and plays the Ravens expect to face each weekend, helping the offensive linemen prepare for any formation and any situation. For 40-plus hours a week, Frank Thomas is a pump operator for the Baltimore City Fire Department. But for three mornings this week, he has been Jevon Kearse, the Tennessee Titans' three-time Pro Bowl defensive end.
(Web Link)
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Katrina Kids Toy Drive a Success
International Association of Fire Fighters (01/13/09)

More than 12,000 kids whose families remain affected by Hurricane Katrina were still able to have a great Christmas thanks to the efforts of some active and retired members of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) of Greater New York Local 94 and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) of New York Local 854.
(Web Link)
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Celtics Honor Natick Fire Fighters
Metro West Daily News (01/04/09); Breitrose, Charlie

The Boston Celtics honored two Natick fire fighters who helped save two teens from an icy pond last month. Lt. Michael Aries and fire fighter Brian Linton helped save two teens who fell into the icy waters of Pickerel Pond on December 20, and gave their survival suits to the teens to keep them warm, said Fire Chief James Sheridan. The Celtics honored the two fire fighters as part of the team's Heroes Among Us program.
(Web Link)
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Tallahassee May Charge At-Fault Drivers Fire Response Fees
Tallahassee Democrat (01/13/09); Crawford, John

The city of Tallahassee will introduce an ordinance that would charge fire response fees for at-fault drivers involved in automobile crashes. The fees, which typically run between $400 and $700, are part of an effort by fire departments to recoup some of the expenses they incur when responding to crashes.
(Web Link)
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71-Year-Old Fire Fighter Might Be Oldest Ever in Columbus' Ranks
The Columbus Dispatch (01/12/09)

No one knows whether Lt. John Simkins is the oldest active fire fighter in the history of the Columbus Fire Division. But no one can remember anyone else jumping on a firetruck at age 71. Simkins was hired in February 1967, part of a class of six recruits. The others left long ago.
(Web Link)
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Billings Fire Fighters Give to Families
The Billings Gazette (12/23/08); Benoit, Zach

When a home catches fire, Billings fire fighters don't just put out the blaze. For the past year, Firefighters Union Local 521 has also been helping those families get back on their feet. "The goal is to help people in the community," Union President Dan Cotrell said. "To help people right away if they're involved in a life-altering situation." With funds from the Rich Duval Benevolent Fund, the fire fighters' union has been providing about $200 per person, per family in Target gift cards to help residents whose homes have burned down, those who need a little help with family troubles, like extended illness, and the families of fire fighters.
(Web Link)
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And the Most Stressful Jobs Are …
Toronto Globe & Mail (Canada) (01/08/09); Grant, Tavia

New research ranks fire fighters among occupations that have the highest levels of work-life stress. "High levels of interaction at work may lead to increased fatigue and depletion of personal resources needed to fulfill family role obligations," explains Erich Dierdorff, assistant professor of management at DePaul University, co-author of the study. The researchers controlled factors such as demographics, schedule flexibility, time pressure, workload and support offered by co-workers. In addition to social interaction, workers are now more responsible for the work quality, health and safety of co-workers. New employee training and support services should focus more on "work-life stress generated by the nature of work roles," adds Dierdorff. The study, which considers 126 occupations, appeared in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
(Web Link)
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