http://www.iaff.org/Comm/Spot.htmen-gbTue, 25 Feb 2014 16:35:21 GMTTue, 25 Feb 2014 16:35:21 GMThttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss60http://www.iaff.org/media/rssIMG.jpghttp://www.iaff.org/12038IAFF - Always on the front line.http-equiv="PICS-Label" content='(PICS-1.1 "http://www.icra.org/ratingsv02.html" l gen true for "http://www.iaff.org/" r (n 0 s 0 v 0 l 0)'67891011SaturdaySundayhttp://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2243 &S=RSSFebruary 25, 2014 – Two retired IAFF members from Maryland are the latest recipients of the U.S. Senator Charles “Mac” Mathias (MD) Award. Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch bestowed the honor on state Delegates James Malone Jr. (D) and Robert Costa (R) for their dedication to working with colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to pass legislation on behalf of Maryland citizens.]]>2/25/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2241 &S=RSSFebruary 18, 2014 – Collective bargaining for fire fighters remains safe thanks to the quick actions by the Federated Fire Fighters of Wyoming (FFFWY). The Wyoming state legislature, while in the middle of a 20-day budget session, introduced HB 142, which, if passed, would have eliminated binding arbitration for fire fighters. ]]>2/18/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2240 &S=RSSFebruary 18, 2014 – After almost a two-year battle between the City of Sammamish, Washington, and Eastside Local 2878 members, the City has agreed, by a vote of 5-2, to maintain its service agreement with Eastside Fire and Rescue for seven more years.]]>2/18/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2239 &S=RSSFebruary 14, 2014 -- The never-ending debate over fire-paramedic stations in the city is delaying the replacement of crumbling facilities and putting public safety at risk, says the president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg. Alex Forrest said at least five stations within the Perimeter Highway are in dire need of being mothballed and replaced with modern stations, but the mud-slinging in city council over the treatment received by Shindico Realty -- which built four new fire halls over the past couple of years -- has had a "chilling effect" on construction plans. ]]>2/14/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2237 &S=RSSFebruary 11, 2014 -- Bremerton, WA Local 437 fire fighters Jeremy Dixon and Benny Cammarata are lifelong Washington Seahawks fans, so for Super Bowl XLVIII, there was only one place for them to be – New Jersey.]]>2/11/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2235 &S=RSSFebruary 4, 2014 -- Laden down in 100 pounds of bunker gear and crawling through a dark, smoky room on her hands and knees, City and Borough of Juneau City Manager Kim Kiefer wondered how she was going to find the mannequin, a mock fire victim, with a handheld thermal imaging camera, and then pull it out of the “burning” building. Kiefer was one of several city employees, elected officials and members of local media who strapped on an air-pack, breathing mask and steel-toed boots to participate in live-fire fighting training drills — all in the name of getting a better insight into what Capital City Fire and Rescue firefighters do on a daily basis. ]]>2/4/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2234 &S=RSSFebruary 4, 2014 -- A group of Edmonton fire fighters are taking to the rooftops to help combat muscular dystrophy (MD). The 2014 Rooftop Campout kicked off Sunday at the downtown Fire Station 2, 10217 107 St, and is the ninth installment of the annual fundraiser that raises awareness and funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Since its inception, the event has helped to raise over $900,000. The goal for this year’s campaign is to raise $125,000, which would help eclipse the $1 million mark. ]]>2/4/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2229 &S=RSSJanuary 17, 2013 -- The Colby fire continues to burn outside the communities of Glendora and Azusa, about 25 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, but officials announced Thursday evening that the fire’s forward spread had stopped. Some evacuation orders remain in effect as fire fighters hope to take advantage of calmer winds.]]>1/17/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=2227 &S=RSSJanuary 16, 2014 – After a strong collaborative lobbying effort by the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) and the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police (NJFOP), families of New Jersey fire fighters, police officers, emergency medical responders and correctional officers who die in the line of duty will receive some assistance covering funeral costs.]]>1/16/2014http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1541 &S=RSSAugust 9, 2011 – Members of Fairfax County, VA Local 2068 made the day for a beautiful 11-year-old girl ailed with Leukemia. At the request of Federal Fire Fighters of Hawaii Local F-263 President Reid Shimabukuro, 14 Local 2068 members paid a surprise visit to Shimabukuro’s neice, making  a memorable entrance through her hospital window.]]>8/9/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1540 &S=RSSAugust 9, 2011 -- In order to use every dollar provided by a federal grant, the City of Elyria hired five new fire fighters this week, bringing the total force to 75 individuals. Before the SAFER grant was awarded to the City of Elyria in 2009, the City employed 52 fire fighters using general fund dollars. The SAFER grant provides funds for the salaries and benefits of up to 23 additional fire fighters for a period of two years. ]]>8/9/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1539 &S=RSSAugust 9, 2011 – Last month, fire fighters from Bridgeton, NJ Local 4822 successfully rescued four members of the Rodriguez family who were trapped in their home. The fire - which erupted on the early morning of July 16, 2011 – left two people, including an infant, injured, and a family without the pet that they had all grown to love.  ]]>8/9/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1537 &S=RSSAugust 4, 2011 -- While Mother Nature kept the mercury hot throughout July, arsonists kept the heat on Winnipeg fire fighters and made it one of the City's worst months ever for blazes and fire-related tragedies. The numbers are stark and stand out not only in the City's history, but also compared to other Canadian cities. Seven people dead, five in a single rooming-house blaze. Eighteen people injured. Twenty-six fire fighters injured while battling the blazes. But there is one number that will never be known: How many more people would have died if not for the bravery of the city's 950 active fire fighters? ]]>8/4/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1534 &S=RSSJuly 26, 2011 -- Bryan Schwesing donned his hat and braved the heat and humidity as he walked down the center lane of Eureka Road in Taylor carrying a boot in hopes of raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. As sweat rolled down his face, Schwesing thanked the motorists who rolled down their windows to put dollar bills and coins inside his black-and-yellow boot. Schwesing is one of 19 Taylor fire fighters who were laid off July 1 because of City budget constraints, yet he waved and smiled as he used his time to help others. ]]>7/26/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1533 &S=RSSJuly 19, 2011 – Members of the New York Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) Local 854 and the Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York (UFA) Local 94 will join forces and resources on September 7 in recognition of fire fighters lost 10 years ago on September 11. For the 343 FDNY fire fighters who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks, members of Local 94 and 854 will travel 343 miles in recognition of their service to their country. ]]>7/19/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1532 &S=RSSJuly 18, 2011 -- British Columbia fire fighters who develop esophageal cancer will now be eligible for WorkSafeBC benefits. This brings to 10 the number of cancers recognized under the Workers’ Compensation Act as being work-related diseases for which the province’s 3,800 fire fighters can seek benefits. ]]>7/18/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1531 &S=RSSJuly 14, 2011 -- A $1.5 million federal grant approved by City Council will allow the hiring of eight full-time fire fighters over the next two years. Though the City’s Act 47 fiscal recovery plan recommended cutting five fire fighters, the plan coordinator said she was surprised to hear Harrisburg now only has about 70 fire fighters — eight fewer than called for in the plan. ]]>7/14/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1530 &S=RSSJuly 14, 2011 -- Legal briefs from both sides are due by July 26 in a lawsuit alleging that Mayor Dewey Bartlett violated the rights of Tulsa fire fighters when he ordered them not to campaign in municipal elections. U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell scheduled a July 28 hearing to consider the fire fighters’ request for a preliminary injunction that, if granted, would prohibit the City of Tulsa from disciplining the plaintiffs and other City employees for engaging in political activity while off duty and out of uniform. ]]>7/14/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1529 &S=RSSJuly 13, 2011 – Corey Thompson, a member of London, ON Local 142, is channeling his musical talents for the good of his fire fighting brothers and sisters. Having penned a song entitled, “The Rescue,” Thompson is donating all proceeds from the song to fund the efforts to build a memorial for the 19 fallen Ontario fire fighters that were lost in the line of duty.]]>7/13/2011http://www.iaff.org/linker.asp?id=1527 &S=RSSJuly 12, 2011 – For the second consecutive year, UnitedHealthcare has sponsored its annual Ride 2 Recovery event, where hundreds of injured veterans and their supporters ride their bicycles long distances in the name of recovery. For this year’s event, the IAFF mobilized members to greet injured veterans at assigned resting points throughout their communities. The service men and women were met by IAFF members who provided assistance ranging from meals to moral support.]]>7/12/2011