IAFF Fire Fighter Wins “TRCP’s Escape to the Wild” Adventure

July 24, 2006 -- The Outdoor Life Network (OLN) recently teamed with the IAFF and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) to pounce on unsuspecting fire fighter Rocky Raimondi, a member of Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York Local 94, to name him the first winner of an all-expenses-paid trip to fulfill the hunting and fishing fantasies of union members. Raimondi’s adventure is featured in the premiere episode of OLN’s new series, “TRCP’s Escape to the Wild,” to air next year.

Raimondi was selected from more than 400 entries submitted by union members for an “Escape to the Wild” adventure for his essay describing his dream fishing expedition in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Told he was attending a retirement party for a fellow fire fighter, Raimondi was lured by his union representative, Frank LoPresti, to an auditorium around the corner from Engine 15 in New York’s Lower East Side. “He had me going really good,” Raimondi says. He bought LoPresti’s story hook, line and sinker.

Instead of a retirement party, Raimondi was met by “Escape to the Wild” host Marc Pierce with news that he had won the “Escape to the Wild” fishing adventure. While he knew he was a finalist, winning still came as a big surprise and fulfilled a lifelong dream for the avid fisherman. “I’ve always wanted to go to Cabo,” he says.

In May, Raimondi and his, dad, Joe, spent six days fishing and surfing in Cabo. Father and son caught four marlins, weighing between 140 to 240 pounds.

“Escape to the Wild” is part of a cooperative effort between a coalition of AFL-CIO unions, including the the IAFF, Outdoor Life Network and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. For more information click here.

Left: NY Local 94 member Rocky Raimondi (left) fulfills his fishing fantasy with his father, Joe.