INTERNATIONAL

All Hazards Response — Page 22 contents JULY/AUGUST 2011 JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS/VOL 94. NO. 4 FEATURES

ON THE COVER:

Fighting Back Campaign Gains Momentum IAFF affiliates fend off attacks in state and local battles ...... 12

Extending a hand to IAFF members The New IAFF Foundation P. 18 Supporting members in time of need ...... 18 General President’s Message All Hazards Response Gaining Traction, But Still An Uncertain Path ...... 3 The role of fire fighters goes well beyond putting out fires ...... 22 General Secretary-Treasurer’s Message Back to Basics ...... 5 Preparing for P. 36 a MAYDAY Letters to the Editor ...... 6

Local Scene ...... 8

Always on the Frontline ...... 26

Across the IAFF ...... 29

Fully Involved ...... 36

Retirees ...... 43

In Memoriam/Last Alarm ...... 46

On The Cover IAFF affiliates fight back to keep anti-worker attacks at bay.

IAFF Goes P. 38 Passionately Pink

2 July/August 2011 From the General President Gaining Traction, But Still Navigating an Uncertain Path e’ve worked hard together over the past seven put on the chopping block would remain open. After the months to defend your rights and benefits. mayor made his unwise decision to close 20 companies, WWe’ve had some success, but I also know that the Uniformed Fire Officers Association Local 854 and the battles continue to rage all around us. So many of the Uniformed Firefighters Association Local 94 you have taken pay cuts. Many of you are paying more embarked on a vigorous public awareness campaign to for your benefits. Some affiliates have fought like hell just let people know that closing 20 companies would have to hold on to what they have, and in times like these that dangerous consequences for those who live and work in is a significant achievement. New York City. But we also have won some important battles. I was honored to join our FDNY members on June 3 in On July 7, the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters a march across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall, where Association (PPFFA) finally got the cancer presumption 15,000 people gathered for a rally organized by Locals 94 law it has worked for over the past 25 years. The PPFFA and 854, whose members let the mayor know that they has made getting cancer presumption its top priority for would not rest until he backed off of his reckless plan. Harold A. many years, and the perseverance finally paid off. Then on June 24, the mayor and the City Council said Schaitberger Our sisters and brothers have won important political they found other ways to save money and all of the and legislative fights this year in Wisconsin, Alabama, companies will stay open. I couldn’t be more proud of Illinois, Oklahoma, Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, our New York City locals for their efforts to keep the issue Nebraska, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, in front of citizens and keep the companies open. “These threats Iowa and Indiana over the anti-labor, anti-worker crowd The slow march in Wisconsin to restore the rights of of extremist public officials. public workers continued on July 12 when six Democrats will not disappear And since we outlined our Fighting Back efforts in the in the state Senate won their primaries over fake last magazine two months ago, that momentum has Democrats — candidates who were actually Republicans until we change continued. but got enough signatures to appear on the Democratic the fundamental In July, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed a ballot, an insidious plan hatched by deceitful anti-worker budget that preserves collective bargaining over health strategists to slow down the recall effort. political care, a huge but hard-fought victory for the Professional But they failed, and in another state Senate election in Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. Wisconsin on July 19, where there was no primary, the landscape and In June, the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union Democratic incumbent won and held on to his seat. That remove those (MPFFU) succeeded in protecting their right to binding win at the ballot box gave Democrats the first victory in arbitration. the nine recall elections that will be held this summer in lawmakers from Our hard-working sisters and brothers in Michigan Wisconsin. These elections are an indictment on have faced as many challenges as anyone in our Governor Scott Walker himself. office who don’t membership this year. Their anti-labor governor and his I know the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin will extremist Republican allies in the Michigan state be working extremely hard over the summer to ensure value your legislature have used every strategy imaginable to go after Democrats win these recalls because winning these service or think fire fighters. Governor Rick Snyder and his buddies took elections will allow Democrats to take control of the state two swipes at binding arbitration. With rallies, phone Senate and overturn the governor’s anti-worker law and that you earn calls and e-mails, the MPFFU beat back the first attempt. derail his anti-worker agenda. When legislators introduced another bill to eliminate These are all significant wins, and I feel confident that lavish wages and arbitration, the MPFFU reached a compromise to retain you are gaining some traction in this debate over the enjoy cushy that right. value of your service to your communities. That accomplishment in the Michigan legislature came But these fights aren’t over. In so many states, our pensions.” on the heels of public votes in two Michigan opponents already have scripted their next steps and are communities — Jackson and Harper Woods — where planning to make another run at your rights and benefits citizens sided with fire fighters and defeated efforts to in an upcoming legislative session. That’s why it is so move to the public safety officer system in their towns. crucial that you don’t wait until the next legislative Our sisters and brothers in Ohio reached a significant session begins before developing your strategy to protect milestone in June and put themselves in position to your rights and benefits. Now is the time to make a plan overturn one of the worst anti-labor laws that state has and build bridges with lawmakers who will help affiliates ever seen. On June 29, opponents of SB 5 — the deflect bad legislation and promote your interests. anti-labor bill that strips all public employees in Ohio of But that’s not all we have to do. These threats will not their collective bargaining rights — delivered 1.3 million disappear until we change the fundamental political signatures on repeal petitions to the Secretary of State’s landscape and remove those lawmakers from office who office — nearly six times more than the 231,000 don’t value your service or think that you earn lavish signatures needed to put the measure on the November wages and enjoy cushy pensions. ballot. We know better. But too few lawmakers know better, The effort to gather signatures was just the first step in and that’s why it’s so important to get those people out the repeal process, but the members of the Ohio of office and replace them with public officials who are Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF) willing to support you. Until we accomplish that, deserve an enormous amount of credit for their hard affiliates will continue to play defense as they try to keep work to gather tens of thousands of those signatures and the anti-worker lawmakers at bay, and every year will ensure that voters can go to the polls in November to look like 2011. I don’t think anyone wants that. make SB 5 a distant memory. Our sisters and brothers in New York City also had a significant win in June, when it was announced that every fire company that Mayor Michael Bloomberg had

International Fire Fighter 3 INTERNATIONAL

Harold A. Schaitberger General President Harold A. Schaitberger, Editor Thomas H. Miller General Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Zack, Supervising Editor IAFF EXECUTIVE BOARD 10th District Jane Blume Bill Glanz James T. Ferguson Director of Communications, Director of Public Affairs and 1st District 3029 Buchanan Street Kevin Gallagher San Francisco, CA 94123-4201 Managing Editor Media Relations 2004 E. 29th Street (415) 760-8063 (Cell) Kristin Craine, Staff Writer Kristin Davis, Graphic Artist Brooklyn, NY 11229 (415) 474-4121 (Fax) (718) 934-4933 (Office) 11th District Tim Burn, Staff Writer Mesha Williams, New Media Assistant (917) 767-9639 (Cell) Sandy McGhee Cindy Payne, Administrative Assistant (718) 332-0001 (Fax) 1283 S. Detroit Avenue Carly Lanning, Communications Intern 2nd District Tulsa, OK 74120 Craig Renfro, Advertising Director • (972) 416-9782 • [email protected] Mark Woolbright (918) 599-8176 (Office) (918) 855-8228 (Cell) 115 McMennamy Road Periodical postage paid at Washington, DC Postmasters send changes of address to (918) 599-9176 (Fax) and additional mailing offices. IAFF St. Peters, MO 63376 1750 New York Avenue NW (314) 393-9755 (Cell) Published bi-monthly. 12th District Washington, D.C. 20006 (636) 397-1572 (Office) Larry Osborne Subscription price $18 per year. (636) 397-3809 (Fax) 8743 Ricardo Lane International Fire Fighter Jacksonville, FL 32216-3536 (ISSN 0020-6733) 3rd District Official publication of and © Copyright A. Michael Mullane (904) 641-5407 (Home) (904) 219-8656 (Cell) 2011 by the 50 North Bayfield Road INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF North Quincy, MA 02171 13th District FIRE FIGHTERS ® Printed in USA (617) 328-7202 (Home) Bruce Carpenter (617) 288-2100 (Office) 12 Lockview Crescent Publications Mail Agreement No. 1492438 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: P.O. Box 503 RPO West Beaver Creek St. Catharines, ON L2M 2T3 4th District Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6 (905) 687-2455 (Cell) William V. Taylor 206 Inlet Drive 14th District INTERNATIONAL STAFF Danny Todd Pasadena, MD 21122 Peter L. Gorman Chief of Staff 3740 Northcliffe Drive (410) 317-5546 (Office) Jim Lee Chief of Operations Kelli Tucker (443) 324-2529 (Cell) Memphis, TN 38128 Baldwin Robertson Legal Counsel President of Auxiliary to the IAFF (410) 317-5548 (Fax) (901) 377-6549 (Home) Rich Duffy Assistant to the General (512) 587-0413 5th District 15th District President for Occupational Health [email protected] Joseph M. Conway Jr. James A. Fennell Safety and Medicine www.aiaff.com Father Thomas Mulcrone 821 Williamson Street 181 Ellerdale Street Jeff Zack Assistant to the General IAFF Chaplain Madison, WI 53703-3547 St. John East, NB E2J 2L8 President for Media, (608) 257-2030 (Office) (506) 693-9710 (Home) Communications and Information IAFF Headquarters Office (506) 658-2955 (Office/Station) Technology 1750 New York Ave. NW 6th District Scott Marks Assistant to the Washington DC 20006 Lorne West 16th District (202) 737-8484 (Office) General President for Canadian James B. Johnson (202) 737-8418 (Fax) Box 581 Stn. Ft. Langley Operations Langley, BC Canada V1M2R9 3195 Dayton-Xenia Road IAFF Canadian Office Lori Moore-Merrell Assistant to Suite 900-303 350 Sparks St. Suite 403 (604) 574-5785 (Office) the General President for Member Beavercreek, OH 45434-6390 Ottawa Ontario Canada K1R7S8 (604) 868-8730 (Cell) Services, Technical Assistance and (202) 360-1318 (Cell) (613) 567-8988 (Office) (604) 513-9884 (Fax) Information Resources (937) 429-5536 (Fax) (613) 567-8986 (Fax) Patrick J. Morrison 7th District Assistant to the IAFF Alumni Coordinator Ricky Walsh TRUSTEES General President for Development, Dominick Barbera Education, Training and Human P.O. Box 5604 Mark S. Ouellette (786) 423-1401(Cell) Relations West Richland, WA 99353 2681 Sicily Drive (954) 434-3850 (Home/Office) Kevin O’Connor Assistant to the (509) 627-2872 (Office) New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 IAFF Burn Foundation (509) 999-3090 (Cell) (603) 422-5081 (Cell) General President for Governmental and Public Policy (202) 824-8620 (509) 627-3134 (Fax) Alex Forrest Don Copley Assistant to the 8th District 303-83 Garry Street General Secretary-Treasurer for Paul Hufnagel Winnipeg MB R3C-419 Canada Budget and Finance (204) 783-1733 (Office) 2545 Oxford Road Send your address changes to [email protected] Lansing, MI 48911-1036 (204) 791-4980 (Cell) (517) 281-2832 (Cell) (204) 255-0383 (Home) EMERITI OFFICERS Dominick C. DiPaulo (204) 253-0496 (Station) (517) 484-7744 (Home) President Emeritus Robert E. Palmer (204) 772-2531 (Fax) Charles L. Buss 9th District Alfred K. Whitehead Anthony Mejia Gerald O. Holland Randall (Randy) Atkinson Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus 3451 Julian Avenue Michael J. Crouse 7964 South Pennsylvania Drive Frank A. Palumbo Long Beach, CA 90808 Ernest A. “Buddy” Mass Littleton, CO 80122 (562) 989-3667 (Office) Vice President Emeritus (303) 738-9338 (Home) Terry A. Ritchie (562) 212-2055 (Cell) Charley Hall (303) 880-1329 (Cell) Dominick F. Barbera Russell P. Cerami GENERAL COUNSEL Trustee Emeritus James L. Hill Thomas Woodley William McGrane Elliott Hastings Woodley & McGillivary Dennis Lloyd John K. Stephens 4 July/August 2011 From the General Secretary-Treasurer

Back to Basics

have been honored to serve as General of secretary and treasurer, it is still a good practice to Secretary-Treasurer of this great organization for have no fewer than two officers overseeing and Imore than 18 months now. Traveling around meticulously tracking all of the monies coming in North America during that time, I have met many from members’ dues and other sources, and that they affiliate leaders and members, and I have had the are recording all of the money being spent. That opportunity to work directly with many of you. I am includes keeping track of all debit and credit card so proud of the hard work all of you are doing. Your purchases and retaining invoices and receipts so efforts are not just helping your membership, they there is a record of each transaction. are making the IAFF stronger. The more assets and transactions an affiliate has However, with the outside forces trying to take can make it more complicated to keep track of all the down unions and get at our hard-fought rights and receipts and expenditures. Secretary-treasurers of benefits, I must stress that we cannot let up from the those affiliates need to be attentive and scrupulous hard work we have been doing, because you know because more income and more transactions mean Thomas H. Miller our opponents will not let up. Secretary-treasurers more opportunity for mistakes. It is important for all are an important line of defense against these attacks affiliates to secure sufficient fiduciary bond because fighting these battles is expensive and can be protection, which is a topic I discussed at length in a “While we fight a drain on any organization’s treasury. previous article. There is also information about these attacks, we Nevertheless, while we fight these attacks, we bonding on the GST web site. should use them as an opportunity to improve how The importance of good, consistent record-keeping should use them we do our job and protect our organizations. cannot be overstated. In a future article, I will discuss I assure you this is not just lip service. This is record retention in greater detail. Generally, as an opportunity precisely what we have done at the International however, federal and state laws require the retention to improve how level. and maintenance of numerous documents, and it is Since I took office, I have worked tirelessly to good office management to have a simple yet we do our job and identify areas where we could improve how the accurate system for filing and finding all documents Office of the General Secretary-Treasurer functions. relating to the affiliate and its members. Most protect our During that time, I have implemented numerous documentation can — and should — be stored on organizations.” changes to produce the most effective ways of secure computers. Though some documents must be serving our members. held in hard copy, they should be protected from For example, I suggested to the IAFF Trustees that physical damage in a cabinet or safe. we solicit proposals from auditing firms because the Another critical role for a secretary-treasurer is to IAFF had used the same auditing firm for 28 years, maintain accurate information about the and I wanted to know if we were getting the best membership, including up-to-date addresses and value for the fees we were paying. The Trustees contact information, as well as data about per capita interviewed five auditing firms before selecting payments. Affiliates must maintain accurate Renner and Company. In addition, we are working membership rosters and make their per capita hard to modernize the office in order to improve the payments on time. The better those records are way we manage the IAFF’s assets. Those efforts are organized and maintained the better the likelihood taking shape and starting to show results. your records and payments are correct when you In the same way, affiliate secretary-treasurers — share the information with the IAFF. along with their fellow officers — should be As your General Secretary-Treasurer, I am proud to conducting an honest self-assessment of their office be the one to watch over the IAFF’s finances and operations, with the goal of finding ways to make it assets. I am also interested in hearing any comments, more efficient, more economical and more effective questions or suggestions that you might have about in providing services and information to the how we can improve operations at IAFF membership. To assist you in doing that, I encourage headquarters. you to visit the General Secretary-Treasurer’s web Working together we will continue to be one of the page at www.iaff.org/union.gst . There you will find strongest unions with a powerful presence in several documents with information you can use as a Washington, DC, Ottawa, Canada, and every other guide to best practices. region from coast to coast. n One document now available is “Local Union Financial Responsibilities and Management.” This document contains helpful information to assist secretary-treasurers in doing their jobs. Whether or not your local has combined the offices

International Fire Fighter 5 Letters Politicians in Training work of the IAFF and your believe this was the correct one. behalf of public employees and state/provincial/county Fire fighters and paramedics in their rights. Dear President Schaitberger: councils for the benefit of ALL our state are proud to be Thank you and please thank I would like to thank you, the of us in this struggle?” members of our great General Secretary-Treasurer Executive Board and your I look forward to repaying the organization. Tommy Miller and all the IAFF excellent staff for providing the IAFF’s investment in my These are indeed troublesome Executive Board members for Political Training Academy training and education in the times and, as correctly noted, their leadership. again this year. I cannot give service of our proud profession. across our country our enemies May God bless all of you, the this excellent program enough are trying to kill us as a labor IAFF and the USA. praise. The amount of Jamie Edmonds movement and our ability to information crammed into Secretary, Coronado represent our members. Even in Fraternally, such a short few days is Firefighters Local 1475 a state like ours where collective David R. Anders , President amazing. The fact that Secretary, San Diego County bargaining is prohibited and PFFPNC everything is provided free of Council of Firefighters our pensions are envied by no charge — the program, meals one, the anti-employee Sincerest Thanks and lodging — made the deal We’ve Got Your Back politicians are coming after the even better. little that we do have. Dear President Schaitberger: The attacks on professional fire Dear President Schaitberger: We will not be discouraged. On behalf of the Executive fighters and paramedics are The Executive Board of the IAFF members in North and Board of Directors of the coming from all sides — Professional Fire Fighters and Carolina have shown their Canadian Fallen Firefighters including some of our alleged Paramedics of North Carolina support for all public Foundation and the families of “friends” and the best defense is a (PFFPNC) have asked me to employees throughout our fallen fire fighters, I would like good offense. This Political inform you and the IAFF country by participating in to offer my heartfelt thanks for Training Academy creates Executive Board that we fully rallies across our state in the IAFF donation to the well-trained IAFF members support the IAFF’s decision to defense of public employees’ Canadian Firefighters ready, willing and able to carry shut off FIREPAC contributions collective bargaining in states Memorial fund. our banner into the battle. It is to federal candidates. In a such as Wisconsin, Ohio and The Foundation is extremely good to see the program extended recent PFFPNC Executive Florida and in opposition to grateful for the relationship and tailored for our Canadian Board meeting, the vote was attacks against their pensions between our two organizations brothers and sisters as well. 100 percent in support of the by extreme-minded politicians. as we both strive to honour our I also need to plug the IAFF “turning off the spigot.” I believe this has helped us in fallen fire fighters. This excellent Affiliate Leadership This was a bold and that some Democrats are donation will [help] make final Training Summit (ALTS) and courageous decision and we beginning to speak out on construction payments for the the IAFF Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, which We Are Family complete losses of their homes The men and women of this provided me with invaluable and our fire chief lost his home union have my deepest and information and additional Dear President Schaitberger: as well. We also had four most heartfelt thanks that I can ammunition for the battle. As we all stop to try and catch retired fire fighters who give. Without them, our Both events have a FIREPAC our breath and take in the suffered a complete loss. Two members would never have payment option which I highly enormity of the devastation other members sustained been able to take care of the recommend taking advantage that has fallen onto our City, I damage to their homes. personal issues that confronted of, as this helps support the am humbled by the outpouring Within less than 48 hours, them, as well as continue the Political Training Academy. of assistance from our brothers teams of IAFF members emergency response that was As new leaders we need all the and sisters. converged on our members’ required of the Joplin Fire help and guidance we can get Just hours after the F5 homes and assisted them in Department. and I’m grateful to the IAFF for tornado struck Joplin, going through what was left of The relief that was given to Missouri, on May 22 our City providing all these their possessions. Cleanup of our affected members can was inundated with help from the yards was accomplished by never be stated in words, but I opportunities. It is critical that across the four-state area. donated time and equipment know from talking to each one we learn our job as local Within less than 24 hours, Eric from IAFF members. After our that the performance of the leaders, and these events Latimer [Vice President, members had been taken care men and women went well provide not only critical Missouri State Council of Fire of, the IAFF teams began above the normal call to duty. education, but also access to Fighters] had made contact assisting in cleanup for our I am unable to name the other more experienced leaders with me while I was on scene. family and friends. locals that arrived and gave who can help us along the way. First question out of his mouth If I was contacted for assistance. There were just too As one of my mentors was, “Are all of your guys assistance all I needed to do many — all I can say is great constantly reminds us, “We did okay?” The next question was, was make contact with one of job and thank you! not ‘join’ a union — we ‘ARE’ “What can we do to help?” the teams and the job was the union.” I agree completely I was unable to give him any completed without complaint Fraternally Yours, and our success rides squarely direction at that time but he or request for anything. It John A. Cory on our shoulders. and many others took control makes me proud to be a President, Local 2618 I would ask all of my brothers and started organizing the member of the IAFF and Joplin, Missouri and sisters reading this: “What assistance that we needed. We realize the power of the are YOU doing to forward the had three active members take brotherhood!

Email your letters to [email protected] OR mail them to: Letters to the Editor, c/o International Fire Fighter 1750 New York Ave NW Washington,DC 20006

6 | LETTERS July/August 2011 memorial which will honour Moved to Action Wisconsin. Having served as International is 1,100 Canadian fire fighters and secretary-treasurer of my local well-represented in Madison supplement the cost of bringing for many years as an active fire with our 5th District Vice the families of the fallen to the Dear President Schaitberger: fighter and also working on the President Joe Conway and annual ceremony. Although when I first joined The IAFF has been a strong the Janesville Fire Department Executive Board of the PFFW President Mahlon supporter of our goals and we as a young man I was not Professional Fighters of Mitchell. hope to see many at the official politically motivated, I soon Wisconsin, I would like to At this time I’m sending you dedication ceremony in became aware of the thank you and my check for the IAFF Disaster September 2012, as we importance of being politically Secretary-Treasurer Miller for Relief Fund and, as I’ve heard remember those who have died active over the years of my taking the time to come to you tell Jerry Lewis on Labor in the line of duty serving their involvement with the union, Wisconsin, where chaos has Day, “Here’s our first check communities. and this interest has continued been going on with our and we will be back.” Well, into my retirement years. politics. Harold, here’s my first check With sincere thanks, I just attended the I was very impressed with your and I will be back with more. Robert Kirkpatrick, President Professional Fire Fighters of speech about the state of affairs Canadian Fallen Firefighters Wisconsin (PFFW) Annual throughout the International. Thanks again, Foundation Convention in Madison, The only thing I regret is that Gordy Woodrich Wisconsin, as a member of the every fire station in Wisconsin Janesville Local 580 Members Helping Members Executive Board of the Retired could not hear your speech. PFFW Dear President Schaitberger: Professional Fighters of Just to let you know, the The membership of New Orleans Local 632 has agreed blessed to have such a Always on the Frontline Lastly, HB 797 was sponsored to, once again, donate $1,000 to brotherhood and sisterhood by Republican Representative the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund. like no other. It is times like this Dear President Schaitberger: Frank Farry at the same time an We are aware of the hardship that we realize we are all part of As you are keenly aware, identical bill was introduced by and loss our brothers and a very special family. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Republican Senator Dave sisters all over the country have All the men and women of Corbett recently signed HB 797 Argall. Both of these bills experienced with the recent New Orleans Local 632 and into law, thus enacting fire passed their vastly weather disasters and threats of their families continue to and fighter cancer presumption in Republican-controlled the rising Mississippi River. The always will be eternally grateful our state (see story on page 29). chambers with only one members of the IAFF have for the outpouring of This ratification successfully negative vote out of a possible experienced so many disasters generosity and kindness given ended a 25-year campaign by 253. I should also note that our in recent years, which to us in our time of need. the Pennsylvania Professional House of Representatives demonstrates the importance That’s why we would like to Fire Fighters Association recently swung to a Republican and necessity of the Disaster extend our hands and hearts to (PPFFA) to get this majority. Relief Fund. all those who are effected by the much-needed benefit for our Republican Governor Corbett, We understand the need and recent weather disasters all over members. also newly elected, did what he importance of members our country. Your efforts were crucial to promised when he signed the helping members. As we all We hope our small donation this endeavor. For years, the bill on July 7, a mere eight know, it wasn’t very long ago will help in keeping their spirits IAFF assisted us with technical months after his Democratic that Local 632 was on the and hopes alive, as their and legal advice to make cancer predecessor, Ed Rendell, vetoed receiving end of those generous generous donations did ours. presumption a reality. With one it. This is further proof that the donations and assistance. We want them to know we care email request from me, you IAFF is leading us in the right We know all too well the and that our thoughts and dispatched Assistant to the direction when it comes to feeling of loss and helplessness prayers are with each and every General President for politics. when disaster strikes; your life one of them in their time of Occupational Health, Safety Using the example set by the seems to be at a standstill and need. They have their fire and Medicine Rich Duffy into IAFF, the PPFFA is you don’t know where to turn. fighter family that will always Pennsylvania to provide non-partisan and we support We also know the sense of hope be there to help just as the testimony at a critical hearing those who support us. That felt when others offer a helping citizens of our communities held by the Pennsylvania House model paid off again. hand and open heart. Knowing know — fire fighters are always of Representatives Veterans On behalf of all our brothers and sisters were there to help whenever the need Affairs and Emergency Pennsylvania's fire fighters, willing to come to our aide gave arises. Preparedness Committee. thank you. us the strength to cope with life We also want to thank the Rich’s direct, earnest and and our losses. IAFF for making this fund and heartfelt testimony was a lynch Fraternally, The help received from the its donations possible and pin to the successful completion Art Martynuska International and its members available to its members. of a very long journey. In addition President across the country helped to to the testimony, the logistical Pennsylvania Professional keep our spirits and hopes alive. Fraternally, and moral support shown by Fire Fighters Association Our experience showed us Nicholas G. Felton Jr., you and the entire IAFF staff there truly is no other President further proves that the IAFF is comradeship like that of fire New Orleans Local 632 ‘always on the frontline’ for its fighters. We know we are truly membership.

International Fire Fighter LETTERS | 7 Local Scene

Iowa State Senator/Fire Fighter Jeff Danielson Leads Effort to Oppose Paul Ryan Plan

owa State Senator Jeff Danielson, a health care coverage. Republicans in the member of Cedar Falls, IA Local 1366, state Senate called it a “stupid little Isuccessfully floor managed a resolution resolution” that should not have been in the Iowa State Senate opposing recent brought to the floor. efforts by the U.S. House of The cuts to Medicare and Medicaid are Representatives to dismantle Medicare part of U.S. Representative Paul Ryan’s Anchorage, AK Local 1264 dedicated and Medicaid programs. (R-WI) plan to replace traditional Medicare personal funds to refurbish this E-1 fire Danielson, who serves as President Pro with a plan that would require individuals engine. Tempore of the Iowa state Senate, says this to buy their own private insurance with the issue is especially important to Iowa help of government subsidies. would cost Local 1264. With no objections because the state has so many seniors. Danielson says, “I favor health care to the project, Storrs, with the moral and “These are the people we should be looking reform that ensures access, improves monetary support of Anchorage, AK Local out for, not looking down on,” he says. quality and focuses on wellness and 1264 President Rod Harris and its The resolution, which passed by a strict prevention. Paul Ryan’s plan to gut members, moved forth with a project that party line vote of 26-21, states that the Medicare and Medicaid as we know it would give fire fighters an even stronger congressional action would lead to fewer fails on all three measures.” presence within the community they serve. Americans — especially those most Copies of the resolution are being “With this new engine, the possibilities vulnerable due to age, disability or distributed to members of the Iowa are endless,” says Harris. “Having our name poverty — being able to obtain or retain congressional delegation. n on something helps both members and the public identify with us. They see this engine at events and they see that our members Pawtucket Fire Fighters Local 1261 and its supporters gathered stepped out and did something.” The E-1 fire engine was rehabilitated with Protest Against EMS outside City Hall June 15 during a City Council meeting for all potential proposers a new engine, brakes, paint and running Privatization to protest the plan. gear. The engine will be available to active “I believe the protest was successful and members and will be used for the local’s embers of Pawtucket, RI Local 1261 did what it was supposed to — made the public relations efforts. recently protested against a City public aware,” says Neill. “But whether we The engine was debuted at this year’s Mproposal to privatize emergency were successful at beating privatization out annual open house where the community medical services (EMS). More than 400 or not is another story.” comes to learn about fire education and union members joined forces in support of Union members used the opportunity to engage in family fun. the cause, sending a clear message to the City explain to members of the public what it Harris is proud of what his members of Pawtucket: fire fighters are fighting back. will mean if their emergency medical have accomplished and says that this Local 1261 President Robert Neill says the services go private. experience and ones like it “absolutely pending privatization was first introduced The June 15 protest wasn’t the first time boost solidarity.” n in January by council member Christopher that fire fighters in Pawtucket rallied to O’Neil. While the issue lay dormant for a spread the word about the perils of Indiana Fire Fighter Elected few months, the City Council directed the privatization. In fact, earlier this year fire to Common Council mayor to form a committee. Shortly fighters canvassed the community and held thereafter, requests for proposals from informational sessions explaining etired Hamilton County, IN Local private emergency medical companies were privatization and the related pitfalls to 4416 being advertised in the local paper. citizens. From those sessions, many public Rmember supporters have called their council Rick Taylor, a members and mayor to protest against the 32-year veteran privatization efforts. n fire fighter, is expected to take a Refurbished Engine seat on the Noblesville Strengthens Local’s Presence Common Council beginning in efore the City could retire all of its January 2012. old fire engines, Anchorage, AK Local Taylor won more B1264 opted to refurbish one for a than 51 percent of good use. Excited about the possibilities, the vote in the Rick Taylor members took matters into their own hands Republican and dedicated personal funds to the project. primary election. With an auto shop of his own, Local 1264 Republican primary winners almost always Members of Pawtucket, RI Local 1261 rally member and engineer Darren Storrs took go unchallenged in the general election. at City Hall to fight proposed privatization the initiative and presented the City with Taylor is the assumed replacement for of EMS. an estimate of what refurbishing the engine outgoing incumbent Council Member Dale

8 | LOCAL SCENE July/August 2011 Snelling, a longtime fire fighter supporter. fill the open position. By a 7-1 vote, the “This was a big election for us,” says Local Phoenix City Council agreed. 4416 President Tony Murray. “We did not Almost immediately, Jeffries announced that want to see a friendly seat go to a he would be running in the August 30 election non-supporter. So, when Taylor decided to to complete Neely’s term, which ends in 2013. run, we were happy to support him.” “Like so many other places, there is a Local 4416 supported Taylor by donating really anti-worker sentiment here,” says PAC dollars to the campaign. Additionally, Jeffries. “I feel like it is my role to build members were on the ground helping Taylor bridges between pro-labor and anti-labor.” get his message out to voters in District 3, Jeffries’ strongest opposition comes from where he has lived for nearly 30 years. former state Senator Jim Waring who is on Jean Peters-Baker The challenges immediately facing Taylor the side of anti-labor. n will be the City’s loss of revenue due to the committees. He overall bad economy and the declining will now hear all Kansas City Local 42 Members types of felony housing market. Appointed to Legal Positions “Our brother retired fire fighter will have cases in his the daunting task of running a City with capacity as a reater Kansas City, MO Local 42 — fewer dollars while still keeping fire and other judge. like every other IAFF local — important services at the level citizens deserve Peters-Baker was Grepresents the interests of professional appointed as the and have come to expect,” says Murray. fire fighters and paramedics. But unlike other Local 4416 has already lost four fire Jackson County affiliates, Local 42 also represents more than fighters through attrition over the last few Prosecutor. Her 65 assistant prosecuting attorneys. Two of years. There has been no talk of filling those Kenny Garrett office prosecutes those members — Kenny Garrett and Jean positions. all felony Peters-Baker — were recently appointed to complaints in Jackson County, Missouri, prestigious positions. the second-largest county in the state. IAFF Leader Appointed to “While these new positions mean Garrett Before her appointment, she was Phoenix City Council and Peters-Baker can no longer be a part of instrumental in organizing the Jackson the bargaining unit, it helps in an County Assistant Prosecutors with Local 42 rofessional anti-labor environment to have people who in 2001. She, too, served on several Fire Fighters understand what it is to be a part of labor committees within the local. Pof Arizona in high-level positions,” says Local 42 The assistant prosecutors became part of (PFFA) Vice Political Director Sherwood Smith. Local 42 after approaching and discussing President and Mesa Garrett has been appointed as the their issues with Local 42 President Louie Local 2260 Associate Circuit Judge of the 16th District Wright, who is a labor law professor at the President Bryan of Missouri by Missouri Governor Jay University of Missouri. Both Garrett and Jeffries has been Nixon. Before his appointment, Garrett was Peters-Baker are graduates of the University appointed to serve an active member of Local 42 for more of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. n on the Phoenix than seven years, serving on several City Council, filling the seat left vacant Bryan Jeffries by Councilwoman Dallas Local 58 Candidates Win City Council Seats Peggy Neely. A special election will be held August 30 to ith anti-union sentiment “We put a lot of resources determine whether Jeffries will finish out spreading across the country Neely’s term, as she has two more years left Wlike a virus, Dallas, TX Local 58 into unseating Neumann on a four-year term. made a conscious effort to protect what it “Jeffries’ appointment to the Phoenix City has. Before the recent City Council because of his anti-labor Council is truly something the IAFF election, Local 58 had enough fire stance on the issues.” membership should take great pride in,” fighter-friendly Council members to says IAFF General President Harold significantly protect pensions and other — Dallas, TX Local 58 President Schaitberger. “Not only has he been doing issues important to fire fighters. D.D. Pierce incredible work for his local, but for the Following the election, Dallas Local 58 is entire state of Arizona in his capacity as in an even better position to stave off IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy PFFA Vice President. On behalf of this great potential anti-union attacks. McGhee. “Not only did all of the International, I congratulate Jeffries on his Because of Local 58’s efforts, nine endorsed candidates, except one, win important appointment.” councilors were re-elected and two their seats, but they ousted an enemy. The Phoenix City Council seat for District newcomers were elected. Perhaps the They worked hard and it paid off.” 2 became open when Councilwoman Peggy most significant result was that one of the “We put a lot of resources into unseating Neely resigned from her seat to run for newcomers unseated incumbent Dave Neumann because of his anti-labor stance mayor, leaving her current position open Neumann — not known for being on the issues,” says Dallas Local 58 for the remainder of her term. Because friendly to labor. President D.D. Pierce. “And because it is Jeffries has long been a community leader “Local 58 has proven themselves to be a very rare to unseat an incumbent in and political advocate, other community political force to be reckoned with,” says Dallas, this was no easy task for us.” n leaders thought him the obvious choice to

International Fire Fighter LOCAL SCENE | 9 Local Scene Prince George’s County Local Reaps Rewards IAFF Leaders Inducted Into Connecticut Hall of Fame of Political Action niformed Professional Fire Fighters Leadership Award and many other honors n these hard economic times, fire Association (UPFFA) of over the course of his career. departments are battling the fires set for UConnecticut President Peter “It was such an honor to receive this Ithem by elected community leaders by Carozza and UPFFA President Emeritus award and recognition,” says Shea. “All of slashing benefits, pensions and resources. Raymond Shea were among 12 retired fire the hard work was worth it. I am But for Prince George County, MD Local fighters inducted into the Connecticut especially proud of my involvement in 1619, its active involvement in the Fire Fighters Hall of Fame. The event was negotiating the first contract for public community and strong political support for held at the Aqua Turf in Southington, employees in the state in 1966, obtaining its elected leaders has earned members Connecticut. the right to binding arbitration in 1973 long-overdue salary increases, as well as an The Hall of Fame Award was established and getting heart and hypertension passed influential voice within the political by the Connecticut State Firefighters as a presumptive law for fire fighters in the community. Association to recognize present or former mid-1970s.” In 2009, after years of no raises and an fire fighters who have served their Shea began his fire fighting career in anti-labor political atmosphere, newly department or union above and beyond 1958 and quickly became an active elected Local 1619 President Andrew normal expectations over an extended member of West Hartford Local 1241, Pantelis knew he needed to make changes period of time. serving as the local’s secretary from to move his local forward and protect his “I have been truly blessed to be an 1963-1966 and president from 1966-1984, members. His plan included becoming advocate for Connecticut’s professional when he retired. politically active and establishing a fire fighters for so many years,” says Almost simultaneously, he began serving community outreach program. UPFFA President Carozza. “There’s no on the UPFFA Executive Board, first as a In previous years, fire fighters had waited better job and I’m proud to continue to vice president and later as its president until the end of the election campaign do it.” from 1975-1995 (Carozza was elected to period before endorsing candidates. This Carozza currently serves as UPFFA the position in 1995). process, though safe, didn’t allow the local President, Chair of the Federation of State He also held several positions within the time to build relationships with candidates and Provincial Fire Fighters, Chair of the state AFL-CIO and as a Staff and political leaders. State of Connecticut Fire Prevention and Representative for the IAFF from 1973 to But in the 2010 elections, Local 1619 took Control Commission (a position 1984. a different approach. “We decided to make appointed by the governor), Chair of the Shea was awarded the National MDA endorsements early — a year before the Connecticut Jerry Lewis Telethon and Vice Award in 1982 for his outstanding service election,” says Pantelis. “We endorsed President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. and active participation in statewide candidates who supported our issues, He began his career with the Waterbury fundraising drives and several other whether they were frontrunners or not Fire Department and as a member of awards for his public service. because, with our support, we were able to Waterbury Local 1339. As a dedicated Other inductees included retired fire help them be frontrunners.” member of Local 1339, Carozza also fighters Peter Beckwith (Manchester), Fire fighters took the opportunity to make served as an executive board member, vice Ernest Bunnell (Northfield), Robert Cady their voices heard, educating voters and president and president (1979-2004). (Lebanon), James Doherty (Cheshire), elected leaders about the importance of Carozza is known for his exceptional Charles Freimuth (Terryville), James public safety and fire department resources. skills as a lobbyist, contract negotiator and Grote (Chester), William Halstead (Sandy Local 1619 participated in campaign rallies, ability to improve labor-management Hook), Andrew Ouellette (Broad Brook), distributed pamphlets and remained relations. Peter Phelan (Milford) and Charles involved in campaigning for its chosen He received the IAFF’s 2010 Local Stankye Jr. (Derby). n candidates. In the end, six of the nine candidates Local 1619 supported made it into office in the 2010 elections. Each candidate has not forgotten the crucial support received from Local 1619 members. Alongside their strong political involvement, Local 1619 members became entrenched in community service outreach, helping build playgrounds and community clean-ups. For Pantelis, it’s important to put a face to the community’s fire fighters and their concerns. These efforts have paid off — in 2011 fire fighters were given slight wage increases. “We are now in an environment in which we have great relationships with our elected The 12 retired fire fighters inducted into the Connecticut Fire Fighters Hall of Fame leaders,” says Pantelis. “We are in a include Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut President fortunate position because we are inching Pete Carozza and UPFFA President Emeritus Raymond Shea. forward instead of leaping backwards.” n

10 | LOCAL SCENE July/August 2011 Fire Ops Training Continues to Inspire Advocacy

or the seventh consecutive year, the IAFF 7th District held Fire Ops 101, Fgiving the community first-hand exposure to the life-threatening duties of a fire fighter. This year’s event was held May 5 at the HAMMER Training and Education Center. Presented by IAFF 7th District Vice President Ricky Walsh, in conjunction with the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and Washington affiliates Walla The IAFF 7th District held Fire Ops 101 for community leaders and decision-makers at the Walla Local 404, Richland Local 1052, HAMMER Training and Education Center. Kennewick Local 1296, Pasco Local 1433 and Hanford Local I-24, the one-and-a-half participants that included Tukwilla Mayor that reflects the Fire Ops message and day training was designed to leave Jim Haggerton; Seattle City Council approximately two days of extensive participants inspired and ready to advocate members Bruce Harrell, Richard Conlin and training that will always help them on behalf of fire fighters across the country. Tom Rasmussen; Olympia City Council remember how hard IAFF members work. “This is a consistent event that has gained member Jeanine Roe; Idaho State Senator “We’ve seen more than 250 policymakers strong support from the City, the Chuck Winder and Fire Commissioner come through Fire Ops 101. To date, every Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Gary Stillwell; and Kennewick City Manager graduate, with the exception of one, has and the Hammer training site, which Marie Mosley. Additionally, news reporter gone on to advocate for fire fighter issues,” provided us with $35,000 worth of props Melanie Falcon of KNDU-TV took part. Walsh says. In fact, on March 7, 2011, the and people for this year’s Fire Ops 101, ” According to Walsh, this year’s message, as in Seattle City Council passed resolution says Walsh. previous years, was this: “Fire fighting is highly number 31271 that declared March 8 as With drills consisting of search and technical, time critical and labor intensive.” “Public Employee Appreciation Day” in rescues, various EMS scenarios and fire Each participant graduated from Fire Ops Seattle. n extinguishing, Walsh hosted a group of 101 with an authentic fire helmet, a T-shirt

International Fire Fighter LOCAL SCENE | 11 hough the attacks on fire fighters of legions of IAFF members, Kasich will fighters in Ohio,” notes Sanders. “The and paramedics and other union soon hear loud and clear what most IAFF is helping us prepare to combat these Tworkers by governors and state Ohioans think of his agenda.” attacks.” lawmakers continue — and while the war This was a record-breaking effort – The 10,000 members of the OAPFF will is far from over — the IAFF’s Fighting 400,000 more signatures than had ever be working with coalition partners to win Back campaign efforts and the hard work of its affiliates and members have resulted “The bottom line is that when someone is having a heart in some very important successes over the attack, or a house is burning down, fire fighters and police anti-labor, anti-worker crowd of extremist public officials. are the first ones there. We are the ones in the trenches, IAFF affiliates in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, and the ones getting hurt the most.” Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee have all won —Professional Fire Fighters Association of important political and legislative Alabama President Steve Pegues victories, and the momentum is continuing in other state and local battles where IAFF members will not rest until been collected previously. The Ohio the citizens’ veto of SB 5. the attempts to destroy fire fighters and Secretary of State has validated 915,456 “The entire professional fire fighter other public employees are stopped. signatures, another record and nearly world is watching,” says OAPFF four times the amount needed. The repeal Secretary-Treasurer Mark Horton. “Just Ohio of SB 5 will be on the November ballot. as on the fire ground, we will work On June 29, the coalition partners in We Ohio’s professional fire fighters were a together to advance the line. OAPFF Are Ohio, opponents of SB 5 — the major force in the successful petition members will not disappoint.” anti-labor bill that strips all public employees effort. Ohio Association of Professional The focus for OAPFF has now shifted to in Ohio of their collective bargaining rights Fire Fighters (OAPFF) members were educating the public and getting out the vote. — delivered 1.3 million signatures on repeal leaders in campaign hours, descending petitions to the Secretary of State’s office. from across the state to assist in Alabama “John Kasich and his corporate sophisticated data collection, petition The political tug of war between state benefactors thought they could silence movement, storage and security. officials and union members in Alabama the public workers of Ohio by forcing When fire fighters finally unloaded the is at a stalemate. The legislative session SB 5 on the people of Ohio, but they are petitions from the semi-trailer and has officially ended, and while nothing wrong,” says IAFF 8th District Vice moved them to the Ohio Secretary of has been settled, one thing that is certain President Paul Hufnagel. “With the help State’s offices, a structural engineer had is that pension and payroll deduction to be called in to assure the building’s issues won’t be considered until next year. floor could handle the weight. Earlier this year, union members found “While this is just the first step in the themselves at war yet again with the City repeal process to ensure that voters can go — this time regarding payroll deduction. to the polls in November and make SB 5 a In December 2010, Alabama Governor thing of the past, the OAPFF acknowledges Bob Riley signed legislation to outlaw the efforts and accomplishment of our automatic payroll deductions for union members,” says OAPFF President Mark dues. In March 2011, however, a federal Sanders. “Now we must remain focused on judge issued a temporary injunction our upcoming mission to educate the barring immediate enforcement of the law. public and get out the vote.” “Right now, we’re waiting on the OAPFF officers and staff are now working Eleventh Circuit Court,” says Professional with the IAFF and its Fighting Back Fire Fighters Association of Alabama campaign efforts to ensure affiliate leaders President Steve Pegues. “In the meantime, have the tools necessary to mount an all-out affiliates in Alabama may need to prepare fire fighter/member action and media to move to another form of dues payment. Ohio’s professional fire fighters have program. “If the legislature doesn’t get us this year, added money and muscle to the “Our opponents will do whatever it takes they will come back another year,” he says. statewide effort to repeal SB 5. to tarnish the image of professional fire In addition to payroll deduction

12 July/August 2011 legislation, union members in Alabama Independent voters would reject it by legislation passed. “We expect that some face a 2 percent increase in pension 58-29 percent. For those who disapprove of the bills may be brought back up in a contributions. IAFF 14th District Vice of Governor Snyder’s job performance, a different form and assigned to different President Danny Todd says, “This will whopping 70 percent said they would vote committees,” he says. mean another reduction in salary.” to reject the law. The poll found strong Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters A very tough right-to-work state in its opposition to the law in both union and Association (TPFFA) President Eddie own right, Pegues says that while there are a non-union households. A coalition of Mitchell says fire fighters would like to see lot of legislative changes coming that may community groups — We Are the People, more of their friends in the state disappoint, they certainly don’t surprise. which includes the MPFFU — is working legislature and in the community become “In the end, the ones hurting the most to gather the 161,304 signatures needed by more supportive — as fire fighters have are the fire fighters from small cities and Labor Day to put the measure to a vote of been to them and their causes. small towns who are holding on by their Mitchell adds that fire fighters are fingernails,” he says. “The bottom line is California Fire Fighters looking toward the future as the fight that when someone is having a heart over their political rights will be attack, or a house is burning down, fire Support Reform Legislation magnified during an election year. fighters and police are the first ones there. “Our members have seen that some of he California Assembly in July We are the ones in the trenches, and the the people we’ve supported through the passed SB 168, legislation that ones getting hurt the most.” years haven’t been supporting us,” he Tbans per-signature “bounty” says. “We have a lot of work to do and it is payments — the practice of paying very apparent that it does matter who is petition circulators based on the Michigan in charge.” number of signatures they collect on In Michigan, where an ignorant Mitchell adds that the TPFFA will be on ballot-measure petitions. governor and radical members of the state Capitol Hill once the new session starts Sponsored by the Ballot Initiative legislature have attacked the working class early next year defending the rights of its Strategy Center, this common-sense in every conceivable way, the Michigan members, paying special attention to reform legislation reduces the Professional Fire Fighters Union those political leaders who claim to incentive for signature gatherers to (MPFFU) succeeded in protecting rights support fire fighters and their families. commit fraud in order to qualify to binding arbitration. That conquest “Many times, those who claim to measures for the ballot. came on the heels of other victories in support you and do nothing hurt your SB 168 makes it a misdemeanor to Jackson and Harper Woods in which cause worse than those who oppose your accept or offer payment based on the citizens sided with fire fighters to kill the issues adamantly,” he says. number of signatures obtained on a potential move to public safety officers. state or local initiative, referendum or It’s been a grueling few months as IAFF Florida recall petition. It permits other forms affiliates in Michigan push to have their Florida fire fighters continue to hold of compensation, such as a daily or voices heard above the proponents for Governor Rick Scott accountable for his hourly wage. n anti-labor legislation, but IAFF members union-busting tactics. there will continue to fight back when the The Florida Professional Firefighters new session begins to preclude legislation (FPF) joined forces with other members designed to slash benefits, health care and the people. Once the signatures are from the state’s largest public employee bargaining power. collected, the legislation cannot go into unions to defeat SB 830, a bill that would “The state of Michigan is a major effect until the referendum is voted on in prohibit payroll deductions for any union battlefront in the war against working the November 2012 elections. dues and prohibit dues from being used people,” says IAFF 8th District Vice for political activity unless the union has President Paul Hufnagel. “But Michigan Tennessee annual written authorization from fire fighters are demonstrating that when While the Tennessee General Assembly has members. we stick together, we can win.” adjourned for the year, fire fighters remain FPF leaders and members relentlessly MPFFU President Mark Docherty is on alert for harmful legislation threatening roamed the statehouse making sure proud of his members who filled the their political speech and activity. lawmakers knew that the FPF — and all statehouse every day to fight for their A series of bills introduced this fire fighters — deserve the right to deduct rights. “Our efforts have been effective,” legislative session would have limited dues from their paychecks. The pressure he says. “We will not sit by and let them payroll deduction, barred unions from was enough to generate Senate support steam roll over us,” he says. contributing to political campaigns and — including more than 20 Republican While the MPFFU has played defense on a prohibited public employees from senators who voted against the governor number of fronts, an effort underway in the deducting dues from their paychecks. — for fire fighters, and SB 830 never state may help its defensive game. In a poll Tennessee fire fighters fought back, and made it to the floor for a vote. conducted in July by EPIC/MRA, a 53-34 succeeded in stopping much of the In addition, the deeply unpopular percent majority would vote to repeal the legislation from making it out of Florida governor was forced to state’s emergency financial manager (EFM) committee. The bills, however, will dramatically scale back his efforts to pass law, which the governor pushed through remain active once the state legislature legislation to end pensions for public the legislature earlier this year that allows reconvenes in January 2012. employees and put them in defined political appointees to take over financially IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny contribution 401k-syle plans. In the end, troubled local governments, fire elected Todd says fire fighters will be on alert as Continued on Page 14 officials and break contracts. opponents try a different tactic to get www.iaff.org 13 Continued from Page 13 have a voice at the negotiating table, Mayor Dewey Bartlett for violating the according to IAFF 11th District Vice rights of City fire fighters when he ordered the legislature approved a bill requiring President Sandy McGhee. them not to campaign actively in municipal public employees to contribute 3 percent PFFO President Rick Beams says the elections. The lawsuit was filed in June. of their pay to their pension plans. fight over collective bargaining is likely Bartlett filed an executive order earlier Figures released by Florida’s State Board not over, although last year’s pending this year that stated the City Charter of Administration show that the Florida legislation can’t be brought up before prohibits active campaigning by fire Retirement System (FRS) plan posted a February 4, 2012. “We will have to battle fighters in municipal elections, including return of 22 percent, surpassing its attacks on our right to collectively speaking at rallies, picketing and publicly benchmark by 30 basis points, as well as bargain again,” he says. The PFFO is soliciting votes for candidates. The policy the current fiscal year with a market value working to form and build alliances on also prohibits political fundraising by of $128.42 billion. This is an increase of both sides of the aisles in an effort to stop classified City employees. $19.07 billion above 2010 figures after net any more harmful legislation. But according to Beams, state ordinances distributions of $4.6 billion to retirees. Beams says that the PFFO is planning a allow fire fighters to participate in city IAFF 12th District Vice President Larry conference for the fall to help its members elections and make it unlawful for an Osborne describes the new pension law as prepare for the 2012 legislative session. employer to coerce employees from nothing but a “state tax” on Florida “This will help communicate our message participation in municipal political public employees. within the membership, as well as the activities. State ordinance also makes it a Florida Professional Firefighters President public and lawmakers,” he says. misdemeanor for violating the provisions Gary Rainey says, “The issue over the In Tulsa, Local 176 filed a lawsuit against of the act, but some cities think they are pension was just a way to get public immune from state law and want to employees to make up the state deficit.” prohibit the activity by threatening The pension fight is just one of many Pensions Protected termination for such participation. challenges that Florida fire fighters face in Atlanta this season. Massachusetts As fire fighters and paramedics face the tlanta has conquered one Is it possible for a governor to tighten worst year on record for wildfires in major threat on union the fiscal purse strings without trashing Florida, they are also facing threats to Amembers’ pensions, and is the rights of public employees? Can privatize emergency medical services. In currently facing another. governors work with public sector unions cities like Immokalee, sheriff’s deputies are Pension legislation proposed by to make hard decisions? being called to assist paramedics because Mayor Reed in April contained Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick of budget cuts. Almost 1,300 Florida state changes to the pension plan that provided the answer to both of those workers have lost jobs under a state budget would leave currently retired, questions with a resounding yes. signed into law by Governor Scott. currently working and newly hired Meanwhile, Wisconsin Governor Scott “Florida is a state prone to natural employees facing dramatically Walker, the darling of the radical right, disasters, and to whittle away at reduced benefits. An agreement that faces a summer of labor’s wrath and the emergency services and be constantly the City and public workers reached possibility that he will also face recall. under attack — it seems foolish and very at the end of June prevents any Working with state labor leaders, ironic,” says Osborne. changes to the pensions of workers including President of the Professional Looking ahead, the FPF will be ready for retired or hired before 1984, while all Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) Ed next legislative session. The Florida state other City employees will face plan Kelly, Governor Patrick in July reached an legislature will begin earlier because of adjustments. agreement with the state House and redistricting. Rainey says FPF’s goal is to “We’re happy to have resolved that Senate to soften a bill to limit collective bring more balance to the legislative attack on pensions,” says Atlanta, GA bargaining rights for fire fighters, teachers body. “That’s the best scenario here with Local 134 President Jim Daws. and other government workers. the redistricting efforts,” he says. Though still in its early stages, a The agreement is expected to help cities lawsuit filed by the Fulton County and towns save $100 million on health Oklahoma Taxpayer’s Foundation, a group made care costs without gutting workers’ Oklahoma fire fighters have their eye up of Fulton County and Atlanta collective bargaining rights. towards the future as they gear up for the taxpayers, seeks to revoke the pension While Kelly says he is satisfied with the 2012 legislative session, which begins in improvements made in 2001 and final outcome of the legislation, there was February. 2005 by claiming technical flaws in nothing easy about the battle in The Professional Fire Fighters of the enacting of the legislation. Massachusetts to preserve collective Oklahoma (PFFO) is focused on The Fulton County Taxpayer’s bargaining over health care. The maintaining relationships in the state Foundation maintains the City’s large legislation took many twists and turns, legislature that helped it defeat several unfunded pension obligation is and despite Democratic majorities in bills this session aimed at taking away fire because of changes made in earlier both legislative bodies, Kelly was not fighters’ right to bargain collectively. years and is intent on depriving both pleased with the final bill that emerged Issues related to changing the state active and retired public employees from the conference committee. pension system are on the back burner an honorable retirement. n Governor Patrick spent about 10 days to pending the release of a study by a state decide whether to change, veto or sign the task force. Fire fighters are expected to legislation giving fire fighters a short

14 July/August 2011 window to lobby for essential changes. An important victory in New York put a stop to Fortunately, Governor Patrick agreed a proposal from Mayor Michael Bloomberg to close 20 fire companies. The Uniformed Fire that it needed work and listened to labor Officers Association Local 854 and the leaders about how to fix it. Uniformed Firefighters Association Local 94 “We needed to make sure that we had a launched an aggressive public awareness strong voice at the table to ensure that we campaign to tell the people of New York City are protecting our members,” says Kelly. of Bloomberg’s reckless plan. On June 3, thousands of New Yorkers protested the plan, “Through heavy lobbying efforts, we were including IAFF General President Harold able to get a bill on the governor’s desk with Schaitberger, Local 94 President Steve amendments both the Senate and the Cassidy and Local 854 President Al Hagan. On House agreed to that ensured collective June 24, the mayor and the City Council announced they had found other ways to save bargaining is protected, and that the retirees money and that all of the companies would and the sickest of our members continue to stay open. have quality, affordable health care.” The law as it is written mandates flexible The greatest damage inflicted by the spending accounts for pre-tax savings for legislature was in pension reform, where out-of-pocket health care costs, and lawmakers significantly cut benefits for health reimbursement accounts to help New Hampshire fire fighters with less than 10 years on the mitigate the out-of-pocket costs of The New Hampshire legislature finished job. Pension contributions for this group co-pays and deductibles. a tumultuous session at the end of June. were increased from 9.3 percent to 11.8 The battle in Massachusetts over collective “Thank God,” says an exasperated Dave percent. They will also have to work five bargaining for health care has ended, but Lang, president of the Professional Fire years longer to receive benefits, and the new threats to fire fighters loom, including Fighters of New Hampshire (PFFNH). legislature reduced the multiplier from the issue of the evergreen clause for union “They did a lot of damage to us and 2.5 percent to 2 percent. contracts. The Massachusetts Supreme have essentially repealed all of the gains Lang has joined the New Hampshire Court earlier this year upheld a lower court we had made when Democrats were in Retirement Security Coalition in filing ruling stating that public employee contracts control of both houses of the legislature both an injunction and a restraining can expire after three years, effectively and the governorship. order in state court to halt the draconian negating the evergreen clause that allowed Even with Democratic Governor John pension reforms. for terms of contracts to continue after Lynch, fire fighters and other public “Fire fighters never waiver in their expiration until a new contract is signed. workers suffered so many legislative losses responsibility to keep communities safe The ruling untouched would put fire that Lang characterizes the state of play from fires and other emergencies,” says fighters at a distinct disadvantage in for his members as “staying alive.” IAFF 3rd District Vice President Michael Mullane. “Our union will never waiver in “We needed to make sure that we had a strong voice at its commitment to defend the rights and benefits of its members in New the table to ensure that we are protecting our Hampshire and anywhere else where we members.” —Professional Fire fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) are under attack.” President Ed Kelly In a rare bit of good news in New Hampshire, Kevin Janvrin, a member of PFFNH, captured the GOP nomination negotiating future contracts. Kelly says he The legislature repealed an evergreen for the vacant District 14 House seat. The has been given commitments that clause that had allowed unionized workers unions appear to have outmaneuvered lawmakers will address and fix this high to operate under the terms of an expired the GOP in its own primary. The win has court ruling. contract until a new contract was reached. sent shockwaves across the state GOP Another issue will likely be pension The repeal means that fire fighter benefits establishment, which had backed a reform, as several bills were introduced this and pay will be frozen in time with no candidate whose only true claim to fame year taking various bites out of public chance for retroactive relief if a contract was that he is the next-door neighbor of employee retirement. Kelly expects to begin expires. It also gives employers greater former New Hampshire Governor John the long effort to make sure fire fighter leverage in contract talks. Sununu. pensions are preserved and protected. The Lawmakers repealed card check and good news is that Massachusetts fire changed the minimum number for Wisconsin fighters have a governor who has shown a bargaining units from three to 10 The labor battleground has shifted willingness to address their concerns. employees. Lawmakers also codified a trend dramatically in Wisconsin from the state “This was a tough legislative battle, but among local New Hampshire governments house rallies, marches and tent cities we demonstrated that labor and of enacting tax caps. The move means that around Madison to campaign trailblazing lawmakers can work together to solve local government may continue to place tax across the state this summer. pressing issues,” says IAFF 3rd District caps, typically pegged to the consumer Governor Scott Walker earlier this year Vice President Michael Mullane. “But we price index, on local budgets. This means signed into law a rollback of collective must remain vigilant in protecting the that fire departments will have to eat the bargaining rights for public employees, rights of our members because it is clear costs of variable expense items like fuel or claiming the measure was essential to helping that the tide of anti-worker sentiment has health care, rather than seeking modest arrived in Massachusetts.” revenue increases to cover higher costs. Continued on Page 16

International Fire Fighter 15 Senate to Democrats and slow down Walker’s aggressive anti-labor agenda. On July 19, Dave Hansen, one of the Democrats who fled the state, easily defeated Republican challenger David Vanderleest in the first of nine Wisconsin recall elections. Elections for the six Republicans defending their seats take place August 9. The election for the other two Democrats defending their seats takes place August 16. Sensing possible defeat, Republicans resorted to nasty tricks in a desperate attempt to curb labor’s obvious political momentum. First, GOP state officials hatched a scheme to run fake Democrat candidates in primaries against the recall Democrats running against the Republican senators, a move to ensure primary elections and push general election polling into Mid-August. Since cross-party voting is allowed, this move would mean that GOP voters could swamp the Democratic primaries with enough votes in favor of the fakers to keep the real Democrats out of the general election. In at least one instance, Republican operatives handed out fliers urging Republicans to vote in the Democratic primary against real Democrat Jessica King and in favor of John Buckstaff, who is actually an 81-year-old Republican and donor to GOP state Senator Randy Hopper, whom King is challenging. While right-wingers focus their cynical zeal on cheating the state electoral process, rank-and-file fire fighters made sure to turn out as many labor-friendly voters as possible on Election Day. Despite the size and ferocity of the opposition, PFFW President Mahlon Mitchell says, “I am proud of the massive effort that Wisconsin fire fighters have added to the fight to counter Walker’s agenda.” Continued fromPage 15 “Scott Walker tried to split labor by excluding fire fighters from his heartless New Jersey the state close a fiscal deficit — created in anti-labor agenda,” says IAFF 5th District The dust is settling in New Jersey, but large part by his tax cut gifts to the wealthy Vice President Joe Conway. “He has the battle continues, after Governor Chris and corporations. Now the governor is clearly failed. We are putting money and Christie signed into law a $29.7 billion urging state agency officials to exploit the muscle into this effort to help take back budget, a centerpiece of which is major curb on collective bargaining by wresting the Wisconsin Senate and stop the cuts to the state’s public pension system more concessions from state workers. governor from doing further damage to affecting all government workers, Labor groups, including the Professional the people of Wisconsin.” including fire fighters. Fire Fighters of Wisconsin (PFFW), A hugely successful petition drive solidified Labor organizations, including the realized quite a while ago that they would recall campaigns against six Republicans, Professional Firefighters Association of never be able to negotiate fairly with while the GOP planned recall elections New Jersey (PFANJ), are conferring with Walker and his GOP allies in the state against three of the state Senate Democrats attorneys and beginning to coalesce house. This quickly morphed into a who fled the state this winter to delay around a plan to file suit against the state massive mobilization to recall enough Walker’s effort to kill collective bargaining. to block the pension cuts. state Senate lawmakers to tilt the political A net win in three recall elections would The bill Christie signed greatly increases balance back toward labor. be enough to give back control of the government workers’ payments for

16 July/August 2011 A Constant Battle benefits, freezes pension payments, raises responsibility to fund the pension system some retirement ages and restricts union for the last 20 years. Fire fighters have in Memphis bargaining power. fulfilled their responsibility to the In a final act of aggressive legislation pension system and have earned every s union members in Memphis maneuvering that one of his opponents penny of their pensions. We will not stop continue to fight ferociously for called sheer vengeance, Christie fighting until we know that our members Atheir benefits, significant funding unapologetically stripped some $1.3 will get everything that was promised to is being given to a supplemental billion out of spending bill the legislature’s them through their own sacrifices, as well organization at the detriment of others. Democrats had included as part of a as through collective bargaining.” IAFF 14th District Vice President last-minute deal with the governor. Meanwhile, Senate President Steve Danny Todd has learned that the City State Democratic lawmakers are vowing Sweeney has made numerous public allots $1.3 million to the Greater to override many of the governor’s vetoes statements lambasting Christie for using Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce. that gut programs and services designed his line-item veto powers to strip out of Further, the Chamber’s compensation to help the poor and middle class, though the final budget about $1 billion (most of package for the top three officials GOP leaders say Democrats simply don’t the provisions Democrats had put in exceeds $800,000, with the CEO have the votes to counter the governor. place as part of negotiations) before receiving half of that figure. While Christie’s aggressive tactics are signing the measure into law. While “The question becomes: Why are you winning him fans and respect on the Sweeney calling Christie a “punk” on funding an outside organization and its national stage among conservative television makes for good political officials — who make what nine or 10 Republicans, he is losing support within theater, Marino and anyone else closely City employees make combined — the state. observing New Jersey politics knows that while cutting employee benefits or The new budget creates another tier in Sweeney fully expected Christie to veto as laying them off,” says Todd. fire fighter pensions. The cost of fire many Democratic-sponsored spending Employee unions in Memphis fighter pensions rises under the new law initiatives as he saw fit. continue to fight with the City Council with fire fighters now contributing 10 The entire New Jersey Senate is up for over benefits and, according to President of Memphis, TN Local 1784 Larry Anthony, the City Council has We will not stop fighting until we know that our reneged on what union members had members will get everything that was promised to thought was an agreement. “We went to negotiations and they them through their own sacrifices, as well as through asked us to freeze our contract for two collective bargaining.” years,” says Anthony. “We agreed and all of a sudden, once negotiations were —IAFF 1st District Vice President Kevin Gallagher over, the Council came back and reduced our base pay by 4.6 percent to balance the budget.” percent towards pensions as opposed to re-election this fall and, although there Union members are firing back with a 8.5 percent. was talk of finding a primary opponent lawsuit. The new tier applies to fire fighters or Independent candidate to challenge “Bottom line is they lied to us from hired after July 1, 2011. Fire fighters hired Sweeney, it did not happen. However, due the get-go,” says Anthony. “We tried to before that date will receive 65 percent of to a quirk in state election law, while a work with the City to help with the their salaries in pension after 25 years, state senator’s term is four years, deficit from all financial aspects, but rising 1 percent per year for five years to following this year’s re-election, the entire City leaders are finding ways to do what 70 percent. New hires get only 60 percent Senate will be up again in 2013, they want to do.” at 25 years, rising 1 percent per year for presenting another opportunity to The pending class action lawsuit five years and capping at 65 percent. challenge Sweeney. includes all public employee labor Attorneys for the union, along with On another front, state Senator Dick unions in Memphis. attorneys representing other groups of Codey is considering challenging Sweeney “We feel they did not negotiate in public employees, have filed a lawsuit for his Senate leadership post after the good faith,” says Anthony. “These cuts seeking to overturn the legislative changes 2011 elections. Sweeney defeated Codey weren’t mentioned during negotiating.” to retirement benefits. PFANJ President for the post in January. State labor During initial budget talks, Memphis Dominick Marino says, “The leaders, though still chafing after losing Mayor A. C. Wharton Jr. promised no conventional thinking at the moment is the fight over pension and health benefits, budget cuts. The very next day, to file suit in federal court as opposed to are being assured that legislation to curb according to Anthony, the conversation state court.” union dues will not succeed. had shifted to cutting 111 jobs over “Chris Christie’s mean-spirited agenda State Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver three years, and two trucks, one heavy is designed to blame fire fighters and says right-to-work legislation introduced rescue and three battalions (56 other public employees for New Jersey’s in early July to allow public- and positions) the first year. economic problems,” says IAFF 1st private-sector workers with union shops “It’s a constant battle, and we are District Vice President Kevin Gallagher. to opt out of joining or paying dues is being hit from every direction,” says “The state has failed to meet its mandated “dead on arrival.” n Anthony. n

International Fire Fighter 17 IAFF Giving Reconfigured: The New IAFF Foundation

hether it’s an act of terrorism, says IAFF General President Harold natural or manmade disaster, IAFF Foundation Schaitberger. Wmedical emergency or fire, IAFF Board of Directors In the past, the IAFF has supported members answer the call and save lives numerous charitable funds that focus on Harold A. Schaitberger — Chair and property. And, as witnessed by the General President helping members and their families in these shooting rampage in Tucson, Arizona, the International Association times of need. The majority of contributors tornadoes that devastated Tuscaloosa, of Fire Fighters to these charitable initiatives have been Alabama, and Joplin, Missouri, the Thomas H. Miller — Vice Chair IAFF affiliates, their members and the wildfires raging across Arizona and New General Secretary-Treasurer public. Mexico and the rising flood waters of the International Association The IAFF is now expanding the scope Mississippi River, IAFF members continue of Fire Fighters and mission of the charitable funds to to be called on to respond. Christopher J. Dodd better meet the ongoing needs of the fire Just as fire fighters are always there to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer fighters and emergency medical personnel help others, the IAFF is committed to Motion Picture Association of America who take care of the public’s safety every supporting every one of its members in Forrest Burke day. As part of this effort, the IAFF has their time of need. President and Chief Executive Officer restructured the existing charitable entities “We recognize the hardship that our UnitedHealthcare Public Sector — the IAFF Burn Fund; W.H. “Howie” brothers and sisters all over the country Bruce Carpenter McClennan Scholarship Fund; Fallen Fire experience while working to save others IAFF 13th District Vice President Fighter Memorial Fund; John P. Redmond and understand the need and importance Fund; and the Disaster Relief Fund — of extending a hand to our members who A. Michael Mullane under the new IAFF Foundation. IAFF 3rd District Vice President continue to serve and protect while they A 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, non-profit suffer the same personal losses and William V. Taylor organization, the IAFF Foundation now struggles as the public they look after,” IAFF 4th District Vice President serves as the primary support system for

18 July/August 2011 “We recognize the hardship that our brothers and sisters all over the country experience while working to save others and understand the need and importance of extending a hand to our members who continue to

serve and protect while Camp Provides Life-Changing Experiences they suffer the same for Young Burn Survivors personal losses and ach fall, more than 40 young burn struggles as the public survivors from the United States Eand Canada attend the they look after.” International Burn Camp in Washington, —General President Schaitberger DC to build a lifetime of memories, to meet new friends and gain added strength and courage from peers on these five charities, providing assistance to parallel roads as burn survivors. fire fighters and their families in the The week-long International Burn United States and Canada in need of Camp, sponsored by the IAFF assistance following fires and other Foundation Burn Fund, is filled with a disasters, or a line-of-duty death. The variety of activities, including visits to the IAFF Foundation also promotes fire and U.S. Capitol, Arlington Cemetery and burn prevention and aims to educate fire other historic landmarks and a trip to For more information, contact the IAFF fighters, the public and other interested IAFF headquarters. Foundation at (202) 824-8630. n groups or individuals about how to prevent or cope with these events. In addition, the IAFF Foundation provides Join an IAFF Foundation Fitness Team financial assistance for higher education for children of professional fire fighters he IAFF Foundation is currently Athletes commit to fundraising for the and emergency medical personnel who recruiting participants for several IAFF Foundation and its charities and have died in the line of duty. Tupcoming events, including the Bank programs. “Streamlining our charitable efforts is of America Chicago Marathon, Marine Marathon and half marathon the priority,” says Schaitberger. “In every Corps Marathon and the Denver Sports participants are treated to a pre-race team instance, the ability to support our Authority Rock N’ Roll Marathon, Half dinner, receive customized IAFF polo shirts members and their families in their time Marathon and Half Marathon Relay. identifying participants as team members of need is of the highest importance. The IAFF Foundation is also working and are provided an online training plan. Creating one foundation and developing a with the Muddy Buddy series organizers to For more information or to join one of wider donor base ensures that our participate in those events in Minneapolis, the IAFF Foundation Fitness teams, contact members are always supported and that Minnesota, Portland, Oregon and Los the Fitness Team Coordinator at our donors are properly recognized.” Angeles, California. [email protected] or (202) 824-1575. n Because of the unfortunate circumstances that fire fighters sometimes face in light of the selfless careers they have chosen, it is Marine Corps the IAFF’s mission to maintain an Marathon organization that helps ease these difficulties. “Our members do so much outside of their day-to-day jobs for other charities, but often don’t focus on themselves and their own needs,” says Schaitberger. “We need to be the ones to say, on their behalf, that our fire fighters need support too.” Continued on Page 20

International Fire Fighter 19 Continued from Page 19 Donors with special connections to, or a For that reason, the new IAFF passion for, one or more of the five IAFF Foundation is strategically positioned to charities within the IAFF Foundation can expand its audience of supporters and maintain that sacred connection to causes donors beyond its membership to include that hit close to home, while those who corporations, other foundations, financial simply wish to donate to a worthwhile service organizations, philanthropists and cause — the overall health, stability and others who support the goals and safety of fire fighters and their families — objectives of these funds: to provide burn can do so on a broader level. awareness and prevention education, offer “We are also asking IAFF members to financial support when disaster strikes; participate in this effort,” says memorialize those who have fallen; afford Schaitberger. “We have a need for our the children of fire fighters killed in the members to reach out to their own line of duty with an opportunity to communities to raise awareness about the During Hurricane Katrina, IAFF members succeed; and protect the health and safety Foundation and these important causes.” n responded knowing their own families of fire fighters. could be in danger.

IAFF Foundation Charities

he Burn Fund dedicates its by Hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan and totaling more than $1.3 million. resources to fire prevention and Jeanne and more than $1,750,000 to Currently, more than 40 students per T education. Putting its primary IAFF members in Alabama, Mississippi, year receive the McClennan Scholarship. focus on burn survivors, the Burn Fund Louisiana, Texas and Florida affected by Students can reapply for the scholarship brings education, advocacy and research Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. for up to four years, with the maximum to the forefront, creating an overall better Additionally, the IAFF provided more award not to exceed $10,000. quality of life for those who have been than $500,000 in assistance to these “Offering financial support for the affected by burn trauma. members for food, medicine, counseling, children of fallen fire fighters in the name Created in 1982, the Burn Fund is the transportation and other support. of education is another way to exemplify only IAFF charity that supports both The Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Fund the IAFF’s commitment to supporting members and non-members. The Burn provides support for the families of fire the family that the fallen can no longer Fund’s combination of public and fighters and emergency medical support themselves,” says Schaitberger. private services makes it the IAFF’s most personnel killed in the line of duty. These The IAFF John P. Redmond Fund was active charity to date. fallen brothers and sisters are never named in memory of the IAFF’s fourth To help serve and support the Burn forgotten, and the Fallen Fire Fighter General President, John P. Redmond, Fund and the community it has built, in Memorial Fund exemplifies the IAFF’s who died from occupational heart 2009, the IAFF appointed 16 district dedication to honoring and recognizing disease. Statistically, a fire fighter’s risk of coordinators who help organize, facilitate those who lost their lives in service to being injured within a year on the job is and support the IAFF’s and its members’ others. more than 40 percent. The Redmond efforts and participation in burn The Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Fund Fund was established to address these prevention, fire safety, burn care and was established in 1976. Ten years later, health and safety issues, including survivor support activities. the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, research and education on occupational The Disaster Relief Fund was founded located in the shadow of Pikes Peak in hazards and diseases associated with in 1993 after the catastrophic effects of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was erected fire fighting. Hurricane Andrew left fire fighters in permanent remembrance of these “With budget cuts geared toward needing financial help like never before. courageous men and women. Walls of eliminating fire fighters and emergency Thereafter, the Disaster Relief Fund was granite bear the names of every IAFF fire medical personnel, the health and safety established to provide assistance to fighter who has died in the line of duty of our members is more important now members who suffer financial hardship dating back to 1976 — when the U.S. that it’s ever been before,” says as the result of a federally declared federal government first began tracking Schaitberger. disaster area or in cases of natural or line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. Every two years, the Redmond Fund manmade disasters, such as floods, The W.H. “Howie” McClennan sponsors the Redmond Symposium on hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires Scholarship Fund has provided higher the occupational health and hazards of or civil disturbances. learning opportunities for the children of being a professional fire fighter and For the past 18 years, the Disaster Relief fallen fire fighters for more than 30 years. paramedic. This Symposium also Fund has supported IAFF members in The children of fire fighters who have demonstrates the union’s commitment detrimental times of need. The fund has died in the line of duty are eligible to to ensuring that fire fighters have the assisted with both large- and small-scale apply for the McClennan Scholarship to tools and education necessary to disasters, including disbursing more than help fund higher education. survive. n $215,000 in 2004 to IAFF members in Since its start in 1984, a total of more Florida and Alabama who were displaced than 500 scholarships have been awarded

20 | LOCAL SCENE July/August 2011

All HAzArds All tHe time

ighting fires and saving lives is plenty “This just proves the hard. So is digging through rubble importance of having Fleft after tornadoes looking for survivors, rescuing people from raging enough staffing at all flood waters, protecting towns from massive wildfires, responding to an times for when an earthquake on the other side of the world emergency situation and racing to a horrific scene of a mass shooting. arises. I couldn’t be Many IAFF members respond to these and other major events like them knowing prouder of the men and their own families and property could be women of the Chicago in jeopardy. This is the reality of all-hazards response. Fire Department and their And so far this year, 2011 has seen more response during this than it’s share of all-hazards activity — and all before hurricane season. tough time.” Hurricane Katrina in 2005 tested the mettle of fire fighters in the Gulf Coast. The role of fire fighters in every — Chicago Local 2 President Tom Ryan community across North America Joplin is one of several communities continues to expand well beyond putting ravaged by tornadoes this year. David out fires. Fire fighters are the first to heart of Joplin, damaging more than 8,000 Wells, president of Springfield, MA Local respond to all hazards — natural and structures and killing 160 people — the 648, says the tornado that swept through manmade disasters, hazardous materials the largest death toll of a single tornado in his town in early June left the community spills, water rescues, vehicle accidents, United States history. in shock. Known for its 200-year-old trees, medical emergencies, wildland fires and Even with two fire stations and four fire this New England town never anticipated other incidents of unknown nature. trucks destroyed, fire fighters never lost the F-3 tornado that destroyed In 2011, IAFF members have responded their focus on the task at hand, but instead neighborhoods and the main streets of the to multiple disasters across the country — took the necessary steps to begin search City. from Massachusetts to California — and rescue. Fire fighters assigned to one of Local 648 members, who conducted including floods, tornadoes, blizzards, the destroyed stations began their search search and rescue efforts in the immediate wildfires and mass shootings. and rescue in the fire chief’s personal aftermath of the tornado, say it’s a wonder pickup truck. The enormity of this disaster no one was killed by the devastation and was felt not only within the community debris. but also by fire fighters involved in rescue While fire fighters responded to the and recovery efforts. needs of their community, Wells made sure For Tony Kelley, president of the his own members were safe — some of Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters whom had damage to their homes. “The (MSCFF), the priority upon arriving on union was definitely on the frontlines that scene was to assist with the needs of the day,” recalls Wells. “Our priority was to members — some of whom suffered provide whatever assistance people severe damage to their homes. needed.” “It was total devastation through a third As Springfield works to rebuild the of the town,” Kelley says. “On the state community it once was, Wells and his Fire fighters conduct search and rescue level, we went in to help members and members are working to be better after an EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin, their families rescue what little they had prepared in the event another disaster of Missouri, May 22. left and take the worry and burden off of this magnitude takes the City by surprise. those fire fighters so that they could better “This was an eye-opening year for us from twisters focus on their search and rescue efforts.” Mother Nature,” he says. Throw a dart at a map and it will likely He is also incredibly grateful for the In April, Birmingham, Alabama, took a hit the site of a major disaster or event in outpouring of support from other IAFF hard hit when a tornado touched down in the United States this year. In Joplin, locals across the nation that have provided residential Pratt City, destroying entire Missouri, an EF-5 tornado packing winds food, water and other resources to Joplin neighborhoods. Members of Birmingham of 200 miles per hour slashed through the Local 2618 members. Local 117 quickly mobilized to respond.

22 July/August 2011 “We encountered downed power lines fires: the Wallow Fire, Horseshoe 2 Fire members get back on their feet. and debris everywhere, with many people and Monument Fire. The largest of these “The Wallow Fire became a national needing medical assistance,” says Local 117 fires, the Wallow Fire — which is now 100 priority,” says President of the Professional President Don Baker. “It looked like a percent contained — burned more than Fire Fighters of Arizona Tim Hill. “There bomb had gone off. There were so many 600,000 acres of land from eastern Arizona was a complete tasking of resources and it people on the streets that it looked like a into New Mexico. got to the point that Arizona was looking football stadium exiting after a game.” At one point, with all three fires burning for outside help because we had depleted The tornado also completely destroyed simultaneously, every fire department all of our resources. We had crews working two Local 117 members’ homes, within the state had personnel on the 18 to 30 hour shifts for days on end.” prompting that local to establish a relief ground. With damage to members’ homes By late July, these three fires had been fund to help its members get back on their throughout the state, IAFF locals worked contained and crews were sent back to feet. In addition, IAFF members received to provide food and relief funds to help Continued on Page 23 assistance through the IAFF Foundation Disaster Relief Fund (see page 25). iAFF trAining Floods On April 27, Memphis, Tennessee, was here is no magic pill that can include defensive procedures. Topics declared a state of emergency as the prevent destruction during a include confined space regulations and Mississippi River began overflowing and disaster. No one is fully prepared standards, responder health and safety, flooding through the City, leaving t for the tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes or patient care and transport, retrieval extensive damage to homes located around blizzards that can occur without warning. systems and specialized trench rescue waterways. This year’s flooding damaged But IAFF members are trained in procedures. 444 structures within the City. emergency planning and response for Low-income housing was hit the hardest when the rescues become a little more Infectious Diseases — this program by rising water levels, leaving many dicey than usual. provides specific instruction in the chain communities flooded that had never seen The IAFF provides training — taught by of infection, laws and standards and the water before. Memphis Local 1784 fire IAFF member instructors — to affiliates personal protective measures available to fighters responded to citizens trapped and their fire departments to help prepare emergency responders for the prevention within their homes, wading through high them for all-hazards response, including of airborne and bloodborne pathogens. waters to perform rescues with boats to ensuring their own personal safety. navigate people into safe areas. Courses include: Chemical Process Industries — this A top priority for fire fighters was to curriculum is designed to reduce first protect their training tower, packing it with First Responder Operations — this responder injuries and fatalities during sand bags and hoping for the best. “As usual, course provides the tools needed to response to incidents at chemical plants, these fire fighters performed magnificently,” protect responder health and safety, while ethanol plants and refineries. says Local 1784 President Larry Anthony. covering basic defensive actions, personal “This is what fire fighters live for, to serve protective equipment, hazard recognition Illicit Drug Labs — this course and protect others, and now they are part of and identification, pre-incident planning addresses the training needed due to the history for what they did for Memphis.” and scene management. proliferation of illegal labs. The program focuses on maintaining the health and wildFires Technician — this specialized training safety of fire fighters and first responders This summer, Arizona fire fighters were includes offensive procedures for during illegal lab responses. pushed to their extremes, battling one of mitigation of hazardous materials spills, the largest forest fires in the state’s history. leaks and exposures. This training provides IAFF members Beginning Memorial Day weekend, with the necessary education and skill sets Arizona became the home to three major Emergency Response to Terrorism — for all-hazards response. IAFF Director of this course takes a risk-based personal HazMat and WMD Training Jim Ridley scene safety and health approach to says, “Training is like practice before a incidents of terrorism involving chemical football game, to make sure everyone is and biological agents, nuclear, radioactive on the same page when the big game and explosive devices, and their impact comes along.” on first responders. This year, the IAFF provided its First Responder Training to the U.S. Army in Confined Space Operations — this Fort Drum, New York. This training training focuses on defensive support maximizes skills needed for pre-hospital procedures for fire fighters and emergency care and situational awareness. responders. Topics include confined space Instructors tailored the practice scenarios regulations, pre-incident planning, to address situations soldiers might potential hazards, ventilation procedures experience in the field. The success and and emergency trench operations. positive feedback from this training has established a blossoming relationship Confined Space Rescue — this course between the United States military and A fire fighter works to protect Torrance, expands the operations-level training to the IAFF for future trainings. n California, from wildfires.

International Fire Fighter 23 Continued from Page 23 By late July, he says forestry fire fighters and United Emergency Medical their homes and families. turned their attention east and to the skies Professionals of Arizona Local I-60 Across the country, Florida is also feeling as hurricane season began. (Southwest Ambulance) — were the heat this fire season. The busy season In addition, Florida fire fighters this year dispatched to respond to a gruesome for Florida Forestry fire fighters is were summoned to help combat the first scene. U.S. Representative Gabrielle year-round, and this year — as with most Mediterranean fruit fly infestation in 12 Giffords (D-AZ) and 18 others had been other years — the switch from fighting years that poses a major hazard to citrus shot in rapid succession at close range by countless wildland fires to preparing for crops. 22-year-old Jared Loughner in a suburban hurricanes was about three days. Tucson shopping center. Wildfires broke out at a rate of 30 to 40 BlizzArds Members of Northwest Local 3572 per day in Florida this spring and summer; This winter was more than a white arrived on scene within five minutes after by the middle of June, nearly 400 fires were Christmas for Chicago Local 2 as fire the shooting to find 19 victims who were burning simultaneously. Wildfires this year fighters found their City blanketed under being attended to by bystanders, police and damaged more than 200,000 acres in 26 inches of snow in February. Using congressional staffers. Of the 19, six died Florida. innovation and snow mobiles to move and 13 survived. Florida State Fire Service Association through unplowed streets, fire fighters “Because of the professionalism and the Local S-20 President Rodney Durbin says were able to respond to calls with the same training of our members, they all did an the 2011 wildfire season was one of the efficiency and speed. outstanding job,” says Local 3572 The City provided Local 2 with 30 snow President Kyle Canty. “Even though this mobiles to use to transport persons who was a truly unique situation, we knew our “Because of the needed medical care from unplowed side jobs, we knew what we had to get done and streets to waiting ambulances on the main we did it.” professionalism and the roads. Though Canty’s department was the first training of our members, “This just proves the importance of to arrive, other ambulances were having enough staffing at all times for immediately behind, and the quick they all did an outstanding when an emergency situation arises,” says response allowed them to swiftly sort, treat Local 2 President Tom Ryan. “I couldn’t be and deliver the survivors to hospitals. job. Even though this was prouder of the men and women of the Local 3572 Battalion Chief and EMS a truly unique situation, Chicago Fire Department and their Captain Lane Spalla assumed incident response during this tough time.” command and immediately began we knew our jobs, we assigning command roles and mAnmAde disAsters deployments. knew what we had to get Whatever the emergency, specially Two of the victims were noticed trained fire fighters and paramedics immediately: a little girl, Christina Taylor done and we did it.” respond, as they did in Tucson, Arizona, Green, who had a major chest wound, and — Northwest Local 3572 on January 8, 2011. Giffords, who had been shot in the head. On that Saturday, fire fighters from four The first seven patients were triaged, President Kyle Canty IAFF locals in the Tucson area — treated and transported from the scene in Northwest Local 3572, North Tucson Local just 25 minutes. Green was the first into an 3832 (Golder Ranch), Tucson Local 479 ambulance, followed immediately by worst in recent memory, and certainly one Giffords. The others were transported to of the most tragic. hospitals via helicopter. All of the injured Two Florida Division of Forestry fire had been treated and removed from the fighters were killed June 21 and two others scene within 45 minutes. injured fighting the Blue Ribbon Fire in The swift response helped Gifford Hamilton County. Josh Burch, 31, of Lake survive; unfortunately, Christina Taylor City and Brett Fulton, 52, of White Green did not. Springs, both married with children, died As recently experienced in downtown trying to contain the fire, which had been Vancouver, British Columbia, manmade declared mostly contained, but then flared tragedies are unpredictable and fire up again as a result of the prolonged fighters must be ready to respond and drought across the state. react quickly. Local S-20 fire fighters have been The loss by the Vancouver Canucks to the extremely active throughout Florida and in Boston Bruins in the National Hockey southern Georgia, where they battled a League championship was not only massive wildfire that burned more than 60 disappointing to fans but became percent of the 500,000-acre Okefenokee dangerous as riots broke out June 16 in the Swamp. streets following the game. “We are typically dispatched to help fight More than 150 fire fighters responded to fires in other states, but we were so busy medical and fire calls for eight hours as contending with drought conditions in they were met with violence as rioters Florida and southern Georgia that forestry threw rocks and bottles. Police helped fire fighters could not leave to help other Fire fighters joined search and rescue and secure the safety of the Vancouver fire states,” says Durbin. cleanup efforts at Ground Zero. fighters, staying with them as they

24 July/August 2011 responded to calls. deploy after the earthquake. USAR teams “The calm and professionalism with from Fairfax County, VA Local 2068 and which our members responded that day Los Angeles Local 1014 were immediately was incredible,” says Vancouver Local 18 dispatched. President Gordon Ditchburn. “The public These quick deployments were thanked us for the service we provided for reminiscent of USAR’s response after the the community.” Haiti earthquake in 2010, claiming the lives of 200,000 people. With each of these UrBAn seArcH And rescUe disasters, USAR teams have provided these While the United States has been hit time international communities with basic and again by Mother Nature, the rest of resources, medical and search and rescue the world has felt the wrath as well. In assistance, as well as other emergency February, New Zealand experienced a 6.3 services. magnitude earthquake centered in the These highly trained search and rescue nation’s second-largest city, Christchurch, teams provide relief both nationally and with a population of 400,000. Just one internationally to communities struggling month later, Japan was hit with a 9.0 from the devastation of manmade and earthquake that caused a 33-foot tsunami natural disasters. to hit the coast just minutes after the “Whether fighting forest fires, assisting earthquake had struck. communities in blizzard conditions, or Members of the Los Angeles, California Chino Hills, CA Local 3522 conducts all searching for and rescuing citizens Task Force 2(CA-TF2) Urban Search and hazards training at Universal Studios. following tornadoes and floods, it is Rescue (USAR) team were dispatched to through the training, preparedness and the scene of the New Zealand earthquake professionalism that IAFF members have In Japan, residents continued to be hit as to provide relief and assistance with search given their communities hope through one disaster cascaded into another. and rescue efforts in the affected City of destruction and chaos,” says IAFF General Watching as an earthquake turned into a Christchurch. This specially trained USAR President Harold Schaitberger. n tsunami that caused radiation leaks within team includes Los Angeles Local 1014 fire the country, USAR teams across the United fighters and paramedics. States quickly began preparations to

International Fire Fighter 25 Always on the Frontline

Ontario Fire Fighters Endorse Premier Dalton McGuinty Canadian Leadership to Meet August 22-24 in Markham ntario’s professional fire fighters enacted legislation that specifies a protocol are throwing their support behind for mandatory blood testing of individuals he IAFF’s Canadian leadership will Oa politician who’s supported them fire fighters contact in the course of their assemble August 22-24 in Markham, consistently in the past seven years. duties, protected union rights in the area of TOntario, to address a number of Members of the Ontario Professional Fire secondary employment, provided a $30 priority issues during the Biennial Fighters Association (OPFFA) have million grant for fire service training and Canadian Policy Conference. endorsed Ontario Premier Dalton equipment and approved an OPFFA The Canadian Policy Conference is a McGuinty for re-election in advance of a vehicle licence plate. unique forum for Canadian affiliates; it provincial election taking place on October In spite of a fierce backlash from another gives local leaders representing the union’s 6. Since coming to power in 2003, public sector union and from 21,700 members in Canada the McGuinty and his Liberal government municipalities, the McGuinty government opportunity to debate and vote on have acted on a number of key OPFFA also enacted changes to the provincial submitted resolutions, thereby shaping the issues, including presumptive cancer and pension system that enable fire fighters to direction of the International and its heart legislation in 2007 and — more negotiate pension enhancements. Canadian affairs moving forward. recently — Bill 181 to advance the Also, the Liberal government donated Canadian Policy Conference resolutions OPFFA’s positions on mandatory $150,000 to a fund for the restoration of adopted by delegates are often sent to the retirement and duty of fair representation. Ontario’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial after IAFF Convention for final disposition. The The resolution endorsing McGuinty was it was vandalized in 2008, and McGuinty Canadian Policy Conference follows the adopted unanimously during the OPFFA personally initiated a special Tribute to the same rules as the IAFF Convention, with Annual Convention June 7 in Ottawa. Fallen item that is presented to the families formal rules and deadlines for resolutions McGuinty entered the room to a standing of the province’s fallen fighters. and delegate credentialing. ovation. Delegates donned gold-and-black The OPFFA’s endorsement of McGuinty In addition to the handling of resolutions, “Fire Fighters for McGuinty” T-shirts and is not a blanket endorsement of his the Canadian Policy Conference will also jubilantly waved gold-and-black “Fire Ontario Liberal Party and all of its feature a pension session, reports from Fighters for McGuinty” signs. candidates. Canadian affiliates are free to provincial presidents and the Canadian “We always say, we support those who support individual candidates of their trustee and a legal update from the IAFF’s support us, and it should hold true with choosing during the election campaign. Canadian Legal Counsel, Sean McManus of Premier McGuinty,” says OPFFA President At the same time, the OPFFA has been McManus-Hubler Lawyers. Fred LeBlanc. “He has demonstrated a level vocal in warning its members that the This edition of the Biennial Canadian of respect and recognition that is Progressive Conservative Party, under Policy Conference is hosted by Markham unprecedented in the history of relations leader Tim Hudak, would be bad for fire Local 2727 and takes place at the Hilton between Ontario’s professional fighters and fighters and other workers. Hudak has Suites Toronto/Markham Conference its provincial government.” already pledged that if his party is elected, Centre and Spa. Local 2727 has been busy LeBlanc notes that the OPFFA’s original it will change the arbitration system so that planning a number of events to showcase endorsement of McGuinty in 2007 was the it favours employers. the Markham area, including a golf first time it had ever endorsed a politician, A backgrounder circulated with the tournament. making this second endorsement truly resolution supporting McGuinty noted The Canadian Policy Conference is held historic. that the province’s professional fire fighters every two years, in the year opposite IAFF In addition to presumptive legislation spent $563,735 fighting the Progressive Convention, and is hosted by a different and Bill 181, McGuinty’s Liberal Conservative governments that were in Canadian affiliate each time. government amended traffic legislation to power in Ontario prior to the Liberals’ For information about the Biennial permit fire fighters to conduct roadside election in 2003. “We have yet to spend a Canadian Policy Conference, contact the fundraising once again, enacted legislation dollar fighting legislation introduced by IAFF Canadian Office at (613) 567-8988 or that protects fire fighters’ personal car Dalton McGuinty,” the backgrounder e-mail [email protected]. n insurance rates from on-duty accidents, states. n IAFF Issues Off to Fast Start Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, right, holds a in New Parliament framed presentation copy of a resolution adopted unanimously by anada’s newly-elected Parliament OPFFA members June 7 recessed at the end of June after a endorsing his Cshort spring session, but not before re-election. With experiencing a flurry of legislative issues McGuinty is OPFFA important to the IAFF’s Canadian affiliates. President Fred LeBlanc. In the first weeks of the new Parliament, Ontario’s provincial the IAFF Canadian office worked with election takes place on October 6, 2011. Conservative members of Parliament (MPs) John Weston (West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, BC) and Patrick Brown (Barrie, ON), who offered to help advance the IAFF’s top Canadian legislative issue, the

26 | ALWAYS ON THE FRONTLINE July/August 2011 need for a national Public Safety Officer course of their duties, and a motion work co-operatively with Canada’s Compensation (PSOC benefit) for the calling for enhanced Canada Pension Plan majority Conservative government, with families of fallen fire fighters. benefits for fire fighters. the support of opposition parties, In addition, the IAFF is tracking several NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East, including the New Democratic Party, a pieces of legislation introduced by MPs in BC) has drafted motions that address the long-time IAFF ally which is now the the new Parliament, including private PSOC issue, priority access to vaccines official opposition. members’ motions addressing IAFF and antivirals for fire fighters during an The activity surrounding the IAFF and legislative issues and private members’ influenza pandemic and third-party its legislative issues during the campaign bills that will also benefit Canada’s investigations. and in the short spring sitting of professional fire fighters if enacted. MP Glenn Thibeault (NDP, Sudbury, Parliament sets the stage for the IAFF 18th New Democratic Party (NDP) MP Irene ON) has introduced a private member’s Canadian Legislative Conference, which Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe, ON) has bill C-248, which calls for the third takes place October 23-26 in Ottawa. The drafted private members’ motions on the Saturday in July to be declared Emergency legislative conference will focus on the PSOC issue as well as the need for a Services Appreciation Day. In a letter to IAFF’s top three legislative issues in national office for fire service statistics, Thibeault, the IAFF thanked him for Canada. third-party investigations of fire fighter introducing Bill C-248, which would allow All Canadian local presidents and line-of-duty deaths and National Building IAFF locals to further illustrate their value secretaries will receive Conference and Code amendments that address fire fighter to their communities while advocating the hotel registration information in the mail, safety. items on the IAFF’s Canadian legislative along with detailed information about the Mathyssen has also drafted bill C-256, agenda such as the PSOC benefit. issues on the IAFF Canadian legislative which would amend the Criminal Code of The House of Commons returns agenda. n Canada to specify stricter punishments for September 19 for what is expected to be a crimes that harm fire fighters acting in the busy fall session. The IAFF is prepared to

SAFER and FIRE Grants more than 20 percent. An amendment programs altogether. During Committee Under Attack offered by Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) consideration of legislation (S.550) to on the House floor to restore funding to last reauthorize and improve the SAFER and year’s level was adopted by a vote of 318-113. FIRE Act grant programs, Senator Tom he Staffing for Adequate Fire and Despite the lopsided vote, the Appropriations Coburn (R-OK) offered an amendment to Emergency Response (SAFER) and Committee again sought to cut spending for sunset the programs, abolishing them in TAssistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) the two programs when it considered the 2016. The amendment passed when one grant programs, which have proved crucial to spending bill for Fiscal Year 2012. Again, the Democrat — Senator Claire McCaskill enhancing the ability of fire departments IAFF took the fight to the House floor, where (D-MO) — sided with Committee across America to operate safely and an amendment offered by Representative Republicans and voted in favor of the Coburn effectively, have come under attack in the new Steve LaTourette (R-OH) was adopted by a amendment. Congress. The IAFF is fighting back against vote of 333-87. In arguing for his amendment, Senator efforts to slash funding and cripple the two The House Appropriations Committee also Coburn expressed the view that the FIRE Act programs with onerous new requirements. refused to extend the waivers for the SAFER and SAFER grant programs are Fire fighters have long understood the program for Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year unconstitutional, claiming that the federal importance of SAFER and FIRE Act grants. 2012. The waivers enable fire departments to government has no right to help fund local The two programs are also popular with local use SAFER grants to rehire laid-off fire governmental functions. While many of the governments and many members of fighters and prevent future layoffs. If the Republicans on the Committee disagree with Congress. But several key congressional waivers expire, many departments will be Coburn’s extreme views and support the leaders argue that the programs are a misuse unable to meet the onerous requirements and FIRE Act and SAFER programs, they voted of federal funds, and are working hard to will have to forego their SAFER grants. for the Coburn sunset amendment anyway. defund and ultimately abolish grants to fire Representative David Price (D-NC) led the Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), John McCain departments. charge on the SAFER waiver issue, and (R-AZ) and Scott Brown (R-MA) are all In the House of Representatives, the attacks offered amendments to both bills restoring cosponsors of S.550, but joined Coburn’s have come in the form of funding cuts and the waiver language. The House adopted the efforts to end the program in 2016. opposition to SAFER waivers. The new Price amendments to both the Fiscal Year The legislation now moves to the Senate Congress has considered two separate 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012 spending bills. floor, where the IAFF and its allies will be spending bills — one for the current fiscal Unfortunately, the battle for the SAFER working to protect these vital grants. year and one for the fiscal year that begins in waivers is not over. Because of a drafting “There is a new mood in Washington that October — that provide funding for error, the SAFER language included in the places tax cuts for millionaires ahead of the homeland security programs. The House Fiscal Year 2011 bill may not function as health and safety of America’s fire fighters,” Appropriations Committee sought to slash intended. The IAFF is working with the says IAFF General President Harold funding for FIRE Act and SAFER grants in Department of Homeland Security to correct Schaitberger. “But most Americans reject this both bills, but the IAFF was able to muster the problem, and may need additional selfish view. We will continue our efforts to bipartisan majorities to overturn the congressional action to ensure that SAFER ensure that our members have the staffing, Committee actions. funds can be used to prevent layoffs. training and equipment they need to do their The Committee-approved spending bill for On the other side of the Capitol, these jobs safely and effectively.” n Fiscal Year 2011 completely abolished the programs face an even greater threat. There, SAFER program and cut FIRE Act grants by key senators have set out to abolish the

International Fire Fighter ALWAYS ON THE FRONTLINE | 27 Always on the Frontline Save the Date: 2012 Political Due to the nature of the training provided at Training Academy the Political Training Academy, class size is limited to 50 participants. Only one person from any local will be considered for he IAFF will hold its 16th annual acceptance. Successful applicants must also Political Training Academy February commit to attending the entire program to T25-March 2, 2012, in Baltimore, receive the full benefit of the program. Maryland. Online applications will be The IAFF will notify applicants by the end available beginning Tuesday, September 6. of the calendar year regarding acceptance. The deadline for submitting applications is fundraising, polling, messaging and Those who are not accepted will be kept on November 14, 2011. get-out-the-vote, as well as other a waiting list should any cancellations occur. The Political Training Academy trains IAFF campaign-related topics. The week-long Participants are responsible for their members (or immediate family members) program also includes a campaign simulation transportation costs to and from Baltimore who are running or plan to run for public exercise. All workshops are led by high-level and any additional lodging days outside of elected office, teaches activists how to operatives and consultants from the campaign the Political Training Academy participate in leadership roles in active world, most with decades of campaign period. Lodging, meals and conference campaigns and shows affiliate leaders how experience at all levels of elective office. materials are provide by the IAFF. to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Applications for the 2012 Political Training For more information and to apply, visit campaigns approaching the union for support. Academy will only be accepted online, and all www.iaff.org/ Politics/PA/training.htm or The Political Training Academy includes applicants must submit a letter of call the Political Department at (202) workshops on a variety of campaign topics, recommendation from their local president to 824-1582. n including campaign planning, targeting, be eligible for consideration. # HERE’S MY FIREPAC CONTRIBUTION

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28 | ALWAYS ON THE FRONTLINE July/August 2011 Across the IAFF Pennsylvania Cancer years after leaving the fire service. MDA Supports Presumption Law Signing Carcinogen exposure must be Its Fire Fighters documented in a report filed with the Caps 25-Year Fight Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting uring this difficult time for public System. sector unions, the Muscular or 25 long years, the Pennsylvania Municipalities will have an opportunity to DDystrophy Association (MDA) has Professional Fire Fighters Association rebut claims that the cancer was not caused launched a media campaign — Fire Fighters F(PPFFA) has urged state lawmakers to by fire fighting, though the burden is on American Heroes — featuring print and enact legislation to protect fire fighters municipalities to provide “substantial television public service announcements, from exposure to dangerous toxins released competent evidence” to rebut a fire web banners, official proclamations and from fires. Finally, the PPFFA has declared fighter’s claim that his or her cancer was letters to the editor. The campaign is victory for its members. caused by workplace exposure to toxins. designed to raise public awareness and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett IAFF General President Harold support for the nation’s fire fighters and the signed the bill June 30, easily clearing both Schaitberger hails the new law, but says it is good work they do in addition to putting legislative chambers, making fire fighters too long in coming. “Men and women who out fires and saving lives. eligible to receive workers’ compensation if put their lives on the line every day to IAFF affiliates across the country have they can demonstrate exposure to protect the people and property of demonstrated their dedication to MDA carcinogens found in fumes. The Pennsylvania should not have had to wait time and again, not only by fundraising legislation, HB 797, passed the 25 years for lawmakers to acknowledge the and participating, but by fighting for their Pennsylvania House by a vote of 200-1 and very real dangers of carcinogens in fires,” right to collect donations on the street and the Pennsylvania Senate approved the bill he says. “But I am so proud of the while on duty. by a vote of 50-0. leadership of the PPFFA for sticking with The Fill-the-Boot program raises tens of Outgoing Governor Ed Rendell vetoed a this fight on behalf of its brothers and millions of dollars annually to support cancer presumption measure in November sisters, and not stopping until victory was MDA’s research, medical services, summer 2010, that — despite overwhelming in hand.” camp, support groups and public education support in the legislature — some Though the new law is less broad in scope programs. During the more than municipal officials said was too broad and than the measure Rendell vetoed, half-century partnership, the IAFF has could overwhelm drum-tight local budgets. Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters raised more than $435 million for MDA. Rendell’s veto marked a bitter, though Association President Art Martynuska says IAFF members also give their time to serve temporary setback in the long struggle to he is pleased that members will finally have as counselors at MDA summer camps from provide much-needed financial protection this added layer of protection. coast to coast. to the many fire fighters who develop “The PPFFA has made cancer IAFF members are like family to MDA. life-threatening cancer in the course of presumption its number-one priority for Pat MacNichols, MDA director of business their careers. the past several years. The PPFFA pledged development for southeastern states, speaks Under the new law, fire fighters may file a to get this done, and I am proud to say for many when she says, “All of us claim if they have been on the job for four mission accomplished,” he says. “This or more continuous years and have momentous piece of legislation will now Continued on Page 30 established a previous clean bill of health. afford our brothers and sisters much — Fire fighters also must establish exposure to needed protection if they are stricken with a leading carcinogen, including asbestos, one of several different types of cancer as a benzene and wood dust, among many result of their exposure(s) on the job.” n others. Fire fighters can file claims up to six

Schaitberger Elected to NFPA Board of Directors

AFF General President Harold promoting standards, training and Schaitberger has been elected to the research, and it has protected the lives IBoard of Directors of the National of the public through its education Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and awareness campaigns.” the world’s leading Schaitberger was a advocate of fire prevention catalyst behind the NFPA’s and a leader in decision in 2001 to issue establishing codes and NFPA 1710, which sets standards related to fire minimum standards for and life safety. fire fighter crews, “I am honored to join an responses times and other organization as well factors involved in respected as the NFPA,” determining the says Schaitberger. “For organization and more than a century, its work has deployment of fire fighting and The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) protected the lives of fire fighters by emergency medical systems. n has launched a campaign to raise awareness and generate support for professional fire fighters and paramedics.

International Fire Fighter ACROSS THE IAFF | 29 Across the IAFF

Justin Frisbee, Fill-the-Boot coordinator for Orange Park, FL Local 2668, makes a muscle with MDA staff from north Florida and southeast Georgia.

Continued from Page 29 diagnosed just two short years later with appreciate the opportunity to brag about Duchenne muscular dystrophy, [one of Hannah Ostermayer, 7, who is affected by our fire fighters and all they do for MDA more than 40 neuromuscular diseases in spinal muscular atrophy, joins Dallas Local and for their communities!” MDA’s program]. “Since that time [these 58 fire fighters as they kick off their 2011 Many family members of those affected men and women] have been invaluable Fill-the-Boot campaign. by muscle diseases have expressed their with their dedication and compassion. Our and the MDA family. Of the many worthy appreciation for fire fighters and their son had to have surgery and needed blood and necessary causes our members become commitment to MDA, including Nadine donations. One of the firehouses got all involved in and provide assistance, I am Kirby, whose son David is a state and local their guys and girls together and went to convinced that the MDA family most truly MDA Goodwill Ambassador. She wrote the the blood bank. Every one of them donated understands the soul and spirit of fire following in a letter published by the Palm blood that day! “They have become part of fighters.” Beach Post : our family and deserve the respect of the MDA is profoundly grateful to the IAFF, “The first experience we had with [fire whole community.” and looks forward to many more years of fighters] was a choking incident when our In an email about the Fire Fighters productive and meaningful partnership. son was one-and-a-half-years old. They did American Heroes campaign, IAFF 12th As is often said by MDA President and not walk casually across the lawn — they District Vice President Larry Osborne CEO Jerry Weinberg, “Together, we can ran, gear in hand, to assist our child. Little wrote, “Once again, I am reminded of the defeat neuromuscular disease!” n did we know that our child would be special relationship between fire fighters

30 | ACROSS THE IAFF July/August 2011 Thousands Mourn Loss of Two San Francisco Fire Fighters ack to work but never forgetting. fighter and paramedic, died on June 5 from Thomas O’Connor, president of San injuries he suffered fighting the June 2 blaze. BFrancisco Local 798, says Bay-area fire Doctors said he clung to life from the fighters will always remember Lieutenant moment he arrived at San Francisco General Vincent Perez and fire fighter-paramedic Hospital already in cardiac arrest and Anthony Valerio; both died June 2, 2011, suffering from burns and lung damage. after being caught in a flashover house fire Lieutenant Vincent Perez, 48, died at the triggered by superhot gases in the City’s hospital on the day of the fire. Both men Diamond Heights neighborhood. from Engine Company 26 were experienced “They were two great guys who could not fire fighters. Neither was married or had have been more different,” O’Connor says. children. “Vinnie was an ex-Marine — an old school San Francisco Local 798 President Tom At Fire Station 26 in Diamond Heights, public servant — while Tony was more of a O’Connor (far left) with California Governor where both men worked, fire fighters placed hippie type, a free spirit who came to us as a Jerry Brown, President Schaitberger and helmets bearing the names of Perez and paramedic.” Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Valerio on chairs with their boots placed Thousands gathered on June 10 at St. neatly underneath. Flowers and cards from Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco for a grieving supporters were added to the funeral honoring both Perez and Valerio. display. Though different in so many ways, both “Like many urban departments, we have Perez and Valerio were “city boys,” experienced quite a bit of tragedy over the according to O’Conner. The huge turnout of years — cancer deaths and line-of-duty family, friends and fellow fire fighters and deaths and too many close calls,” O’Connor public officials for the service came as no says. “It feels like our luck ran out with the surprise. deaths of these two great fire fighters.” IAFF General President Harold The last San Francisco fire fighter to die in Schaitberger attended the service and Vincent Perez Anthony Valerio the line of duty, Lieutenant Louis presented medals to the families of both Mambretti, 57, also came from Station 26. A men. plaque at the station honors Manbretti, who “Lieutenant Perez and fire fighting fires sometimes has a tragic final was killed in 1995 when an automatic garage fighter-paramedic Valerio represented the page.” door trapped him inside a burning best human qualities to be found in a big Democratic leader Representative Nancy Diamond Heights home. city fire department,” says Schaitberger. Pelosi (D-CA), Governor Jerry Brown, The last multiple line-of-duty deaths in “Their distinct personalities and gifts Mayor Ed Lee, Lieutenant Governor Gavin San Francisco occurred in 1946 when four demonstrated that great men and women of Newsom and many other City officials also fire fighters were killed in a fire at the many types respond to the calling. Their filled pews to pay their respects to both men. Herbert Hotel. n passing reveals the sad truth that a career Anthony “Tony” Valerio, a 53-year-old fire

Retired Manitoba Fire Fighter Files Canada’s First Breast Cancer Claim

n 1987, Brenda Whitney was the first 2010, Manitoba took a big step forward in provide presumptive protection for breast female fire fighter hired by the providing protection to its fire fighters by cancer before the case went to the Nevada IWinnipeg, Manitoba Fire Department. adding breast cancer to the list of Supreme Court. With the support of the With her previous military career, workplace diseases covered under workers’ IAFF, which provided expert testimony, Whitney wanted to see if she could make compensation, a major acknowledgement the Court ruled that Lawson’s cancer was it as a fire fighter, and she did. of the dedication of the women serving as caused by carcinogens that she had been Whitney found the life of a fire fighter fire fighters. exposed to on the job, and that it would be and member of Winnipeg Local 867 to be “This legislation is important as it shows covered under workers’ compensation. a completely rewarding experience. When that woman are part of the profession of Although Whitney retired long before she retired in 1999 after serving her fire fighting and they deserve the same breast cancer was added to the workers’ community for 12 years, there were many protection from occupational cancers that compensation bill in Manitoba, she is happy more women in the department. Today, 43 their brothers have,” says Alex Forrest, that this protection is now in place. Hers is female fire fighters are members of the president of Winnipeg Local 867. the first breast cancer claim in Canada Winnipeg Fire Department. More and more state and provincial following passage of additional presumptive Following her retirement, Whitney was lawmakers have begun adopting cancer legislation in Manitoba. diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, presumptive legislation for breast cancer for Currently in remission and retired, which was later connected with fire fighters. The precedent was set in Las Whitney is taking nothing for granted. carcinogens that had accumulated from Vegas, Nevada, in 2005 when Las Vegas “I have a wonderful life here and a great her years in the fire department. Local 1285 fire fighter Robin Lawson was husband,” she says. “I just live life day by “When I got on to the department, there diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, it day and hope to stay healthy. Though I weren’t studies back then that linked was not considered a work-related disease. don’t look that far into the future, I never cancer to fire fighting,” she says. But in Local 1285 spent five years working to look back either.” n

International Fire Fighter ACROSS THE IAFF | 31 Across the IAFF Nationwide® Offers Fire IAFF-Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC), • Make all future contributions with Fighters New Solutions for Nationwide is taking advantage of recent after-tax income changes in tax law to make it a lot easier — • Convert some or all of their current Retirement Needs by introducing a new Roth 457 Plan option. assets into Roth 457 assets As soon as your plan sponsor amends the Potential earnings on Roth 457 n a time when there seems to be a lot of plan document to include the Roth 457 contributions and on assets converted into energy focused on taking things away Plan option — assuming your employer Roth 457 assets grow tax-free, and qualified Ifrom fire fighters and other first already works with Nationwide — IAFF distributions will be tax-free. responders, Nationwide Retirement members will be able to elect that some or Solutions is delivering new solutions for all of their deferred comp deferrals be In cases where employers IAFF members’ retirement needs. characterized as after-tax contributions. IAFF members who believe that taxes will This option gives participants in make health care available be raised when they retire, or who expect to Nationwide-provided deferred comp plans be in a higher tax bracket upon retirement, the ability to: to employees upon may be looking for a way to diversify • Continue deferring pre-tax income reaching retirement, but retirement income between taxable and • Split their contributions between pre-tax tax-free options. Working with and after-tax income where the total cost is being borne by the Liberty Mutual Recognizes arrived on the scene with the rest of his Firemark Award Winners crew, a chaotic scene was unfolding. retirees, the PEHP program Hearing that a 16-month-old child remained trapped inside, Scott can help ensure retirees iberty Mutual Insurance, a leading instinctively climbed the ladder and national auto and home insurer, has entered the burning house — without the have dollars set aside to Lannounced the winners of its protection of a fire hose — to locate and National Firemark Award for Heroism help defray those costs. save the child. and Community Service. Hope Scott, a Martin “Skip” Ockomon received the member of Virginia Beach, VA Local Liberty Mutual National Firemark Award This new option gives IAFF members the 2924, and Martin “Skip” Ockomon, a for Community Service for his dedication ability to plan for how they want to member of Anderson, IN Local 1262, to creating a Fire Rescue House in structure the taxes on their income in were honored for their everyday Anderson in 2009. A witness to so many retirement. While giving participants self-sacrifice and tireless efforts to fire-related tragedies throughout his greater tax-planning flexibility, there are promote public safety. Liberty Mutual career, Ockomon was inspired by the certain risks and limitations to the Roth will also award the Virginia Beach Fire resilience families demonstrate in the 457(b) option. For example, earnings on Department and the Anderson Fire wake of disaster to establish the Fire Roth contributions will be tax-free as long Department each with a $10,000 grant in Rescue House, which provides fire as the qualified distribution takes place as the winners’ honor. victims immediate shelter, meals and normally permitted by the plan and at least A committee comprised of numerous counseling. He also works with a local five years after the year of the first deposit fire safety organizations selected the real estate company to find long-term made to the Roth account. Liberty Mutual National Firemark Award housing for displaced families. IAFF members who are concerned about winners from among a pool of more than Ockomon and his team have since one of the fastest-growing expenses in 150 fire fighter nominees, each of whom expanded to four Fire Rescue Houses in retirement — health care — should had received a local Firemark Award from Indiana and Kentucky, with plans underway consider the Nationwide Post Employment a Liberty Mutual Insurance office in their to create locations in Texas. Ockomon says Health Plan (PEHP®). Health care is also community throughout 2010. his goal is to have a Fire Rescue House in one of the fastest-growing costs for “The Liberty Mutual National Firemark every community across the country. employers too, many of which are Award recipients exemplify the unique In addition to the awards and fire struggling with tight budgets. The PEHP courage and commitment fire fighters department grants, National Firemark responds to IAFF members’ concerns by demonstrate every day to help us prevent Award winners Scott and Ockomon each offering a new way for affiliates to work the devastation of a home fire and to receive a trip for four to the Walt Disney with their employer to pre-fund the future protect us when they do occur,” says Greg World Resort ® in Florida, where they can costs of retiree health care. Gordon, senior vice president of visit the largest fire safety exhibit in the Until recently, the Nationwide PEHP only marketing at Liberty Mutual. “As a United States, Liberty Mutual’s “Where’s accepted employer contributions, but has company that also embraces our the Fire?” TM attraction at received a favorable Private Letter Ruling responsibility to protect lives and homes, INNOVENTIONS at Epcot ®. from the IRS which enables employee it is fitting for us to honor fire fighters Visit www.BeFireSmart to read more groups to make mandatory employee Scott and Ockomon and to celebrate the about Scott, Ockomon and other past contributions (i.e., $25 per pay or 1 percent countless men and women who serve our Liberty Mutual Firemark Award winners of salary) into each worker’s own PEHP communities so selflessly.” or for information on nominating fire account to pre-fund the future costs of Hope Scott was awarded the Liberty fighters for a Liberty Mutual Firemark retiree health care on a tax-favored basis. Mutual National Firemark Award for Award to reward outstanding feats of Contributions to the Nationwide PEHP, Heroism for his October 2010 response to heroism or community service and public whether made by the employer or the house fire where several people were employee, do not affect any limits to fire education. n reported trapped inside. When Scott members’ 457(b) deferred comp or similar retirement plan account.

32 | ACROSS THE IAFF July/August 2011 The Nationwide PEHP program is used by IAFF affiliates across the country. In cases where employers make health IAFF Welcomes New Locals care available to employees upon reaching The new IAFF affiliates listed below joined the International in May and June 2011. retirement, but where the total cost is being borne by the retirees, the PEHP program Local 4847 Local 4852 Local 4853 can help ensure retirees have dollars set Harford County Professional Baldwin Paramedic Rescue Bay County Professional aside to help defray those costs. Paramedics and EMT’s President James Mounts Fire Fighters Association For locals facing the elimination of retiree Association 24 members President Douglas Neel health care for new hires, the PEHP President Robert P. James Pittsburgh, PA 26 members program can help ensure the next 21 members Bay County, FL Harford County, MD Local 4841 generation of fire fighters has dollars set Sooke Fire Fighters Local 4855 aside to meet their future health care needs. Local 4849 President Matthew Barney Larkspur Professional The mandatory contributions feature may St Landry Parish Fire District #1 4 members Fire Fighters be tailored to a unique group — all fire Association of Fire Fighters Sooke, BC President Rick Snyder fighters hired after a specified date, for President Benjamin Smith 12 members example. New hires would gain direct 6 members Local 4851 Larkspur, CO control over a portion of their health care Krotz Springs, LA Westchester Professional dollars as investments while they’re Fire Fighters Local 4856 employed and as tax-free assets they can Local 4850 President Thomas Botka Southern Campbell withdraw in retirement to pay important Boonville Fire Fighters 24 members Professional Fire Fighters President Steven Byers Westchester, IL President John Kuchar, III medical costs, including health insurance 9 members 8 members premiums, deductibles and co-pays. Boonville, IN Alexandria, KY The take-away is this: today’s professional fire fighters and first responders need and deserve retirement planning and education the growing costs of post-employment Retirement Solutions at (614) 854-8972 or products and services that help them meet health care. [email protected]. Neither their current needs for before- and after-tax For more information about the Nationwide nor its representatives may investing, and for tax-diversified income in retirement solutions Nationwide offers, offer tax or legal advice. Consult your own retirement. And that helps them prepare for contact John Piper at Nationwide counsel before making any decisions. n

International Fire Fighter ACROSS THE IAFF | 33 Across the IAFF

IAFF Donates Funds to Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation

uring the Canadian Fallen extremely grateful for the donation. “This Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) donation will go a long way to making Dannual meeting May 13 in Ottawa, final construction payments for the the IAFF presented CFFF with a cheque for memorial which will honour 1,100 $37,264.80 to help build a monument to Canadian fire fighters and supplement the fallen fire fighters in Canada. The donation cost of bringing the families of the fallen to represents the residual of a charitable fund the annual ceremony.” that the IAFF established in Canada in the The total cost of the monument is wake of the tragedies of September 11, estimated at $5 million. The Canadian 2001. government has already contributed $2.5 Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) President Robert Kirkpatrick The IAFF Executive Board decided earlier million, and the CFFF is contributing $1.75 (second from left) accepts a donation from this year to wind up the fund, which was million from its fundraising initiatives and the IAFF for the Foundation's monument essentially dormant. The money in the from donations it has received. The fund. Presenting the cheque (from left) are: fund was donated to the IAFF by Canadian remainder of the cost is coming from Ottawa, ON Local 162 member John Sobey IAFF Assistant the General President for citizens and businesses. The CFFF is a in-kind contributions and donated supplies. Canadian Operations Scott Marks and charitable foundation that includes IAFF The CFFF currently holds an annual President of Winnipeg MB Local 867 and representation on its board of directors. ceremony for fallen fire fighters on Canadian Trustee Alex Forrest. Below, an A groundbreaking ceremony for the Parliament Hill on the second Sunday in artist's rendition of Canada's National Fallen Firefighter Monument. CFFF’s national fallen fire fighter September. n monument took place May 12 in downtown Ottawa on land donated by the Canadian government and located one block from the IAFF Canadian office. The monument is expected to be completed by September 2012. In a letter to the IAFF, CFFF President Robert Kirkpatrick says the Foundation is

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Expiration: Cell Phone $10 = 3 entries Email Signature: To enter go to www.UnionSportsmen.org/elkhunt Fully Involved Preparing for and close calls and fire fighter fatalities to Surviving a MAYDAY Call address the critical elements of fire ground survival. Information from the IAFF, International here is no other call more Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), National challenging to fire ground Institute of Standards and Technology Toperations than a MAYDAY call — (NIST), National Institute for the unthinkable moment when a fire Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), fighter’s personal safety is in imminent Underwriters Laboratories (UL), U.S. Fire danger. To help fire fighters prepare for Administration (USFA), National Fire and survive a MAYDAY, the IAFF has Protection Association (NFPA) and the developed a comprehensive Fire Ground military was used to develop the five-part Survival (FGS) training program. curriculum: Fire fighter fatality data compiled by the What a fire fighter knows about a fire • MAYDAY Prevention U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) have before entering a blazing building may • Being Ready for the MAYDAY shown that fire fighters becoming trapped radically change within minutes once • Self-Survival Procedures and disoriented represent the largest inside the structure. Smoke, low • Self-Survival Skills portion of structural fire ground fatalities. visibility, lack of oxygen, • Fire Fighter Expectations of The incidents in which fire fighters have structural instability and an Command During a MAYDAY lost their lives, or lived to tell about it, unpredictable fire ground have a consistent theme: inadequate can cause even the most Successful completion of this situational awareness put them at risk. seasoned fire fighter to be course requires the study of Fire fighters don’t plan to be lost, overwhelmed in an instant. actual near misses and fatalities disoriented, injured or trapped during a It’s not a matter of if the to reinforce the curriculum. structure fire or emergency incident. But MAYDAY happens, it’s when ! Students listen to presentations, fires are unpredictable, volatile and The IAFF Fire Ground Survival view videos of simulated MAYDAY ruthless — and they will not go according training course is a comprehensive incidents and read documentation to plan. curriculum developed using near misses, supporting how best to prevent a MAYDAY, as well as how best to prepare for and handle an actual MAYDAY. New Tools Help Educate Decision-Makers on In addition, students learn the specific Staffing and Deployment Safety actions a fire fighter must perform to assure the highest degree of survivability when dditional resources designed to Experiments Toolkit, executive things on the fire ground go wrong, as well as complement findings in a summaries, experiment results, study the specific actions the incident commander, Alandmark study issued in April reports and other materials. dispatchers and others on the fire ground 2010 by the U.S. Department of The same broad coalition that must take to assist in the fire fighter’s rescue. Commerce’s National Institute of completed the NIST Report on The Fire Ground Survival Online Standards and Technology (NIST) are Residential Fireground Field Awareness Course is available on the IAFF now available online. Experiments is launching another set of web site. Students are required to provide The Residential Fireground Field field experiments to study fire fighter a log-in and password to access the Experiment Study, which showed that response and resource deployment to program. Log-in allows students to start the size of fire fighting crews has a high-rise structures. The high-rise field and stop lessons when necessary. substantial effect on the fire service’s experiments, part of the Multiphase This is an eight-hour course, including ability to protect lives and property in Study on Firefighter Safety and approximately 4.5 hours of streaming residential fires, was performed by a Deployment of Resources, will be video instruction and approximately 3.5 broad coalition in the scientific, fire funded by the U.S. Department of hours of supporting online materials. fighting and public-safety communities. Homeland Security, Federal Emergency The skills portion of the program is The study showed that four-person fire Management Agency’s (FEMA) being delivered in the Train-the-Trainer fighting crews were able to complete 22 Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) (TtT) format. The online awareness essential fire fighting and rescue tasks in grant program. course is a pre-requisite for participation a typical residential structure 30 percent As with the residential field in the TtT course. The IAFF TtT format faster than two-person crews and 25 experiments, the study’s principal provides 32 hours of lecture and practical percent faster than three-person crews. investigators include Jason Averill training, from an instructor’s perspective, The report is the first to quantify the (NIST), Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell (IAFF) to allow an instructor candidate the effects of crew sizes and arrival times on and Dr. Kathy Notarianni of Worcester opportunity to observe a IAFF master the fire service’s life-saving and fire Polytechnic Institute. Other instructor delivering the course materials. fighting operations for residential fires. organizations participating in this This four-day workshop, delivered Until now, little scientific data have been research include the International through a network of host sites, is available available. Association of Fire Chiefs, the to assist the instructor candidate in Visit www.iaff.org/et/deployment to Commission on Fire Accreditation preparing for the IAFF Fire Ground download resources, including a International-RISK and the Urban Survival certification, which allows them to provide the IAFF Fire Ground Survival Residential Fireground Field Institute. n program to members of their department.

36 | FULLY INVOLVED July/August 2011 Prerequisites, program costs and scheduling Start by turning fruits and vegetables into details are posted on the IAFF web site. something you want to eat instead of Grilled turkey and For more information, contact the IAFF something you feel you have to eat. Try a spinach burgers Division of Occupational Health, Safety and fruit salad made with apples, bananas and Medicine at (202) 824-9304. pears mixed with acidic fruits such as 1 Pound(s) Ground Lean oranges and pineapples. By mixing in the Turkey Breast Stay Fit to Survive acidic fruit, it keeps the apples, bananas and pears from turning brown. 1 (10 oz.) package Frozen Spinach hether you’re at the station or For vegetables, try raw broccoli, celery, chopped, thawed, enjoying time at home this summer, cucumbers and tomatoes served with a squeezed dry Wyou can stay “Fit to Survive” by nonfat dressing. 2 Tablespoon(s) Low Sodium making the right diet and nutrition choices. Fruits and vegetables are just the Barbecue Sauce But how do you know what’s healthy? beginning. What about lunch or dinner? When choosing meat for burgers on the Snacks and sodas are almost always a part 1/2 Teaspoon(s) Salt of every cookout, but are they a healthy grill, try ground turkey. It tastes just as choice? Your body craves nutrients, and good and is better for you. If ground turkey isn’t for you, choose ground beef 1/4 Teaspoon(s) Black Pepper while you may feel full after chips and freshly ground soda, you won’t feel full for long since that is at least 90 percent lean or grill up some veggie burgers. these foods 4 Whole Wheat, When it comes to contain empty Burger Bun(s) split chicken, boneless calories. Soon, and toasted on grill you will go back skinless chicken for more! breasts are the leanest 4 (As Desired) Tomato(es) slices But by replacing the potato chips with poultry choice. 4 (As Desired) Lettuce leaves fresh fruits or vegetables, and drinking Don’t forget the fish. Fish is one of the water instead of soda, your body will get healthiest choices for lunch or dinner, more of the nutrients it craves, with less especially salmon, tuna, trout and halibut. sodium and empty calories, and you’ll stay These fish contain omega-3-fatty acids, full longer. which your body can’t make — they must Continued on Page 38

International Fire Fighter FULLY INVOLVED | 37 Fully Involved Continued from Page 37 bottle. Nonfat and low-fat foods still The IAFF Fit to Survive Menu Planner come from food. Omega-3-fatty acids help contain calories, so read the food labels for offers a monthly meal plan for breakfast, to lower the risk of coronary heart disease, serving size and nutritional information, lunch, dinner and dessert. In addition, a lower cholesterol and blood pressure and and stay away from the cheese and new web-based Meal Generator help with joint health. Other foods that croutons or limit the amount. application lets you customize meals on contain omega-3-fatty acids include beans, Research shows that people the Menu Planner by selecting alternative nuts and tofu. unintentionally consume more calories ingredients. For example, the Meal When it comes to salad, choose wisely. A when faced with larger portions. Portion Generator will display healthy recipes salad is a perfect side dish for lunch or control and eating in moderation are two based on the options selected and calculate dinner with unlimited ingredients. The key elements when it comes to eating calories and nutritional data based on your more colorful your salad, the healthier it is healthy. choices. for you. A salad that contains only iceberg Don’t deprive yourself of food all day No time to cook today? Fast food menus lettuce and tomatoes is not very nutritious. because you know you will be heading to a include many high-carb, high-calorie foods Iceberg lettuce has no nutritional value; it cookout later. Eating small portions with dangerous levels of sodium and fat. It is mostly water. throughout the day will help keep your is important to make the best possible Start with some romaine lettuce and metabolism going, gives you constant choices when eating on the run. Try the Fit spinach. Add some tomatoes, cucumbers, energy flow and prevents you from to Survive “On the Run” quiz to ensure any color bell pepper, broccoli, carrots and over-eating. Start with breakfast, then a you are making the best choices when olives. If the salad is not just your side dish light snack a few hours later, followed by eating on the go. but your entire meal, make sure you add lunch, another light snack a few hours after Think you already know what the right some protein such as grilled chicken that, then dinner. A light snack can be a choices are? Take the Fit to Survive “Fire breast. Also use a nonfat or low-fat piece of fruit, nuts or yogurt. Selecting Drill” to test your knowledge. dressing. But remember, just because you healthy foods and eating proper portions For more tips and recipes, visit the IAFF are using low-fat or nonfat dressing will help keep your body and appetite Fit to Survive web site at doesn’t mean you can pour on half a satisfied. www.iaff.org/HS/FTS/fts. n

Summer Fruit Salad IAFF Goes Passionately Pink for the Cure 1/2 Cup(s) Low Fat, Plain Yogurt

1/4 Cup(s) Fresh Lime Juice AFF members are dedicated to saving To join the IAFF Passionately Pink for lives — not just putting out fires and the Cure campaign, sign up at 1/4 Cup(s) Honey Iproviding emergency medical care, www.iaff.org/passionatelypink . but leveraging the stature of fire fighters Through this web site, IAFF affiliates 1 Teaspoon(s) Fresh Lime Peel and paramedics in communities and can access free tools and resources — grated across North America to reach out and including educational materials, help prevent and treat devastating fundraising ideas, downloadable 2 Cup(s) Cantaloupe(s) peeled, diseases. posters and flyers — and create a diced This October — in personalized fundraising web 2 Cup(s) Honeydew Melon(s) recognition of Breast page for secure online peeled, diced Cancer Awareness Month donations. — the IAFF is joining the Once registered, IAFF 1 Cup(s) Seedless Red Or mission of Susan G. Komen affiliates and members will Green Grapes for the Cure® by helping to receive a Passionately Pink for end breast cancer. The IAFF the Cure fundraising kit with 1 Cup(s) Fresh Blueberries encourages affiliates to go breast health information, Passionately Pink for the promo posters, donation 2 Cup(s) Fresh Pineapple(s) Cure® by raising donations reply forms and return cored, peeled, diced and awareness in their envelopes and lapel pins. 1 Cup(s) Blackberries or communities. Additional lapel pins raspberries All donations collected and other breast cancer online in connection with awareness items are 1 1/2 Cup(s) Strawberries halved, the IAFF Passionately Pink available through the IAFF hulled campaign will be shared equally Online Store. by the IAFF Foundation and Susan Join the IAFF Passionately Pink G. Komen for the Cure. Team and support Breast Cancer With more than $1.9 billion invested Awareness Month! in breast cancer research and For more information, contact the community-based education and IAFF Foundation at (202) 824-8621. n outreach programs, Komen for the Cure® is the world’s largest breast cancer organization.

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International Fire Fighter 39 Fully Involved

The Teachable Moment especially when those involved realize they conditions and agreed they should have could have — or should have — recognized made some tactical priority changes prior his National-Near Miss Reporting situations or the need for additional to entering. System report focuses on some of the training. Decision making : The decision to vent Tbest practice elements of that Many fire fighters recognize they have the window once the conditions were “teachable moment” when fire fighters are been involved in near-misses, but consider recognized was a risky one at best. This reminded of the hazards of shortfalls in themselves too busy to file the report. The action most certainly prevented a flashover communication, situational awareness and time it takes to file a near-miss report is that could have resulted in a catastrophic of the benefits of rebounds in minimal given the value of the lesson event for the interior crews. However, this decision-making following lapses in learned by those who read the report. decision placed the interior crews in situational awareness. The report is basically a who, what, when, extreme danger. The decision to vent A near-miss can occur anywhere, anytime where, why and how account of an event. should have been communicated to the and anyplace. One of the first critical But before filing a report, organize your interior crews so they could be prepared for factors in submitting a National-Near Miss thoughts. Then proceed to the web site, fill the change in the environment. Reporting System report is realizing you in the fields, enter your account and lessons All involved personnel did an have either experienced, witnessed or learned of a near-miss. Consider Report #09-990: “Outside, the Incident Commander and ladder company crew observed smoke conditions rapidly changing from laminar light brown smoke to a turbulent black smoke pushing from the entry doorway. At this time, Incident Command attempted to contact the initial engine company without success.” [Inside], “ Some confusion occurred when personnel mingled together and, at some point, the rescue crew lost contact with each other. The engine captain also lost track of one of his two rookie fire fighters. One of the rescue members retreated outside and reported he had lost his partner. At the same time, the engine captain attempted to radio Incident Command that, he too, had lost a member of his crew and to report the condition encountered inside.” The rapidly changing conditions, communications breakdown and loss of crew integrity are strong indicators that a near-miss experience is emerging. While the heat of the moment required quick and decisive action to avert a tragedy — and likely did not elicit thoughts of “this would make a great near-miss report” — an ad learned and hit submit. The average extraordinary job and reacted to the hoc review of the event afterward should be submission time is 15 minutes. changing conditions accordingly. The a cue that a near-miss was experienced. Lessons learned from this report — in Mayday was called immediately in The second recognition point for a near which the crew was lost and a Mayday accordance with department policy and a miss is event outcome. As the author cites called — include: Rapid Intervention Team was in place and in the Lessons Learned, “ … All personnel on Communications : The interior crews had prepared when the Mayday occurred. The the interior crews failed to recognize the some difficulty with the radios inside. The department has recently increased training conditions they were entering… better radio seemed to work fine. User error led to in situational awareness, communications education and understanding of fire the problem. Better training in the use of and size up. conditions and behavior would prevent this the radio will correct this issue. The transfer of information from a error in the future. During a critique, the Situational awareness : All personnel on near-miss event to prevention of a involved personnel recognized the conditions the interior crews failed to recognize the near-miss event is dependent on one factor: and agreed they should have made some conditions they were entering. While it was your desire to help a fellow fire fighter. tactical priority changes prior to entering.” during the early morning hours, better The 15 minutes this author invested in Any event where there is the threat of education and understanding of fire providing this report just might make the injury, death or damage to property conditions and behavior would prevent this difference in the next 15 minutes you spend qualifies as a worthy submission to the error in the future. During a critique, the on the fire ground. Consider returning the National Near-Miss Reporting System, involved personnel recognized the favor. n

40 July/August 2011 New Workshops Offered at insight on how to promote diversity, 2011 IAFF IAFF 2012 Conferences improve communication skills and address Upcoming Events generational issues, as well as specific Title VII issues in the fire service. he IAFF Ernest A.“Buddy” Mass IAFF-Motorcycle Group For more information, visit Human Relations Conference and 5th National Rally www.iaff.org/hr/conference. TAffiliate Leadership September 9-12, 2011 The Affiliate Leadership Training Training Summit (ALTS) will Summit immediately follows the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial be held back-to-back at the Human Relations Conference September 17, 2011 Buena Vista Palace Hotel in January 24-26, 2012, and will offer Colorado Springs, CO Lake Buena Vista, Florida. more than a dozen new Both events offer U.S. IAFF Burn Foundation workshop topics, such as and Canadian affiliate International Burn Camp managing consultant reports, leaders the opportunity September 24-October 1, 2011 fighting back against pension to exchange ideas for Washington, DC attacks and communication improving human and leadership skills. All ALTS relations and overcoming obstacles IAFF Canadian Legislative workshops are designed to help affiliate Conference presented by these challenging times for leaders in their roles as a union leader and October 23-26, 2011 unions. Both conferences also offer combat the anti-union attacks fire fighters, Ottawa, ON networking opportunities. paramedics and other public workers are The Human Relations Conference, currently experiencing. IAFF Ernest A. "Buddy" Mass scheduled for January 22-24, 2012, will Human Relations Conference As in previous years, ALTS will offer offer a number of new topics and January 22-24, 2012 pre-conference events — the New workshops to help IAFF members improve Lake Buena Vista, FL Leadership Seminar and Fire Ops 101 human relations in their departments and (Train-the-Trainer) — on Tuesday, January locals. IAFF Affiliate Leadership 24, 2012. Online registration begins in Experts in diversity and inclusiveness will Training Summit September 2011. January 24-26, 2012 cover a wide range of topics, including For more information, visit Lake Buena Vista, FL generational differences, generational www.iaff.org/alts. n leadership, workplace issues and promoting a diverse workforce. Workshops will offer

International Fire Fighter 41 COLORADO L0858 Denver— Ernest Marranzino, L0888 Greeley— Doug Youngren, L1290 Aurora— Michael Grosshans, Hunter Hackbarth CONNECTICUT F0219 Submarine Base— Fred Stone, L0786 Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association— Robert Lehn, Robert Murray, L0801 Danbury— Kenneth Stilson, L0830 Norwalk— Mario Bologna, David Lepus, Antonio Ortiz, L0834 Bridgeport— Robert McNelis, L0992 New Britain— James Spatkowski, L1148 Meriden— Joseph Kaminski, L1339 Waterbury— Raymond Lodge, David Martin, David Valente, L1579 Manchester— Robert Barker, Peter Sarles, Ronald Trinks, L3565 Suffield— George Hastings ALABAMA L0117 Birmingham— Ronald England, Ramon Haro, Howard Hockenberry, Daniel LaFarga, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA L0036 Dianna Hughes, Steven Lopez, David Nathan, Robert Lostutter, Arnold Montenegro, Bruce Washington— Jalo Morrison, Stephen Rison, Mark Rebecca Thomas, John Watkins, L0403 Newcomb, Fredrick Peterson, Thomas Petrich, Casey Tasciotti, L3217 Metropolitan Washington Airport Tuscaloosa— Arthur Richardson, Keith Sharp, Porter, Jack Reiss, Brian Sandwick, Dan Schultz, Paul Authority— George Harms Kenneth Thomas, John Willett, L0508 Anniston— N. Silveri, Kenton Smith, John Tohill, Michael Woods, FLORIDA L0122 Jacksonville Association Of Fire David Collins, L1288 Homewood— Delbert L0145 San Diego— Norman Nelson, John Thomson, Fighters— George Ephrem, Dale Hayes, Rex Siemer, Hiestand, L1349 Mobile— Edward Lyons, L4066 David Valino, Brian Wangler, L0456 Gregory Starks, L0587 Miami Association Of Fire Irondale—John McFarlin Stockton— Michael Connolly, Brandt Myas, L0522 Fighters— Philip Ledea, L0727 West Palm Beach ALBERTA L0209 Edmonton Fire Fighters Sacramento— Andrew Benson, Frank Diaz, Peter Association Of Fire Fighters— Paul Fortunato, Karen Union— Denis Gignac, Kevin Jerrett, Larry Fahy, William Ferrell, Barry Flores, Teri Gormley, Kondenar, Michael LeBlanc, Kenneth Riblett, Phillip Marchment, Gordon Schock, L0255 Walter Lewis, Scott Robbins, Bruce Shoff, Raymond Webb, L0754 Tampa— Gil Napolitano, L0765 Fort Calgary— Vernon Adams, Stephen Bell, Stirling Winsor, L0525 Santa Barbara City— Paul Erland, Lauderdale— Jeffrey Justinak, Karl Wright, L1102 Davidson, Corey Davies, Brian Eloschuk, Brady L0753 Fresno— Daniel Rodriguez, Jose Vasquez, Hialeah Association Of Fire Fighters— Douglas Fleming, Thomas Forrest, Ross Golding, Craig L0776 Glendale— Michael Richardson, L1165 Santa Chard, Jose Hernandez, Robert Lowe, L1162 Heffernan, Anthony Henke, Al Hird, Robert Clara County— Randal Jones, L1171 Santa Daytona Beach Fire/Rescue— Leonard Taft, L1365 Horsburgh, Gene Jackson, Randall Jozwiak, Ted Clara— Kenneth Barone, Paul Boskovich, Patrick Orlando Professional Fire Fighters— Melanie Brill, Kelter, Mike Nuttall, Craig Sloan, Ian Strachan, Scott Brown, Joseph Bruna, George Cintas, Jimmy Cooper, Kent Campbell, Timmons Griner, Matthew Wilcox Mike Cullen, Michael Diani, Michael Fanelli, David Sheppard, John Tormos, L1377 Professional Fire ARIZONA I0060 United Emergency Medical Goularte, Sandra Granados-French, Guy Hall, James Fighters & Paramedics Of Saint Lucie Professionals Of Arizona— David Jacobelli, L0479 Haywood, Kris Hurst, Salvadore Jacquez, Robert List, County— Carlos Garcia, L1424 Key West Fire Tucson— Nancy Avery, David Bowerman, Arnold Marc Manning, Mario Marchetti, Gary Niblock, Greg Department— John Malott, L1549 Pompano Beach Brown, Cortney Corcoran, Gilberto Deanda, Mark Phillips, James Polizzi, Henry Rapp, Robert Schriver, Professional Fire Fighters— Jim Lloyd, Nathaniel Dillistin, David Dorame, George Dudzic, Lester Todd Siegfried, Ulrike Wagner, Robert Watson, Ray, L1826 Southwest Florida Professional Fire Glenn, Francisco Granados, Jonathan Harrison, John Randy White, L1230 Contra Costa County— Edward Fighters— Jeffrey Berndt, L2057 Orange County Hauptman, Jeffrey Huber, Richard Hyatt, Jeffery Kuidis, L1289 Modesto— Doug Machado, L1301 Professional Fire Fighters— Christopher Berlingeri, Jordan, Todd Kaveloh, Scott Kaveloh, David Larkin, Kern County— Mark Epps, David Hernandez, Kevin Walt Howard, Michael Mahler, Kenneth Mitchell, Paul McCarthy, Michael McKendrick, Rick Moreno, Loomis, Vernon Sewell, Weldon Sharr, Richard Michael Ross, Byron Salmon, Robert Saunders, Todd Michael Morgan, Jon Pope, Frank Ramirez, Ricardo Sturm, L1319 Palo Alto— Randy Fisher, Timothy Tinetti, L2174 Professional Fire Fighters Of Rodriguez, Frederick Schroder, James Williams, Nigh, Randie Revilla, L1415 Petaluma— Martin Naples— Omar Bishr, L2201 Indian River County Quirino Zaragoza, L0493 Phoenix— Jay Arthur, Alex Learn, L1430 Ontario— Don Culotta, L1775 Marin Fire Fighter/Paramedic— Richard Young, L2292 Arvizu, John Beilmann, Patrick Bolley, Brian Professional Fire Fighters— Robert Briare, Dave Professional Fire Fighters Of Pembroke Callaghan, George Crosby, Mark Delima, Michael Carr, Chris Dwyer, Bruce Hudkins, Joseph Langlois, Pines— Robert Kern, Douglas Taraborelli, L2928 Estrada, Jeffery Griffin, Peter Hawking, Dennis Gary Lucas, John Parker, T. Sean Pierson, Mike Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Of Palm Hilburn, John Holland, John Hover, Ellis Kane, Sisemore, Kevin Spiller, Steve Takemoto, L2020 Santa Beach County— Roger Batten, Thomas Brown, Gerard Ladensack, Steven Lambert, Carl Lemke, Maria City Fire Fighters— Dennis Szczepanski, Patrick Bywater, Bruce Chelton, James Conerly, John Robert Morrissey, Abel Nunez, Jesus Razo, Barry L2384 Orange City— Robert Morris, L2400 San Farill, Kenneth Fisher, Michael Frattaruolo, Richard Richards, William Sawyers, Kim Schalk, Charles Mateo County— Robert Campbell, Daniel Cox, Scott Gass, Katherine Hoecherl, David Hoover, Edward Scheuch, Ernest Stanley, John Tamillo, Jeffrey James, Kirk Johnson, Neil Johnson, John Kammeyer, Meissner, Steven Millio, Carlos Ruiz, D. Rob Rush, Warnecke, David Wilson, Douglas Winans, Brian Stephen Koron, L2404 Oroville— Dean Bertagna, Alfred Schroeder, Peter Taylor, James Walther, Gerald Woolstenhulme, John Zarecor, L2260 Mesa— Garth L2787 Redondo Beach— Matt Johnson, L2881 CDF Wiles, David Williams, Gary Yager, L2969 Brevard Dial, L3066 United Yavapai— Lee Short, L3504 Fire Fighters— Margaret Brumbeloe, Mark Dorch, County Professional Fire Fighters— Edward Dirkes, United Pima Fire Fighters— Randy Trowbridge, Richard Espino, Ken French, Stanley Friesen, Andrew L3080 Metro-Broward Professional Fire L3924 Avondale Professional Fire Fighters Glover, Elias Guerrero, Thomas Hintz, Brooke Fighters— Randy Correll, Imri Cseh, Steven Gotha, Association— Donald Foley, Leo Gardunio, L4217 Linman, Caesar Partida, Stephen Richardson, Daniel Bryan Hurst, Frank Knaffle, Dennis Pelosi, Mike Petz, White Mountain— Robert Mendez, Douglas Todd, Suzanne Todd, Clay Williams, L3124 Napa David Reed, John Schumacher, Brett Soloway, Dan Salvaneschi City— Robert Wessels, L3354 Huntington Steele, Steven Taylor, Jeffrey Wasylink, L3140 Tarpon ARKANSAS L0034 Little Rock— Mark Hillman, Beach— Patrick Schlentz, L3546 San Ramon Springs Fire Fighters Association— Alex Murawski, L1074 El Dorado— Bruce Woolsey, L3007 Valley— Ronda Ross-Leen, L3604 El Dorado L3531 Polk County Professional Fire Springdale— Wade Seiser Hills— Steven Enos, Dale Jankowski, Mike Wilson, Fighters— Matthew Wilt, L3909 Professional Fire BRITISH COLUMBIA L0018 Vancouver— Robert L3624 La Verne— Dan Seawright, L3631 Orange Fighters Of Monroe County— Michael Edgerton, Bogue, Kenneth Bryan, Rod Busch, Kevin Conway, County Professional Fire Fighters Randel Watler, L4074 Manatee County— Ricky Peter Gabriel, David Graf, John Lamb, James Morley, Association— Thomas Loveless, L3776 Brea— Mike Wren, L4321 Broward County— Timothy Bellus, G. S. Pellegrin, Kenneth Steele, Thomas Sullivan, Thompson, L3842 Escondido Fire Nancy Bormett, Donald Leake, Thomas Lord, James Matt Taylor, L0323 Burnaby— Tom Chapman, L0913 Fighters— Michael Calhoun, Steve Colford, Bruce Neylon, Joseph Phillips, Sharon Snyder-Coloson, Kamloops— John Anhorn, L1271 Surrey— Lyall Ingoldt, Dennis Nagle, Michael O’Connor, John L4562 Professional Fire Fighters of Citrus Davidson, L1525 West Vancouver— Philip Durber Peters, Steve Robinson, Terry Ryan, L4107 County— Lawrence Griffiths, S0020 Florida State CALIFORNIA L0112 Los Angeles City— Dennis Vista— Robert Gmur, John Greenstone, Patrick Fire Service Association— F. Tom Mutchler Barnes, Richard Barnett, John Boyd, Ruben Murphy, Richard Wilkinson, L4373 Santee Fire GEORGIA L0134 Atlanta— Alexander Allen, Ronald DelaRosa, James Goldsworthy, Alfredo Gonzales, Fighters Association— Donna Quinton Battle, Johnny Buck, Danny Byess, Donald Casper, Peter Contorno, James Daniell, Dwight Darby,

42 | ON THE ROAD July/August 2011 Johnny Dodd, Alvin George, Bryan Goodridge, Willie Moline— Jacob Carter, L0717 Cicero— Lewis Baird, LOUSIANA L0514 Shreveport— Ronald Crews, Harris, Mark Hatalla, Jeffrey Hays, Henry Hitt, Kelvin Brian Kulaga, Lawrence Moravecek, Mark Kami Dayries, L0619 Lafayette— Herbert Boudreaux, Jones, Michael Maurer, David McKay, David McLane, Steinhagen, L1236 Dekalb— Karl Froehlich, L2224 Travis Morgan, L0632 New Orleans— Joseph Dullary, Timothy Miller, Stanley Morrow, James Phillips, North Maine— Leonard Johnson, L2986 William Mauthe, Allan O’Keefe, Terry Paternostro, Randel Rabideaux, Sherman Rucker, David Stokes, Lisle/Woodridge— Kenneth Swanson, L3005 Michael Verret, Robert Volante David Taylor, Cindy Thompson, Jerry Thompson, Bolingbrook— Daniel Shilney, L3033 Skokie— David MAINE L0785 Lewiston— Victor Gaudreau, L0797 Rodney Walker, William Wyant, L1460 Burke, Edward Faust, Phillip Gust, Carl Kinell, Mark Auburn— Victor Mathieu Marietta— Brian Kennedy, L3357 Reding, Frank Slazes, L3075 Rolling MANITOBA L0803 The Brandon Professional Fire Augusta-Richmond County Fire Fighters Meadows— Stephen Klein, L3234 Downers Fighter/Paramedics Association— Dale Macmillan, Association— Willie Dixion, Leonard Knotts, John Grove— Patrick Hardin, Michael Mason, Bryan L0867 Winnipeg— Diane Albert Pruitt, Robert Rhaney, David Scott, Dave Smith Vrbenec, L3291 Rock Falls— Dale Maynard, L4186 MARYLAND F0297 Andrews Air Force HAWAII F0263 Federal Fire Fighters Of Glenview— James Helton, Allen Knasel, L4302 Base— Harry Shughart, L0734 Baltimore— Willie Hawaii— Lawrence Nishiguchi, L1463 Hawaiian Naperville Professional Fire Fighters— Michael Barnes, Willie Coit, Alexander Gereny, Michael Hall, Islands— Richard Akiona, Stephen Johnson, Byron Bollweg, Ron Marx, Edward Palenik, L4474 Hillside Jimmie Hayes, Shamus O’Hara, Robert Wagner, Kaneshiro, William Neves, Raymond Sheldon Fire Fighters Association— Jennifer Flynn L0964 Baltimore Fire Officers Association— Brian IDAHO L0149 Boise— Rex Rivera, L0187 INDIANA L0124 Fort Wayne— William Colter, Larry Boyd, Jon Cooper, Thomas Fairley, Donald Fout, Pocatello— Brett Hunt, L0804 Nampa— Larry Fisher, Marty Lueker, Scott Resac, L0338 Mitchell Gilbert, Tyrone Jones, Daniel Licharowicz, Richardson Elkhart— Jerry Vaughn, L0396 Kokomo— Robert Raymond Ryan, L1311 Baltimore County— Ronald ILLINOIS F0037 Great Lakes Naval Training Elkins, L0416 Indianapolis— Timothy Gillen, Robert Huber, Michael Stawski, L1563 Anne Arundel Center— James Herbst, Robert Otterson, Ronald Moore, Kevin Pflederer, L0472 Lafayette— Philip County— Randy McGuire, L1563 Anne Arundel Sassone, L0002 Chicago— Mark Aguilera, Samuel Difabio, William Hudelson, L0556 Hammond— Tom County— Joseph Powell, L1619 Prince George’s Alessi, George Brackin, Frank Corona, Michael Bubacz, Steve Mattes, Dennis Wilbert, L1408 County— Darryl Bullock, Harvey Mangum, Gregory Cullen, William DeWitt, Matthew Downey, William Richmond— Robert Abner, L2008 Michaelides, L1664 Montgomery County— Lisa Flynn, Bruce Gebien, Edward Guss, Lamont Harris, Shelbyville— Kenneth Scott, Jeffery Smith, L3151 Anderson, Drew Knight, L1742 Thomas Harts, Osa Hatten, Michael Henderson, Portage— Richard Rebeck Baltimore/Washington International Michael Jackson, Eileen Keiper-Knapp, Kenneth IOWA L0007 Sioux City— Larry Bliven, L0017 Airport— George Bopst, Michelle Collins, Rose Kosmoski, Richard Lama, Sidney Little, Kevin Davenport— Rick Brown, Brian Stock, L0568 Craig, Garry Pace, Robert Ricks, Thomas Rogers, McGarry, Thomas Moran, John O’Shea, Milija Keokuk— Mike Maerz, L1366 Cedar Falls— Richard Lynn Scott, Warren Walters Pavlovic, James Sampson, Norman Smith, Westin MASSACHUSETTS L0030 Cambridge— George Christopher Sofia, Jack Spencer, Raymond Stanski, KANSAS L0083 Topeka— Chris Wagers, L0179 Thompson, L0143 Everett— Robert Colameta, Jeffrey John Steinmetz, John Stitz, Michael Walsh, Allen Hutchinson—Dave Sawyer Jenkinson, L0144 Brockton— William Coward, Wilde, William Windt, Garry Young, L0050 KENTUCKY L3108 Hopkinsville— James Byrum, L0739 Lynn— William Surette, L0841 New Peoria— Michael Ogburn, L0099 Aurora— Cary Johnny Ezell, Scott Peck, L3621 Richmond Bedford— David Jennings, L0853 Lowell— Shawn Lieser, L0506 Berwyn— Paul Barry, L0581 Professional Fire Fighters Association— Charlie King Donnelly, Michael Janeiro, L1009 Worcester— Angelo

www.iaff.org RETIREES | 43 Bongovio, John Danna, L1111 Westfield— Barry Association— John Berghoefer, Frank Bialas, Robert Kincaid, Jeffrey King, George Withrow, L0445 Parker, Lawrence Strycharz, L1268 Cowan, Michael Curtin, John Horton, Robert Lavin, Norwood— Mark Spaulding, L0474 Elyria— Wayne Randolph— Richard Lynch, L1347 Timothy Lavin, Michael Rouse, Bernard Rybakowski, Eppley, L1176 Boardman Township— Gary Houser, Watertown— Frank Aliquo, L1452 Holbrook— David Wayne Spikes, L2578 Camden Officers— Duane Mark Reader, L1386 Ashland— Travis Pickering, Kincus, L1491 Lexington— Carol Murphy, L1580 Goobic, Thomas Quinn, Raynaldo Santiago, David L1723 Norwich Township— Edward Roberts, L1845 Canton— James Podgurski, Paul Ronayne, L1647 Yates, L2657 Brigantine— James Reynolds, L3172 Mentor— Allen Keeney, L2079 Solon— Thomas Tewksbury— Russell Gourley, L1652 Hackensack Uniformed Fire Officers DeLong, Charles Taylor, L2236 Madeira/Indian Hill Framingham— Brian Mauro, L1942 Association— Gregg Cariddi Professional Fire Fighters— Paul Ketterer, L2280 Concord— Kenneth O’Donnell, Donald Prentiss, NEW MEXICO L2362 Las Cruces— Robert Jackson Township (Canton)— Lynn Aduddell, Lee L2611 Bridgewater— Clifford Whiting, L3126 Gardiner, Robert Gonzales, Laurel Irwin, L3279 Los Antonacci, Frank Krauss, Edwin Miller, Edward Westford— Robert Benoit, S0002 Massachusetts Port Alamos— Joaquin Casaus, Brian Martinez, Sean Sensel, L2291 Willoughby— David Cimperman, Authority Fire Fighters— Joseph Houghton, James Wisecarver Anthony Kosley, L2388 Beachwood— Kern Swope, McGinty NEW YORK L0028 Schenectady— Michelle Wilson, L2490 Pepper Pike— John Flammang, L2882 MICHIGAN L0344 Detroit— Peter Britton, Scott L0094 Uniformed Fire Fighters Assoc. Of New Strongsville Fire Fighters Association— Lawrence Brooks, David Brown, Stephen Evans, William York— Darryl Adone, William Andruzzi, Rafale Wenz, L3036 Washington Township(Dublin)— Brian Greenan, Lorenzo James, Keith Miner, Madison Badillo, Armin Betting, John Bohmke, Daniel Cafaro, Jasper, Timothy Ward, L3040 Springfield Township Moore, Timothy Seweryn, Preston Spears, Nicholas Christopher Caicedo, Peter Castellano, Paul (akron)— Robert Dudley Zivanovich, L0352 Flint— Wendy DeWitt, Jimmy Castellucci, Darren Cataneo, Craig Chille, William OKLAHOMA L0157 Oklahoma City— Clayton Bell, Espinoza, Yvette Massenberg, William Mudget, Peter Clark, Robert Colligan, John Colon, Louie Dalfino, Richard Dillon, Daniel Klein, Kenneth Oleson, L0176 Perez, Theresa Root, Mark Scarberry, Tony Terry, Kevin Daly, Matthew DeMartinis, Steven Doyle, Tulsa— Samuel Agee, L0194 Sapulpa— Don Acree, Anthony Tinnin, Dandre Williams, L0412 Anton Endriss, Charles Frame, Peter Gale, Gregory L2066 Midwest City— Steve McManus, L2284 Dearborn— Joseph Steffes, L0431 Royal Oak— Jeffrey Garaizar, Eugene Gavin, Michael Hallquest, Kevin McAlester— Randell Clifton, L2479 Ponca Poppe, L0684 Ecorse— Arthur Andring, L0693 Ann Halpin, Kenneth Haring, Luke Healy, Mark Heintz, City— Robert Ables, L2551 Broken Arrow— Clark Arbor— James Baldwin, Ollice Hubbard, Michael Steven Heisinger, Thomas Irving, Matthew Jacoby, Bolding, Harold Sisco, L2565 Cushing— Mike Masten, Scott Robertson, Doug Warsinski, Russell James Kane, Michael Keller, Dewayne Kimbrough, Meisenheimer, John Tull Wilson, L1206 Redford Township— Timothy Seal, Victor Leoncavallo, Patrick Manning, Robert ONTARIO L0142 London— James Lockwood, L1306 Jackson— Robert Esham, L1381 Clinton Masucci, Mark Matthes, Kevin McDermott, William Kenneth Purdy, Shawn Smith, L0162 Township— Jeffrey Gersch, L1383 Warren— Keith Mirro, Edward Murphy, Robert Mylan, Gary Persch, Ottawa— Randall Cain, Norman Kenney, Alex Akers, Jason Boman, Leo Francis, Arthur Jasniak, Ralph Portoghese, Patrick Rafferty, Robert Rivera, Morrice, Sheldon Ridgeway, Ross Saunders, Ralph Michael Kosek, Christopher Popp, Kurt Neil Rochford, Daniel Rowland, David Russell, James Wilkie, L0193 Thunder Bay— Mel Bowery, Scott Reppenhagen, Daniel Ross, Thomas Swofford, L1511 Sanders, Scott Schaffer, Ricardo Sosa, James Stasio, Brown, Dale Shippam, L0284 North Bay— Don Adrian— Antonio Garcia, L1561 Jeffrey Stroehlein, Agostino Vaccaro, Peter Vincent, L0288 Hamilton— Daniel Gagliardi, Edward Eastpointe— Thomas Hayes, L1609 East VanMiddelem, Robert VanSteen, David Viola, David Galinis, Eian Gill, Joseph Iannuzzi, Bill Mallet, Walter Lansing— Leonard Bean, L2658 South Haven— Keith Vitiello, Michael Walsh, Patrick West, L0274 White Woytko, L0498 Kingston— Ken Vrooman, L0499 Olson Plains— Paul Fiorisi, L0589 Newburgh— Joseph Cambridge— Colin Lusty, Bryan Pinder, L0791 MINNESOTA L0101 Duluth— Jim Ray, Robert LaBelle, L0694 Rome— Al Witt, L0779 Waterloo— John Dietrich, L1068 Thornton, L0520 Rochester— Brent Doring, Samuel Johnstown— Nelson Pedrick, L0916 Brampton— William Archdekin, Craig Barker, Paul Jaquith, Bruce Wernecke, L2078 Red Wing— Michael Eastchester— Joseph Iamonico, Lawrence Saviano, Innis, L1212 Mississauga— Michael White Guthrie, L3939 Saint Paul Fire Supervisory L0921 Johnson City— David Tripicco, L1071 OREGON L1159 Clackamas County— Richard Association— Stephen Ryan Rochester— Tullio Geraci, L1333 North Larson, L1431 Medford— Wade Arnold, Randall MISSOURI L1055 Columbia— Carol Lexow, L1084 Tonawanda— John Mangus, L1772 Cooper, L1660 Tualatin Valley— Robert Mueller, Cape Girardeau— Randol Morris, Samuel Welker, Jamestown— Bruce Anderson, John Gatto, Frank L2091 Douglas County Professional Fire L1211 Hannibal— Mike Hale, L2665 Professional Martinelli, Brian Wiles, L2692 Oneida— Mitchell Fighters— William Combs, Paul Jackson, L2210 Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri— Woodrow Allen, Dryer, Mike Meyers, L3166 Lackawanna— Raymond Hillsboro— Erwin Promitzer, L2240 Jim Hudgens, John Kriegesmann, Byron Long, Ervin Jakubowski, L3359 Niagara Falls Fire Corvallis— William Ellison, Ray Farm, L3387 La Ohlemeyer, Vincent Schramm, Joe Walsh Officers— Patrick Martin, L3738 Henrietta— Robert Pine— James Palmer NEBRASKA L0385 Omaha— Edward DeVance, Hendrick PENNSYLVANIA F0061 Philadelphia Naval Kelley Fleming, John McDonough, Dennis Moody, NORTH CAROLINA L0668 Professional Fire Shipyard— William Kennedy, F0170 Letterkenny Steven Orduna, William Schrack, James Thomas, Fighters Of Durham— William Towner Army Depot— Stephen Bowers, N. Lee Mowers, L0644 Lincoln— Arnold Jensen, L0675 NOVA SCOTIA L0268 Halifax— Brian Acker, F0257 Coatesville Veterans Administration Fire Hastings— Mike Smidt, Daniel Yurk William Thompson Department— Michael Bodnar, L0022 NEVADA L0731 Reno— John Ewald, L1265 OHIO F0088 Wright-Patterson Air Force Philadelphia— James Carr, Charles Donley, Manuel Sparks— Robert Laylon, L1285 Las Vegas— Richard Base— Jeffery McDaniel, L0020 Hamilton— Robert Gonzalez, Robert Horton, Francis Kane, Michael Kohl, Robert Shaver, L1607 North Las Vegas— David Harmon, Gary Parrish, L0048 Cincinnati— Richard Malia, Thomas O’Connor, L0302 Allentown— Joseph Gallaway, Rebecca Jones, Walter Jones, L1908 Clark Hehemann, Michael Kroeger, Gary Scott, George Donmoyer, James Grim, Michael Humes, William County— Steve Bowman, Duane Herrera, Terry Williams, L0067 Columbus— Ryan Blake, Steven Klinedinst, Robert Reilly, L0319 Lancaster— John Johnson Chapman, Robert Coles, Warren Cox, Daniel Filipski, Alexander, Sheldon Bergman, Joel Burkhardt, Barry NEW HAMPSHIRE L0789 Nashua— Craig Adams, Dudley Harrington, Larry Hinton, Gregory Lee, Dusel, Alex Grumbrecht, Martin Harsh, Joseph John Allison, Keith Anderson, John Araujo, Charlene Thomas Morton, Philip Thomas, Thomas Wake, Havrilla, Charles Huber, Marvin Kelley, Thomas Brouillette, Robert Fitz, Anthony Patti, Philip Thomas Werner, James Wintering, L0092 Marinaro, Lewis Ohrel, Charles Reed, Gary Schwalm, Pichette, Jared Poloski, Ronald Ricard, Richard Toledo— David Gorman, Gary Kiss, Anthony Clyde Snyder, L0417 Sharon— Charles Perry, Keith Wilkins, Richard Wyatt, L1088 Berlin— Mark Dube, Moment, Clark Morgan, Perry Snyder, Keith Wareham, L0735 Bethlehem— Edward Orth, Richard Nicoletti, L2320 Somersworth— John Westfield, James Wetenhall, L0093 Cleveland— Keith Valentine Wingert, L1803 Reading— Frank Lewalski, Shaffer, John Viola, L2892 Salem— Steven Woitkun, Acey, David Bouldin, Michael Ginley, Timothy Robert Weber, L1952 Lebanon— Adrian Borry, L2045 L2909 Dover Fire Officers— Richard Bell, Kenneth McNamara, Christopher Racela, Mark Robinson, Hanover— James Roth Brennan, David Duquette, L3017 Hampton William Williams, L0109 Newark— Kyle Bookless, RHODE ISLAND L0732 Woonsocket— Lynn Zuba, Supervisory— Steven Benotti, Jonathan True, L3160 John Kollar, L0136 Dayton— Jerome Bell, Cecil L0799 Providence— Michael Groccia, William Londonderry— Andrew Benson, L3264 Hooksett Bright, Ronald Fleming, David Kimbler, Steven Robert, Frederick Robinson, L1261 Pawtucket Fire Permanent Fire Fighters Association— Sean O’Brien, Musselman, Willard Wright, L0165 Fighters— Michael Fox, Steve Galuska, Thomas L3420 Professional Fire Fighters Of Ashtabula— Mark Calaway, L0249 Canton— Duane Moore, Robert Plouffe, Michael Robin, L1774 Goffstown— Dean Covis, Jess Koch, L4039 Shekels, L0251 Massillon— James Thieret, Andy Barrington— Robert Lavin, Edward Whalen, L2722 Portsmouth Professional Fire Officers— Bernard Heth, Daniel O’Brien, Steven Volz, L0300 Cumberland— Kevin Clarke, L2748 Marvin, L4104 Newington— David Low Chillicothe— Jimmy McCoy, L0330 Akron— Thomas Warwick— Anthony DeLuca NEW JERSEY L2040 Elizabeth Fire Officers Peddle, L0379 Marion— Daniel Gorenflo, James SASKATCHEWAN L0080 Saskatoon— Jerry Unser

44 | RETIREES July/August 2011 SOUTH CAROLINA L4723 St. John’s Professional Airport— Robert Linnemann, L4764 Leon Valley Mummey, Ernie Nye, Gordon Ormesher, Dennis Fire Officers— Charles Chesser Professional Fire Fighters Association— Jeff Bailey, Pohle, Richard Scanlon, Michael Sparkes, Robert TENNESSEE L0140 Nashville— Larry Roberts, Doug Godfrey, Michael Hacker Stose, Jim Thomas, L0452 Vancouver— Ronald L1784 Memphis— Mark Heaston, Patricia Lewis, UTAH L1645 Salt Lake City— Barry Bonham, Bishop, L0469 Yakima— Ronald Melcher, L0726 Michael Patton, Jeffrey Smith, Edward Stanley, David Ronald Mickelson, L1654 Ogden— Kevin Hoffman Pierce County Professional Fire Fighters— Ronald Wilson, L3759 Signal Mountain— Barry Frizzell VERMONT L3671 South Burlington— Ken Dattilio Menge, L1052 Richland— Tim Sharp, L1296 TEXAS L0051 El Paso— Garry Barney, Gilbert VIRGINIA F0025 Tidewater Federal Fire Kennewick— Gary Conn, L1352 Valley Fire Juarez, L0058 Dallas— Roy Matkins, Vernon Fighters— Kevin Burns, L1146 Lynchburg Fire Fighters— Gregg Peterson, L1604 Bellevue— Arthur Moreland, L0341 Houston— Jimmie Atchison, Larry Fighters Association— William Gray, Edmon Arpin, John Fox, Don Thompson, L1747 Capehart, Robbie Clifton, Gabino Cortez, Steve Deal, Molette, John Spinner, L1568 Henrico County— E. Kent— Mark Thompson, L1810 North Malford Duclo, Davis Elliott, Mike Ferguson, Brian Duke, Richard McClure, L2068 Fairfax County Highline— Greg Jackson, L1828 Snohomish County Gaeke, Jose Garza, Melvin Gessner, Wilmer Goss, Professional Fire Fighters And Paramedics— Arnold Fire District 1 Professional Fire Fighters— Andrew Barry Hall, Hobert Hoggard, Robert Hoggard, Barrow, Leo Burt, Sandra Caple, Paul Carlin, Peter Speier, L2394 Mason County Professional Fire Richard Hollas, Ricky Hooks, Nathan Jilek, Edward Graham, John Mayers, Roger McGehee, Dallas Fighters— Michael Sobotka, L2898 Seattle Fire Johnson, Charles Key, Joseph Kovalchik, Sidney Phillips, Timothy Riffe, L2363 Chiefs— Steven Oleson, L2950 Woodinville— Joel LaCombe, Larry Lewis, Marc Meyer, Joseph Phillips, Charlottesville— Robert Bragg, L2800 Arlington Kuhnhenn, L4189 Vashon Island— Kathy Bonner George Rodriguez, Michael Shrum, Joseph Susa, County— Frederick Calvert, Charles Davis, Kervin WEST VIRGINIA L0091 Parkersburg— Terry Thomas Turner, Victor Yanez, L0399 Maske, Leroy McFail, John McPherson, Jesse Reeve, Dowler, L0805 Martinsburg— David Hess Beaumont— Thomas Alexander, Edwin Arnaud, Ivan Carol Saulnier, Kyle Wright, L2801 Suffolk WISCONSIN L0215 Milwaukee— Rodrigo Bertrand, David Chance, Robert Mitchell, Charles Professional Fire And Rescue— John Barrs, L2803 Castaneda, Brian Cleary, Leslie Harper, Cansell Mullins, Harold Smithers, L0432 Wichita Chesterfield County Professional Fire Fighters Mitchell, Ronald Schmoldt, L0226 Marinette— Frank Falls— Randy Brown, Ginger Close, Paul Craig, Keith Assn.— Steven Traylor, L3306 James City County Faucett, L0311 Madison— Thomas Carow, James Morton, Mike Simmons, James Urban, L0440 Fort Professional Fire Fighters— Richard Svadeba, L4145 Roberts, Cindy Walters, L0368 Manitowoc— Gary Worth— Jeff Clifton, Therese Conroy, William Frederick County Professional Fire Fighters Ebert, L0368 Manitowoc— Jody Neilson, L0487 Eau Kuhnell, L0542 Amarillo— Dale Alvarado, Stephen Association— Mark Dudrow Claire— Mark Legge, L0580 Janesville— Michael Griffin, Michael Hunter, Steve Williams, L0624 San WASHINGTON F0282 Puget Sound Federal Fire Thiering, L1028 Rhinelander— John Mueller, L1816 Antonio— David Coatney, Juan Gonzalez, Juan Fighters— Timothy Culver, James Hudson, Troy Chippewa Falls— Steven Leahy, L2760 Longoria, L0906 Marshall Fire Fighters Whitmore, Gary Zambor, I0024 Hanford— D. R. Franklin— Thomas Surges, L4724 New Berlin Association— Richard Smith, L1044 Abilene— Paul Hiltwein, Patricia Smith, J. P. Sponcler, L0027 Professional Fire Fighters— Andy Moy, Jim Werner Slabaugh, Tommy Williams, L1518 Seattle— Steven Brooks, Darnell Factory, Gary YUKON TERRITORY L2217 Whitehorse— Larry Mesquite— Randy Zajic, L1550 Corsicana— Kevin Morgan, L0029 Spokane— Todd Chism, Karla McKay, Robert Woodford Farmer, L2002 Sherman— Gary Renfro, L2073 Clinger, Paul Edens, Russ Eiffert, Mike Epler, John Irving— Nicholas Miller, Edward Smith, L2731 Gilbert, Kay Kempe, Jack Krell, John Lappano, David Conroe— Dave Williamson, L4221 DFW Leavenworth, Gregg McClatchey, Lawrence

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International Fire Fighter RETIREES | 45 in memoriam

Local Name ...... Local Name ...... State L0341 Randy Cadena ...... Houston ...... TX F0037 Travis Lucas ...... Great Lakes ...... IL L0399 Domingo Carlin ...... Beaumont ...... TX L0002 Frank Adamiec ...... Chicago ...... IL L0403 Franklin Hendrix ...... Tuscaloosa ...... AL L0002 Roy Barry ...... Chicago ...... IL L0403 Aaron Hill ...... Tuscaloosa ...... AL L0002 Thomas Bresnahan ...... Chicago ...... IL L0416 Charles Agan ...... Indianapolis ...... IN L0002 Edward Bresnahan ...... Chicago ...... IL L0498 Anthony Vanderholst ....Kingston ...... ON L0002 Thomas Deacy ...... Chicago ...... IL L0504 James Blevins ...... Owosso ...... MI L0002 George Fields ...... Chicago ...... IL L0522 Richard Mandonca ...... Sacramento ...... CA L0002 Charles Foltz ...... Chicago ...... IL L0529 Harold Walker ...... Sault Ste. Marie ...... ON L0002 George Grant ...... Chicago ...... IL L0556 Eugene Troksa ...... Hammond ...... IN L0002 Robert Hirtzer ...... Chicago ...... IL L0627 Cletus Arnold ...... York ...... PA L0002 Raymond Hoff ...... Chicago ...... IL L0632 John Niehues ...... New Orleans ...... LA L0002 Patrick Houlihan ...... Chicago ...... IL L0644 Glen Kempf ...... Lincoln ...... NE L0002 August Korienek ...... Chicago ...... IL L0710 Vaughn Walton ...... Coeur D Alene ...... ID L0002 Robert Kruse ...... Chicago ...... IL L0734 Homer Bullington ...... Baltimore ...... MD L0002 Walter Kustwin ...... Chicago ...... IL L0734 John Foertsch ...... Baltimore ...... MD L0002 Michael McMahon ...... Chicago ...... IL L0734 Courtney Jordan ...... Baltimore ...... MD L0002 John O’Brien ...... Chicago ...... IL L0734 Eugene Warczynski ...... Baltimore ...... MD L0002 Robert O’Donnell ...... Chicago ...... IL L0867 George Killen ...... Winnipeg ...... MB L0002 Denis O’Leary ...... Chicago ...... IL L0867 Dave Konyk ...... Winnipeg ...... MB L0002 John O’Malley ...... Chicago ...... IL L0936 Timoteo Castillo ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0002 Michael Reilly ...... Chicago ...... IL L0936 Abel Castro ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0002 Chris Reischl ...... Chicago ...... IL L0936 Daniel Gambino ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0002 Lawrence Roggatz ...... Chicago ...... IL L0936 Emilio Garza ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0002 Peter Scalone ...... Chicago ...... IL L0936 Guadalupe Guerra ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0002 Frank Schiro ...... Chicago ...... IL L0936 Charles Hall ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0002 Raymond Thompson ....Chicago ...... IL L0936 Richard Herschbach ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0002 John Travis ...... Chicago ...... IL L0936 Reyes Longoria ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0002 Raymond Vesely ...... Chicago ...... IL L0936 Wm Mahan ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0012 Raymond Stahl ...... Wheeling ...... WV L0936 John McIver ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0022 James Brooks ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L0936 Edward Mikulencak ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0022 James Handzus ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L0936 Gumecindo Narvaez ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0022 William Healy ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L0936 Norman Patterson ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0022 Robert Iehle ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L0936 Joe Quintanilla ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0022 Francis Kane ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L0936 David Saenz ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0022 Francis Kellagher ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L0936 Mark Wagner ...... Corpus Christi ...... TX L0022 Edward McClelland ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L1102 David Roberts ...... Hialeah ...... FL L0022 Glenn Nicholas ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L1271 George McNally ...... Surrey ...... BC L0022 Francis Scull ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L1311 Elmer Allen ...... Baltimore County ...... MD L0022 James Tarpey ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L1311 Kenneth Hamel ...... Baltimore County ...... MD L0022 Harry Winkelspecht ...... Philadelphia ...... PA L1311 Howard Wode ...... Baltimore County ...... MD L0029 Gary Kaufmann ...... Spokane ...... WA L1349 William Kuliska ...... Mobile ...... AL L0029 Roy Marsh ...... Spokane ...... WA L1403 David Frame ...... Metropolitan Dade County ...... FL L0029 Jim Parker ...... Spokane ...... WA L1403 Thomas Gibson ...... Metropolitan Dade County ...... FL L0036 Lester Fletcher ...... Washington ...... DC L1403 Charles Kossuth ...... Metropolitan Dade County ...... FL L0036 Lawrence McLean ...... Washington ...... DC L1463 Lloyd Albinio ...... Hawaiian Islands ...... HI L0036 James Traintafillos ...... Washington ...... DC L1463 James Kojima ...... Hawaiian Islands ...... HI L0036 Wendell Youngblood ...... Washington ...... DC L1568 Ronald Rothweiler ...... Henrico County ...... VA L0042 Leonard Bowen ...... Kansas City ...... MO L1784 Clyde Byrd ...... Memphis ...... TN L0042 William Lasiter ...... Kansas City ...... MO L1784 Paul Crowell ...... Memphis ...... TN L0048 Brian Clemens ...... Cincinnati ...... OH L1784 Bryan Greene ...... Memphis ...... TN L0067 Matthew Blevins ...... Columbus ...... OH L2141 John Finegan ...... Alexandria ...... VA L0093 David Bouldin ...... Cleveland ...... OH L2141 Quentin Tabscott ...... Alexandria ...... VA L0094 Terence Dolan ...... UFFA Of New York ...... NY L2157 Elmer Strickland ...... Gainesville Professional Fire Fighters ...... FL L0094 Martin Hurley ...... UFFA Of New York ...... NY L2217 Adolph Schiffkorn ...... Whitehorse ...... YT L0108 Karl Zalesky ...... Northampton ...... MA L2455 David Smith ...... Slidell ...... LA L0122 Sharon Dyer ...... Jacksonville ...... FL L2481 Davis Deloach ...... Live Oak ...... FL L0122 Frank Eberhardt ...... Jacksonville ...... FL L2498 Kenneth Owens ...... York County & City of Williamsburg ...... VA L0134 Lloyd James ...... Atlanta ...... GA L2657 John Byrnes ...... Brigantine ...... NJ L0134 Donald Murphy ...... Atlanta ...... GA L2800 Frank Higgins ...... Arlington County ...... VA L0140 Billy Harris ...... Nashville ...... TN L2860 Thomas Keidel ...... Eastlake ...... OH L0140 Robert Morton ...... Nashville ...... TN L2881 David Lezchuk ...... CDF Fire Fighters ...... CA L0157 Breck Ryker ...... Oklahoma City ...... OK L2881 Adam Whitman ...... CDF Fire Fighters ...... CA L0215 Jerome Brukbacher ...... Milwaukee ...... WI L3005 Darrel Swienton ...... Bolingbrook ...... IL L0215 Carl Jakubiak ...... Milwaukee ...... WI L3080 James Lagrow ...... Metro-Broward ...... FL L0215 Ivan Konings ...... Milwaukee ...... WI L3287 Ricky Boyette ...... Wilson ...... NC L0215 Sidney Ruskow ...... Milwaukee ...... WI L3311 John Habinowski ...... Old Bridge Township ...... NJ L0302 Melvin Keyser ...... Allentown ...... PA L3612 Robert King ...... Colonial Heights ...... VA L0317 David Monk ...... Charleston ...... WV L3621 Tim Farthing ...... Richmond ...... KY L0317 Delbert Roush ...... Charleston ...... WV L4578 Christopher Landreau ....Coweta ...... GA

46 July/August 2011 NOTE: Children of IAFF members killed in the line of duty are eligible to receive the W. H. "Howie" McClennan scholarship which provides financial assistance to attend a university accredited college or other institution of higher learning. For more information contact the IAFF Department of Education at (202) 824-1533

International Fire Fighter 47 INTERNATIONAL JULY/AUGUST 2011

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