A PUBLICATION FOR THE Summer 2019 ACTIVE/RETIRED MEMBERS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THE FIREFIGHTERS’ RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND Investing for Firefighters and Their Families®

A MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN BESSELMAN

Dear Fund Members,

First, it is an honor to serve as the Chairman once again. I continue to be in close communication with all Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retire- ment Fund (HFRRF or “the Fund”) members, both active and retired. Brett R. Besselman As I continually meet more members and listen to your stories about Chair your experiences in the Houston , it re-affirms my com- mitment to the Board and the long-term health and viability of this pension fund.

The appellate ruling in this latest round of court proceedings sided with the City of Houston re- garding the suit to stop underfunding our pension plan. On June 20, 2019 the Court of Ap- peals, 14th Appellate District in Houston, affirmed a previous district court ruling that permitted experimental revisions relating to funding from the 2017 Texas Legislature to continue. We are very disappointed in this ruling but plan to continue our challenge to what we believe is an unconstitu- tional law in situations where the Board’s actuaries believe the City contribution must be higher. SB 2190 allows the City to short change the pension year to year, instead of producing long term pension security. We still believe SB 2190 conflicts with the Texas Constitution by taking away the Board’s right to select sound actuarial assumptions to be used by the Fund for this plan. The Board will continue to challenge this court’s ruling.

We said good-bye to long-time Board member, Chaplain Garry W. Blackmon, Sr., who retired after serving 35 years in the Houston Fire Department. Blackmon served our Board in Trustee Position IV, since February 2014. We con- gratulate and wish Mr. Blackmon a very happy retirement and thank him for his dedicated service to our membership. Outlined in this edition of the Red Line newsletter is the schedule to fill Garry’s unexpired term. We move forward with the energy to strengthen the Fund and provide a se- cure retirement plan for our members. Chairman Brett R. Besselman presents Plaque of Appreciation to Lawmakers have com- Garry W. Blackmon, Sr. pleted the 86th session Trustee since February 2014 of the Texas legislature. Their primary focus was on issues of bipartisan concern that affected the whole state. We are pleased to report that there were no bills passed by the end of the session that negatively impact our Fund. The Board will continue to advance the interest of our active and HFD 35 Year Retirement retired members as we prepare for opportunities in the 87th HFRRF at 8 on May 31, 2019 Texas legislature. The 87th session is scheduled to begin January 12, 2021.

The dangers inherent in the fire profession are no secret. Many may suffer from long-term job-re- lated illnesses in the fire service. The state of Texas, recognizing the hazards of our profession passed a new bill (SB 2551) adding more illnesses to help firefighters make their case for worker’s compensation benefits. This legislation may make it easier to file claims with insurance carriers and may allow employees to recover attorneys’ fees from insurance carriers who act in bad faith. We ap- Continued on page 2 www.hfrrf.org Page 1 A Message from the Chairman, continued from page 1 plaud the efforts of the spon- Have a safe summer! sors for this very important legislation.

Brett R. Besselman, Chair Since our last publication, Houston Firefighters’ we’ve welcomed 66 new Relief and Retirement Fund Fund members. These ca- Board of Trustees Chairman Besselman at Texas Association dets were sworn in on May 66 New Fund Members of Public Employee Retirement Systems HFD Cadets were sworn in on May 16, 2019 (TEXPERS) Pension discussion during 16, 2019; joining the ranks Texas’ 86th legislative Session of the Houston Fire Depart- ment, ensuring the safety of GOVERNOR ABBOTT NAMES STEPHANIE LEIBE the citizens of Houston. Houston is the fourth most populated city in CHAIR OF THE STATE PENSION REVIEW BOARD the nation, and with an estimated population of 2,312,717 (trailing AND REAPPOINTS MARCIA DUSH AND KEITH only New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). As you know, the next gen- BRAINARD eral elections are Tuesday, November 5, 2019 (election day) and will fill some key city leadership positions. Governor Greg Abbott has named Stephanie Leibe chair of the State Pension Review Board replacing In closing, the Fund was created by state statute and, since its founding Josh B. McGee as chair. Governor Abbott addition- in 1937, it has been administered by its Board of Trustees who have ad- ally reappointed Keith Brainard to the Board for a opted sound actuarial assumptions used by the Fund. HFRRF’s assets term set to expire on January 31, 2025 and reap- have grown steadily over the years. The market value of Fund assets pointed Marcia Dush for a term set to expire on in 1988 was approximately $468 million; today its assets are approxi- January 31, 2025. mately $4.2 billion. We look to the future as we work toward the con- Stephanie Leibe tinued growth of our investments and long-term health and viability of this pension fund.

THE HISTORY OF THE HFD MEMORIALS | GLENWOOD CEMETERY AND THE FUND’S MEMORIAL GARDEN

Today, the City of Houston firefighters have a beautiful garden located on pension Fund property called the “Houston Firefighters’ Memorial Garden” at 4225 Interwood N. Parkway, located off of Beltway 8 and JFK. It is in this garden, since 2001, that the Houston Fire Department (HFD) hosts its Annual Memorial Ceremony. At this ceremony HFD invites all the city to gather in the garden each year to pay tribute to HFD firefighters.

The garden includes pavers, benches, the “Wall of Honor” and a breathtaking statue called “The Rescue”. “The Rescue” is the statue that memorializes all HFD firefighters lost in the line of duty, “who are gone, but never forgotten”. The “Wall of Honor”, which is also in the garden, holds the names and is a tribute to all deceased firefighters since the beginning of Houston’s paid firefighters.

As many may know, the Memorial Garden location was not the orig- inal gathering place for this most sacred ceremony and tribute. The original HFD memorial’s home was and remains in the Glenwood Cemetery. Glenwood Cemetery is located on 84 acres at 2525 Washington Avenue, a short distance from . Glenwood opened as a private cemetery the summer of 1872.

Prior to the beginning of the HFD paid department, Houston’s fire protection was comprised of vol- unteer fire companies. In 1888 the companies were: Protection 1, Hook and Ladder 1, Liberty No. 2, Stonewall No. 3, Mechanic No. 6 and Curtin No. 9. In May of 1888, these companies bought Plot 98 in Section C of the Glenwood Cemetery for $300. This plot was to be used for the members of the department. In June of that same year, the firefighters ordered a stone memorial to be erected on the newly purchased cemetery plot. On top of this monument was a life-sized statue, a likeness of the oldest living member at the time, Robert Brewster. The statue stands 5 foot 2 inches and weighs 1400 “The Rescue” memorializes all pounds. It was produced in Carrara, Italy and delivered to the firefighters on December 24, 1889. In firefighters lost in the line of duty 1895, the City of Houston went from a volunteer department to a paid department. Shortly after that

www.hfrrf.org Page 2 time, the newly formed department took over ownership 2019 KEY DATES of the Fireman’s Plot. The monument was not officially dedicated until April 6, 1900. CALENDAR

JULY AUGUST Today, there are a number of firefighter souls buried in S M T W T F S S M T W T F S the Glenwood Cemetery. The first volunteer firefight- 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 er Henry Kitely, died in 1888 and the last volunteer was 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Clarence Hartwell, who passed away in 1905. Sadly, there 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 have been more firefighters and line-of-duty deaths since 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 that time. Captain Mark Braswell and Firefighter Anne 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Sullivan’s remains are also buried there. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER S M T W T F S S M T W T F S After the original dedication of the memorial, there were, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 as far as history can tell, no organized memorial services to honor the firefighters 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 buried there. So, as time marched on, the monument had lived in Glenwood through 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 at least two major floods and without much notoriety with the next event that took 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 place concerning the Fireman’s Plot occurring 87 years after the monument was 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 erected in Glenwood.

NOVEMBER DECEMBER For whatever reason, in 1975, the HFD moved the S M T W T F S S M T W T F S monument to 410 Bagby, which at the time was HFD 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Headquarters. Sometime later, the monument was 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 moved back to the “Fireman’s Plot” in the Glenwood 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Cemetery. After many years the monument was once 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 again in need of repairs. The cemetery caretaker and 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 workers built a new foundation for the proud old monument to rest. Board Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. In the early 1990’s, as recalled by retired HFD fire- fighter Scott Mellott, a group of Houston firefight- Office Closings: THE HISTORY OF THE HFD MEMORIALS | GLENWOOD CEMETERY AND THE FUND’S MEMORIAL GARDEN ers, formed a committee to help facilitate the resto- Thursday, July 4: ration of the monument in the Glenwood Cemetery Independence Day William “Butch” Edmonds at HFD to include more repairs, and a new foundation for Memorial Ceremony in Fund’s Monday, September 2: Memorial Garden the monument to stand on for generations to come. Labor Day Holiday Thereafter, Memorial services were held there for Monday, October 14: many years during Fire Prevention Week until the new firefighter’s pension office Columbus Day opened along with its Memorial Garden. Monday, November 11: The Fireman’s Plot in the Glenwood cemetery will Veterans Day always be remembered as the original HFD memo- Thursday, November 28: rial’s home and will forever be an important compo- Thanksgiving Day nent of the history of the HFD. Whether the HFD Friday, November 29: decides to hold the annual memorial ceremony each Day after Thanksgiving Day spring in the “Houston Firefighters’ Memorial Gar- Tuesday, December 24: den” or on the grounds of the “Fireman’s Plot” in the Christmas Eve Glenwood Cemetery, the occasion is held for the community as a tribute to the HFD firefighters and Wednesday, December 25: to honor the memory of the city’s firefighters who Christmas Day have died in the line-of-duty. Noon Closures: Friday, August 30 Resource: Scott Mellott HFD Retired after 31 years Glenwood Cemetery, Section C, Friday, October 11 Photos courtesy of: Scott Mellott & Matt Milam (HFD “The Fireman’s Plot”. Friday, November 8 Arson) Brandon Jacob Four Alarm Photos Wednesday, November 27 Monday, December 23 Tuesday, December 31

www.hfrrf.org Page 3 HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS’ RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND TRUSTEES VISIT FEDERAL REPRESENTATION IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Fund Trustees met with Congressman Kevin P. Brady, U.S. Representative for Texas's 8th congressional district, serv- ing since 1997, Senator Ted Cruz (Bottom Right), Senator for Texas since 2013 and Congressman Dan Crenshaw (Upper Right), U.S. Representative for Texas 2nd congressional district since 2019 during their Spring visit to Washington, DC.

Trustees discussed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), a reduction of Social Security benefits that is ap- plied to retirees of state and local governments who earned a pension in public sector employment that was not cov- Chairman Brett R. Besselman, Vice-Chair Stephen R. White- ered by Social Security. They also discussed other pension head, Fund Executive Director Ralph D. Marsh, Congressman related topics of importance to the entire membership of Kevin P. Brady, Board Secretary Lisa R. Slagle and Retiree Representative on the Board David O. Lantrip the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund.

ANNUAL HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER’S BOARD REVIEWS ITS POLICY ON RETIREE BBQ HELD MAY 2, 2019 RECOGNITION OF INFORMAL AT GREER & LOWDERMILK MARRIAGES CONFERENCE CENTER Although the type, functions, and characteristics of marriage may vary from culture to culture, it in- variably introduces changes that could affect all aspects of your life, including pension benefits. The Board recently re-visited its marriage policy and has determined that under sec- tion 1(10) of the statute, a judicial declaration constituting proof of the informal marriage (as described in section 6.06(2) of the Pension Benefit Policies must be: (a) clear, final and non-appealable, (b) issued by a Texas district court, and (c) submitted to the Fund’s Member Services Department prior to the death of the member.

If you have any questions, please con- tact the Member Services Division of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund located at 4225 In- terwood North Parkway Houston, TX 77032-3866 at phone number (281) 372-5100; Toll Free: (800) 666-9737 and Fax: (281) 372-5198.

HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL PASSES $5.1 BILLION BUDGET FOR 2020 FULLY FUNDING THIS YEAR’S PENSION COSTS | approved a budget totaling $5.1 billion on June 19, 2019, with $2.4 billion of that going to the general fund, or the city’s operating budget. The 2020 fiscal year began on July 1.

www.hfrrf.org Page 4 LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING SEMINAR IN MEMORY Our condolences and heartfelt sympathies are extended to the July 18 families of the following members who recently passed away: Time: 9 am - 1 pm FIREFIGHTERS | RETIRED How to Register for Seminars (Reservations must be made in advance) NAME DATE OF DEATH SERVED HFD Website: www.hfrrf.org Jerry L. McDaniel June 13, 2019 1965 - 2002 Log in, Click: My Account James D. Hall June 7, 2019 1952 - 1982 Click: Seminars Terry W. Reiszner June 6, 2019 1976 - 2011 Click: Details under Available Seminars Robert Legington June 4, 2019 1974 - 2002 Enter: Number of Attendees, Click: Register Paul Ledoux May 30, 2019 1979 - 2012 Email: [email protected] Steven Lee Thomas May 9, 2019 1980 - 2005 Phone: (281) 372-5100 Refugio Sorola May 7, 2019 1969 - 1993 William Roger Campbell May 3, 2019 1967 - 2003 If registering by email or phone, please provide your Daniel E. Estes April 29, 2019 1973 - 2001 name, payroll #, phone #, and spouse’s name, if applicable. Michael E. Briscoe Sr. April 29, 2019 1975 - 2005 Location: Greer & Lowdermilk Conference Center James E. Goetzman April 21, 2019 1971 - 2004 4225 Interwood North Pkwy, Houston, TX 77032-3866 Robert C. Crawford April 9, 2019 1974 - 2005 James L. Deweese April 8, 2019 1961 - 1995 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION Robert L. Robinson April 6, 2019 1963 - 1989 EFFICIENTLY DELIVERS REAL-TIME BENEFICIARIES MESSAGING NAME DATE OF DEATH The Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Re- tirement Fund has embraced the “digital Carol Henley May 11, 2019 age” as we begin to offer more personal- Winnie Lester April 11, 2019 ized retirement content to our member- Eunice Lindrose April 1, 2019 ship through secure access. We want to Reata Benson February 27, 2019 expand on the success of this experience Irene Morris January 30, 2019 with added useful pension information, quality data sent elec- Earline Williamson January 6, 2019 tronically to our membership, and accessible with just one-click Mary N. Pruitt December 11, 2018 or touch from the convenience of a smartphone, laptop or oth- Ruth E. Burnett November 10, 2018 er computer device with the assurance of privacy and security. Mattie Sparks October 30, 2018 Opting for data and information access and delivery through our website portal, email, texting, apps or social media, rather 2019 PENSION PAYMENT DISBURSEMENT than in-person office visits, telephone, or traditional mail, has remarkably improved distribution of important retirement in- SCHEDULE formation, and has seamlessly enhanced our communication July July 29, 2019 and delivery of real-time messaging. We plan to expand Fund August August 28, 2019 electronic communications. The next Red Line newsletter will September September 26, 2019 be sent electronically. October October 29, 2019 November November 26, 2019 LOCAL 341 December December 27, 2019 - HOUSTON If you utilize direct deposit, your monthly pension payments are PROFESSIONAL scheduled by the Fund’s custodian, Bank of New York/Mellon. Direct FIRE FIGHTERS deposits should reach your bank account by the last business day of ASSOCIATION the month; however, if you receive a check, it will be mailed from Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania location on the third business day before the end On June 6, 2019 the Houston of the month. firefighters presented a check for $386,214 to Muscular Dystrophy Association Houston. Local 341 is the proud No. This process takes place according to the schedule established. If you 1 “Fill the Boot” fundraiser in Texas for 2019. Donations will are currently receiving a paper check and are interested in the conve- help local families fighting muscular diseases and support nience of electronic deposit of your monthly pension payment, please innovations in medical treatment and research. Thanks, contact a Member Services Representative at (281) 372.5100. Houston for your generosity!

www.hfrrf.org Page 5 NOT RECEIVING EMAIL FROM THE FUND? THIS MAY BE WHY!

If you unsubscribe from ANY HFRRF email, you unsubscribe from ALL emails. Once you unsub- scribe you will no longer receive emails from The Fund.

How do I know If I’m subscribed or not? To see if you are subscribed to Fund emails or not, login to your ac- count via our website (www.hfrrf.org) and check under Personal Information. Once you are in your Personal Information profile, under the News and Events Preference box, make sure the box is checked in order to re- ceive emails. If the box is not checked, and you would like to receive emails, just click in the box.

If you have completed these steps and are still not receiving any emails, please call Member Services at (281) 372-5100.

2019 SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL BOARD VACANCY AND 2020 REGULAR ELECTION SCHEDULE APPROVED BY THE BOARD | ACTIVE MEMBER ELECTION FOR TRUSTEE POSITIONS II, IV* AND V The Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund (HFRRF) will begin accepting nomination forms on Thurs- day, August 1, 2019 through Friday, August 16, 2019 for the three-year term for active member Trustee Positions II, and V on the Board of Trustees due to expire December 31, 2019 (regular terms) and for the unexpired term for active member Trustee Position IV*.

The new term for the active member elected to Trustee Positions II and V, will begin on January 1, 2020.

• Position II – must be selected from the ranks of Captain or Senior Captain

• Position V – must be selected from the classified firefighter assigned full time from the Fire Alarm Operators Division

Additionally: The Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund (during this same time period) will begin accepting nomination forms (Thursday, August 1, 2019 through Friday, August 16, 2019) for the special election to fillTrustee Position IV* on the Board; an elected position to be occupied to complete the remaining time left on the unexpired term for Trustee Position IV that is vacant due to a retirement.

This Board approved a special election for the unexpired term for Trustee Position IV which will be held simultaneously with the regu- larly scheduled Board of Trustees elections.

The eligible candidate elected to Trustee Position IV * will immediately be sworn in at the next HFRRF board meeting.

• Position IV * - must be selected from personnel who devote full time to Fire Prevention or Fire Investigation and who are not members of the suppression division.

Nomination forms are available for downloading on the Fund’s website (www.hfrrf.org) for your consideration and convenience, and eligible voters (active HFRRF membership) will have the opportunity to cast their ballots (by US Postal Service mail, telephone or by the internet ) within three (3) weeks following the mail out of the ballot(s), which will include the complete instructions on how to cast the Nomination forms must be received at the Fund Offices located at 4225 Interwood North ballot(s) and the deadline to submit. Parkway, Houston, Texas 77032 during normal business hours (7:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.) between Thursday, August 1 through Friday, August 16, 2019.

Nomination forms must be received at the Fund Offices located atELECTION SCHEDULEELECTION SCHEDULE DATES 4225 Interwood North Parkway, Houston, Texas 77032 during nor- PRIMARY Dates Run-off RUN OFF 8/01 - 8/16 Acceptance of Nomination Forms N/A mal business hours (7:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.) between Thursday, August 1 through Friday, August 16, 2019. Election Meeting 8/23 (Accept all forms until Close of Business) 10/25 10/1 Mail Ballots and Election Profile Elections results will be posted on the Fund website at www.hfrrf. (during the last quarter of the year) 11/1 auditor/service will mail the Ballots, via first org and included in the next Red Line newsletter; Candidates will class mail, newsletter and instructions for casting ballot)

be mailed additional forms to complete after the nominations are 10/17 Ballots Due to Independent Auditor/Election Service 11/18 closed. Candidates must submit all forms to the Fund by the estab- 10/18 Elections results posted on www.hfrrf.org & newsletters 11/19 lished deadline (see election schedule for deadlines).

Elections results will be posted on the Fund website at www.hfrrf.org and included the next Nomination forms consist of a statement including who is to be nominatedRed Line and newsletter; by whom. Candidates will be mailed additional forms to complete after the nominations are closed; and Candidates must submit all forms to the Fund by the established deadline (see election schedule above for deadlines). *Unexpired term

Nomination forms consist of a statement including who is to be nominated and by whom. www.hfrrf.org Nomination forms are available for downloading via the Fund website at www.hfrrf.org or may Page 6 be picked up at the Fund office.

1. Nominees must submit the required Financial Disclosure Form to the Fund’s Chief Legal Officer or designee by the close of business (4:00 PM CST) on the fifth business day (August 23, 2019), following the notification of nominations for Position (s) II, V and IV *.

The election for Trustee Position II, V and IV * will be held by means of a secret ballot, through the mail and are handled by an independent auditor/election service, who determines the results. (One ballot will be mailed for all eligible Active Member Positions on the Board of Trustees)

Should a candidate for election for each position fail to secure a-majority of votes cast, a run-off election will be held for the position. The two (2) candidates receiving the largest number of votes cast are eligible for the run-off.

. * To Complete Unexpired -Term Nomination forms are available for downloading via the Fund website at www.hfrrf.org or may be picked up at the Fund office.

Nominees must submit the required Financial Disclosure Form to the Fund’s Chief Legal Officer or designee by the close of business (4:00 PM CST) on the fifth business day (August 23, 2019), following the notification of nominations for Positions II, V and IV *.

The election for Trustee Position II, V and IV * will be held by means of a secret ballot, through the mail and are handled by an indepen- dent auditor/election service, who determines the results. (One ballot will be mailed to vote for Positions II, IV and V)

Should a candidate for election for each position fail to secure a-majority of votes cast, a run-off election will be held for the position. The two (2) candidates receiving the largest number of votes cast are eligible for the run-off.

The initial election process may last until the end of October. If there is a run-off, the election process may last until late November.

*Unexpired term FUND EMPLOYEE NEWS HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE

The Houston Fire Department Happy HFRRF Work would like to ensure our members Anniversary to (as of July 2019) and their families are prepared this hurricane season which began June 1, 2019. For 2019, NOAA predicts a likely range of 9 to 15 named storms, of which 4-8 could become hurricanes, including 2-4 ma- jor hurricanes. Name Title Celebrating Start Date Chelsea Tieman Legal Assistant 5 years July 2014 The most important thing you can do is prepare yourself, your family, and your home for hurricane season. Consider stocking up Lyn Goldwater Executive Administrator 20 years July 1999 on emergency supplies including food, water, protective clothing, medication, batteries, flashlight, important documents, road maps and a full tank of fuel. Exterior housekeeping is essential at both the fire station and personal homes since storms paths can GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN be erratic and unpredictable.

Kristi Marx, LCSW Take these steps to prepare yourself from dangerous weather: • Update ESS information: cell phone, email and call back in- The Houston Firefighters’ Relief formation. and Retirement Fund wish to ex- • Have an emergency plan and review it with everyone in your press our deepest appreciation to home. Make sure everyone knows the safest location in the the survivors of these dedicated and home. brave members of our family. • Stock up on supplies such as water, blankets, first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, radio and food for extended period of This Memorial Wall, while a small time. gesture, is meant to ensure they • Protect important documents by making sure such things as The Memorial Wall in the are remembered for generations to ID cards and other vital information are placed in a secured Fund Memorial Garden come and remind visitors that the waterproof container. job of a firefighter is never without danger or cost. They put on • Don’t forget about the pets. Have pet essentials handy such as: their uniforms and went to work. They answered the call. For pet food, medication, toys, and other pet needs. that, we owe them a lifetime of gratitude and respect. • Always check area public safety websites, emails, radio, tele- vision sources or other media outlets for emergency infor- To these families we offer our support. If you have suffered the mation. recent loss of a firefighter, please know that your loved one’s name will be added to the wall as a part of the benefit every firefighter receives. During the death benefit application process, a form will RETIREE CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON/ be provided to indicate how you would like your loved one’s name HOLIDAY PARTY to appear on the wall. We engrave the wall a minimum of twice SAVE THE DATE a year—once in the spring and again in the fall. Once the name is engraved, you can view it online through our website at www. DECEMBER 5, 2019 | 11 AM – 1:30 PM hfrrf.org or you may visit the memorial which is open year-round. GREER & LOWDERMILK Though they may be gone they will never be forgotten. CONFERENCE CENTER www.hfrrf.org Page 7 ABOUT THE HOUSTON RED LINE PRSRT STD FIREFIGHTERS’ RELIEF AND U.S. POSTAGE The Houston Firefighters’ PAID RETIREMENT FUND (HFRRF) N. Houston, TX Relief and Retirement Fund Permit No. 4224 4225 Interwood North Parkway HFRRF’s mission is to provide a secure retirement Houston, Texas 77032-3866 benefit plan for members through professional administration, prudent management of system assets, sound investment practices, and prompt and courteous delivery of accurate benefits and useful information to members.

The Fund serves 7,275 active and retired members and has approximately $4.2 billion in net assets.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10, 2019 |

HFD responded to 6,771 incidents (5,863 EMS service calls & 908 fire service calls)

WEEK ENDING JUNE 21, 2019 |

HFD responded to 6,869 incidents (5,981 EMS service calls & 888 fire service calls)

AUXILIARY NEWS

CITY OF HOUSTON RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS The City of Houston administers the Post-Employment Health Benefits for its retirees. It’s impossible to put a monetary value on good health. With good health, you can get out and enjoy a beau- tiful day, participate in fun activities and move through your day independently and free from pain regardless of your income. To get answers to ques- tions you may have about your retiree medical plan options, coverage effective dates, and Medicare eligibility contact the City of Houston human resource department.

HEALTH BENEFITS CONTACT Benefits Phone Main Phone 832-393-6000 832-393-6100 Fax 832-395-9409 EMAILS | [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

DWHSF/Houston Firefighters Scholarship Fund 4225 Interwood North Parkway Houston, Texas 77032 281-385-8525 Office | 866-277-0008 Fax New Fund Website Design and Look! [email protected] www.holderscholarship.org Coming Soon! www.hfrrf.org Page 8