Welcome to the IAFF Frontline News Brief, distributed twice a month to IAFF affiliate leaders and IAFF members. We encourage you to forward this news to your members and others in the fire service.

The Frontline News Brief is delivered directly by email and is also published on the IAFF web site. You can view past issues at http://www.iaff.org/Comm/frontline/news.htm.

Your feedback is also welcome - email pr@iaff.org with questions and comments.
 

"Bush Budget Destroys 9/11 Health Care Programs " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Governor opposes fire sprinkler bill" (Charleston Post & Courier)
"President Bush's Proposed Budget Threatens Safety" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"State Group Backs Union in Vote Against Providence Fire Chief" (Providence Journal (RI))
"Firefighters Hope to Expand to Become First Responders" (Austin Post-Bulletin)
"Alabama Fire Fighters Lose Longtime Leader " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Union Asks City to Ax Fire Chief" (The Times-Tribune)
"Union donates to locked-out workers " (The Daily Nonpareil )
"Security camera plan sparks privacy fight at Stamford firehouse" (The Advocate)
"Boise mayor names his pick for new fire chief" (2 News.tv (Boise))
"Massachusetts Fire Fighters Fear for Their Safety" (The Haverhill Gazette)
"Milwaukee Paramedics Foil Robbery on East Side" (International Fire Fighting News)
"Fire Fighter Struggles 16 Years After Getting Hurt On Job" (NBC 30)
"101-Year-Old Former New Jersey Firefighter Killed in Blaze " (Firehouse.com)
"West Vancouver Looks to Cut Fire Fighters" (Vancouver Sun)
"Union in Court Over Reno Fire Inspection Plan" (Reno Gazette-Journal)
"Volunteers will move fire service to West OC" (The Daily Times)
"Canadian IAFF Member Bound for Beijing Olympics" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighters Soon Able to Earn Higher Degrees" (Daily Egyptian)
"Asbestos Hazard Wasn't Disclosed to Firefighters" (HeraldNet)
 

Bush Budget Destroys 9/11 Health Care Programs
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/07/08)

A steep 77 percent cut in funding for 9/11 health care programs contained in President Bush's proposed 2009 budget would totally destroy the programs and cut off treatment and monitoring services to thousands of people, according to Dr. James Melius, chair of the Steering Committee for the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program. The budget plan would cut the current $108 million appropriation for 9/11 health programs to $25 million for Fiscal Year 2009. The programs are administered by the Mt. Sinai Medical Center, the New York City Fire Department and the City of New York. Current 2008 funding for the programs includes an additional $50 million provided through an emergency spending bill passed late last year.
(Web Link)
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Governor opposes fire sprinkler bill
Charleston Post & Courier (02/14/08); Hicks, Brian

Governor Mark Sanford said legislation that offers tax credits for businesses to install sprinkler systems is too expensive and smacks of too much government interference. His comments, and the looming threat of a veto, have sparked a litany of criticism from lawmakers and fire fighters. The legislation, filed in response to the June 18 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston fire fighters, would give businesses a tax credit for 80 percent of the cost of installing sprinklers in their buildings.
(Web Link)
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President Bush's Proposed Budget Threatens Safety
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/04/08)

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger issued this statement February 4 on President Bush's proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget: "As the end of the president's term in office mercifully draws closer, his proposed budget is another example of his words not matching his deeds. President Bush says he wants to protect Americans, but his budget proposal proves his words are meaningless. Once again, he has proposed eliminating or drastically reducing funding for important programs that make our neighborhoods, our citizens and our country safer. A president interested in protecting Americans would not cut funding for the Homeland Security Department's first responder grant programs. President Bush is surprisingly ignorant of the value that the FIRE Act and SAFER grants provide to the smallest towns and the largest cities across this country."
(Web Link)
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State Group Backs Union in Vote Against Providence Fire Chief
Providence Journal (RI)(01/03/08); Barbarisi, Daniel

The Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters has officially backed Providence, RI Local 799 in a no-confidence vote on Providence's fire chief. The Local had already voted no confidence in the chief 282 to 19, with approximately 125 members refraining from voting. Neither the local nor the statewide vote is legally binding. However, union officials are hopeful the vote will send a message to Providence city officials that something needs to change. Providence fire fighters have been working without a contract since 2005. A new contract is currently in arbitration. Unfortunately, this is not a new scenario for the city's fire fighters. Every new fire fighter contract has ended in arbitration since Mayor David Cicilline took office in 2002. The union has become increasingly unhappy with Fire Chief George Farrell since he was appointed in May.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Hope to Expand to Become First Responders
Austin Post-Bulletin (02/05/08); Ruzek, Tim

Fire fighters in Austin, Minnesota, are lobbying city leaders to have their responsibilities expanded to include first responder services. At a recent city council meeting, Austin fire fighter Troy Tigner told city officials that allowing fire fighters to serve as first responders would help an overworked police department, and city leaders would be ensured around-the-clock coverage. "I think this is a step in the right direction," said Tigner. He and other fire fighters are proposing 24-hour shifts that would be divided among the fulltime fire fighters in the fire department. International Association of Fire Fighters representative Pat Shanahan, president of Rochester's fire fighters' union, noted that fire fighters in Rochester serve as first responders and have had positive feedback.
(Web Link)
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Alabama Fire Fighters Lose Longtime Leader
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/04/08)

Hundreds of fire fighters, family and friends paid their last respects February 4 to decorated IAFF leader and fire fighter Donald William Miller at the Faith Baptist Church in Vinemont, Alabama. "The IAFF is saddened by the loss of one of our best," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "Brother Miller stood up and fought for fire fighters across the state of Alabama. He did it even when it was not so easy because he wanted only the best for his fire fighter brothers and sisters."
(Web Link)
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Union Asks City to Ax Fire Chief
The Times-Tribune (02/12/08); Brown, Stacy

[Scranton] city fire fighters union is pushing for the ouster of Chief Tom Davis. "We have discussed (Chief Davis) with the administration, but this is about safety issues," union President Dave Schreiber said. The union asked Public Safety Director Ray Hayes to fire Chief Davis. City officials, including Mayor Chris Doherty, declined to comment. Fire fighters appear upset in particular with the investigation into what happened during a January fire that resulted in the death of Captain James Robeson.
(Web Link)
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Union donates to locked-out workers
The Daily Nonpareil (02/12/08); Nation, Chad

United Steelworker Local 3141 received some financial support from Council Bluffs Local 15 fire fighters. Fire fighters donated a check for $1,000 to show their continued support of the locked out steelworkers. Local 3141 union president Scott Puteney said the donation shows the support the union members have from the community, especially the fire fighters.
(Web Link)
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Security camera plan sparks privacy fight at Stamford firehouse
The Advocate (02/09/08); Lee, Natasha

The union for paid fire fighters has filed a grievance with the City over the installation of security cameras at the volunteer Springdale Fire Co., saying it's an illegal invasion of privacy. The Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association, which has 16 members working in the Springdale firehouse, says the security cameras will create a "big brother" environment and make paid fire fighters uncomfortable. The union said it was never notified of the surveillance system and learned about it only after a paid fire fighter saw it being installed, union President Brendan Keatley said.
(Web Link)
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Boise mayor names his pick for new fire chief
2 News.tv (Boise); (02/11/08); Manter, Jerry

A 17-year veteran of the Boise Fire Department is Mayor David Bieter's choice to head the department as its new chief. Dennis L. Doan, a department captain who has served as a fire station commander since 2002, was named to replace long-time Fire Chief Renn Ross, who retired in December.  
(Web Link)
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Massachusetts Fire Fighters Fear for Their Safety
The Haverhill Gazette (01/31/08); MacDougall-Tattan; Jean

A Haverhill fire fighter assigned to Ladder 3 refused to work, expressing fear for his safety. When told he would face suspension, he worked his shift but is now filing a grievance. He was making a statement for himself and fellow fire fighters because Ladder 1, the City's only working aerial ladder truck, was out of service. In the event of a fire, Ladder 3, a truck with a broken aerial ladder, would have been used for rescue. The truck is equipped with manual ladders that comfortably reach only the third floor.
(Web Link)
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Milwaukee Paramedics Foil Robbery on East Side
International Fire Fighting News (02/13/08)

At first, Milwaukee Fire Lt. William Echevarria didn't believe his partner, Jason Oberg, when the fire fighter/paramedic pointed to a woman he thought was being robbed. Then both saw her bloodied face. Within moments, the two would foil the robbery, rescue the victim, capture the suspect -- and earn the praise of Milwaukee Battalion 1 Fire Chief Steven Gleisner.
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighter Struggles 16 Years After Getting Hurt On Job
NBC 30 (02/12/08)

A former New Britain fire fighter said he continues to struggle with medical and financial problems, nearly 16 years after getting seriously hurt on the job. Robert Caffery said he always felt he got a raw deal from the city. Caffery was in a burning house in 1992 when his equipment stopped working. "The only way of breathing was to take my mask off," he said. Diagnosed with RADS, reactive airway dysfunctional syndrome, he's since suffered ongoing complications from the condition and his medications. Now, he is asking the City for more help. "I've said it a thousand times; the only thing I really did wrong was show up and go to work," Caffery said.
(Web Link)
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101-Year-Old Former New Jersey Firefighter Killed in Blaze
Firehouse.com (02/14/08); Laird, Phaedra

A house fire in Atlantic City claimed the life of one of the state's oldest fire fighters. Members of the city's fire department say the former deputy chief is gone, but certainly not forgotten. When Atlantic City fire fighters arrived on the scene of a house fire on Michigan Avenue, they made the grim discovery of one of their own in an upstairs bedroom. "He saved people's lives," said Mayor Scott Evans, "the unfortunate irony of the situation is he passed in the arms of his brother fire fighters." 101 year-old Ed Jordan was the third oldest fire fighter in the state, the sixth oldest in the country. With a long record of public service, he started as a police officer in Atlantic City before serving the fire department for 41 years. Retiring as a deputy chief, he was injured 48 times in the line of duty. "He had commanded, personally, over 200 fires in his career," said Chief Brooks, "he became somewhat of a celebrity in the Atlantic City Fire Department."
(Web Link)
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West Vancouver Looks to Cut Fire Fighters
Vancouver Sun (02/05/08); Bellett, Gerry

West Vancouver is in danger of having its fire and rescue services fall below the standards found in other areas of Metro Vancouver. Unless council relents on its fire department proposals, starting in March, three of West Vancouver's four fire halls will be staffed with three fire fighters per engine -- one fire fighter fewer than most other Metro Vancouver fire departments. Gord Howard, president of the West Vancouver Firefighters Association, said a crew reduction will cause a moral dilemma for fire fighters. "We have been told we will have to hang back and not go in until another crew arrives. I don't think that's what the public expects from us," Howard said. "But if we are reduced to three-person engines, that's what will have to happen. The public will be shocked."
(Web Link)
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Union in Court Over Reno Fire Inspection Plan
Reno Gazette-Journal (02/06/08); Voyles, Susan

A proposal that would make it mandatory for Reno, Nevada, fire fighters to conduct random structure inspections is being held up while a court determines whether officials erred by not consulting the fire fighters' union on the program. Reno, NV Local 731 President Richard Nachtsheim maintains that the inspections program did not go through proper protocol, noting that an oversight committee of administrators and fire fighters should have been consulted on the program. "It's about discussing things in an oversight committee -- what type of teeth the committee has and whether it can set policy that is accepted by administration as policy," Nachtsheim said.
(Web Link)
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Volunteers will move fire service to West OC
The Daily Times (02/14/08); Shane, Brian

The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company plans to relocate from the resort's corporate limits to West Ocean City because town leaders did not select the volunteer fire chief to be head of all fire fighting operations and administration. The volunteer membership of the fire company plans to relinquish fire and rescue services to Ocean City's paid fire fighters and move personnel and equipment to its West Ocean City station. When this will happen has yet to be determined; the volunteers will continue to provide service until the town can provide its own fire service.
(Web Link)
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Canadian IAFF Member Bound for Beijing Olympics
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/14/08)

An IAFF member from British Columbia who has been wrestling competitively since junior high school has pinned down a spot on Canada's Olympic Team. Travis Cross will be going for gold as he competes in the Olympic Games later this year in Beijing, China.
(Web Link)
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Firefighters Soon Able to Earn Higher Degrees
Daily Egyptian (02/06/08); Holt, Christian

Currently most fire fighters earn associate degrees and later pursue further training. However, that may be changing as more people begin to see fire fighting as a profession more than simply a technical career. As this shift occurs, more colleges and universities are beginning to offer bachelor's and master's programs in fire services and homeland security. One such program is currently being designed at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The 39-hour master's program will offer working fire fighters information on a broad range of topics, including fire, homeland security and emergency services. Specific courses will concentrate on fire management, emergency management, public policy and physical management. The program has been in the works since May 2006 and could become a reality as early as Fall 2008.
(Web Link)
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Asbestos Hazard Wasn't Disclosed to Firefighters
HeraldNet (02/03/08); Hefley, Diana

Fire fighters in Everett, Washington, were reportedly exposed to asbestos while training in abandoned houses last year. At least one of the town's fire officials was aware of the problem but did nothing to notify fire fighters. Other Snohomish County fire fighters may also have been exposed when invited to train in the houses. They too were unaware of the hazard. During these exercises, fire fighters reported laying on the dusty floors as well as cutting into walls possibly containing asbestos during search-and-rescue drills. Even worse, some trainees were not wearing masks during these activities. Recently a State Department of Labor investigator recommended that all fire fighters who trained in the houses be tested for asbestos-related health problems. Any fire fighters who were exposed are at risk for developing serious health problems like lung cancer and mesothelioma. Construction crews reportedly warned Everett fire officials that lead paint and asbestos needed to be removed from several condemned houses before they could be used for training.
(Web Link)
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