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.

 

"Economic Crisis News Headlines " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Indiana May Be First to Pass Parkinson's Presumptive Legislation" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Legendary Chicago Fire Fighter Dies" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Edmond Firefighter Wins Battle for Comp Benefits" (NewsOK)
"Big Win for Apache Junction Fire Fighters" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighter Suicides: Chicago Officials Investigating Increase With Eye on Prevention" (Chicago Tribune)
"Binghamton Fire Fighters Respond to Mass Shooting" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"IAFF Members Displaced by Flooding" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Former IAFF 9th District Vice President Keith Henning Dies" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Fire Fighters Win Big With Blaikie" (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"IAFF Manual Provides Better Understanding of Public Safety Officer Systems" (International Association of Fire Fighters )
"Expense of New Gear, Fate of Old Are Burning Issues for Fire Fighters" (Press of Atlantic City (NJ))
"Albany Fire Fighters Are Getting More Fit" (WALB News)
"Fairbanks Has a Globetrotting Firefighter" (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
"'Rescue Me' Returns to Fight More (Pretend) Fires" (Associated Press)
"Connecticut Local's Reflective Signs Benefit Charity" (International Association of Fire Fighters)

Economic Crisis News Headlines
International Association of Fire Fighters

The economy is affecting IAFF members throughout this union through staffing reductions, station closures, cost shifting and wage concessions as local governments lose revenue. To help IAFF members get a clearer understanding of the depth of the financial crisis, the effect it's having at every level of the economy -- including local and state budgets -- the IAFF has prepared the following summaries of and links to "economic crisis" news articles related to cuts in state and local budgets, fire fighter staffing, health care benefits, compensation, pension plans and other areas as a result of the economic downturn.
(Web Link)
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Indiana May Be First to Pass Parkinson's Presumptive Legislation
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/07/09)

Indiana state legislation to require Parkinson's disease be treated as a line-of-duty disability under an emergency responder's pension and disability plan has passed the state house and senate. If Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signs the bill, Indiana will be the first state to presume Parkinson's disease to be job-related. The measure passed 49-0 in the senate and 97-2 in the house. "Getting such overwhelming support for this important piece of legislation is tremendous," says Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana (PFFUI) President Thomas Hanify. "When this bill becomes law, it will mean a lot for the future health of our fire fighters who are diagnosed with this disease."
(Web Link)
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Legendary Chicago Fire Fighter Dies
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/08/09)

A retired Chicago, IL Local 2 fire fighter made famous as the subject of a newspaper photo taken during the tragic 1958 Our Lady of Angels grade school fire has died. Richard Scheidt, 81, died April 6 after returning home from the hospital where he was treated for a minor stroke. Funeral services for Scheidt will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 9, 2009, in St. Gerald Church, 9310 S. 55th Ct., Oak Lawn, Illinois. "I did not know Scheidt well, but I did have the distinct honor of meeting him," says Tom Ryan, president of Chicago Local 2. "I cannot begin to imagine experiencing what he and the other responding fire fighters went through that day. Few things leave you speechless, but this tragedy does."  
(Web Link)
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Edmond Firefighter Wins Battle for Comp Benefits
NewsOK (04/02/09); Baldwin, Diana

Oklahoma's Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a fire fighter who says his cancer is related to his job. An Edmond fire fighter filed a lawsuit to receive workers' compensation benefits after the city decided to challenge a state law that says the dangers of fire fighting can lead to cancer or heart and lung problems. Edmond argued that the law was unconstitutional and arbitrarily provided special treatment to fire fighters. "I am very excited it will make a difference for every fire fighter in the state, not just me," Tim Vernon, a 19-year veteran said of the ruling. According to Jeff Cooper, Vernon's attorney: "We hope this sets a precedent across the state."
(Web Link)
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Big Win for Apache Junction Fire Fighters
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/01/09)

The Arizona Apache Junction Fire District Administration has voted unanimously to grant Apache Junction fire fighters - members of United Mesa Fire Fighters Local 2260 -- meet and confer rights. Local 2260 President Bryan Jeffries says this victory is particularly significant, considering Apache Junction's long history of tense labor-management relations. "I believe a combination of strong political action and a new, more open-minded fire chief were the two things that led to the unanimous vote," says Jeffries.
(Web Link)
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Firefighter Suicides: Chicago Officials Investigating Increase With Eye on Prevention
Chicago Tribune (03/28/09); Mills, Steve; Rozas, Angela

An unusual rise in the number of suicides among fire fighters last year has led the Chicago Fire Department to investigate the issue and create outreach and prevention programs. There were six suicides in the past year and several more attempts, officials say. The department has set up open counseling sessions and a family day to discuss the issue. Chicago, IL Local 2 President Tom Ryan says there is no obvious cause, but noted that the job is very stressful and staffed with people who tend to bottle up their problems rather than express them. “Fire [fighters] and paramedics—men and women both—tend to internalize things,” he said. “That's because you have to be stoic in the face of some really bad things sometimes.”
(Web Link)
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Binghamton Fire Fighters Respond to Mass Shooting
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/06/09)

Binghamton, NY Local 729 members were among the first responders to the April 10 mass shooting at the American Civic Association, an immigration services center, in downtown Binghamton. Local 729 fire fighters focused on providing pre-hospital care and transporting the victims to the hospital. Local 729 President David Holleran was among the responders. "In similar scenarios, we may have only provided medical services. However, due to the magnitude of the incident, we stepped in to help in any way we could," he says. Seconds after the shooting began around 10:30 a.m., dispatch called for an ambulance and engine company from the Binghamton Fire Department. Realizing early on the gravity of the situation, incident commander and Local 729 member Larry Ostanek joined the first responders.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Members Displaced by Flooding
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/06/09)

Five members of Fargo, ND Local 642 and one member of Moorhead, MN Local 1323 have been displaced due to severe flooding in the region. IAFF 5th District Vice President Joe Conway, Professional Fire Fighters of North Dakota President Ed Grossbauer and Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters President Thomas Thornberg are in contact with affected locals, assessing members' needs and helping the displaced apply for the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund.
(Web Link)
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Former IAFF 9th District Vice President Keith Henning Dies
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/03/09)

IAFF regrets to report the death of former IAFF 9th District Vice President and labor advocate L. Keith Henning. He died at the age of 79 on March 31, 2009. Henning served many dedicated years as a fire fighter in Cheyenne, Wyoming, before becoming president of Cheyenne Local 279. Then, while still serving as local president, Henning was also elected Federated Fire Fighters of Wyoming President. As part of his service in those offices, he helped pass legislation that granted collective bargaining rights to all Wyoming fire fighters.
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighters Win Big With Blaikie
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/08/09)

Winnipeg, MB Local 867 fire fighters put record numbers on the street in a recent civic by-election, but unfortunately Geoff Currier was not successful. "We didn't win this civic by-election, but our hard work nevertheless served to solidify an already strong relationship with the mayor and the majority of council," says Winnipeg Local 867 President Alex Forrest.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Manual Provides Better Understanding of Public Safety Officer Systems
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/02/09)

The current economic decline is leading some municipalities to consider consolidation -- or merging -- of fire and police departments under a single public safety office (PSO) with the guise of saving money. IAFF affiliates need to be aware of the severely negative effect PSO systems can have on fire services. IAFF affiliates need to be aware of the severely negative effect PSO systems can have on fire services.
(Web Link)
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Expense of New Gear, Fate of Old Are Burning Issues for Fire Fighters
Press of Atlantic City (NJ) (03/28/09); DeAngelis, Martin

The Margate (New Jersey) Fire Department’s aging turnout gear needs updating, and the department is not looking forward to paying the steep bill -- it is estimated that replacing just one-third of the gear will cost $22,000. The gear is more than 10 years old and no longer meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards because the various layers break down over time and lose their protective capabilities. As for the old gear, because it no longer meets fire safety standards, Margate cannot even give it away to other departments, but a local church is collecting gear to take to Guatemala, where some fire departments have no gear at all. The church sent 100 sets, which was enough to equip several villages. But NFPA fire-safety specialist Bruce Teele is concerned that the Guatemalans are being given a false sense of security, as the problems caused by aging gear are not visible and the gear may end up harming instead of helping them. He understands the argument that the gear is “better than shorts and sandals,” but adds that “shorts and sandals will tell them a lot quicker that they are in danger.” But Atlantic City Fire Department fire fighter Walter Brangenberg says he combed through the gear closely before it was sent to make sure it will be useful, and others note that the NFPA standards are constantly changing, with the 10-year rule recently reduced from 15.
(Web Link)
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Albany Fire Fighters Are Getting More Fit
WALB News (03/28/09); Polk, Jay

When they're responding to a call, Albany fire fighters have a heavy burden on their shoulders...literally. "Somewhere between 60 and 70 pounds of gear is what he's wearing each time he goes out on a call," according to Ron Rowe, the Assistant Fire Chief of the Albany Fire Department. And if a fire fighter is not in peak condition, the results can be devastating. To help fire fighters keep their fitness up, and to try to keep tragic deaths down, the Department of Homeland Security is giving grants to local fire departments to start fitness programs. And Albany received some of that money.
(Web Link)
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Fairbanks Has a Globetrotting Firefighter
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (03/30/09); Mowry, Tim

Alaska fire fighter Dave Curry, manager of the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center, has traveled the globe as part of his job, most recently assisting fire fighters in Australia on what has now been dubbed “Black Saturday.” The center is an arm of the Bureau of Land Management’s Alaska Fire Service, which sent a team of fire-fighting specialists to assist with the wildfires that ripped through southeast Australia in February and killed 170 people. The effort is part of a nine-year-old agreement between Australia and the United States to share resources, and last year Australia sent 35 fire fighters to assist in California blazes. The two countries use the same command system, including incident management teams, so cooperation is easy, Curry says. He spent 35 days in Australia in February, coordinating logistical support and personnel much as he does in his job in Alaska. “There’s a lot that goes on in the background and behind the scenes when it comes to supporting our folks in the field and making sure we have the right resources in the right places, whether it’s fighting fires in Alaska, in California, or Australia, or providing our resources to support hurricane response in Florida or Louisiana,” he says. “We do it all.” Curry has also been sent to assist in disaster response training in India, Russia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
(Web Link)
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'Rescue Me' Returns to Fight More (Pretend) Fires
Associated Press (04/02/09); Moore, Frazier

FX fire fighter drama "Rescue Me" returned for a fifth season on April 7 after a long absence. The series is rooted in the 9/11 tragedy, with the lead character haunted by a cousin who lost his life in the bombing. The current season has a French journalist touching a raw nerve by visiting the firehouse to research the event for a coffee table book to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

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Connecticut Local's Reflective Signs Benefit Charity
International Association of Fire Fighters (04/02/09)

As night falls, it becomes increasingly difficult for East Hartford, CT Local 1548 fire fighters to see address numbers posted on homes. To help them find homes faster, 1548 created a reflective sign campaign that also helps raise money for local charities. Citizens can submit applications for the reflective signs to Local 1548, which the fire fighters obtain from the Public Works Department and then etch address numbers onto the aluminum-based signs.
(Web Link)
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