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.
 

"IAFF Members Respond to Minneapolis Bridge Collapse " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Firefighters look to back Dem, 'hammer' Giuliani " (The Hill )
"Clinton, Obama Skirmish Over Pakistan, Lobbyists at Labor Forum" (Bloomberg)
"Busy Week on Capitol Hill for Fire Fighter Issues " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"4,000 Gather to Give Fallen Firefighters Emotional Farewell" (Inside Bay Area (CA))
"Ground Zero Suit?" (Newsday)
"Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in Senate " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Fire Fighters Association Wants Homeland Security Funding Bill Signed" (Associated Content)
"Future of Fire Grants Unclear" (Chicago Tribune)
"No Truck at Funeral Upsets Union" (San Jose Mercury News (CA))
"IAFF Encourages Fire Departments to Apply for SAFER Grants " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"What Workers Want, Congress Should Provide" (The Washington Post)
"Fire Scene Concerns; Lapse in Protection Concerns Some Experts" (Charleston Post and Courier (SC))
"The Most (and Least) Prestigious Careers" (U.S. News & World Report)
"Fire Fighters to Repeat Tests After City Records Snafu" (Savannah Morning News)
"Sen. Dodd Works for Additional Funding for Fire Departments Nationwide" (US Fed News)
"Firefighter rally to back union boss" (The Huntsville Times)
"Candidates at odds on unions " (The Courier-Journal)
"Team says city surpluses must be large to exit Act 47 control" (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
"Court says Louisville Owes Fire Fighters $60 Million" (The Journal Courier )
"Firefighter Wins 'American Inventor'" (USA Today)
"ASPCA Seeks Nominations for Fire Fighter of the Year Award " (International Association of Fire Fighters)
"Newton firefighter wanted for 'Murder' on Spike TV" (Newton Tab)
"It's a Boy for Trista and Ryan Sutter " (WTOP News)


 

IAFF Members Respond to Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
International Association of Fire Fighters (08/03/07)

When the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, collapsed during rush hour on August 1, 2007, fire fighters from IAFF locals throughout the metro-region were among the first on the scene. First responders took immediate action, putting out vehicle fires, bringing victims to safety and engaging in swift water rescues.  "Fire fighters are trained to handle multi-role emergency response," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "Our brothers and sisters in Minnesota -- whether on-duty or off-duty -- know they have a job to do, and they do it."  Many fire fighters remain on the scene, and will continue with recovery efforts until all the victims are found. "I am proud of the job they are doing, and I pledge the full support of the International as they continue to do what they do best," says Schaitberger. 
(Web Link)
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Firefighters look to back Dem, 'hammer' Giuliani
The Hill (08/08/07); Youngman, Sam

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is set to endorse a presidential candidate by the end of September -- one of the first major endorsements of the 2008 cycle -- and IAFF President Harold Schaitberger said it's a "safe bet" the union will back a Democrat. In an interview with The Hill from the AFL-CIO forum in Chicago, Schaitberger declined to speculate on which of the Democratic hopefuls the IAFF will endorse on or before September 24, but emphasized that front-runner status is not necessarily a prerequisite or even helpful to getting the nod. Schaitberger said one of the so-called lower-tier candidates could win the group's prized endorsement as easily as either Senator Barack Obama or Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
(Web Link)
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Clinton, Obama Skirmish Over Pakistan, Lobbyists at Labor Forum
Bloomberg (08/08/07); Chipman, Kim and Forsythe, Michael

Democratic presidential frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sharpened their differences at last night's AFL-CIO forum, while they and the other candidates expressed skepticism about free trade. New York Senator Clinton went after Illinois Senator Obama over his recent comments that he would use military force against terrorist training camps in Pakistan if the country's president, Pervez Musharraf, failed to do so. Democratic rival Christopher Dodd's criticism of those remarks last night prompted Clinton to offer some unsolicited advice to Obama.
(Web Link)
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Busy Week on Capitol Hill for Fire Fighter Issues
International Association of Fire Fighters (07/30/07)

Congress has been hard at work on a number of legislative initiatives championed by the IAFF and of great benefit to America's fire fighters. Congress passed legislation further implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, the Senate approved its Homeland Security funding bill for 2008, the House voted to increase spending on E-911 initiatives, and the House passed legislation aimed at ending the delays facing families who have applied for Hometown Heroes benefits from the Department of Justice. "The flurry of activity on IAFF priorities further demonstrates this Congress' commitment to our nation's fire fighters," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "Successes such as these reflect the respect and influence the IAFF and its members have in Washington, DC."
(Web Link)
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4,000 Gather to Give Fallen Firefighters Emotional Farewell
Inside Bay Area (CA) (07/28/07); Simerman, John

Fire fighters from around the country joined more than 4,000 mourners to honor two Contra Costa, California, fire fighters who were killed in a house fire. Captain Matt Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond died in the line of duty while trying to save a couple who also died in the blaze. The men were remembered for their commitment to their families and profession and praised for their valor, which enabled them to risk their lives so that others might live. "They didn't hesitate," said International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger. "They didn't flinch. They rushed in to save Delbert and Gayle Moore, God rest their souls." Burton and Desmond were the first fire fighters in the 43-year history of the Contra Costa Fire District to be killed in the line of duty.
(Web Link)
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Ground Zero Suit?
Newsday(08/02/07) P. A3 ; Schuster, Karla

Families of 9/11 victims have threatened to file a lawsuit if they are not allowed to hold the annual memorial commemorating the World Trade Center (WTC) attack at the site. New York City moved to transfer the memorial to a nearby location because of reconstruction at the site, but a coalition of WTC family advocacy groups say they are prepared to take their fight to court if the Port Authority does not reverse that decision. Deputy Fire Chief Jim Richards, whose fire fighter son perished in the WTC collapse, believes the WTC site is the only suitable venue for the memorial. "I don't want to go two blocks away; I want to go the cemetery, and I don't care how many buildings you put up there, it's always going to be a cemetery," Richards says. The Port Authority has indicated that it is willing to negotiate with the families, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg says his administration is not. "We've had enough tragedy at that site," Bloomberg said. "Our number-one priority is to make sure everyone is safe, and nothing is going to get us off that."
(Web Link)
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Federal Presumptive Legislation Introduced in Senate
International Association of Fire Fighters (08/03/07)

Legislation granting disability retirement benefits to federal fire fighters who contract certain illnesses on the job has been introduced in the United States Senate. S. 1924, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, was introduced by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and John Warner (R-VA). The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that federal fire fighters who become disabled by heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers and certain infectious diseases contracted such illnesses on the job. Companion legislation to S. 1924 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year by Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Jo Ann Davis (R-VA). That bill, H.R. 1142, currently has more than 100 bipartisan cosponsors.
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighters Association Wants Homeland Security Funding Bill Signed
Associated Content (08/01/07); McLaughlin, Brant

The International Association of Fire Fighters' General President Harold Schaitberger has appealed to President Bush to sign the Homeland Security funding bill. Appearing recently with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Schaitberger criticized President Bush's reluctance to sign the measure. President Bush has threatened to veto the bill unless it is revised. Under the draft proposed by Democrats, $2 billion in additional funding would be added to "Homeland security state and local grants." The Senate has approved $700 million for fire fighter development assistance, but Bush has asked that the amount be reduced to $300 million.
(Web Link)
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Future of Fire Grants Unclear
Chicago Tribune (07/30/07); Ford, Liam

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is criticizing a Bush administration proposal that would cut grant funding for fire fighters. Under the president's 2008 budget, funding for FIRE Act grants that would help underwrite the cost of equipment for local departments would be slashed to $300 million from $547 million in 2007, while grants to finance salary increases for local departments would be eliminated. Durbin blasted the Bush administration's reasoning on this issue, particularly because fire departments and other emergency response teams are essential personnel in the war on terror. "When it comes to the first line of defense against terrorism, it starts right here," Durbin said. "We don't dial the president's number when we suspect terrorists. We dial 911." A Democratic version of the 2008 federal budget would not cut funding to those grants.
(Web Link)
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No Truck at Funeral Upsets Union
San Jose Mercury News (CA) (07/31/07); Albach, Banks

Palo Alto, California, fire fighters are infuriated about the refusal of city officials to send a fire truck to the funeral of two Contra Costa County fire fighters who died in a residential blaze. Palo Alto, CA Local 1319 President Tony Spitaleri says that despite pleas from the department, the union's request was turned down. Spitaleri says the failure to grant the request is "an embarrassment to the city." He adds that as a tribute to the Contra Costa fire fighters and the nine South Carolina fire fighters who perished, Palo Alto fire fighters requested permission to lower station flags to half-staff, but that request was also denied.
(Web Link)
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IAFF Encourages Fire Departments to Apply for SAFER Grants
International Association of Fire Fighters (07/30/07)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program begins at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 30, 2007. All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 31, 2007. The SAFER program awards grants directly to fire departments to help hire additional fire fighters. With local communities struggling to fund many priorities, SAFER grants provide critical federal funding to local fire departments, more than two-thirds of which are understaffed.
(Web Link)
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What Workers Want, Congress Should Provide
The Washington Post (08/03/07); Madland, David

Though unions provide benefits for workers and for society, current laws make it difficult for workers to join unions, and union membership continues to fall. In the decades after World War II, one-third of private sector employees participated in unions, compared to 8 percent today, despite the fact that 50 percent of U.S. workers assert they would vote to enter a union if they could, according to an Economic Policy Institute study. Unions increase wages and provide workers with a stronger voice on the job and in the community. Unionized fire fighters have established novel safety programs to decrease work-related fatalities, for example, and unionized nurses have improved patient care by collaborating with hospitals to enhance staffing levels. However, employees who attempt to found a union today must contend with pressure from employers, employers unwilling to negotiate, and the possibility of being fired for organizing the campaign, which happens roughly 25 percent of the time. However, the Employee Free Choice Act was passed by the House in March 2007 to encourage good-faith bargaining and to give workers the right to choose whether to hold an election or to distribute union membership cards for workers to sign. The Senate has yet to ratify this legislation.
(Web Link)
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Fire Scene Concerns; Lapse in Protection Concerns Some Experts
Charleston Post and Courier (SC) (07/26/07) P. A1; Menchaca, Ron; Smith, Glenn

A fire at the Super Sofa Store in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18 took the lives of nine fire fighters, and safety experts are questioning why fire fighters in general are not wearing certain gear. International Association of Fire Fighters health and safety expert Rich Duffy states he is worried about the dearth of air packs at the scene of the sofa store fire, which gave off a dense black cloud of hazardous gases. Burning sofas give off unhealthy fumes because they are made from polyurethane foam, a substance that is highly combustible and that certain fire protection experts compare to solid gas. "It's highly toxic," states Duffy. "It certainly requires a breathing apparatus. There is no justification for not having one."
(Web Link)
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The Most (and Least) Prestigious Careers
U.S. News & World Report (08/02/07); Brandon, Emily

Fire fighter, teacher and scientist topped the 30th annual poll on the most prestigious U.S. occupations by Harris Interactive, which surveyed 1,010 adults in July. Although the word "prestige" is not defined for the purposes of the survey, "I like to think personally that prestige equals some kind of respect," says Regina Corso, who directs weekly surveys for Harris Interactive.
(Web Link)
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Fire Fighters to Repeat Tests After City Records Snafu
Savannah Morning News (07/31/07); Matteucci, Megan

More than 60 Savannah fire fighters will find out next week if they can keep their jobs and pensions. The employees are retaking the basic fire fighter exam because the department failed to document its training hours in 2006. "If they're not certified, they'll be fired, not just lose their pension," said Chris Shelnutt, president of Local 574. "We're not happy that we have to take the test because of a mistake management made."
(Web Link)
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Sen. Dodd Works for Additional Funding for Fire Departments Nationwide
US Fed News (07/27/07)

The office of Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) has released a press announcement commending the Senate's decision to pass the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2008. Dodd had added an amendment to the act that boosts the amount of funding under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act (SAFER) to $145 million. The SAFER Act gives U.S. Fire Administration grants to local and state governments, thereby helping to boost the number of fire fighters and give them the equipment they need to do their jobs. "Just as we wouldn't send soldiers into combat without sufficient troops to get the job done, we shouldn't send fire fighters into the field without adequate personnel," Dodd said. Dodd is the author of the SAFER Act, which has won support from several organizations representing fire fighters, including the International Association of Fire Fighters.
(Web Link)
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Firefighter rally to back union boss
The Huntsville Times (07/30/07); Peck, John

Huntsville fire fighters plan a rally outside City Hall to support their union president, who faces disciplinary action for criticizing then-Fire Chief Dusty Underwood last year in a union newsletter. Marc Thrailkill, president of Huntsville Firefighters Local 1833, faces a six-shift pay suspension recommended by the city's personnel office. A shift is considered 24 hours. Thrailkill, a 22-year veteran with the department, found himself in hot water with the city administration after writing an article in the union's newsletter last fall critical of Underwood.
(Web Link)
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Candidates at odds on unions
The Courier-Journal (08/01/07); Gerth, Joseph

Governor Ernie Fletcher told the Kentucky Professional Firefighters Association that he would push for collective bargaining rights for all full-time fire fighters and police officers in the state. But the governor held firm in his position that other public employees shouldn't have collective bargaining rights and that Kentucky should enact a law that would allow people to work in businesses with unions without joining the union or paying dues.

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Team says city surpluses must be large to exit Act 47 control
Pittsburgh Tribune Review (08/02/07); Boren, Jeremy

Pittsburgh must demonstrate five years of large budget surpluses before it can quit its state-run financial improvement plan. That's the message two members of Governor Ed Rendell's Act 47 recovery team gave to City Council. Pittsburgh is on track to post an $80 million surplus this year, budget officials said. But that doesn't take into account bond debt of more than $1 billion and the fact that the city pension fund has about 40 percent of what's needed to cover $843.3 million in liabilities.
(Web Link)
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Court says Louisville Owes Fire Fighters $60 Million
The Journal Courier (08/06/07); Klepal, Dan

Louisville Metro Government has been underpaying its fire fighters for years, a three-judge panel of the state appeals court ruled  -- and the city could owe as much as $60 million. More than 800 past and current fire fighters filed a labor complaint in 2000, saying the city calculated their overtime on base pay, leaving out other income for training, longevity and bonuses. Since overtime is paid at one and a half times the hourly wage, the higher a fire fighters' wage, the more overtime they earn each hour.

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Firefighter Wins 'American Inventor'
USA Today (08/02/07) P. 1D; Thomas, Karen

Fire fighter Greg Chavez has won the grand prize on ABC's "American Inventor" show. Voters decided that Chavez should win the $1 million prize for his Guardian Angel invention. The device, which is placed atop a Christmas tree, features an alarm and fire-suppression system.
(Web Link)
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ASPCA Seeks Nominations for Fire Fighter of the Year Award
International Association of Fire Fighters (07/30/07)

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is calling for nominations for its Fire Fighter of the Year award, given to a professional fire fighter who has made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year.
(Web Link)
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Newton firefighter wanted for 'Murder' on Spike TV
Newton Tab (07/31/07); Falcone, Lauren Beckham

Adam Hunt has no interest in law enforcement, becoming a detective or even working security. But being on TV? Right up his alley. Which is why the 31-year-old Newton fire fighter is one of six "contestants" in the premiere of Spike TV's "Murder," a reality show in which regular folks try to solve real homicides using actual police files and touring re-created, down-to-the-bloody-bone-fragments crime scenes.
(Web Link)
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It's a Boy for Trista and Ryan Sutter
WTOP News

Vail, Colorado, fire fighter Ryan Sutter and his wife, Trista have welcomed a son, Maxwell Alston Sutter. The baby, who weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces, is their first child. The couple famously fell in love on ABC's "The Bachelorette" and were married in December 2003.
(Web Link)
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