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Sales of "My First Ride," the country music single that is also the title of a new CD that includes songs by George Strait, Vince Gill, James Otto, Kevin Bacon and the Bacon Brothers and Mike Reid, help raise money for the IAFF's and Fraternal Order of Police's (FOP) disaster relief funds. For each CD sold, $2 will be donated to the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund.

Click the CD cover to order now or the Web Link below to learn more.

IAFF and MDA - - a Proud Tradition

The Muscular Dystrophy Association – one of the country's largest, most effective voluntary health agencies – is funded almost entirely by individual contributors and national sponsors like the IAFF. To find out more, call (800) 572-1717 or visit www.mda.org .

DHS Releases Program Guidance for SAFER Grants
(11/06/09)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted the program guidance for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The application period began November 16, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time and closes December 18, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The program guidance includes information on the new rules governing the use of SAFER funds to rehire fire fighters who have been laid off, bring back positions that are not being filled as a result of the current financial crisis and to prevent further reductions in staffing.

House Approves Landmark Health Reform
(11/10/09)

By a 220-215 vote late Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the most comprehensive reform of our nation’s health insurance system since Congress created Medicare and Medicaid over four decades ago. The bill (H.R. 3962) creates a new insurance exchange similar to the one available to members of Congress and expands Medicaid to reduce our nation’s uninsured population by over two-thirds—all without taxing health benefits.

Schaitberger Welcomes More than 1,100 to Redmond
(11/09/09)

To more than 1,100 attending fire fighters and paramedics, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger kicked off the 20th John P. Redmond Symposium held in Los Angeles, California, November 8-12. Schaitberger kept to the conference theme – Preparing You for Survival: The Fire Ground, the Economy and Beyond – as he provided updates on issues important to the future of fire fighter health and safety.

Election Day Victories
(11/04/09)

On Tuesday, November 3, voters in many states went to the ballot box. In two states – Maine and Washington – ballot initiatives that would have severely impacted professional fire fighters and other public safety personnel were roundly rejected. Several municipal elections were also of great importance to the IAFF where IAFF members or relatives were running for office.

Country Music Benefits IAFF Disaster Relief Fund
(11/06/09)

BLEVE Entertainment Group, LLC continues to work to raise money for the IAFF’s and Fraternal Order of Police’s (FOP) disaster relief funds from sales and performances of the country music single, “My First Ride,” featuring recording artists Ronnie Milsap and Trace Adkins. The single is the title of a new CD that includes songs by George Strait, Vince Gill, James Otto, Kevin Bacon and the Bacon Brothers and Mike Reid. For each CD sold, $2 will be donated to the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund.

Runners Help Heal Bodies, Hearts and Souls
(11/02/09)

More than 86 IAFF members and family members representing 28 states and one province participated in the 34th Annual Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC to support the IAFF Burn Foundation, raising more than $93,000 – a new record. The race weekend included a carb-filled pasta dinner at Washington, DC’s Union Station for runners, friends, families and supporters. Race day started early for the runners, and at 8:00 a.m., the more than 25,000 marathoners began the 26.2 mile journey.

Economic Crisis News Headlines

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.

Springfield Voters Say Yes to Pension Sales Tax
News-Leader (11/04/09); Bridges, Amos

Even when 90 percent of precincts were reporting a win for the three-fourths cent pension sales tax, City Manager Greg Burris was reluctant to acknowledge a victory. Mayor Jim O'Neal hailed the preliminary results -- showing 55 percent approval for the tax -- with a round of congratulations. "Everybody did this," O'Neal, heaping praise on the citizens task force members, City Council and staff gathered for a watch party. "I think we shocked some people."

Arlington County Budget Cuts Could Impact Fire Fighter Safety
News Channel 8 (11/16/09)

Proposed budget cuts could impact fire fighters' response time in Arlington. The county board is currently debating how to cut $40 million from the 2011 fiscal budget. IAFF Local 2800 fears plans to cut back in funding and staff would compromise the safety of both fire fighters and residents. "Our fire department, we have nothing left," said Mike Staples, president of the Arlington Professional Firefighters and Paramedic Association. "They're going to have to shut a company down; they're going to have to figure out which community to tell, 'We're going to have to shut your truck down.'"

Missouri Fire Fighters Help Unify Union Women
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/05/09)

Two Kansas City, MO Local 42 fire fighters have been elected to serve in leadership roles within the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). Representing IAFF members, Michele Newby, a 10-year veteran fire fighter, will serve on the CLUW National Officers Council as Vice President. Julie Weiss, a seven-year veteran fire fighter, will represent the interests of smaller unions as a National Delegate to the CLUW Executive Board. IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger says, “I am proud that two IAFF women leaders will be playing key roles in CLUW’s mission to protect the rights of America’s workers and to ensure that women have a voice as decisions about the future of the labor movement are made.”

City Told to Reimburse $3.2 Million to Firefighters' Fund
Democrat and Chronicle (11/11/09); Sharp, Brian

A New York state Supreme Court Justice has ruled that the city of Rochester must repay the $3.2 million it improperly took from a fire fighters' fund. According to the court, Rochester took the money from the Two Percent Fund -- which is collected through a 2 percent tax on insurance premiums paid to out-of-state companies for fire insurance on properties in New York -- and used it to pay health, dental and retiree pension costs. But the City was not authorized to do that, the court said, noting that the fund is intended to be used for fire fighters' benefits. The state Supreme Court Justice also noted that the City defied a court order to provide an accounting for how it spent the money it took from the Two Percent Fund.

Canandaigua City Council Decisions on Firefighters Called 'Murder'
MPNnow.com (11/06/09); Cutri-Bynoe, Michele E.

Canandaigua, New York, has moved a step closer to reducing the fire department's number of full-time fire fighters from 14 to eight. The City Council recently passed a resolution that would allow the fire chief to rely more on volunteer fire fighters from other companies who have the required training. James Boyle Sr., retired president of a New York City affiliater of the International Association of Fire Fighters, criticized the City Council for the vote. "You're putting people's lives at risk in Canandaigua," said Boyle. "It's murder."

Fredericton Member Supports Disaster Relief Fund, Wins Signed Guitar
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/05/09)

A member of Fredericton, NB Local 1053 who downloaded a rockin’ country tune to support the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund is the lucky winner of a special piece of music memorabilia. Captain Todd Nichol won a guitar signed by country music legend Ronnie Milsap, whose song “My First Ride” is the debut single on a new BLEVE Entertainment Group recording. The song is a duet with fellow country star Trace Adkins and the title track of a compilation CD. The contest was the result of a partnership between the IAFF and BLEVE, whose founder and CEO Mickey Milam is a retired Nashville police officer who is dedicated to assisting fire fighters and police officers.

Piedmont to Start Paying Firefighters
NewsOK (11/12/09); Henley, Tim

Voters in Piedmont, Oklahoma, have approved a one-cent increase in the city sales tax rate to pay for the city volunteer fire department's transition to a professional fire department. As part of the transition process, which is expected to take three years, two fire fighters will be hired full-time and paid for three years so they will be eligible for the position of municipal fire department chief at the end of the transition process. Under Oklahoma law, individuals must be paid for three years before being named as chief of a paid city fire department. Six other full-time fire fighters will also be hired during the transition period. According to Piedmont Fire Chief Tim Heinrich, the transition from a volunteer fire department to a paid force is necessary to accommodate the City's growing population.

Mayor Submits Plan to Give Firefighters First Payment in Overtime Dispute
Courier-Journal (11/02/09); Halladay, Jessie

Louisville fire fighters have reached an agreement to settle a dispute over compensation for miscalculated overtime pay. Under the proposal by Mayor Jerry Abramson, the City would make a payment of $15.8 million by December 1 to more than 800 current and former fire fighters, of which $1.5 million would go to cover attorney fees, and then make additional payments of $14.3 million by March 31 and $14.9 million by July 15 to complete the settlement. Individual fire fighters would receive payments ranging from less than $100 to as much as $120,000, based on the number of overtime hours worked during the disputed years. The City would also pay employer costs, such as taxes, Social Security payments and contributions to the fire fighter's pension fund based on the salary adjustments, but the amount has not been determined. All but one of the fire fighters approved the deal, and a couple dozen fire fighters did not vote, according to Craig Willman, president of Louisville, KY Local 345. The dispute over the way the City calculated overtime goes back to 2000.

Anchorage Hosts First Fire Ops
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/03/09)

Anchorage, AK Local 1264 hosted 21 community leaders, including state senate and house members, local assemblymen, business owners and the media at its first Fire Ops 101 on October 23. IAFF 7th District Vice President Ricky Walsh, who was there for the event, says, ““The attendees were able to experience, for the first time, what its like to respond to a car accident, heart attack, live burn and a search and rescue.” “The best part about Fire Ops is that the tasks speak for themselves,” says Local 1264 President Tom Wescott. “I believe everyone left understanding that everything we do is time critical, highly technical and staffing intensive.” On his blog, Alaska Representative Bob Lynn (R) wrote, “The Anchorage Fire Department is one of the best fire departments in the nation. I’m ready to join. But I admit. I couldn’t keep up. No way. No how.”

San Bernardino Fire Fighters Offer Berdoo Bucks
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/02/09)

San Bernardino City, CA Local 891 fire fighters have launched their own economic stimulus program called Berdoo Bucks to help encourage area citizens to support area businesses.Working with the San Bernardino Chamber of Chamber of Commerce, Local 891 created the Berdoo Bucks voucher system. For the next 18 months, San Bernardino fire fighters will distribute the Berdoo Bucks vouchers – each worth $20 – to select residential and civic groups that will then manage distribution to individual citizens.

Findlay Fire Fighters Jobs and Firehouse Saved
International Association of Fire Fighters (11/06/09)

Eighteen fire fighter jobs and a fire station are off the chopping block after Findlay, OH Local 381 fire fighters successfully campaigned to pass a .25 percent income tax increase.

Denver Fire Promotes Woman to Division Chief
Denver Post (11/09/09); Bunch, Joey

Angela R. Cook was promoted to division chief over crews, operations and training at Denver International Airport, making her the highest ranking female officer in Denver Fire Department history. Women currently make up less than 6 percent of the 900 members of the Denver Fire Department, and nationwide women make up just 3.7 percent of fire crews. Cook will be in charge of the department's Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Division, responsible for emergency services at the airport and the surrounding five miles.

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