West Hartford, Conn., June 15, 2010- On Tuesday, June 15, 2010 the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Conn. (UPFFA) in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), held a Fill-the-Boot kick-off press conference at the West Hartford Local 1241 Fire Headquarters Engine Company 2 in West Hartford, Conn., to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the fight against neuromuscular disease in the state of Conn.

The press conference was conducted by the president of the UPFFA, Peter Carozza, Jr., and hosted by West Hartford Local 1241. Other locals in attendance included the New Haven Local 825, Waterbury Local 1339, New Britain Local 992, Guilford Local 4177 and Bridgeport Local 834.

Local Goodwill Ambassador, 4-year-old T.J. McClean, made an appearance at the event. T.J. had the opportunity to meet the fire fighters and receive a tour of the West Hartford Fire House.

Each year Conn. fire fighters of the IAFF raise funds for MDA in many ways, including their trademark Fill-the-Boot program. Last year, the IAFF fire fighters in Conn. raised $483,000 for MDA. This year, Conn. locals have set a goal to raise $558,000 for MDA. “We are making a special appeal to every citizen in our state to donate at least $1 and this $1 will help us reach our goal,” said Peter Carozza, president of the UPFFA, “Help us help the kids of our state.”

The IAFF is the largest national sponsor of the MDA. In 2009, fire fighters across the country collectively raised over $28,000,000 to support the fight against neuromuscular disease. 2010 marks the 56th year that the IAFF has proudly dedicated their time and efforts to MDA. Contributions to local MDA summer camps, professional and public education, and the fill-the-boot drives demonstrate the commitment and loyalty of local fire fighters to “Jerry’s kids.”

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

For more information on this event please contact Brooke Eder at beder@mdausa.org or (203) 288-3500.

2010 SAFER Application Period Begins August 16

August 16, 2010 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin accepting applications for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants beginning August 16, 2010. The application period will close September 17, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Applications for $420 million in SAFER funding will be available through the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) web site, along with program guidance.

2010 SAFER Fact Sheet

As you may know, the rules governing the use of SAFER funds have changed. The IAFF wrote and lobbied to also make SAFER grants available 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. Grants will be expedited in order to deliver funds as soon as possible.

Municipalities with fire departments facing reduced emergency response capabilities should apply for SAFER funding. The IAFF urges affiliates to work with their fire chiefs and local lawmakers to file for the grants. City management must submit the application, but the IAFF is available to assist your community in applying for the grants.

The changes under the new law do not affect existing SAFER grants. The changes are not retroactive.

The IAFF will staff a booth at the IAFF 50th Convention in San Diego to answer questions regarding FIRE Act grants and funding. In addition, representatives from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Office will also be available to answer questions.

The IAFF will be available throughout the application period to answer questions and assist affiliates with their applications.

For more information, click here or contact the Grants Administration Department at (202) 824-8631 or grants@iaff.org.

IAFF Fire Fighter Magazine On-line

www.iaff.org/mag/2010/4.Jul-Aug/index.html

Two Fallen Connecticut Fire Fighters Honored

August 2, 2010 – A sea of fire fighters, family and friends flowed into Bridgeport, Connecticut, to pay tribute to fallen Bridgeport Local 834 fire fighters Steven Velasquez, 40, and Michel Baik, 49. Services for Velasquez and Baik were held July 30.

Full fire fighter honors were bestowed on both as the Connecticut Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums led Ladder 11 (on which both Velasquez and Baik served) and scores of fire fighters and apparatus escorted the bodies of the fallen fire fighters to their respective churches.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, IAFF 3rd District Vice President Mike Mullane, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut President Pete Carozza and the Local 834 Executive Board were also among those in attendance. They were joined by IAFF leaders and members from across Connecticut and several other states.

General President Schaitberger delivered the eulogy at both services. Of Velasquez, Schaitberger said, “At just 40 years of age, he already had two decades in the fire station. He was already wise beyond his years.

He added, “For 20 years, in two departments, Stevie demonstrated his work ethic and set an example for others to follow. That’s why he received the Medal of Merit, the department’s third-highest award in 2000.”

Of Baik, Schaitberger talked about how the 49-year-old fire fighter had been proud to be Local 834’s oldest probie two years ago at the age of 47. “Mitch was so excited and proud when he became a fire fighter,” said General President Schaitberger. “He held up his badge to show his kids what dad had done.”

Schaitberger continued, “Mitch approached the job like the man he was, accustomed to hard work and long hours, eager to sacrifice for his family and his community.”

Schaitberger concluded both tributes by presenting the families with the IAFF Medal of Honor. Then fire fighter processions formed again to lead their fallen brothers to their final resting place.

The two Local 834 fire fighters made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to house fire. Upon arrival, they went to the third floor of the home, a converted apartment, to ventilate and search for potential trapped victims. It is speculated that the two ran out of air and sent a Mayday. They were found unconscious and transported to local hospitals. Both were declared dead a short time later.

The Connecticut State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire and potential SCBA failures.

Velasquez, who joined the Bridgeport Fire Department in 1994, is survived by his wife Marianne, his children Aaron (16) and Salina (20 months), his mother Carol, his brother Jason and his sister Cindy.

Baik, who joined the Bridgeport Fire Department in 2008, is survived by his wife Laurie, his children Andrew (19), Thomas (17) and Margaret (12), his mother Mary and his sister Rania.

9-11 Workers & Volunteers
Register to Protect Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits

IAFF Fire Fighters from around New England attended the IAFF's NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods on June 26-28. President Peter Carozza, Jr. and Mashantucket IAFF Local 4746 hosted the event. Check the Photo Gallery for additional photographs.

U.S. House of Representatives Gives Fire Fighters Collective Bargaining Rights

July 1, 2010 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill to give collective bargaining rights to fire fighters and other public safety officers.

The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act assures that fire fighters in every state will have the right to talk to their employer about how to improve public safety and do their jobs more safely. The initiative was included in a supplemental appropriation bill adopted by a vote of 239-182.

“Seventy-five years after passage of the National Labor Relations Act, fire fighters are a step closer to having the same rights that workers in the private sector have had since 1935,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.

While most fire fighters and law enforcement officers are already provided bargaining rights under state laws, too many public safety officers do not ve the ability to present ideas about how they can better protect the public safety. The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act will ensure that every state allows discussions between first responders and the agencies that employ them, and will promote productive partnerships between labor and management.

Collective bargaining is especially important in light of the fiscal crisis facing many localities. Over the past two years, fire fighters have offered millions of dollars in concessions and given back raises and benefits previously agreed to in order to prevent cuts that would undermine public safety.

The Senate will take up the measure following its July 4 recess.

Connecticut AFL-CIO's Health and Safety Committee dedicated a permanent Worker Memorial in a prominent location in Bushnell Park. 

New Residential Fire Study Shows Effects of Crew Size on Fire Fighting Operations April 28, 2010 -- A landmark study released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows that the size of fire fighting crews has a substantial effect on the fire service's ability to protect lives and property in residential fires. Click here to read the news release. Conducted by a broad coalition in the scientific, fire fighting and public safety communities, the study results found that four-person fire fighting crews were able to complete 22 essential fire fighting and rescue tasks in a typical residential structure 30 percent faster than two-person crews and 25 percent faster than three-person crews. The report is the first to quantify the effects of crew sizes and arrival times on the fire service's lifesaving and fire fighting operations. This and other scientific data in the report will help educate public officials, fire chiefs and other decision-makers on the importance of adequate staffing and deployment with respect to fire fighter and public safety. Study investigators from NIST and the IAFF announced the results of the study at a press conference at the Hilton Washington in Washington, DC, before the start of the annual Congressional Fire Services Institute meeting of top fire safety officials from the across the nation. Click here for the full report.   The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters grant program.

What Does Health Care Reform Mean for Fire Fighters?

After decades of debate and months of back and forth in Congress, on March 23, President Obama signed historic health insurance reform legislation into law.

The big question now is, what does health care reform mean for fire fighters?

The IAFF has developed a health care reform fact sheet with important information about what the new health care reform law means for you and your family.

Click here to read the fact sheet.

SAVE THE DATE............ Sunday, October 17, 2010, 12:00 Noon - 8th Annual Ct. Firefighters Memorial Serivce - View Flyer 

June 11, 2009 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the global outbreak of the novel H1N1 influenza virus to be in Phase 6 -- a full-scale pandemic.

The announcement warns the World Health Organization's 194 member nations to expect the arrival of the new flu strain, which is likely to infect up to one-third of the population in the first wave and return in later waves over the next several years. Simultaneously, the World Health Organization is advising the world's makers of influenza vaccine to quickly prepare commercial-scale pandemic vaccine of this H1N1 virus.

The move to Phase 6, the highest level in the World Health Organization's graduated scale of pandemic alerts, has been expected for weeks and in the opinion of many experts is overdue. By definition, it means that the virus is showing "community-level transmission," which means it is being passed from person to person without an easily traceable chain of infection, in two or more regions of the world.

The IAFF has developed an online resource with guidance on the H1N1 virus to remind members to take the necessary precautions for responding safely and effectively during this outbreak.