July 1, 2009 – The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a Homeland Security Appropriation bill that doubles funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The bill calls for spending $420 million on the program, which provides grants to help communities hire fire fighters. The bill also provides funding for a variety of other fire service programs, including $390 million for the Assistance Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, commonly known as FIRE Act grants.

“As municipalities continue to struggle to fund fire department budgets, it is more important than ever that the federal government shoulder its share of the public safety burden,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “I applaud the House for recognizing the importance of the SAFER program, and for providing the resources we need to protect our members.”

The SAFER appropriation is especially significant in light of a new law that expands the use of SAFER grants. Language contained in a supplemental appropriation bill, which has been signed into law by President Obama, will allow fire departments to use SAFER funds to rehire fire fighters who were laid off and restore cuts made to staffing as a result of the financial crisis, in addition to providing grants to grow fire departments.

Before giving final approval to the legislation, the House overwhelmingly rejected an amendment that would have cut funding for the SAFER and FIRE Act grant programs by a vote of 113-318. The amendment, offered by Representative Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), would have reduced funding for the FIRE Act and SAFER program by $210 million.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where a similar funding bill has already won approval in the Appropriations Committee. The full Senate is likely to act on the spending bill within the next few weeks. Both the House and Senate have made it a priority to fund President Obama’s request for doubling the SAFER budget.

Frequently Asked Questions
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program

• Foremost, we will work to significantly relax the rules and eliminate much of the bureaucracy to assist troubled departments in getting grants quickly to bring back laid-off fire fighters and fill staffing positions that have remained vacant.
• Additionally, we are focused on eliminating many of the issues that prevented departments from applying for SAFER grants under the old rules so that funds obtained to fix problems and grant money used to expand departments will be less encumbered, as well. To that end, we will discuss issues such as potentially eliminating the match requirement and the money jurisdictions were required to come up with for maintenance of the grant in the old rules, as well as possibly raising the cap, among a number of other issues.

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.

The Obama administration will honor picket lines planned by Providence, RI Local 799 for the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Annual Meeting being held June 12-16 in Providence, where our affiliate has been in a long-running dispute with that city's anti-union mayor, David Cicilline.

For more information:

IAFF Press Release: IAFF Thanks Obama Administration for Supporting Providence Fire Fighters

Associated Press: Obama team skipping mayors' event over picket line 

Providence Journal: Pickets prompt Biden, others to cancel their visit

I spoke directly with Vice President Joe Biden about the situation in Providence. And when the vice president offered to attempt to resolve the dispute amicably -- to see if we could avoid the picket lines -- and after discussions with Local 799 President Paul Doughty, we agreed to the proposed resolution.  However, Mayor Cicilline refused any fair-minded discussions outright and insisted on continuing the dispute.

Based on that reaction, the vice president, Attorney General Eric Holder, senior Obama Adviser Valerie Jarrett, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and other administration officials informed the National Conference of Mayors that they will not cross our picket lines, cancelling the attendance of a number of administration officials.

We appreciate the Obama administration's support of fire fighters and our union. Just as important, please let your mayor know that the picket lines will be up, that President Obama and Vice President Biden have stated their refusal to cross our lines, and that they have a choice to make, as well.


Fraternally,




Harold Schaitberger
General President

June 3, 2009 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released an analysis of fire fighter injury data from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The analysis was undertaken to examine factors that are beyond the scope of the results obtained in the annual NFPA injury survey.

Results were analyzed for the 2003-2006 period, during which there was an estimated annual average of 40,270 fire fighter fire ground injuries in the United States. Of these, an average of 29,710 were classified as minor, and 10,560 were classified as moderate or severe.

The statistics in this report demonstrate that fire fighting presents substantial risk of personal injury to fire fighters. Click here for a complete copy of the report.

UCONN Labor Seminar Professor Mark Sulivan leads more than 80 participants at recent
 Labor Management Seminar held in New Britain on May 28, 2009. Click photo for additional pics.

PSOB Benefits Will Be Paid
Fox News Report Is Wrong

President Responds to IAFF Priority

May 8, 2009 – In his first formal budget request, President Barack Obama fulfilled a campaign commitment by proposing a huge funding increase for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, the IAFF’s signature program. The Obama budget proposed $420 million for SAFER, doubling the funding that the program received last year.

During the campaign, Obama often noted his strong disagreement with President Bush’s efforts to kill the SAFER program, and promised IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger that he would robustly fund the program if elected.

“President Obama has demonstrated that he clearly understands what we have long maintained: that adequate staffing is the critical component to effective response and civilian and fire fighter safety,” says Schaitberger. “Simply put, boots on the rigs are more important than fancy equipment and bells and whistles.”

The funding proposal is especially significant in light of separate legislation that would expand the uses of SAFER grants. Language contained in a supplemental appropriation bill currently moving through Congress would allow fire departments to use SAFER funds to rehire fire fighters who were laid off and restore cuts made to staffing as a result of the financial crisis, in addition to providing grants to grow fire departments.

Notably, SAFER was one of the very few homeland security programs to receive an increase, with other first responder programs either level funded or cut. One of the biggest cuts was to the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grant program, which provides training and equipment grants to fire departments. Last year, the FIRE Act was funded at $565 million, but the Obama budget slashes the program to $170 million.

Even with the significant cut to the FIRE Act program, the $590 million total spending that President Obama proposed for fire departments is nearly double the $300 million proposed by President Bush in his last budget request. Congress traditionally exceeded Bush’s request for both FIRE Act and SAFER grants, and it may similarly increase the levels proposed by Obama.

The Obama budget proposes funding levels for several other programs of concern to the nation’s fire fighters. The State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) was funded at $950 million -- the same as last year -- while the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) received a slight increase to $887 million. Grants for Interoperable radio equipment was also maintained at $50 million.

The president's budget proposal now goes to Capitol Hill where 12 Appropriations Subcommittees in both the House and Senate will begin crafting detailed spending bills. While Congress is expected to follow the administration's recommendations in some areas, they are also sure to put their own stamp on the spending levels for various programs.

The IAFF will be working with its allies on Capitol Hill to preserve the Obama request for the SAFER program, and will also be seeking to increase the funding level for FIRE Act grants.

May 7, 2009 – The House Appropriations Committee has approved legislation that would enable fire departments to use Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants to rehire laid off fire fighters and avoid reductions in force (RIFs). The language, which was crafted and proposed by the IAFF, would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to waive various requirements on SAFER grants that prevent grants from being used to address cuts in fire department staffing.

The provision is included in a must-pass supplemental appropriation that has been placed in the legislative fast track. The bill must still be considered by the full House of Representatives and the Senate, but congressional leadership is committed to sending the bill to the White House for President Obama’s signature by Memorial Day.

“This is a tremendous victory for the IAFF, and proves once again the importance of having pro-fire fighter elected officials,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “Once we told our friends in Congress and the administration about the layoffs and cutbacks our members are facing, they stepped up to the plate and provided the tools we need to save our members’ jobs.”

The Economic Stimulus bill (HR 1) that passed Congress in February contained language waiving the local matching requirement for SAFER grants, but that provision failed to meet the needs of local governments facing cutbacks. The additional waiver authority contained in the new supplemental appropriation would allow waivers from several other requirements, including the length of the grant -- currently set at five years -- and the amount of funding per position -- currently set at $110,000. In addition, the language allows waivers from the requirement that fire fighters hired with SAFER grants must add to the total number of positions, and that fire departments must retain their staffing levels.

Taken together, the waiver authorities contained in the legislation will enable fire departments to use SAFER grants to rehire fire fighters who have been laid off and fill positions eliminated through attrition.

Representative Dave Obey (D-WI), chair of the Appropriations Committee, and Representative David Price (D-NC), chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, worked closely with the IAFF in assuring the language was included in the bill and remained in after Republican committee members objected. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the Democratic Majority leader and longtime fire service champion, played a key role in moving the issue forward, and the strong support of the Obama administration proved crucial. Other members who actively supported the proposal included Representatives John Larson (D-CT), Steve LaTourette (R-OH), Betty Sutton (D-OH) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA).

Although the supplemental appropriation is certain of becoming law, work still remains to be done to ensure that the SAFER wavier language remains in the package. The IAFF is working closely with Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Tom Harkin (D-IA), as well as Appropriations Committee Chairman Dan Inouye (D-HI) and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Robert Byrd (D-WV), to secure Senate support for the provision.

IAFF - IAFC Release - View Release...

April 27, 2009 – In response to the increasing number of confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency. The federal government is prepared to mobilize and activate its stockpile of antiviral drugs for quick delivery to the states in the event they're needed.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza. Swine flu viruses in humans are rare. Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to those of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Cases of swine flu have now been confirmed in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Spain and New Zealand.

The IAFF will continue to monitor this emergency situation and provide updates as they become available.

Click here to download IAFF Pandemic: Informational Bulletin for Emergency Responders.

For the latest information from the Department of Health and Human Services, click here. 

President Peter Carozza's Letter to Governor Rell on "Federal Stimulus Bill" - View Letter

March 13, 2009 – The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) has completed its evaluation of station uniform pants using the fabric FireWear™.

This fabric, which is used by many uniform manufacturers, is a blend of cotton and modacrylic fibers that use antimony compounds for fire retarding. Boca Raton, FL Local 1560 members were found to have high antimony levels in hair samples that were evaluated locally.

NIOSH was requested to provide further scientific and medical assistance to determine if the wearing of these station uniform pants could expose the fire fighters to antimony.

NIOSH has released its initial findings and provided a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document that provides details on the results of the evaluation.

The IAFF and the Florida Professional Firefighters (FPF) have issued the following statement on President Obama's choice of Craig Fugate to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"Craig Fugate's performance in his role as head of Florida's Division of Emergency Management received high marks and praise from [the Florida Professional Firefighters]," IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said. "Secretary Napolitano has confidence that Fugate will perform well in carrying out the mission of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and President Obama, and we fully support them in their work to protect our nation. Mr. Fugate has our full support in his new role and we look forward to working with him to continue improving FEMA."

Fugate has worked with the 24,000 members of the Florida Professional Firefighters since taking over the Florida Division of Emergency Management in 2001.

"Florida's professional fire fighters established a solid working relationship with Craig Fugate, and he did everything he could to ensure that we had the resources we needed to protect the people in our state and protect ourselves," said Robert Carver, president of the Florida Professional Firefighters.

The IAFF sharply criticized FEMA's response following hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005, and has long encouraged FEMA to work more closely with state and local first responders.

"We expect that as the head of FEMA, Fugate will now do everything he can to ensure that fire fighters across the nation have the resources they need to protect people across the country and protect professional fire fighters across the country," Carver said.

The IAFF has been a vocal advocate for keeping FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security.

"We expect that Craig Fugate will be an excellent addition to the senior leadership team at DHS, and we urge the Senate to confirm him swiftly," Schaitberger said.

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Fire Fighters Join UPFFA of Connecticut

March 6, 2009 –  Fire fighters endured Connecticut’s latest winter storm to cast their ballots in an election to determine if they would become the first and only Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Government unionized employees. More than 20 ballots were cast, with 17 counted and five challenged by the employer. The 17 counted ballots were unanimous in favor of unionizing and being represented by the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut (UPFFA).

The additional five ballots were challenged because the employer maintains these employees are in supervisory positions and are ineligible to be part of the union. The union status of these employees is subject to an upcoming hearing for a decision.

Although the UPFFA of Connecticut organizes several new affiliates each year, the Mashantucket Pequot group is an unusual new affiliate because Mashantucket Pequots are a recognized sovereign tribal nation and have their own legal system and laws. The Mashantucket Pequot labor relations law that permitted the group to become organized is different than and independent of any state or federal laws. In addition, unlike employees of Foxwoods, the Tribe’s gaming and resort enterprise, Tribal public safety employees are not covered under the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board.

The process of organizing the fire fighters was a mutually respectful and cooperative one between the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut and the Mashantucket Employments Rights Office. The fire fighters and their new union look forward to further developing a long-term and harmonious relationship with their employer, beginning with their upcoming contract negotiations.

NFPA 1710 Video on Fire Department Staffing Needs