June 1, 2023: UPFFA of Ct. members from across the state participated in Fire Service Day at the State Capitol. Members were introduced and recognized during the opening of the House of Representatives session this morning and lobbied members of our legislature about the importance of cancer protection for firefighters.

We are pleased to announce the 2023 Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut Scholarship Recipients:

2023 Michael C. Osiecki Memorial Scholarship Recipient:

Cassandra G. Mastroianni
South Fire District, Local 3918

2023 George Crowley Memorial Scholarship Recipients:

Caitlin D. Dube
Southington, Local 2033

Gabrielle V. Thompson
East Hartford, Local 1548

Jack E. Crimmins
Waterbury, Local 1339

Morgan P. Burlison
Bridgeport, Local 834

On behalf of the Officers and members of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, Congratulations, and continued success!

Fraternally,
Peter Brown, President
Louis P. DeMici, Secretary
Steven H. Michalovic, Treasurer

May 25, 2023: West Haven Fire Fighters, Local 1198, Executive Board Members Attending Workers’ Compensation Education Seminar
By: UPFFA Staff Representative Michael Petosa

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
UPFFA of Ct. Raymond D. Shea Legislative Conference/Lobby Day

UPFFA FIRE OPS – Monday, April 10, 2023, Hartford Fire Department Training Center

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut congratulates the UCONN Huskies on winning the
2023 NCAA Championship!

CT Firefighters Seek New Cancer Protection with Access to Workers' Comp

A delegation from the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, alongside members from all of the International Association of Fire Fighters, gather on Capitol Hill to rally for our elected officials to act on OUR issues. Most importantly, protecting firefighters from cancer and banning PFAS from our gear.

Today at our Affiliate Leadership Training Summit, I announced that the IAFF has retained three nationally recognized law firms to change regulatory standards, demand PFAS-free gear, and be available to be retained by members and families seeking compensation for PFAS-related illness.

PFAS “forever chemicals” are in our protective gear and have been linked to cancer, the leading cause of fire fighter death. The toxic nature of PFAS puts our members at unnecessary risk, yet PFAS-free alternatives are not currently on the market. With today’s announcement, we now have three firms to join the immediate fight to keep our IAFF brothers and sisters safe.

The chosen firms are Motley Rice LLC; Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC; and Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. Collectively, they have decades of experience representing fire fighters and other hardworking individuals. The IAFF Executive Board selected these firms following a thorough vetting process based on their commitment to fire fighters and their families, available resources, and ability to handle litigation at this level.

They will help us:

• Change the regulatory standards and systems that have enabled toxins in fire fighter protective turnout gear
• Demand that all turnout gear be replaced with PFAS-free alternatives
• Be available to be retained by members and their families to seek compensation for PFAS-related injuries

The independent firms – collectively known as PFAS Law Firms – have established a website, PFASLawFirms.com, for members seeking information on the effort.

We need to combat what is killing us. These firms have long fought for hardworking families who have been taken advantage of, including recovering billions of dollars for injured clients.

This is the challenge of our generation – and I refuse to let it become a challenge for our children and their children. The IAFF will do whatever is necessary to remove PFAS from our gear, and protect the health of our members and the well-being of our families.

Be You. Be Strong. Be Fire Fighters.

Edward A. Kelly
IAFF General President 

UPFFA of Ct. President Peter Brown concerning House Bill 5501, An Act Concerning Alternative Physical Testing Requirements for Female Candidates for Firefighter Positions

Congratulations Peter Brown

Elected President of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut at the 22^nd UPFFA Biennial Convention on Tuesday, November 15, 2022

President Brown succeeds President Emeritus Peter S. Carozza

IAFF and Metro Chiefs Advise Members of Adverse Health Risks Linked to Fire Fighter Turnout Gear

For Immediate Release:

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut Executive Board has voted unanimously to endorse the following candidates for the 2022 Connecticut Statewide Election:

REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE
Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut

PLEASE BE SURE TO REGISTER ON THIS SITE TO ACCESS ALL FEATURES!!

The PSLF program offers complete federal student loan forgiveness after making 120 qualifying payments while working in public service. As you may know, since the Department of Education created a temporary PSLF waiver in October 2021, more than 70,000 student loan borrowers qualified for federal student loan forgiveness under the PSLF program, totaling close to $5 billion in relief. Even more public servants have received credit for past periods of repayment that previously did not qualify, putting them closer to reaching the minimum number of payments required for forgiveness. The Department of Education estimated that at least 550,000 public servants will benefit from the temporary waiver. 

The temporary waiver allows monthly payments that previously weren’t eligible to count towards the 120 required monthly payments for PSLF. It will help the many borrowers who have previously been denied forgiveness because they had the wrong type of federal loan, were in the wrong type of repayment plan, encountered a payment technicality or administrative error, etc. However, this waiver expires on October 31, 2022. We want to make sure that all public servants have the opportunity to benefit from this important change.

PSLF PROGRAM – Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

CONNECTICUT STATE FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION      

 MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

Ct. State Fire Fighters' Associaiton Cover Letter

Ct. State Fire Fighters' Association Pledge Form

CONVENTION PHOTOS

22^ND UPFFA Biennial Convention
November 13 – 16, 2022
Foxwoods – Fox Towers

Click here to view photo gallery