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Firefighters from across #Connecticut were hosted by Hartford Fire Fighters Local 760 at Engine 11, Ladder 5 and Tac 1 to announce the signing of Public Act 23-204, which includes coverage for certain cancers contracted in the line of duty. Our great thanks to the many bipartisan Representatives, Senators and Constitutional Officers for helping provide the protection necessary for our members to do their jobs and be protected should they contract cancer in the course of those duties.
International Association of Fire Fighters
IAFF District 3 VP Jay Colbert
Focus Government Affairs
Office of Governor Ned Lamont
CT Senate Democrats
Connecticut AFL-CIO
Connecticut House Republicans
Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus
Connecticut House Democrats
IMPORTANT ARTICLE IN THE CT. EXAMINER
Firefighter Union Promises to ‘Come in Heavy’ Against Stamford on Denied Cancer Claim
https://ctexaminer.com/.../firefighter-union-promises-to.../
Brothers and Sisters,
More than 105 years ago, fire fighters across North America banded together with a common goal: to improve the health, safety, and working conditions of those on the job. That promise continues today.
The IAFF is committed to eliminating cancer from the fire service. We have lost too many friends, buried too many brothers and sisters. Your union will do whatever it takes to end the scourge of this deadly disease.
And we are not in it alone. We are lucky to have partners in this fight equally devoted to protecting fire fighters from occupational cancer, starting with removing toxic PFAS carcinogens from our protective gear.
Thanks to the Last Call Foundation, Locals can now request free access to BURNED: Protecting the Protectors. This documentary reveals how independent research uncovered the presence of toxic PFAS in our gear. Kathy Crosby-Bell founded the Last Call Foundation in memory of her son, Michael, a Boston fire fighter who died in a nine-alarm fire in 2014.
BURNED is a powerful, eye-opening film, and I encourage you to watch it with your Local. To receive your free download, fill out the form and select the free copy request checkbox to waive the cost.
Education is an important defense. The more we know about the risks of PFAS, the better we can protect ourselves – and future generations of fire fighters – from needless exposure to carcinogens.
You can also work to implement safer practices by following precautions outlined by the IAFF and the Metro Chiefs in our August 2022 safety advisory. The IAFF also recently shared a preliminary report on station wear, which Locals can use to ensure the safest uniforms are available to members.
The IAFF has retained three nationally recognized law firms to address injuries and other issues related to PFAS in our bunker gear. Attorneys from all three firms have previously represented fire fighters and other unions in various legal matters. They have experience in toxic torts, environmental contamination, occupational health, and workers' rights.
The PFAS Law Firms can assist current and retired members diagnosed with cancer with potential legal claims. They are available at PFASLawFirms.com or 1-800-384-8500; you can contact them 24/7.
The most important thing the IAFF does for us as fire fighters is fight for our safety on the job. The decisive actions taken by this union will better protect the fire fighters of today and tomorrow.
Be You. Be Strong. Be Fire Fighters.
Edward A. Kelly
General President
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 39182023 George Crowley Memorial Scholarship Recipients:
Caitlin D. Dube
Southington, Local 2033Gabrielle V. Thompson
East Hartford, Local 1548Jack E. Crimmins
Waterbury, Local 1339Morgan P. Burlison
Bridgeport, Local 834On 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
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
IAFF and Metro Chiefs Advise Members of Adverse Health Risks Linked to Fire Fighter Turnout Gear
For Immediate Release:
REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE
Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of ConnecticutPLEASE 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.
CONNECTICUT STATE FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION
MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
22ND UPFFA Biennial Convention
November 13 – 16, 2022
Foxwoods – Fox TowersClick here to view photo gallery
Click here for UPFFA Article Archives Paused<< October 2023 >> S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, proudly serving the Citizens of the State of Connecticut for over 73 years.
Advocating, Protecting and Advancing Professional Fire Fighters throughout Connecticut.
The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut
represents Sixty (60) Connecticut IAFF Locals.
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