IAFF Response to Trump Tweet Threatening to Cut Federal Funds for Wildfire Response

As Californians struggle to recover from a series of devastating wildfires, the president of the United States has launched another impulsive, reckless and uninformed tweet threatening to halt federal funding dedicated to helping fire fighters keep their communities safe. 

“This is yet another unimaginable attack on the dedicated professionals who put everything on the line, including their own homes, to protect their neighborhoods,” says Harold Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. “While our president is tweeting on the sidelines in DC, our fellow Americans 3,000 miles to the west are mourning loved ones, entire communities have been wiped off the map and thousands of people are still trying to figure out where they are going to call home.”

“The president’s tweet is disgraceful at a time when the government is under a self-imposed shutdown and the citizens of Paradise haven’t even been at their home sites in 30 days,” says President of the California Professional Firefighters Brian Rice. “This important funding would go toward literally helping this city rise from the ashes. To withhold it in a game of politics is insulting to the people of Paradise.”

President-elect of CAL FIRE Local 2881 Tim Edwards says, “A more responsible president, Theodore Roosevelt, realized the uniqueness of the West and the complex geography of our wildlands. The fire fighters who protect these precious forests, at the risk to their lives, safety and their own homes, understand that drought and climate change have made our task more difficult. Now is the time for us to work collaboratively for solutions, not to make unfair, dangerous assessments.”

Last year, unprecedented wildfire destruction in California burned an area larger than the state of Rhode Island — the Camp Fire, with 86 dead, is the deadliest wildfire in California history.

Wildfire season has now become a year-round event, with short-staffed departments and exhausted fire fighters spending weeks at a time on the frontline doing their best to keep communities safe. Further reduction of resources will only make things more dangerous for fire fighters and the citizens they have sworn to protect.

[L - R]: Jay Colbert, IAFF 3rd District Vice President
Peter S. Carozza, President, UPFFA of Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont
Andrew Matthews, Ex. Director, Ct. State Police Union
Rick Hart, Director of Legislative Affairs & Political Action, UPFFA
Jason Diaz, President, Local 760

[L - R]: Rick Hart, Director of Legislative Affairs & Political Action, UPFFA
Jay Colbert, IAFF 3rd District Vice President
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz
Peter S. Carozza, President, UPFFA of Connecticut
Fred Garrity, Executive Director, Ct. United Ride

[Back Row L- R]: Jason Diaz, President, Local 760
Peter Brown, District Vice President, UPFFA of Ct.
Chris Albani, Vice President, Local S-15
[Front Row L- R]: Dave Sikes, Trustee, UPFFA of Ct.
Rick Hart, Director of Legislative Affairs & Political Action, UPFFA of Ct.
Michael DeBella, Legislative Chairman, Local 760
Jay Colbert, IAFF 3rd District Vice President
Peter S. Carozza, President, UPFFA of Ct.
Paul Motta, Vice President, Local 760
Fred Garrity, Executive Director, Ct. United Ride
Andrew Matthews, Executive Director, Ct. State Police Union

 

Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut Attending the Inauguration of the 89^th Governor of the State of Connecticut Ned Lamont
 

[Backrow L-R] Joseph Robidoux, Pres., Local 1241, Peter Brown, District Vice President, UPFFA,
Dave Sikes, Trustee, UPFFA, Richard Hart, Director of Legislative & Political Affairs, UPFFA

[Front Row L-R] Louis DeMici, Secretary, UPFFA, Ed Preece, District Vice President, UPFFA,
Robert Whitbread, Pres., Local 834, Peter Carozza, President, UPFFA,
Jay Colbert, IAFF 3^rd District Vice President, Jim Marks, Treas,. Bristol, Local 773,
Brian Wilkinson, Bristol, Local 773, Fred Garrity, Director, Ct. United Ride

Swearing In Ned Lamont as the 89th Governor of the State of Connecticut

Swearing In William Tong as Connecticut’s Attorney General​

[L-R]: Ellen Zoppo, Mayor, City of Bristol
Brian Wilkinson, Bristol, Local 773
Jim Marks, Treas., Bristol, Local 773
 

The photo is of the final meeting of the Public Safety Subcommittee of the Lamont Transition team. The committee was tasked with developing public safety policies for the new administration. Among the policy initiatives developed and reported out are PTSD coverage for Firefighters and Police Officers and resources to tackle the opioid epidemic.

HOLD THE DATE

Monday, April 29, 2019

Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut
 
Golf Tournament
Oronoque Country Club
385 Oronoque Lane, Stratford, Ct.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut

January 31, 2019 
Educational Seminar

VFW, 83 South Street, West Hartford, for January 31, 2019
 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

SEMINAR TOPICS:

Preparation for Contract Negotiations
Grievance Preparation
Workers’ Compensation
State Legislation
Preparing a Prohibitive Labor Complaint
Open Dialogue – Issues Facing Your Local
 

 This Seminar is open to all members of affiliated locals of the UPFFA of Connecticut

Please contact Jane McCarthy 860.953.3200, ext. 10 - on or before Tuesday, January 22, 2019, with the number of attendees from your local

 
[Breakfast & Lunch will be provided]

December 6, 2018 - Foxwoods Resorts and Casino - Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut recognizes Fred Garrity, Executive Director of the Connecticut United Ride with an IAFF Fire Axe for all his work and dedication over the years. 

[L-R] Louis DeMici, Secretary, UPFFA, Fred Garrity, Executive Director, Ct. United Ride, Peter Carozza, President, UPFFA, Joseph Andriole, President, RISAFF, Robert Neill, Business Agent, RISAFF

The Ct. United Ride is a motorcycle ride honoring those who lost their lives, those who gave their lives, and those who continue to put their lives on the line each day as a result of the tragedies occurring on 9/11.  The Ct. United Ride is the largest 9/11 tribute in the State of Connecticut.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018
UPFFA of Ct. Delegates Meeting
Hosted by: South Fire District Fire Fighters, Local 3918

Fred Garrity, Executive Director of the Connecticut United Ride along with Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut President Peter Carozza make a check presentation to Bill Sydenham, Executive Director of the Hundred Club. The Club is one of the organizations that receive benefits from the Ct. United Ride.

A complete list of all donations is listed below.  The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut is the event’s sponsor.

The UPFFA Emergency Relief Fund
The Hundred Club of CT (Law Enforcement)
The United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
The Bridgeport Fallen Fire Fighters
The Bridgeport Police Memorial Fund
Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation
Trumbull Police Cadets
Fairfield Police Cadets
Bridgeport Police Cadets
Norwalk Police Cadets
Stratford Police Cadets
Newtown Police Cadets
Redding Police Cadets
Easton Police Cadets
Hamden Police Cadets
Monroe CERTS
Wilton CERTS

President Peter Carozza presents a certificate of appreciation to John McGee from Manchester Fire Fighters, Local 1579 IAFF for his recent retirement from the Manchester Fire Department.

Brother McGee also served on the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut Executive Board for many years 

Congratulation John and enjoy your retirement 

Governor-Elect Ned Lamont
Participated in the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters FIRE OPS 101on March 19, 2018, and understands Firefighters Issues

Greenwich Fire Fighters, Local 1042

November 10, 2018, Retirement Party

[Picture L-R: Peter S. Carozza, President, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, Rich Funk, Deputy Fire Marshal, Rick Hayes, Fire Fighter, Terry Murphy, Fire Fighter]

Connecticut Election Day Recap

Tuesday November 6, 2018 was a great day for CONNECTICUT Fire Fighters with the election of many of our endorsed candidates. 

Over the past year the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut your state affiliate of the IAFF met with national and statewide candidates for office from our U.S. Congressional Delegation to state wide office.  We did not look at party affiliation but looked at candidates who would commit to supporting fire fighters and retirees.

In addition to meeting with candidates we traveled our state and met with fire fighters from Greenwich to Norwich and New London to Torrington and explained our endorsement process and how these candidates felt about issues that affect you and your family’s future 

We are very pleased with the election results but today the work continues to do everything we can to support and protect your rights and benefits.

A very special thank you to our local leadership and membership from our affiliated IAFF locals who answered the call, it was a great team effort.

We have attached the UPFFA Endorsement Policy along with a listing of our Endorsed Candidates.

Now that the election is over, we will continue to work with both sides of the political aisle on your behalf. 

In addition, please visit our website (www.upffa.org) to view the pictures of the station visits on October 31^st and November 1^st, along with pictures from the June 20^th delegates meeting in Bristol of some of the endorsed candidates.

Fraternally,

Peter S. Carozza
President

Scenes from IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, 3^rd District IAFF Vice President Jay Colbert, UPFFA of Ct. President Peter S. Carozza, Station Visits on Wednesday, October 31^st:

Greenwich Fire Fighters, Local 1042
Fairfield Fire Fighters, Local 1426
Bridgeport Fire Fighters, Local 834
Meriden Fire Fighters, Local 1148
Hartford Fire Fighters, Local 760

Scenes from UPFFA of Ct. President Peter S. Carozza, Ed Smith, Battalion Chief, Special Operations Chief, Washington, D. C. & Past President, IAFF Local 36 Station Visits on November 1 ^st:

Torrington Fire Fighters, Local 1567
Waterbury Fire Fighters, Local 1339
Bristol Fire Fighters, Local 773
West Hartford Fire Fighters, Local 1241
Norwich Fire Fighters, Local 892

Wallingford Fire Department
150^th Anniversary
Sunday, October 21, 2018 – Toyota Oakdale Theater

Pictured [L-R]

Fire Fighter William Meade, Secretary, Local 1326, Deputy Fire Marshal Shock Baitch, President, Local 1326, Peter S. Carozza, President, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, Fire Fighter Roger Braun, Treasurer, Local 1326, Fire Fighter John Silvestri, Vice President, Local 1326 

October 17, 2018: Retirement Party Battalion Chief James Kottage
 Anthony’s Ocean View, New Haven

Presentations by: 

Jay Colbert, 3rd District Vice President
International Association of Fire Fighters

Peter S. Carozza, President, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut

Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Primary Day: Members of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut working with UPFFA Endorsed Candidates.

Ned Lamont candidate for Governor, William Tong candidate for Attorney General and Sean Wooden candidate for State Treasurer visited Meriden Fire Headquarters this morning (Monday, August 13^th) to talk with members of Local 1148 IAFF

Ned Lamont, William Tong and Sean Wooden are endorsed candidates of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut 

For a complete list of endorsed candidates please visit UPFFA.org

Don’t forget to vote tomorrow August 14^th

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut would like to thank the following IAFF Locals from Connecticut for attending the IAFF 54th Convention in Seattle, Washington for the 100th Anniversary of our great organization.

For those Connecticut IAFF Locals who were unable to attend your, Local was listed and recognized in our support of this event.

Thank you all for being part of a great team working to protect firefighters in our state. 

Convention Delegates:

Bristol, Local 773 – Bridgeport, Local 834 – Danbury, Local 801
Fairfield, Local 1426 – Greenwich, Local 1042 – Hartford, Local 760
Manchester, Local 1579 – Middletown, Local 1073 - New Britain, Local 992
New London, Local 1522 – Norwich, Local 892 – Norwalk, Local 830
Ct. Police & Fire, Local S-15 – Southington, Local 2033
Stratford, Local 998 - Torrington, Local 1567 
Wallingford, Local 1326 – Waterbury, Local 1339 
West Hartford, Local 1241 

Fraternally,

Peter S. Carozza
President, UPFFA of Connecticut

Ned Lamont candidate for Governor recently stopped by to visit with Members of Waterbury Fire Fighters, Local 1339 to discuss issues affecting Fire Fighters in Connecticut.

Ned is the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, IAFF Endorsed Candidate for Governor. 

Hartford Public Library
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
 

2018 Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut Scholarship Recipients

Michael C. Osiecki Memorial Scholarship Recipient:

Delaney Daly, Danbury, Local 801 

George Crowley Memorial Scholarship Recipients:

Kirsten Appell, Meriden, Local 1148
Garrett Tougas, New Britain, Local 992 
Marissa Pettinelli, West Hartford, Local 1241
Frank Paine, West Haven, Local 1198 

Congratulations & Continued Success to the
2018 Recipients

As a member of the NCPERS Executive Board we participated in the closing bell on the New York Stock Exchange with some good friends Bill Norris, Entrust Permal, Jake LaMonda, President New York City Fire Fighters Union, Pete Carozza, President UPFFA of Ct, Steve Weeks, William Blair and Andy Pataky Mesirow Financial

The 2018 Connecticut Legislative Session ended Wednesday, May 9th at midnight.

I want to thank Rick Hart, Director of Legislative Affairs for another great job representing Connecticut's Fire Fighters at the State Capitol during this session. Lobbying is a full-time job demanding many long and sometimes stressful days, nights, weekends, and holidays not only when the legislature is in session but also when it is in recess. Introducing legislation, protecting existing laws and fighting back to kill anti-Fire Fighter/anti-Public Employee proposed legislation is a full-time job. Working with our lobbying firm and other labor organizations proves again of the impact we can make when we stay united and work together.

Lobbying is not showing up for a few minutes for a photo op.

Rick will be distributing a full report on this year's session and report at our June Delegates Meeting.

A special thanks to our Legislative and Political Action Committee for their work and thank you to all our local union leaders and members who attended our Legislative Breakfast Lobby Day, FIRE OPS, and responded to our calls to come to State Capitol.

Today we continue our Legislative Program working on and preparing for the upcoming elections and next year's legislative session.

Once again thank you to all.

Remember "We Are Stronger Together”

Fraternally,

Peter S. Carozza, President
Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut

On behalf of the Officers and Executive Board of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut thank you for making this year’s golf tournament a huge success. The turnout and weather was outstanding.

Thank you to the over 144 golfers, dinner guests and sponsors for your support. 

A special thank you to IAFF District Vice President Jay Colbert and all who traveled from out of state to support this year’s tournament.

Thank you to the staff of Chippanee Golf Course for a great job.

Hope to see you all next year.

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, IAFF continues to represent Fire Fighters In CONNECTICUT every day.

Sincerely & Fraternally,

Peter S. Carozza
President
 

On behalf of the Officers and Executive Board of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut thank you for making this year’s golf tournament a huge success. The turnout and weather was outstanding.

Thank you to the over 144 golfers, dinner guests and sponsors for your support.

A special thank you to IAFF District Vice President Jay Colbert and all who traveled from out of state to support this year’s tournament.

Thank you to the staff of Chippanee Golf Course for a great job

Hope to see you all next year 

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, IAFF continues to represent Fire Fighters In CONNECTICUT every day.

Sincerely & Fraternally,

Peter S. Carozza
President

March 7, 2018: Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut Legislative Breakfast, in the Library of Congress Washington, D.C. – Peter S. Carozza, Pres., UPFFA of Ct., Ed Kelly, General Secretary-Treasurer, IAFF, Harold Schaitberger, General President, IAFF – along with Connecticut Fire Fighters members of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut.

Great meeting this morning with Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, Representatives Larson, Courtney, DeLauro, Himes, and Esty, all attending today.

Thank you to our Congressional Delegation for supporting Fire Fighters.

Connecticut Fire Fighters members of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association  of Connecticut meeting with our Connecticut Delegation Staff in Washington, DC on Fire Fighters Issues.

On Wednesday, March 7^th, the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut will host a breakfast with Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy Representatives Larson, Courtney, DeLauro, Himes, and Esty.

Also attending General President Harold Schaitberger, General Secretary-Treasurer Ed Kelly, and Third District Vice President Jay Colbert.

Working to protect Connecticut Fire Fighters on the Local, State and National Levels.  

A special thank you to Congressman Joe Courtney a great supporter of Fire Fighters 

[L-R] Jason Diaz, President Hartford Fire Fighters Local 760, Congressman Courtney, Peter Carozza, President Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut, Sean Lennon, President, Bristol Fire Fighters, Local 773

A special thank you to Congressman John Larson for his long-standing support of Fire Fighters 

[L-R] Jason Diaz, President, Hartford Fire Fighters, Local 760, Sean Lennon, President, Bristol Fire Fighters, Local 773, Congressman John Larson, Peter Carozza, President, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut 

It was great to see my good friend Dominick Barbera, IAFF 12th District Vice President Emeritus an outstanding labor leader and true gentleman along with Mark Ouellette, IAFF Eastern Trustee at the IAFF Executive Board Meeting 

[L-R} Mark Ouellette, IAFF Eastern Trustee, Dominick Barbera, IAFF 12^th District Vice President Emeritus, Peter S. Carozza, President, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut.

South Fire District Fire Department, Promotions:

[L-R} Nick Fischer, President, Local 3918, Fire Fighter James Mastroianni, Promoted to Deputy Fire Marshal & Vice President, Local 3918, Fire Fighter James Trzaski, Promoted to Training Captain,  Peter S. Carozza, President, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RICK HART

We are proud to announce that Rick Hart was one of three IAFF members selected to attend the Harvard University Trade Union intensive six-week program in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Congratulations, Rick on graduating from this most prestigious program today.

Rick is the current Director of Legislative and Political Affairs for the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut, IAFF, and Deputy Fire Chief and member of Local 1339, IAFF Waterbury, Connecticut.

Rick continues to do an outstanding job all year long representing Connecticut's Fire Fighters at our State Capitol in Hartford. His background, experience, and professionalism have earned him the respect from legislators from both political parties.

Great job Rick and thank you for all you do for Fire Fighters in Connecticut.

Fraternally,

Peter S. Carozza
President
Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut 

On Monday, January 26, 2018, the Fairfield Fire Fighters, Local 1426 Charitable Foundation visited the Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven to present our check in the amount of $17,550. All the proceeds from this year’s Santa Express were donated to the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer. Money donated in Charlie Capalbo honor who is currently battling cancer. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s event a huge success.

Photo Left-Right: Peter S. Carozza, President, Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, Justin Renda, Pete Krajcsik, Matt Striebe, Charlie Capalbo, Joe Rainis, Bob Smith, Jenny Capalbo, Anthony Capalbo, Peter Parente from the Tommy Fund 

On Monday, January 22, 2018, the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut held a New Union Officer Educational Program at the VFW in West Hartford, the program was attended by Seventy (70) members from the following Locals:

Bridgeport, Local 834 - East Hartford, Local 1548
Greenwich, Local 1042 -  Hartford, Local 760 
Mansfield, Local 4120 -Milford, Local 944 
 Naugatuck, Local 1219 - New London, Local 1522
Norwalk, Local 830 – Norwich, Local 892
Northwest Telecommunicators, Local 5146|
Pratt & Whitney, Local I-69
Wallingford, Local 1326 - Waterbury, Local 1339
West Haven 911 Dispatchers, Local 5127
West Hartford, Local 1241
West Shore, Local 1198 
 Wilton, Local 2233 

THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO FIGHT:

"At the end of the day other states do not have to participate in collective bargaining for their health care issues," O'Leary said. "We’re suggesting it’s very difficult in the state of Connecticut under the current labor agreements and under binding arbitration.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

HARTFORD, CT — Leadership of the state’s largest municipal lobby told a task force Tuesday that pensions and health care benefits should not be part of collective bargaining for municipal employees.

OUR MUNICIPAL LEADERS WANT TO STEAL OUR RIGHTS AND BENEFITS - WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT THIS WITH YOUR HELP.

STAND BY FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON CALLS TO ACTION

January 28, 2017

Dear Members of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut:

Health and wellness of our firefighters remains at the core of our mission.  We all understand that Firefighting is a high-risk occupation.

We are proud to keep our communities safe but we must also keep ourselves safe through healthy lifestyles.  As a UPFFA of CT member, you are part of our family and your wellness matters to us.  In November 2016 Dr. Mary O’Connor, Director of the Center for Musculoskeletal Care at Yale New Haven Health and Yale School of Medicine, joined us at the CT/RI Health, Safety & Labor Seminar held at the Foxwoods Resort & Casino.  Many of us had the opportunity to learn about risks, nutrition, exercise and ways to stay healthy.

Please take this opportunity to view the video, ‘Promoting Health and Wellness of Fire Fighters’, featuring our own members as they explored an individualized health test.  This program has been well-received and will be an integral part of the CMC Musculoskeletal Performance Laboratory, which is in the design phase.

Through our new partnership with CMC at YNHH – we can offer you an advanced individualized health testing at a reduced cost.  Recognizing that for many of you this will be an out of pocket expense, we have a special firefighter price of $125 for treadmill and body composition testing (a $200 value).  All information is confidential.

Please take 2 minutes to explore ‘Promoting Health and Wellness of Fire Fighters’ at Yale New Haven Health | Center for Musculoskeletal Care –  Fire Fighters Video

For more information please contact: YalePerformanceLab@YNHH.org

In good health & Fraternally,

Peter Carozza, Jr. 
President, UPFFA of CT

Dear UPFFA of Ct. Member:

We have developed a member questionnaire/survey; the purpose of this questionnaire/survey will enable the Officers, Executive Board, and Staff the ability to provide the highest level of service to our affiliated locals.

In filling out the questionnaire be sure to include your contact information, this will enable us to reach out to you in the event there is a question regarding your response.

We encourage our rank and file members to participate in the questionnaire.

Click here to access the questionnaire.

NCPERS FAMILY PROTECTION PLUS – ATTENTION UPFFA OF CT. RETIREES RECENTLY YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE MAILING CONCERNING THE NCPERS FAMILY PROTECTION PLUS PROGRAM, THE CUTOFF DATE FOR RETIREES TO ENROLL IS APRIL 30, 2014, IF YOU HAVEN’T RECEIVED THE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JANE McCARTHY AT 860.953.3200.

The Hundred Club of Connecticut is a charitable, non-profit, tax exempt organization which provides financial assistance to families of police officers, correction officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The club consists of over 2400 members from all walks of life who are committed to this objective

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