IAFF News

http://www.iaff.org/

• IAFF Testifies to Improve U.S. Fire Administration

  
  

  May 18, 2012 — IAFF Assistant to the General President for Governmental and Public Affairs Kevin O’Connor told a congressional panel May 17 that the United States Fire Administration (USFA) must evolve to meet the needs of the modern fire service. O’Connor delivered his remarks before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation along with U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell.

• House Adopts Budget Plan that Targets Fire Fighters

  
  

  The House of Representatives has brushed aside objections from the White House and the IAFF to endorse a budget plan that will result in significant cutbacks in fire protection and require federal fire fighters to pay more out of pocket to qualify for a pension. The legislation, HR 5652, was approved by a vote of 218-199. The proposal seeks to rewrite a bipartisan agreement reached last year between the White House and congressional leaders that called for reducing the deficit by cutting spending equally between defense and domestic priorities. HR 5652, which was authored by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), would replace the defense cuts with draconian cuts in federal aid to states and local governments, and with a 5 percent increase in pension contributions from federal workers.

• IAFF Member, PFFW President Mahlon Mitchell Wins Primary Election for Lt. Governor of Wisconsin

  
  

  May 9, 2012 — IAFF member and Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin President Mahlon Mitchell has won the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. He now faces incumbent Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in the June 5 recall election. Mitchell is running for the second-most powerful office in that state, which has become a national battleground in the fight to protect the rights of workers from attacks launched by far-right politicians like current Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

• HIV Presumption Passes Unanimously in Tennessee

  
  

  April 30, 2012 – After nearly three years of lobbying, the Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association (TPFFA) scored a huge victory when its HIV presumption legislation unanimously passed the state House and Senate. Effective July, it will be Tennessee’s only statewide presumption law.

• Delegates Advance IAFF Issues at 19th Canadian Legislative Conference

  
  

  April 27, 2012 – The federal legislative priorities of Canada’s professional fire fighters were at the forefront on Parliament Hill in Ottawa April 22-25 in the wake of the 19th Canadian Legislative Conference. More than 120 delegates from across Canada met with their members of Parliament and senators during the Conference and called for a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit, for priority access to vaccines and antivirals in the event of an influenza pandemic and for amendments to the National Building Code of Canada to enhance fire fighter safety.

• IAFF Succeeds in Easing Normal Retirement Age Regulations

  
  

  April 20, 2012 – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced April 18 that it has agreed to overhaul proposed regulations that would have created significant problems for many public sector pension plans. Under the original regulations, all public sector pension plans would have been required to specify a “Normal Retirement Age,” and would not have been allowed to define retirement based on years of service or a combination of age and years of service. For example, plans that defined normal retirement as “age 50 with 25 years of service” would have been in danger of losing their tax exempt status. The proposed revisions represent a significant victory for the IAFF, capping a five-year campaign to protect fire fighter pension plans.

• 2012 New England Walk for Burn Awareness

  
  

  March 21, 2012 — Join burn survivors, supporters and fire fighters from across New England on Saturday, May 19, 2012, for the 3rd Annual New England Walk for Burn Awareness. The walk, to be held at Castle Island in South Boston, is a fundraising event to help support burn-injury victims. Proceeds from the event will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children®­Boston, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Charitable Foundation (Burn Fund) and the Boston Firefighters Local 718 Burn Foundation.

• IAFF Member, PFFW President Mahlon Mitchell Runs for Lt. Governor of Wisconsin

  
  

  March 19, 2012 — IAFF member and Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin President Mahlon Mitchell has announced that he will run for lieutenant governor in the recall election to be held June 5. Mitchell is running for the second-most powerful office in that state, which has become a national battleground in the fight to protect the rights of workers from attacks launched by far-right politicians like current Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

• IAFF Announces New Pipe & Drum and Honor Guard Web Site

  
  

  March 16, 2012 — The IAFF has developed a new web site that will be a valuable resource for IAFF members who participate in pipe and drum bands or honor guard teams. The Pipe & Drum Band and Honor Guard web site provides information on IAFF member pipe and drum bands and honor guards, including every U.S. and Canadian IAFF-affiliated pipe and drum band and IAFF-affiliated honor guards. This new web site also allows IAFF affiliates or band/honor guard contacts to add or update their information.

• Join the IAFF Charitable Foundation Fitness Team!

  
  

  March 7, 2012 — The IAFF Charitable Foundation has planned a number of team events for this year, including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Sports Authority Denver Rock N’ Roll (marathon, half and half relay) and the Marine Corps Marathon. Additionally, if you are planning on participating in a race outside of these three team events you can sign up and fundraise for whatever event you are participating in, whether that be a cycling event, triathlon, or other running event. We will have IAFF Foundation gear for all events! Contact fitnessteam@iaff.org for further details.

• IAFF Announces Media Awards Contest Winners

• IAFF Mourns the Death of Jack Layton

  
  

  August 22, 2011 — The IAFF is mourning the death of a great Canadian who was a tremendous ally to Canada’s professional fire fighters, Jack Layton, a member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth and leader of the federal New Democratic Party, died early Monday of cancer at the age of 61.

• FIRE Act Grant Application Opens August 15

  
  

  August 8, 2011 — The application period for Fiscal Year 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (FIRE Act) program will begin August 15 and run through September 9, 2011. The IAFF encourages its affiliates to work with their fire departments to apply for these grants.

• Bill Clinton to Keynote IAFF Redmond/EMS Conference

  
  

  July 27, 2011 — The IAFF is pleased to announce that former President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote address on Monday, August 15 during the opening session at the IAFF John P. Redmond Symposium and Dominick F. Barbera EMS Conference in New York City.

• Schaitberger Elected to NFPA Board of Directors

  
  

  July 12, 2011 — IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger has been elected to the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the world’s leading advocate of fire prevention and a leader in establishing codes and standards related to fire and life safety.

• IAFF Mourns the Loss of Union Leader Quentin Tabscott

  
  

  May 5, 2011 – The IAFF is sad to learn of the passing of former Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) President and Arlington County, VA Local 2800 President Quentin Tabscott. He was 72.

• Update: IAFF Members Affected By Southern Tornadoes

  
  

  April 29, 2011 – As communication lines open up, the IAFF is learning that several fire fighters have been affected by the tornadoes that killed at least 300 people across the nation’s south this week. While no severe injuries have been reported, 15 fire fighter homes in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee were significantly damaged by the deadly storm system.

• IAFF Fire Fighters Respond to Deadly Southern Tornadoes

  
  

  April 28, 2011 – More than 200 people have been reported killed as a result of a series of tornadoes across several southern states. IAFF leaders are currently reaching out to all of the IAFF locals along the path of the storm, but so far there are no reports of fire fighter injury or home damage.

• Workers Memorial Day Is April 28

  
  

  April 21, 2011 – IAFF affiliates and members are encouraged to observe Workers Memorial Day on April 28 by honoring those who have been killed or injured on the job. The AFL-CIO is using this year’s observance to renew the fight for strong health and safety protections.

• 2011 World Police & Fire Games in New York City

  
  

  April 20, 2011 — The 2011 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will be held in New York City August 23-September 5. The WPFG, held every two years, is the second-largest international multi-sport event in the world. The 2011 WPFG – the first held on the East Coast – coincides with the 10-year anniversary of September 11 and is an opportunity to say thank you to those around the world who supported New York City and to remember those who were lost.