Federated Fire Fighters of Wyoming

What's New at FFFWY A048

Posted On: Feb 16, 2011 (19:34:16)

IAFF Scores Big Win for SAFER and FIRE Act

February 16, 2011 – Overcoming long odds, fire fighters nationwide scored a significant victory when the U.S. House of Representatives voted 318-113 to reject massive cuts to fire fighter grants.

Under H.R. 1 -- House legislation to continue funding the federal government – the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program would have been completely eliminated, and the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grants would have been cut by more than 20 percent.

Recognizing the threat to fire fighter safety, Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) offered an amendment to restore funding for the two programs. The amendment passed February 16 with a large bipartisan majority.

“This week, our nation’s fire fighters spoke with a united voice against the irresponsible cuts to public safety which were proposed in the House,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “Congress heard our message loud and clear and stood up for what was right. Today, because of the efforts of this great union and the support of 318 U.S. Representatives, funding for the SAFER program has been restored and cuts to FIRE Act grants have been reversed.”

On February 15, President Schaitberger met with Representatives Price and Pascrell to discuss strategy for passing the bill. In addition, the IAFF grassroots operation was quickly mobilized as thousands of IAFF members and friends besieged the Capitol Hill Switchboard.

The SAFER program, originally designed to increase staffing levels, has proven to be invaluable to fire departments facing layoffs during the current economic downturn. Thousands of fire fighters have been able to return to work because of the funding.

Despite the popularity of both the SAFER and FIRE Act programs, restoring the cuts was a difficult vote for many members of Congress. H.R. 1 was the first attempt by the new Congress to demonstrate their commitment to fiscal restraint and their willingness to cut the budget. Hundreds of amendments had been offered, and very few have mustered sufficient votes to pass. Of those which have prevailed, many cut additional funds from various programs, making passage of the Pascrell amendment to restore funds even more significant.

“Passing the Pascrell amendment is a great victory for our nation’s fire fighters,” says Schaitberger. “However, our job is not yet complete. Congress must extend the SAFER waivers to ensure that we can stem the tide of fire fighter layoffs currently plaguing so many communities.”

Representative David Price (D-NC) has offered an amendment restoring the SAFER waivers to allow fire departments to use grant funds to rehire or retain personnel. These waivers expired in Fiscal Year 2010. If they are not extended, fire departments will be unable to use SAFER grants to rehire laid-off fire fighters, fill positions lost to attrition or prevent potential layoffs. Additionally, departments would be required to fulfill burdensome budgetary requirements, which, in the current economy, few departments would be able to meet.

The Price amendment will be considered later this week, after which the House will vote on final passage of H.R. 1, before sending it to the Senate for consideration. The IAFF will continue lobbying to protect the SAFER and FIRE Act programs as the process continues.

President Obama signs 911 Bill

Posted On: Jan 06, 2011 (16:37:05)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/01/02/photo-president-obama-signs-james-zadroga-911-health-and-compensation-act

Las Vegas Firefighters

Posted On: Jan 05, 2011 (12:44:29)

Las Vegas Fire Fighters Prevail in Supreme Court Decision on Work-Related Breast Cancer

January 3, 2010 -- Las Vegas, NV Local 1285 has won a precedent-setting victory in its fight for one of its members in her work-related breast cancer case.

This is the first work-related breast cancer case in the country to be upheld by the courts. Dean Fletcher, president Local 1285, says his local has worked on this case for more than five years, and thanked the IAFF and Dr. Jim Melius, chair of the IAFF Medical Advisory Board, whose expert testimony during these trials was instrumental in winning this case.

The Supreme Court concluded that the member was exposed to a known carcinogen that was reasonably associated with breast cancer and that her employer, the City of Las Vegas, failed to rebut the presumption that her breast cancer arose out of and in the course of her presumption.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger congratulated the efforts of President Fletcher and Local 1285, noting that this is an extremely important victory for Local 1285 member Robin Lawson, as well as all fire fighters and their families across the United States and Canada.

“These precedent-setting cases will provide the peace of mind to all fire fighters who each day in the performance of their duties are exposed to potentially carcinogenic agents,” says Schaitberger.

Click here to read more.

Click here for the Nevada Supreme Court Decision.

FIREPAC

Posted On: Jan 05, 2011 (12:40:19)

FIREPAC Unveils New Donor Club Level

January 3, 2011 – Effective January 1, the IAFF has rolled out a new FIREPAC donor club level — the Chairman’s Council — for members who contribute $750 or more per calendar year.

“For the past several years, we have had members contributing more than $750 a year who were recognized at the FIREPAC Leadership Trust level ($500),” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “Because of this, we created a new level to give recognition to those members who have gone the extra mile in contributing to FIREPAC.”

Members who contribute at the Chairman’s Council level will receive a new custom-designed FIREPAC pin, along with a gold-and-black FIREPAC wind shirt.

“Several years ago, we eliminated FIREPAC gifts because of the economy and the fact that we were putting the money into campaign activities,” explains Schaitberger. “However, in establishing this new level, we believe it’s appropriate to bring back a gift for 2011 to thank those members who have consistently contributed at the top end of our FIREPAC program.”

IAFF members interested in joining the Chairman’s Council and who already participate in the FIREPAC Check-Off program through their local need to notify their local in writing to increase the level of giving.

IAFF members interested in joining the Chairman’s Council and who contribute to FIREPAC via the recurring online deduction program must contact the IAFF Political Action Department at (202) 824-1582 to change donor levels.

For more information about FIREPAC or about establishing a FIREPAC Check-Off program, click here or contact the IAFF Political Action Department at (202) 824-1582.