IAFF News Headlines

Howard County Fire Fighters Welcome Visit From DOL Secretary Hilda Solis September 10, 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis commemorated Labor Day by working alongside members of the Howard County, MD Local 2000. The Labor Secretary joined fire fighters at Fire Station 7 on September 5. She toured the fire station, reviewed the apparatus and ate lunch with Howard County fire fighters.

Form 990N Filing for U.S. Affiliate Leaders September 10, 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis commemorated Labor Day by working alongside members of the Howard County, MD Local 2000. The Labor Secretary joined fire fighters at Fire Station 7 on September 5. She toured the fire station, reviewed the apparatus and ate lunch with Howard County fire fighters.

New Study Shows How Crew Sizes and Paramedic Crew Configuration Influence EMS September 9, 2010 -- A new study issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce?s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows that the size and configuration of an EMS first responder crew and an advanced life support (ALS) crew have a substantial effect on a fire department?s ability to respond to calls for emergency medical service. Performed by a broad coalition in the scientific, fire fighting and public safety communities, the study shows substantial differences associated with first responder crew size. Crews with three- or four-person first responders complete patient removal between 1.2 and 1.5 minutes faster than smaller crews with just two first responders. All crews with first responders completed removal substantially faster (by 2.6 to 4.1 minutes) than the ambulance-only crew.

IAFF Delivers $27.8 Million to MDA September 7, 2010 ? Despite the struggling economy, the public remains generous for a very worthy cause ? the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The Stars Across America MDA Telethon generated $58.9 million in contributions and pledges. And, once again, the IAFF earned the spot of top fundraiser, contributing a total of $27.8 million.

2011 Political Training Academy Application Period Now Open September 7, 2010 -- The IAFF is now accepting applications for the 2011 Political Training Academy, scheduled for February 27-March 4, 2011, in Baltimore, Maryland. Applications to attend must be submitted online no later than Friday, November 5, 2010.

Liberty Mutual-Hurricane Earl Client Announcement September 2, 2010 -- Liberty Mutual and the IAFF Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC) are actively preparing for the potential arrival of Hurricane Earl. Your safety is the utmost priority, so please make sure that you, your members and their families stay up to date on the latest hurricane information available, and are following all evacuation announcements issued for your area.

Struggling Cities Shut Firehouses in Budget Crisis August 27, 2010 -- Fire departments around the nation are cutting jobs, closing firehouses and increasingly resorting to ?rolling brownouts? in which they shut different fire companies on different days as the economic downturn forces many cities and towns to make deep cuts that are slowing their responses to fires and other emergencies.

IAFF Condemns Uniontown Mayor for Plan to Lay Off Fire Fighters August 26, 2010 -- IAFF delegates meeting in San Diego unanimously passed an emergency resolution condemning Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Mayor Edward Fike for announcing his intent to eliminate the City?s entire career fire department. Fike no doubt picked the wrong time to mess with union fire fighters. As it happened, members of Uniontown Local 955 were convening in San Diego this week with about 3,500 of their IAFF brothers and sisters to vote on critical resolutions and forge stronger union bonds.

MDA Telethon Scheduled for September 5-6 August 26, 2010? The 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon is scheduled for September 5-6, 2010, and will be broadcast live from the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Telethon will air on more than 170 television stations and on the MDA web site.

IAFF 50th Convention Opens in San Diego IAFF delegates from the United States and Canada gathered August 23 at the San Diego Convention Center for the IAFF 50th Convention, launching the week?s important business. The emotional ceremony reminded all in attendance of the accomplishments and sacrifices members have made and laid out plans to overcome the challenges ahead.

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