Montana State Council of Professional Fire Fighters

MDA Summer Camp

August 4th - 10th at Camp Make A Dream

The IAFF Want's Your Opinion!

The IAFF is conducting a behavioral health survey designed to evaluate the current state of health and safety matters in fire service.

Project PREVENT -- conducted by Texas A&M University in partnership with the IAFF -- was introduced in December 2008 with 20 focus groups comprising 271 emergency response personnel of different rank and experiences. These focus groups helped identify behavioral health needs, barriers to satisfying these needs and potential solutions.

Project PREVENT is now seeking additional input from IAFF members across North America through an anonymous, confidential online survey. The combined information collected from the focus groups and the online survey will help in the development of a behavioral health curriculum. The ultimate goal of this study is to improve the lives of fire fighters and their families.

Please take a few minutes to contribute to this important effort. Click here to begin the survey.

Please note, when you click on the survey, it will ask you for your IAFF log-in identification and password. This is solely to ensure that only IAFF members are completing the survey and that you only respond once. Individual responses are not tracked; the study is concerned only with common themes and trends across the fire service and will not identify specific fire departments or individuals.

IAFF RSS News Service

    • Deadline for Fire Station Construction Grant Applications Is July 10
    • July 1, 2009 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction grant application period will end at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 10, 2009. Fire Station Construction grants will provide funding directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations in order to enhance response capabilities and better protect communities from fire and fire-related hazards. The Fire Station Construction grants were derived from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Congress appropriated a total of $210 million for Fiscal Year 2009 for this program.
    • House Approves Doubling SAFER Funding
    • July 1, 2009 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a Homeland Security Appropriation bill that doubles funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The bill calls for spending $420 million on the program, which provides grants to help communities hire fire fighters. The bill also provides funding for a variety of other fire service programs, including $390 million for the Assistance Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, commonly known as FIRE Act grants.
    • New Haven Fire Fighters Prevail
    • June 29, 2009 -- Eighteen New Haven, Connecticut, fire fighters who filed suit in federal court against the city of New Haven after the city threw out the results of promotional exams prevailed over the City today when the United States Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote, reversed a lower court’s decision. In the case, Ricci v. DeStefano, the Supreme Court ruled that the City of New Haven could not throw out the results of a promotional exam simply because it feared the outcome of a test could potentially leave it vulnerable to lawsuits from minority fire fighters who did not qualify for promotion as a result of a test, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    • President Obama Approves New SAFER Rules
    • June 24, 2009 -- President Barack Obama has approved new rules that govern how fire departments can use funding from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, an important change during the economic crisis that has caused widespread layoffs of fire fighters throughout the country. The new guidelines will apply to the $210 million that Congress approved for SAFER for Fiscal Year 2009. The IAFF wrote and lobbied for the new provision that was included in HR 2346, the Supplemental Appropriation bill – which was initiated and supported by President Obama – to allow the use of SAFER grant funding to rehire laid-off fire fighters and prevent fire department staffing reductions that occurred as a result of the current financial crisis.
    • IAFF Mourns the Loss of Ed McMahon
    • June 23, 2009 -- International Association of Fire Fighters General President and Vice President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association Harold Schaitberger issued a statement on the death of Ed McMahon. MDA has also released a statement.
    • Governor Nixon Grants Death Benefits to Families of First Responders
    • June 22, 2009 -- Standing inside a Kansas City fire station, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed a bill to benefit the families of Missouri emergency personnel killed in the line of duty. House Bill 580, which establishes the Line of Duty Compensation Act, allows a claim to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation on behalf of a law enforcement officer, fire fighter, emergency medical technician, air ambulance pilot or air ambulance registered nurse for a benefit of $25,000.
    • IAFF Members Respond to Deadly Train Collision
    • June 22, 2009 -- More than 200 fire fighters from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia responded to a deadly Metro train collision that killed at least six people and injuring scores of others, including two fire fighters. One Metro transit train smashed into the rear of another during the Monday rush hour. Cars of both trains were ripped open and smashed together, and a District of Columbia fire spokesperson said crews had to cut some people out of what he described as a "mass casualty event." Rescue workers treated 70 people at the scene. Officials have no explanation for the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board took charge of the investigation and sent a team to the site of the worst accident in the Metro system's 33-year history.
    • Watch Schaitberger Live From Denver Firehouse
    • June 19, 2009 -- IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate will conduct an online roundtable on emergency preparedness on Monday, June 22 at 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time.
    • Senate Panel Matches SAFER, FIRE Funding Levels in House
    • June 19, 2009 -- A U.S. Senate panel has provided $420 million for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and $380 million for Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) grants in 2010. The funding was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee in its draft Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 on a unanimous vote.
    • USA Today: Fire Fighters See Cuts Eroding Safety
    • June 19, 2009 -- Thousands of fire fighters across the country face possible layoffs this year, prompting concern that deep local government budget cuts will delay emergency response times. Since late last year, cities have been forced to shutter local fire stations, reduce services at others and cut the number of fire fighters dispatched on emergency calls. Fire fighting positions have been eliminated or are on the chopping block in cities such as Orlando, Atlanta, Flint, Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio. "Whatever you do that results in increasing response times (to fires), you are absolutely playing Russian roulette," says Harold Schaitberger.
    • New Rules Allow SAFER Grants to Prevent Layoffs, Restore Cuts
    • June 18, 2009 -- Congress has voted to allow the use of federal funding to rehire laid off fire fighters and prevent fire department staffing reductions. The new rules for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants make funding available to help keep IAFF members safe and on the job and bring back those who have been laid off as a result of the current financial crisis. The bill is now on its way to the White House.
    • Two Years Later, Charleston Tragedy Still Fresh for Fire Fighters
    • June 18, 2009 -- Charleston, SC Local 61 and the city of Charleston, South Carolina, are marking the two-year anniversary of the Sofa Super Store fire, the inferno that killed nine fire fighters who were trapped inside the building. The nine deaths made it the deadliest fire in the fire service since September 11, 2001. Although the Sofa Super Store occurred two years ago, the tragedy remains fresh in the memories of Charleston fire fighters, Charleston Local 61 President Bill Haigler says. “Everybody here still does something everyday to remember the guys who died,” he says. “Moving forward is great. That’s important. But we need to remember these guys.”
    • Providence Fire Fighters Picket U.S. Conference of Mayors
    • June 15, 2009 -- Picket lines in Providence, Rhode Island began June 12 at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting, culminating a week in which Vice President Joe Biden and more than 25 members of the Obama administration canceled plans to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ event in Providence rather than cross a picket line protesting Mayor David Cicilline’s treatment of Providence Local 799 fire fighters. The Conference, which began June 12, runs through June 16.
    • WHO Raises H1N1 Flu Threat Level to Highest Level
    • June 11, 2009 -- he World Health Organization (WHO)has declared the global outbreak of the novel H1N1 influenza virus to be in Phase 6 -- a full-scale pandemic. The announcement warns the World Health Organization's 194 member nations to expect the arrival of the new flu strain, which is likely to infect up to one-third of the population in the first wave and return in later waves over the next several years. Simultaneously, the World Health Organization is advising the world's makers of influenza vaccine to quickly prepare commercial-scale pandemic vaccine of this H1N1 virus.
    • New Safety Video Stresses Need for Emergency Preparedness
    • June 11, 2009 -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a new safety video showing the need for emergency response agencies, companies and communities to work closely together to prepare for the kinds of tragic chemical accidents that CSB has investigated over the past 10 years.
    • Schwarzenegger Reverses Proposed Cuts
    • June 10, 2009 -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has reversed his position on a proposal to end health insurance coverage for the surviving families of police officers and fire fighters who die in the line of duty. Schwarzenegger called the $1 million proposal a "terrible screw-up." The proposal was part of $100 million in savings the administration said could be harvested from the suspension of some state laws, known as mandates, that put requirements on local governments and obligate the state to pay for them.
    • Fire Station Construction Grant Application Period Begins June 11
    • June 10, 2009 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction grant application period will begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on June 11, 2009. The deadline for submitting these grants is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 10, 2009. Fire Station Construction grants will provide funding directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations in order to enhance response capabilities and better protect communities from fire and fire-related hazards. The Fire Station Construction grants were derived from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Congress appropriated a total of $210 million for Fiscal Year 2009 for this program.
    • Rockingham Fire Chief Continues Vendetta Against Fire Fighters
    • June 9, 2009 -- Rockingham Fire Chief Charles Gardner has fired Rockingham, NC Local 4702 President Robbie Barber, the second union member fired since Rockingham fire fighters formed Local 4702. Attorneys representing Rockingham fire fighters filed the Fair Labor Standards Act lawsuit seeking unpaid wages in the federal district court for the Middle District of North Carolina on March 13. Since then, Chief Gardner has engaged in a pattern of retaliation and abuse against members of Rockingham Local 4702.
    • House Panel Approves Obama SAFER Funding Proposal
    • June 9, 2009 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has taken the first step toward increasing funding for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants in 2010 by providing $420 million for the program in a draft appropriations bill. The bill, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010, was approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
    • IAFF EMS Conference Kicks Off in Miami
    • June 8, 2009 – IAFF members from the United States and Canada are in Miami, Florida, this week for the 10th Biennial Dominick F. Barbera EMS Conference. This year’s theme, “Leading Through a Crisis: EMS and the Current Economy,” addresses the ongoing recession and its effect on IAFF members and fire-based EMS.

IAFF 7th District What's New Feed

    • 7th District Benevolent Fund Scholarship Winners
    • After reviewing many essays and letters of recommendation the Magnificent 7th District Scholarship committee are pleased to announce winners for the six $500 scholarships available this first year of this new program.
    • MC Ride to Republic Invites Fire Fighters
    • Idaho State IAFF-MC rep John Filler has a new ride and invites all 7th District motorcycle riders to meet him in Republic, Washington for a break-in party.  John will be riding from the treasure Valley and does not understand how whimpy excuses like 'I just cut a finger off of my clutch hand could keep a rider off of the road.
    • Alaska Fire Fighters Need Help Completing Memorial
    • The Alaska Fire Fighters are asking for help completing thier fire fighter memorial by selling custom engraved bricks.  It would be great to see brick after brick boasting IAFF Local affiliate support for this worthy cause.  You must hurry as they would like to complete the project by August 15th.
    • AFL-CIO Convention Nears
    • The 26th Constitutional AFL-CIO Convention date nears as it is scheduled to kick off September 13th and run through September 17th.  The convention promises excitement as the assembled delegates will be tasked with choosing a new president to lead the labor movement, replacing the retiring John Sweeney.  The convention will be held at the David L.
    • FF's Invited to Headwaters Country Jam '09
    • You are invited to the Headwaters Country Jam '09 by the promoters of the event.  Butte Fire Fighters Local 96 members Shane Worley and Bill Fisher are touting that this is the greatest country music event in the northwest and have personally invited all members of the Magnificent 7th District to bring thier families to engage in a whole lotta fun.

District 7 Mini Education Seminars

    • Discipline role for Union Officers, Prep for Collective Bargaining, Handling Grievances
    • March 26, 2009
    • Butte, MT 120 S. Idaho Street Main Fire Station
    • Stewardship, What to do before calling the lawyer, Work Jurisdictions & ILA’s
    • April 7, 2009
    • Marysville, WA 10701 Shoultes Road Station #62
    • Writing Contract Language, Political Action 101, What to do before calling the lawyer
    • May 4, 2009
    • Eagle, ID 966 E. Iron Eagle Dr. Station #1
    • Writing Contract Language, Problem Solving, Ethics for Union Leadership
    • July 15, 2009
    • Coeur D’ Alene, ID 1500 N. 15th Fire Station
    • Writing Contract Language, Handling of Grievances, What to do before calling the lawyer
    • August 21, 2009
    • Fairbanks, AK 1101 Cushman St. Station #1
    • Weingarten & Garrity, Roles & Resp of Union Officers, Building Evidence Exhibits
    • October 12, 2009
    • Great Falls, MT 105 9th Street S. Station #1
    • What to do before calling the lawyer, Prep for Collective Bargaining, Stewardship
    • November 18, 2009
    • Vancouver, WA 2807 NW Fruit Valley Road Union Hall

USFA Firefighter Fatalities

USFA Press Releases

    • Holiday Preparedness Tips from the U.S. Fire Administration
    • USFA strongly urges all residents to practice extra caution and safety during the upcoming Fourth of July activities across America. Thousands of serious fireworks-related incidents typically injure eyes, heads and hands each year. Sparklers, firecrackers, and bottle rockets are leading contributors to these injuries.
    • Local Firefighters to Help Consumers Prepare for DTV Transition
    • Federal Communications Commission and the International Association of Fire Chiefs have entered into an agreement that will enable firefighters to assist with the national conversion from analog to digital television by helping individuals in need connect their converter boxes and adjust set-top antennas.
    • USFA Hosts National Fire Prevention Conference
    • USFA was honored to once again play host to nearly 140 fire prevention professionals for the 5th National Prevention Advocacy Resources and Data Exchange (PARADE) Conference, May 14-16. Resolutions supporting fire sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses and a ban on the sale of novelty lighters were unanimously passed by participants.
    • Causes and Characteristics of Fires in Medical Facilities
    • TUSFA estimates in its latest Topical Fire Series report that an average of 6,400 fires occurs each year in medical facilities. Annually, these fires are responsible for 5 civilian deaths, 175 civilian injuries, and $34 million in property loss.