Montana State Council of Professional Fire Fighters

Happy Holidays

 

Brothers and Sisters,

 

Warmest wishes to you and your families this Holiday season! We have had some great success the past year in our Locals, and a loss of a great Brother in Tim McGlothin. His memory will remain in all those who knew him, and in the stories we relate to those who didn’t. We also had a resignation/retirement of arguably one of the greatest Presidents that has served this Council in Tod Miller. Best wishes my friend and we will all miss you!

 

Next year will be of great importance to all of us in the upcoming political season. However, we are fortunate to have a couple of our own in running for office- Joe Sands (L521 Billings) and Kurt Bushnell (L613 Bozeman), we are here to support you Brothers, in your bid for Montana’s legislature. Any help you can contribute to the success of their campaigns will be of great help to all of the Union Fire Fighters in Montana.

 

It’s a big year in front of all of us, and our success will once again hinge on your participation. I encourage all of you to be an active member within your Local, help out at charitable events, or be part of a committee, our future depends on it!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Joel Fassbinder

President

 

IAFF RSS News Service

    • Watch the Opening Session at the IAFF Human Relations Conference
    • January 26, 2012 – IAFF members from across the United States and Canada attending the 2012 Ernest A. "Buddy" Mass Human Relations Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, January 22-24, heard from IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger and U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis at the Opening Session on January 23. The 20th conference was designed to build solidarity among brother and sister fire fighters as they explored the differences that divide and unite them in the firehouse.
    • FY 2011 SAFER Grant Application Period Begins January 30
    • January 26, 2012 – The FY 2011 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant application period will open on Monday, January 30, 2012 and run until Friday, February 24, 2012 at 5:00 P.M. EST. Congress has approved $742.5 million in SAFER funding to rehire and retain fire fighters, in addition to hiring additional personnel. The SAFER program has already put more than 5,000 fire fighters back to work, giving a much-needed boost to public safety in countless struggling communities.
    • IAFF Members Affected By Alabama Tornado
    • January 24, 2012 –IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny Todd and Professional Fire Fighters Association of Alabama (PFFAA) President Steve Pegues are reaching out to members in the aftermath of an Alabama tornado. No serious member injuries have been reported, but six fire fighter homes, including that of Birmingham Local 117 President Don Baker, were damaged. Five of those members are now displaced from their homes.
    • Call for Nominations for Local Leadership Awards
    • January 10, 2012 -- The IAFF would not be where it is today without strong leadership -- at all levels. Often, leaders are out front where we can see them, but sometimes they don’t get noticed -- mainly because they’re too busy getting things done. That's why the IAFF has established the Local Leadership Award to recognize and honor active and active-retired local officers (current and past) who have dedicated more than 15 years to their local. The Local Leadership Award was created by Convention resolution to champion the standard of leadership set by Dennis J. Murray, one of the longest-serving local presidents in IAFF history and the first recipient of the award at the 2008 IAFF Convention.
    • Canadian Legislative Conference to Be Held April 22-25 in Ottawa
    • January 9, 2011 -- After a rare October appearance on the IAFF calendar last year, the IAFF Canadian Legislative Conference returns to its usual April timeframe in 2012. The 19th Canadian Legislative Conference will take place April 22-25 at the Delta Ottawa Hotel and Suites and will feature an orientation session for new delegates, guest speakers, issues focus session, IAFF Parliamentary Reception and wrap-up session. Lobby Day will be Tuesday, April 24.
    • Congress Increases Funding for USAR Teams
    • December 21, 2011 – In a significant development, Congress has increased funding for the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Response System for Fiscal Year 2012. The system will receive $41.25 million, an increase of $6 million, making it one the very few programs to receive a funding boost for Fiscal Year 2012.
    • Get Ready to Apply for a 2011 SAFER Grant
    • December 20, 2011 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin accepting applications soon for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. Congress has authorized $742 million in SAFER funding to rehire and retain fire fighters, in addition to hiring additional personnel. The SAFER program has already put more than 5,000 fire fighters back to work, giving a much-needed boost to public safety in countless struggling communities.
    • IAFF Scores Huge Congressional Victory
    • December 17, 2011 – In one of its final actions in 2011, Congress has passed an Omnibus Appropriations Bill that makes more than $742 million in Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants available to struggling communities and extends the “SAFER waivers” for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. The waivers ensure that fire departments can use SAFER grants to rehire and retain fire fighters, in addition to hiring additional personnel.
    • AT&T Union Discounts Offer Savings and Solidarity
    • December 9, 2011 -- IAFF affiliates are eligible to receive discounts from AT&T Wireless for members, union offices and union staff. Through negotiated discounts with the AFL-CIO, savings are also available for AT&T local and long distance, Internet, video and web conferencing and other communications technology services that can help IAFF affiliates cut costs and make members' dues go farther.
    • U.S. Government Issues Expanded Life-Threatening Disease List and Reporting Guidelines
    • November 2, 2011 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director’s Office has approved updates to the Ryan White Life Threatening Disease List and Reporting Guidelines. A provision to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act (S.1793), passed by Congress in 2009, restored notification requirements for emergency response personnel exposed to infectious diseases while on duty. The Ryan White Act HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 addresses notification procedures for exposure of emergency responders to potentially life-threatening infectious diseases.
    • 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.
    • 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.

IAFF 7th District What's New Feed

    • City of Longview Have FF Openings
    • The City of Longview has posted 2 lateral entry FF/Paramedic openings.  Information came via Local 828, the Local on site in this western Washington city.
    • Yard Sale--7th District Benevolent Fund
    • We need to clean out and make room for the new shirts and supplies for the Magnificent 7th District.  The sale of these items support the 7th District Benevolent Fund.
    • LODD-Brother George Sly-Local 876
    • Local 876, Spokane Valley Fire fighters have announced the passing of Brother George H. Sly.  Brother Sly was a 32 year member of the Spokane Valley Fire Department and a member of Local 876.  Brother Sly was an Engineer on Engine 3 at the time of his passing on November 22nd of 2011.
    • Local 2024 Member Critically Injured on I-5 On Duty
    • Wynn Loiland, a 31 year veteran from South King Fire and Rescue, and member of Local 2024, is in critical condition at Harbor View Hospital. While on duty, and at the scene of a MVA, Wynn was struck by a vehicle. This occurred at approximately 0530 on the morning of November 20th.

Upcoming Events

 


 

 

IAFF Ernest A. "Buddy" Mass Human Relations Conference

January 22-24, 2012

Lake Buena Vista, Florida

IAFF Human Relations Conference

 

IAFF Affiliate Leadership Training Summit

January 24-26, 2012

Lake Buena Vista, Florida

IAFF ALTS

 

MSCOPFF E-Board Meeting

January 27, 2012

Great Falls, MT

 

IAFF Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference

March 25-29, 2012

Washington, DC

IAFF Legislative Conference

 

MSCOPFF Spring Seminar

May 20-23, 2012

Fairmont Hot Springs, MT

 

Montana State Fireman's Association Convention

July 9-11, 2012

Bozeman, MT

 

MSCOPFF Convention

July 11-13, 2012

Bozeman, MT

 

IAFF 51st Convention

July 21-27, 2012

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

USFA Press Releases