2022 Convention Resolutions

SUBJECT:     Update MSCOPFF license plate design to showcase new Branding        

RESOLUTION #  2022-01

WHEREAS:    The MSCOPFF license plate design has been in use to successfully raise money for the benevolent Fund since 2005.

WHEREAS:    New branding has taken place with Montana State Council of Professional Firefighters and an updated version of the Professional Firefighters License Plate is necessary.

WHEREAS:  Local 271 will bring 3 viable plate design options to the Montana State Council of Professional Firefighters Convention. The new design shall include the New “MTPROFF Logo” aka Buffalo Skull Maltese AND the IAFF Logo Maltese.

WHEREAS:  The MSCoPFF convention body will vote on the final license plate design - “2022 MTPRO FF License plate”.

WHEREAS:    On passage of this resolution,  Missoula Local 271 shall be reimbursed $500 for the design fee from an outside designer and

WHEREAS:   $4000 be paid from Benevolent Fund and / or general fund for State DMV costs of redesign and issuance of New Plate..

RESOLVED: The new plate design shall be submitted to the State of Montana on behalf of the Montana Professional Firefighters Benevolent Fund by September 1st. 2022 for State DMV Issue January 1st. 2023

SUBMITTED BY:     IAFF Local 271

SUBJECT:     Honor and Memorialize Vice President Emeritus Jason Baker

RESOLUTION #  2022-02

WHEREAS:    The educational conference held annually for Montana Firefighters is an important event for all Montana Professional Union fire fighters.

WHEREAS:    Great Falls Fire Rescue lost Engineer Jason Baker, a fighter of not only fires, but occupational cancer. Jason Baker was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2016, and had no choice but to medically retire at the end of 2017. Throughout his battle with cancer, Jason Baker served as a champion for Montana fire fighters’ health and safety efforts. Baker finally lost his 2-year battle with cancer February 20th, 2019.

WHEREAS:  Jason Baker Baker worked for more than a decade to help firefighters statewide achieve presumptive health and safety coverage so generations of first responders tagged with lung disease and other serious work-related health conditions would have better odds at living a normal life.

WHEREAS:   Jason Baker left behind a legacy of helping others within his fire department, his home, and

his community.

WHEREAS: Jason Baker served the State of Montana Firefighters as both an Executive Board member of the MSFA and a 2nd District Vice President of the Montana State Council of Professional Firefighters prior to his untimely death.

RESOLVED: The Montana State Council of Professional Firefighters will rename the RJW Educational Conference to the Jason Baker Memorial Educational Conference.

SUBMITTED BY:     IAFF Local 271

SUBJECT:     Financially reimburse MFSA members for treatment received at the IAFF Center of Excellence     

RESOLUTION # 2022-03

WHEREAS:    “The IAFF Center of Excellence offers a range of programs for the treatment of substance use disorders as well as co-occurring behavioral health issues.”  The mission of the center is: “to offer treatment for successful recovery from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring addictions and help IAFF members return to the job.” https://www.iaffrecoverycenter.com/center/

WHEREAS:    “Fire-fighters suffer from high rates of mental disorders, with rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and heavy drinking continuing to rise in a linear manner with each additional trauma exposure.” -  Harvey SB, Milligan-Saville JS, Paterson HM, Harkness EL, Marsh AM, Dobson M, Kemp R, Bryant RA. The mental health of fire-fighters: An examination of the impact of repeated trauma exposure. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2016 Jul;50(7):649-58. doi: 10.1177/0004867415615217. Epub 2015 Nov 24. PMID: 26607303.

WHEREAS:  The cost of treatment is roughly $20,000 and can be a financial burden to members or act as a deterrent to seeking treatment.

WHEREAS:  Most members have health insurance plans that cover treatment at some level.  Currently, members will be financially responsible for the portion not covered by insurance and for airfare to and from the center.

RESOLVED: MSFA will reimburse active members attending the IAFF Center of Excellence for treatment.  Reimbursement will be for expenses incurred at the center and for airfare to and from the center, with a maximum reimbursement of $5,000 and not to exceed actual costs to member after insurance pays its portion.

SUBMITTED BY:     IAFF Local 271