Posts Tagged: International Association Of Fire Fighters
AFG Grants Writing 101 – Don’t Let This Free Money Disappear
As a fire service, we have a duty to make sure every attempt is made to utilize these grants. If we do not, the funding might not be there next year. Plus, free money? Who doesn't want that. Maybe you don't even know where to begin when writing a grant. There are several grant writing firms out there. Some offer customized grant writing, others offer samples of successful grants. What is $50 - $2000 (the higher for custom grant writing) when you could recieve thousands and maybe tens of thousands of dollars in grant money?
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The State of the Fire Service – Pension Attacks and Union Busting
So many firefighters have been fighting for collective bargaining for years...and now that fight has swayed to keep collective bargaining for the ones who already have it.
Now our pensions are under attack. Our pensions, and our salaries are being scapegoated as the reason for budget deficits. We are the problem according to some.
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Firefighting on TV…Who will be next?
Rescue Me was a hit. Many firefighters enjoyed it. I thought it showed how dysfunctional firefighters can be...not all of us, but some of us. It started out being pretty heavy on the firefighting and light on the drama...it ended up being very heavy on the drama and light on the firefighting.
Trauma was just way over the top...and too many ambo drivers!
The question now is what will be the next network show or movie about firefighting...
Here are some of the options...
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3 Banger in VA, Pension Attacks, Albuquerque Helmet Stickers, Austin Applicant Issues, and More
3 banger in Alexandria, helmet sticker controversy in Albuquerque, application woes in Austin, fire service product reviews, the Firemom weighs in on Ohio Senate Bill 5, Hosed humor on volunteer firefighters, bonus fire footage from Westerly, Rhode Island,firefighter fired after stealing, and Ed Schultz and Harold Schaitberger weigh in on firefighter pension attacks....check it out!
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Firefighter Applicants Disqualified After Inability to Follow Directions
While there is probably little the applicants can do in this situation, if indeed they were not notified until showing up or already on their way the fault lays in the lap of the Fire Department.
This is something that should have been addressed way before tickets were bought or travel arrangements were made. If they were told they were welcome to take the test, the door should not have been shut in their face.
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Albuquerque Firefighters Helmet Stickers Causing Controversy
Oh wait...the controversy... Albuquerque's Mayer is Richard Berry. Some people apparently think that this "FMB" has a derogatory connotation. I think what they are getting at is that it means "F&^$ Mayor Berry". I just don't see it, that is one heck of an imagination!
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The IAFF and MSNBC’s ED Schultz Take a Stand Against Attacks on Firefighters Pensions.
Unless you live under a rock, you should know by now that firefighters pensions are under attack. This is just the newest attack on firefighters. Not that all the others have gone away...that is far from the truth.
Firefighters are still battling staffing cuts, pay cuts, rolling brownouts, increased employee contributions to pensions, decreased funding, increased insurance costs, station closures, and much more...yet our phone number (911) is still the number that anyone and everyone calls when they need help.
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Hosed…This Satirical Show on Volunteer Firefighters is Hilarious!
The interesting thing is the comments both on Statter911 and youtube. While most firefighters have enjoyed the parody, some have been throwing around the career (and/or IAFF) vs. volunteer firefighter argument. As for me, I think it is hilarious and some or most of it is probably true in some parts of the Nation. Even if the truth behind the humor only represents a small percentage of volunteers out there...and yes, paid firefighters can act like idiots too (but this show isn't about them).
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IAFF LODD – Funeral Coverage for Matt Durham Local L2950, Woodinville, Washington
Before dying of cancer at just 45 a week and a half ago, Matt Durham helped plan his own formal line-of-duty memorial service, according to one of his fellow Woodinville Fire and Rescue firefighters speaking at that service today.
“I want to do it for the boys,” Battalion Chief Greg Ahearn quoted Matt as saying – so that his young sons would see the support and the love showed by their father’s firefighter family, as well as that of their own relatives and friends.
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Video: Philadelphia Firefighters Battle Two 5 Alarm Fires in Two Days
Can Philadelphia afford to continue cutbacks in the fire department? Yeah, Philly doesn't need firefighters. Hell, the City might as well continue to cut positions, brownout, and close stations. I don't see any need in them....then again, check out these two 5 alarm fires within 24 hours of each other and ask yourself that question again. There were around 150 firefighters on scene of each of these fires... I doubt even this could open some of the council member's eyes!
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IAFF’s Harold Schaitberger Weighs in on Passage of the 9/11 Health Care Bill and Chicago LODD’s
IAFF General President Harold Shaitberger weighs in on the Holidays, the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and the Recent LODD's in Chicago.
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Video Review: Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer with Host Randolph Mantooth
What if there was something on the fireground killing firefighters that you cannot see, you cannot feel, you cannot smell, and you cannot hear. What if I told that that it could increase your chances of a heart attack and/or stroke even up to 72 hours AFTER you leave the fireground AND your exposure to it happens after MOST of the danger on the fireground is over.
What if I told you that it can kill you immediately.
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Edmonton Firefighters Fashion on Fire is Charity Fund Raising Genius
This morning, I was checking out FiregroundVideo.com (another site I run that is auto-fed youtube videos on fire service topics). One video caught my eye about dancing firefighters. I watched it and it led me to Fashion on Fire (FashiononFire.com).
Fashion on Fire is a charity event hosted by the Edmonton Firefighters.
All I can say is WOW! These guys really know how to raise money, have fun, and entertain the crowd. These guys have obviously put a lot of time and effort into this event, choreographing, and practicing.
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Union Busting in Philadelphia. The State Labor Relations Board Rules that Paramedics CANNOT be Members of the Philadelphia Firefighters Unioin.
Philadelphia paramedics are getting the boot from the State Labor Relations Board. The paramedics will no longer be allowed to be members of the Philadelphia Firefighters Union Local 22 because they are not cross-trained in firefighting.
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Respiratory Diseases and the Fire Service, Report Issued
Fire fighters have little idea about the identity of many of the materials they are exposed to.
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Firefighter quits union after charges are brought over volunteering. The story of Michael Schaffer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Twenty-one year union member resigns the IAFF rather than face expulsion over his volunteer activities.
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Shaking in their Loafers
[caption id="attachment_223" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image from http://www.lethbridgefirefighters.com"][/caption]
Apparently, Harold Schaitberger has the National Right To Work Committee (NRTWC) shaking in their penny loafers. The commit…
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Baby is Surrendered at Firehouse
Check out the video below for a news story from Sacramento. A woman surrendered her newborn child to firefighters at the firehouse. The mother took advantage of a law that protects her from abandoning her child as long as she surrenders her baby at a fir…
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Comedy: Career vs. Volunteer
Now before you go getting hurt feelings, this is just a comedy bit. Enjoy it for the humor. Damonde Tschritter (you try pronouncing it) does a comedy bit on the differences between being a career firefighter and a volunteer firefighter. Quite humorous if…
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Going Overboard
[caption id="attachment_210" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Glenn Fontaine, the chairman of the EMS unit of Toronto's outside workers union, has been charged with theft and mischief. Glenn Fontaine arrested after stolen ambulance found aban…
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Tuesday Morning Job Security Check 2
In this installment of the Tuesday Morning Job Security Check, we find out the lengths that the younger folk will go to keep us employed. Isn't it such a waste that these kids either can't vote yet, don't vote, or don't hold office. I can see it now...Th…
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German Firefighters have Close Call
[caption id="attachment_199" align="alignright" width="300" caption="On top of this I also found a photo of one of their stations. Check out this beauty. I count 10 bays."][/caption]
Update: Apparently, I botched up this entire post (according to a comm…
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Racist or not? You be the Judge!
Jim Schwartz, the Arlington (VA) County Fire Chief, has found himself being called a racist. The issue is regarding comments made to firefighters about what types of conduct are and are NOT welcome in their firehouses.
Chief Schwartz says he was explaini…
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Monday Morning Shoutout – Your Happy Medic
Our Monday morning shoutout goes to Your Happy Medic this morning! The Happy Medic is a FF/PM and offers a wide variety of posts on fire and EMS so don't let the name fool you. Plus, he is one of those guys (although I don't know his name I am pretty sur…
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FWnetz – Fire on the Net
[caption id="attachment_191" align="alignright" width="300" caption="FWnetz translated to English"][/caption]
I found a website today that I am certain I have seen before. I know some of the names associated from one of the other sites I run and I think…
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