I’m proud that Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin President and Madison Local 311 member Mahlon Mitchell won his historic primary election on May 8. This is the first recall of a lieutenant governor in the history of our nation, and on June 5 Mahlon Mitchell will face an incumbent who has been in lock-step with Governor Scott Walker in his efforts to destroy the rights of workers in Wisconsin.

The outcome of races for governor, lieutenant governor and for seats in your state and provincial legislatures has a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of our members. Those races have a direct effect on the ability of this union’s leaders to protect our members’ pay, pensions, benefits and rights in the workplace. And they have a direct impact on their ability to preserve their jobs. On the federal level, it is crucial that we maintain a friendly majority in the U.S. Senate and return the U.S. House of Representatives to the control of a friendly leadership.

When we gather together in Philadelphia for our 51st Convention, we will address our endorsement in the race for the White House – where the records of the candidates are very clear when it comes to who is with us and who is against us. Sitting on the sidelines and letting others dictate the outcome of those races isn’t a winning strategy. It is nothing less than a recipe for political disaster.

There have been a number of elections across Canada over the past few months. Control of the White House, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, nine governors’ mansion and seats in so many state legislatures across the nation are up for grabs in this year’s election in the United States. The anti-worker legislation introduced in so many state and provincial legislatures over the past two years isn’t a coincidence. It happened because extremist groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) operated unchecked, writing and handing off bills to anti-worker politicians willing to push its agenda.

Elections are our opportunity to rebuild the firewall that has crumbled in so many places by getting more of our friends elected. You’ve all heard me say it – every decision that affects your job and the jobs of our members is made by an elected or appointed official at some level of government. That’s why all elections are important.

By electing our friends – and in some cases by electing our own – we can level the playing field again. One race at a time.

 
Harold A. Schaitberger
General President

It is truly humbling for our Local to experience the outpouring of support from people across the country for our brother Vincent Cordova. IAFF Leadership and members from departments nationwide have reached out to help. The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board wanted to make the membership aware of the Firefighter brothers and sisters in California that are tending to Vincent and his family and standing by to assist in any way possible.

Before and after surgery Pat McOsker, President, IAFF Local 112 of the Los Angeles City Fire Fighters, along with other members visited Vincent and delivered several letters and gift/food cards from us and many people from across the country. (special ‘thank you’ to brother Eric Mendoza and his wife Erica for organizing the gift/food card drive here in Abq.)

 Now, Vincent has relocated to Anaheim, CA for recovery/therapy. We have also been contacted by Jim Ramirez, Secretary, IAFF Local 2899, Anaheim Firefighters and we were so happy to hear that they had visited our brother Vincent and took a picture (attached). I have included Jim's email below. We are truly grateful for their leadership.

"Diego, I just wanted to let you know that Vincent is recuperating here in Anaheim. The crews from station 3 and I went to visit him and his family today when they arrived from LA. Vince looked great and has awesome support from us, his girlfriend, and parents. I will be checking in on them from time to time during their stay. If there is anything you can think of that we can do for them please let me know...................we are having the family over to the station for dinner on the 9th (Vincent's birthday is the 10th). I will be checking in on them from time to time, but if you hear of any needs please let me know."

Thanks,
Jim Ramirez
IAFF Local 2899
Anaheim Firefighters Association

The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board is accepting letters of interest for the position of City Chapter Fourth Steward for the next 14 days. The Executive Board will appoint a member for the remainder of the term who meets the eligibility requirements on May 17, 2012 in accordance with the IAFF Local 244 Constitution & Bylaws, Article VI, Section 4.

City Steward Matt Painter has retired from the Albuquerque Fire Department, thereby creating the current vacancy. The Executive Board would like to thank Brother Matt Painter for his leadership, dedication and commitment to our great union.

On Monday, April 30, 2012 the IAFF Local 244 Executive Board will present the official Political Action Committee recommendations for United States Congress and United States Senate endorsements for ratification by the membership pursuant to Article V, Section 6. Special Meetings & Article IX, Section 6. Political Action Committee. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm.

On behalf of the IAFF Local 244 membership we would like to humbly thank the AFD Retirees Association for painting the Union Hall this past weekend. President Sam Trujillo, Louie Trujillo, Herman Bishop, John Serino, Eddie Torres Sr., Noel Baca, Juan Sandoval, Eddie Abeita, Fred Teupell, Bill Raupfer, Mark Chavez and Tom Romero selflessly committed time for our membership. It is an honor to have these retired brothers come forward and help maintain our Union Hall. This should serve to remind us that brotherhood, above all else, is what keeps our departments and union strong. We shared stories comparing the traditions of yesterday and how relevant they are today. Station decorum, respect for officers and union involvement is how our reputability was earned over decades of service. We are very fortunate to have these former leaders among us.

Retired AFD Firefighter Zeke Hernandez has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Adenocarcinom. His oncologist states that his cancer is treatable but not curable due to its advanced stage. The cancer originated in his lungs and has spread into his brain tissue as well as his bones. Zeke has completed a round of ten radiation treatments and is currently waiting on more tests.

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012 the Rio Rancho Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 4877 will host a Poker Tournament to raise money for their Scholarship Fund. The tournament will be held at Turtle Mountain Brewing Company located at 905 36th Place SE, Rio Rancho, NM. Tournament begins at 6:00pm. $75.00 per player includes food and donation to play in the fundraiser poker tournament. Prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Contact Sean Bergen @ 505-440-6684 for more information.

April 10, 2011 -- The IAFF is saddened by the loss of two Philadelphia Local 22 fire fighters – Robert Neary, 60, and Daniel Sweeney, 25 – who died in the line of duty while fighting a vacant warehouse fire on April 9. Two other Local 22 fire fighters – Francis Chaney and Pat Nally were injured in the same fire and are being treated at a local hospital.

“These brave fire fighters lost their lives much too soon,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “On behalf of the entire IAFF membership, our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”

“Words cannot express the sadness we feel for what happened to our brothers,” says Local 22 President Bill Gault. “But our focus, right now, has to be on the families. We are working hard to ensure they have the support they need to get through this difficult time.”

The 5-alarm fire broke out about 3:15 a.m. in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Reports indicate that wind fueled the blaze, causing it to spread to a nearby furniture store and to damage several area homes. Neary, Sweeney, Chaney and Nally were inside the furniture store when part of the warehouse collapsed on top of the furniture store, trapping fire fighters inside. Fire fighters were able to rescue Chaney and Nally, but could not reach Neary and Sweeney in time. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Neary, a 38-year veteran, was a well-respected fire fighter who had been awarded four unit citations in his career. He leaves behind his wife and their three children. Sweeney followed in his father’s footsteps when he joined the department in 2006. During his six years as a fire fighter, he was awarded two unit citations. He is survived by his parents

 WE have had overwhelming response from across the nation wanting to help our brother and his family.  We are truly touched.

Contributions for Firefighter Vince Cordova can be sent to:

IAFF Local 244

Firefighter Survivors Fund

C/O Vincent Cordova

P.O. Box 25602

Albuquerque, NM 87125

OR visit PayPal Link:

Blogspot Link:

http://firefightercordova.blogspot.com/

As members of the International Association of Fire Fighters we take an oath to serve and protect one another as well as the public. Brothers Jed Hyland, Steve Keffer, Paul McClure, Clinton Anderson and Si Do are leading by example and reminding us all that loyalty among Firefighters is paramount. The selfless act of giving their lottery winnings to the Firefighter Survivors Fund to benefit Vincent Cordova will endow this union with inspiration for years to come. Captain Jed Hyland submitted this letter to the membership:

Dear IAFF Members,

IAFF local 244 members at AFD station 8 won a sliver of the widely publicized "Mega Millions" lottery on Friday. We hit five out of six numbers and are to be awarded a cash prize. In an effort to continue in the charitable work begun by our generous and selfless brothers and sisters, the prize winning crew have pledged an equal share of their winnings to the IAFF Local 244 Firefighter Survivor's Fund. Our contribution was inspired by the bold advocacy and selfless generosity exhibited by so many in our membership, and by our sincere desire to help our Brother Vince Cordova and his family, OUR family, in this time of crisis.

Respectfully and Fraternally, 

Jed Hyland, Captain

Albuquerque Fire Department

AFD Fire Station 8

Links to news stories: 

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2562957.shtml?cat=500

http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/albuquerque/-/9153728/10021044/-/uvqr8x/-/index.html

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2012/04/06/firefighters-win-lotto-donate-one-own