On the early morning of July, 18, 2013 Engine 20 was dispatched to a 10 Delta with R16, Upon arrival Engine 20 found a man complaining of severe left sided chest pain. While the crew administered appropriate care during the initial assessment the patient suddenly stopped breathing. They aggressively treated him and applied the AED, the patient was pulseless and in V-fib. CPR was performed and after a brief moment of chest compressions the patient sat up and began asking, “What’s going on.” R16 arrived on scene and the patient was transported to the Heart Hospital. As the patient was leaving the scene he was yelling, "thank you for saving my life!"

Later we discovered the patient suffered a blockage in the main artery to his heart and is on the road to recovery. This is a rare and extraordinary event and the IAFF Local 244 recognizes members; Driver Brian Fox, Firefighter Joseph Garcia, Firefighter Scott Summers and Firefighter Jonah Donnarumma.

August 1, 2013 -- IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger outlined the IAFF’s priorities for federal tax reform in a letter sent July 25 to the Senate Finance Committee. Schaitberger is urging Congress to protect a number of specific tax provisions that benefit fire fighters and emergency response personnel, including continuing the tax exclusions for employer-provided health care and pension contributions.

Over the past several months, tax writers in both the House and Senate have been laying the groundwork to produce legislation that would reform the tax code. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) announced that instead of deciding which tax preferences to remove from the tax code they would start with a “clean slate” and require lawmakers and outside organizations to make a convincing case on why any tax provision should be retained.

In explaining the importance of the tax exclusions for health and retirement benefits, Schaitberger wrote, “Our members especially depend on this provision, given the higher benefits they receive based on the high risk of the profession. Eliminating this tax exclusion would amount to an unfair and disproportionate tax increase on those front-line responders we ask to protect the public safety.”

Schaitberger also expressed support for tax provisions that enable state and local governments to provide needed public services. Abolishing tax preferences for interest on municipal bonds would cost localities billions of dollars and place additional burdens on already struggling communities. Additionally, he encouraged Congress to retain these important tax provisions because without them “government agencies could be forced to slash basic services.”

As this debate moves forward, the IAFF will continue to work to advocate aggressively towards protecting those tax provisions that support our members and the necessary services they provide.

On the evening of July 26, 2013 the city and surrounding areas were pounded by a massive rain and wind storm. All of AFD's resources were taxed to their limits. Hundreds of additional 911 calls were generated as a result of the damage that night. The Alarm Room Firefighter/Dispatchers served the public and their fellow Firefighters/Paramedics professionally, efficiently and effectively. The 7 members orchestrated emergency responses for nearly 200 field personnel, nonstop, for several hours, until the storm passed. The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board acknowledged: Lt. Daniel Sanchez, Lt. Tom Donahue, Paramedic Driver Mark Dillard, Driver Jimy Byrd, Driver Robert Herrera, Driver Angelo Abeyta and Driver William Chavez on August 4, 2013 with an Honoring Our Own ceremony. They clearly displayed the true character upon which the fire service is built. We could not be more proud and grateful for their exemplary service. 

The 2013 Battle of the Badges charity football game was a huge success! The New Mexico's Bravest kicked the winning field goal in OT (13-12). A big thanks to all; volunteers, sponsors, organizers, coaches, players and most importantly the fans. See you next year, Hogs...

Battle of the Badges 911 Bowl will be held on August 3, 2013 beginning 7:00pm at Milne Stadium. All proceeds will go to benefit Carrie Tingley Hospital. Please click on PDF below for the flyer.

Attention Members:

Be advised, deductions for Benevolent and TV Fund will be deducted this pay period in accordance with Article IV, Section 6 and Section 9 of the IAFF Local 244 Constitution & Bylaws. 

Albuquerque area Fire Fighters, IAFF L-244 will have a Memorial Service for the 19 Arizona Fire Fighters that responded on their " Last Alarm " on June 30th, 2013 while fighting a wildfire in Arizona ..... Date of Memorial Service ..... 7/9/13 @ 1600 Location of Services .

July 2, 2013 – The IAFF and the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona (PFFA) are reaching out to provide resources and support to the families of the 19 Prescott fire fighters and Granite Mountain Hotshots crew lost June 30 fighting the Yarnell wildfire.

In the deadliest single event since 9/11, the men were killed when the fast-moving wildfire overtook them. All had deployed their emergency shelters designed to protect them in an emergency circumstance.

The fallen include:

• Robert Caldwell

• Travis Carter

• Eric Marsh

• Jesse Steed

• Travis Turbyfill

• Clayton Whitted

• Andrew Ashcraft

• Dustin Deford

• Christopher MacKenzie

• Grant McKee

• Sean Misner

• Scott Norris

• Wade Parker

• John Percin

• Anthony Rose

• Joe Thurston

• William Warneke

• Kevin Woyjeck

• Garret Zuppiger

The team’s only survivor, Brendon McDonough, was away from the fire line at the time of the incident.

A memorial is being planned for early next week to remember the 19. The IAFF will post details as soon as they are available. A web site has been created with updates on the fallen fire fighters and the Yarnell Fire.

“In the face of a tragedy of this magnitude, our focus remains with the families and our members,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “We are all in mourning and doing what we can to help each other cope.”

The Yarnell fire – which has burned more than 8,000 acres and is 0 percent contained – began Friday, June 28 when a lightning strike ignited dry vegetation. The Granite Mountain Hotshots team were all members of the Prescott Fire Department in Arizona and had been dispatched to the scene when the worst happened. It is the deadliest single wildfire event since 1933 when 29 were killed in Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

The IAFF has sent a team to join PFFA President Tim Hill, PFFA Executive Vice President Bryan Jeffries and other Arizona members to coordinate member and family assistance.

A liaison has been assigned to each of the families to shield them from the media and other well-wishers and to assist with service arrangements.

The IAFF is also working to organize the memorial for all 19 fallen fire fighters. Honor Guards and Pipe and Drum Bands are already coordinating participation through the PFFA.

Meanwhile, multiple crews from across the state of Arizona are helping staff the Prescott fire stations as the families and members cope with the magnitude of this tragedy. Crisis counselors have also been made available to the families and the members for critical incident stress management.

As with many tragedies like this one, there is an outpouring of support. The IAFF is cautioning well-wishers who want to donate to the families to be careful of fraudulent charities.

The IAFF is asking that donations be made to the 501(c)3 relief fund organized by the United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association and Prescott Fire Fighter’s Charities. One hundred percent of all tax-deductible donations will benefit the families of the fire fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. To contribute, make your individual or corporate donation at any Chase bank using the following account information: United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association Account #987218757.

Washington – International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold A.

Arizona forestry officials confirmed Sunday night that 19 firefighters have died in the Yarnell Hill Fire that has ripped through half of the town, sent residents to Prescott for safety and given the state its biggest ever wildfire firefighter tragedy. “It’s a dark day,” said Mike Reichling, Arizona State Forestry Division spokesman.