UPDATED June 23, 2013 – IAFF members across south central Alberta are at work protecting the citizens of Calgary and other nearby communities while worrying whether severe and dangerous flooding may affect their own homes and families.
The IAFF and 6th District Vice President Lorne West are following the situation closely.
Responding to children is always very difficult even for the most tenured among us. The call came in for a 2 year old boy who was drowning in a swimming pool. The crews from Engine 27 and Rescue 27 swiftly responded and arrived to find a young boy with blue lips who was hardly breathing. They transported and treated him with aggressive intervention, by the time they arrived at the ER the boy was crying and breathing! On June 19, 2013, the IAFF Local 244 honored Lt. Max Montgomery, Lt. Tony Braunschweiger, Dr. Anthony Valencia, Dr. John Melia, FF Mitchell Avey, FF Dax Loerwald for their outstanding service.
June 18, 2013 – Six years ago today, nine Charleston, South Carolina, fire fighters -- including members of Charleston Local 61 -- made the ultimate sacrifice while battling the Charleston Sofa Super Store fire.
The nine were Louis Mulkey, Mike Benke, Melven Champaign, William Hutchinson, Rodney "Brad" Baity, James Drayton, Mark Kelsey, Michael French and Brandon Thompson.
“No matter how many years pass, we will never forget the brothers we lost that day,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “We will remember them at memorials in Charleston and we will visit their names etched into the wall at the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs.”
The Sofa Super Store had no sprinkler system. Flames weakened the structure, causing it to collapse and trapping the nine inside. Fire fighters on the outside were unable to reach their trapped brothers in time to save them.
The land that once housed the Sofa Super Store was purchased by the City of Charleston and is now a city park. Memorial plaques have been placed in remembrance of the nine fire fighters who lost their lives. Charleston fire fighters gather at the site every year to reflect.
Click here for the final incident report on the fire. It recommended increased training and updates to fire ground procedures and apparatus.
On May 20, 2013 the IAFF Local 244 honored Lt. Greg Aragon for helping subdue an incensed man who was stabbing people in St. Jude Thaddeus Church on April 28, 2013. Brother Aragon selflessly and bravely put himself in harm's way to protect innocent lives. He suffered a large laceration to the head and has fully recovered. He was joined by his wife and several crews from around the District who came by to pay their respect and honor Brother Greg Aragon.
First, I want to take a moment to reflect on the tragic loss of four of our Houston, Texas Local 341 members who responded to a restaurant and motel fire May 31 and our Phoenix Local 493 brother who was killed while responding to a mulch fire.
Dear Brothers and Sisters of IAFF L - 244.
As you know, we lost three Brothers and One Sister during a Fire in Houston, Texas on May 31, 2013. As many of you may or may not know, I am a former member of Houston Local 341 and my brother-in-law is a Senior Arson Investigator for the Houston Fire Department.
June 1, 2013 –– The IAFF is deeply saddened to report the line-of-duty deaths of four Houston, TX Local 341 fire fighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice from a fire in southwest Houston May 31.
Captain Matthew Renaud, 35. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October 2001.
Engineer Operator Robert Bebee, 41.
During this holiday weekend, the IAFF reminds all members and their families to please take a moment to remember and honor the men and woman in our military who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The IAFF salutes all veterans and our IAFF brother and sister veterans for their military service and dedication to our nation and appreciates the tremendous sacrifices these brave men and women have made as they served and are currently serving our nation in the armed forces. The IAFF also encourages members to participate in the many Memorial Day services and ceremonies that will be held over this Memorial Day weekend.
The NM Chapter of the IAFF Motorcycle Group rode to Laguna for a Public Safety Day event on Saturday, May 11, 2013. This event also commemorated the Lawrence Vargas "Shoes for Kids" charity event giving over 700 pairs of shoes to the children of Laguna Pueblo in memory of Lawrence Vargas and Nikolas Ventura-Arencón . Special thanks to Chief Art De La O and Laguna Fire & Rescue personnel for their professionalism and hospitality.
An IAFF Brother from Local 4877 has a son who suffered a medical illness at birth that required out of state treatment. Rio Rancho Firefighters are hosting a Benefit Poker Tournament on Thursday, May 9, 2013 starting at 6:00pm at Turtle Mountain Brewing Company to help his family with expenses. Buy in is $75.00 and includes food and donation to play poker in the tournament. Great prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places Click PDF link below for the flyer. Contact Sean Bergen @ 505-440-6684 to make your reservation.
JR Colby poker.pdf
