On July 30, 2012 BCFD Rescue 40 received a 911 call for a male patient who had fallen off a cliff. Rescue 40 personnel treated him and managed his pain. The man’s children were with him during the accident. Commander Chavez approved the request to bring the children back to the station so their mother could pick them up. Lieutenant Keith Clark arranged for the Engine 40 crew to take the children to Tramway and Central and meet her. While the children were at the station they were given a tour and visited with the crew. The IAFF Local 244 honored Commander Mike Chavez, Lieutenant Keith Clarke, Firefighter Kevin McClellan, Paramedic Chase Sherman, Engineer Angel Alvarado and Firefighter Matt Caward for their professionalism and compassion.

The IAFF Local 244 was presented with a Traditional Jemez Pueblo Walatowa Belt made by Member Emiliano Chavez and blessed by Jemez Pueblo Medicine Man Thurman Loretto in a ceremony at the Union Hall on September 25, 2012. The belt symbolizes the protection, safety and unity of all Firefighters. We are humbled to have this gift bestowed upon the membership and pay the utmost respect to Jemez Pueblo.

IAFF Brothers: CPT. Thomas Dunn, SSG. Ron Benavidez, SGT. Heath Petty, SGT. Zach Menzie, and of the US Army C Co 1-171^ST AVN RGT presented the IAFF Local 244 Executive Board with an American flag. This flag was flown from a UH-60 Blackhawk MEDEVAC Helicopter on September 11, 2011 while conducting a mission to evacuate wounded Coalition Forces operating in the Helmand Provence of Afghanistan. Brother Benavidez attended the Executive Board meeting on September 20, 2012 and honored the membership with this profound gift and gesture of appreciation. We are all humbled to have received this honor from these courageous men who have returned home safely from serving our Country and will continue serving their community as Firefighters and Paramedics.

The primary responsibility of the IAFF Fire & EMS Operations/GIS Department is to provide comprehensive information on fire departments and fire-based EMS that assists in improving the safety and working conditions of IAFF members. The IAFF promotes appropriate staffing and deployment for fire suppression and the effectiveness of fire-based emergency medical services systems by providing recommendations to develop, enhance and protect public safety. Please click on PDF link below to view the Geographic Information System (GIS) Study for Albuquerque and Bernalillo County Fire Departments:

We acquired this draft Matrix report late this afternoon and understand that it lacks the opinions of the AFD Administration, which will be forthcoming. We feel this report is intentionally vague and offers no justification for its recommendations. All references stem from cost savings with no regard for the impact on firefighter or citizen safety. Please click PDF link below to view the report. Send input to: iafflocal244@hotmail.com

The 51^st IAFF Biennial Convention took place in July 2012 in Philadelphia. There were a total of twenty-seven resolutions introduced at this convention, most of the resolutions which passed are Action resolutions and therefore they don’t carry any cost back to the members. However, some of the actions taken do require an expense that is passed on to us at the local and State levels. As an end result, the Resolutions which passed carrying an expense will increase in our monthly Per Capita dues to the International (our monthly dues to the International). The overall increase will amount to .19¢ per pay period, which will go into effect on paychecks beginning in October 2012; this Per Capita increase is in accordance with our Bylaws, Article IV, Section 5.

If you would like to view the Convention Resolutions please log in as a member on the IAFF website: www.iaff.org or contact Administrative Assistant Kelly Silvis at 505-288-2313 or General Secretay Brian Kadle at 505-288-2292.

The 2012 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service was held on the 15^th of September. Members Brian Kadle, Angel Alvarado, Matt Propp and Derek Spurlock were in attendance representing the IAFF Local 244, honoring those Firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in the line of duty. This year there were 154 IAFF members placed on the memorial wall. In total, there have been 2,651 Firefighters recognized for line of duty deaths since 1976. Please click link below for more information about the ceremony.

http://www.iaff.org/12News/091612FFFM.htm

Albuquerque Area Firefighters Random Acts was contacted and asked if they could help Brother Matt Wolf and his family with getting a break job on the family car so it would be safe for a drive to Phoenix, AZ for a medical appointment. Firefighters Random Acts was honored to be called to help the Wolf family and without hesitation were able to pick up the car and get the job done! Brother Wolf also had frequent flyer miles to fly so, Random Acts was able to set him up with some Phoenix Firefighters who are going to pick him up at the airport, drive him where he needs to go, have a lunch for him at one of their fire stations, and get him back in time for his departing flight. The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board would like to thank to Random Acts for their compassion and leadership.

www.firefightersrandomacts.org

The IAFF Local 224 Executive Board would like to congratulate Gary Smith for his appointment to County Chapter 4^th Steward. He will serve for the interim until the 2012 General Election in December. Brother Smith has served as County Chapter Vice-President and has extensive experience on the Executive Board and has been an active IAFF member. We look forward to working with him in advancing our advocacy efforts to represent all members and their families.

As we commemorate the 11^th anniversary of the most significant day in the history of our profession, we pay respect to our fallen brethren and remember their sacrifice. We also show deep remorse for the citizens who lost their lives and the personnel who suffer from ailments resulting from exposures during rescue efforts that went on well beyond that tragic day.  As Fire Fighters we are all cut from the same cloth and together feel the pride and the pain that the 9/11 anniversary brings into our hearts. We must never forget the invaluable lessons we have learned from this day, lessons that have changed the fire service forever.

The Albuquerque Fire Department Retirees’ Association and IAFF Local 244 will perform a 4/5s Ceremony at the Union Hall at 12 noon.

IAFF Local 244 members will be attending events and ceremonies throughout the weekend in Albuquerque and Santa Fe to pay homage to the 343 Fire Fighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001.

http://www.iaff.org/12News/091112_Sept11.htm