With the recommendation from Commander Skip Tinagero among other IAFF Members, President Diego Arencón nominated Lieutenant Martin Salazar for the New Mexico Fire Academy Fire Fighter of the Year Award. Lt. Salazar was selected and received the award during the ceremony at the State Fire Academy on September 10, 2012 for his selfless work in organizing events that support and raise money for fellow firefighters in need. As you all know, Lt. Salazar was instrumental in establishing the inaugural Swing for Survivors Golf Tournament that helped establish funding for our Firefighters Survivors Fund. The Survivors Fund has already helped several members and their families who suffer from life threatening medical conditions and has become a focal point in all of our fundraising efforts. He was also honored at the ceremony for his career accomplishments with the Albuquerque Fire Department. The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board would like to acknowledge Lt. Salazar for his leadership and commitment to his fellow IAFF brothers and sisters. Please click PDF link below to view the nomination letter. 

IAFF Local 244 is going Passionately Pink for the Cure in October. We are currently looking for interested members to join a steering committee which will assist in organizing a Passionately Pink Event; proceeds raised will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Please submit letters of interest via e-mail to iafflocal244@hotmail.com

http://www.iaff.org/Events/Pink2012/index.htm

This Labor Day we would like to take a moment to remember the sacrifices made by the former leadership of the IAFF Local 244 from the day we first organized, March 8,1921 to present.  Our union has made decades of progress for the Albuquerque and Bernalillo County Fire Departments, our members and their families. If it were not for the leadership of our forefathers who served selflessly and fought to protect our rights, benefits and work conditions we would have nothing today. It is important to become actively involved in your union, serve the community with pride and honor while never forgetting the sacrifices of those who made our profession what it is today.

On Saturday, September 8, 2012, the IAFF Local 244 will host a Benefit Golf Tournament in support of Fire Fighter Matt Wolf at the Desert Greens Golf Course in Paradise Hills located at 10035 Country Club Lane, NW, Albuquerque, NM beginning at 8:00am. Our goal is to provide financial assistance to Brother Matt Wolf and other Firefighters and who have been stricken by life threatening medical conditions.  There will be raffles with great prizes. Please lick on the PDF link below to sign up.

The IAFF Local 244 Executive Board is accepting letters of interest for the position of County Chapter Fourth Steward for the next 14 calendar days. The Executive Board will appoint a member to serve on September 6, 2012 in accordance with the IAFF Local 244 Constitution & Bylaws, Article VI, Section 4.

Firefighters and Police Officers from around the state gathered in Belen, NM on Sunday, August 20, 2012 for a Public Safety Picnic in honor of NM’s Police, Firefighters and Paramedics. The IAFF Local 244 co-sponsored the event with the AFDRA, FOP, APOA, IATSE and NMFL. Together we paid tribute to Senator Michael Sanchez for his exemplary leadership in supporting New Mexico’s public safety personnel. 

On August18, 2012 we honored 25 AFD Firefighters who retired in 2011 with engraved chromed axes at the 2012 AFD Retiree's Picnic. This marks the fifth annual tradition of IAFF Local 244 and AFD Retiree Association presenting the union's gift at the picnic in appreciation for their years of service and leadership. Special thanks to our brothers at AFD Station 1 for assembling the axes before the ceremony. It was truly inspiring to see many generations of firefighters, families and survivors celebrating together and sharing stories.

On August 17, 2012 the AFD Station 1, A Shift crew proudly assembled the engraved chromed axes for presentation at the Annual AFD Retirees Picnic in honor of the 2011 retirees. This marks the 5^th year of this AFDRA/IAFF Local 244 tradition.

The IAFF Local 244 has worked diligently with County Management to ensure that this contract, in its entirety, be approved by the Bernalillo County Commission. The County Commission remanded the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to restructure the distribution of the financial package. The original compensation package will now be distributed in thirds over a three year period. This increase will allow BCFD to become a competitive fire department with regard to retention and recruitment of qualified Fire and Rescue Personnel while lessening the impact on the overall budget. Please log into the members' area to view the current TA'd CBA, specifically Article 36. There will be a Special Meeting on August 22, 2012 at the Union Hall at 11:00am to address any questions and/or concerns from the membership. Based on this amendment we will conduct a CBA ratification vote on August 23, 2012 from 7:00am to & 7:00pm (poll sites: Union Hall, Station 33 and Station 40). It is strongly encouraged that all IAFF County Chapter members participate as it is critical to the success of this negotiation. A special thank you to the Negotiating Team for their leadership!

The CBA will be placed on the Bernalillo County Commission agenda on August 28, 2012 for final approval.