Please read the letter below from Tammy Wolf on behalf of her husband Matt Wolf. We are committed to working with Fire Administration to assist with the leave donation process for Brother Wolf. Please print and fill out the form below and turn in to your Commander..  

IAFF Members and their families gathered today for the 3^rd annual softball game. Everyone pitched in with food and fired up the grills. It was a great time. We would like to thank Brother Johnny Sedillo for organizing this event and all the other members who helped put it together!

First of all, we would like to thank all the volunteers behind the scenes who help to make this drive happen year after year. Yesterday we collected $7,810 which makes the total for the first two days $11,810. Our Local has surpassed its $100,000 goal two years in a row and we are on our way to reaching that goal once again. Get out and Fill The Boot!

It is with much sadness we announce the passing of our Brother Zeke Hernandez. Zeke passed away on June 11, 2012 at age 55. It is truly humbling to know that his Firefighter Brothers were there for him through his fight with cancer and made his home a better place for his wife and family to live. The IAFF Local 244 will celebrate his life and contribution to the Albuquerque Fire Department. He will be deeply missed by all.

Services will be held on June 19, 2012 at Risen Savior , 7701 Wyoming NE beginning with the viewing at 12:00pm and Mass at 1:00pm. Burial will follow at the Gate of Heaven at Paseo Del Norte & Wyoming.

AFD Retiree's will perform the Four Fives Last Alarm Ceremony prior to the mass. The AFD Last Alarm Funeral Truck will be utilized and AFD Honor Guard will Post at Church and Graveside Services.

Members from 10 AFD Stations participated in the 2012 Fill The Boot drive bouncing back and forth between calls. We raised over $4000 today. Thank you all!

The incentive prizes for this year’s campaign for the crews that raise the most money are as follows:

Grand Prize - Entertainment Package (Grill & X-Box)

Runner Up - $500 gift card for Costco

Get out and Fill The Boot!

June 8, 2012 – This week, the IAFF Executive Board considered the records and positions of the candidates competing for the most powerful elected position in the world and unanimously concluded that the choice of the next president of the United States is clear because of the stark contrasts between the candidates. The IAFF has endorsed President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

On one hand, the current, sitting president and vice president have consistently shown their commitment with critical and increasing funding for programs that have kept thousands of fire fighters and paramedics on the job, and provided the equipment they need to protect their communities during some of the toughest economic times our country and jurisdictions across the United States have ever experienced.

On the other hand, Mitt Romney, as governor of Massachusetts, repeatedly attempted to cut local aid to communities, jeopardizing public safety. He also attempted to strip away the collective bargaining rights of fire fighters in the state and has repeatedly stated that he opposes and would zero-out the federal grant programs that provide critical funding to communities to keep fire fighters working and for life-saving equipment and apparatus.

"The simple fact is, over the past two years IAFF members have been literally assaulted – their rights attacked, their standard of living attacked, their retirement after a career serving their community attacked – and those assaults have been launched at every level by people who say the same things, promote the same policies and have similar records in public office as Mitt Romney," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.

In March, the IAFF joined with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI) to produce and broadcast an ad highlighting Mitt Romney’s opposition to critical public safety programs, which ran during the Illinois primary.

Over the coming weeks, the IAFF will be providing affiliates with information on the positions of the candidates on public safety and issues supporting people who work for a living.

IAFF Members are out in force today one behalf of our endorsees for the Primary Election. A group of members were off to an early start this morning at the union hall organizing for our sister Emily Kane who is running for State House District 15. As Firefighters and Paramedics on the frontlines we are fully aware that every decision that effects our profession and its critical funding is ultimately decided upon by elected officials. Our political action is second to none and given the trying times we are faced with our PAC is stronger than ever. Below is the link for the IAFF Local 244 endorsements. Go Vote!

 Link for IAFF Local 244 Endorsements:
http://www.iaff244.org/?zone=/unionactive/election_list.cfm

This Saturday, June 2, 2012, Knuckleheads Bar, Los Carnales M.C. and IAFF Local 244 will host an all day fundraiser for Fire Fighter Cordova that will end with a Dinner & Dance. The day will begin with a Car Wash in the Knuckleheads parking lot beginning at 10:00am. The Dinner & Dance will begin at 6:00pm. You can purchase tickets for $10.00 from Captain Gabe Blea or Lt. Martin Salazar. Tickets are also available at the Union Hall. Lt. Tom Tyma has custom made a belt buckle and pendant to be raffled at the event for Vincent (see picture below). Knuckleheads is located at 3230 Coors Blvd. NW. 

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 country. 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.

Several AFD/IAFF members on and off duty convened outside of Firefighter Cordova’s house to greet him as he arrived on May 20, 2012. To see our brother step out of the vehicle was very emotional for all of us. He has inspired the entire membership of the IAFF with his strength and has redefined the meaning of “brotherhood” for every Firefighter across the Country. We will celebrate Vincent’s health and well-being at the next General Meeting on June 14, 2012, 7:00pm.

Click for group picture below: