Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Flint firefighters say cutbacks delayed getting water on fatal fire. 3 FFs burned trying to make rescue without hose line.
The first water to hit the fire in the 1400 block of Bennett Avenue in Flint, Michigan late Monday night came from a garden hose operated by a neighbor. The fire department didn't have anything better to offer when the first two vehicles showed up. According to union vice-president Lt. Mark Kovach, the first two pieces of equipment on the scene were squad vehicles without water. News reports indicate the engine that used to be at the closest fire house, Station 5, was no longer there due to layoffs that took effect on Sunday. Kovach figures it took three or four additional minutes to get the first pumper to the burning home.
Lt. Kovach isn't just speaking as a union official on this one. He was one of three firefighters to receive second-degree burns while trying to get to a man trapped in the home. Kovach believes, with water, the firefighters would have made the second floor instead being pushed back as the flames rolled over on them. The man's body was discovered later.
A woman who lived in the house escaped with serious burns prior to the arrival of the fire department.
According to news reports, City of Flint officials are not disputing the accounts of the firefighters. It isn't just union leaders and the rank and file expressing concern. Battalion Chief Teresa Root told WJRT-TV, "It was chaotic. It's not how we do things."
WEYI-TV reports:
The Flint Mayor's office says it is doing the best it can with the resources available. The Fire Department says it has a city plan that it keeps updating to make sure it's addressing the residents’ needs in the best and most efficient way.
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FAQS REGARDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE ACTS OF 2009Are payments under the “Quinn Bill” regular compensation under Chapter 21?
“The Quinn Bill” established by G.L. c. 42, § 108L clearly provides that Quinn Bill payments become a permanent part of an individual’s base pay. Therefore, they are included in the new definition of regular compensation. Funding of the Quinn Bill is a separate issue.
Are other so called educational incentives regular compensation under Chapter 21?
If educational incentives for individuals are a permanent part of the base salary, such payments are included in the new definition of regular compensation. If not part of the base salary, no, unless provided for in a collective bargaining agreement or employment contract in effect on May 1, 2009, in which case it will remain regular compensation until the contract expires but no later than July 1, 2012.
Are longevity payments, EMT payments, HazMat payments, Defibrillator payments, Homeland Security payments, Stand-By payments, and other similar payments regular compensation under Chapter 21?
If longevity EMT, Hazardous Material, Defibrillator, Homeland Security, Stand-by payments, and other similar payments are permanent part of base pay, such payments are included in the new definition of regular compensation. If not part of the base salary, no, unless provided for in a collective bargaining agreement or employment contract in effect on May 1, 2009, in which case it will remain regular compensation until the contract expires but no later than July 1, 2012.
Do amounts paid for working holidays for certain public safety personnel continue to be regular compensation?
Yes.
A collective bargaining agreement or employment contract was in effect prior to May 1, 2009. There is no new contract as of July 1, 2009 and the parties are operating under the old agreement until a new one is executed. If a new agreement is executed after July 1, 2009 how will this be assessed under Chapter 21?
If the old contract was in effect prior to May 1, 2009, the successor contract would be effective on the date the old contract expired and payments that were regular compensation will retain that status until the end of the successor contract, but not later than June 30, 2012. Retirement contributions should continue to be withheld while the new contract is being negotiated.Does the definition of regular compensation impact payments made prior to June 30, 2009?
The new definition of regular compensation established by Chapter 21 does not impact payments made prior to July 1, 2009. Regular compensation status for payments made prior to July 1, 2009 will be determined according to the "old" definition. As a result there will be instances in which a member’s three year average will include regular compensation which is determined under both definitions. For example, regular compensation for June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008 and for July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 will be determined under the "old" definition and regular compensation for July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 will be determined under the definition established by Chapter 21.
PERAC WILL CONTINUE TO POST ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN THE COURSE OF THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. PERAC Memo on Chapter 21 of the Acts of 2009
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Click each link below to download and print:
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Welcome to the 51st Annual Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Program. We are excited for another year of awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors. Our program is one of the best in the country and we are proud of that achievement. Please take a moment to read the FAQ section and hopefully it will answer any questions you may have about our great program. This year's Labor History Exam will be given on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Please contact your guidence counselor at your high school and let them know you wish to participate in our program for this year. Also, please fill out an application and return it to the Massachusetts AFL-CIO no later than Friday, December 19, 2008. Once you have filled out an application and submitted it to the MA AFL-CIO and notified your guidance counselor, you are "registered" for the Labor History exam.
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click here to go to the Mass. AFL-CIO Scholarship info page
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Armano Tickets & GMT Tailgaters Present the 8th Annual Road Trip New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolpfins Sunday December 6th, 2009 Dolphin Stadium, Miami Florida Trip available with hotel accommodations at Lauderdale-by-the-sea. $100.00 Non-Refundable deposit for game ticket due by May 31st 2009. Contact Graeme Millar or Mike Armano for more info.
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| Walk of Honor National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland |
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- WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Monday gave employers a green light to reduce health benefits for millions of retirees who turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. The justices turned away a legal challenge from AARP, the nation's leading senior citizens lobby, which had contended these lower benefits for older retirees violated the federal law against age discrimination. The court's action upholds, in effect, a rule adopted last year by federal regulators that says the "coordination of retiree health benefits with Medicare" is exempt from the anti-age-bias law. Full story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-scotus25mar25,0,1439888.story
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