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Events, Help, Fundraisers & Benefits:
Change to November Union Meeting Date!!!
Another Reminder: November 13th is cancelled. New Date is November 20th. Back To Top
Free Las Vegas Trips re Cornell Survey Deadline Extended!
The deadline for eligibility for the random drawing of Free Las Vegas trips among members who have returned their surveys has been extended to the day of our next union meeting, Thursday, November 20th. Please insure your Delegate has your completed copy in time to hand in. Surveys are no longer being distributed to those who were not assigned or did not request participation prior to the previous deadline. Back To Top
All Ladder Members: Opportunity to Get CFR Training on OT
In response to the UFA’s request, Chief Cassano has asked us to forward to him a list of all ladder members who are not CFR-D certified, but wish to be (this is NOT for 32 hour recertifications). All truck Delegates are asked to survey your members and prepare a list. Fax to the Recording Secretary’s Office, ATTN: Joe Miccio at 212-683-4359, or email to lists@ufanyc.org no later than November 30th. They may also be handed in at the November 20th union meeting. Back To Top
Need Ladder CFR-D Tickets: Compensation for Ladders
The UFA is arbitrating against the Dept with the objective of having CFR-D certified Ladder FFs paid CFR-D differential when responding for EMS carry downs, EMS forced entry and difficulty breathing/asthma. Please fax all related tickets ASAP to the Recording Secretary, Joe Miccio at 212-683-4359. Back To Top
GIncreased Engine Response: Fax Tickets toUFA!!!
Last June the Department agreed with the UFA to implement a 6-month pilot program which requires it to dispatch a minimum of 2 engines and 1 ladder on any single source report of a structural fire. As you know, this is a big change from their previous policy that only required 1 engine and 1 ladder. Every member knows that sending 2 engines immediately to every report of structural fire will increase the safety of both FFs and the public we serve. We were able to get the Dept to institute this change on a trial basis as part of June’s manning agreement. It is absolutely necessary that we are able to document specific 10-75s where a 2nd engine company was initially assigned only because of this agreement. To accomplish this, all firefighters must fax every 10-75 ticket where either the 1st due or 2nd due engine company normally assigned to a box was unavailable and replaced by a 3rd due, 4th due or greater engine, as is now required under the June agreement. This information will be critical in influencing the Dept to make this successful program into permanent policy. Fax to 212-683-4359, ATTN: Joe Miccio, Recording Secretary. Back To Top
UFA Sponsored Education Workshops for Parents
Help your children do well in school with Strategies and Solutions. Struggling with working two jobs? Problems at school snowballing? This workshop is designed to: prevent academic problems before they start, help improve your child’s performance in school, advocate for your children with teachers and administrators when necessary and to get your child the best education possible. You will leave with the tools and resources to immediately use at home and at your children’s’ school. Conducted by award-winning educator Eva Ostrum, who also appears as an education expert on NBC’s Today Show. Tues, November 11th 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Sat, November 22nd 10am- 12 noon. Wagner College(Spiro Room), One Campus Road, SI, NY 10301. Back To Top
Prior Time Credit Enhancements
The New York State legislature recently passed an amendment to the Retirement and Social Security Law, which allows New York City firefighters who were previously a member of a different "public retirement system," but had a break in service between that prior membership and joining the FDNY, to purchase that time as "up front credit" toward retirement in the FDNY. The prior "public retirement" systems covered include (if you worked in a capacity related to law enforcement or firefighting in these systems) the following: (a) the New York State Local Employees' Retirement System; (b) the New York State Teachers' Retirement System; (c) the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System; (d) the New York City Employees' Retirement System; (e) the New York City Teachers' Retirement System; (f) the New York City Board of Education Retirement System; and (g) the New York City Police Pension Fund.
After negotiations with the City, it is willing to give this credit toward retirement only to people who served in titles that are related to law enforcement or firefighting in the above systems. Originally the City did not want to give any member credit but your UFA Executive Board and UFA Attorney Mike Block worked hard to reach this settlement with the City. If you think you may qualify for credit under this new law, we strongly urge you to contact UFA Vice President Jim Slevin (212-545-6978) orUFAgeneral counsel Michael Block (212-732-9000) within 30 days. They will discuss whether you can be helped by this law and the steps needed to take advantage of it. It would be helpful if you could fax a brief note to Jim Slevin at 212-683-0710 with a description of your previous title and a summary of what your duties included rather than calling since we anticipate that this will affect a large number of members. Please include your name, company, phone number you can be reached at and an email address if you have one.
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Deadlines for 65-2 & Firelines Calender of Events
Your info must be received by the first day of the month preceding the month you wish it published in a 65-2 or FireLines issue (for example, Nov. 1st for a Dec. issue, etc.). Event info received late cannot be guaranteed placement. 65-2 events are published several times per month. Firelines publishes 6x per year. Back To Top
UFA Website: New ‘Firehouse Issues Listings’ Section
The UFA Health & Safety Office recently has mailed a listing to all Delegates of firehouse issues that are on the UFA Health & Safety section of the UFA website. Please take a moment to see if your firehouse issues appear on this list. If they don’t, please visit at www.ufanyc.org and click on the Health & Safety section to fill out the complaint form. Documentation is a key component of getting your issues resolved! Questions? Call the Health & Safety office at 212-545-6965.
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Firehouse Environmental Hazard Workshop at UFA
The UFA Health & Safety office is testing firehouses for environmental hazards such as water, air, asbestos, electrical, structural, leaks and water damage issues. The NY Environmental law Project will be conducting training about firehouse environmental health hazards at the UFA on Monday, 11/17 & Tuesday, 11/25 from10am - 1pm in the 4th floor conference room. If you’d like your firehouse tested for hazards, or if your house was recently tested, it is strongly recommended that your Delegate (or Alternate) participate in one of these sessions. Please call 212-545-6965 to confirm your attendance. Back To Top
Health Benefits Fall 2003 Transfer Period--Don’t Miss It!!!
Last Chance: The 2003 Health Benefits Transfer Period begins October 15, 2003 and ends on November 15, 2003. Health plan changes requested during the Transfer Period will be effective the first full payroll period in January 2004. During the Transfer Period, you may transfer into another health plan offered by the City, add or drop Optional Rider coverage, add or drop dependents. To transfer, add or drop an Optional Rider, or add or drop dependents, you must submit a Health Benefits Application to the Health Plans Unit, 6th Floor, Bureau of Personnel Resources. The health care providers had literature tables set up at the October 9 union meeting. Check with your Delegate for available info. Or, if you need an application, call the Health Plans Unit at (718) 999-2196/2171, or you can download from the City's Back To Top
Full-Time Dependent Students
Full-time dependent students between the ages of 19 -23 who are unmarried, are eligible to receive SBF benefits providing the following criteria is met: - Must submit a validated school attendance enrollment signed by the registrar or a bursar’s receipt.
- Validated verification must be submitted every semester. It automatically expires at the end of each semester (Spring semester – January to September 1st with 30 day grace period. Fall semester September to January 31st with 60 day grace period.)
You can either mail and/or fax validated student verification: Security Benefit Fund, 204 E. 23rd Street– 3rd Floor,New York, NY 10001, fax 212-683-0693
- The student must be enrolled in an educational institution accredited in the state in which it is situated. The institution must grant a degree or diploma. The member or retiree must supply at least 50% of the student’s support and the student must be listed as a covered dependent under the City health plan. Students age 19 and over, if qualified, will be covered through the end of the last term in which they qualify. The Spring term will be assumed to extend until the first day of the Fall term. The Fall term will be assumed to extend until the first day of the Spring term. The terms are to be as determined by the respective institutions. If the student does not qualify for a term, coverage will be terminated effective the last day of the prior term, as defined.
If a qualified student has a temporary medical disability (determined by the health plan carrier, based upon acceptable medical documentation, and cannot complete a term, the student disability continues into the next semester (again, acceptable medical documentation required), the student will continue to be covered for up to one year from the original date of disability. If a dependent student is turning 23, he or she will only be covered until the end of the calendar year (December 31st) or upon graduation, whichever occurs first. This also applies to health benefit coverage. Back To Top
2004 FDNY Cross-Country Bike Tour
The 2004 FDNY Cross-Country Bike Tour is looking for volunteers to participate in the ride to raise funds for the UFA Widow’s & Children’s Fund. The tour begins inLos Angelesin September of next year and finishes in NYC the following month. The 42-day trek consists of 7 teams, each team having 5 riders and will travel approximately 500 miles each. Lodging will primarily be done by local firehouses throughout the country and an escort vehicle will follow. All riders are FDNY members. Anyone having an interest, please call Joshua Gallo E258/L115 group 23. 718-749-6344 or e-mail through the web site, www.FDNYCROSSCOUNTRY.org.
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Tunnel to Towers Race Donation
The family of FF Steven Siller, Squad 1,is proud to report that the Tunnel to Towers race in his memory last month generated $75,000 for the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. The Siller family wishes to thank all those who supported this race in Steven’s memory. Back To Top
Sugarbush FD-PD Fundraiser in Memory of Joe & John Vigiano
Sunday, January 11 through Tuesday, January 13th. Sunday: 4pm check-in at Sugarbush Inn, 5-7pm welcome reception party. Monday: adult/child ski events all day with ‘Turnout Gear Obstacle Course Race’, 6pm bash at Gate House Lodge for entire family (music, dancing, raffles,...). Tuesday: 830am race clinic w/Olympic & World Champion Doug Lewis,10am races (awards for male, female & companies), 4pm awards party at Valley House. Package rates: $79 pp/pn before 12/1, $96 pp/pn after 12/1 based on family of 4, kids 6 & under free. Other upgrades & accommodations available. Call 800-53-SUGAR or visit sugarbush.com for info & registration. Proceeds benefit the L.I. Association of NYC Firefighters & Non-line of Duty Widows. For ‘Benefit info’ call Gary Lombardi 802-888-7392 or saw@pshift.com or contact Capt. John Vigiano (ret) at jjvig176@aol.com.
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Support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
The fund provides $10,000 grants for the dependents ofU.S.andUnited Kingdomservice men and women who have fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq defending freedom. Individuals may send contributions to: Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund c/o Intrepid Museum Foundation, West 46th Street &12th Avenue, New York, NY10036. Back To Top
Free Computer Training in Orange County
The Hudson Catskill Work force Development Center, in conjunction with the UFA, NYS AFL-CIO and the FDNY, is offering free computer courses taking place in Orange County to active and retired FDNY members. The Courses run in cycles starting with beginning level courses and continuing thru advanced level. Interested? Call Kim Davis or Greg Smith at 212-570-1693.
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FDNY Marines Celebrate USMC 228th Anniversary
FDNY members who have served in the US Marines invite all FDNY members and their families/friends to celebrate the USMC 228th anniversary at Hurley’s Saloon at 232 W. 48 St. (Broadway - 8th Ave.) from 12pm to 3pm. Includes brief ceremony with USMC Color Guard at 1pm, parking available, Casual attire or dress uniforms. Please RSVP: Capt. John Vigiano (ret) 631-242-7479 or jjvig176@aol.com, John Newnan 631-722-5804, FF Brian Charles L108 Gr 24 at 718-965-8216/718-634-8603, Joe Curry 631-367-9380 or curry6@att.net. Back To Top
10% Writers’ Workshop Discount for All FDNY Members
Gotham Writers' Workshop, NYC's largest creative writing school, is offering a 10% discount if you register for a writing class in NYC or online at WritingClasses.com Classes include Fiction Writing, Screenwriting, Business Writing, Playwriting, Memoir Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Travel Writing, Poetry Writing, Novel Writing, Children's Book Writing, One Hour TV Drama Writing, Stand-Up Comedy Writing, Sketch Comedy Writing, Romance Writing, Songwriting, Mystery Writing, Science Fiction Writing, and Sitcom Writing. When you call to register, mention that you found out about GWW through this 65-2 and you will receive a 10% discount off tuition. Winter classes begin the week ofJanuary 12, 2004. Spring classes begin the week of April 7, 2004. Classes are offered four terms a year.
For teens who are applying to college: GWW is holding a One-Day workshop in how to write a winning college application essay onSunday, November 16, 2003. Interactive lectures, writing exercises that are both practical and fun, an informal group environment, time built in for Q&A. 10% discount applies. For FREE catalogue and registration info call 877-WRITERS (974-8377) or visit www.WritingClasses.com Gotham Writers' Workshop, Inc. 1841 Broadway Suite 809, New York, NY 10023 phone: 212-WRITERS (974-8377) or 877-WRITERS (974-8377).
Back To Top Fraternally, Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
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