Union & Health Issues:

• Battalion Advisory Committee Meeting
• PERB Mediation & the UFA Contract
• Safe Apparatus Operations & Response
• New UFA Booklet: Insurances, Beneficiaries & Free Help
• City Health/Medical Plan Vendors at Next Union Meeting
• Election Day: Tuesday, November 2nd
• Quartermaster Allotments
• Newly Discovered WTC Respiratory Problems?

Events, Help, Fundraisers & Benefits:

Line-of-Duty Funeral Fund Trips
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Discount
ESPN2 Billfish Extreme Release Fundraiser
Community Mayors: Operation Santa Clause
Baseball Players Wanted!

Battalion Advisory Committee Meeting
A Battalion Delegate (BD) meeting will take place on Thursday, November 4, 1:00PM, at the UFA office in the 4th floor meeting room to discuss the contract and other important issues. If the BD cannot attend for some extremely important reason, insure that the next most knowledgeable / reliable Delegate from your battalion attends. There will be no meeting excusal time granted.

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PERB Mediation & the UFA Contract
On October 13, 2004, we had our third meeting with PERB Mediator Phil Maier. The city made (DC37) pattern conforming offers which included non-mandatory subject concessions including changing the work chart and adding a 25-year pension for new hires. These were rejected by the UFA. Our position is that we will not give up the work chart or change the pension system to obtain a fair raise. Those are givebacks, not productivity. At the recommendation of the Mediator and to leave all of our options open while the PBA begins the arbitration process, we scheduled a subsequent meeting with him for November 24, 2004 which will be right in the middle of the PBA's arbitration presentation. We are continuing to prepare in the event that we proceed to arbitration.

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Safe Apparatus Operations & Response
The Department has publicly announced it intends to strictly enforce all Department Regulations. A chauffeur was recently served charges as a result of an accident that occurred while responding to a 10-75. This is a disgrace and reflects that the Department is willing to punish firefighters and expose them to personal liability for its own political purposes. This Fire Commissioner's policies are a departure from FD tradition--and assume you (firefighter) are wrong. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR COMPANY! All chauffeurs should be aware of and follow all Department Regulations regarding apparatus safety and response. It is clear that if you don't, you will be served charges. Make sure you review 65-2 Fax #67, which has been repeatedly faxed to all Companies.

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New UFA Booklet: Insurances, Beneficiaries & Free Help
The 'Insurance, Coverage & Additional Help' booklet was distributed at the October union meeting to each Delegate for your firehouse kitchen. It provides answers to many questions about insurances and benefits available from the UFA, FDNY or the City. It covers: changing beneficiary checklists, life, catastrophic, cancer, emergencies, medical, optional riders, free programs (such as Honor Emergency Fund, Welfare Fund, Surgical Assistance, Counseling, Second Medical Opinions…), UFA's Security Benefits Fund, disability rights, LOD Injury medical and prescription drug bills, medical misconduct, and much more. Ask your Delegate. Make sure you make the most informed decisions to protect your family. Additional copies will be available at the November 10 union meeting. See Recording Secretary Joe Miccio.

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City Health/Medical Plan Vendors at Next Union Meeting
City Health/Medical Plan vendors will be present at the November 10 Union Meeting to answer your questions and distribute literature. The Transfer Period for active members has been changed to November 1, 2004 through November 30, 2004. The new health plan chosen or any change in optional benefits will become effective January 9, 2005. The City will be mailing a new summary program description this year. Updated information can be found on the City website.

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Election Day: Tuesday, November 2nd
We are in a position to help candidates that support the UFA in Albany. The UFA thanks members who turned out to help campaign these last few weeks for Senator Marcellino--Senate District 5, Senator Hannon--Senate District 6 and Senator Spano--Senate District 35. Also, Senator Bruno has been very supportive of the UFA and has personally asked for our help. (Note: The toll waiver for firefighters is a direct result of the actions of Senator Bruno and the Senate Majority.) The UFA needs to have a strong turnout for these Senate Majority candidates. This will help us to continue to get important legislation passed. Members who live in the above districts have been sent letters (Click here to Read) from UFA V.P./Political Director Jim Slevin with dates and locations to help during the campaign and on Election Day. We strongly encourage you to support candidates who support us. Any Questions? Contact Jim Slevin at the UFA.

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Quartermaster Allotments
Pursuant to UFA Health & Safety Office request, the Dept. Quartermaster has provided two lists of uniform and protective gear allotments; List #1 for initial probie issue and List #2 for ongoing allotments. Please insure you post both attached lists permanently and conspicuously in your firehouse. It is important that members read all footnotes on the bottom of the correct list before visiting the Quartermaster or before contacting the UFA Health & Safety Office regarding any problems. There are two Quartermaster locations: Fort Totten 8am-5pm, M-F, and the Rock (Fire Academy Building 9) 7:30am-4pm, M-F. Call prior to visiting to insure they are not closed for inventory or probie outfitting, etc. The Rock does not carry all equipment (items not issued at the Rock: bunker coats/pants, stock dress coats, dress shoes, dress pants & Marine Division gear. No embroidery machines at the Rock, but members can order shirts there. It will deliver them directly to your company). If you have any questions or comments, contact the UFA Health & Safety Office at 212-545-6965 or e-mail Health&Safety@UFANYC.org.

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Newly Discovered WTC Respiratory Problems?
Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath & Cannavo, P.C. is presently representing firefighters who did not apply to the 9/11 Victims' Compensation Fund and who have recently developed symptoms of, and/or been diagnosed with, a respiratory condition due to the failure of the City of New York to provide them with proper respiratory equipment during the rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center Disaster Site. If you are one of these firefighters, you may be eligible to bring a lawsuit for injuries caused by the latent effects of your exposure to toxic substances at Ground Zero. Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath & Cannavo, P.C. is available to investigate your claim, and, if meritorious, to prosecute a lawsuit on your behalf. Any such lawsuit against the City first requires serving a Notice of Claim within 90 days of "discovery of the injury" by the firefighter or of "the date when through the exercise of reasonable diligence the injury should have been discovered, whichever is earlier," and then starting a lawsuit within 1 year and 90 days of "discovery of the injury" by the firefighter or of "the date when through the exercise of reasonable diligence the injury should have been discovered, whichever is earlier." If you believe you may have such a claim, it is urgent that you contact an attorney immediately, about your rights. Mike Block, the UFA General Counsel, can be contacted at 212-732-9000 if you need guidance.

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Line-of-Duty Funeral Fund Trips
Your UFA LOD Funeral Fund recently sent members to the funeral services for the below Firefighters who made the supreme sacrifice. Our members proudly represented our membership in tribute to the fallen heroes:

FF Gerald McGowan (IAFF Local 42, Kansas City, Missouri) on Sunday, September 5, 2004. Attending members were Brian Donovan, Michael Esposito, Kenneth Ahlers (E275) and Greg Batkay (L133).

FF Eva Schicke (CDF Firefighters Local 2881, Sacramento, CA) FF Schicke died on September 12, 2004 of injuries sustained when the helicopter firefighting crew she was part of were overrun while fighting wildfires in the Stanislaus National Forest. Attending members were Charles Pettignano, Anthony Zeolla, Thomas Costa, Jonathan Buschbaum (Squad 61), Thomas McCarthy (L32) and Robert Conte (E62).

FF/Flight Medic Robert Heighton (Local 3516, South Walton, FL) FF Heighton died on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 in a helicopter crash while responding to an incident. Attending members will be John Cottrell, Lawrence Naughton, Daniel White (E217), Steven Rios and Benny Rodriguez (E218).