• Past President Reports

Special Orders of Business

• Security Benefits Fund (SBF) Help Table Today
  Members who require help regarding dental, prescription drugs, optical or any other benefits provided via the UFA SBF should visit the SBF table today. SBF personnel are there to help you.
• Delegate Education Seminar: Discount Deadline Approaching! Registration at Recording Secretary Table Today
  You can submit your reservation forms and payment at the Recording Secretary/SBF Table today. Ask for Kevin. Registration packages were mailed to all Delegate residences on January 31. Seminar registration & hotel room reservations must be made by check only, payable to the 'UFA' (phone registration cannot be accepted), along with the proper form. It must be received at the UFA by March 31st to receive your discounted rate. After the deadline you'll need to make your room reservation by credit card directly with the hotel at the full-price per-night rate - if rooms are still available. If this is your first Delegate Educational Seminar, you can familiarize yourself by reviewing last year's agenda and program activity book on the UFA website at www. UFANYC.org by clicking on Delegate Seminar from the home page. You can also check out the latest notices for this year's Seminar. Location/Dates: Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 thru Friday, May 16, 2008.

1. Rescheduled May & June Union Meetings
The May 8 Union Meeting is rescheduled to take place on the last day of the Delegate Education Seminar. This will take place on Friday, May 16, in Atlantic City at the Trump Taj Mahal. The June 12 Union Meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 19th. This is due to the District Caucus in Albany taking place at that time. Please insure that these dates are adjusted on all your personal and firehouse calendars.

2. UFA Supports Boycott of Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade
The UFA has been asked by Boston Firefighters Local 718 to ask our members not attend the 2008 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Boston while in uniform. The Local made a decision to skip this year's parade due to the ongoing attack by their mayor and City officials against the Boston FFs regarding issues related to their contract impasse. Local 718 believes the City will use any incident to discredit the good men and women of their Local. While the Local is not discouraging firefighters from visiting Boston, the Boston Local is asking all outside departments not to attend or participate in this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade while in uniform.

3. UFA Blasts Dept for Fatal Response Delays in Queens
UFA Executive Board held a press conference last week at the UFA criticizing the Dept's new Queens Dispatch Pilot protocol in Queens. The UFA was joined by Queens City Councilman Leroy Comrie. The Department's new policy has resulted in delayed responses to several fatal fires, including a fire that severely injured one of our members. For more info, see attached PR and media clips, or visit the Press Release and In The News sections of the UFA website.

4. UFA Calls for Modernization of FISA Act in U.S. House of Representatives
The UFA called upon the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), saying that the safety of millions of New Yorkers and 9,000 New York City Firefighters are being jeopardized. Steve Cassidy asserted: "Twice New York City Firefighters responded to attacks on our nation by enemies of America, and we want our government to take every step necessary to intercept communications that will prevent future terrorist attacks. On behalf of our firefighters, I urge the House leadership to vote on the FISA Amendments Act of 2007 proposed by Senator John D. Rockefeller and avoid the permanent damage that may occur from expiration of the Act." For more info visit the Press Release and In The News sections of the UFA website.

5. The Board of Collective Bargaining (BCB) ruled that "The NYC Fire Dept committed an improper practice when, in retaliation for union activity, it excluded UFA Health & Safety Officer Romaka from certain meetings." The department was ordered as follows:

"ORDERED, that the improper practice petition (BCB-2549-06), filed by the UFA be, and the same hereby is, granted as to claims that the City violated NYCCBL 12-306(a)(1) and (3) by excluding UFA Health & Safety Officer Bill Romaka from certain meetings,... and;

ORDERED, that the Department cease and desist from refusing to permit Bill Romaka from attending Seagrave and TOC (Technology Oversight Committee) meetings because of union activity; and

ORDERED, that the Department post the attached Notice to All Employees on all bulletin boards where notices are customarily posted." See attached 'Notice to All Employees' that the Dept is ordered to post.

6. New: FF Family Scholarship Section on UFA Website
Please note that a special Firefighter & Family Scholarship Section has been created on the UFA website. Members can look up scholarships offered by the UFA, FDNY fraternal organizations, memorial scholarship funds, and any other scholarship information that the UFA is made aware of. General descriptions of the types of scholarships and eligibility are posted. Contact information or links are provided on the site, which enable you to follow up with for particulars. Scholarship dollar amounts, filing periods and other criteria change periodically. Persons seeking scholarships need to contact the listed organizations sponsoring the scholarships for the current levels of scholarships offered and application procedures.

7. CANCELED: 3/13 Corned Beef Contest
The Corned Beef contest, published in 65-2 #16, which was to take place on Thursday, March 13th, is canceled.

8. Discounted Body Scans Available
UFA Health & Safety Officer Bill Romaka is pleased to announce that the UFA has made an agreement with Inner Imaging to provide a discounted rate to active and retired NYC Firefighters for body scans. The agreement provides confidential screening which consists of two tests - one of the heart and one of the lungs. These scans, normally $600-800, are being offered to UFA Members at a greatly reduced rate of $350. To make an appointment, or for further information, you can reach Inner Imaging at 212-777-8900 or check out their website www.innerimaging.com

Stephen J. Cassidy,
President