• Past President Reports

Special 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.
• Handouts Today
  Registration at Recording Secretary/SBF Table Today
  -Company OOS Form
  -World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) Uniform Order Form

Today's Agenda

1. Queens Trustee Nomination Today
Steve Humenesky has announced his resignation as Queens Trustee, effective August 1, 2009. The UFA thanks Steve for his dedicated service to not only Queens Firefighters, but the entire UFA membership. One set of candidacy/signature petitions to replace Steve was received by the deadline on the close of business on June 9th. No other petitions were submitted. The petition was submitted on behalf of the candidacy for LeRoy C. McGinnis, E-266, and the signatures were validated by Election Committee review yesterday. The Committee consists of one member from each borough. Upon nomination at today's meeting, FF McGinnis will be elected by acclamation to the position of Queens Trustee, effective August 1, 2009. Since the UFA Constitution does not permit write-in votes, it will be unnecessary for the UFA to incur the expenses of a ballot mailing for a single candidate.

2. Governor Paterson Vetoes Tier II Pension Extension Bill
Governor Paterson vetoed the Tier II Pension Extension Bill, which had previously been approved by the Senate, Assembly and Governor every two years for the past 30 years. Before reaching the Governor's desk for his veto, the bill passed overwhelmingly - 136-6 in the Assembly and 58-0 in the Senate. The UFA is looking at the ramifications for future hires and is working with all the Fire and Police unions throughout the state. We are looking at all the options including asking the legislature to do a veto override. A veto override would require a two-thirds majority of each house. UFA President Steve Cassidy and Vice President/Legislative Chairman Jim Slevin have been in Albany addressing this issue with legislators since the Veto was announced. Only future hires are affected by the veto, which has no impact on any firefighter now employed by the FDNY. The UFA will keep the membership informed.

3. Volunteers Needed to Picket Governor Tonight!
REMINDER: The UFA is requesting all available members to turn out for an informational picketing to protest Governor Paterson's decision to Veto our Tier II Pension Extension Bill. The picketing will take place outside of his fundraiser being held at the Mandarin Oriental. Please wear company t-shirts. Turn out to send a message to the Governor!!!

When: Thursday, June 11th
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Place: Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle Map
(Entrance is on W. 60th Street)

4. Permanent Firehouse Closings
The City has not changed its position since the FDNY gave the City Council its legally required 45 day notice of its plan to permanently close four companies (E-4, L-53, E-161, E-271) effective July 1, 2009. (No other companies were identified by the FDNY in its notice.) Steve will update the membership today.

5. UFA Ad Campaign Continues Against Firehouse Closings, Staffing & Pension Reform
The UFA is continuing its sponsored public and legislative educational awareness campaign regarding proposed firehouse closures, the importance of maintaining engine company manpower levels, as well as the truth and realities of proposed pension tier changes. The most recent full-page ad was in the Saturday, June 6 issue of the New York Daily News. This follows ads that have run in the New York Post (May 27), Staten Island Advance (May 28) and over this past week in some three dozen community newspapers scattered across the five boroughs.

The UFA also continues its educational awareness campaign in the political newspapers City Hall and The Capitol to directly address the months-long misinformation campaign put forth by the Bloomberg Administration and groups working on its behalf. We are asking Delegates and all members to keep in contact with local community boards, elected leaders and community organizations to make sure they are knowledgeable on these issues and the dangers these threats pose to the communities you serve. It is important that they too are being vocal advocates against any fire cuts. To assist in this effort we have developed an informational 'Truth and Realities of Protecting New Yorkers' page available to all on the UFA HOMEPAGE.

6. Annual Improved Benefits Plan Opener
Per Dept Order #49, "the Improved Benefits Plan is open for membership to all Original Plan Members from June 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009. For those members who elect to join, applications must be received by the Pension Bureau no later than 1700 hours on August 31, 2009. Additional applications may be requested by contacting the Pension Bureau at (718) 999-1211."

7. Numerous Problems - Unified Call Taker via 911 Operators for FD Alarms
There continues to be numerous problems with inaccurate or missing information on UCT generated run tickets. The UFA has no confidence that the Dept will correct the numerous problems that are occurring daily with the dispatch system. Please fax the run ticket and a copy of your Officer's Unusual Occurrence Report to the UFA Recording Secretary's Office at 212-683-4359, Attn. Joe Miccio. If a UCT ticket contributes to a serious life threatening incident, or injuries, immediately contact the UFA general number, 212-683-4832, to speak with the covering Trustee.

8. Safe Response
Health & Safety Officer/Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka reminds you to follow all safe response protocols issued by the Dept. These include, but are not limited to, FDNY Regulations Chapter 11 and FDNY SAFETY BULLETENS #6, #9, #10, #27, and #71.

Previous UFA Safety Messages that highlight and emphasize a safe response should also be reviewed! Handouts were distributed at the April 21 Union Meeting.

9. Random Drug Testing Quarterly Report
The FDNY reports that the following units were tested randomly between 01/01/09 and 03/31/08. A total of 79 Units were tested within this period: 36 Engines, 26 Ladders, 13 Battalions, 3 Divisions, and 2 Squad Units. Nine Fire Marshals were also tested within this period. Reports listing each company tested and individual dates were mailed to each company last week with 65-2 #53. They are sorted by both company and chronologically.

10. Heat Index for Signal 10-51
The summer heat is upon us. When the Heat Index ('Feels Like' or 'Real Feel' temperature) is 105 degrees or more, a Signal 10-51 is mandated, in accordance with Fire Prevention Manual Chapter 3, Addendum 2. The Heat Index is reported by the National Weather Service (NWS) hourly and is also regularly reported in the media as 'Feels Like' or 'Real Feel' temperature. Exact current 'Feels Like' temperatures (Heat Index and also Wind Chill Index) can be found on the NWS website by entering your zip code. Your on-duty Officer is responsible to make immediate notifications to the Battalion whenever the 'Feels Like' temperature warrants a signal 10-51 and it is not given over the teleprinter.

11. UFA Delegate ID Cards
ID Photographs were taken of UFA Delegates present at the Delegate Education Seminar in May. The purpose is to provide each Delegate and Battalion Delegate with official identification to present when conducting official Union business with officials and other persons. ID Cards are expected to be issued this fall.

12. New Date for Lt. Williams Volleyball Tournament: 6/15
The tournament which was scheduled for Monday, June 22nd has been changed to take place on Monday, June 15th. The tournament will begin at 9am at Riverside Blvd at the Beach in Long Beach, NY. Entry Fee: $30pp. For more information call Billy Quick, 516-650-3081.

13. 2009 World Police & Fire Games Registration Deadline: JUNE 15th!
Vancouver, Canada, July 31 thru August 9. Members attending the 2009 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) must register with the WPFG by the deadline of Monday, June 15th, or the fees will significantly increase. Also, hotel rooms are booking up quickly. Reserve your room as soon as possible. If there are any difficulties booking a room, contact the FDNY Sports Foundation, (718) 281-3864.

14. 2009 WPFG Uniform Order Deadline: JUNE 19th!
The cost of the FDNY uniforms will be partially subsidized by the UFA and UFOA - for all participating members. The final cost is $75. Uniforms can be ordered using the 2009 World Police & Fire Games Uniform Order Form on 65-2 # 59 (attached). Teams need to have their coaches submit a batch order for the entire team at one time. To reserve your uniform, please fill out the attached form and return to FDNY Sports Foundation, ATTN: Ted DiPasquale, by fax, 718-281-3339 or e-mail Sports@2011WPFG.org. Telephone inquiries can be directed to (718) 281-3864. Uniform pick-up date info will be announced after our delivery date is confirmed.

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Cassidy,
President