IAFF NEWS - Legislation to reauthorize the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grant programs was introduced this week in the U.S. Senate. S. 829, sponsored by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Jon Tester (D-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE), would extend the authorization for the both programs through 2023. SAFER and FIRE ar...

IAFF LODD - James Jablonsky, L3531, Polk County, FL - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Captain James Jablonsky of IAFF District 12 Local 3531, Polk City, FL. Brother Jablonsky, 54, passed away from colon cancer on April 6, 2017. The visitation will take place from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Thursday, April 13, 2017 at NorthRidge Church, 2250 SR 17, South, Haines Cit...

IAFF LODD - Charles R. Gentilcore, L1664, Montgomery County, MD - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Charles R. Gentilcore of IAFF Local 1664, Montgomery County, MD. Brother Gentilcore, 52, passed away on April 7, 2017 of cardiac arrest. The viewing will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Hom...

IAFF LODD - Timothy Anderson, L0522, Sacramento, CA - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Captain Timothy Anderson of IAFF Local 522, Sacramento, CA. Brother Anderson, 39, passed away from cancer on April 4, 2017. The funeral will be held on April 18, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Divine Savior Church, 9079 Greenback Lane, Orangevale, CA 95662; phone 916-989-7400. Ex...

IAFF NEWS -  Tragedy and trauma are an everyday reality for fire fighters and paramedics, and can lead to behavioral health issues, including addiction, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. A host of additional behavioral health issues can also emerge, including anxiety, depression and even suicide. You Are Not Alone - Help Is Here The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral H...

IAFF NEWS - The tradition of collecting for MDA in North Providence, Rhode Island, two weeks before Labor Day pre-dates John Laurie’s career.   Now president of North Providence Local 2334, Laurie says local members were filling the boot well before he joined the fire service 28 years ago, and continue to this day in droves and with a level of enthusiasm and efficiency the community has come ...

Fairfax, VA -  One man’s trash is another one’s treasure, but for fire fighters, too much of it packed into a home will turn all of it into dangerous fuel for active fires.   “Fire fighters are increasingly battling fires made vastly more hazardous by hoarding,” says John Niemiec, President of Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics. Hoarders collect and keep large...

The IAFF  welcomes the federal government’s announcement of $80 million for a national Community Heroes benefit for the families of Canada’s fallen fire fighters and other public safety officers. The announcement, made March 22 in Ottawa, is the culmination of a longstanding IAFF lobby for a public safety officer compensation ( PSOC ) benefit. The IAFF commends Prime Minister Justin Trud...

IAFF LODD - Anthony Spano, L1710, Chicopee, MA - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Anthony Spano of IAFF Local 1710, Chicopee, MA. Brother Spano, 47, passed away on March 30, 2017 from a heart attack. The visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Cierpial Funeral Home, 67 East Street, Chicopee MA, 01020; phone 4...

On Thursday, March 30, at approximately 4:23 a.m., units were dispatched for a fire in a townhouse in the 6900 block of Compton Valley Court in the Centreville section of Fairfax County. Upon arrival, units found a three-story, middle of the row townhouse with fire and smoke showing from a second floor window in the rear of the home. The fire appeared to be rapidly spreading to the attic. Fir...

IAFF LODD - Arthur L. Ricks, L0073, Saint Louis, MO - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Captain Arthur L. Ricks of IAFF Local 73, St. Louis, MO. Brother Ricks passed away from colon cancer on Thursday, March 30, 2017. The visitation will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2017 from 3:00-8:00 PM at the John Ziegenhein Funeral Home, 7027 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO ...

IAFF LODD - Chris L. Foster, L3663, Demopolis, AL - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Lieutenant Christopher Foster IAFF Local 3663, Demopolis, Alabama. Brother Foster, 54, passed away from cardiac arrest on March 23, 2017. The funeral was held on March 27, 2017. Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the family or the Local can be sent to IAFF Local 3663...

IAFF LODD - Steve Buser, L0625, Ames, IA - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Steve Buser of IAFF Local 625, Ames, Iowa. Brother Buser, 51, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 from cardiac arrest. A Memorial Service will be held at the Ames Auditorium, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa, 50010 on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 3:00 PM; phone 515-294-3347....

IAFF LODD - James Perez, L0574, Savannah, GA - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Advanced Firefighter James Perez of IAFF Local 574, Savannah, Georgia. Brother Perez, 25, passed away from liver cancer on March 17, 2017. The Fire Service Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2017 beginning at 4:00 PM at the Compassion Christian Church, Adult Mi...

Fire fighters are exposed every day to harsh toxins and chemicals that increase their risk for contracting some form of cancer. This emotional video, which features Boston, Massachusetts fire fighters, is a sobering reminder of the dangers of working in the fire service. Occupational carcinogens include diesel exhaust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and various combustion byproducts f...