U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and Mark Takano (D-CA) have reintroduced legislation in Congress to provide presumptive disability coverage for federal fighters suffering from cancer, heart and lung diseases. The bill, H.R. 1884, the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act, is a step forward in the IAFF’s long-standing quest to bring presumptive coverage for occupational cancer and h...

IAFF LODD - William Tolley,  L0094, New York, NY - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Fire Fighter William Tolley of IAFF 1st District Local 94, New York, NY. Brother Tolley, 42, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2017, from a fall when operating at a structure fire. The visitation will take place at the Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Hom...

IAFF LODD - Robert A.  Mentrasti, L1586, Greenburgh, NY - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Robert A. Mentrasti of IAFF District 1 Local 1586, Greenburgh, NY. Brother Mentrasti, 54, passed away on April 14, 2017 from colon cancer. Visitation will be held at Ballard-Durand Funeral Home, 72 E. Main Street, Elmsford, NY from&...

James M. "Jim" Scott, born June 11, 1938, passed away yesterday April 13, 2017.  Jim was a well respected figure in Fairfax County politics for his entire career. He was first elected to public office in 1971. He represented the Providence District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1972 to 1986. He left the Board to become Vice P...

Personnel from the Fairfax County Police and Fire Rescue stopped by the Department of Public Safety Communications to say thanks to call takers and dispatchers for their hard work as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week (April 9-15). A special 'Thank You' to our Fairfax County's dedicated 9-1-1 staff who are there to assist y...

IAFF members are twice as likely as the general population to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring addictions. That’s why a treatment center specifically for the fire service is more important now than ever before. The IAFF Center of Excellence provides evidence-based care for addiction and co-occurring disorders, including PTSD, anxiety and depression. Through an ess...

by Matthew Lopez, Election Chair - First, I would like to thank the members of the committee who came out this afternoon to assist in validating, sorting and counting the over 1,000 ballots received for the 2017 Battalion Representative Election.   The members who deserve special recognition are: John Harris, Clayton "Smoke" Thompson, Kendall Thompson, Tim Walker, Richie  Cunningham...

IAFF LODD - Robert Rosenlund,  L0018, Vancouver, BC - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Captain Robert Rosenlund of IAFF District 6 Local 18, Vancouver, BC. Brother Rosenlund, 53, passed away on April 7, 2017 from colon cancer. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the First Baptist Church, 969 Burrad Street, Vancouve...

IAFF NEWS - After a sustained campaign by the IAFF, and pursuant to passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will study the potential risks of certain flame retardants to human health and the environment. Specifically, the EPA will include flame retardants in the Cyclic Aliphatic Bromide Cluster as one of th...

IAFF LODD - Arthur O. Peters, II, L0414, Kenosha, WI - It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Apparatus Operator Arthur Otto Peters, II of IAFF District 5 Local 414, Kenosha, WI. Brother Peters, 57, passed away on April 9, 2017 from throat cancer. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 17, 2017, at the Marina Shores, 302-58th Street (phone 262-675-1166) from 10:...

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...