Florida IAFF Newswire Current news directly from Florida IAFF locals.

Sustainable Wellness 07/21/23 - IAFF 1826 An article from Emily Graham at MightyMoms.net for our members.

Welcome 02/21/23 - IAFF Local 2980 Welcome to the Local 2980 website, home of Palm Harbor/Oldsmar Professional Firefighters.

GoFundMe for Tommy Hotchkiss 02/03/23 - IAFF 1826

2023 Union Nominations, Elections and Updated Constitution & By-Laws 02/03/23 - IAFF Local 3623 Brothers and Sisters,  Below is the information regarding the 2023 elections and the vote on the proposed changes/updates to the Constitution and Bylaws.

DON’T BOTHER ME! 05/31/22 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund The number one reason that we hear from Plan Participants when they finally reach out to us when they are having problems or trying to get answers about claims is they “didn’t want to bother us”, and we want you to know that it bothers us when you don’t bother us. Your 1st call should not be to UMR or Sav-Rx, it should be to Fund staff.

Civilian Fire Inspector 05/17/22 - South Trail Fire and Rescue District Welcome to the family! South Trail Fire & Rescue is pleased to announce the hiring of a civilian fire inspector, Courtney Urich. Courtney comes to South Trail with over 6 years of fire inspector experience, a bachelors degree, CPR Instructor, Car Seat Technician and other fire department related certifications. The Fire & Life Safety Division of South Trail Fire & Rescue is dedicated in enhancing the safety of residents and visitors to the District.

Chief's Commendation 05/17/22 - South Trail Fire and Rescue District Chief’s Commendation! On August 25th, 2023, station 63 B-shift crews, SQ63 and R63, these members responded to a multi-family residential structure fire and demonstrated meritorious actions in rescuing an unconscious adult victim from the second floor home under heavy smoke and fire conditions. These proud and heroic efforts are hereby and forever recognized by the South Trail Fire & Rescue District. Squad 63 Captain Matt Thunell Firefighter/APT/Paramedic Stephan Jonas Firefighter Thomas Pezzotti Rescue 63 Firefighter/Paramedic Jacob Snyder Firefighter Justin Snyder Our crews put in the work for these exact moments!

Coronavirus Update #18 12/30/21 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund Original Message sent 05/06/21 As things continue to improve and life slowly gets back to normal we have decided that we will return to normal here at the Health & Wellness Center. Effective immediately we will resume full normal operating hours, Monday - Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.

INSURANCE PREMIUM CHANGES FOR 2021 12/30/21 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund INSURANCE PREMIUM CHANGES FOR 2021     There will only be minor Health Insurance premium changes for 2021.

2021 DENTAL PLANS/RATES 12/30/21 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund One of the more exciting proposals to come out of the 2020 Board Workshop is the addition of a new  choice for dental coverage. The current selections will remain, with an additional “High PPO”  option for only

Health & Wellness 11/19/21 - IAFF 1826 https://www.firehouse.com/safety-health/article/21241509/health-wellness-beyond-ptsd-moral-injury-in-first-responders.

Saving Lives! 10/19/21 - South Trail Fire and Rescue District Saving lives, even in Emmitsburg! Captain/Paramedic Shawn Robinson was attending the National Fire Academy for a week long training and was excited to be just an hour away from his cousin, someone he hadn’t seen in over 7 years. The night before class started Shawn had a family dinner at the Carriage House, just a short walk from the NFA, and as he and his cousin were catching up a gentleman exclaimed that his sister was choking and if anyone knew how to help her. Captain Robinson immediately went into action and performed multiple abdominal thrusts until the piece of steak came out and the woman was breathing again. Due to his lifesaving actions, the restaurant owner made sure to call his Battalion Chief and the NFA administration to express her appreciation. Shawn was presented a Life Saving Award with a challenge coin from the NFA and an Outstanding Student Award from the superintendent office. We are all very proud to call him the Squad 63 C-shift Captain/Paramedic and a member of South Trail Fire & Rescue!

Happy Retirement! 10/04/21 - South Trail Fire and Rescue District Happy Retirement Firefighter/Paramedic Steve Erwin! On Friday September 8th, FF Erwin decided to retire in his own unique way. South Trail Family knew he chose that day, his wife knew he chose that day, but his parents were surprised by Steve when he walked them over to look at the cake message. For quite a while, Steve’s parents started many conversations with, “When are you going to retire?” Steve would always say maybe soon. Well Friday was his day, his day to finally give that answer. And, FF Steve Erwin #610 dedicated his ability to be a firefighter and one of the most amazing and trusted paramedics to his wife. With her faithful listening ear, and her support at home, he was able to work many years of shift work. To commemorate her selfless dedication, FF Erwin requested that Chief Rogers present his wife with a badge with the rank of Dedicated Wife and badge number of #610.5. We all celebrate FF Steve Erwin and his happy retirement, and we thank his family for sharing him with us through the years.

SUNRISE ELECTION 09/26/21 - Metro-Broward Professional Fire Fighters

Please Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud and Scams 05/06/21 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund Please Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud and Scams We have seen an increased rate of fraud and scams related to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Please be aware of fraud: If someone calls, texts, or emails you or a family member promising access to the vaccine for a fee, you should not share your personal or financial information.

Coronavirus Update #17 04/08/21 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund Original Article posted 03/04/2021  Covid-19 Antibody Infusion Treatment Finally after many months of trying we now have the Bamlanivimab Covid-19 Antibody treatment at the Wellness Center. If you qualify for it we can immediately start the treatment which is an IV infusion. This medication has great results in arresting the developments of Covid-19.

IAFF General President and S/T Elected 04/08/21 - Clearwater Fire Fighters Association Your IAFF has elected a new General President and Secretary/Treasurer. Ed Kelly and Frank Lima were installed recently and will be bringing positive change to our parent organization. Please visit www.IAFF.org for additional information.

New Port Richey CBA Ratified 04/08/21 - Clearwater Fire Fighters Association The recently ratified NPR CBA covers Fiscal Years 2020 - 2023. A copy will be available under the Downloads Section under Member Resources once it is completely signed.

Learning Partner at Columbia Southern University 10/08/20 - IAFF 1826 Southwest Florida Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Local 1826 is pleased to announce it has become a Learning Partner at Columbia Southern University. As a member, this partnership provides reduced tuition, plus many additional benefits. And, for your convenience, all programs are offered in an online format.

Coronavirus Update #16 10/08/20 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund Original message sent October 07, 2020 Currently the number of people that show up at the Wellness Center with symptoms that could be considered possible COVID-19 related is less than 10 per day, and most days it is around 3-5 per day. Additionally, the rate of positive results has dropped significantly, plus we haven't had a hospitalized COVID patient in quite some time.

Coronavirus Update #15 08/26/20 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund Original message sent August 26, 2020 As we continue to operate under the Coronavirus situation all healthy patient visits will be done by appointment only. This would include all physicals, i.e. firefighters, spouses, retirees and school/sports physicals.

Coronavirus Update #14 08/18/20 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund Original message sent August 17, 2020 Sick patients coming in with Covid-19 symptoms continues to decline. As we continue to operate under the Coronavirus situation we are asking that all healthy patient visits be done by appointment only. This would include all physicals, i.e. firefighters, spouses, retirees and school/sports physicals.

Coronavirus Update #13 08/11/20 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund  Coronavirus Update #13 Original message sent August 10, 2020    The current wave of Covid-19 cases seems to be diminishing. It was definitely a more severe wave with a higher percentage of positive results, but seemed to retreat as quickly as it came at us.

2020 Elections 07/30/20 - Cape Coral Professional Fire Fighters, Local 2424 Cape Coral Professional Fire Fighters ENDORSEMENTS 2020 City Council Elections COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 3 – TOM HAYDEN COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 5— ROBERT WELSH COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 7 – JESSICA COSDEN

Coronavirus Update #12 07/22/20 - Palm Beach County Fire Fighters Employee Benefits Fund Original message sent July 21, 2020 Stats as of close of business Monday 7/20/20 Time period: 6/15/20-7/20/20 # of symptomatic patients tested - 428 # of patients positive for Covid-19 - 93 Effective positive rate 22% We continue to see an increasing population of patients with Covid-19 related symptoms.