PENSIONS/BUDGET

City of Lodi in midst of negotiations with almost all of its unions

Lodi News-Sentinel, Lodi, CA

Posted: Saturday, December 17, 2011 12:00 am

The city of Lodi is in the middle of negotiations with nine of its 10 bargaining groups to reach new contracts before they expire on Dec. 31.

http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_252efbda-969e-5ed9-9ea1-755df9fd89bb.html

Arlington City Council approves 2012 budget

Arlington Times, Marysville, WA
December 20, 2011 · 9:46 AM

ARLINGTON — A split vote and harsh words marked the Arlington City Council’s adoption of a budget for 2012.

http://www.arlingtontimes.com/news/135934623.html

LAYOFFS/CONTRACTS/SAFER

Cape Coral replaces lead union negotiator

Labor attorney's role will change to that of a legal adviser for the council.

Cape Coral, FL

8:24 AM, Dec. 20, 2011

A labor attorney hired to win pay and other concessions from public safety employees is being replaced as Cape Coral’s lead contract negotiator.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20111220/NEWS0101/312200027/Cape-Coral-replaces-lead-union-negotiator?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Nine Nashua union contracts still unsigned nearly six months later

Nashua Telegraph, Hudson, NH

Sunday, December 18, 2011

NASHUA – Don’t expect a ratified union contract to land under the city’s Christmas tree.

With nine unsigned contracts lingering, the chance for the city and labor unions to work out a deal this calendar year are growing less and less likely.

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/943603-196/nine-nashua-union-contracts-still-unsigned-nearly.html

Tough talk to firefighters

SJ city manager urges agreement to avoid loss of jobs, benefits

Herald Palladium, St. Joseph, Michigan

Published: Friday, December 16, 2011 1:07 PM EST

ST. JOSEPH - A fork in the road has been reached in paying for safety forces in St. Joseph, City Manager Frank Walsh Thursday told the committee studying possible consolidation of the police and fire departments.

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2011/12/16/local_news/7756111.txt

Law change could help fire dept. merger

But leaders say it wouldn't aid city-county merger

WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI

Updated: Friday, 16 Dec 2011, 6:23 PM EST   Published: Friday, 16 Dec 2011, 6:23 PM EST

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - New "intergovernmental cooperation" laws pushed by local government leaders and signed this week by Gov. Rick Snyder would make it easier to create a joint fire department serving Grand Rapids, Wyoming and Kentwood.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Law-change-could-help-fire-dept-merger

State agency sides with Everett firefighters in complaint against city on overtime

It could be costly: City failed to bargain with firefighters, state says

HeraldNet, Everett, WA

Published: Friday, December 16, 2011

EVERETT -- The state Public Employment Relations Commission has ruled against the city of Everett for refusing to bargain with the firefighters union over the past two years about issues surrounding workload and overtime.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111216/NEWS01/712169911

Alarm about fire costs

Owen Sound, ON

Posted 5 hours ago

Owen Sound councillors are unreservedly clear about their concerns over escalating fire services costs in the city.

http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3407354

Nearly 500 Gilbert workers could lose union after vote

Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ

Dec. 16, 2011 10:16 AM
About two dozen Gilbert employees shuffled out of Town Hall on Thursday looking glum.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/12/15/20111215gilbert-town-workers-could-without-union-after-vote.html

Bill Cuts USFA, Grants; USAR Funding Raised

The measure awaits President Obama's signature.

Firehouse.com News

Posted: Tue, 12/20/2011 - 10:39am   Updated: Tue, 12/20/2011 - 10:39am

Drastic cuts to the USFA, SAFER and AFG were included in the conference report to the "megabus" appropriations bill passed by the Senate on Saturday.

http://www.firehouse.com/topic/funding-and-grants/bill-cuts-usfa-grants-usar-funding-raised

LOCAL SCENE

Firefighters reopen cash spigot
Politico
December 19, 2011 02:25 PM EST

The biggest national firefighters union is reopening the spigot of federal campaign cash after becoming frustrated with Washington lawmakers earlier this year.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70642.html

Swallowed by inferno

New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV, New York, NY

Last Updated: 9:50 AM, December 20, 2011   Posted: 12:20 AM, December 20, 2011

A firefighter engulfed in flames and desperate to escape a raging Brooklyn house fire dived head first onto a ladder yesterday before a fellow Bravest pulled him to safety and patted out his burning body.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/swallowed_by_inferno_pIB2nXhSqlVn7aylbTR7DJ

Birmingham firefighter says he's thankful just to be alive

al.com (blog), Birmingham, AL

Published: Saturday, December 17, 2011, 7:00 AM Updated: Saturday, December 17, 2011, 7:04 AM

Despite the long and painful recovery facing Brad Dean, his mother said he is simply thankful he is alive to spend Christmas with his family.

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/12/firefighter_says_hes_thankful.html

Into the Fire

A first-person account of Fire Ops 101

Cincinnati CityBeat, Cincinnati, OH

December 20th, 2011

The haze of the smoke has already crept to the first floor. We’re walking bowlegged up the building’s stairs because the center of the steps is the first part to be weakened by the fire. I have a fire hose under my arm. Pulling it up the steps reminds me of dragging a long extension cord — it snags and can get caught on things, but it’s also massive.

http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-24612-into_the_fire.html

Health concerns force firefighters out

Were firefighters exposed to asbestos?

WIVB, Buffalo, NY

Updated: Tuesday, 20 Dec 2011, 10:57 AM EST   Published : Saturday, 17 Dec 2011, 7:06 PM EST

LACKAWANNA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Some of Lackawanna's bravest are worried that they've been exposed to asbestos while working on the job.

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/health-concerns-force-firefighters-out

BROWNSTOWN TWP.: Firefighters, students send packages to soldiers

Southgate News Herald, Southgate, MI

Published: Saturday, December 17, 2011

BROWNSTOWN TWP. — Is it possible to package up wishful thoughts, loads of gratitude and tons of care and send it to someone thousands of miles away?

http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2011/12/17/news/doc4eeba2d624ab7775621948.txt

Firefighters’ union and coffee shop produce coffee blend as fundraiser

Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Bozeman, MT

Posted: Friday, December 16, 2011 1:00 am

Anyone walking down the coffee aisle at a couple local grocers today might notice a different brand resting on the shelves near the bags of Starbucks and Montana Coffee Traders.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_609dc61e-27b8-11e1-85c0-0019bb2963f4.html

Firefighters union donates to Toys for Tots

Circleville Herald, Circlevile, OH

Posted: Monday, December 19, 2011 1:45 am

Firefighter Kevin Cunningham (left) presents a $500 check to Becky Hammond of PICCA on Saturday as a donation to the Toys for Tots program on behalf of the Circleville Local #1232 firefighters union. According to Lt. Brad Rankin, the 15-member union aims to contribute at least $500 each year to the cause, as well as provide a drop-off point for community toy donations at the fire station.

http://www.circlevilleherald.com/news/article_52345d98-2a0d-11e1-8b61-001871e3ce6c.html

Firefighters begin fundraising effort

Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA

Posted: 12/19/2011 12:23:12 AM EST    Updated: 12/19/2011 12:10:46 PM EST

PITTSFIELD -- City firefighters hope the local generosity this holiday season will extend to its annual fundraising campaign that benefits high school graduates and many community groups.

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_19576469

Montgomery firefighters donate to breast cancer charity

More than $10K raised for Maryland affiliates

Gazette.Net: Maryland Community News Online, Gaithersburg, MD

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 1664 raised over $10,000 for the Maryland affiliate of the Susan G. Komen and the Red Devils Inc.

http://www.gazette.net/article/20111214/NEWS/712149516/1007/montgomery-firefighters-donate-to-breast-cancer-charity&template=gazette