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Operation Desert Storm

The AFL-CIO backs an IAFF resolution demanding fair treatment for workers called up to serve in Operation Desert Storm. Of the fire fighters in the reserves, one in 10 has been called to active duty.

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Executive Board Supports Military Effort

The IAFF Executive Board issues a formal policy statement supporting the allied military effort in the Persian Gulf.

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Dues Money for Political Action

The Supreme Court of Canada rules that unions are entirely within their rights to use non-member dues money for political action.

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Congressional Honors

The IAFF honors three U.S. representatives with special recognition during the annual Legislative Conference for their work on important legislation the previous year: Representative Douglas Applegate of Ohio, Representative Dennis Eckart of Ohio and Representative Sherwood Boehlert of New York.

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Legislative Agenda

The IAFF publishes its 1991 legislative agenda, which addresses pass-through deposit insurance, OSHA coverage, collective bargaining, Hatch Act reform and striker replacement.

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Proposed OSHA Regulations

In its proposed regulations, OSHA requires hazardous materials response training be accredited for everyone – except emergency response personnel, including fire fighters.

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FIREPAC 91 Campaign

The IAFF launches its FIREPAC 91 campaign to raise voluntary political action funds to protect the interests of IAFF members. Issues include pension protection as Congress is considering legislation that could harm the pensions of fire fighters and other public employees. Three membership lapel pins are offered based on the amount contributed.

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Flammability Standards for Furniture

The four-year-old collaboration between the IAFF and the American Furniture Manufacturers Association to push for state-by-state enactment of stringent flammability standards for furniture in public buildings results in two states adopting model legislation and four others considering such laws.

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FIREPAC Canada

The IAFF forms a new political action committee – FIREPAC Canada – to support candidates for Parliament.

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Presidential Nominating Conventions

The IAFF launches a program to identify, encourage and train any IAFF members and their families who are interested in running as delegates to the 1992 Democratic and Republican National Presidential Nominating Conventions.

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Canadian Legislative Conference

The first Canadian Legislative Conference is held in Ottawa. Delegates meet with their members of Parliament and senators and attend information sessions on Right-to-Know legislation, transport of hazardous goods, infectious disease notification and a Public Safety Officers Benefits Act.

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Langan Quote

“I salute you for the efforts you are making, because too often federal lobbying is left to management. What you are doing here is vitally important to you as fire fighters, to your brother and sister workers in Canada, and to the public you protect.”Joy Langan, Canadian Member of Parliament, addressing the first IAFF Canadian Legislative Conference.

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HazMat Training Program

The IAFF produces a top-notch program for members requiring hazardous materials training under the NIEHS Hazardous Waste Worker Training grant.

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Canadian Policy Conference

The first IAFF Canadian Policy Conference is held in Victoria, British Columbia.

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Labour Studies Program

The Labour College of Canada accepts applications from IAFF members who are interested in attending the residential labour studies program in Ottawa, sponsored by the Canadian Labour Congress.

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Common Deadly Chemicals

Fire fighters are warned of common deadly chemicals that endanger their health: creosote, PCBs, plastics and pesticides. Two IAFF studies suggest that the heat of fighting fires and the many chemical fumes that fire fighters encounter may pose serious threats to reproductive health.

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Physical Fitness Programs

Given that the IAFF Death and Injury Survey statistics show that 40 percent of on-the-job injuries among fire fighters are sprains and strains, the IAFF recommends physical fitness programs as a way to cut injuries and reduce fatigue.

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Backdraft

The new $60 million fire fighter epic, Backdraft, features fire fighters of Chicago Local 2 as extras. The movie, directed by Ron Howard, premieres Memorial Day Weekend.

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MDA Annual Campaign

The IAFF’s 1990 Muscular Dystrophy Association campaign raises $8.5 million. The IAFF has raised more than $80 million for MDA since the annual campaign began in 1954.

MDA and the IAFF →

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Public Opinion Surveys

Two independent public opinion surveys show that fire fighters and paramedics are more admired than any other professionals, and that Americans think fire fighters don’t receive the recognition and appreciation they deserve.

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NFL Service Award

IAFF President Al Whitehead and members of the IAFF receive a prestigious National Football League Players Association Service Award in recognition of the International’s long-standing commitment to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

MDA and the IAFF →

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Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases, such as AIDS and Hepatitis B, pose a serious threat to fire fighters. About 4 percent of fire fighters contract infectious diseases each year.

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Death and Injury Survey

The IAFF’s “1989 Annual Death and Injury Survey” confirms that firefighting remains one of the most dangerous occupations in North America.

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EMS Worker Stress

A new study shows that civilian EMS workers suffer considerably more stress than cross-trained fire fighter/paramedics.

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Philadelphia Fire Fighters Killed

February 23, 1991

Three Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, fire fighters die while battling a 12-alarm blaze that raged for 19 hours and consumed nine floors of a 38-story skyscraper. The fire began on the 23rd floor of One Meridian Plaza. The effort to control the blaze was hampered by several setbacks, including problems in the building’s standpipe system that prevented water from reaching the upper floors, failure of the building’s backup electrical system, low water pressure in the downtown area and a malfunctioning air conditioning system. The three fire fighters had trouble finding the exit from the floor, which was enveloped in heavy smoke as their air ran out. Rescuers found their fallen brothers on the 28th floor near an open window. The three men had died of asphyxiation.

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Fire Fighter Salary Averages

According to 1990 IAFF salary figures, the average wages of a municipal fire fighter rose more than those of a typical public or private sector employee. The average municipal fire fighters’ salary in the United States is $33,732. Annual starting salaries for entry-level U.S. municipal fire fighters are highest in the West and lowest in the South. Canadian fire fighters’ salaries averaged $41,921.

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Bequeaths Encouraged

The IAFF encourages members to remember the John P. Redmond Foundation and the William H. McClennan Scholarship Fund in their wills through bequeaths.

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Canadian Labour Congress

The IAFF makes three proposals to improve and strengthen the Canadian Labour Congress. The first calls for two new seats on the CLC Executive Council; the second is to enhance the CLC’s role and authority by clarifying rules of affiliation; and the third urges the CLC to be more active on Parliament Hill.

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Democratic Candidates

Six major declared Democratic candidates for president attack the anti-worker policies of the Bush administration and promise to change the conditions created by 10 years of Republican government at the AFL-CIO conference held in Detroit in November 1991.

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Pre-Hospital Medical Care

The IAFF and IAFC sign an accord agreeing that America’s fire service must continue to provide pre-hospital medical care. The accord also urges all elected officials, professional associations and health care providers to recognize and support the provision of emergency medical care by the fire service.

History of Fire-Based EMS →

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Lobbying and Political Strategies

The IAFF creates a database of all IAFF members, current or retired, who hold or held an elective office or political party office at the local or state level. This information assists the IAFF in developing its lobbying and political strategies.

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New Feature in Magazine

The IAFF begins a new feature in the International Fire Fighter, a guest column on issues of interest to fire fighters by a distinguished commentator. The first column is written by Senator James M. Jeffords of Vermont on the topic of family protection from toxic workplace materials.

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Rings and Car Tags

The IAFF offers rings and car tags for purchase to members to support FIREPAC.

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Memorial Fountain

IAFF President Al Whitehead and Secretary-Treasurer Vincent Bollon attend the dedication of a long-awaited memorial fire fighters fountain in Kansas City, Missouri. The fountain serves as a tribute to the men and women who risk their lives protecting the public.

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Membership Milestone

IAFF membership exceeds 185,000 professional fire fighters in the United States and Canada.

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