News

Good Morning,

Attached you will find the text portion of this year's calendar (no pictures). In order to ensure a high quality 2021 Union Calendar we are giving members a sneak peek at the text (bottom pages) portion of the calendar. Any mistakes found please email 

gmarshall@iaff22.org

Brothers and Sisters,

    Due to the high rise in COVID-19 cases again, Local 22 will comply with the City of Philadelphia’s new COVID restrictions and be open to phone calls only at this time. If you absolutely must come down to the office for any reason, please call first. These are challenging times for not only our members of Local 22, but our staff here at the hall and our Health Plan offices as well. Local 22 will follow along with the City’s COVID-19 guidelines from Friday, November 20th- to January 1st. We will keep you updated if anything changes.

    All calls will be answered during normal business hours, as well as addressing all concerns, and forwarding them to the appropriate people. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the hall, or an executive board member.

                                                                                                                     Thank you

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Firefighter William Nolan who passed away on November 8^th, 2020. He retired on January 1^st, 1988 out of Ladder 10.

Services have already taken place.

Hi Everyone,

My name is Mindie Barnett, and I am very excited to be working alongside of you in an effort to have you fairly represented in the media and also secure you a plethora of positive, informative and human interest-related news stories on a regular basis as the head of your new PR firm, MB and Associates Public Relations! It’s truly an honor.

This month marks “Movember” where men forgo shaving (growing a mustache or beard) in an effort to raise awareness about prostate cancer. I wanted to see how many of you (ideally 10-20) would be willing to participate in this movement and then on Monday, 11/30, we will host you at the Martino Cartier Salon in Sewell, NJ for a media-opp and complimentary shave off. It’s a great feel-good and positive story we’d love for you to be involved in, if you’re so inclined.

Please email me if you’re interested to mbarnett@mbandassociatespr.com

Thank you so much in advance!

Warm regards,

Mindie Barnett

mbandassociatespr.com

Fire Science – More than just Firefighting!

Calling all heroes! Join our Fire Science Program Manager, also active Deputy Fire Chief, and CCP graduate, to learn more about CCP’s Fire Science program.  The Fire Science Program at CCP will prepare you for a variety of careers in public safety that are in addition to firefighting such as: fire code enforcement, building inspector, fire protection technician and designee, fire prevention equipment sales representative or technical expert, fire safety official or risk manager for businesses, school districts, government agencies and more!  This fully online program is ideal for those in the fire science and emergency management fields or anyone who needs flexibility with schedules. This program also prepares students who are looking to continue their education; we have a dual admission bachelor’s degree program with Holy Family University.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 4:30pm – 5:30pm RSVP no later than November 10, 2020

https://ccp.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Events/EventDetails?eventId=dcab7ca4-dc0f-eb11-a975-e90256ff1f8a

This is the 33rd year we are calling our active members to contribute to our annual Widow’s Holiday Fund. Because of your generosity, we have been able to:

• Distribute a $175 check to all our Widows

Some widows receive a Pension check below the poverty level, so your contribution means a great deal. The “Thank You” letters we receive every year is overwhelming.  It warms your heart to know that you made a difference and are appreciated abundantly for your generosity.

Once again, we are asking each member to contribute $20 to continue this tradition for our gracious and grateful survivors.

We are asking the Steward or designated member to take the collection in your station and bring it to the Union Hall ASAP.

These deserving women are members of our extended firefighting family and this gift signifies that they are not forgotten. This is the season for giving, so let us be generous to our own.

Thank you

Please see attached pdf for details

See attached PDF for more details

Local 22 is happy to continue our Retirement Seminar Series on October 30 when we will be discussing the Roth option available within your 457 (Deferred Compensation) account.  The seminar will be held virtually and can be accessed via video conference or telephone from anywhere.  Refer to the attached flyer for connection details.  To accommodate our member’s busy work and personal schedules, we will be offering two webinars on October 30 – 11 AM and 7 PM.  They will cover the same material, so no need to attend both unless you choose to do so. 

I receive multiple calls and questions each week in regards to the Roth option, which became available within your 457 plan last April, and this seminar was designed to help our members understand this powerful financial tool and how it may or may not work for you.  Your Deferred Compensation provider, Nationwide, will be providing two of their financial specialists to educate Local 22 members on the Roth option and its many advantages in retirement.  I will also be on both calls to speak to any specific pension related questions our members may have. 

After several years of advocating for a Roth option for our members, I was extremely excited when it was finally a reality and want to be sure our members are educated on the many benefits.  Please take the time to join one of these webinars ad bring your questions. 

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Firefighter Charles Leggerie who passed away on October 6^th, 2020. He retired on July 17^th, 1994 out of Ladder 1.

All are invited to attend the services

Viewing

Wednesday, October 20^th, 2020

10:00 AM

Retired FF Thomas Meehan needs a ride to the VA Clinic in Horsham on October 16th, 2020. He will need to be picked up at 12PM. You may reach him on his cell at 267-680-2039 or home 215-331-2306.

Thank you for your participation in the SAVER Survey. This is the last monthly survey assessment. You’ll be asked to complete this survey twice more, in December and February which is when the SAVER project ends.

This survey is led by the Center for Firefighter Injury Research and Safety Trends (FIRST) at Drexel University and will help us understand the impact of the SAVER Model Policies that Dallas Fire-Rescue will soon be adopting, in addition to the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the department. By participating, you are representing not only the department, but the entire nation.

The SAVER Survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes. You are contributing to the first national assessment to understand the mental health impact of the fire and rescue service. 

The survey will be open from October 5^th through October 13^th. We encourage you to take the survey as soon as possible during your work hours.

To access the survey, please follow the below instructions:

1. Click the following link: SAVER Survey Assessment - Philadelphia Fire Department, PA
2. Enter the survey password: saver 
3. After consenting to the survey, enter your Employee ID.

(Important Note: this survey is only for active FSE’s and FSP’s in the department)

Help us, help you by completing the survey today!

Good Afternoon, 

As we approach the end of the year please remember the 2 calendar corrections. January 2021 pay days are on the 14th and 28th not the 7th and 21st. Below is the corrected version of the 2021 Platoon schedule. It is the same version blasted out earlier this year. Additionally, anyone who has dates and or pictures for this year's calendar please send them to calendar@iaff22.org 

PLEASE EMAIL ALL QUESTIONS TO info@iaff22.org 

Union Meetings – October 6 & 8, 2020

Please be advised that Local 22 has and will comply with the City of Philadelphia Covid-19 mandate on Social Gatherings (see below) especially with our membership being first responders and on the front lines of this Pandemic.

Historically the number of attendees, even with the Covid-19 regulations in place, would allow everyone to attend. This means we will only be legally allowed to accommodate approximately 20 members at each meeting due to our legal occupancy.

 https://link.edgepilot.com/s/b5014086/u3Fpd3YRHUOCeUr4uEUF7Q?u=https://www.phila.gov/guides/reopening-with-care/reopening-guidance/

Doors to the union meeting will open at 6:50 pm so if you plan on attending please line up at the door, and we will admit the appropriate number of members to comply with the city Covid-19 mandate.

We highly recommend if you have questions or concerns about the Executive Board’s decision to endorse the President of the United States for re-election to please email them to info@iaff22.org and in the subject put "Endorsement Question". Your questions will be consolidated and answered to the best of our ability in a timely fashion.

Currently, The Executive Board is also considering conducting a full membership survey mailing regarding the Board’s decision to endorse the President of the United States for re-election.

Please click link below to read President Trump's endorsement letter.

I want to begin by thanking the Claims Committee for its hard work in hearing and ruling on IAFF General President Schaitberger’s appeal.

I urge each IAFF member to carefully read the Claims Committee’s entire ruling which I have sent to each IAFF member by email, and form your own judgment about the findings. Don’t allow yourself to be influenced by reading bullet points or selected excerpts.

When you read the entire ruling, you will learn that the Claims Committee did not conclude that it was proper for General President Schaitberger to start collecting his staff pension when he became the General President in September 2000. Rather, the Committee concluded that because what happened was long ago, and because any improper payments would have been the fault of other persons within the IAFF, it would not be fair to now recover any pension payments directly from General President Schaitberger.

As firefighters we all agree that a pension is an earned benefit we all deserve for our years of dedication and service, however nothing angers us more than when our pension system is being abused. Additionally, as dues paying members, who fund the IAFF pension plans, we each have a stake in how and where our money is spent.

I was made aware by legal council that the General President collecting an improper staff pension was in violation of Internal Revenue Code, plan governance, and could result in substantial fines, and the potential for the pension plan to lose its qualified tax status. Losing the qualified tax status would directly impact all of our plan participants and beneficiaries, and could ultimately cost our rank and file dues paying members substantially.

In addition to requesting the staff pension plan attorney to codify his opinion on the impermissibility of the General President’s pension in writing, I sought a second opinion from another pension attorney who came to the same conclusion. A third pension attorney engaged by the Executive Board’s Administrative Committee also rendered a legal opinion which concluded the General President’s pension was impermissible.

Consistent with the advice rendered by all three law firms, the IAFF Executive Board voted unanimously in March to suspend General President Schaitberger’s staff plan pension while the matter was under investigation and until a resolution was reached. The Board later postponed that suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Claims Committee has now given us their ruling, and I give you my word that I will continue to uphold the oath I swore as your General Secretary-Treasurer, to serve as your eyes and ears with regards to how each and every penny of your union dues is spent.

Be you, Be strong, Be Fire Fighters.

Click here for GST Kellys Message

IAFF Final Decision Re Schaitberger Appeal.091920.pdf

Edward A. Kelly

General Secretary-Treasurer 

International Association of Firefighters

1750 New York Ave., NW

Washington D.C. 20006

202-824-1511

See attached.

See attached for Union Gram 20-06

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Firefighter Jay Bowen who passed away on June 6^th, 2020. He retired on July 11^th, 1984, out of Engine 56.

Services were private.

Due to the current circumstances, Local 22 is not able to hold our annual Spring  Investment/Retirement seminar in usual fashion.  However, In lieu of our annual “live” Spring Investment/Retirement seminar we are proud to offer all members the opportunity to gain some timely and extremely valuable insights from the comfort of your own home or firehouse.  We have arranged with Nationwide, your 457 Plan administrator, to host an Investing 101 Webinar on Friday May 22 at 11 AM. The key to a proper and enjoyable retirement is effective planning THROUGHOUT your career, and this information is the basis for just that.

Below is a list of the topics that will be covered in Investing 101 and a short summary of each one:

Asset Allocation:

What is the difference between Cash, Bonds, and Stock and how do they work together in your portfolio?

What are the different types or segments of Stock?

What is a Mutual Fund?

What is the difference between Indexing vs Active Management?

How to create your allocation – Target Date Funds, Investment Planner tool, self-provision.

Rebalancing:

Removing the emotion from investing.

Concept of buying low and selling high.

How to automate the process.

Dollar Cost Averaging:

How does it work?

What are the benefits?

IAFF - Investing 101
Fri, May 22, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/977812269

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212

Access Code: 977-812-269

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/977812269

No pre-registration is required, so please mark your calendars accordingly and invest an hour in your future retirement!

See attached.

Press Release - Manayunk Brewing Company Proudly Supports our Essential Workers

To thank all of the first responders, emergency personnel and essential workers, Manayunk Brewing Company will be providing complimentary growlers of beer to anyone over 21 years old.

Each Friday and Saturday, beginning on Friday, April 24, we will have a curbside beer station set up in front of the brewery at 4120 Main Street.

Please arrive between 2pm-5pm. Everyone will be required to show proof of ID and our staff will place the beer into your vehicle. 

The safety of our staff is very important. Therefore, we will require all staff to wear disposable gloves and face masks. We will also have hand sanitizer available. No one will be permitted inside the gate and we ask that everyone remains in their vehicle. 

Manayunk Brewing Company brewed their first batch of beer on October 17, 1996. Since then, they have brewed more than 600 different varieties of beers, and have been selling these sought-after styles all around Philadelphia and New Jersey. The brewery continuously expanded and currently has a stone pizza oven and sushi bar, as well as a chic banquet space for weddings and meetings.

See attached.

See attached.

Press Release - Manayunk Brewing Company Proudly Supports our Essential Workers

To thank all of the first responders, emergency personnel and essential workers, Manayunk Brewing Company will be providing complimentary growlers of beer to anyone over 21 years old.

Each Friday and Saturday, beginning on Friday, April 24, we will have a curbside beer station set up in front of the brewery at 4120 Main Street.

Please arrive between 2pm-5pm. Everyone will be required to show proof of ID and our staff will place the beer into your vehicle. 

The safety of our staff is very important. Therefore, we will require all staff to wear disposable gloves and face masks. We will also have hand sanitizer available. No one will be permitted inside the gate and we ask that everyone remains in their vehicle. 

Manayunk Brewing Company brewed their first batch of beer on October 17, 1996. Since then, they have brewed more than 600 different varieties of beers, and have been selling these sought-after styles all around Philadelphia and New Jersey. The brewery continuously expanded and currently has a stone pizza oven and sushi bar, as well as a chic banquet space for weddings and meetings.

 Evan Fritz

Head Brewer

Manayunk Brewing Co.

(856) 371-8018

Today, Regulation 31.24 was approved by Civil Service as a regulation. This Regulation states that all IAFF Local 22 bargaining unit members will receive one and a half times their ordinary hourly rate for all hours worked during their regularly scheduled shift from March 18^th to March 29^th.At this time, we are being told that the additional hours will be calculated at your “Base Pay” rate; meaning this does not include any longevity or premium pay. This includes all Civil Service ranks up to and including the AC’s.  This also means that if you’re carried as MXT, Sick, Vac, or anything other than Present (P) in the book, you will not be compensated at this rate. Needless to say, if you are working Overtime, Comp Time (Chief officers will still receive Comp hours), or MXT, you will be paid at that regular rate as before; obviously due to the fact that this is not your “Regular Scheduled Shift”.

Local 22 recommends that all members keep track of your time worked in order to ensure accuracy.

IN Brotherhood

See attached

See attached for Union Gram 20-02

WATCHDESK APP”

Historically, having to prove to the city that your Cancer or any other type of disease/illness was caused by being a First Responder was almost impossible. Local 22 has fought countless cases and less than 1% has been settled as an actual “On the Job-Related Illness”. Our entire careers we’ve watched so many Brothers and Sisters literally die trying to get acknowledgment for something seemed so just. Why is it so hard to prove? Why can’t they just see how being on the job for all these years, exposed to so many different things, is the reason now we have what we have? What about our families and who’s going to take care of them; wasn’t I was supposed to, weren’t we? Why are we all being Denied!? I’ll tell you why, submitting a piece of paper to the city stating that your illness was job related, with no supporting documentation, is an uphill battle already lost.

Hold on a second. What if we had a resource that could document every run, every exposure, even store pictures of the scene, or any other important information? What if we had this from day 1 on the job? What would the outcome be now if we were able to upload all that information, pictures included, and put thousands of pages in front of someone for review? What do you think the end result would be now? Let’s find out.

Local 22 has been working with a company in order to create an app for our members to document everything in their careers. This app will be located on your very own homepage (TITLED: “MY WATCHDESK”) of the website (www.iaff22.org) and only you can create, review and edit. Also, within this app you are able to “Tag” those you worked with so that information can be shared amongst each other. Last and so important, you can just click on the camera in the app, and start taking pics to upload and save forever. Can you imagine showing a Judge or someone pics of a chemical spill, burnt out contents, or any other important pic that says 1000 words? This is going to be truly amazing.

On a lighter note, wouldn’t it be great to record a “Diary” of every run you’ve had in your career? Wouldn’t it be awesome to look back at the past 10, 20, 30+ years to reminisce and share with family, friends and co-workers? Recently there was a book released by one of Local 22’ great chief’s that shared so many revealing stories of his 37 years of service. With this app you can do just that, we’re not saying write a book, we’re talking about having that “Log” of your career at your fingertips. Now finally, with the “Watchdesk” app, you will be able to document your history forever.

Now while this app is almost ready for release, we have decided to launch the live web version on the website for your review and use. Please feel free to send any helpful feedback to make this APP even better to jeltman@iaff22.org

Thank you all

IN Brotherhood

See Attached.

Attached is the Captain and Lieutenant Promotional Lists Combined as a single PDF