News

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Lieutenant Clarence Pringle who passed away on May 28^th, 2020. He retired on August 12^th, 2019.

Services will be private.

This message is specific to the members of the 1^st and 4^th battalions, the clerk working on the O.T. for the pay period of May 4^th, 2020 to May 17^th, 2020 was sick last week.  Pay Roll is aware of the situation.  They are working on it now.  Please be patient.

REMINDER CALL STARTS AT 11:00AM TODAY

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!

Effective with today’s payroll distribution, all members who were due Covid-19 Essential Pay should have received the entirety of what they are owed.  As a reminder, the Essential Pay Period began on March 18, 2020 and lasted through March 29, 2020.  Any member who was present for their regularly assigned shift during that period was paid an extra .5 hours for each regularly scheduled hour that they worked.  The Essential Pay and related hours were very clearly identified on your paystub and in turn should be very easy for all members to reconcile.  At this point, if you believe you have not been properly paid for the Essential Pay you are owed:

1 - Work with your officer to verify that you were actually Present (P) on the roll call for your scheduled shifts during the time period listed above.

2 – Reconcile the number of hours you were actually marked Present (P) on the Roll Calls against the total number of hours for which you received Essential Pay.

3 – If, after verification, you find that there is a discrepancy have your officer scan your paystubs for PPE 04/05/20, 04/19/20, 05/03/20 and 05/17/20 and forward them to payroll noting your perceived discrepancy.  Be sure to copy Local 22 on that email using the address info@iaff22.org. 

It is very important that you do your part to verify any payroll errors prior to submitting a request to payroll and/or Local 22.  When the proper procedures are followed, we generally experience a much more efficient resolution. 

We are happy to report that payroll was able to process the newly negotiated 2.5% pay increase for all Local 22 members for this week’s pay cycle.  As a reminder, the contract language stated that the pay increase was to take effect beginning with the first full pay period after May 1, 2020.  That pay period started on Monday May 4, 2020 (not May 1 as some may have mistakenly anticipated), and ended on Sunday May 17, 2020.  As always, please be sure to review and reconcile each and every paystub you receive and make your officer aware of any perceived discrepancies.  If your officer is unable to resolve the issue, please contact Local 22 so we can address the issue accordingly. 

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!

ATTENTION ALL PHILLY FSPs and FSEs -

We currently have 96 FSPs and FSEs that completed the survey.  We need at least 200 members to complete It by the deadline of 5/19/20 (tomorrow) at midnight.

Although this is a "voluntary" survey, by completing this survey "YOU" are representing not only the department, but the entire nation.  This is an incredible and unique opportunity! If you have not completed the survey PLEASE do so by the deadline.

It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.  We encourage you to take the survey as soon as possible during your working hours.

To access the survey, please follow the below instructions:

1. Click the following link:https://drexel.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9oaoztks5wlhezH
2. Enter the survey password: saver
3. After consenting to the survey, enter your Payroll #.

The FY 20 Incentive deadline is coming up real soon - June 30, 2020.  Local 22 Health Plan Members can earn $200 - Spouses $100 for completing 2 qualifing incentives and submit documentation by June 30, 2020. 2 Incentives that are easy to complete in this time of pandemic are the IBX wire and the IAFF Cancer Awareness on-line course. Go on www.local22healthplan.org - under the "wellness' header click on "incentives" and details for both incentives can be found.

If you are not sure if you already have incentives completed feel free to e mail me at jkots@iaff22.org or call 215-440-4426 and I can look up the incentives that you already have credit for.

See attached.

The original blast in regards to this seminar showed the wrong date of May 2.  The date of this seminar is May 22.  All other details are accurate.  

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!

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired FireFighter Timothy Clohessey who passed away on May 11^th, 2020. He retired on June 30^th, 1992, out of Ladder 15.

Services will be private.

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.

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Lieutenant Joseph Eden who passed away on April 30th, 2020. He retired on April 14^th, 2007.

All services will be private.

See attached.

Attention Local 22 Health Plan Members

Local 22's Health Plan  telemedicine service will change to MDLive starting May 1, 2020.

Announcement letters were sent out to all Health Plan members last week. A welcome package will be sent out by Independence Blue Cross the beginning of May.

Local 22's Health Plan has partnered with Blue Cross to provide our members access to a premium Telemedicine service.

Effective May 1^st, MeMD will no longer be Local 22’s Health Plan Telemedicine provider. 

We encourage you to activate your account with MDLive on or after May 1st to avoid any unnecessary hassle the first time you need to use the benefit.  Pre -registering helps with overall experience, and is one less thing you’ll need to do when you’re sick and need to reach out for a doctor.

You can simply go to MDLIVE.com/IBX or call 877-764-6605 and pre-register.

But please remember that you cannot register before May 1.

For more information go on our website at -   www.local22healthplan.org

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.

All members please see below message from your Deferred Comp (457 Plan) provider Nationwide.  As you may be aware, you have free access to financial advisors through this partnership with Nationwide.  During this unprecedented time of social distancing and market volatility, Nationwide has offered to host group webinars and/or individual virtual conferences to answer our members questions.  I urge you to take advantage of this training opportunity at each and every one of your stations.  To quote the great one time New Jersey Resident Albert Einstein:

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”
― Albert Einstein

Capt. Coughlin,

Hope you are all staying safe! I just wanted to reach out and let you know that I am available to speak with your Unit regarding their Deferred Comp accounts as well as financial wellness. I know it may be some time before I am able to visit, so I wanted to let you know how I can be reached.

I am available by phone 610-505-7970 and video conference (Skype & GotoMeeting). You can click the “schedule an appointment” blue button below in my signature.

We also spoke about setting a virtual meeting or webinar for each of the platoons to allow any member to get answers to their current questions.

Please see below links about market volatility and webinars to sign up for along with attached flyer.

https://www.philly457.com/iApp/tcm/philly457/learning/library/market_volatility_update.jsp

https://www.philly457.com/iApp/tcm/philly457/learning/webinars/index.jsp

Any questions do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you,

See attached for more details

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.

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

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Lieutenant Joel Miller who passed away on April 15th, 2020. He retired on November 17th, 1991, out of Ladder 21.

Service is to be announced at a later date.

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Captain Jerome Azarewicz who passed away on April 9th, 2020. He retired on October 1st, 2003, out of Ladder 1.

Service is to be announced at a later date.

Members who have tested positive for Covid-19 will be receiving notification from the Dept that the City will be accepting COPA II Injury/Exposure forms. In accordance with Pennsylvania State Workman Compensation language, any member may file for an injury within 120 days. This does not guarantee that your claim will be accepted due to the burden of proof in Pennsylvania is on the employee not the employer.

There is currently NO Presumptive language covering Covid-19. Local 22 is anticipating that not all Positive Test Covid-19 claims will be accepted as an exposure/injury. The reasoning is that due to burden of proof not all positive tests will be accepted as duty related.

If you were knocked off by the Dept due to a firehouse or duty exposure and you tested positive you may be covered. If you were ordered off due to a non-duty related exposure which resulted in a Positive Test result you will probably experience some difficulty with your claim. Make sure everyone documents all exposures, on duty and off for future claims

Claims to the City will be filed directly with Qyiana Churn at PFD Human Resources to ensure confidentiality.

Please send all Local 22 questions and inquiries with your Name and contact info to Rdesk@iaff22.org so they can be forwarded for guidance.

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Firefighter James Smart who passed away on April 3rd, 2020. He retired on September 14th, 1988, out of Ladder 28

Services will be private.

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the death of Dennis “Denny” Meyers, husband of longtime Local 22 employee Ann Marie Meyers. Denny passed suddenly on April 2.

He was a devoted husband and loving father of Jessica (Rob) Stack and Sara Meyers. Devoted grandfather of Emilia Stack.

Denny was a generous and giving man who spent countless hours supporting and mentoring young adults through 4 decades at St. John the Baptist CYO, the Archdiocesan CYO programs, as an umpire for little league and as a coach of girls’ soccer for the Roxborough Manayunk Community.

Due to the worldwide health crisis a private family funeral was planned. A public service will be held on May 29, 2020 starting at noon, with a 2 PM Memorial Mass.

Donations in Denny’s name can be made to the Friends of St. John the Baptist, 146 Rector St. Phila., PA 19127 and would be very much appreciated by his family.

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Firefighter Edward Moffett who passed away on March 14th, 2020. He retired on November 17^th, 1996, out of Task Force 26.

Services will be private.

We just thought we’d reach out to everyone and to remind you that Local 22’s Peer Support Team is here if you need us.  This could be a horribly trying time for some of our members, dealing with the news of the pandemic and working on the front lines while the family is stuck at home.  The tension created, whether you have small children, aging parents or if you live alone can be overwhelming.      Just know that you are not alone. We are here to help.  Peer support is just the beginning.  Just talking to a peer might be enough.  If you do need more help, we have resources available depending on your needs. The services we provide are as follows:

Peer Support Team (Contact members below, or consult list in each firehouse) 

Fire Dept. EAP 215 685-HELP (4357)

Local 22’s EAP (MHC Mental Health Consultants ) 800-255-2081

Chaplain, although not official yet we do have several chaplains available for you. (Contact Mike Yaeger or Tommy Kane if you are in need a Chaplain)

If you are struggling give us a call.  If you see another member struggling give us a call.  Every contact we have either by phone or in person is strictly confidential.

In brotherhood

Michael Yaeger, Peer Coordinator, 215-514-5288

Tommy Kane Assistant Peer Coordinator, 215-917-7236

William Murphy Assistant Peer Coordinator ( EMS ) 215-815-0960

See attached.

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

Please see attached

Pegasus Riding Academy is offering a  therapeutic horseback riding program for children with/and without disabilities for the families of Local 22 Health Plan members. See flyer for more details.

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

If you know anyone who gets injured on a fireground after normal working hours, please notify Local 22 at 215-440-4400, and follow the prompts.

Thank you

See Attached.

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