News

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.

This a reminder that both Union Meetings, April 7th and April 8th, are cancelled. The RFFA Meeting for April 15th was also cancelled.

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.

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Retired Lieutenant John Priest who passed away on March 27^th, 2020. He retired on March 29, 1980, out of Ladder 22.

Services are private.

The City announced Sam's Club at Franklin Mills wil start offering early entrance for active First Responders on Thursdays from 7am-9am. Sam's Club will open early for Sam's Club members who are first responders with valid ID. In accordance with quarantine regulations, only the active member and their spouse will be permitted inside the shop. We appreciate Sam's Club extending this courtesy to our members and for that reason will ensure that their rues are adhered to.

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

Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic the Ultra Sound Screenings scheduled from March 30 to May 1, 2020 have been postponed. No new dates have been scheduled. Notification will be sent out as soon as we can reschedule the Screenings.

See attached

Please see attached

You are invited to attend a
ROAST AND TOAST
CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF
Assistant Fire Chief
Tony Sneidar
AFTER 28 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PHILADELPHIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

Thursday, April 23, 2020
7:00 PM -11:00 PM
Philadelphia Ballroom 
2014 Hornig Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116

Tickets:
$50.00 in advance - $60.00 at the door
(Includes Dinner, Open Bar & Gift)

FOR TICKETS CONTACT:
Craig Hueber L.05/C (215-778-9772)
Keith Leber E.70/C (215-919-2231)
Jacqulyn Murphy FAB-EMS (267-977-9160)

Electronic payments can be sent to Dave Kearney FAB-TSU
Venmo: @Kearney3259 • ApplePay: 215-285-7985
Include the words “Tony Party” plus your name and number of tickets.

QUESTIONS? EMAIL: DAVID.KEARNEY@PHILA.GOV

Hotel Accommodations Available:
Radisson Hotel
2400 Old Lincoln Highway • Trevose, PA 19053
HTTP://RADISSON.COM/TREVOSEPA
Enter Code: CHIEF

$40

Open Bar, Buffet and Gift Included with Ticket

Friday, April 17th, 2020

7:00pm – 11:00pm

Blake Lake Room 

Philadelphia, PA 19154

These are current pressing issues for our members. Local 22’s mission is to provide as much assistance as we can.  Back in 2016 we developed our peer support team.  In an effort to stay progressive and proactive we are now expanding that team. We are looking for members interested in joining, and being a source for our members in need.  Local 22 is offering our third IAFF Peer Support Training class.  This will be held on May 4^th and 5^th at the Union hall.  The class is 8 hours each day, lunch will be provided. 

WE NEED YOU!! The opportunity for you to help is here.   We will be conducting interviews for those interested in becoming peer team members. It is our goal that ALL MEMBERS be represented on our peer team, your experiences could greatly benefit someone that is struggling through a difficult time.  If you are interested in joining our team send an email to Mike Yaeger at Myaeger@iaff22.org.

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

Hello Local 22 Members:

I hope you are having a great October.  I wanted to send you an update with a new code that our Local can use on Franklin Institute tickets for the upcoming special exhibit.

On October 19, the museum will open a world premier exhibit that will be the first of its kind in Philadelphia.  Based on the internationally bestselling book series, The Worst Case Scenario: Survival Experience, the exhibit is an immersive, hands-on experience that challenges guests to think about how to survive in unbelievable (yet plausible!), situations.  Do you have what it takes to jump between cars on a moving train?  How about the ability to detect a lie?  The ability to survive in quicksand?  In this exhibit you’ll be faced with wildly ridiculous scenarios, you will experience them firsthand, and then you will learn about real people who have survived to tell their stories. 

As always, members of Local 22 can save up to 20% off oftickets.  Follow three easy steps.

1. Go to www.fi.edu/affiliates
2. Login or create an account
3. Purchase tickets using your organization specific code: PFF22GRP
4. Enjoy The Franklin Institute!

Sincerely,

Local 22

Through an internal audit of our most recent payroll processing (Thursday September 26), it was discovered that approximately 75 of our members were shorted overtime dollars that were to be paid to them today.  The bulk of these members were part of the most recent FEMA deployment.  Local 22 has been working closely with PFD payroll since last evening to address this issue and it was agreed today that these missing overtime payments would be processed as a special supplemental payroll immediately.  Members who were affected should expect a second deposit into their normal direct deposit account in the next few days.  As always, members are reminded to monitor their pay for accuracy.