Sisters and Brothers,
This is a reminder that our upcoming Quarterly Meeting will be on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 starting at 10am, Pipefitters Hall on Gabriel Dr. in Augusta. We will have a busy schedule for this meeting with voting on proposals for Operational and Field Service Program, an update and meeting with the Executive Director for Maine MDA, state and national election updates and endorsements, Local updates. We will be reaching out to some of our endorsed candidates also to see if they can attend and briefly address the body. We will have the agenda sent out to the Locals in coming weeks.
DVP Mike Scott, who chaired the committee reviewing the OFSP, is preparing an overview of the proposals as discussed from last springs District meetings and the Quarterly meeting in Bangor last May. We will be sending that out prior to the meeting so you have it to review.
Also, the fall campaign season is now in full swing and we will be working with our endorsed candidates. We will be reaching out for your help on events and ways to help our candidates. We have a real opportunity to return to a state government that respects workers and their rights. But we can only do that if we participate and get out and vote.
We look forward to seeing all the PFFM Locals at the upcoming meeting.
Sisters and Brothers,
The cancer epidemic is leaving its mark on families all over Maine, but firefighters are getting hit even harder than most.
Firefighters are getting cancer at alarming rates -- sometimes more than DOUBLE the cancer rates in the general public.
Two years ago, 43-year-old Maine firefighter Mike Nixon was diagnosed with malignant melanoma — the most dangerous form of skin cancer. “I had a spot develop in a weird place on my ear,” he says. “It wasn’t on top where you’d think people would get skin cancer, where there is sun exposure.
Firefighters risk their lives daily for those in the community.
A scientist says there are many health risks involved and what protects them is part of the problem.
Caitlin Burchill explains.
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The Orrington Fire Chief wants to protect his crew at all costs.
The IAFF has released a new online resource on How to Become a Professional Fire Fighter for affiliates to use in recuitment campaigns or for individuals and organizations interested in learning more about how to pursue a career as a professional fire fighter/paramedic.
Study: Exposure to flame retardant chemicals means firefighters face higher cancer risk than previously thought
ELLSWORTH, Maine — New research by a Blue Hill scientist shows that during a fire, firefighters are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic, cancer-causing chemicals created when commercial flame retardants burn.
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