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Ohio State Firefighters Softball Tournament 2009 State Firefighters Softball Tournament. The Columbus Fire D-Team will host the State Firefighters Softball Tournament August 8th and 9th!
Court Rules for White and Hispanic Firefighters, Reversing Sotomayor Decision In a decision that could have sweeping impact on employers across the nation,the Supreme Court ruled today that white and Hispanic firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge.
DUI tests focus of bill- But having EMTs take blood may jeopardize care in field, they say A bill introduced in the Ohio Senate would allow emergency medical workers to draw blood from drunken-driving suspects.
Update: FIRE Grant Funding Increase Amendment Fairfax, Va., June 25, 2009… On Tuesday night, the House Rules Committee passed a closed rule for the Fiscal Year 2010 DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 2892) that would not allow Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Steve Austria (R-OH), Peter King (R-NY) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) to offer their amendment on the House floor yesterday. The House Rules Committee writes the rules for the consideration of each bill before it goes to the House Floor.
President Obama Approves New SAFER Rules President Barack Obama has approved new rules that govern how fire departments can use funding from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, an important change during the economic crisis that has caused widespread layoffs of fire fighters throughout the country.
New Rules Allow SAFER Grants to Prevent Layoffs, Restore Cuts Congress has voted to allow the use of federal funding to rehire laid off fire fighters and prevent fire department staffing reductions. The new rules for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants make funding available to help keep IAFF members safe and on the job and bring back those who have been laid off as a result of the current financial crisis. The bill is now on its way to the White House. "The IAFF made it an urgent priority to pass this proposal to waive current requirements and allow SAFER grants to be used to save our members' jobs and restore cuts made to staffing," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "With the passage of this waiver, fire departments can use this money to prevent layoffs and ensure adequate staffing." Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano agreed to postpone the 2009 application process for SAFER grants until the new waiver authority is in place. This assures that the $210 million that Congress appropriated for SAFER can be used to address the current wave of staffing cuts. The IAFF is working with DHS to establish the new rules and will post information on the application period as soon as it is available. The IAFF strongly urges affiliates to work with their fire departments to apply for SAFER money. "As we all know, adequate staffing is critical to effective response and fire fighter and public safety," says Schaitberger. Under the original law, — passed in 2004 — communities could only receive a SAFER grant if they planned to increase fire department staffing levels. Fire fighters hired with SAFER grants had to be retained for at least five years, and the fire department couldn’t reduce staffing levels during this period. These restrictions have combined to prohibit fire departments from using SAFER grants to prevent layoffs, and have discouraged fire departments from applying for SAFER grants during this current economic recession.
Firefighters see cuts eroding safety Thousands of firefighters across the country face possible layoffs this year, prompting concern that deep local government budget cuts will delay emergency response times. Since late last year, cities have been forced to shutter local fire stations, reduce services at others and cut the number of firefighters dispatched on emergency calls. Firefighting positions have been eliminated or are on the chopping block in cities such as Orlando, Atlanta, Flint, Mich., and Columbus, Ohio.
City Budget Woes May Mean Layoffs, Major Cuts The City of Cincinnati may have to lay off hundreds of firefighters and police officers, furlough employees and cut services to balance the 2009 budget.
Lorain: Neighbors angry about fire station closing LORAIN -- Maryanne Thomas stopped her car in front of the fire station on Idaho Avenue and shook her head. "I have lived on this street for over 30 years and that station has never been closed like this".
Message from President Mark Sanders Got word this morning from OAPFF Counsel Henry Arnett that our position and Residency Legislation prevailed in the Supreme Court. Henry is preparing a more detailed brief for circulation. It should be out later today. This is a historical victory that again illustrates our hard work and determination is paying off. I am proud of the improvements we are making in the area of political and legislative action. Congratulations to all who are helping move the OAPFF program, especially Governmental Affairs Director Jim Carney. Legal Counsel Henry Arnett is also to be congratulated for his continued steadfast legal guidance over these past several months.
OHIO’S RESIDENCY LAW (REVISED CODE §9.481) UPHELD;
HOME RULE CHALLENGES REJECTED
Henry A. Arnett Livorno and Arnett Co., LPA
Ohio Supreme Court rules against city residency requirements COLUMBUS —In a decision that could be crippling for Cleveland, the Ohio Supreme Court this morning upheld a 2006 state law that bars cities from enforcing residency rules. The 5-2 ruling deals a crushing blow to Cleveland, which requires its employees to live within city limits. The state legislature set up a showdown over the issue in 2006 by approving a law that made such requirements illegal. Cities contend that home-rule provisions of the Ohio Constitution allow for local residency laws.
