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On January 3, 2008, we lost one of our brothers when Lieutenant John Martinson, E-249, died battling a fire in a 25-story apartment building at 1700 Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The 40-year-old Martinson, a resident of Staten Island, was a 14-year veteran of the Department and the son of a firefighter. He had served as a New York City Police Officer for four years prior to joining the Fire Department in 1993. He is survived by his wife Jessica, and a 22-month-old son, John Patrick.
Lieutenant Martinson was the Department's first fatality of the year and the 1,138th firefighter to die in the line of duty in the Department's history. Lt. Martinson's funeral was on January 8th at the Church of St. Clare in Staten Island.
On February 8th I was privileged to have been re-elected as your UFA President. William Romaka was also re-elected Health & Safety Officer/Sergeant-at-Arms. Re-elected without opposition were: Vice President, James Slevin; Treasurer,. Robert J. Straub; Recording Secretary, Joseph A. Miccio; Manhattan Trustee, Daniel Murphy; Brooklyn Trustee, John G. Kelly; Queens Trustee, Stephen G. Humenesky; Bronx Trustee, Edward Brown, and Staten Island Trustee, Donald J. Ruland. I feel fortunate to work with this terrific group of men that make up the UFA Executive Board. I believe your confidence in our leadership bodes well for the unity of this union as we move forward.
Our current collective bargaining agreement will end on July 31, 2008. On Thursday, April 17th, the Battalion Advisory Committee will meet at the UFA to discuss the upcoming round of negotiations. Any Battalion Delegate who can not attend is asked to please send an alternate.
We continue to monitor closely the Manhattan District Attorney's investigation into the fatal Deutsche Bank fire of August 2007. Forthcoming news regarding the investigation will be posted on the UFA Web site as it becomes available.
As a reminder, the UFA Delegate Education Seminar is being held at the Trump Taj Mahal from May 13th to May 16th. This is a good opportunity for all members to acquaint and update themselves with what is going on in the UFA. I look forward to seeing you there! As always, stay safe!
Stephen J. Cassidy,
President
