• Past President Reports

Special Orders of Business

• Security Benefits Fund (SBF) Help Table Today
  Members who require help regarding dental, prescription drugs, optical or any other benefits provided via the UFA SBF should visit the SBF table today. SBF personnel are there to help you.
• 2006-2008 Contract Copies Distributed Today
  Official Copies of the latest UFA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are being distributed at your Trustee Tables today, one per Delegate, for insertion into the Delegate Manual.
• 2008 Social Security Booklet
  The UFA's new 14 page booklet, "What Every Employee Needs to Know," is being distributed today at your Trustee Table, ONLY ONE per Delegate please. Keep this in the inside cover pocket of the Delegate Manual. It contains info about Social Security Funds, Retirement Benefits, Disability Benefits, Survivors' Benefits, Medicare, Request for SS Statement and other benefit info. Members should contact their Delegate to review the booklet if they have any Social Security questions.
• 2007 W-2: Verifying Annual LODI Tax Deductions
  Current IRS regulations provide favorable tax treatment of your wages during the approved period of Line-of-Duty Injury (LODI). Wages will be treated on a pre-tax basis. The Dept computes your LODI medical leave days automatically and deducts the dollar amount from your taxable income as per prior UFA contractual agreement. To verify your proper deductions, see the Salary Chart package at your Trustee table today and refer to the chart that applies to your grade and dates that you were out on LODI. The 'Daily Rates' are circled in the last column on each page. The UFA also published Special 2007 Tax Year Issue 65-2 #14 of 2008, which includes additional info regarding the per deim salary rate charts that will allow you to verify the Dept's calculations. It also includes much more info re your paycheck deductions and tax calculations. It is available today at your Trustee table.

1. UFA General Election Results
The results are listed on 65-2 Fax #12 (attached). Those elected will take office effective May 1, 2008. The new terms run through 7/31/11. Ballots were counted on Feb 8 by the American Arbitration Association (AAA), under the observation of the UFA Election Committee, in accordance with the UFA Constitution. The Election Committee consists of one member per borough, and makes all determinations regarding validity of ballots. The election results are also posted HERE. Company lists of members from whom the AAA did not receive a ballot in this election will be mailed to Delegates, after the file is received from the AAA, for posting at each firehouse. NOTE: UFA Committee member names and companies are listed on the UFA website in the 'About Us' section.

2. CDLs: Do Not Volunteer!
The Chief of Department issued a memo on January 16, 2008 "advising" members who possess CDL licenses to forward copies to Metrotech through the chain of command. The memo states its purpose is to have volunteers drive MTA busses for Department functions, including funerals. The Department has not bargained with the UFA regarding this issue. Giving the Dept your CDL information will allow them to use it for whatever purposes the Dept decides. Therefore, no UFA member should volunteer or provide copies of their CDL license to the Department until further notice from the UFA. The UFA will meet with the Department regarding this issue.

3. Rescue Support Trucks & Decon Engines: Training on OT
The Dept has informed the UFA that all members assigned to Rescue Support Trucks will be receiving three 8-hour tours of training and Decon Engines will be receiving one 8-hour tour of training on OT during off-duty hours. Training will be on an annual basis and will begin scheduling shortly.

4. CFR-D: Opting Out
The CFR-D Agreement, which was signed by the City and the UFA in 1995, contains the following language: "Opting Out: The FD will consider requests by FFs to opt-out of the CFR-D program upon expiration of the FFs CFR-D certification. When practicable, the FD will facilitate transfers for those who wish to be reassigned to a ladder or engine company." Members who wish to opt out are advised to submit such requests in writing to their Officers.

5. 2007 FICA Refund for LODI
The Department has stated that the members will be receiving their Tax Year 2007 FICA Refund in their regular check sometime by late March or April at the latest. The schedule will be published in a future Department Order. FICA reimbursements will now be an annual occurrence. Members who receive their corrected W-2's after the date the Department makes refunds will be required to request the adjusted FICA refund from the IRS on IRS Form 843. Please consult your tax preparer for how to properly file this form. NOTE: This has nothing to do with claims being processed for the years before 2006.

6. Safe Response on AFID & Winter Conditions
Health & Safety Officer/Sergeant-at-Arms Bill Romaka reminds you to follow all safe response protocols issued by the Dept. Please see that all members review previously published UFA Safety Messages (attached) regarding Safe Winter Response and Safe Response from Outside Activities. If you don't get there, you can't fight the fire or revive a victim!

7. LOD Injury Must Use FDNY HQ Address
Members who are injured in the line-of-duty should never provide their home addresses for transportation to the hospital. Only provide 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201. As a reminder, only approved treatment by authorized providers will be paid for by the FD for any follow-up medical care needed. It is important to keep copies of all authorizations for your approved specialists along with your CD-72's to avoid any problems. If you still have a question or a concern, please forward a copy of your CD-72, any authorizations, and outstanding bills to the UFA Health & Safety Office (Fax #: 212-683-4768 or call 212-545-6965 with questions).

8. Missing UFA Parking Placards: Police Reports
It is important that all thefts are reported to the police on a Complaint Report, with placard numbers provided. Any unauthorized person caught in possession can be arrested and investigated as to how they obtained the placards. Persons involved with illegally supplying Parking Placards to others WILL be prosecuted by the UFA to the fullest extent of the law. Non-firefighter use of UFA placards in the past has caused legitimate concerns among law enforcement and traffic agents in respecting firefighter vehicle parking privileges near quarters. Non-firefighters with UFA Placards have been arrested for impersonating a firefighter. Security features were added to insure OUR vehicles are afforded every legal courtesy-not anyone else!

9. Random Drug Testing Quarterly Report
The FDNY reports that the following units were tested randomly between 9/30/07 and 12/31/07. A total of 91 Units were tested within this period: 49 Engines, 25 Ladders, 9 Battalions, 2 Divisions, 1 Rescue Unit, 3 Probie School Groups, 1 Hazmat Company, 1 Hazmat Battalion, and 9 Fire Marshals. Reports listing each company tested and individual dates are attached. They are sorted by both company and chronologically.

10. Delegate Education Seminar Registration Forms Mailed
Registration packages were mailed to all Delegate residences on January 31. Seminar registration and hotel room reservations must be made by check only, payable to the 'UFA' (phone registration cannot be accepted), along with the proper form. It must be received at the UFA by March 31st to receive your discounted rate. After the deadline you'll need to make your room reservation by credit card directly with the hotel at the full-price per-night rate-if rooms are still available. If this is your first Delegate Educational Seminar, you can familiarize yourself by reviewing last year's agenda and program activity book on the UFA website HERE. You can also check out the latest notices for this year's Seminar. Location/Dates: Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 thru Friday, May 16, 2008. NOTE: The previously scheduled May 8 Union meeting, as noted on the UFA Workchart Calendar, will be rescheduled to take place on the last day of the Seminar, Friday, May 16. Please insure your calendars are adjusted.

11. UFA Active Dental Plan Improvements - Additional Coverage
Members currently enrolled in the UFA's Dentcare Plan will also have the option to rollover to the newly enhanced UFA Family Dental Plan (date T.B.A. shortly). A detailed schedule of dental services and options that are now available to your family at lower cost or for free were distributed at the November Union meeting, and are also included in your Delegate's Manual, which was just updated with this info in November.

12. Safe Apparatus Response Training Session
The UFA Health & Safety Office has arranged for a Safe Apparatus Response Training Session with FDNY Lt. Mike Wilbur, who is nationally recognized in safe response and apparatus accident prevention, on Tuesday, February 26th, 1pm at the Knights of Columbus, 3051 Nostrand Ave, (c/o Quentin Rd.), Brooklyn. Food and refreshments will be provided. A gift certificate for a FREE Body Scan at Inner Imaging will be given away to one participant at the end of the training session. This training is provided through a grant from the NYS/DOL Hazard Abatement Board (Contract #012817). To RSVP for this event, please call 212-545-6965 or email cearly@ufanyc.org. Please RSVP by Friday, February 22nd.

13. Muscular Dystrophy Donations
This is a reminder that all donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc that were collected as part of the UFA's annual $1 per member per meal program should be submitted as soon as possible to the MDA. Please make checks out to the MDA and send them to: MDA, PO Box 3178, Grand Central Station, New York NY 10163. Thanks to everyone who participated!

14. FF Berkhout Assailants Convicted & Sentenced
The three men who assaulted and critically injured FF Richie Berkhout E-298 on 9-11-06 in Suffolk County were sentenced on February 4th to 12, 14 and 20 years for their vicious attack on Richie and his wife. The Berkhout family would like to thank all the members who turned out to the arraignment, trial days and sentencing last week.

15. UFA-PBA Charity Contest to Benefit Widows & Children's Fund
The Tullamore Dew Company will celebrate St. Patrick's Day by hosting a charity corned beef sandwich eating contest and private happy hour for 150 of New York City's POs and FFs. The brand will partner with the PBA and UFA. Each charity will form a team of five of their best "eaters" to compete in the contest. The winning team will receive a $10,000 donation to the Widows & Children's Fund. The charities will invite 150 (75 each) of their members to attend the event and enjoy a private Tullamore Dew happy hour event immediately following the competition (There will be no liquor served during the competition). The happy hour celebration will capture the Irish spirit of the brand with Tullamore Dew cocktails, Irish music, decor and St. Patrick's Day themed food. The event will take place on Thursday, March 13th at 3:00 pm in a private room at Connelly's Pub & Restaurant located at 121 West 45th Street (6th & 7th Ave). Contact Bob Straub or Tama Reilly at the UFA at 212-545-6975.

Stephen J. Cassidy,
President