one union - one family

Palm Beach County - Riviera Beach - North Palm Beach - Palm Beach Gardens
Town Of Palm Beach - Lake Worth - City of Delray Beach
ONE UNION - ONE FAMILY
April, May, June, 2007
Volume 18/Issue 1
The Backdraft
In This Issue
President’s Report ..........2
1st Leg. VP Report ......3,4
2nd Leg. VP Report......5,6
Secretary’s Report ..........7
Grievance Article ............8
Membership Services ......9
Special Events ..............10
Photo Spread ......11 & 12
Employee Benefit Fund ..13
The Backdraft is an official publication of the Professional Firefighters and
Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Inc., Local 2928. It is intended as a forum for
members in good standing with Local 2928, International Association of Firefighters.
Opinions, viewpoints, articles and photographs are actively solicited from the
membership. Materials submitted do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Executive
Board or the Newsletter Staff and represent the view of the writer solely. Articles
submitted are the sole responsibility of the author.
The Editorial Board shall retain the right to omit and edit articles on behalf of the
Union.
Anonymous material will not be considered. Materials and suggestions are welcomed
and should be submitted in writing to the Union office or to any member of the Executive
Board or Newsletter Staff.
Letters to the Editor......14
Principal Officers
Firefighters for Humanity15
Mike Mayo ..................................President
Mike Sedgwick ........1st Exec. Vice President
Joel Brier................2nd Exec. Vice President
Armand Nault ..1st Legislative Vice President
Matt Willhite....2nd Legislative Vice President
Mike Bergeron ..............Secretary/Treasurer
What it Means..............16
General
Membership
Meeting Dates
April 04, 2007 “B” Shift
May 02, 2007 “C” Shift
June 06, 2007 “B” Shift
Visit us online
WWW.IAFF2928.COM
Executive Board
Brent Henderson ..............................DVP 1
Kevin Shaw ....................................DVP 2
Craig Gerlach..................................DVP 3
Scott Berger ....................................DVP 4
Justin Schainuck ..............................DVP 5
Ed Morejon ..........................DVP 6 (PBG)
Jim Ebenhack ....................DVP 7 (Glades)
Bruce Britt ....DVP 8 (Airport/TraumaHawk)
Dave Fulmer ......................DVP 9 (SLOPS)
Liz Nowacki ................DVP 10 (Palm Beach)
Maria Gonzalez ......DVP 11 (Riviera Beach)
Anthony Giarrusso..................DVP 12 (NPB)
Guy Roper........................DVP 13 (Floating)
Mike Lehan ..........................DVP 14 (Shop)
Drew Hacker ..............DVP 15 (Lake Worth)
Rich Lounsbury..........DVP 16 (District Chiefs)
David Sauls ........................DVP 17 (BOSS)
Jim St. Pierre ..............DVP 18 (Batt. Chiefs)
Mike McCleary ........DVP 19 (Delray Beach)
Scott Jurasz ..............DVP 21 (Alarm Office)
Board of Trustees
Rick Rhodes ................................Trustee #1
Peter McGrane ............................Trustee #2
Traci Moore ................................Trustee #3
Union Office Staff
Rick Rhodes ..........Member Services Director
Traci Moore ........Special Events Coordinator
Tim Lewis ..................Special Events (Trucks)
Jill Bard ....................Union Office Manager
Howard Shearon ........Computer Technology
Employee Benefits Fund Staff
John Flaherty ................Benefits Coordinator
Tamara Fitzpatrick ..Asst. Benefits Coordinator
Backdraft Editorial Board
Armand Nault, Rick Rhodes, Mike Sedgwick,
Scott Jurasz, Jack Norris
The Professional Firefighters / Paramedics of
Palm Beach County, Inc. Local 2928
2328 South Congress Ave., Suite 2 C
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406
Page 1
Front Line President’s Report
THE NEW BACKDRAFT
The Executive Board, by motion, established a committee to
review The Backdraft and to change it to a quarterly
publication. The committee met and discussed changing the
entire design and format to better inform the membership on
numerous topics.
As you can see, the new format and design is an all color
publication. The Editorial Board assigned the articles in this
edition and will also assign articles for future editions. In
addition, the Board is looking for individuals who enjoy writing
and might have an interest in covering different topics.
President
Mike Mayo
For this first addition I am supposed to tell you why we changed
to a quarterly publication, and what to look for in future issues. As I mentioned above,
we changed the publication based on an E-Board action. As many of you know,
concerns about both the lack of articles, and the fact that the articles were always a
month (or sometimes two) behind, has come up at general membership and E-Board
meetings. Using the new web page we will be able to post important information in a
timelier manner and not have to wait for publication of a newsletter.
The Committee spent a great deal of time coming up with the new format and I hope it
looks as good as the samples they showed me. This is my way of explaining to you
what the Committee envisioned and the way it will work.
Each quarter the Editorial Board or Backdraft Committee will assign principal officers,
DVPs and office staff a topic about which to write. Subjects may range from
negotiations, pensions, how and when to file a grievance, issues dealing with health
insurance benefits, to just about anything else they feel will be beneficial and informative
to the members. We would like to include requests from you, the members, on topics
that you would like to better understand or know more about.
There are plans for someone on the Board to go out to the stations and spend some time
with the crews, highlighting that station and the crews that work there. Perhaps when
they are out there spotlighting that station and crew, we can get some old or new war
stories. Maybe some of the older guys that are still here will give a little history on the
early district days; the early days of Palm Beach County Fires Rescue; the poor pay and
benefits and the things we use to have to do like cutting the grass, painting the stations
all those wonderful things; and how the cities used to not allow Kelly days.
I believe that his new format will help the membership with many different topics and
keep you informed on subjects that are important to you.
Enjoy reading our new and improved Backdraft.
Page 2
Legislative VP Reports
How an Idea becomes Law
Fire fighters have been influencing legislation for years by not only
being active in the electoral process but also as lobbyists on every level
of government. Hopefully, by understanding the process of how laws are
made our members may become more enlightened as to the importance
of their involvement in the political process.
Once a citizen or group has an idea that they would like to see
become law, they must contact their Representative. Obviously if the
representative has a personal relationship with that group or person, that
relationship can help influence how receptive the Representative will be
to the idea. If the Representative likes the idea and thinks it deserves
1st Legislative VP
further consideration, the Representative usually discusses the idea with
Armand Nault
experts on the issue and to staff for their consideration and analysis. If
the Representative still believes in the merits of the idea, the
Representative will begin the process that will formally send the idea to the Florida Legislature. Each
Representative is allowed six bill spots for their own initiatives but Senators are not limited in the
number of bills they can introduce.
A Bill is in the House
The first step in this process is sending the idea to the House Bill Drafting Service to format the idea
into a formal bill. This would include the bill sponsor, title of the bill and the body of the bill. The
body of the bill is what the representative is asking to be put into law which could be revisions to a
current law or an entirely new law. Once the bill is in this form, it is forwarded to the Office of the
Clerk where it is determined that it meets all the requirements set forth by the Florida Constitution. At
this point, the bill receives an official number to be used throughout the process. This is known as
"prefiling."
The Bill moves through the House
A bill is required to receive three readings. It is first read from the House Journal, which is the
official record of actions taken by the House and its committees. It includes the titles of bills
introduced, the full text of amendments considered and a list of how Representatives voted on final
passages of bills.
After being introduced by the Journal, the Speaker of the House will then refer the bill to a
committee or a series of committees for review. The committee members will discuss the specifics of
the bill, listen to public opinion concerning the bill and make any necessary amendments to it. At the
completion of their discussions, the committee must report favorably or unfavorably on the bill. An
unfavorable report will remove the bill from consideration.
The bill must then be placed on the Special Order Calendar by the Committee on Rules and
Calendar in order for it to receive consideration by the House in formal session. If selected by this
committee, the House will usually adopt the bill and any amendments that have been made to it. At
this time the bill is in its second reading.
The bill is then read for the third and final time during a formal session of the House. This is when
the bill is debated and put to a final vote. If it is approved by the House, by majority vote, it is then
sent to the Senate.
Page 3
The Bill goes through the Senate
Many times, the House and the Senate process similar bills. If this is the case, the bills are
usually paired and processed together. For example, if a bill is passed by the House, and there is a
similar bill in the Senate that has already gone through the committee(s), the House bill can bypass
the committee process in the Senate by being paired with the Senate version of the bill. This can
greatly facilitate the passage of the bill into a law assuming that there are no disagreements later in
the process.
However, if the House sends the Senate a unique bill, it must go through a process very similar
to the one it went through in the House. It must be read three different times. After the first reading,
the Senate President assigns the bill to a committee(s) for review and possible amendments. It must
be reported favorably by the committee(s) and read a second time to the Senate showing any
changes made. Finally, it is read for a third time and put to a vote. If the bill does not pass the
Senate vote, it is removed from consideration. If it is passed, by majority vote, the bill is returned to
the House.
The Bill becomes an Act
There are two avenues the bill may take when arriving back at the House. Which one it takes
depends on if the Senate has made any changes to the House version of the bill. If the Senate has
not amended the House version of the bill, then the process is simple. At this point, the bill is
declared an act and sent to the Governor for approval.
If the Senate has changed the House version of the bill, the House must agree to the
amendments made by the Senate. If the House agrees by a majority vote, the bill becomes an act
and is sent to the Governor for approval. If the House does not accept the changes made to the bill
by the Senate, then a committee may be appointed. The Speaker of the House and the Senate
President appoint members to this committee to come to an understanding on the final version of the
bill. The report made by this committee is considered favorable only if a majority on each side
agrees to the compromise bill.
If the committee reports favorably on the bill, then the House and the Senate must adopt the
conference report in its entirety and pass the bill, by majority vote, before it is declared an act and
sent to the Governor for approval.
The Act becomes a Law
The Governor, by Florida Constitution, has the sole discretion to accept or reject any act sent to
him from the Legislature. If he accepts the act, it will be written into law. If he vetoes the act, he must
send it back to both houses where they will try to override his veto. The Senate and House can
override the Governor's veto by a two-thirds vote in each house. If this is accomplished, then the act
is approved and written into law.
A law becomes effective on the 60th day after the adjournment of the Legislature or on the date
specified by the law or upon the signature of the Governor.
As you can see there are many steps in the process of an idea becoming law and a number of
places along the way where a bill can be killed or amended to a lesser ideal then originally
intended. The more weight or influence our local has with our legislators the better the chance we
have in passing our idea into law. That’s why we hold signs, contribute to campaigns, donate to
PAC funds and form coalitions with groups with similar interests. In a nut shell, IT’S ALL POLITICS.
Page 4
Legislative VP Reports
T
he legislative branch of local 2928 is responsible for all
political activities, not only within the cities we represent, but
also the county, state and federal government. Local 2928 has
taken the position that we will be involved in all forms of politics
from screening potential candidates for elected office to aiding in
the campaign, to assisting the elected official in passing
legislation. Over the years local 2928 has become a well
respected and sought after endorsement by elected officials. This
was done by building relationships with politicians, staff
members and aids. Currently the local has two elected positions
representing them in the legislative branch. Armand Nault is the
Legislative Vice President, and Matt Willhite is the 2nd Legislative
2nd Legislative VP
Vice President to Local 2928. Both these positions are elected at
Matt Willhite
large by the membership and report directly to the President of the
local. Both of us have had many years of working within the
political arena. Along with numerous other members of the local, we have both had some
formal training at the International Association of Fire Fighters Political Training Academy, and
have attended countless conferences with the IAFF, including the Alfred K. Whitehead
Legislative Conference in Washington D. C.
In an effort to increase our ability to help candidates get elected or re-elected, Local 2928
formed a Political Action Committee (PAC) in addition to the IAFF’s PAC. This PAC allows us to
donate money to a campaign or to work an issue that may affect us. This money is donated
through payroll deductions and approx 200 members voluntarily donate currently. Our PAC is
a very important tool we use to make donations to campaigns and anyone interested in
joining, please contact the Legislative Branch for assistance. To quote former International
President Whitehead, “Money is the mothers milk to politics.”
Every year the State Legislature convenes in Tallahassee in early March to present new
legislation for future laws. This year Local 2928, with the help of key Senators and
Representatives, has introduced two bills for consideration. This is a very lengthy process to get
a bill passed into law. First, the idea of a bill has to have a House and Senate sponsor, then it
gets presented, the bill idea will go through bill drafting, then get a number, and then finally
get filed. Now is when councils and committees will really scrutinize it before it even gets to
the House and Senate floor for debate. If the bill is able to get passed through the two
chambers, then the Governor signs the bill or act into law. The two bills that Local 2928 filed
this year pertain to Cancer Presumption and 9-1-1 Dispatchers joining the special risk category
of the Florida retirement system. The Cancer Presumption bill was sponsored by Representative
Harrell (Dist 81) and Senator Atwater (Dist 25). The numbers for this bill are House bill 301
and Senate bill 1440. The second sponsored bill by Local 2928 was sponsored by
Representative Domino (Dist 83) and Senator Aronberg (Dist 27). The bill numbers for this bill
are House bill 225 and Senate bill 622. Both of these bills will not only affect members of
Page 5
Local 2928, but they will have a positive outcome for all firefighters and 9-1-1
dispatchers throughout the state of Florida. These two bills were introduced by Local
2928, but there are numerous other bills pertaining to firefighters benefits filed this year.
Please refer to the local’s web page for more information related to the other bills. In
addition to the two elected officials Local 2928 has representing them, we also have a
hired professional lobbyist in Tallahassee. Our lobbyist is a very well respected and
knowledgeable person with well built relationships in our states capitol. The three of us
are working our two bills, and in addition the Florida Professional Firefighters lobbyist is
helping. So as you can see, we have a lot of good people working on our bills and our
hope is we can get them passed into law.
While we live in south Florida, and the state capitol is in Tallahassee, we travel to the
states capitol often throughout the session. Whether it is for an FPF board meeting or
council meeting, we are up there quite a bit. In addition to these meetings we go up to
attend the opening session for Palm Beach County Days. Palm Beach County has
reserved the first week of the session to promote, educate, and spotlight events and
happenings in the county for many years. Numerous different departments from the county
are in attendance including fire rescue, and Local 2928. The local has played a large
role in the events in the past, and this year we are taking on a much larger role. In the
past we used to just assist other departments in their endeavors. This year we will be
putting on the first nights dinner. We will be traveling to Tallahassee with 18 members to
prep, cook, and serve the festivities for the evening. With this number of members in
attendance, we will have a larger presence allowing us to talk to not only our legislative
delegation, but also the entire body of legislators. There is a huge benefit to Palm Beach
County Days being the first week of session, not only is everyone still eager to getting to
work, but we get to be the first group to talk to our elected officials about our issues and
bills. PBC Days are actually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, however we travel
up on Monday to prepare for the upcoming week. Over the past few years, the
Tallahassee firefighters have hosted a reception for our local members on Monday night.
These are the type of relationships we have built while in Tallahassee, and we have built
this relationship, not only for the brotherhood, but these brothers and sisters are there year
round and are willing to help us with anything we need. In addition to our members that
participate in PBC Days, a number of Tallahassee firefighters always come by and help
us work not only the events, but lobby for our bills and benefits. They see the fact that
these issues we are working on not only affect us; they also benefit firefighters as a
whole.
Should you have any questions related to any of our sponsored bills or any bills
pertaining to firefighters, please feel free to contact Armand or myself. I’ll end this article
with a statement that I truly feel to be pertinent and relevant to our profession,
Politics are the backbone to our future.
Page 6
Secretary/Treasurer Reports
PENSIONS
A pension is one of the most important benefits you will receive
during your career. As public sector employees, we either belong to the
Florida Retirement System (FRS) or fall under Chapter 175 state statues for
our members who are employed by a city.
Currently, FRS offers two types of plans, a defined benefit (DB) and
a defined contribution (DC), also known as the investment plan, whereas
our members employed by a city have only the defined benefit plan.
The following will be a short explanation of each type and some of
Secretary/
the features you may have or find in these plans. Depending on your
Treasurer
plan, features and options may vary from those listed.
Mike Bergeron
Defined benefit: it is funded by employee and or employer
contributions, chapter 175 monies and investment earnings. Typically the
components are a multiplier, age and or years of service needed for normal retirement, an average
compensation formula (AFC), a cost of living adjustment (COLA), lump sum credits towards AFC, a
deferred retirement option plan (DROP), share accounts, and a health insurance subsidy.
Example:
multiplier = 3%
years of service = 25yrs
AFC = best 5 years of earnings
COLA = 3%
Lump sum = 500 hrs of vacation time
Drop = up to 5 years
Health ins. subsidy = $5.00 per year
Calculation:
AFC = $72,800 ( 70,000 yr x 5yrs) + $ 14,000 ( 500hrs x $28.00hr)
25 yrs x 3% = 75% x 72, 800 = $ 54,600 annual pension
$54,600 increased annually by 3% Cola
$5.00 x 25yrs = $125.00 monthly ins. subsidy
The drop option would be the pension plus the cola going into a segregated account earning
investment income while employed for up to five years. During the drop you continue to earn your
regular pay and benefits, but you are considered retired for pension purposes. At the end of the five
years you must terminate your employment or risk loss of your drop monies.
The share accounts are funded with employee contributions, state 175 monies and investment
returns. Upon retirement the amount is available for withdrawal.
Defined contribution: during your career employer contributions, sometimes employee
contributions and investment returns are the funding sources. Usually you have some self directed
investment options and upon retirement the amount you have in your account is your pension. This
amount is usually rolled over to another qualified plan to avoid a large tax liability and invested. No
drop or cola is available as no monthly benefit is received. In the last several years FRS added this
option in-lieu of its defined benefit plan.
I have only presented a very short and simplified version of what is available. The best advice is
to become educated and informed as to the variety of options available to you. Depending on your
particular needs and circumstances you hopefully will make the best informed decision possible.
Page 7
Grievance Article
Do I Have a Grievance?
By Joel Brier EVP 2
This is a frequently asked question for most bargaining unit
employees. To determine if a grievance has merit there must be a
violation or misinterpretation of the collective bargaining agreement
or CBA. A grievance can be both disciplinary and beneficial in
nature. Grievance articles in your current CBA describe in detail
how the process works. Anyone working under the CBA has a right
to file a grievance but as a union member I recommend consulting
your DVP. He or she can help you determine the Possible article-s
and sections violated and determine appropriate remedies.
Most of the grievance processes included in CBAs that
Local 2928 enter into have 4 steps. Step one usually includes an
Joel Brier
oral meeting with the grievants immediate supervisor or shift
2nd Exec.
supervisor and are disciplinary in nature but in many cases
Vice President
depending g on the issue these supervisors can remedy benefit
related issues as well. Your DVP may help you in determining at what
level or how a grievance should be filed. Make sure you use and the proper approved form, sight the
article-s that you think have been violated, and meet the time frames that are included in your respective
grievance article. It is of the utmost importance that you state the facts of your grievance by clearly
explaining the situation that gave rise to the grievance its adverse affects and in most cases how the
article affected should have been applied. It may take an attachment document if it requires a lengthy
explanation. Remedies should be constructed to make whole affected employee-s and can include
anything from removing of discipline to payments into time banks and paychecks. This encompasses
many areas and again I recommend using your DVP for all of your grievance issues.
When a grievance is advanced through the process to step 2 it should wind up on my desk.
As needed I will then file the appropriate paperwork. This step is at management level. It is important t to
know that in many cases grievances can be lost due to improper filing of step one so make sure you get
it right and over to my office in a timely manner. It may be necessary for me to meet with the grievant
and DVP to make sure we have all the documentation to support our case as well as to prepare to
present it Step 2 should include a meeting with the grievant, the DVP, myself, and a mid level manager
which could be a division or assistant chief. The articles and facts used in step one must be again
presented to this supervisor and again request the appropriate remedy.
Step 3 in most of our contracts is a meeting with the highest level of management. This
could be The Fire Administrator, Chief, or City Manager. It is the final step to in house resolution. All the
materials used in the first two steps must be applied. Many of our grievances are settled at this level due
to the authority of the management position hearing the case. Any grievance that is not resolved at this
level is reviewed by our legal team and the principal officer to determine weather it will be referred to
arbitration.
Arbitration is a legal proceeding in which an impartial third party selected by both management
and the union will hear arguments presented by both sides and determine the fate of the grievance. I will
cove arbitration in a future article but I will tell you that the arbitrator’s findings by contract are final and
binding.
Page 8
Membership Services Report
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES REPORT
By Rick Rhodes
I have been in this job for almost two years now, and I can still
say that I look forward to coming to the union office on my days off
from the station. Some of you may wonder what does membership
services consist of. The following is a list of the projects that fall
under my umbrella. Maintaining an up to date, data base of all
Rick Rhodes
members, their correct addresses, phone contacts, and current work
location. New member orientation, union store, annual union picnic and holiday party,
Member of the Month program, retirement questions and gift from the union, Backdraft
committee, special events program, Retirement Insurance Board Chairman, IAFF 2928
Webmaster, and one of three Trustees of the local. In this issue we will look at a couple of
our programs.
Member of the month. This program was created in 2003 and to date we have
honored 50 of our members who have been nominated because of their dedication and
contribution to Local 2928 or its members. Any member of the local may nominate another
member at any time by sending a signed letter to President Mayo, describing what makes
this person stand out above all others. The E-Board votes the forth Tuesday of each month for
that months nominees. The person voted member of the month receives an engraved
Firefighter Statue and his/her name engraved on a plaque that is posted in the office. In
January of each year the twelve members of the month from the year are voted on by the EBoard, to be union Member of the Year. The Member
of the Year gets a Firefighters Leather Helmet with
their name and the local number on it.
Retirement, something we all are looking forward
to. If you have questions about an upcoming
retirement such as, who do I need to notify and
when, or what is my union sponsored retirement
health insurance subsidy benefit, you can come in a
meet with me to get pointed in the right direction.
Also, members who retire with more that 10 years of
service receive a brass axe mounted and engraved
for all their dedicated service.
NEW! Now available in the Union store.
Long sleeve and short sleeve Flame shirt.
In coming issues I will highlight more programs
offered to the membership. If you’re in the area
please stop by and see your local offices and all that
we have to offer
Page 9
Special Events
ATTENTION COUNTY EMPLOYEES
By Traci Moore
Special Events are offered to Palm Beach County employees who want to work
for extra money on their days off. This is a flat
hourly rate and you can find the available events
on the union website under Special Events. If you
can not sign on through the website, or if you have
any other questions regarding events, please call
me or Rick Rhodes at the union office.
For those of you who have worked the events, it is
polo season again and we are very busy right
now. We have a lot of things going on this year.
We have already ordered a new cart thru a grant
program. We are in the process of remodeling the
EMS room at Sound Advice, and we have
proposed a new pay scale to the Department. Tim
Traci Moore
Lewis has been my assistant since December and
he has been doing a great job with getting new bags and keeping up with the
medical supplies. If you work an event and you see something is needed please
send him a GroupWise and he will take care of it.
Please don’t forget the sign in sheets when you work an event. These papers
have to be signed by the vender and sent to Michelle Liska at HQ. These forms
were designed to help you get paid faster and so far they have been working.
Tim has put them on all the trucks and you can also find them on the website
under Special Events.
This is my second year doing this and I feel things are working fairly smoothly. I
can’t be at all the events, and I need you to please do your best to help out when
you are out there representing this program. We have to treat the trucks and
equipment like we do when we are at the stations. Please, the trucks need to be
returned the same way you would want to receive them: washed, stocked, and
fueled. Again if you have any questions please call Traci at @ 436-4709. Until
next time.
Page 10
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Palm Beach County Firefighters
Employee Benefit Fund
Changes to Your Dental Benefits
By John S. Flaherty, Benefits Coordinator
The Board of Trustees for your Palm Beach County Firefighters Employee Benefits Fund (the
“Fund”) has been extremely busy throughout 2006. The Board has also worked diligently
to best serve the interests of all participants, as well as protect the financial health of the
Fund. That being said, effective January 1, 2007, important changes to dental benefits
warrant your immediate attention. The following list represents a summary of pertinent
changes. However, all participants will receive, via mail, official notice from the Fund.
Please review the following.
$
Your network for dental coverage will be changing to DenteMax (PPO). Feel free to
visit www.IAFF2928.com, www.apapartners.com (Benefits 24X7),
www.dentemax.com or PBCFR Intranet under IAFF Benefits, to
search for your current dentist or to find a new dentist.
$
The XE dental plan has been eliminated. If you are currently enrolled in the XE plan,
you will not stay enrolled in the same dental plan for 2007.
$
Annual payment limits for non-orthodontic services will increase from $1,500 to
$2,500.
$
Lifetime payment limits for orthodontic services will increase from $1,500 to
$2,500.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR DENTIST DOES NOT CALL DENTEMAX FOR
COVERAGE VERIFICATION. YOUR DENTIST NEEDS TO CALL APA PARTNERS AT
1-800-833-3650 FOR ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING DENTAL ELIGIBILITY AND
COVERAGE AMOUNTS !!!
REMEMBER, WE ARE A PPO (preferred provider organization)
NOT AN HMO (health maintenance organization)
The bottom line: It is very important that you review the materials received from APA
Partners, Inc., the Fund’s third party administrator, concerning your dental benefits
1-800-833-3650.
Disclaimer: This article does not officially change or otherwise interpret the Plan Document or
Dental Policy. To the extent that any of the information contained in this notice is inconsistent with
the official Plan Document or Dental Policy, the Plan Document and Dental Policy will govern.
Page 13
Letters to the Editor
Hey everyone. It is great not having to punch a clock anymore and yes the Sunday comics
are in color. The house is done but I am still waiting on the outcome of who will get it.There
are some major points that are in my favor. I am in good spirits about the out come. The
biggest thing I miss is being around all my friends at the station. I will try and see as many of
you as I can the next time I get down there.
Everyone Stay Safe
Lenny Volpe
I retired from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue on October 3, 2005 after 26 years.
My wife and I decided that we wanted to buy some land in Tennessee so we
didn't have to be in Okeechobee during hurricane season. Frances, Jeanne and
We Salute our Recent Retirees
Wilma were enough. We found 10 acres in Lancing Tennessee on the
January 2007 – March 2007
Cumberland Plateau. It's only about 20 miles to Crossville and 45 miles to
Knoxville (closest Mall). We have built an addition to the original house that was
Ray Herr
26 Years
Battalion 10
on the property. I called one day to get a burn permit for land clearing and
Victor Mortimer 33 Years
Battalion 2
ended up with a part-time job with the Tennessee Division of Forestry. They were
Battalion 1
just implementing a Type 6 engine, and you guessed it, they asked me to come to Thomas George25 Years
work for them since I had a little experience. I have worked two fire seasons. My Carolyn Sims 22 Years
Battalion 17
engine is the only one in the district (ten counties) that has needed to be serviced
Tim Monaghan 26 Years
Battalion 2
not once but twice. I guess you can say we are the busiest engine in the district.
Dicky Briant
30 Years
Battalion 1
When fall fire season started I went to Knoxville for concurrency training and was
told I would be in classes most of it as they want me to go full time and be a
dozer operator. We'll see. Our 3 children still live in Okeechobee and we are
down quite frequently. Earl II still works for Okeechobee County Fire Rescue. He
and his wife have two girls. Mariah age 6 and Shelby age 2. Boy do they like it in
Tennessee. Mariah told her dad she was staying up here after Christmas, since we had no
snow. She told him just to send her stuff up here.
Shelby just likes to ride the four wheeler with her mom mom. John Robert keeps the livestock
in Okeechobee well fed working at Walpole Feed. He has finished his Basic Firefighting
and is now state certified. He has also finished his E.M.T. and is awaiting the state test. He
hopes to be hired by Okeechobee City when he gets his E.M.T. Cristen is engaged to be
married and is awaiting the birth of her son Korbyn. Her fiancé also has a daughter, Lyn'd.
Lyn'd, Mariah and Shelby can't wait for Korbyn to be born so they'll have someone else to
play with. Boy is Tennessee getting crowded. Steve Jerauld and Paul Jalbert have property
right across the street from us. Kit Howes is building his house about 30 miles from here.
Richard Hall, Danny Hughes, Jeff Galloway, Mike Thompson and John Lobsinger all live
within shouting distance. Maybe we should just make an extension of Palm Beach County
Fire Rescue up here!! Just a note to everyone who was involved with my retirement party a
big thank you especially my crew at Station 21 C Shift.
Earl Wooten
Page 14
Firefighters for Humanity
By Jack Norris
Trading their axes and hoses for hammers and saws, the Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm
Beach County, Local 2928 turned up the heat on the fight against substandard housing. Working in unison
with the Palm Beach County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity the Firefighters built a home for a needy
family within their response zone.
The construction took place over a six month period which is the typical amount of time the West
Palm Chapter uses to construct a new home reports Don Kula, Habitat’s construction superintendent. “We
couldn’t keep up with these folks. They were always one step ahead of me. I’d deliver a load of materials
to the site and they’d be calling me at noon for more. They are highly skilled, very organized and the
quality of their work is exceptional.”
It’s a well-known fact that firefighters possess many skills aside from their fire and medical know how.
This project gave the firefighters an opportunity to showcase their many talents on every stage of the
construction process. From raising the walls and roof
to installing the carpeting and painting the finished home.
An unexpected surprise was realized by the firefighters when it was learned that they were working
on the home of a fellow firefighter’s very own brother. Keithon Wright showed up to help his brother
Lorenzo work on the home and was stunned to see so many of his fellow firefighters working shoulder to
shoulder on the new home. “I couldn’t believe it. I knew our local was working on a Habitat home but I
didn’t know it was my brother’s house. It’s a great surprise. My Family is thankful for their help”.
I guess the old saying of never knowing who you’ll end up helping can be also said of their off duty
efforts. Our local had volunteered to build this home Firefighters never know who responding to In the fire
service you never who you’re responding to when the tones go off. It’s often said in the fire service “Do
your job well, somebody’s life may depend on it – maybe yours”. In this case their off duty efforts were
The dedication of the new home took place on December 22 making it an early Christmas present
for the Wright family. The dedication ceremony took on an extra special Christmas feeling thanks to the
donation and installation of
Christmas decorations provided by
another one of Local 2928’s
generous members - John Noll. He
installed lights on the gable’s eaves
on the front of the home. More
lights were placed in the flower
beds across the front of the home
as well. He even donated a
Christmas tree on a rotating
pedestal.
Page 15
What it Means to be a Firefighter
What it Means to be a Firefighter
By Pete McGrane
Guest Columnist
Scott Jurasz asked me to write an article on what it means to be
a firefighter for the new Backdraft. Initially I thought that being a
firefighter probably meant different things to different people and
if I wanted to fairly paint a picture of what it meant to be a
firefighter with a broad brush, I should solicit opinions from you
the membership, which I proceeded to do on the message
board. But alas, no one offered any suggestions. So I started
thinking about what being a firefighter means to me and I came
to the realization that it really has very little to do with me. This is
what I came up with:
Pete McGrane
It’s the dream of a young child, anxious to find his place in the world.
It’s the strength and values instilled in a child by nurturing parents.
It’s the love and support of wives/husbands and children who make the ultimate sacrifices so
their firefighter can pursue his/her calling.
It’s the dedication and commitment of teachers and mentors, freely giving of their time and
wisdom to help you become a better firefighter.
It’s the diligence of department and union leaders to constantly provide you with better
equipment, better training and safer working conditions.
It’s the comradery and friendship between a group of men and women who can rely on each
other in time of need and don’t know the meaning of words such as “can’t” and “quit”.
It’s the admiration of a community that finds comfort in knowing that it can call on you in time
of need and you will always respond.
It’s the quiet understanding that you will leave the world a better place than how you found it.
And as you mature and establish your place in this wonderful profession it is the realization
that it is now up to you to pass on the importance of the strengths and values, dedication
and commitment, love and support, comradery and friendships that you have come to rely
on, to others. Never tarnish the image of the firefighter. Preserve the dream.
Page 16
Union Store now accepts
MasterCard and Visa
Store hours M-F 9-5
Stop by and see our new line of
Hats, Stickers and
Female Shirts, Etc.
Local 2928 is hosting the Florida Professional Firefighters
Convention this June at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott.
The committee is looking for union members to help with the event. We need bar tenders for
hospitality suite, drivers for shuttles, and other convention floor help. Please contact Mike
Sedgwick at the union office to get your name on the list. Lets all work together to showcase
Local 2928 to all the other IAFF locals from the state that will be here. Also the General
President of the IAFF and major state politicians will be on hand.
PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY NETWORK
1825 Forest Hill Blvd., #103, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 • 561-967-3266
Nancy K. Persenaire, MSW, LCSW
Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, EAP Coordinator
561-968-1505
FAX 561-968-1565
Ellen B. Flaum, MSW, LC
Diplomate in Clinical Work, EPA Assistant Coordinator
PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Comprehensive Psychotherapy Network is your Employee Assistance Program. That means it is for ALL EMPLOYEES AND
THEIR FAMILIES. We are a group of psychotherapists throughout Palm Beach County and Northern Broward. There is NO Copayment with qualified insurance plans. All our services are CONFIDENTIAL. Please fell free to contact us about any
questions, concerns or to set up an appointment.
The following is a list of problem areas which can be addresses by members of our
network in individual, couples, marital, family and group therapy:
Chemical Dependency and Alcoholism Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Compassion Fatigue) Stress
Management Crisis Intervention Depression Adolescent Issues Women’s/Men’s Issues
Geriatric Issues Eating Disorder Compulsive Disorders, i.e. gambling and spending
Codependency and Adult Children of Alcoholics Incest and Sexual Abuse Sexual Addiction Sexual
Dysfunction Gender Identity Spouse Abuse Parent/Child Issues Adoption Issues Grief/Loss
Issues Divorce Counseling Pre-Marital Issues Anxiety Issues and Agoraphobia Self-Esteem
Relationship Issues Gay and Lesbian Issues Health Issues
The Professional Firefighters / Paramedics
of Palm Beach County, Inc. Local 2928
2328 South Congress Ave., Suite 2 C,
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406
April, May, June 2007
NONPROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
PERMIT NO.774