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President’s Note
April 2017
Where has, the time gone? I feel like just yesterday we were putting the heat pans on the rigs getting ready for old man winter to come, and now we are already getting ready for summer? With the new year comes new roles and responsibilities within our organization. I was privileged and honored to become Vice-President of Local 141 in January, and I am eager and excited to assist in leading this amazing organization. I would be remised if I did not Thank and Congratulate my predecessor Ryan Gibbons. The amount of time, integrity, and knowledge that he brought to our Organization for the last 5 years as VP, and 20 years within the local is unmeasurable. We wish him well in his new role on the other side of the table, and know that I will work tirelessly to bring the same amount of enthusiasm to the position.
In February, I attended the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin “President’s Meeting” in Milwaukee. This three-day conference was a mix of information, future legislations, and training on various topics. The first day covered important items that concerned us at a state level. Finances at a local and personal level were a big topic. The wages that we fight for and receive are the lifeline that keeps ourselves and our loved ones going in this crazy world. We will be working in the future to bring you opportunities to meet with financial advisors such as Monotello Advisors and Zilli Financial Group to assist you in taxes and investments as they pertain specifically to our Profession. We work hard to earn the income that we make, but future planning with these investments are just as important. Future legislation was also brought up. Some of the hot topics on the stand are Right to Work legislation, Wisconsin re-districting, increasing the retirement age by 2 years, allowing past military service time to be added to your pension, changing the calculation for retirement from your average 3 highest years to 5, shared revenue increases, community paramedic, EMS Licensure changing to every 4 years instead of the current 2 years, and current building codes that have fire safety concerns. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention are being taken up at the International level, and the PFFW MAP Team (Membership Assistance Program) is holding this at high regards at the state level. There will be a Suicide Prevention Course offered on May 4th, if you are interested in attending that please visit the PFFW Website. We were also honored to have the Fire Commissioner and Union President of Boston Fire Department attend this conference. A class was given on the Boston Marathon Bombing and what all went into that investigation and manhunt on a local level. As well as a lecture was given on the steps that Boston Fire is taking on Cancer Prevention. Green Bay Metro Fire Department was brought up multiple times in the presentation, and we were noted as a progressive department trying to eliminate the amount of cancer products our members are exposed too. Boston had a large-scale fire at an electrical substation years ago. Over 190 members were at the fire, and since then they have a member from that fire being diagnosed with some form of cancer every 2 weeks. To date over 60 plus members have cancer and 2 have sadly passed away. They are following the same precautions that we are, and have taken more evasive measures to combat the exposure. They have switched to larger SCBA bottles so there is less time that you should have to go off air. As well they are having a couple of station industrial cleaned and painted every year to trap any carcinogens from pre-plymo system eras. It is refreshing to know that our management team has the same emphasis on our personal wellbeing on hand, and we look forward to future training on this topic. The last topic of the conference was active shooter training, and was attended by Captain of Training Thompson and Captain Johnson.
In March President Bronkhorst and I traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the IAFF Legislation Conference. The level of high profile union leaders, politicians, and organizational leaders that attended this conference is unimaginable, and the networking that took place is so beneficial to our organization. The start of the conference was at the unveiling and grand opening of the new IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery. It is an in-patient residential facility exclusively for IAFF members to treat addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With Advanced Recovery Systems (ARS), a leader in behavioral healthcare management, the IAFF Center of Excellence is staffed by a highly experienced and specialized team familiar with the unique needs of our members. Rich Gee was in attendance along with other PFFW Board Members, and said that the facility was beautiful and will be a great asset. The next day was filled with a multitude of speakers from across the spectrum. With the newly elected President just taking office, there was a lot of speculation as to what the future agenda would bring, but the topics discussed by the speakers gave insight into what we can expect. Our last full day was filled lobbying for our members with senators and house members from within our own state. The three important items on the docket were: 1) Establishing a Fire Fighter Cancer Registry (so much data is out there on what is giving our members cancer, but we need a system that pools it all in, analysis’s it, and helps to prevent it from becoming a reality in our future). 2) Not allowing Congress to Tax Our Healthcare (our healthcare is not taxed now, and has not been for the last 70 years, however there have been recent threats to eliminating the tax exclusion to employer-based healthcare). 3) Reapproving and Increasing the Funding for SAFER and FIRE Act Grants (these grants are on a sunset clause and are set to end in 2018). We were able to speak to some of them in person, however it was a travel day for them, so if they were unavailable their aides were ready to listen. The members that we were able to communicate and lobby with on that Tuesday were Senator Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin, and well as House Members Paul Ryan, Make Pocan, Gwen Moore, Glenn Grothman, Sean Duffy, and Mike Gallagher. You will notice that this list included both Republicans and Democrats. We usually side with what issues affect us, not what party they belong too. I must admit that even though we were not able to meet personally with House Member Gallagher that day, his aide assured us that he was very interested in our occupation and working with us in the future. This Conference is of great importance to our membership because let’s face it, politics are what run our country. Wither you like it or not, the legislation that is passed at a municipal, state, and national level is what governs us at a personal and occupational level. As easy as it would be to sit back and not get mixed into the political game, we cannot and will not sit aside and let others make our profession more dangerous, not staffed adequately, and make less in wages that we deserve. We will continue to fight for you and whatever legislation affects you no matter what the cost is.
I know you are probably wishing that President Bronkhorst was writing this note, I can get long winded! However, there are a couple of things that I feel are important reminders. As you may have noticed I was fortunate enough to be able to attend some great educational conferences, and work tirelessly to bring it back to the membership to make us better and stronger. Every month you will notice on your check statement that DUES are taken out as a member of Local 141. You might think it is too much, or not enough, but do you know what those DUES are used for? The dues that you pay from your hard-earned paycheck are used to ensure that you can work in a safe environment, be paid a decent wage, and have the benefits that we need to survive both on and off the job. Your dues are used to help fellow Brothers and Sisters in need, show the community how much we care both on and off the job, assist others that are wrongfully disciplined or terminated, and to make our organization a better and more productive one. Can you really put a price on that?
My last statement, and I swear that this is it. Every one of us has a sticker that we get on our first day of the job. We slapped it on our back windshield, and we pass it every time that we climb into our vehicle. Some think it shows pride or think it gets us out of speeding tickets (have you ever met a Wisconsin State Trooper?). I was going to write my own thoughts on the VALUE of that sticker, but Jim Duckworth from Local 1045 summed it up so much better than I could have said: “So, what is this sticker all about?” This question is one that I have received quite frequently. Let me take a few moments to tell you what it means to me. This sticker says that even though I do not know you, you are my brother and sister. This sticker says that no matter what state I live in, we are all unified. This sticker says that no matter what happens in my life, I will never have to stand alone. This sticker says that if you are ever down on your luck, I will be there for you. This sticker says that I will help you raise money and awareness for the less fortunate. This sticker stands for duty, leadership, and sacrifice. This sticker signifies honor, dependability, selflessness, trust, and bravery. This sticker reminds me that, whether I’m a 1 year person or a 30-year person, I have a responsibility. This sticker says every day, EARN ME. This sticker says……. UNION!!!
Fraternally,
Ryan Hintz
Vice-President Local 141
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