IAFF Local 1426

What's New at IAFF 1426

Posted On: Sep 30, 2011 (12:18:16)

Fairfield Firefighters Donate $17,000 to Wounded Troops

The Fairfield Firefighters recently donated $17,000 to Operation Gift Cards, a local program that visits troops in military hospitals who were wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since October 2005, the Operation Gift Cards’ 74 monthly/bimonthly visits have presented over $499,000 in post exchange (military department store) gift cards, special group product donations (Girl Scout cookies, laptops, corporate gift certificates etc.) and over $50,000 worth items on the “wish list” for both the wounded troops and their families.
Thanks to the incredible effort of the Fairfield Firefighters this years Stratton Faxon Fairfield Road Races were the best ever. This year alone firefighters raised approximately $440,000 for local charities, the Hole in the Wall Gang and several veterans and wounded soldier groups. The firefighters have raised more than $2,000,000 since it’s inception back in 1981. In 1981 there were 161 participants and over the years entries have increased to nearly 6,000 runners in 2011.
The half marathon has not only been a great source of revenue for the Non-profits, it has also been ranked by Runners World magazine among the top races in the United States having hosted the Women’s United States Half Marathon Championship as well as the U. S. Men’s Masters Championship. For more information about the Stratton Faxon Fairfielf Road Reces or Operation Gift Cards contact: Fairfield Half Marathon President, Steve Lobdell (203) 374-7759 hajamax@aol.com Operation Gift Cards Chairman, Al Meadows (203) 929-3357 al.meadows@snet.net
Photo-caption: Left to right: Lieutenant William Tuttle, Alan Menillo (who has visited the wounded troops), Rick Kazzi, Operation Gift Cards chairman Tim Kelly, Fairfield Firefighters Association Local 1426 President Robert Smith Jr.,and Chief Richard Felner

Tuttle speech

Updated On: Sep 10, 2011 (20:14:00)

Local 1426's Secretary Bill Tuttle telling it like it is at the 9-11 rememberence ceremony at Fire Headquarters.

http://doingitlocal.com/2011/09/10/supporting-first-responders-requires-action/

"Fill the Boot" for MDA

Posted On: Jul 08, 2011 (19:38:13)

On July 16^th, the Fairfield Fire Fighters Association, Local 1426 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), will conduct their annual “Fill the Boot” campaign for Muscular Dystrophy at Trader Joe’s in Fairfield. The IAFF has been collecting money for MDA for over 50 years and has donated well over 300 million dollars since 1954, making it the largest national sponsor. For the past seven years, through a partnership with Trader Joe’s (2258 Black Rock Turnpike), the Fairfield Fire Fighters have been able to donate over $100,000.00 to MDA, mostly from donations made by the citizens and guests of the town of Fairfield. The Fairfield Fire Fighters Association would like to invite everyone to the event on July 16^thfrom 10 am to 4 pm. All proceeds raised will go directly to the MDA. The money raised by the IAFF is used for research and treatments to prolong children's lives. It is spent on braces and wheelchairs, on community health centers, support groups, and summer camps. Just as in their profession, firefighters are determined to fight the battle against neuromuscular diseases that haunt the faces of the innocent. If you would like to help the Fairfield Fire Fighters Association with this ongoing battle, stop by Trader Joe’s on July 16^th or send your donation directly to: The Fairfield Fire Fighters Association, c/o MDA, P.O. Box 261, Fairfield, CT. 06824.

For more information, contact Phil Higgins at (203) 366-7055.

We need your support

Updated On: Feb 20, 2011 (16:47:00)

Fire Fighters across the country are coming under attack by greedy money minded politicians who are out to break the backs of Labor. They are using the current financial crisis as a stepping stone to strip workers of the rights and the benefits that we have bargained for over the years. They claim that everyone needs to share and SACRIFICE for the benefit of all. No group understands that more than us. We as Fire Fighters know that SACRIFICE is a part of life. EVERYDAY our members make sacrifices to make sure that our communities are safe. The hours are sometimes long and hard , and while you are enjoying your family life ours suffers. We understand that in order to make our community one that everyone wants to be a part of sometimes SACRIFICES need to be made....We make them everyday!!! Click on the link below and see!!

"http://www.youtube.com/embed/-xgvMiNT3N0?rel=0"

Please support your Fire Fighters..We are there for you always, please be there for us.

Let your elected officials know that the mess THEY created through years of mismanagement should not be cleaned up at the expense of those who SACRIFICE everyday!!

Spectacular moring blaze on Warner Hill Rd.

Posted On: Feb 16, 2011 (15:53:22)

Fairfield Fire Department arrived to find a large 2 story residence fully involved in fire, with flames venting from the windows and roof on all 4 sides. The owner of the house met Fairfield Fire Department on arrival and stated all occupants were out of the house.

Engine 4 immediately initiated a defensive operation with 2, 2 ½” hand lines and one master stream device. Ladder 1 crew assisted in these operations. This operation was supplied by Engine 3 with a hydrant at the intersection of Warner Hill Rd. and Sherwood Drive. Initial water supply operations were hampered due to the extreme cold and pressure issues.

Ladder 2 backed into an adjacent driveway to set up a ladder pipe master stream operation. Engine 2 supplied this operation from a hydrant at the intersection of Warner Hill Rd. and Field Rocks Rd.

Engine 1 and engine 5 assisted with operating hand lines as well.

A front portion of the roof collapsed into the fire approximately 15 minutes after fire department arrival. The main body of the fire was extinguished in approximately 1 ½ hours.

Mutual aide fire trucks from Easton, Westport and Stratford responded to Fairfield to provide coverage of the fire stations.

The house is a total loss, with damage over $1,500,000.

The fire is under investigation by the Fairfield Fire Marshal’s office. The fire is believed to be accidental.

Bravest Battle May St. Basement Fire

Posted On: Feb 16, 2011 (15:45:36)

Car 3 arrived to find smoke showing from the first floor of a ranch style house. An occupant stated the fire was in the basement, and that all occupants were out of the house, although there were still 2 cats inside.

Car 3 went to the rear of the house and found a walk out basement area with heavy flames breaking through windows.

Engine 2 stretched an 1 ¾” hand line to the rear and made entry through a door to attack the fire. Ladder 2 assisted with gaining entry and assisting with extinguishment.

Engine 3’s pump operator supplied water from a nearby hydrant to engine 2. The crew from engine 3 stretched an 1 ¾” to the first floor front door and made entry to search for occupants and pets. Ladder 2 assisted Engine 3 with entry and search. There was heavy smoke on the first floor. Engine 3 found 2 cats and removed them from the building.

Engine 4 provided RIT rescue standby for fire crews.

The main body of the fire was brought under control in approximately 25 minutes. Engine 1 assisted with overhaul on the exterior of the building. The building was metered with carbon monoxide and cyanide meters. Crews discovered fire had extended up into the first floor walls in the rear of the home, and worked from the exterior and interior to complete extinguishment. The fire was totally extinguished in approximately 1 hour.

The Fairfield Fire Marshal and Fairfield Building inspector investigated the fire. The exact cause has not been determined yet, although it was determined to be accidental.

Support Your Fire Fighters

Updated On: Feb 11, 2011 (17:22:00)

Your Fire Fighters need your help!! The Fat Cats on Wall Street have decided that they want to get their greedy little hands on the last bit of money that has eluded them for years, municipal employee pension funds. These funds, the sweat equity of many Public Safety employees, have come under attack. Politicians who have a score to settle with the Unions are seizing the opportunity to make political hay about these benefits that we have earned through years of work and sacrifice. They have decided to use the worst financial times since the “Great Depression” to make villains out of the heroes of our communities. They have started a well planned and well funded campaign to lead the public astray about the facts and truths concerning public employee pensions. This is something that the members of Local 1426, as well as all public safety members, can no longer stand. We will not allow the part time, hobby politicians to fill the air waves, and the newspapers with facts and figures that are JUST NOT TRUE!!

We have created a special page on our website called “Pension Truths” This section can be accessed by clicking on the button on the left hand side under the Main Menu section. We will be posting information disputing the so called “Truths” that our enemies would like you to believe. Please check back often to see what is new.

Each and every day our members go to work and protect the citizens of Fairfield. We do so willingly knowing that we may have to give our lives to save the life of another. We have made sacrifices in wages over the years so that when the time comes for us to hang up our coats for the last time and walk away from the job we all love, that we may walk away with dignity and are secure with the fact that we will be able to survive after retirement.

Please support your Fire Fighters… tell your politicians NO WAY on a 401K

Santa Express sets NEW RECORD

Posted On: Dec 23, 2010 (13:28:18)

Thank you Fairfield!!!

The Fairfield Fire Fighters 2010 MDA Santa Express was a huge success. The 3 day event raised a record amount of $9456.00.

"We started the Santa Express 4 years ago with 6 families" said Local 1426 President Bob Smith, " and this year we visited over 100 families and 300 children." It has really grown into a major event for us and has become a huge part of our fundraising efforts for the Muscular Dystrophy Association."

"Our people do this all for free. The Local picks up all the expenses. The Chief allows us to use the truck and our members do the rest" stated Local 1426 Secretary Phil Higgins

This year's event was coordinated by Local 1426 Executive Board member Bill Tuttle. " It was quite a challenge to schedule all those stops and we would like to that everyone who participated this year for their patience as we put it all together.' said Tuttle. " We are already in the planning stages for next year."

If you missed the Express this year email us at Santa@iaff1426.org to be added to our list for next year.