Local 1426’s Secretary Bob Smith and Treasurer Phil Higgins recently participated in the International Association of Fire Fighters 27^th annual Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. This annual event brings together Fire Fighters from all over the United States and allows them to bring important health and safety issues that confront Fire Fighters to the floors of the U.S. Capital and the members of Congress. The 2008 Legislative conference was attended by close to 1000 Fire Union leaders.

Speakers at this year’s event were Representative Pete Stark from California, Senator Jim Webb from Virginia, Governor Brian Scweitzer  from Montana, Former Representative Jim Shannon from Massachusetts, MSNBC’s Hardball Anchor Chris Mathews, FEMA Director Dave Paulison, Representative Jim Shimkus from Illinois, Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois, Representative Thad McCotter from Michigan, and Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut.

“We try to attend this conference with some of our members every year.” said Treasurer Phil Higgins “It is important for us to let the Congress know that the decisions they make her in Washington doing their job affect Fire Fighters all over the country and how we and do our jobs.”

After Senator Chris Dodd’s speech to the members of the IAFF both Smith and Higgins made a special presentation to him in front of the Connecticut delegation. A framed letter written by Dodd’s father, Senator Thomas J. Dodd, to Local 1426’s first Secretary Bill Schumann from 1964, pledging his support to Fairfield’s Bravest placed side by side with a letter from the current Local 1426 Principal officers pledging the fire fighters support to Dodd.

“Senator Dodd supports Fire Fighters and our issues. From his first vote in Congress in the early 70’s up to and including today.” Stated Smith “In today’s political arena it has become common for Politicians to want their picture taken with fire fighters to give the impression they support us. We wanted the Senator to know that Local 1426 knows the name Dodd has ALWAYS supported Fire Fighters.”

For Complete coverage of the 2008 Whitehead Legislative Conference log onto www.iaff.org