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UNION PLUS
"United,
We Bargain;
Divided,
We Beg"
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Bulletin Board:
By Members, For Members
This
page is simply listed in most-recent-first; scroll down for a variety of
subjects.
Members, be sure to visit
the Members Services
page
regularly for Union and Job-Related Announcements/Information.
POLICE & FIRE LEUKEMIA RIDE:
Sunday, April 18, 2010, 10 AM, Harley-Davidson of
Baltimore, 8845 Pulaski Highway. Please see (and distribute)
this flier in .pdf.
MDA
BULL ROAST:
Saturday, February 27, 2010, 7 pm to Midnight at the
Essex Elks. Please see (and distribute)
this flier in .pdf.
TAXES
and your UNION DUES
Based on the advice of your own tax consultant, union
dues are usually tax deductible. For 2009 the total dues for
full-time active dues-paying members were $503.28.
DISCOUNT FOR FIRE FIGHTERS &
FIRST RESPONDERS:
The Grand Hotel in Cape May, NJ, offers Fire
Fighters, First Responders, EMTs, and Law Enforcement
Officers a "show you our appreciation" rate of just
$75 per night midweek. Call
800-257-8550, mention "Heroes," and show your valid
service ID upon check-in any Sunday through Thursday now
through April 2010. (Not valid holidays, weekends,
or black-out dates.)
EMS LT Written EXAM:
"The written examination for EMS Lieutenant has been
scheduled for December 10, 2009 at the Baltimore County
Office of Human Resources, 308 Allegheny Avenue, Towson,
MD 21204 at 7:00 p.m. Qualified applicants will
receive notification prior to the test date. Applicants
who have not received a letter of admission by December
7, 2009, should contact the Baltimore County Office of
Human Resources (410-887-3135) to determine the status
of their applications."
MFRI
Transfer Requests:
Click here for the required
form in .pdf.
PAMPERED CHEF:
Lori Rupp (wife of Mike Rupp, FS 10-D) wants to show you
the tricks of getting "Dinnertime in No Time!"
Please see the attached flier (in Word), or just email
Lori or
call 443-386-8069.
NEWS:
Local 1311 has a new email account that is expressly and
solely for the purpose of sending and receiving NEWS.
Please add “local1311news@gmail.com”
to your address books now. When you have something of
interest to share with the Local or the membership, send
it there. This new email address will be used
exclusively for Straight Stream articles and timely
announcements, news breaks, etc. It is NOT to be used
for any other communication, like grievances, smoke
detector requests, golf registrations, requests for
information, etc.
SOURCE MATERIAL:
You can now get the new MIEMSS Protocols at DPI for
$27.02 (2-sided, 3-hole punched) for $28.95 (1-sided, 3-hole punched)
WIN
ON ULP:
As mentioned in the Straight Stream, you can
click here
(in .pdf) to read the entire decision by the Arbitrator
on the Unfair Labor Practice suit filed on behalf of the
Local by Vice President Mike Crosby.
AN
AMERICAN SOLDIER ...
Retired FADO Alvin Euler sent this to the Union
Office ... thought you might appreciate it.
Turn up the volume. -ELG
With all the doom
and gloom in the
news about our great
country going
downhill fast,
watching this will
not only bring tears
to your eyes but
should restore your
hope for our future.
There is a silent
majority of true
patriots out there,
and we won't give up
on our freedom. God
bless the families
of those who gave
all, and God bless America.
Killed in action the
week before, the
body of Sergeant
First Class John C.
Beale was returned
to Falcon Field in Peachtree
City, Georgia, just
south of Atlanta,
on June 11, 2009.
The Henry County
Police Department
escorted the
procession to the
funeral home in McDonough, Georgia.
A simple notice in
local papers
indicated the road
route to be taken
and the approximate
time. Nowadays one
can be led to
believe that America no
longer respects
honor and no longer
honors sacrifice
outside the
military. Be it
known that there are
many places in this
land where people
still recognize the
courage and impact
of total
self-sacrifice.
Georgia remains
one of those
graceful places. The
link below is a
short travelogue of
that day's
remarkable and
painful journey.
But only watch this
if you wish to have
some of your faith
in people restored.
Please share widely.
Well worth watching.
http://blip.tv/play/AYGJ5h6YgmE
LETTER FROM ROBERT LIM
Please take a few moments to read this heartfelt
letter from one Brother to the entire membership.
Click here for the letter.
SOURCE MATERIAL
Contact DocuPrint Imaging (DPI). Good luck! -ELG
UNION HALL RENTAL -
Updated March 2009
and
Hall Alarm
Form -
Updated March 2009
First, check
with Elizabeth for date availability. You will need
to complete both of these forms to reserve the
hall (click on form titles, above). They are provided here in .pdf.
Confirm your date, print, sign, and send the Union a
completed Lease Agreement; be sure to keep a copy of the
lease for
yourself, as well as the Hall Alarm form.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LEASE &
CHECKS MUST BE RECEIVED BY LOCAL 1311 AT LEAST TWO
WEEKS PRIOR TO EVENT; otherwise, the Hall will NOT
be available, period. THE KEY MUST BE PICKED UP
WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF THE EVENT (on a mutually convenient date).
HELPS
HELPS
is a new retiree health care benefit that provides a
tax-free distribution of up to $3,000 from retirement
plans to help retirees pay for health insurance or
long-term care insurance. Follow the link for more
information.
BCoFFF - Baltimore County Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation
"The purpose of this fund is to try to alleviate
the burden of financial hardship while recovering from a
catastrophic illness or injury. The fund was organized
and is being administered by career Baltimore County
Fire Fighters."
Please visit their web
site for more info.
DONATIONS in Memory of TOMMY (TR) RICE
Please make donations in Tommy's name to
the Metropolitan Fire Fighters Burn Center Fund, P.O.
Box 480 Pasadena, MD 21123-0480 (410-426-2876).
Note correction to ZIP code from original notice.
DONATIONS for BRIAN NEVILLE'S CHILDREN
Please make donations to the Brian D.
Neville Children's Trust Fund, and mail them to 7230
Lee Deforest Drive, Suite 203, Gateway Centre, Columbia,
MD 21046-3249 (Contact person is John E. Day,
410-290-1000). Thank you.
Recession Busters
From the Enoch Pratt Free Library's
Business Center ...
click here!
Special Request from the
FIRE MUSEUM of MARYLAND
We are planning to open the Fire Museum to the
public during March and April on Friday afternoons from
12-4 pm, if we can find volunteers to help staff those
hours. the fire Museum of Maryland needs retired and/or
active firefighters to help man the Fire Museum of
Maryland, Friday afternoons from 12-4 pm in March and
April. We are looking for a couple of volunteers who
would be willing to help visitors learn about the
Baltimore Fire Department’s history, heritage, and role
in the community. In addition, volunteers with
mechanical skills are welcome to come on Tuesday nights
volunteer to help keep the fleet running, starting in
January. Contact Rob Williams, FMM Asst. Director, at
410-321-7500, or at rcwilliams@firemuseummd.org.
SHIFT CALENDARS
The 2010 Shift Booklets have
been sent to the stations. Additional copies are
$1 each.
The 2010 Pocket Calendars
(4.25 x 5.5 cards cards made in-house) are available at
the Union Office, and can be printed
here (in Excel ... print double-sided on cardstock
for 4 calendars).
The 2010 Shift
Schedule can be printed out one month per page
here (in
Word).
Full Size Shift Calendars (one page per month) for 2008, 2009,
2010 and
2011
in MS Word.
(Thanks, Giz!)
Union SOFTBALL TEAM Seeking Players
L-1311 softball team is currently
seeking players for league ball and tournaments for the
upcoming 2009 season.
Contact Scott
Dundas or Station 18-C
(0768).
MDA TEE SHIRTS FOR SALE
Jarrett Dixon Memorial Softball Tee
Shirts, just $15 each. Contact Wayne Simmons
at 5-C.
TINNITUS?
Ringing in your ears? Well, not exactly
... click here to read the
entire article on what could be a disabling brain
disorder.
UNION-MADE IAFF Clothing & Accessories
Visit this site for more details:
http://www.iaffaffiliatestore.com/email/iaffaffiliatestore.html.
Elliott's Sportswear Online!
Elliott's Sportswear, 8327 Harford Road, is now
available on
the web. Of particular interest, they have
fire custom, fire stock, and workwear sections to suit
all of your needs. They also offer a large variety
of leisure, sports, outerwear, athletic, and corporate
attire. You can also call them at 410-663-3966 or
877-882-9988. Be sure to check out their new
clearance items -- they're smokin' hot!
FUND RAISING EFFORTS
Members, please be aware of the fund
raising efforts organized by the Local which include
having an authorized third party make phone calls
soliciting financial support, as well as their
publication of a semi-annual magazine ...
click here
BENEFICIARY FORM
- for the Union's Survivor's Fund.
This link NOW takes you to a Word doc with TWO half-page
forms. Send one to the Union and keep the second
copy in your personal files. If you have
any question
whatsoever about who may or may not be currently
designated as your beneficiary with the Union, don't
wait to call the office to check -- just complete, sign,
and send in a form today. (For
the Retirees' Form, which must be notarized,
click here.)
FF BASKET
Longaberger Customized FF Basket
- a great gift idea (delivery after the
holidays) ...
click here
BOWMAN'S
APPRECIATES YOU!
" Hello there! To show our appreciation for the job that you
do, the Bowman Restaurant is having a Fire Fighter's Night every
Tuesday evening, featuring a $1 off of regularly priced drinks, plus
other great specials.
9306 Harford Road in the Carney/Parkville area. Please check out the
attached calendar for other specials and again, we thank you for
everything that you do for our community. Sincerely, Bowman Staff"
DRIVE SMARTER
With global warming and a tight economy, not to mention
the need to just clear the air, we all need to be more
proactive in how we help take care of the environment.
One way is to maximize your car's gas mileage.
Visit this site
for more information.
SEARCH BETTER!
Use GoodSearch when you look up
stuff on the Internet, and help benefit the Metro FF's Burn Center Fund ...
read more
DONATE WISELY
Now more than ever we have to make our
dollars stretch. Be sure to check out the groups
you financially support. An easy way to do that is
via Charity Navigator, an excellent web site which helps
you carefully choose which organizations you want to
help.
Click here
HISTORY OF THE MALTESE CROSS
For your reading pleasure; click here.
CLARIFICATION FOR RECLASSIFICATIONS
The "SALANN" in OLTA is your Salary Anniversary Date
which is when you get your reclassification per the new MOU.
CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS & CONTACTS
- Nextel: Call the Government Accounts Customer Service at
1-800-390-7545.
- Verizon: Call Joshua Cho at 410-952-0099 or
email
directly.
NATIONAL MARROW DONOR REGISTRY
In support of Michael Iwashko the 19 year old son of
Marta Iwashko (Balt. Police Crime Lab) and George Iwashko (Balt. City
Public Schools) who has Leukemia. Please
click here for the flier (.pdf) to post at the stations, and for
more information.
LETTERS TO THE SS EDITOR
Please click here for a Letter to the
Editor on THE BROTHERHOOD, submitted by “Brother Bones” John E.
Schreiber Sr., Fire Specialist 5-D.
BALTIMORE COUNTY SEARCH DOGS
FEATURED ON FOX
45
"Members of a local K-9 team were on site to search
debris of the Pentagon after the 9/11 attacks."
Visit the link above and see Boomer and
Zeus in action (oh, and FADO Mike Rehfeld!).
Click on "Cover Story" and select "A Hero With
Paws"
In Memory of those we lost on 9/11 ...
Always Remember, Never Forget ... visit the
IAFF Web Site for more.
"OPT OUT" OF UNWANTED CONSUMER OFFERS -
*Updated 08/16/2007
Call 1-888-5OPTOUT to OPT OUT from
Credit Bureaus sharing your contact info;
here are some online and postal
options as well.
LOCAL
1311 GETS NEW EMAIL ADDRESS 08/01/2007
Members, please make a note of Local 1311's new email address
(click here ... imbedded to
avoid spammers), effective immediately.

Baltimore County Federal
CREDIT UNION
Click above for
special offers for Members Only
Kid's FIRE TRUCK QUILT Set
Great gift idea for the little firefighter at heart! 100% cotton
handmade Fire Truck quilt & sham set. Cozy and soft, it features a great
mix of sky blue, red, white and yellow and is appliqued with fire engines
and Dalmatians at the wheel. For more details or to place an order, please
Click Here or
Email Us
. Call Mike Ruppert 6-B or 443-623-3725.
Fire Fighters Worth
Remembering
We received an email at the Union Office regarding a
project to publish a book about "200 fire fighters worth remaining."
Obviously, here in Baltimore County, we are blessed with an abundance of
incredible characters, brave heroes, and wonderful lifelong memories.
We have NOT "checked out" this information, but it looks legitimate
enough to present it to you here to be followed up on at YOUR own
discretion.
Click here for more information.
Purchase U.S.
Patriot Bonds
-- "the All American Investment"
Following the tradition of WWI Liberty bonds and
WWII War Bonds, the U.S. Department of the Treasury unveiled the new
Series EE Patriot Bond on December 11, 2001 -- the 3-month
anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The funds
raised by the bonds will contribute to the federal government's overall
effort to fight the war on global terrorism.
Click here
for more information.
*CF Tags for Cars AND
Bikes
For your convenience (and ours!), ALL CF union logo tags are
now handled through the Union Office. Please contact Elizabeth
directly for an application, which can then be taken to any MVA office
(or tags can be picked up in Glen Burnie).
The IAFF Wins Passage of
the HELPS Retirees Bill
The IAFF has won an unprecedented congressional victory in the
successful passage of its HELPs retiree health care proposal and the
elimination of early withdraw penalties from Deferred Retirement Option
Program (DROP) accounts.
Click here to link to the IAFF's web site for more
information.
TO THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE LOGGED INTO THE IAFF WEBSITE ...
Please take the time to go on the IAFF website
under the Members Only section, and UPDATE your personal information to
reflect YOUR OWN PERSONAL EMAIL address! (Otherwise stuff comes to the Union
Office for you, without your identifying information!) Thank you very much!
BUYING A HOUSE? REFINANCING? WORK WITH THE
IAFF!
In addition to several local companies (Advance
Realty, Atlantic Federal,
and Baltimore American Mortgage),
the IAFF Financial Corporation is working with
Nationwide
Advantage Mortgage SM Company to offer you the fastest, easiest way to get a new
loan or refinance a current mortgage. Through Nationwide Advantage
Mortgage, IAFF members can access low-rate, low-cost mortgage solutions that
offer several benefits that other mortgage companies can’t offer. Visit
the IAFF web site for
more info.
"OPT OUT" OF UNWANTED CONSUMER OFFERS -
*Amended 05/22/2006
1-888-5OPTOUT is a legitimate number set up with the
cooperation of the Associated Credit Bureaus to establish a single point of
contact for consumers to call to request that all four major U.S. credit
bureaus (Equifax, Experian, Trans Union, and Novus/Innovis) remove their
information from the marketing lists and pre-approved credit offer lists sold to
third parties. The automated system will ask you to enter your phone number,
Social Security number, and other personal information, because it needs that
information to locate your record. If you are uncomfortable supplying this
information to an automated system, you will have to call each of the four major
credit bureaus individually and speak to real people at each one of them, a
cumbersome and time-consuming process.
Also visit www.optoutprescreen.com to do the same stuff. I chose NOT
to type in my social security number, and it accepted it anyway. You will
then have to print up the letter and mail it in ... but it's worth it to get off
all those lists!!!!
MAIL PREFERENCE SERVICE
To receive less commercial advertising mail, you can register for
the DMA's Mail Preference Service (MPS) by visiting
the DMA website
and filling out their registration form. It costs $5 to register online
(why???), but it's FREE (!) to mail in your request. Either way, fill out
the registration form online, hit enter, and you'll get a printable form,
complete with a tracking number, to sign and send in. Save a tree!
And save postage by sending in a bunch of requests (entire shift?! your
household!) at one time.
MONEY SAVING TIPS FROM BGE HOME
1. Home lighting can consume up to 10 percent of home electricity
costs. Energy Star® labeled lighting products use about 75 percent less
electricity than incandescent lighting products and last about 10 times longer.
These compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs are an easy and low cost way of making
your home's lighting more energy efficient. Compact Flourescent Lights
(CFLs) emit the same amount of light as standard bulbs but have a lower wattage
rating because they use less energy. CF/standard Wattage usage comparisons
... CFL listed first, then standard bulbs: 14/40, 20/60,
25/75, 32/100, 50/150.
2. Ceiling fans are a great way to save money year-round. Not only can
they keep you cooler in the summer but they also circulate warm air in the
winter. They can help reduce your heating and cooling costs. An Energy Star
labeled ceiling fan is about 40 percent more efficient than a regular fan.
3. Energy Star labeled outdoor lights used with CFLs cost less than $8
in electricity annually. They provide nighttime visibility and safety and are
available with motion sensors for even greater energy savings.
4. Water heating is typically the third largest energy expense in your
home. Heating your water typically accounts for about 14% of your utility bill.
Energy Star labeled water heaters use less energy to heat your home's water.
Adding an insulating wrap can also reduce your energy costs.
BE AWARE OF
JURY DUTY SCAM
Most of us take those summons for jury duty seriously, but enough
people skip out on their civic duty, that a new and ominous kind of scam has
surfaced. Fall for it and your identity could be stolen, reports CBS.
In this con, someone calls pretending to be a court official who threateningly
says a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you didn't show up for
jury duty. The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you
never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social
Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and
cancel the arrest warrant. Sometimes they even ask for credit card numbers. Give
out any of this information and bingo! Your identity just got stolen.
The scam has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma, Illinois,
and Colorado. This (scam) is particularly insidious because they use
intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by
pretending they're with the court system.
The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web
sites, warning consumers about the fraud.
Check it out here:
CELL PHONES
--
Helpful tips from Al Brown
You can put your cell phone on the National Do
Not Call List (and prevent costly unwanted telemarketing calls) by calling 888-382-1222.
Cell phone companies often charge $1 or more for directory
information. Save money and still get your information by calling
800-FREE-411 (800-373-3411). You will only be charged for the
minutes used per your own cell phone deal.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Looking for relief for that bad back? Want
to ease that neck pain? Tired of walking slumped over? You may need
chiropractic care ... and you are in luck! Dr. Nicholas Dezes provides
special programs and services for our members. Don't just live with that
pain and discomfort - get rid of it and take care of yourself for once! Click here for more details!
MOTORCYCLE CLUB
Looking for members interested in joining our Motorcycle Club,
open to ALL members, regardless of what type of bike!
Call Jhett Lewis at 1-C or email him.
BENEFICIARY
FORMS
Visit our Survivor's
Information page for links to Beneficiary/Survivors Forms for both the
Baltimore County Fire Department (return to Retirees office at HQ) and the
Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters.
SMOKE DETECTORS
Please be sure to have citizens complete WAIVERS
when they get smoke detectors (either from the stations or at their homes).
Stations should send waivers back to the Union Office in groups of 6-8 or
more. Once received at the Union Office, replacement smoke detectors are
sent back out to the field.
Please
email the Union with any suggestions as to what YOU would like
included in (or excluded from) this web site. YOUR INPUT is valuable. Thank you!
-ELG
This page
last updated:
02/26/2010
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