Brothers and Sisters:

There is good news to report on several fronts this month.  The IAFF Legislative Conference was a huge success. Pennsylvania had 27 representatives in attendance making us in the top three states for attendees.  The Legislative agenda was carried to Capital Hill and our members were recognized everywhere we went.  The Presidential fourum which was held on Wednesday was a political coup for our International.  General President Schaitberger and the staff of the IAFF scored on a national level with the event.  Press coverage highlighting the political power of fire fighters was garnered across the nation.  We must keep this momentum up, WE ARE BEING NOTICED.  The legislatve reception that was held Tuesday night allowed our members to network with representatives from both the House and Senate in a more relaxed environment.

One of the agenda items on my list since convention has also come to fruition.  Bringing  fire fighter certification to our Brothers and Sisters in their fire stations has received approval from the state ProBoard.  Begining very shortly we will be able to travel to your station and conduct in-house certification testing.  I will be able to report on this with greater detail in the near future.  A word of caution about this program, we cannot confuse this program with the training bill that we are advocating with our state representatives. These are two seperate and distinct programs, one is certification and the other is training.  We must advocate both of these agendi and not sacrifice the training bill.  As an executive member of the ProBoard and the PPFFA representative I can tell you it wasn't an easy fight but we have prevailed and our Brothers and Sisters needs will be met.  The final rules and regulations are being drawn up and should be published shortly. Contact me with any questions regarding this issue.

We have received several requests for the Fire Ops 101 program, your District VP and myself will be scheduling initial meetings in the near future with those Locals that have made the requests.  This program could prove to be one of the best that we have ever undertaken.  I would urge all Locals who are interested in conducting a Fire Ops 101 program to make your requests as soon as possible.

Lastly, please return your registrations for the PPFFA legislative conference to be held May 6, 7 and 8 in Harrisburg.
Fraternally: 

Art                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Hats off to all for a great election.  We proved that we can get engaged and we can win.  The hard work and dedication paid off.  All of our members and affiliates are to be applauded.

A special tip o the hat to President Eckman who put in countless hours and thousands of miles gearing up the campaign.

Good job to all.

Art

Fraternal Greetings Brothers and Sisters:

As this is my first article for the web site I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for your support in Scranton.  The faith that you have placed in me will not be misplaced.

Additionally, I have been very busy the last two months.  There have been visits to locals and meetings with other E-Board members and Trustees and the Western District meeting in Butler.  I have also been active in the Casey campaign both locally and regionally. I have also attended PAC functions in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.  I also attended the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs with Brothers Ban and Huf.  This event was especially moving for me since my good friend Bob Gallardy from Altoona Local 299 was added to the memorial this year. The ceremony conducted in Colorado further reinforces my belief that we have the greatest Union in the country if not the world.

Act 47 is becoming a more widespread issue accross the State with more and more communities either going to full blown Act 47 status or the early intervention stage.  Most recently, myself and Western VP Ban have been consutling with the brothers in New Castle in their efforts to stave off this incredibly harsh legislation.  Through the efforts of President Eckman the Interrnational is becoming proactive in the Act 47 struggle. In the near future the E-Board and several representatives from Act 47 communities will converge in Washington to start to formulate strategy in dealing with Act 47.

Currently, the Trustees are collecting contact information for each of our locals.  We are attempting to structure a database for instantaneous communications between the PPFFA and our affiliates.  Please contact your respective Trustee with the following:

President's name, address, phone number(s) (home, work, fax, cell) , and email.

Vice President's name, address, phone number(s) (home, work, fax, cell) , and email.

Secretary's name, address, phone number(s) (home, work, fax, cell) , and email.

Additionally, if your local has a web site please forward that address for a link on our web site.

Please stay safe and do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything.

Lastly, I want to thank all of the past and current Officers of the PPFFA and the general membership of our great organization for all their support, confidence and especially their guidance towards me the last two months.

Fraternally:

Art Martynuska

Recording Secretary PPFFA

333 Meadow Drive

Johnstown, PA 15905

814-255-1563  home/fax

814-525-0536  mobile

amartynuska@ppffa.org