SUBJECT: CFL (compact fluorescent lights) & Dimmer Switches

DATE: 9-7-2010

CFL bulbs are “use specific”, meaning, they’re designed to be implemented in certain uses around the home and other applications are specifically designated to be unsafe. Make sure to read the instructions and safety warnings on the light packaging for specific applications of the bulb. Do not use bulbs in dimmer switches that are not specifically designed for dimmer switch use.

http://www.esasafe.com/pdf/Safety_Alerts/07-03-AL.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad7vhHfjgC0&feature=related

http://energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/energystar.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3147

http://times-news.com/archive/x1540421978

FIREFIGHTER

MEMORIAL SERVICE

In Memoriam:

Firefighter Donald “Donnie” Adkins, III, Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department

March 13, 2010

Lieutenant Donnie Caldwell, Ghent Volunteer Fire Department

May 13, 2010

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2010 at 1:00 PM

WV FALLEN FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL STATUE,

STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX

SPONSORED BY WV STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION

ALL FIRE DEPARTMENTS URGED TO ATTEND

Vehicle crashes remain the number two cause of firefighter on-duty deaths.  After signing the Pledge, Chief Gaines relayed to USFA staff his experience attending the memorial services for Rocky Mount, Virginia Fire Chief Posey Dillon and Firefighter Danny Altice, who died as the result of an apparatus crash on July 26 of this year while responding to an emergency call.  Neither Chief Dillon, who was driving the pumper, nor Firefighter Altice in the officer seat, was wearing their seat belt.  Both were ejected and died from their injuries.  No other firefighters were on the apparatus and no civilians were injured.

Chief Gaines also signed his name to the 100% Seat Belt Pledge Certificate.  The Certificate is awarded to any fire department that has all members take the pledge.  Leading fire service organizations that have endorsed the Seat Belt Pledge include the:

·         International Association of Fire Chiefs

·         National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation

·         National Fire Protection Association

·         National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety

·         National Volunteer Fire Council, and

·         U.S. Fire Administration

So far, over 154,000 firefighters have taken the pledge and about 800 fire departments have achieved 100% participation.  North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, and Georgia are leading the nation with number of fire departments that have achieved 100% seat belt pledge participation.

To find out more about the National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge campaign, go to www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp.  There you can access and download the pledge signature form, learn how to receive a 100% Certificate for your organization, find out which fire departments in your state have taken the pledge, read success stories, identify supporters, and receive additional campaign material.

Take the seat belt pledge and buckle up.  The fire service owes it to each other and our families so Everyone Goes Home.

October 1 – 3 2010

Scott High School, Madison WV

Fire, Rescue & EMS 1, 2 & 3 Day Classes Available

Registration Fee includes Hog Roast on Saturday Evening

Vendors on-site Saturday and Sunday

Early registration due by Sept 29 2010

See registration document for more info:

Registration Form – http://www.wvsfa.org/documents/boonecountyfireschool2010.doc

For Immediate Release

8/22/2010

Wheeling, WV

The West Virginia State Firemen’s Association met in Oglebay Park in Wheeling last week for their 82nd Annual Convention. Topics of discussion were the recent broad form liability issue (deliberate intent) and recruitment and retention of viable fire fighters throughout the State.

Other important topics of debate included pending worker’s compensation issues and the special committees appointed by Gov. Joe Manchin’s office to review compensable injuries, deliberate intent and risk management. The convention also discussed efforts being made toward scholarships awarded to volunteer firefighters attending trade, technical and college level courses related to the fire service, the junior fire fighter’s camp offered by the West Virginia University Fire Service Extension and safety seminar’s offered by the National Volunteer Fire Council. Volunteers from around the State representing a majority of Volunteer Fire Departments were delegates to the convention.

State Senator Kessler, a potential gubernatorial candidate, addressed the convention on Thursday and Friday. Several area House of Delegates members were also in attendance.
On Friday, Gov. Joe Manchin addressed the convention. Manchin and Senator Kessler both assured attendees that legislation would be in the works to obtain the immunity that VFD‘s are seeking.

The following firefighters were elected to officer positions within the association: Chief Jim Oldaker, Alum Creek Volunteer Fire epartment, elected as President of the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association; Brian Malcomb, Chief of the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department elected as 1st Vice President; Lee Goodwin an Officer in the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department elected as 2nd Vice President; Chief John Holstein, Danville Volunteer Fire Department, was chosen as 3rd Vice President; Harry Shockey an Officer at Morefield VFD elected as Executive Secretary; Assistant Chief Larry Goodwin of Vienna VFD, elected to Sgt. at Arms; Sandra McDonald from Charles Town elected as Financial Secretary; Tim Evans, Chief of Keyser VFD, elected as Assistant Secretary; Colleen Beauchesne, a Lifetime Fire Service Member, elected as Treasurer; Lou Richmond from Glen Dale elected as Historian; and David C. Harman elected as Parlimentarian.

The convention continued through Saturday where members discussed various issues pertaining to the fire service in West Virginia along with regular business meetings to discuss issues within the association. Holstein emphasized that the WVSFA encourages all fire fighters in the State to attend the convention and for all fire departments in the State to join the association.

Over the course of 2010, many legislative issues were addressed, several of these issues ended with positive steps taken by the legislature that directly affect every volunteer fire department in the State and several issues that affect all fire departments, paid and volunteer. The association actively lobbies the legislature during all sessions. The organization wishes to thank all sponsors and volunteers that made the 2010 convention a success and especially the Marshall County Fire Fighter’s Association for hosting the event.

Rooms and Cottages my be reserved by contacting Oglebay Resort at 800-624-6988 or 304-243-4000.

More information can be found at www.2010convention.info.

OGLEBAY ROOM RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

ROOMS / DATES AVAILABLE (135 Lodge Rooms are available for 3 nights):

Checking-In: Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Checking-Out: Saturday, August 21, 2010

ROOM RATES: Wed, Thurs & Fri

Traditional 2 Double bed Room: $99.00
Traditional Queen daybed Room: $99.00
Traditional King bed Room: $99.00
Intermediate 2 Double bed Room: $99.00
Intermediate Queen bed Room: $99.00
Intermediate King bed Room: $99.00
Deluxe Room: $140.00
Premium Room: $165.00
Suite: $300.00
Executive Suite: $500.00

COTTAGE RATES
Cottages are a great buy for those who bring more than 4 people
Deluxe 2 Bedroom Cottage ( Sleep 8 ) $292.50/night
Deluxe 4 Bedroom Cottage ( Sleep 16 ) $437.00/night

For more Cottage Raters Please go to
http://www.oglebay-resort.com/cottages/crates.htm

The Legislature wants to be certain that firemen are aware that if they are injured in the line of work, due to a crime, such as arson, an injured fireman may qualify, for financial assistance from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund. Such financial compensation could be awarded to assist a fireman with out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance or workers’ compensation.  For example, an overtime work loss, that is not reimbursed under either of the aforementioned sources, may be the basis for an award.

The Legislature also wants to be certain that firemen are aware that there is a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the crime for the filing of a crime victim claim. All firemen, including volunteer firemen, are encouraged to apply to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund for assistance if any out-of-pocket loss has been or may be incurred as the result of a crime.

The Legislature encourages you to contact the legislative agency which runs the program, the Court of Claims, to discuss any questions you have about the program with the Clerk of the Court of Claims, Ms. Cheryle Hall, or her staff. Ms. Hall and her staff can be contacted at 877-562-6878 or via email at cvictims@wvlegislature.gov.

Sincerely,

Aaron Allred

Legislative Manager

VFIS to Offer Broad Form Liability to Volunteer Fire Departments
August 2, 2010

VFIS of West Virginia will be offering Broadform Liability coverage(s) to their insureds as those department’s Worker’s Comp policies with Brickstreet renew over the course of the next eleven (11) months.  This coverage will not be offered as a stand alone policy but only be available for purchase to those departments who carry VFIS Insurance plans.

The cost of the policies will be nominal and you will need to contact VFIS at 1-800-926-VFIS for your department’s quote(s) and specifics about renewal.  This will also alleviate the concerns that existed in our constituency with regard to having to deal with BRIM.  It is my understanding that the BRIM option will still be open to those not insured by VFIS.

We would like to thank Troy Markel, President of VFIS; Bill Bailey, Linda Connolly, John Bailey, and Dave Camp – all from VFIS of WV – for their work in helping out West Virginia’s fire service.  They have been very responsive to our concerns by advocating on our behalf and are willing to work with us as we continue to press the legislature for immunity clarification and work to resolve this dilemma related to our Worker’s Compensation coverage(s).

The West Virginia State Fireman’s Association breathes a sigh of relief

Action to allow Volunteer Fire Departments to get Broadform coverage through the Bureau of Risk and Insurance Management (BRIM) seen as a positive step in resolving the Worker’s Comp dilemma.

Charleston, WV, July 28, 2010: The West Virginia State Fireman’s Association is breathing a sigh of relief now that the Governor’s Office has secured an agreement with the Bureau of Risk and Insurance Management (BRIM) to provide broadform liability coverage to West Virginia’s volunteer fire department’s through June 30, 2011. While not a permanent solution, this action does avert a pending crisis which would have occurred September 1, 2010 when 129 fire departments across the State would have lost broadform coverage currently being provided by Brickstreet Insurance.

Jim Oldaker, WV SFA First Vice President, said, “While there is still much work to be done, we are very pleased that the Governor listened to our concerns and intervened on our behalf. His actions have allowed fire departments that were considering going idle on September 1, 2010 to remain open and fully operational serving their communities while we continue to work to resolve these critical issues.”

Tom Miller, West Virginia’s representative to the National Volunteer Fire Council, stated, “The issues being faced here in West Virginia with Worker’s Comp are being closely watched by many volunteer fire departments across the country. What we do here to resolve these issues may have a broader impact on the nation’s volunteer fire service as a whole.”

Volunteer fire departments across the state were seriously concerned about continuing operations after September 1, 2010 without liability coverage for their officers and Board members. Many had made the very difficult decision to go idle unless they were able to fully protect their members.

The issue of broadform insurance relates to employer liability for sending employees into hazardous environments or situations – conditions faced by volunteer fire departments every day. Without this insurance, fire line officers and Board of Directors members could be held liable if a firefighter got hurt on an emergency under certain conditions. Brickstreet sent a letter to all of the volunteer fire departments in the state on April 26, 2010 stating that they would not be renewing broadform liability coverage after July 1, 2010. At a June 16, 2010 meeting with the Governor, Brickstreet CEO Greg Burton agreed to continue providing coverage until September 1, 2010 in hopes that a solution could be worked out in a select committee chaired by Secretary of Finance and Revenue Virgil Helton.

Over 80% of West Virginia’s population is protected by volunteer fire departments. There are over 10,000 volunteer fire firefighters in the State of West Virginia serving on over 400 volunteer fire departments. The West Virginia State Fireman’s Association is the active voice of West Virginia’s volunteer fire service.

The West Virginia State Firemen’s Association is pleased to announce that we have helped secure broad form liability coverage through June of 2011, providing that fire departments wanting this coverage go to their insurance agency and acquire a policy through BRIM. BRIM, the WV Board of Risk and Insurance Management will provide broad form coverage for volunteer fire departments within the State of West Virginia until June 30 2011. Until that time, we will be working with the Governor’s Office and the Legislature to secure a minor change in WV Code that only affects Volunteer Fire Departments and their immunity from deliberate intent cases.

–
John Holstein,
West Virginia State Firemen’s Assn
Publicity Chair & Legislative Committee
www.wvsfa.com