An important message from President Sullivan about Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month:
Brother Brad Belanger of Sycamore Firefighters Local 3406 was recently diagnosed with cancer. See the following letter from his Union Brothers. Please consider donating to the GoFundMe. T-shirts will be made available in the future also.
When Brad reached out to his brothers about his recent esophageal cancer diagnosis, we were all
shocked. He began having medical issues in late October and received his diagnosis earlier this month. Brad has been a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic with Sycamore for 22 years, being an active member with the department, participating in technical rescue, the SFD health and safety committee, the department’s fleet and building maintenance programs, SCBA maintenance, and many other facets within the fire service. He is also an active and participating member of Local 3046 and has always supported the AFFI and IAFF. He grew up in the fire service with his father Bob (Glen Ellyn FD), and lives in the community with his wife and two children. Since Brad’s diagnosis, he and his family have been quite overwhelmed with tests, scans and procedures
that come with the staging process. Final staging reports will be complete later this week, and
simultaneously treatment continues to move forward. This, of course, all comes with a cost. With the permission of Brad’s family, we have set up this GoFundMe account to assist with medical expenses and other expenses that we anticipate during his treatment process. Any donation would be greatly appreciated, and used directly for expenses relating to Brad’s treatment.
As Brad’s treatment plan becomes more solid, we will update and share what we know as time progress.
Sincerely,
Sycamore Fire Fighters Local 3046 on behalf of the Belanger family
Join Chicago Local 2, Chicago Police Stars Hockey, and Chicago Fire Hockey for First Responders Night at the United Center!
Admission gets you into both the responders game and the Hawks game that evening. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit each teams’ charity fund.
Tickets and additional info can be found via this link: https://offer.fevo.com/blackhawks-v-maple-leafs-h4jcsec-523e229?fevoUri=blackhawks-v-maple-leafs-h4jcsec-523e229%2F
We are more than happy to answer questions related to the Workers’ Rights Amendment. Our Director of Government Affairs, Tim Hunter, would love to discuss the measure with anyone seeking more information.
Contact [email protected] for more info.
The Manhattan Fire Protection District, with the support of the Peotone Fire Protection District and the Manhattan Professional Firefighters Local 4991 have on the ballot a better, safer and more cost-effective way to provide emergency services to the residents and visitors of both communities.
If consolidation successfully passes it will provide:
Full-time staffing for Peotone community and Manhattan FPD
Lower Fire District relative tax rate
Increase in the levels of service, programs, and response.
Supported by the IChiefs and MABAS Division 19 and Local 4991
If consolidation fails:
No guarantee on staffing
Tax increase to maintain current part-time staffing model
Uncertain future of all emergency services
Diminished level of service, programs, and potential delays in response times.
Please support the referendum.
Matt Olson
District 4 Vice President
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
The AFFI recently welcomed its newest local to the organization. Bristol-Kendall Firefighters Local 5386 officially signed their charter.
AFFI President Sullivan, Vice-President Luke Howieson, and District 4 VP Matt Olson were joined by IAFF 8th District VP Mark Sanders to welcome Bristol-Kendall Steward Brendan Ditchman to his first district meeting.
Geneva Firefighters Local 4297 hosted the event with District 1 VP Danny Fortuna and District 4 VP Matt Olson.
President Sullivan recently wrote an editorial on the Workers’ Rights Amendment for the Daily Herald
When emergency strikes, every second matters.
We all want the peace of mind that comes with knowing when we face the worst moments of our lives — a raging fire at our home, a traumatic car accident, a medical emergency — our trained, well-prepared firefighters and paramedics will be there as quickly as possible to help. Day after day, our members do just that, putting their lives on the line to serve everyone else.
In November, Illinoisans have an opportunity to acknowledge this selfless service by supporting the Workers’ Rights Amendment on the ballot. We can give public service workers and first responders the firm protection needed to protect the public every time necessary.
The Amendment provides a simple but powerful and necessary assurance: the rights public service workers have earned today will be there tomorrow.
It wasn’t that long ago — less than 40 years — when collective bargaining was just a wish. Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois and other advocates recognized workers who put their lives on the line deserve more than hope and earned the bipartisan support from the legislature and then-Gov. Thompson for a seat at the negotiating table backed by state law.
Today, we ask for those same protections to be put into the State Constitution for selfless reasons. Our firefighters and paramedics can best respond when they are well-trained and have the tools and equipment necessary to mitigate the wide array of emergencies that occur every day.
The threats to these protections are very real and growing. In communities across the suburbs, around Illinois and at the Statehouse, misguided politicians have discussed, proposed and unilaterally pursued cuts to emergency personnel and services that would put families in greater danger. Our members know that without a constitutional guarantee, it could just be a matter of time before these protections are chipped away
The Amendment’s opponents are trying hard to fool and scare you, because they know workers’ rights are really Illinoisans’ rights. Our local affiliates have dedicated themselves to constantly improving their performance, negotiating stringent medical evaluations, staffing levels and training to reduce fatalities and improve safety — for firefighters and everyone we serve in emergencies.
Each year, about 100 firefighters nationally die in the line of duty, from heat stress or overexertion to being struck by an object or vehicle mishaps. In states like Illinois with proper collective bargaining protections, research has proven that fewer die in the line of duty.
I encourage all Illinoisans to vote for the Workers’ Rights Amendment as the peace of mind we all deserve when disaster strikes. When each second matters, we all depend on immediate response and protection, and the Amendment will ensure it will always be there.
- Chuck Sullivan is President of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois in Springfield.
Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Engineer Jami Lusher of Pekin, Local 524. Brother Lusher passed away Monday, October 17th from colon cancer. Brother Lusher was 49 years old. He is survived by his wife and two children.
By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.
Although this is an activation, the family has asked that the services be of a more private nature, with participation being limited to local departments and first responders. For this reason, we are asking that only 3rd District membersof the AFFI Honor Guard attend.
Brother Lusher’s services are as follows:
Visitation: Friday, October 21st, 2022, from 1600hrs to 1900hrs at Henderson Funeral Home- 2131 Velde Dr., Pekin, IL 61554. There will be a uniformed personnel walk through at 1800hrs. 3rd District Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1700hrs.
Funeral: Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, at 1300hrs at Henderson Funeral Home- 2131 Velde Dr., Pekin, IL 61554. The family has asked that the service be limited to local surrounding departments.
Please do whatever you can to attend as requested and honor the family’s wishes. Make sure you have a plain black mask. I don’t know if there will be any restrictions in place, but everyone should be prepared. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Lusher, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
Illinois State Police Reminds Drivers to Slow Down, Move Over – It’s the Law
CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police (ISP) joins law enforcement agencies across the nation in the campaign to recognize October 15, 2022 as “Slow Down, Move Over Day.” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a proclamation designating October 15, 2022 as Move Over Day in Illinois, which aligns Illinois’ law designed to promote safe driving behavior and encourage motorists to move over for all vehicles stopped on the side of the roadway.
“This ‘Slow Down, Move Over Day,’ I am thinking about emergency responders, like Chicago Firefighter Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who lost their lives while saving others,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These deaths are as tragic as they are preventable. And this day—and every day—I remind the great people of Illinois to support our first responders and our fellow motorists by slowing down and moving over.”
ISP is committed to reducing traffic crash fatalities and limiting the risk of being hit while on the roadside.
“We cannot overstate the importance of the simple act of slowing down and moving over when there is a vehicle on the side of the road,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “These crashes are 100% preventable. When a motorist takes the time to slow down and move over, they potentially save a life.”
“We thank Governor Pritzker for this proclamation. It is important to have the public’s support to protect the first responders who come to the rescue of motorists, as well as drivers who are with their disabled vehicle,” said AAA – The Auto Club Group Spokesperson Molly Hart. “Emergencies can occur at any time on any road, and by moving over and slowing down for every vehicle that is on the roadside we can help everyone make it home safe.”
In 2000, Illinois lawmakers passed Scott’s Law, named after Chicago Firefighter Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver while working on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The law was created to protect law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency response personnel, highway workers, and tow truck drivers working along roadways. In 2017, Illinois lawmakers updated provisions in Scott’s Law and designated December 23, 2017 as Move Over Day in Illinois. Scott’s Law encourages citizens to not only slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles, but all vehicles with flashing hazard lights stopped along Illinois roadways.
Since 2019, there have been 82 ISP squad cars struck, two ISP Troopers killed, and 43 other Troopers injured as a result of motorists who do not slow down and move over for emergency vehicles along the roadside. ISP has increased enforcement details to ticket and arrest drivers who fail to follow this law. ISP squad car crash data can be found on the ISP website. Slow Down Move Over 10.15.22
Building resiliency is critical for Firefighters given the stresses and hazards of our profession. The AFFI’s Resiliency Committee, established by resolution at the 2022 AFFI Convention, held its inaugural meeting yesterday.
Congratulations Brothers and Sisters! We look forward to your guidance on this important issue.
