Emergency responders are more susceptible to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because of the nature of the profession coupled with the personal demands and challenges we all face. IAFF members respond to any number of traumatic incidents on a daily, ongoing basis. If not treated properly, the anxiety can build over time and can lead to PTSD. But all too often the effects can easily be overlooked as "a part of the job." Presenters will discuss causes and signs/symptoms of PTSD and best practices for addressing it within your local.
Congratulations once again to the incredible Seattle Seahawks, who are affiliates of the Washington State Labor Council via the NFL Players Association, on earning a return trip to the Super Bowl. Sunday's NFC Championship win was one for the ages, a game fans will always remember, as the Seahawks overcame many mistakes and persevered to stun the Green Bay Packers - and the world - in overtime, 28-22, at CenturyLink Field.
Everett Fire Department: It Gets Better Contribution
The Everett Fire Department has produced a video, as their
contribution to the national It Gets Better Project. The video features
testimonials from LGBT firefighters from Everett and other local jurisdictions
(Lacey Fire District #3 and Shoreline Fire Department), as well as words of
support from other department members and city leaders.
The It Gets Better Project ( http://www.itgetsbetter.org ),
started in 2010 by Seattle author and activist Dan Savage and his husband Terry
Miller, reaches out to LGBTQ youth who may be facing non-acceptance, bullying
and harassment. The It Gets Better Project seeks to build community, connect
LGBT youth with local resources, and use new media to inspire hope. The project
has grown into an international movement, with more than 50,000 user-created
videos featuring celebrities, politicians, organizations and everyday people
from around the world.
The Trevor Project ( http://www.thetrevorproject.org )
is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide
prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning
youth.
Suicide should never feel like an option. If you are considering suicide please
call the Trevor Project now: 866-488-7386
The firefighters who participated hope the video inspires LGBTQ youth to not
give up and offers encouragement to young people thinking about joining the
fire service.
Medicine Is About to Get Personal by David Von Drehle
How can Americans get better health care for less money? There's a quiet experiment going on among primary-care physicians, and the results are intriguing
Nowhere outside the pages of Dickens is there a more aptly named fellow than Garrison Bliss. A trim, gray man, he has twinkling eyes and a face lit by a smile of such authenticity that it makes you think of Shaker furniture. But he's a doctor, not a mystic. And he's smiling because he believes he and his cousin have found the answer to one of the toughest questions in health care.
In one of the more intriguing experiments in the medical industry, Qliance Health, the company Bliss co-founded with his cousin Dr. Erika Bliss, 47, is applying this idea to managing the health of roughly 35,000 patients-about half of them on Medicaid. If it can work for them in Seattle, they say, maybe it could work for everyone.
Seattle Times: Large fire at recycling plant in South Seattle
More than 90 firefighters battled a large fire at a recycling plant in Seattle’s Sodo neighborhood Tuesday night.
The fire was reported shortly before 11 p.m. at the Republic Services Recycling Complex, according to the Seattle Fire Department. Responding firefighters saw flames shooting from the roof and reported the fire was spreading to multiple rubbish piles.
Multiple factors complicated the response, spokesman Kyle Moore said. The flames were in all parts of the trash piles, so firefighters had to spray water on the entire area. Center employees used bulldozers and other machinery to move the trash piles outside for firefighters to spray.
LODD Division Chief Russell Chism, January 22, 2015
It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Division Chief Russell Chism of IAFF Local 1147 - Urbana, Illinois. Brother Chism, 50, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2015 from cancer. The Visitation will be held on Monday, January 26, 2015 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Vineyard Church, 1500 N. Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, (217) 384-3070. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 9:11 a.m. also at the Vineyard Church. Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the family or the local can be sent to IAFF Local 1147, P.O. Box 185, Urbana, IL 61803-0185 or emailed to wpdk9203@yahoo.com.
Brothers and Sisters, Local 27 is fully engaged in the political process to protect and support you, your family, and public safety. Our American democratic process relies on citizens and organizations for elections and for governance. Local 27 informs and supports candidates and elected officials on all issues related to fire fighters and public safety including: health and safety, training, equipment, department policies, compensation, benefits, retirement, staffing, response times, service levels, hazards, etc. Local 27, the WSCFF, and the IAFF rely on your voluntary financial contributions to fund these efforts. Many members already do their part and contribute, but many still do not. If you have not yet signed up for the Local 27 VPAC or the WSCFF Fastpac, or the IAFF Firepac, please follow the link below to get started now. Thank you.
Kenny Stuart President Seattle Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 27
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