The annual Magnificent 7th FIREOPS 101 was held in April 10-11, 2008 and produced 33 new graduates.  The graduates were policy makers from around the Northwest that included state senators, house members, mayors, city council members, fire commisioners, finance directors, human resource directors, tribal council, members of the press and city managers.  They accepted the invitation from thier respective IAFF affilate Local sponsor to spend one and one-half days with an IAFF member, experiencing the work of todays fire fighter by participating in hands-on scenarios at the HAMMER training facility in Richland, Washington.

Policy makers arrived with thier affilate sponsor on Thursday evening for check in activities such as mask fit testing, ID cards, overview, team developement and fellowship.  The students and thier sponsor were then excused for and evening meal to discuss the state of thier respective fire department work sites.  They re-assembled at 8 am Friday morning for a safety briefing and welcoming overviews of the program by IAFF 7th DVP Ricky Walsh and Washington State Chiefs President Dan Packer.  Promptly at 9am, the assembled teams reported to thier stations that included a live burn prop, search & rescue, ladder ops, extrication and mega code.  Upon completion of the 5 stations, the policy makers participated in a graduation ceremony, at which many chose to speak.  The main theme of FIREOPS 101 was recited.....TIME CRITICAL, HIGHLY TECHNICAL, and LABOR INTENSIVE is the work of todays fire fighter.  All graduates received a traditional fire fighter helmet and graduation certificate for display in thier office.

The Magnificent 7th District FIREOPS is sponsored by the IAFF 7th District, WSCFF, PFFI, MSCOPFF, HAMMER, IAFF Locals 1052, 1296, 1433, I-24, and the Puyallup extrication team.  The event is an annual spring event for affiliate Locals of the 7th District.

Career fire fighters in Alaska may soon have presumptive coverage as the law of the land.  The Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association worked the legislature in Juneau for the past two sessions to secure presumptive coverage for its members and now have a bill going to Governor Palin's desk for signature into law.  The AKPFFA is just in its third year of existance.  AKPFFA President Mark Drygas (L-1324) give credit to the executive board's ability to rally members from across the state to deliver the message to thier legislative representaves and the ground work that has occurred for the last three years.  "Jeff Briggs (AKPFFA Lobbyist and L-1264 member) absolutely put his arms around this deal and had a constant presence in the halls of the state capitol", commented AKPFFA secretary treasurer Matt McSorely.  Anchorage President (Local 1264) Tom Wescott credited his Local members for filling shifts for Briggs while he was taking care of business in Juneau.  The bill passed with overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle.

When a new Local is organized, they receive a "starter packet" to facilitate the journey of having and maintaining an IAFF affiliate Local.  There are many items in this starter packet, among them includes a "Manual of Common Procedures".  This is guiding document of how to run a Local Union, and I am sure for many of you, this has long been misplaced.  I have had many request for this document over the last year so to alleviate the wait I have now posted it electronically under the tab, to the left, Const./Bylaws for all members of the Magnificent 7th to access. 

I myself, reaquainted myself with various chapters in this manual.  I found to be of particular interest the "Oath taken by candidates" applying for membership in your Local Union and the IAFF.  Yes, you have read it correctly and I will rewrite in bold........Oath taken by Candidates applying for membership.  In my travels I have found that there are Locals that not only don't mandate possible new members to apply, but in fact they do not swear them into the Local.  I find this to be in excusable in practice but possible if you as a Local leader where never "mentored" for your position.  In fact, I am currently in a case before PERC, that an individual is trying to mandate that the Local accepts his application, trying to corelate Local membership with representation, of which they are two separate issues.

I challenge you to read this Oath very carefully because the words are there for reasons of longevity of the labor movement and certainly unity of our IAFF and Local affiliates.  If in fact yoiu have lost the practice of having candidates apply or petition for membership in your Local and the subsequent "swearing them in"......give me a call and we can talk about the practice and its importance.  Take care and be safe................rjw

The mini-ed day scheduled April 4th in Helena will continue as planned with an exception to the place.  The class was intended to be held at the Helena main Fire Station but due to Labor/Management difficulties at the present time, the need to find an alternate location has presented itself.  Thanks to MSCOPFF President Tod Miller the three-class seminar will go on as planned with the help of IBEW BA Keith Allen who has offered the Labor Temple (110 N. Warren) to IAFF members desiring to take on-going labor education.  We look forward to your presence and as always the presentation will begin at 9 am.  Stay safe.....................................rjw.