The Protector Winter 2023

Winter 2023

COPS CYCLING FOR

SURVIVORS INDIGENOUS FIRE

PRACTICES SHAPE OUR LAND

Facial recognition & law enforcement -The Value Proposition

IP H S AR M L O SCH ROGRA P

101 EAST 116TH STREET ● CARMEL, IN 46032 ● 800-221-7342 ● WWW.PFIA1913.ORG

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Winter 2023

Welcome to the Winter 2023 issue of The Protector!

Volume 39 Number 4 The PFIA Protector is printed quarterly by the Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association. The Executive and Editorial Offices are located at 101 E. 116th Street, Carmel, IN 46032 Local: 317-581-1913 or toll-free: 1-800-221-PFIA (7342) Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebekah Brownson

Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John E. Murphy Senior Vice President, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Executive Secretary . . . . . Bradd Roembke Vice President, Treasurer . . . Jeff Warnock

Board of Directors Mike Carrigan . . . . . . . . Littleton, Colorado Ruben Cevallos . . . . . . . San Antonio, Texas Myles Christie . . . . . . . . . Augusta, Georgia Thomas Clines . . . . . . . . . . Fishers, Indiana Tom Evans . . . . . . . . Cattaragus, New York Raymond Gallardo . . . . . . . . Ankeny, Iowa Edward Griffith III . . . . . Brick, New Jersey Gerald Housel . . . . . . . . Speedway, Indiana Mark S. Kemp . . . . . New Palestine, Indiana David G. Lentz . . . . . . . . . Slidell, Louisiana John Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carmel, Indiana Steve D. Murphy . . . . . . . Indianapolis, Indiana Bradd Roembke . . . New Palestine, Indiana Don Trejbal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Akron, Ohio Jeff Warnock . . . . . . . . . . . . Carmel, Indiana Legal Counsel . . . . . . . . . . John D. Hoover E. Davis Coots Lawrence W. Schmits ­Actuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad Simanek Griffith, Ballard & Company

Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association completes our 110th year with the close of 2023. PFIA was founded in 1913 by twelve Indianapolis, Indiana Police Officers and Fire Fighters, following a series of incidents that took a heavy toll from among their numbers. The idea spread rapidly, and today PFIA serves Fire Fighters and Police Officers throughout the United States. It is the only organization in the world that exclusively insures members of the public safety services. As a fraternal benefit society, elected officers and a Board of Directors govern PFIA. Account Representatives are from all ranks of the fire service and law enforcement, active or retired, who fully understand the special needs of their colleagues. The Association works hard to offer the most up-to-date programs and plans and is always ready to address the needs of its members.

PFIA has an exceptional program of fraternal benefits available to members at no cost.

The beginning of the new year is a great time to review your coverage, contact information and beneficiaries. Many things may have changed for you in the last year. You may have moved, purchased a home, gotten married, or welcomed new children. You may now require more, or perhaps less coverage than last year. Be sure we have your correct address and beneficiary information. Contact your local representative to become a new member, update your coverage or add one of our protection plans designed for police, firefighters, and corrections officers.

Thank you to all of our hard-working home office employees. They work tremendously hard to ensure our members receive outstanding service! We all work together to live up to our motto: “Each Other’s Keeper.”

In closing, I would like to thank all those brave men and women who are working to keep us safe this holiday season. Keep in mind those who will be away from their families on these special days watching our backs. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Fraternally, John Murphy, President Retired BFD, Local 282

Announcement from the Home Office Term Life Insurance Conversion Our term life products provide an option to convert to permanent life insurance. Please refer to your policy for specific conversion rules.

Crediting of Annuity Plans Issued After 2012 Our qualified, non-qualified and ROTH IRA products issued after November 1, 2012 were issued with a guaranteed interest rate of 1.00%.

As per the policy language, this rate will be redetermined semiannually on January 1 and July 1 and will remain in effect for the subsequent six month period. Due to the Federal Reserve adjusting the interest rate, the guaranteed rate on these plans will be 3.0% beginning January 1, 2023. The crediting rate will be 3.0% for this period. This rate will be redetermined on July 1, 2023. Please contact Vice President/Treasurer Jeff Warnock at our Home Office with any questions.

CONTENT COVER STORY

8 FACIAL RECOGNITION & LAW ENFORCEMENT-THE VALUE PROPOSITION As biometric technologies continue to advance, law enforcement agencies create and benefit from databases that combine facial recognition with traditional fingerprint and palmprint data to aid in investigations.

FEATURES 13 COPS CYCLING FOR SURVIVORS Raising awareness of fallen law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty and their survivors.

14 INDIGENOUS FIRE PRACTICES SHAPE OUR LAND Indigenous fire practices use fire to clear areas for crops and travel, managing the land for specific species of both plants and animals, hunting game, and for many other important uses.

DEPARTMENTS

2 HEROES HALL OF FAME 4 IN THE SPIRIT OF BROTHERHOOD 11 MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD 11 UNIT CITATION AWARD 12 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 17 ODDS N’ ENDS 18 THE BODY SHOP 20 CHILI & DONUTS 21 HOME OFFICE/REGIONAL MANAGER DIRECTORY 22 ABM/AR DIRECTORY

Products

Life Products

One Pay Life (Single Premium Whole Life) Select Whole Life Yearly Renewable Term 10-Year 20-Year or 30-Year Level Term

Life Riders Guaranteed Purchase Option Children’s Benefit Waiver of Premium Individual Retirement Accounts & Annuities Interest rate of 2%, no management fee

Accident & Sickness Products Cancer Protection (optional family coverage) Accidental Death Only (optional family coverage) Accident Only (optional coverage for spouse/children) Non-Fatal Gunshot Wound Rider Non-Fatal Burn Rider Accident and Health Disability Income

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twitter.com/PFIA1913 You can find our online magazine issues at: www.issuu.com/pfia

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Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

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HEROES HALL OF FAME SO CI A

O TI

Honor and Praise

Heroes IN

’S EN M N

THOSE WHO DESERVE

A LICE ND F PO SURANCE AS IRE

HA

E L L of FAM

Fire Fighters and Police Officers report for duty never knowing which of their skills will be called upon to protect the public safely. They are people of whom heroic acts are expected—it is part of the job. PFIA feels differently. Regardless of how often one is called, it takes a certain amount of courage to put one’s own life on the line to save another. Our Heroes Hall of Fame recognizes the courage and fast action necessary to keep an incident from becoming a tragedy.

Thick Black Smoke New Jersey — On August 23, 2023, Atlantic City Fire Captain Martin Basso was off-duty school shopping with 2 of his 4 children.

He noticed thick black smoke in the distance and immediately recognized it as a structure fire.

Captain Basso started driving to the origin of the smoke, which was in a housing development. Upon arrival, Captain Basso was met by heavy fire coming out of the first and second floor of a 2-story multi-unit condo. There was a home owner outside trying to use a garden hose to no avail.

One of the residents informed Captain Basso that there were still people inside. In only a pair of shorts and t-shirt, Captain Basso made his way into the burning building to find a female resident inside refusing to leave the house without her 2 dogs and cat.

Captain Basso was able to flag down local police department units to assist with the occupant removal while he went back into the fire and rescued two of the owner’s dogs.

After his quick search, occupant removal and rescue of the dogs, Captain Basso then waited for

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first responding fire units to assist with stretching hose lines before returning to his children that were watching in his vehicle.

Captain Basso acted selflessly to save the female occupant and her animals. We commend him for his bravery.

Making it to the Fifth Floor Rhode Island — On September 29, 2023, the Warwich Fire Department received a 911 call stating smoke was coming out of the fifth floor apartment.

Companies were immediately dispatched and on scene within minutes. Engine one, Ladder One, and Battalion One were first on scene. As Battalion One (BC Mathew Richards) completed the size-up and established command, Engine One’s crew made the fifth floor and deployed high rise firefighting equipment.

Ladder One was able to split its crew sending two members (Lt. Derek Richard & Pvt. Anthony Petrarca) to the fire apartment for a primary search while the driver operator (Pvt. Cody Bellavance) raised the aerial to the smoking window on the fifth floor. This action provided a secondary means of egress for

the search crew from Ladder One and provided ventilation ahead of the fire attack. The common hallway on the fifth floor had a serious smoke condition and the heat from the fire apartment activated a hallway only sprinkler head. Residents were reporting that the adult male resident was in the apartment and they could not get to him. Engine One’s officer (Lt. Daniel Andrews) entered the apartment followed by the search crew from Ladder One. These members encountered a free burning fire in the kitchen area just inside the entry door.

This team of three made it past the fire and into the living area.

The unconscious victim was located just 6 minutes after arrival, disentangled and removed from the fire. The victim was passed off to the crew of Engine Eight and moved to the awaiting advanced life support unit. The crew from Engine Nine held the fire in check with a 2.5 gallon water extinguisher, while Engine One’s crew (Pvd. Michael Loignon & Pvt. Troy Rockwell) advanced a handline into the apartment.

A second alarm assignment was requested and companies were coming back in service.

I’ll be Right Back Rhode Island —On October 15, 2023, Deputy Chief Michael Mernick was returning home from an evening out with his wife when they drove up on an actively working, heavily involved building fire of a threestory multi-tenement building in Providence. At the time of his arrival, there was not yet any fire apparatus on scene. Chief Mernick parked his vehicle and went to check out what was going on. He heard people screaming about children that were still inside the building. Two Providence Police Officers Louis Prete and Matthew Carlone, and Chief Mernick joined up to immediately attempt to make their way to the third floor by a rear stairwell but was unsuccessful due to heat and smoke. However, they were able to finally reach the third floor on the other side and force their way into the 3rd unit where a mother and her two children were inside asleep, unaware of the immediate danger they were in. Chief Mernick quickly grabbed the first child from the bed and found a second lying on the floor immediately adjacent to the bed where the first child was located. They all quickly exited the building to safety after all occupants were rescued.

If not for the actions of the chief and the two Providence police officers on scene that night, the outcome could of been much different.

A Heroes Journey

Indiana — Sam Fehrer’s path through life is nothing short of extraordinary, marked by unwavering commitment and service to his country and

community.

Sam was a proud Marine Corps veteran, serving with distinction in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California. As he neared the end of his service, life revealed other plans for him. He was diagnosed with leukemia.

are immensely proud to have him as a part of our firefighting family.

It was our honor to recognize him and celebrate him as an FDC Community Hero. https://www.firedeptcoffee.com/blogs/ news/a-veteran-a-firefighter-and-fdc-scommunity-hero-in-indianapolis

What followed was a battle that showcased Sam’s resilience and determination. The cancer went into remission in 2011. Sam received his honorable discharge in 2012.

Undeterred by adversity, Sam continued to serve his community.

He dedicated three years as a firefighter in Whitestown before pursuing his passion with the Indianapolis Fire Department, where he has faithfully served for seven years, becoming an integral part of its firefighting family.

In February 2023, Sam’s courage was put to the test yet again.

He and his crew from Station 11 responded to a harrowing structure fire.

Amidst the flames and chaos, Sam charged into the burning building and rescued a 10-month-old child from the perilous blaze. A life that nearly On October 24, 2023, Sam Fehrer was honored in ended before it had truly Times Square for his role in the rescue of an infant in February. begun was saved by a firefighter who lived up to the tallest task laid before him.

Sam risked his own life to save another, a selfless act that epitomizes the true spirit of a hero.

Sam Fehrer inspires us all, and we Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

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IN THE SPIRIT OF BROTHERHOOD...OUR FRATERNAL SIDE

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Fraternal Events Connecticut - On October 2, 2023, IAFF Local 992 presents the first annual New Britain Firefighter Classic at Stanley Golf Course. Proceeds benefit the New Britain Firefighters Charitable Fund.

Pictured: PFIA Agent Tim Cyr presenting a donation check to the event organizer, Firefighter Patrick O’Shea.

2nd photo: PFIA Agent Tim Cyr of Local 992 proudly sponsoring the beer cart.

Indiana Evansville PFIA Agent Greg Lehman presenting a fraternal benefit check to member Taylor Merris with the Evansville Police Department for their annual Policeman’s Ball on September 23, 2023.

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Illinois - PFIA Agent Justin Welvaert presents a check to Battalion Chief Darrin Armstrong for their pancake breakfast held on July 4.

All proceeds benefit their local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

New York - On September 14, 2023, PFIA helped sponsor a golf tournament fundraiser for Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation.

The event took place at the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course and was a great success.

Pictured: PFIA Agent Mark Karl, Lt. Adam Colvin (co. chair), and Captain Scott Briggs (co. chair).

Indiana - PFIA Agent Greg Lehman presenting a check to PFIA member Lt. Jacob Seaton of the Owensboro, KY Fire Department. Jacob is in charge of a Brothers in Blue Memorial Motorcycle ride and PFIA was a proud sponsor.

Colorado - On August 5, 2023, PFIA Agent Jim Snyder assisted in the Denver Fire Station 39s first annual Pancake Breakfast with over 400 people in attendance!

Texas - On October 19, 2023, PFIA Agent Joe Ponder contributed to a fundraiser to help with medical expenses for Sgt. Stacy Bull.

Sgt. Bull has been caring for her mother who was recently diagnosed with cancer. In doing so, she missed a lot of work, then she recently became ill herself and started missing work for own illness. The staff at the TDCJ Formby Unit in Plainview conducted this fundraiser to help.

Pictured: Warden Benjamin Guess, FTO Ravynn Wideman, Major Michelle Griggs, Officer & Organizer Susan Griffith, Sgt. Stacy Bull, Officer Sarah Vasquez, Major Jason McClanahan, PFIA Agent Joe Ponder.

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Texas - On September 26, 2023, PFIA contributed to the fundraiser for Darla Walkup, Correctional Clerk at the TDCJ Roach Unit in Childress. She recently suffered loss of property due to a house fire and the staff of the Roach Unit conducted a fundraiser to help Darla and her family.

Pictured: Major Kimberly Larena, Asst. Warden Brittany Miller, PFIA Agent Joe Ponder, Rene Fowler, Darla Walkup (in middle), Jenny Kiker, Doris Boswell, and CO5/FTO Kizzy Lewellen.

Ohio - Cleveland area ABM Vince Viancourt presents for fraternal donation check to East Cleveland fire fighter John Swansiger, local 500 chairman of the annual East Cleveland Golf Outing.

New Orleans - Lt. Derrick Frick presented the Memorial Death Benefit check and citation to Mrs. Randi Abney, the wife of Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney. This check was presented on behalf of PFIA Director David Lentz. Officer Abney succumbed to his wounds from a gunshot on April 9, 2023.

Rhode Island - On November 5, 2023, PFIA helped support a charity fundraiser hosted by the Crowne Plaza Warwick.

The proceeds benefited Justin Rocha’s memorial fund and also the Warwick Fire Department Peer Support Group.

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Texas -Officer Darrel Vessel Correctional Officer of the TDCJ Mechler Unit in Tulia passed away on September 21, 2023. The staff of the unit recently conducted a fundraiser to help his wife with funeral expenses. PFIA contributed to this fundraiser to help the Vessel Family.

Pictured: Mr. Joe Ponder, Mrs. Silvana Vessel, Ms. Brett Vessel, and Major Wade T. Alexander.

Georgia - PFIA Agent Jason Roehm donating a check for the 34 Seconds Foundation for the 5K run/walk on October 7, 2023. Proceeds from the race will go towards the foundation’s mission of assisting first responders and the community with suicide awareness and prevention.

Rhode Island - PFIA is a proud supporter of the Little Compton FD/ PD Trunk or Treat event.

Even firedog Grady enjoyed the event!

Florida - Philip Randolph Career Academy teachers accept a donation from PFIA to the Career Technical Education to help decorate their float for the Veterans Day celebration parade.

Students in the academy can receive a certificate in areas such as welding, cosmetology, E-sports, 911 dispatch, fire fighting, carpentry, and science.

Pictured: Michael Burt, PFIA Agent Tony Ragans, Regina Thaxton, Toya Alston, Cherie Montoya, Kim Lockley, and Walter Graves.

Rhode Island - Members of the Special Signal Fire Association, “Providence Canteen,” receive a donation check to help offset repairs needed to Canteen 1.

Canteen members volunteer their time and respond throughout RI, MA, and CT to police and fire related incidents to provide rehabilitation services.

They also stand by at funerals, training events, and any police or fire related events they are requested for.

Pictured: PFIA Regional Manager Tom Evans, Canteen member Chris Palmer, PFIA Agent Ray Masse, and Canteen member Zack Domingues.

New York - On November 15, 2023, the Schenectady Fire Department kicked off its annual Toys for Tots campaign. The department utilized one station as a “stuff the truck” location, which was a huge success. PFIA helped sponsor the event.

Pictured: Lt. James Penn, PFIA Agent Mark Karl, and Lt. Jeffrey Huth.

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victim remains valuable, people’s memories are notoriously inconsistent. Facial recognition technology supplements these testimonies with facial recognition evidence.

What is the Difference Between Face Detection and Recognition?

Face detection identifies the existence of a human face in a frame, image, or video. For example, it would be able to identify whether a person was present in a picture of a forest.

Facial recognition & law enforcement -The Value Proposition

February 16, 2023

Law Enforcement The use of biometrics in law enforcement has a long history.

In the early 1900s, police officers began using fingerprint evidence to help investigations. Since then, increasingly sophisticated technologies have expanded how biometric data enables law enforcement to help build an evidentiary case against suspects.

As biometric technologies continue to advance, law enforcement agencies create and benefit from databases that combine facial recognition with traditional fingerprint and palmprint data to aid in investigations.

How is facial recognition used in law enforcement?

Facial recognition technology

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(FRT) compares photographs or video of a person with facial images against others from a database. These technologies enable law enforcement to close open cases more rapidly by providing the potential to help trace someone’s activities and locations.

Some examples of use cases include comparing a: •

Suspect’s picture to ATM videos when tracking down fraudsters

•

Known or suspected terrorist’s photo to police camera video

•

A kidnapping victim’s picture to closed-circuit security footage

While talking to people who may have seen a suspect or

Facial recognition compares a specific person’s photograph to an image containing a person to potentially identify that individual. For example, it could compare a person’s driver’s license photograph to the picture of a person in a forest, then tell you the likelihood that the person in the forest is the same as the person in the driver’s license image.

Since facial recognition is more precise, law enforcement agencies can use it more effectively when locating a specific individual during an investigation.

Facial Recognition Incorporates Additional Measurements Face detection technologies use artificial intelligence to understand the general features that a human face has. For example, the software learns to search an image for eyes, noses, and mouths where they are expected to be on a face.

Facial recognition technology begins with face detection and then supplements it with measurements about a person’s

face to create a unique identifier for an individual. Some examples of these measurements include the distance between: •

Left and right eyes

•

Eyes and forehead

•

Eyes and nose

•

Forehead and mouth

The software then aggregates all these features and correlates them to create the facial version of a fingerprint. These facial measurements allow for the accurate identification of individuals.

Since facial recognition incorporates unique metrics, it expands the data law enforcement agencies can use to identify and connect evidence to a specific person of interest.

Facial Recognition’s Use Cases Align with Law Enforcement Needs Face detection enables technologies to automate certain processes. Some examples of how security uses face detection include: •

Tracking the number of people in a store

•

Counting the number of attendees at an event venue

While face detection can be used to count the number of people, it lacks the ability to respond to law enforcement’s need for precision.

Some examples of how law enforcement may use facial recognition technology include: •

Identifying a person of interest making a purchase in a store

•

Locating a potential suspect trying to hide in a crowd at an

event venue Since it collects, aggregates, and analyzes more information than face detection technology, law enforcement can use face recognition more effectively and efficiently during an investigation.

With facial recognition technology, law enforcement agencies may be better able to locate a specific person in a crowd, even when that person is attempting to evade detection.

What Are the Benefits of Facial Recognition Technology in Law Enforcement?

As facial recognition technology becomes more advanced, law enforcement agencies increasingly adopt it. In 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) surveyed 42 federal agencies employing law enforcement officers, finding: •

Three agencies owned a facial recognition system

•

12 used another entity’s systems, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

•

Five owned a system and used another entity’s system, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Secret Service, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Additionally, the GAO found that three agencies used facial recognition technologies on images of the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6th.

Faster Investigation Times In a connected world, facial recognition technology enables law enforcement agencies to complete investigations faster.

Whether using a criminal database or comparing across images taken in public places, the technology automates many manual tasks to help identify potential suspects or missing persons more efficiently.

Close Cold Cases Some criminals evade law enforcement for years, often meaning that as suspects age, they become harder to identify. Since facial recognition technology uses immutable data points, it can help to identify people even if some features, like hair color, change.

In 2017, the FBI used facial recognition technology to help identify a criminal after a 16-year search.

Rapid In-the-Field Identification With the right facial recognition technology, law enforcement can reduce the time it takes to check a suspect’s identity against State and Federal databases. With this information, officers can determine whether someone they are talking to might: Have outstanding arrest warrants Have previously committed a crime Attempt to use a fake identity

What Law Enforcement Agencies Should Look for in a Facial Recognition Technology and the Use of a Biometric Identification System While facial recognition technology is useful, not all law Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

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enforcement agencies can use it and its associated records in the same fashion. A biometric identification system supports fingerprint, face, and iris recognition to aid in biometric identification. A biometric search system enables matching a live sample against many existing biometric templates to find a record of a particular individual and verify their identity. The right biometric identification system helps to solve crimes.

works. When considering a facial recognition technology solution, law enforcement agencies should look for ones that aggregate and correlate a complete selection of biometric information, including latent prints, palm prints, and facial images.

When seeking an automated biometric identification system, law enforcement agencies should consider certain qualities to make the best choice for themselves.

Matching Capabilities

Ease of Use for Records Law enforcement officers collect investigation records in various ways, and their biometric identification system should easily accept those record types. An agency should look for a biometrics platform that incorporates: Livescan system interface: ensure the identification system interfaces with a variety of providers for the transmission of fingerprint, palm print, and mugshot photos recorded during booking EBTS Imports: consider if the identification system is FBI/NIST EBTS-compliant and can import EBTS records from all NISTcompliant systems These features provide flexibility that gives law enforcement agencies a better return on investment.

Aggregated and Correlated Biometrics The more data you feed an identification solution, the better it

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Since law enforcement officials can compare various biometric data types, they gain greater confidence in the evidence, enabling them to complete investigations faster.

Facial recognition technologies should be able to match facial features accurately, even in suboptimal situations. People try to evade detection by engaging in criminal activity in poorly lit areas or obfuscating their faces.

To be effective, facial recognition technology must account for these situations. Additionally, it should incorporate how a face ages over time.

While witnesses may not recognize suspects as they age, technologies don’t have this problem, enabling law enforcement agencies to use them when investigating cold cases.

Speed of Search Investigations are time-sensitive, so facial recognition technology needs to be fast. As an agency scales its use, a biometric identification system should be able to scale in response. A distributed search process across multiple processors or networked servers enables agencies to maintain a rapid search speed even as they add more records to their internal database.

Remote Search Capabilities Only searching an owned database can create limitations. Law enforcement agencies should look for a biometric identification system that provides secure remote search functionality across local, state, and federal databases to gain all the efficiencies that facial recognition technology can provide. This enables agencies to gain insights into other crimes that someone might have committed, including lower-level offenses not reported to the state.

To learn more about how the right biometric identification and latent print analysis system can help your agency, read more about the benefits of AFIX Tracker here. https://www.aware.com/blog-facial-recognitionused-in-law-enforcement/

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD

THOSE WHO PERFORM

Above and Beyond CPR at a Patriots game Rhode Island — On September 17, 2023, Johnston firefighters’ Anthony Colella and Christopher Delfino, Needham firefighter Mark McCullough and retired Chief Dennis Condon were off-duty enjoying a Patriot’s game at Gillette Stadium. They noticed another fan suffering from cardiac arrest and without hesitation, went into action.

They performed CPR, grabbing a nearby AED, and controlling the crowd around them. They saved the life of a fellow fan.

Their selfless actions during

this incident exemplify the highest standards of service and dedication to the community.

Collapse at a baseball game Rhode Island — On October 22, 2023, Pvt. Douglas Barlow was attending a baseball practice at North Providence High School.

Barlow was catching at the time.

A teammate had just scored a run coming home from second base, seconds later Barlow witnessed the man collapse to the ground. Doug quickly assessed

the man’s pulse and began CPR. Teammates called 911 and the North Providence Fire Department arrived approximately 4 minutes later. Barlow continued CPR the entire time. The man was taken to the hospital in stable condition within hours.

UNIT CITATION AWARD PFIA’s

Honorary Mention Saving a bedridden man Rhode Island - On September 20, 2023, the East Providence Fire Department (EPFD) responded to a structure fire in Riverside.

Upon receiving the 911 call, EPFD crews arrived at the scene and executed an aggressive interior search and fire suppression operation. During their efforts, firefighters discovered an unconscious victim within the affected structure. The victim was promptly removed from the premises and transported to the hospital for medical attention.

the fire, preventing further damage to the property.

The cause of the fire has been deemed arson.

Credit to all the fire crews of Engine 2 (Lt. Jason Andrade, and Firefighters Kyle Miner and Joseph Andreozzi) and Ladder 1 (Captain Justin Dutra and Firefighter John Costa) who were involved in the rescue of the victim.

The dedicated efforts of EPFD personnel resulted in the successful rescue of a victim and suppression of Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

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SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

$1,500 If your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and stepchildren meet all requirements, they can apply online to

Scholarship America.

Scholarships are awarded to 100 students each year

and are renewable for up to three years, provided eligibility requirements are met.

Applications can be found at: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/PFIA/ Applications must be completed online by May 15 CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

For information on the Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association Scholarship Program and other PFIA programs please visit our website at www.pfia1913.org

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Cops Cycling for Survivors Foundation, Incorporated is focused on compassion, integrity, and dedication. Our core mission is to raise awareness of fallen law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty and their survivors. Funds generated will be utilized to perpetuate the memories of the officers and support their survivors left behind.

Cops Cycling for Survivors Foundation, Incorporated was granted 501(c) 3 status as a notfor-profit in late 2011, and the inaugural 13 day tour around Indiana took place in July of 2012.

However, the spirit of this ride began many years before. In 2002 a group of police officers decided to support survivors by riding their bicycles from Indianapolis, Indiana to Washington, D.C. to honor officers killed in the line of duty and to support their survivors.

The ride has gone through many changes over the years, but one thing has remained constant, the cyclists’ dedication to honoring fallen law enforcement heroes and supporting their survivors left behind.

Pictured: PFIA Agent Todd Wellman presenting Greenfield Police Department’s Officer Richard Wilcher a check for his fundraising efforts for Cops Cycling for Survivors.

Two people who were integral to the success of Cops Cycling were Lt. Gary Dudley of the Indiana State Police and Retired Chief Gary Martin of the Lake County Police Department. Lt. Dudley took the organizational and emotional lead and kept the wheels rolling after the first two years riding to Washington, D.C. Wanting to do more to support survivors on a local level, Gary brought the ride home to Indiana.

On August 22, 2006, Lt. Dudley and Chief Martin were both killed during the ride when a large box truck struck the rear of the support truck, pushing the support truck into the cyclists. Several of the

cyclists who had participated in the ride for many years and were cycling the day of the crash determined to keep Lt. Dudley and Chief Martin’s memories and motivation alive. Those memories and motivation have developed into what the ride is today.

On July 9 to July 22, Officer Rick Wilcher participated in this year’s Riding to Remember event. He rode the entire ride, which was 13 days and around 1000 miles.

This benefits the survivors of fallen officers. While there is no substitute for their loved one, the financial responsibilities can be unbearable.

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Indigenous Fire Practices Shape our Land For many millennia, fire was integral to many Indigenous peoples’ way of life. Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians used fire to clear areas for crops and travel, to manage the land for specific species of both plants and animals, to hunt game, and for many other important uses. Fire was a tool that promoted ecological diversity and reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

“Cultural burning” refers to the Indigenous practice of “the intentional lighting of smaller, controlled fires to provide a desired cultural service, such as promoting the health of vegetation and animals that provide food, clothing, ceremonial items and more” (Roos, 2021). According to Frank Kanawha Lake, a research ecologist with the USDA Forest Service, and a wildland firefighter of Karuk descent, “[Cultural burning] links back to the tribal philosophy of fire as medicine.

When you prescribe it, you’re getting the right dose to maintain the abundance of productivity of all ecosystem services to support the ecology in your culture” (Roos, 2021).

In many areas, cultural burning took a hiatus during the era of fire suppression in the 20th century due to land management agencies’ enforcement of differing practices.

However, this has been changing over the past few decades and

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cultural burning is again becoming an accepted practice for land management in some areas.

In the eastern United States, oak and chestnut trees, dominant in many forests, are the result of targeted burning to achieve specific nut crops. In the Midwest, Native Americans likely cleared and maintained the tall grass prairies of the area for use as herd animal pastureland.

Native Americans in the Great Lakes region have used fire for many generations. Damon Panek, of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore states that prescribed fire has been used, “… to improve habitat, increase blueberry production, and clear the understory of vegetation.

These frequent, low-intensity fires promoted fire adapted and dependent ecosystems. The medicines, species abundance and diversity, and foods created are what our Anishinaabe culture is rooted in. Our way of seeing the world was developed here around this lake and with fire,” said Damon. (Panuk and Kipfmueller, 2021).

In the northern Great Plains, unlike in other parts of the country, tribes lit large fires instead of smaller, contained burns, to drive animals such as bison herds in a specific direction.

Fire was even used to herd grasshoppers as a food source (Roos, 2021).

The Lakota tribe, in the Black Hills of South Dakota used fire to clear campsites of brush and tall grasses, to protect camps from wildfires and remove cover that

an enemy could use to sneak up on them. Burning of the prairie improved the grazing for horses and helped to propagate medicinal plants. The Lakota used fire to assist in securing food sources such as bison. By burning an area in the fall, the bison could be excluded from that area by removing any forage that could be used by the bison during the winter months. This forced the bison to graze in unburned areas.

These could be areas closer to ideal winter camp sites and could help improve hunting success. In the spring, the same areas burned in the fall would have excellent grazing and provide good hunting opportunities. Today, the Lakota people living in the Black Hills may not use fire in the same way, but still utilize it.

In the Northern Rockies, tribes such as the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and others periodically set fire to the land for thousands of years, which had a profound impact on plant and animal communities.

Fires were traditionally used to reduce the risk of more serious fires, to nurture the land to support specific vegetation used for food and medicine, to provide better quality grazing land for horses, and more. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes website contains a wealth of information, including information on landscapes shaped by fire and how fire suppression has changed them, elder interviews about fire, a Coyote fire story about the gift of fire, and information about the traditional use of fire by the tribes and how tribes are using fire on the landscape today (CKST, 2021).

Throughout California, Indigenous nations have used fire for thousands of years as a tool to steward the land, and still do today. When Europeans colonized California, they found a garden of redwoods and other lands.

Evidence of this stewardship can still be seen on the trees at Muir Woods. Fire scars tell the story of Indigenous cultural burns set by the first stewards of Muir Woods, the Coast Miwok. Cultural burns passed down through generations have benefited both land and people, by improving soil quality, and spurring growth of certain plant species, creating a healthy and resilient landscape.

For more than 4,000 years, American Indians have relied on Yosemite Valley’s meadows and oak woodlands to provide food, medicine, and materials for baskets, string, and shelter.

Yosemite’s early inhabitants periodically set fires to promote the growth milkweed, dogbane, sedge root, and bunch grass.

Research on mud cored from Yosemite Valley showed a marked increase in ash deposits after people began living in Yosemite Valley.

Some tribes in the western states also used fire to ensure growth of straight and slender types of specific plants used for making woven baskets, or to provide habitat for certain bird species whose feathers were used for ceremonial dress (Roos, 2021).

Some, though not all Alaska Natives used prescribed burns to aid in their subsistence lifestyle.

Not as much is known about the human relationship with wildfire

in Alaska as in other parts of the country. However, a study on human-fire interaction in two different Athabaskan groups in Interior Alaska found that the Koyukon, an Athabaskan group of the western Interior area of Alaska “considered fire a destructive force and had no recollection or oral history of using fire for landscape management.” They lived in an area with few lightning strikes, a moist climate, and salmon as a main food source, so fire was not a positive or needed factor. However, The Gwich’in, a neighboring Athabaskan group in the eastern Interior portion of Alaska, actively used fire. They used it to clear forest underbrush which helped in finding and pursuing game, to influence movements of fall hunts, and to kill standing timber to create fencing for caribou. The Gwich’in lived in an area with more lightning strikes, therefore more wildfire activity, and traveled longer distances to hunt moose and caribou. As a result, they were able to avoid and/or target habitats that were affected by wildfires (Natcher et al., 2007).

In Hawaii, Native Hawaiians reshaped much of the vegetation in drier lowland communities on all the major Hawaiian islands, up to about 1800. “In these ecosystems, Hawai’ians used fire to clear land for agriculture, to support shifting agriculture, and for cultivating tanglehead, which was used to thatch houses.

While direct research on fire frequency during this time is lacking, burn layers in soil strata, paleoecological evidence, and observations by early European explorers suggest widespread use

of fire for agriculture and forest clearing practices.” (Abrahamson, 2013).

Modern Day Impacts As European colonizers spread across the United States, fire suppression became more common. Without cultural burns, organic matter built up, putting forests at risk of devastating fire. Suppression, along with urban development and climate change has led to more large, uncontrolled fires that can quickly spread through areas with lots of underbrush. Now, there is better understanding that the Indigenous peoples’ tradition of human-controlled burns is a valuable way to reduce out of control wildfires. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is being incorporated more and more into modern management. (Learn More about TEK and about the recognition of TEK in modern science, particularly in wildland fire management in the Pacific Northwest).

This increased understanding of Indigenous traditions has led to many partnerships between Tribal, state, and Federal governmental agencies, with the goal of reintroducing cultural burns in many parts of the United States.

Here are a few examples of these partnerships, and ways the National Park Service and other partner agencies value connections to Indigenous heritage, history, and way of life: Partnerships The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), in partnership with Injunuity, has produced an Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

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educational video, “Native Fire,” which discusses how TEK about prescribed fire is used in modernday practices, and how BIA is forming partnerships to put this knowledge to use.

encourage growth of traditionallyused plants. The Miwuk used traditional ignition methods for this prescribed burn, which was preceded by a traditional ceremony.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland highlighted the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledge into discussions on climate change, at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November 2021. At the conference, Haaland opened a discussion with a video discussing Indigenous use of fire, produced

by The Salish Kootenai College, through a NASA grant to develop a Living Landscapes Climate Science Education Project. The project uses traditional knowledge combined with the best available science to explore the effects of climate change on a Tribal community. It teaches the next generation of Indigenous scientists to ensure the voices of Tribal people are heard as the world works toward climate solutions.

(White, Rockwell, and McDuff, 2021).

Muir Woods, California As the National Park Service works to address issues such as climate change, we can continue to learn from the first caretakers of Muir Woods, the Coast Miwok people. Muir Woods is a living reminder of regeneration, and how learning from Indigenous TEK can chart a path forward for our forests. Descendants of the Coast Miwok, members of what is known today as the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, continue to participate in research, education, cultural revitalization, and preservation of sacred sites.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin The National Park Service uses prescribed burning for vegetation management and to restore cultural landscapes. In 2017, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore collaborated with the Red Cliff Band, Bad River Band, and other Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission member Tribes to conduct the first cultural burn on Stockton Island in many generations, acknowledging the wisdom and cultural practice of using fire (ishkode) within this rare ecosystem. “It is critical that we recognize the importance of traditional ecological knowledge as we steward these islands, which are within the ceded territories of the Ojibwe people,” said park superintendent Lynne Dominy.

In 2021, another prescribed fire took place on Stockton Island to

Yosemite National Park, California 2005, members of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation and the Tuolumne Band of MeWuk partnered to conduct a prescribed burn that benefited both ecological and cultural resources in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite firefighters had the opportunity to work with the Native American tribes with knowledge of the area and burning experience that spans thousands of years. The goal of this prescribed fire was to control the non-native and invasive Himalayan blackberry and to

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continue the work previously started in 2017.

Objectives of the prescribed cultural fire include restoring globally imperiled pine barrens habitat, with an emphasis on increasing blueberry (miin) production. “Generations of Anishinaabe harvested blueberries on islands within the archipelago.

Accounts of families picking berries tell of camping and coming together to harvest; they also tell of fire. Along with other forest species, blueberries respond positively to fire. Knowing this, local Ojibwe tribes used fire to promote the harvest on Stockton Island for centuries.

This relationship between humans and fire helped shape the Ojibwe culture that still utilizes these islands today,” said Damon Panek, Park Ojibwe Education Specialist.

In Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota, a group of middle school students learned about the use of prescribed fire, and then put that knowledge to use as they worked to restore prairie land, in partnership with the National Park Service and Colorado State University. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/ indigenous-fire-practices-shapeour-land.htm

ODDS N’ ENDS

MISCELLANEOUS

Various Kinds of Things

Rhode Island - We would like to introduce the Little Compton Fire Department’s newest member Grady.

Grady is a rescue from Rhode Home Rescue and has found his forever home serving as the LCFD’s station dog. He will live at the fire station and can’t wait to start meeting new friends around the community.

Pictured: Lt. Sam Hussey, and Firefighters’ Jason Tower and Will Rose.

Indiana - PFIA is pleased to announce that we proudly awarded the Clyde Long Outstanding Recruit Award to Collin Gallagher at the 88th IFD Recruit Graduation. PFIA has been the proud sponsor of this award for over 45 years, recognizing the top recruit with a custom-designed watch once again.

It was an honor for Agent Eric Hofmeister to attend and have the privilege of presenting this prestigious award. Congratulations to all the new recruits on their achievements.

Indiana - on August 18, 2023, PFIA representative Greg Lehman presented a Distinguished Recruit Award to Benjamin Hayden with the Evansville Fire Department at the Fire Academy graduation held in Evansville.

Indiana - The newest members of the Evansville Fire Department, Boonville Fire Department, and PFIA at their graduation in August.

Pictured: PFIA rep Greg Lehman, Benjamin Hayden EFD, Wyatt Hargrove BFD, Steven Matthews EFD, Clay Happe EFD, Jordan Gould EFD, David Anslinger EFD, Charles Pace EFD, and Cody Wall EFD.

Indiana - Indianapolis Public Safety hosted the 55th Police, Fire and Sherriff Awards April 13, 2023 at Primo Banquet Hall. PFIA sponsored the EMS Officer of the year. IFD Firefighter Bryan Fleck received this honor and was selected over many other nominees.

Pictured: PFIA Agent Eric Hofmeister, Chief Earnest Malone, and Mayor Hogsett.

Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

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THE BODY SHOP

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous The holidays are a blessing, spending time with family and friends. To some, it is an extremely lonely time fraught with stress, depression, and anxiety. Many first responders find themselves turning to alcohol when life gets stressful. This is even more frequent during the holidays because alcohol use is more accepted at a gathering and helps with the anxieties of socializing. Unfortunately, to some alcohol is extremely addictive and a single drink to manage stress quickly spirals out of control.

Alcoholics Anonymous is the oldest and best-regarded method of addiction treatment. Even according to scientific trials, Alcoholics Anonymous is the most effective way of overcoming a substance abuse disorder. Many rehab programs and therapy methods are inspired by the style and content of Alcoholics Anonymous treatment programs.

How Did Alcoholics Anonymous Start?

Not many people know that Carl Jung, the famous psychiatrist, played a role in the formation of the Alcoholics Anonymous.

He directed a young man called Rowland H. from Rhode Island to a religious movement called the Oxford Group. Jung suggested that his condition was medically hopeless and that only a spiritual experience could help him.

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Rowland H. practiced the principles of the Oxford Group, had a religious experience, and overcame his alcoholism. A famous Wall Street banker called Bill W., whose alcoholism was crippling him, tried the method as a last resort.

Seeing the best doctors money could buy hadn’t worked — it was the spiritual awakening that made the difference. Bill W. was inspired to share his sobriety success with the world, and the first Alcoholics Anonymous book came out in 1939.

What Are the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous?

The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are more dynamic than people realize. Just like every aspect of recovery, it’s not a linear process. You might master a later step before an earlier stage and you might struggle with one.

You must try to focus on the process of working through the stages rather than judging yourself based on outcomes.

Here’s a basic guide to answer the question: What are the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous?

Step 1: Honesty

Addiction causes a level of denial that can be quite challenging for onlookers to believe. No matter how much people push someone into recovery, unless they accept

that there’s a problem, overcoming it is almost impossible.

The 12 steps begin with an admission that you are powerless over alcohol. Once you admit that it’s in control of you and not the other way around, you can get started.

Step 2: Faith

Secondly, you need to accept that there is a higher power in the universe than yourself. If you want God, or any higher power, to act on your behalf, it’s imperative that you believe it can. Accepting a higher power helps you to see life from a different perspective and creates a sense of accountability.

Step 3: Surrender

Now that you have accepted a higher power into your life, welcome them by surrendering fully to a higher purpose. When people feel like their lives lack purpose and meaning, free will can run wild and lead you down dark pathways.

Surrendering to a higher purpose in Alcoholics Anonymous helps you focus on the true meaning within your life so you can feel like a valuable member of society again.

Step 4: Soul Searching

Soul searching is a process, just like recovery. There is no single moment that defines healing.

Instead, it’s a culmination of intentions and actions that lead you down the right path. Soul searching involves looking objectively inwards at yourself.

of self. When you let go and ask a higher power for help, you relieve a huge weight of pressure from your life.

When we’re caught up in addiction, our intentions can end up severely misaligned from how we behave. Soul searching will help you become the person you want to be.

You’ll write a list of the people you’ve harmed and ponder carefully over your past actions.

Instead of feeling guilty or wallowing in emotion, you’ll think of ideas to make amends.

Rather than seeing this as a checkbox exercise, genuinely show a willingness to make amends.

Step 5: Integrity

Most of the people who don’t succeed in recovery struggle most with this step of the Alcoholics Anonymous journey. One of the hardest things in life is being honest about things that make us appear vulnerable in front of other people. However, the more you learn to speak your truth, unfiltered, the more you’ll get from the recovery process.

Step 6: Acceptance

Addiction is often underpinned by low self-esteem and a negative opinion of yourself. Once you learn to accept that everyone has both good traits and bad characteristics, it’ll be easier to accept yourself.

Sometimes, the hardest aspect of acceptance is letting go of the painful stories we tell ourselves about the past. However, once you accept your history, you can start telling yourself new, happy stories about your future. Focus on obtaining the skills necessary to achieve your goals and you’ll be free of addiction for good.

Step 7: Humility

Antisocial behavior, such as using drugs or withdrawing from peers, often stems from a confused sense

Step 8: Willingness

Step 9: Forgiveness

If there are people in your past who have caused you pain or trauma or hurt you in any way, now is the time to let go.

Resentment isn’t constructive for the mind. In fact, it breeds the type of feelings that make you more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol.

Letting go of bad feelings — even if they’re aimed at people who do bad things — frees the soul.

Step 10: Maintenance

Throughout the entire process, you’ll be required to check back with yourself. Be totally honest with yourself about progress so that you can move forward.

Step 11: Making Contact

During step 11 of Alcoholics Anonymous, you’ll reach out to your higher power to find out what its purpose for you is. Everyone has a gift in life; no matter what it is, there’s something you can offer the world. When you’re working toward this purpose is when you’ll feel happiest.

stage is the rest of your life and involves applying everything you learn in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to help you build a brighter future for yourself.

Advantages of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous Explained

The main advantage of the 12 steps are: • Treatment is free • You can get a sponsor • Evidence shows that it’s highly effective • You’ll meet a vast global peer support network

Book a Place in a 12-Step Program Today A 12-step program could change your life. Call Holdfast Recovery today at (800) 680-7738 to speak to one of our friendly advisors about how to start rehab.

https://www.holdfastrecovery.com/about/ blog/2020/october/12-steps-of-aa-andna-explained-in-simple-terms/

If you are alone during the holidays, Alcoholics Anonymous offers dinners, sober parties, and other activities to help you celebrate the holidays without the burden of alcohol. The meetings and other programs will give you something to do regardless of your location or condition.

Step 12: Service

Service is all about action. This Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

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CHILI & DONUTS

HERE’S THE FUN

Food & Humor Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 1 large onion, chopped ¾ pound ground pork ½ cup fresh bread crumbs 1 large egg 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 head savoy cabbage, cored 2 cups chicken stock, or as needed

Here’s the FUN! A police officer pulled me over and said, “Papers?” I said, “Scissors, I win,” and drove off. He must have wanted a rematch because he has been chasing me for 45 minutes.

Got a funny to share: Email yours to the editor at rbrownson@pfia.net and see if your funny makes it in the next magazine.

1 cup sour cream 1 tablespoon allpurpose flour 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Directions Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Sautée onion in butter until tender. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. When the onion is cool enough to handle, mix together with ground pork, bread crumbs, egg, salt, and pepper until well blended.

Place head of cabbage in a large pot and add enough water to cover cabbage halfway. Bring to a boil and cook for about 2 minutes. As the outer leaves become translucent and soft, remove them one at a time by peeling them off with a wooden spoon. Trim off the thick ribs at the leaf stem.

Preheat the oven to 325° F (165° C). Grease the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish and line the bottom with outer cabbage leaves.

Lay a few more leaves on a clean work surface. Place a large spoonful of the pork mixture at the base of each leaf. Roll up towards the top. Repeat until filling is used up. Arrange the finished rolls over the leaves in the dish, and pour in just enough chicken stock to cover the rolls. Place extra cabbage leaves over the top.

Cover and bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven. When finished, drain off cooking liquid from the dish into a small saucepan. Whisk together sour cream and flour. Gradually stir the sour cream into the broth. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until heated, about 5 minutes.

To serve, arrange cabbage rolls on a platter, cover with sauce and sprinkle with dill.

20 The PFIA Protector • www.pfia1913.org

HOME OFFICE DIRECTORY

CONTACT

Information

317-581-1913 • 1-800-221-PFIA • www.pfia1913.org Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association is the only group in the world that exclusively caters to police officers, firefighters and correctional officers. Our members enjoy competitive premium rates and products designed specifically for police officers and firefighters, which are unavailable anywhere else.

Executive Committee Association Offices Chairman of the Board Mike Carrigan Vice President of Operations Jeanie Williams John Murphy President

Bradd Roembke

Senior Vice President/ Executive Secretary

Jeff Warnock Vice President/ Treasurer

Departments

Regional Managers Southeast Myles Christie 706-951-9620 (C) pfia567@gmail.com

General Services Information Services Chris Marlor Sunpreet Johal

Louisiana Gary Ralph 318-426-4034 (C) garyralph874@gmail.com

Member Services Anne Karn Amanda Rice Christina Coan

Texas Darren “Lang” Spencer 979-716-6193 (C) lspencer_pfia@yahoo.com

Claims Examiner Mindy Roberts

New Business Brian Kinnaird Brittanie Butcher Heather Starwalt

Claims Karen Groff

Receptionist Kandyce Shoffner

Mid-Atlantic Ed Griffith 732-674-3143 (C) pfiaejg3@gmail.com

Creative Services/Editor Rebekah Brownson

Secretary to the Executives Susan Shinabarger-Woolf

Department Assistant Tanyia Elston Courtney Touglikpe

Shipping & Receiving Cristian White

Accounting Lead Sherrie Vermande Accounting Nancy Brown Margaret Snyder ACH Coordinator Jennifer Ireland Agency/Commissions Amanda Hendricks

Statutory Accounting Joe Tauber

Midwest Mark Reuss 513-706-1287 mark.pfia@gmail.com Northeast Alan “Tom” Evans, Jr. 716-628-4774 (C) nypfia@gmail.com Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

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Directory of Advisory Board Members & Account Representatives (H) Home Phone Alabama Birmingham FD RAPHAEL HALE 205-335-7028 (C) 576pfia@gmail.com Birmingham PD PAUL A. IRWIN JR. 205-365-7092 (C) 205-591-0911 (B) Birmingham PD SHAWN SIMMONS 205-2188-8481 (C) pfia783@gmail.com

Colorado Arvada FD TODD HOBLER 720-540-4940 (H) 303-919-7759 (C) todd.hobler@arvadafire.com Denver FD JAMES H. SNYDER 303-888-0810 (C) jimpfia434@gmail.com Denver PD JASON CARRIGAN 303-994-7575 (C) pfiacarrigan@gmail.com Denver PD & Sheriff MIKE CARRIGAN 303-619-6112 (C) pfia.mikecarrigan@gmail.com Denver West Metro Fire Rescue DUANE G. PELL 303-238-2328 (H) 303-810-2480 (C) pelldp@q.com Mountain View FD MIKE STRATTON 970-587-8923 (H) 970-412-6730 (C) mikestratton@gmail.com mstratton@mvfpd.org

Connecticut Bridgeport FD MIKE KAMSZIK 203-767-3331 (C) mikekamszik@gmail.com CT State Corrections - Garner SCOTT STRIELKAUSKAS 203-206-2027 (C) 203-757-0036 (H) scottstriel@icloud.com Hartford FD EDWARD MACHIAL 860-985-9350 (C) latinofire73@yahoo.com New Britain FD TIM CYR 860-841-7242 (C) ctpfia@outlook.com

(C) Cell Phone

(B) Business Phone

(F) Fax Number

Georgia

Indiana

Atlanta FD GEORGE W. HOWELL III 678-787-2465 (C) george.howell.pfia@gmail.com

Anderson FD & PD Kokomo FD & PD CHANCE T. HENSLEY 765-621-5176 (C) c.hensley.pfia@gmail.com

New Britain PD PAUL BAK 860-560-3973 (C) pbak66@comcast.net

Gainesville FD EUGENE DUGAN 386-344-3427 (C) ejd0907@gmail.com

New Haven Corrections ERNEST AWUSAH 347-270-6141 (C) ernestawusah@gmail.com

Gainesville PD MARTIN HONEYCUTT 352-871-5360 (C) martinh5360@gmail.com

New Haven FD and Branford FD & PD JASON T. CUSACK 203-996-G0597 (C) qball0056@gmail.com

Ft. Lauderdale FD JOHN HALL 954-703-0342 (C) johnpfia765@gmail.com

New Haven FD and Branford FD & PD WILLIAM CUSACK 203-494-6762 (C) Norwalk FD & PD JUSTIN BISCEGLIE 203-803-8050 (C) Robinson State Corrections ROSENDO DELEON JR. 860-982-9692 (C) rodeleonjr0311@gmail.com Stamford FD MICHAEL GALLAS 203-470-0275 (C) pfia786@gmail.com Stamford PD FRANKIE FORBES 203-469-5320 (H) 203-627-0259 (C) fforbes@stamfodct.gov Waterbury FD JOHN PERUGINI 203-233-3394 (C) johnperugini1987@gmail.com Waterbury PD KERI RICH 203-509-3254 (C) keririch08@gmail.com Waterbury PD MICHAEL STOKES 860-637-0815 (C) mikestokes628@gmail.com

Delaware Wilmington FD & PD ANTHONY HARRIS 302-250-5276 (C) aharris275@msn.com

Florida Cape Coral FD EDWARD AGOCS 239-214-1467 (H) edagocs@yahoo.com Deltona FD ANSON CHUCCI 386-878-3166 (C) pfia.ac680@gmail.com

22 The PFIA Protector • www.pfia1913.org

Hollywood FD NICOLE DAWSON 954-639-1544 (C) dawsonpfia@gmail.com Jacksonville FD ANTHONY E. RAGANS 904-768-3546 (H) 904-699-7181 (C) tbone247@att.net Orange Co. FD JIM MERGENTHALER 407-694-4927 (C) pfiacfl@gmail.com Orlando FD T.J. LOWREY 407-970-0893 (C) pfia.tj@gmail.com Orlando PD JASON BATURA 321-228-7821 (C) jason.batura@gmail.com Port St. Lucie FD & Sheriff MICHAEL RIZZELLO 772-370-4803 (C) firerizz@aol.com St. Petersburg FD WINTHROP M. NEWTON 727-323-1213 (H) iwilldo@earthlink.net St. Petersburg PD SCOTT LAANINEN 813-482-3972 (C) scott.laaninen@gmail.com St. Petersburg PD RICHARD THOMAS 727-798-7165 (C) rthomas1@knology.net Tampa FD VINCENT JACKSON 813-486-5698 (C) vjackson1380@yahoo.com Tampa PD RICKY BROWN 813-270-1280 (C) rockynina2@gmail.com Volusia County FD &PD JUSTIN HUGHES 386-931-8728 (C)

Augusta FD & PD ERIC V. SMITH 706-339-5979 (C) smith23ev@hotmail.com DeKalb Co. PD & FD TAD LANDAU 404-557-4205 (H) tadlandau@yahoo.com Muscogee County Sheriff JOHN WADE 862-216-4217 (C) pfia706@gmail.com Savannah FD & PD JASON ROEHM 989-239-1450 (H) roehmjason@yahoo.com Whitfield Co. FD, PD, Sheriff & Corrections BRETT MILLER 706-280-2160 (C) bmiller0828@gmail.com

Columbus FD AARON EICHEL 812-603-8641 (C) aaroneichel246@gmail.com Evansville FD & PD GREG LEHMAN 812-455-3443 (C) glehman64@gmail.com Ft. Wayne PD KYLE HARTMAN 260-908-4726 (C) kyle.pfia@gmail.com Hammond FD JEFF HARTLERODE 219-671-2167 (C) pfia707@gmail.com

Illinois

Indianapolis FD ERIC HOFMEISTER 317-946-8551 (C) pfia332@gmail.com

Chicago FD PATRICK BANSLEY 619-322-4445 (C) pfbans17@gmail.com

Indianapolis PD DAVID V. ROTH 317-490-9008 (C) rothenergy@proton.me

Chicago FD TONY CALZARETTA 708-372-5155 (C) tonycal.pfia@gmail.com Chicago FD JOSE GARCIA 312-972-1924 (C) cfd_usmc@comcast.net Chicago FD MICHAEL J. SHANAHAN 312-307-8795 (C) mspfia@msn.com Chicago, Southern Suburbs FD & PD, University Park FD JEFFERY A. DUHOSKI 708-927-0960 paidnproud@aol.com Peoria FD SHAUN MANNING 309-261-9441 (C) manningshaun@yahoo.com Peoria PD TERRY L. PYATT 309-697-9325 (H) Peoria Fire TOBI RODERICK 309-678-3823 (C) troderick.pfia@gmail.com Rock Island/Quad Cities FD & PD JUSTIN WELVAERT 309-314-3017 (C) jwelvaert.pfia@gmail.com

Indianapolis PD TODD WELLMANN 317-289-0668 (C) toddwellmannpfia@gmail.com Kokomo FD & PD CHANCE T. HENSLEY 765-621-5176 (C) c.hensley.pfia@gmail.com Mishawaka/South Bend FD & PD NICK KAUFMAN 574-226-9681 (C) nikkik204@comcast.net Richmond/ Connersville FD & PD MATT MATLOCK 937-409-1508 (C) mmatlock94@yahoo.com

Iowa Burlington FD KENNETH MORRIS 319-753-6285 (H) Cedar Rapids FD LYLE THEISEN 319-462-3912 (H) lylepatthe@msn.com Des Moines FD & PD RAYMOND A. GALLARDO 515-205-2414 (C) ray.gallardo13@gmail.com

Quad Cities/Davenport FD & PD JUSTIN WELVAERT 309-314-3017 (C) jwelvaert.pfia@gmail.com

New Orleans PD DAVID G. LENTZ 985-649-5741 (H) nameck2@aol.com

St. Louis FD JACOB NEWMAN 314-706-2522 (C) jake.pfia@gmail.com

West Des Moines FD DOUG REX 515-991-3684 (C) dougrex1@gmail.com

Shreveport PD RODNEY HORTON 318-773-1232 (C) spdp386@comcast.net

St. Louis Co. PD MATTHEW CRECELIUS 314-341-4290 (C) mattcrecelius@gmail.com

Kansas Garden City Fire ZACH GOLEMBOSKI 816-812-3018 (C) zach.golemboski@gardencityks.us Junction City FD, PD & Sheriff J. R. REYNOLDS 785-238-7835 (H) 785-375-1340 (C) j.r.jcfd@gmail.com

Kentucky Ashland FD & PD DAVID REDMAN 606-465-9344 (C) fdredman@yahoo.com Covington/Northern Kentucky FD CHRIS HANDLEY 513-919-3521 (C) Chris.handley.pfia@gmail.com Lexington FD PATRICK SUMNER 859-743-9485 (C) psumner1117@gmail.com

Louisiana Baton Rouge FD PAUL H. OWENS 225-772-4190 (C) pfiaowens48@gmail.com Baton Rouge FD CAMERON WESLEY 225-937-0907 (C) camwesley97@gmail.com Bossier City, PD/FD JOHN MORTON 318-455-6665 (C) pfiajohn764@gmail.com Caddo Parish Sheriff JERRY SILVA 318-655-5627 (C) j.silva360@yahoo.com Jefferson Parish Sheriff KIM LENTZ 985-774-4414 (C) 985-639-1723 (H) lentz1848@bellsouth.net

Shreveport FD PATRICK DENNEY 318-349-8530 (C) patrickdenney398@gmail.com Slidell FD LOUIS MELANCON 985-960-7651 (C) tamnlou@gmail.com Slidell PD DAVID L. LENTZ 504-606-4427 (C) dlentz78@gmail.com

Massachusetts Boston FD BRIAN TULLY SR. 508-523-9124 (C) briantully515@gmail.com Fairhaven/Fall River/ New Bedford Fire KEVIN GONSALVES JR. 774-451-3017 (C) kgonsalves1988@gmail.com Hampden County Sheriff ADAM APPLE 413-237-3233 (H) adamapple1418@yahoo.com New Bedford FD & PD JAMES ESTRELLA III 774-473-0451 (C) james.estrella@newbedfordpd.com Worcester PD TIMOTHY REYNOLDS 774-253-6432 (H) tcr316@live.com

Michigan Flint PD MICHAEL P. SULLIVAN 810-814-3381 (C) sully1968@comcast.net Grand Rapids FD KATHLEEN THOMPSON 616-406-6524 (C) kthompso@grcity.us

Lake Charles FD ANDREW LEE 337-764-3979 (C) drewglee@gmail.com

Grand Traverse City FD & PD KARYL L. MOORE 231-947-1758 (H) dfivestar@chartermi.net

Livingston Parish FD PAUL H. OWENS 225-772-4190 (C) paulowens1948@gmail.com

Wayne Co., PD HARVEY YOUNG 734-787-5372 (C) harveyy415@gmail.com

Mandeville FD ROBBY MARQUETTE 985-789-2814 (C) healthavengers@gmail.com New Orleans FD ROXANNE HADLEY 504-234-2327 (C) ffhadley21@gmail.com New Orleans & Kenner FD PAUL J. MELANCON 504-524-3878 (H) 504-430-1962 (C)

Missouri Kansas City FD BRIAN & KYLE BURGDORF 816-812-3018 (C) 816-805-6643 (C) burgdorf.pfia@gmail.com Kansas City Metro Area DONNIE SHOOK 816-315-9943 (C) pfiashook@gmail.com

St. Louis PD BRYAN BARTON 636-232-5318 (C) bryaly21@gmail.com

Camden County PD & FD Cherry Hill FD ED MICUA 609-315-0609 (C) 856-428-3252 (H) edmicuapfia@verizon.net Clifton FD,& PD JASON AYALA 973-249-7976 (H) samjay134@gmail.com

Nebraska

East Jersey/Trenton Corrections JORGE ORTIZ 201-680-8789 (C) pfiajortiz@gmail.com

Lincoln FD LAMAR REIL 402-641-1724 (C) lamarreil819@gmail.com

East Orange FD & PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com

Lincoln FD & PD KARLA HOUFEK 402-499-1773 karlajhoufek@gmail.com

Elizabeth FD & PD ANTHONY “FOGE” FAZIO 908-377-2052 (C) foge69@aol.com

Omaha FD RANDY WOLODKEWITSCH 402-216-9664 (C) 402-571-2694 (H) pfia.rjw656@gmail.com Omaha PD QUENO MARTINEZ 402-212-9336 (C) pfia307@gmail.com

New Jersey Asbury Park FD & PD PATRICK CASTELLANO 732-804-1563 patrick_castellano@yahoo.com

Essex County Sheriff & Corrections KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com Garfield PD CHAD DiGIORGIO 201-206-5183 (C) chadckfd@verizon.net Glen Ridge PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com

Atlantic City FD & PD GENNARO BASSO 609-214-3002 (H) gennarobasso81@gmail.com

Gloucester County FD & PD EDWARD VINCENT 856-316-2547 (C) edvincent.pfia@gmail.com

Bayonne FD ROBERT PILGER 201-638-5297 (H) rpilg@aol.com

Harrison FD & PD CHAD DiGIORGIO 201-206-5183 (C) chadckfd@verizon.net

Bayonne PD ALLAN SLATTERY 201-315-4314 (C) allanslattery1959@gmail.com

Hackensack FD & PD MICHAEL PARISE 973-271-0069 (H) mparisepfia@gmail.com

Bay Shore, Monmouth Co. PD, FD MICHAEL MICHALSKI 732-673-6402 (H) michalskipfia@gmail.com

Hoboken FD ROBERT PILGER 201-638-5297 (H) rpilg@aol.com

Belleville FD & PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com Bergen Co. PD, FD MICHAEL PARISE 973-271-0069 (H) mparisepfia@gmail.com Bloomfield FD & PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com Bradley Beach PD PATRICK CASTELLANO 732-804-1563 patrick_castellano@yahoo.com Brick Township PD JOSEPH PACITTI 848-333-1259 (C) jpacittipfia@gmail.com

Hoboken PD ALLAN SLATTERY 201-315-4314 (C) allanslattery1959@gmail.com Hudson Co. PD & Sheriff THOMAS MCKENNA 973-919-7158 (C) tommy.mck116@gmail.com Irvington FD CHARLES WEST 973-945-4892 (C) 973-328-7974 (H) chuckwest@newarkfd.com Irvington PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com Jersey City FD ROBERT PILGER 201-638-5297 (H) rpilg@aol.com

Jersey City PD ALLAN SLATTERY 201-315-4314 (C) allanslattery1959@gmail.com Kearny FD & PD CHAD DiGIORGIO 201-206-5183 (C) chadckfd@verizon.net Linden FD STEPHEN SMIGELSKY 732-634-8582 (H) 732-236-3036 (C) srs214@msn.com Little Falls PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com Long Branch FD & PD PATRICK CASTELLANO 732-804-1563 patrick_castellano@yahoo.com Manasquan PD PATRICK CASTELLANO 732-804-1563 patrick_castellano@yahoo.com Mercer County GREGORY A. SWANSON 609-352-9931 (C) njpfia@gmail.com Middlesex County PD THOMAS RATAJCZAK 732-501-5604 (H) tjay103@yahoo.com Middletown Twp. FD & PD MICHAEL MICHALSKI 732-673-6402 (H) michalskipfia@gmail.com Monmouth Co. PD, FD, & Sheriff MICHAEL MICHALSKI 732-673-6402 (H) michalskipfia@gmail.com Montclair FD CHARLES WEST 973-945-4892 (C) 973-328-7974 (H) chuckwest@newarkfd.com Montclair PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com Morris County FD & PD CHAD DiGIORGIO 201-206-5183 (C) chadckfd@verizon.net Newark FD CHARLES WEST 973-945-4892 (C) 973-328-7974 (H) chuckwest@newarkfd.com Newark PD MIKEY CARRILLO 973-951-8350 (C) mcpfia120@gmail.com North Hudson FD ROBERT PILGER 201-638-5297 (H) rpilg@aol.com Nutley FD & PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com

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Orange FD& PD KYLE KONDRECK 201-341-2946 (C) kkondreckpfia@gmail.com Passaic FD & PD JASON AYALA 973-249-7976 (H) samjay134@gmail.com Passaic County Sheriff THOMAS M. PANZARINO 973-296-8006 (C) bkckgangarino@gmail.com Paterson FD & PD FRANK DAUNNO 973-330-2968 (C) jrdaun@aol.com Paterson PD SHANAVIA SMITH 201-926-8652 (C) shsmith.pfia@gmail.com Plainfield FD & PD NUNO CARVALHO 908-296-6871 (C) ncarvalho.pfia@gmail.com Sussex County FD, PD, & Sheriff MICHAEL PARISE 973-271-0069 (H) mparisepfia@gmail.com Trenton FD & PD GREGORY A. SWANSON 609-352-9931 (C) njpfia@gmail.com Trenton PD JASON BOUCHARD 609-510-8688 (H) jbouchard.pfia@gmail.com Ventnor FD WILLIAM NAGLE 609-705-8450 (C) bubby129056@yahoo.com Wallington FD & PD MICHAEL PARISE 973-271-0069 (H) mparisepfia@gmail.com

New Mexico Colfax Co. FD & Sheriff PAUL MAY 832-724-5818 (C) pm3149@sbcglobal.net

New York Albany FD KORY HOGAN SR. 518-542-8478 (C) koryvhogan@gmail.com Albany PD KYLE PARKER 518-944-6206 (C) kjparker@albany-ny.org Albion Corrections THOMAS SUTTON 716- 471-9326 (C) co11to7@aol.com

Cattaraugus County Sheriff NATHAN A. ROOT 716-938-2239 (W) 716-498-3252 (C) naroot@cattco.org Irondequoit PD GREGORY KEHRER 518-229-7513 (C) gkehrer34@gmail.com

Wende State Corrections ZACHARY HANCZAROWSKI 716-697-8017 (C) zhanczarowski@gmail.com Wende State Corrections ANTHONY PECORA 716-253-4678 (C) apecora0308@gmail.com

Monroe County Sheriff ALFRED N. DeROSA 585-208-3902 (C) aderosa58@gmail.com

Wende State Corrections NATONYA YARBOUGH 716-986-7321 (C) natonyayarbough@gmail.com

New York State Court PD BRITTANY PARKER 518-859-9887 (C) baberrings@gmail.com

White Plains FD PATSY DeFONCE IV 914-505-1412 (C) patsydefonce@me.com

Niagara County Sheriff KEITH HETRICK III 716-622-6461 (C) keith.hetrick@gmail.com

North Carolina

Niagara Falls FD JOSEPH TORRE 716-940-8225 (C) j.torre@nypfia.org Niagara Falls FD RISKY SANABRIA 716-550-0625 (C) rskpfia@gmail.com Niagara Falls PD RICK FLECK III 716-807-6876 (C) precki17@aol.com Rochester FD BRIAN WHITE 585-705-7179 (C) white.brian11@gmail.com Schenectady FD MARK KARL 518-852-4953 (H) omm21@yahoo.com Syracuse FD JAMES ENNIS 315-430-0340 (C) 315-468-8630 (H) jennis@twcny.rr.com Syracuse PD TAYLOR ANDERSON 920-883-1437 (C) tanderson@syracusepolice.org Troy FD RAYMOND J. DAVIS 518-573-8106 (C) sdavistroy@hotmail.com Troy FD PETER RYAN 518-805-8584 (C) pryan72012@gmail.com Troy PD CHRISTOPHER J. PARKER 518-378-2283 (C) parkerc24@yahoo.com

Buffalo FD WENDY MAJTYKA-HARTMAN 716-479-2976 (C) ffwendi@gmail.com

Utica FD PETER A. CARUSO 315-725-5712 (C) pfiapete@yahoo.com

Buffalo PD ZACH WILLIAMS 716-982-4565 (C) zw6690@gmail.com

Utica PD PETER A. CARUSO III 315-269-4886 (C) paac3@yahoo.com

24 The PFIA Protector • www.pfia1913.org

Charlotte FD TOM BREWER 704-200-8486 (C) brewer18c@gmail.com Greensboro FD MATTHEW PATTERSON 336-382-4600 (C) mattsfiregfd@yahoo.com Winston-Salem FD DAVID POLLARD 336-403-7771 (C) wslocal682@gmail.com

Ohio Akron PD DON G. TREJBAL 330-352-4502 (C) apd506@aol.com Akron FD GREG GEARHART 330-351-2673 (C) gearhartpfia@gmail.com Canton FD, Greentown FD, Massillon FD & PD & Stark Co. FD MARC R. JACKSON 330-904-9095 (C) cfd110@aol.com Cincinnati PD GREG TOYEAS 513-738-4141 (H) 513-484-2459 (C) gregtoyeas@yahoo.com

Columbus FD KELLY STORTS 614-496-4544 (C) kemist14@hotmail.com Coshocton County FD & PD CORY WILSON 740-502-9240 (C) cwilsoniaff216@gmail.com Dayton Region MATT MATLOCK 937-409-1508 (C) mmatlock94@yahoo.com Hamilton Co., FD MATT NIEMER 513-919-6926 (C) me11an@yahoo.com Marion FD & PD MICHAEL M. RADCLIFF 740-225-2120 (W) mandjradcliff@roadrunner.com Toledo FD RYAN GRANT 419-340-7166 (C) rgrant.pfia@gmail.com Youngstown FD SHAWN MURRAY 330-518-2966 (C) mur511.sm@gmail.com

Oklahoma Tulsa FD JIMMY OBER 918-260-6887 (C) joberfire@gmail.com Tulsa PD DENNIS SMITH 918-282-7523 (C) popodad71@yahoo.com

Pennsylvania Chester FD & PD THOMAS THORNTON 267-275-5932 (C) tthornton2493@gmail.com Delaware Co., FD & PD MARTIN KELLY 610-299-3656 (C) marty1297@aol.com Erie FD TIM ROMANSKI 814-572-2323 (C) trdunn24@yahoo.com

Cincinnati FD CHRIS HANDLEY 513-919-3521 (C) chris.handley.pfia@gmail.com

Johnstown FD ROBERT J. OPETT 814-659-9313 (C) opett24@ymail.comre

Cleveland FD VINCE VIANCOURT 440-835-5647 (W) 216-534-6927 (C) benefits.consulting@yahoo.com

McKeesport FD & PD JEFFREY D. TOMOVCSIK 412-523-3903 (C) 412-675-5050 Ext.640 (W) jtomo170@comcast.net

Cleveland PD DAN VIANCOURT 216-990-2882 (C) dsv.pfia@gmail.com

Penn. Law Enforcement JONATHON RUSH 412-952-5615 (C) jrush21488@hotmail.com

Columbus Metro FD KURT DIETZ 614-332-2795 (C) kurt.pfia@gmail.com

Philadelphia FD TIMOTHY G. McSHEA 267-331-0606 (C) tbonemick17@gmail.com

Columbus Metro FD BRADY SEDDELMEYER 419-233-6974 (C) bsedd@yahoo.com

Philadelphia FD WILLIAM HAFTEK 201-341-9677 (C) wphaftek@gmail.com

Pittsburgh FD DONALD DORSEY 412-680-9351 (H) Pittsburg FD RYAN SHAW 412-874-1426 (C) rshawpbf@gmail.com Pittsburgh PD CARL R. MOROSETTI, JR. 412-600-2806 (C) crm3393@gmail.com Scranton FD & PD & Waymart Corrections ANDY POLANSKY 570-961-9024 (H) 570-878-1248 (C) andy.polansky@verizon.net Western Penn. Corrections STEPHEN BOWSER 814-505-5818 (C stephenbowser079@gmail.com

Rhode Island Johnston Corrections VINCENT ORTEZ 401-263 -9714 (C) compaq102082@gmail.com Johnston PD SETH D. CROSBY 401-641-1575 (C) scros788@gmail.com Johnston PD DAVID GALLIGAN 401-419-7967 (C) davegalligan@yahoo.com Pawtucket FD & East Providence FD RAYMOND J. MASSE 401-639-0164 (H) pfia1261@gmail.com Providence FD ANTHONY LANCELLOTTI 401-569-3551 (C) 401-946-6939 (H) alance6055@gmail.com Providence PD RALPH ABENANTE IV 401-225-6530 (C) rabenante4@yahoo.com

South Carolina North Charleston PD MICHAEL FIGUEROA 973-477-0749 (C) mfigpfia@gmail.com North Myrtle Beach FD & PD RICHARD BUDDELMEYER 843-249-5334 (C) rickbuddelmeyer@yahoo.com

Tennessee Knoxville FD JUSTIN HARMOND 865-340-6812 (C) jharmonpfia@outlook.com Nashville FD ADDIS KENDALL 615-533-8685 (C) rakendall13@gmail.com Nashville FD NICK HOOD 615-624-2246 (C) nick.hood.pfia@gmail.com

Nashville FD WILLIAM MERRILL 615-456-2835 (C) 615-862-5313 (B) pmerrill.pfia@gmail.com

Texas Amarillo FD, PD, & Corrections JOE C. PONDER 806-584-0953 (C) joeponder2012@yahoo.com Beaumont PD JARROD MIRELES 409-284-5220 (C) neilmireles@gmail.com Bedford PD D.J. CROWELL 817-791-3224 (C) dpmt824@gmail.com Bee County FD, PD, Sheriff & Corrections DANIEL RODRIGUEZ 361-354-8901 (C) dr1856635@gmail.com Bee County FD, PD, Sheriff & Corrections RICHARD L. WEBB 361-319-3758 (C) urout_78102@yahoo.com Brazoria County FD, PD, Sheriff & Corrections PATRICK WARE 936-581-3309 (H) txpware@outlook.com Denton County Sheriff LES WOODS 817-675-6151 (C) lwpfia@yahoo.com

El Paso Sheriff LUIS D. RODRIGUEZ 915-294-8385 (C) lrodriguezpfi@yahoo.com

Orange FD & PD MATTHEW SLAGLE 409-781-7176 (C) matthewslagle83@gmail.com

Gatesville PD & Corrections KATHRYN SKINNER 254-245-6243 (C) guategal50@aol.com

Pasadena FD & PD MICHAEL PALITZ 808-218-1623 (C) mikepalitz@hotmail.com

Gurney Unit Corrections CINDY ARNOLD 903-724-9007 (C) cindyarnold18@yahoo.com

Port Arthor FD &PD TARAH MIRELES 409709-3633 (H) tarahm55@yahoo.com

Harris County PD, Sheriff & Corrections MARTY KUEHN 281-935-4610 (C) mk0160@yahoo.com

Port Arthur FD LARRY PELAEZ 409-221-7395 (C) jpelaez@gmail.com

Harrison County Police & Fire FLOYD DUNCAN 903-930-9721 (C) 903-777-3694 (H) dleader59@protonmail.com

San Antonio FD JOE VALADEZ 210-654-3333 (H) 210-884-7651 (F) valadezjp@aol.com

Kileen FD CODY NEWMAN 254-981-6110 (C) codynewman1978@protonmail.com

San Antonio FD RUBEN CEVALLOS 210-861-4578 (C) ruben.cevallos@gmail.com

McAllen FD ERIC RAMIREZ 956-607-7549 (C) esmr412@gmail.com

San Antonio FD JOHN MOORE III 210-379-8229 (C) jrmoore3@att.net

McAllen PD ROLANDO CASTILLO 956-655-8476 (H) r.c.21@hotmail.com

Smith County Sheriff WANDA HUNTER 903-710-2769 (H) 903-511-6819 (C)

Montgomery County PD, Sheriff & Corrections THOMAS M. PIERCE 936-355-0490 (C) toetee@aol.com

Tarrant County Sheriff STEFAN HODNETT 817-343-3300 (C) shodnettpfia@yahoo.com

Walker County FD, PD, Sheriff & Corrections TARA M. BURNETT 936-668-9193 (C) burnett.t2013@yahoo.com Webb County Sheriff JOEY MEDELLIN 956-652-8640 (C) jmedellin.pfia@gmail.com

Virginia Henrico County PD JIM LIVINGSTONE 804-338-9791 (C) jlivings1@gmail.com Loudoun County FD, PD, Sheriff, & Corrections MICHAEL COX 571-528-3400 (C) pfia.va226@gmail.com Norfolk FD DAVE CHERESKIN 757-621-1111 (C) dchereskin77@gmail.com Page County FD, PD, Sheriff, & Corrections MICHAEL WAGONER 540-860-2382 (C) kc8jpk03@gmail.com

Prince William Co., FD MEAGAN DONELAN 571-334-0851 (C) mego12@gmail.com Prince William Co., PD MARCIA WHALEY 571-259-7034 (C) pwpfia@gmail.com

Washington, D. C. Washington, D.C. PD MIGUEL MIRANDA 202-439-2292 (C) miguel.miranda@verizon.net

West Virginia Huntington FD & PD RANDY D. ELLIS 740-886-5388 (H) 304-633-4975 (C) Huntington FD & PD DAVID REDMAN 606-465-9344 (C) fdredman@yahoo.com

Wyoming Laramie City FD, PD & Sheriff B. JOHN FITZGERALD 307-775-9610 (H) jcatfitz@msn.com

Portsmouth FD KURT DETRICK 571-233-6901 (C) kurtdetrick@gmail.com Prince William FD DANIEL WILLIAMS 240-398-1114 (C) foxtrotwhiskey14@gmail.com

! merry ! ! s a christm Jeff Warnock, John Murphy, Karen Groff, Kandyce Shoffner, Brian Kinnard, Tanyia Elston, Anne Karn, Amanda Hendricks, Heather Starwalt, Amanda Rice, Brittanie Butcher, Susan S. Woolf, Courtney Touglikpe, Cristian Bell, Rebekah Brownson, Jennifer Ireland, Christina Coan, Nancy Brown, Jeanie Williams, Margaret Snyder, and Bradd Roembke.

Winter 2023 • The PFIA Protector

25

Police & Firemens Ins. Association 101 E. 116th St. Carmel, In 46032-4567

HELP US FIND THESE

Missing Children

Our members are in a unique position to spot missing children.

PFIA urges you to make a special effort to try to locate these missing children. If seen, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children immediately at 1-800-843-5678 or report a sighting online at www.missingkids.com. You may also call or visit the website for free abduction prevention tips.

MISSING • HELP BRING ME HOME

Kalonice Lanae Maureen Gray Missing Since: April 10, 2023 Indianapolis, IN, US Age Now: 16 Years Old Female

Zulmi Mucutum Missing Since: October 20, 2023 Middletown, NY, US Age Now: 17 Years Old Female

DON’T HESITATE CALL

Lamont Mitchell Missing Since: August 28, 2023 Erie, PA, US Age Now: 14 Years Old Male

911 OR 1-800-843-5678

SPECIAL NOTE: Height and weight are listed from the date an individual went missing and may not currently be accurate.