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OFFICIAl PUBlICATION OF THE UNIFORMED FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER NEW YORK
VOl. lI NO. 1, 2015
UFA President Steve Cassidy is flanked by members of the NYC City Council and hundreds of firefighters on the steps of City Hall on March 19th to launch a campaign addressing discriminatory employment practices of the City of New York and the FDNY.
President’s Message by Stephen J. Cassidy
NY’s Bravest Reject FDNY’s New Discriminatory Employment Practices ------
As City Hall Pushes for $13/HR. Minimum Wage – It Believes Permanently Disabled N.Y. City Firefighters Surviving on Just $10,000 year or $27/Day is Acceptable
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n Monday, March 16th, the UFA launched a campaign together with hundreds of New York City firefighters, City Council members, legislators, and clergy on the steps of City Hall to address new discriminatory employment practices of the City of New York and the FDNY. Although the city invested millions of dollars in a multimedia recruitment
Photo Credit: Stephen N. Symbolik III
The Bravest
drive to address a lack of diversity at the agency, promising all new recruits “The Best Benefits,” it has instead created a dangerous double standard that threatens public safety. There are now more than 1,400 newly hired FDNY firefighters who lack any real disability protections. Should they be burned, seriously injured, or paralyzed on the job, the disability protection for a Probationary (Rookie) Firefighter equals only about $10,000 per year or $27 per day. Corrective legislation is urgently needed to address this crisis which stems from a June 2009 veto of New York City Firefighter and Police Tier II disability protections. Would you risk your life and health for only $27 a day? It’s horrific that the top leadership in City Hall is saying that $10,000 a year is all the disability protection that a New York City Firefighter - the best trained firefighter in the world – will receive if permanently disabled on the job. Do they believe disabled firefighters can survive, pay their rent, feed their famContinued on page 2
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View the two new videos: “$27/Day” (http://goo.gl/UGCiQF) and “Recruiting Lies” (http://goo.gl/8408cZ), which contain interviews with impacted firefighters addressing their concerns. New York City Firefighters have proven that they will do anything to protect life and property, but, how can City of New York’s leaders truthfully tell a young firefighter that they will be protected when that is not the fact? Follow this initiative on our website www.ufanyc.org Facebook.com/ufanyc and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/UFANYC #standwithbravest. The UFA will be lobbying legislators in Albany. For details on how you can help, read Vice President Slevin’s Legislative Update on the next page. On Saturday, March 7th, I was honored and privileged to be the Grand Marshal of the 40th Annual Queens County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. On March 17th, hundreds of firefighters also joined the UFA to march in the 254th St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan, which was dedicated to the 24 fallen members of the Fighting 69th Regiment and their Gold Star families. This regiment was one of the first military units to respond to the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. Since that tragic day, 24 members of this historic unit have been killed in action. As always, stay safe!
Photo Credit: Stephen N. Symbolik III
ily and afford to send their children to college on this meager sum? Just last week the mayor demanded a minimum hourly wage of $13/hour in the City of New York, but yet is a new, young firefighter protecting the public worth only a fraction of that if he or she is permanently disabled?” We have sought to correct this dangerous crisis for more than a year, and it has continuously fallen on deaf ears at the highest levels in City Hall. We believe that all New York City firefighters require equal disability protections should they be burned, seriously injured, or even paralyzed in the line of duty protecting New Yorkers. When the FDNY began its recruitment campaign for new firefighters in 2011, it advertised: “The best job in the world has the best benefits in the world.” The City of New York failed to warn its newest firefighters, however, “just don’t get hurt in the line of duty!” Since a federal judge’s ruling, the FDNY has graduated over 1,400 new firefighters with more than 46% of those being black, Latino, Asian, or female. The UFA, together with the FDNY’s fraternal societies, say it is morally reprehensible for city leaders to demand that firefighters risk their lives every day without having fair and adequate disability coverage. When any firefighter is rushing into a burning building, their sole focus should be on doing their job and saving lives, not worrying about what may happen to their families if they are seriously injured.
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Representing the UFA in New York’s 254th St. Patrick’s Day Parade are: (l-R) FF Peter Tartaglione, E 55; Brooklyn Trustee John G. Kelly, Jr.; Vice President Jim Slevin; Manhattan Trustee Vinny Speciale; Queens Trustee Matt DesJardin; Health & Safety Officer Gerard FItzgerald, and FF Jose Kuilan, E 55.
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NO. 1 2015
Legislative Update
by James M. Slevin, Vice President
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See You in Albany Lobby Day - April 28th
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ur annual lobby day will take place this year on April 28th. Once again, we are asking all of our members to make themselves available to travel to Albany to support our legislative agenda. Our priority legislation remains the restoration of disability protections for our Tier III members. Over the past few weeks, we have been ramping up the pressure on the City Council to provide a Home Rule Message so that Albany can act and pass this legislation. We have launched an ad campaign, started online petitioning, held rallies, and have been meeting with key Council members to ensure that we have their support. City Council leadership and the Mayor remain opposed to restoration of the disability protections for our new members. We remain hopeful that, with the support of an overwhelming majority of Council members, leadership will be forced to grant a hearing on the home rule and ultimately pass it. (See resolution 474-2014) We will continue to need your support for rallies and press conferences to fix this injustice. If you have not already done so, please sign the petition on the UFA website, like us on Facebook, and Tweet your support #standwithbravest The UFA is also working on having the disability protection included in the NYS budget. This would eliminate the need for a home rule message from the NYC Council. The NYS Senate has included it in their budget resolution and is currently negotiating with the Governor and NYS Assembly. We will continue to meet with the NYS Assembly and the Governor’s office to
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have them agree to the Senate’s provision providing for disability protections for Tier III members. Althought the budget is due April 1st, there are numerous issues that need to be worked out, including an ethics proposal and education related measures. It is possible that our disability protection will not be in the language of the final adopted budget, so we will continue to push for a home rule from the City Council. The logistics for lobby day will be posted on the UFA website and faxed and emailed to all of our members. As in years past, we will provide as many busses as needed from locations around the city. If the demand is there, we can provide busses from Long Island and upstate. We also invite our retired members to join us to walk the halls of the Capitol. Further info can be obtained at www.ufanyc.org. A full agenda, along with a listing of our priority legislation and talking points, will be posted. To sign up in advance, please email PAC@ufanyc.org and include all of your contact info. We need a large turnout to let the legislators know how important the fix to Tier III is for our members and their families.
To get up-to-date info and breaking news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Follow the UFA on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ufanyc
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UFA LOBBY DAY TUESDAY APRIL 28, 2015 www.ufanyc.org
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FDNY Hispanic Society President, lIEUTENANT JORGE lUIS TORRES, who is also the father of one of those new FDNY Firefighters said, “This job is an extremely dangerous job and we don’t have a second to think about this. We need to address the (emergency) incident at the moment and not second guess ourselves. That’s what’s going on right now in some of these firefighters’ minds. Am I taking this chance next to this other firefighter? Am I going in further and am I going to risk my life to save someone else’s? This is the first time in my career I started seeing firefighters, to some extent, second guessing and start thinking about that. This is not right and needs to be changed As a father of a New York City Firefighter, I question, should he risk his life for $27 a day?” NEW FF VANESSA SCHOENING, E33 “I have friends who are firefighters and fathers of firefighters. Everything they told me suggested it was the greatest job in the world, in the greatest city to serve in, and had the greatest benefits. Well, it’s 2015 and we didn’t get these same benefits.”
NEW FDNY Firefighter HASSAN ClARK, E 90, who joined the FDNY in 2013 said, “I want to be able to do this job without second guessing…I would be more comfortable if the system protected me the way I risk my life to protect other families across New York.” Men and women who gave their support at the City Hall press conference are:TOP (l-R): Bishop Angelo Rosario; NYC Public Advocate letitia James; Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams: NYC Council Members Margaret Chin; BOTTOM (l-R) NYC Council Members David G. Greenfield; Vincent Ignizio; Mark Weprin; Rory lancman.
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lIEUTENANT STEVEN lEE, President of FDNY Phoenix Society “Nearly half the members of the FDNY Phoenix Society are affected by this disability pension issue. The number of members has sharply grown since the diversification efforts by the City in the last exam, and unfortunately these new firefighters have no real disability protections, and this is absolutely unfair. We want to make sure all firefighters have real disability protections if they are permanently disabled” NEW FF GISEllE KING, E 15 “The spirit of firefighting is about a team, and the older guys are telling the younger ones that “we are not being treated right by the city.” The issue doesn’t deter us from doing our job, and it shows how much we care about the city and the job. We should have proper coverage and benefits. I knew our tier was different from previously hired firefighters, but I didn’t realize how different it was. I knew there would be less coverage but not the details of it. I didn’t know as much as I know now. Fellow newly-hired firefighters say we must make it our business to support the change in the FDNY.” NEW FF ERIC SANTOS, E95 “Thinking about not being protected should I be seriously injured has put a real strain one me. I will be extremely relieved when this issue gets settled.”
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Photo Credits: Stephen N. Symbolik III
Men and women who gave their support at the City Hall press conference are: TOP (l-R): NYC Council Members Rafael Espinal; I. Daneek Miller; Paul Vallone; Andy King. BOTTOM (l-R) NYC Council Members Vincent Gentile; Mark levine; Mark Treyger and Mathieu Eugene.
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Brooklyn Trustee’s Update
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Medical Center), the New York State courts, and the City’s Administration for Children’s Services. Kelly by John G. Kelly, Jr. observed “with heavy winds, paper and debris could be t 4:30am on Saturday, January 31st, firefight- seen all over the area, much of which came to rest ers responded to a call about a small shelving along and in the East River.” Disaster recovery conunit fire at CitiStorage, a four-story waterfront tractors were sent to collect the scattered debris. warehouse at 5 North 11th St. in Williamsburg. At Water was being poured onto the building from 6:30am, firefighters were called back and found the tower ladders and two FDNY boats in the East River– building consumed in flames. The fire quickly escalat- the Bravest and the Firefighter II. The latter is the ed into a seven-alarm inferno. John Kelly, Jr, the UFA largest vessel and was able to pour 17,000 gallons of Brooklyn Trustee, said “over 55 units and 275 fire- water a minute onto the fire. Kelly said “The fighters were at the scene for two days, fighting the Department’s Marine Battalion fought the fire from the flames with outside temperatures in the low 20’s. water. The front water cannon of the Firefighter II was Frigid weather conditions and the fact that the ware- so powerful that its force was able to collapse the house was full of paper made extinguishing the fire warehouse walls, thereby getting to the fire inside.” difficult.” City busses were provided so that firefight- Because the warehouse was filled with paper, the fire ers could warm up as they relieved each one another continued to smolder and flare up into Sunday. Water from duty. and the freezing temperatures entombed sections of the
warehouse and the surrounding area in ice. Because the warehouse was filled with paper, the fire was expected to continue smoldering for days. At the time of this reporting, no cause of the fire has been determined.
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Photos Courtesy of: Steve Spak
The storage facility housed over 4 million boxes of paper records for the Greater New York Hospital Association (Mount Sinai Health System, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and NYU Langone
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The FDNY has always been home to heroes, but this winter we lost two men, each bigger-than-life, both having led remarkable lives. Nicholas DeGaeta 1919-2015
On Monday, February 2nd, Nicholas DeGaeta, 95, died at his home in New Dorp, Staten Island, where had lived since 1955. He served 35 years in the FDNY and retired in October 1984 from Engine Co. 10, across from the former World Trade Center. He was named New York State Firefighter Union Man of the Year in 1979.
His son, James, also a former FDNY firefighter, said that his father was “22 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He joined the 509th Parachute Battalion, which later became the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion. My Dad actually completed two jumps with the British armed forces before the United States had even entered the Second World War. It was the reason he wore the British red beret. Dad saw duty in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters after being one of the last 48 enlisted men and seven officers still standing in his unit after the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front.” In July 1945, DeGaeta discharged as a sergeant. “After retiring from the FDNY,” said James, “my father remained active within the FDNY community and helped injured firefighters and their families. He worked with Community Mayors, a group that works with disabled children. We are all so proud that the FDNY presents the annual Community Mayors’ Nicholas DeGaeta Award to someone who demonstrates ‘commitment to excellence and persistence of duty.’ He was also actively involved for many years with the “Help Team” that assisted firefighters and their families with transportation to the Burn Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. In the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, he attended dozens of firefighters’ funerals and was a presence of hope and solace. In November 2010, he was given France’s highest honor and was appointed a Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. He was married for 60 years to the former Antoinette Nerino, who died in 2007. He is survived by his son James, his daughter Linda Iafe, 2 sisters, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and his companion, Frieda Szaf.
Lt. John Mulzac 1924-2015
FDNY Lt. John Mulzac, 91, died on Sunday, February 1st. He lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn and was one of the original members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American unit of fighter and bomber pilots in the U.S. armed forces during World War II.
His son Henry Mulzac was quoted in the NY Daily News as saying, “Despite the tough times of segregation he went through, he always felt this was the best country in the world. He was so grateful for what this country did for him and felt the service was worth it.”
In 1947, after the war, Mulzac joined the FDNY. Twenty years later in 1967, he retired as a lieutenant. During this time he was a reservist, and remarkably, flew missions in both the Korean War and in Vietnam. After retirement, Mulzac worked as a sky marshal and then as a U.S. Customs inspector.
Mulzac and his wife Beatrice had 8 children. He is survived by his wife, 22 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
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Health & Safety Officer’s Update by Gerard Fitzgerald
he focus of the Wellness and Fitness Initiative task force of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), of which I’m a member, is to identify, research, and report on health, wellness, and fitness issues that affect firefighters. I’ll be bringing some important topics to your attention in upcoming issues for Fire Lines. There’s a wealth of information available on the IAFFF website. I invite you to visit this site for further study and consideration.
Sleep disorders are one issues that plague firefighters. Recently, The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that “37 percent of the firefighters screened positive for at least one sleep disorder.� Another report entitled The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders, focused on the effects of sleep disorders on the health, wellness, and job performance of firefighters and EMS responders. In the Executive Summary of this report, it is noted that “sleep deprivation is linked with increased errors in tasks requiring alertness, vigilance and quick decision-making.� Additionally, “chronic sleep loss also is associated with a general increase in health complaints and musculoskeletal problems, higher body weights, a greater risk of obstructive sleep apnea and heightened levels of cardiovascular disease and cancer.� There is also evidence that the long-term effects of sleep apnea are associated with increased incidents of stroke. It is well-documented that firefighters have a much higher risk of stroke than civilians.
It’s important that firefighters pay attention to sleep disorders and realize that at whatever age, these disorders have broad spectrum long-term health effects on an individual. Not only can daily activities and job responsibilities be impaired but, not surprisingly, everything from one’s immune system, mood and temperament, eating habits, digestive health, and metabolism can be affected. To learn more about sleep deprivation, go to the website of National Institutes of Health. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/sleep/ healthysleep.pdf. Taking care of sleep issues early on can prevent devastating long-term consequences. Knowledge, education, and advocacy are your best allies in the maintenance of health and fitness.
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2015 DElEGATE EDUCATION SEMINAR
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This year’s seminar is scheduled for May 12 - 15, at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The venue is new for the UFA, and we’re anticipating a productive and interesting event for everyone. As a reminder–this year a Union Meeting will be held on that Friday, May 15th, so please plan accordingly. We have a full agenda and welcome members’ participation.
If you haven’t made your hotel reservations yet, please call the Recording Secretary’s office at 212-683-4832. See you in Atlantic City!
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NO. 1 2015
Staten Island Trustee’s Update by Eric Bischoff
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his will be an exciting year in the borough of Staten Island. The FDNY will be celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. There will be many festive events around the city commemorating the anniversary. Staten Island will host a celebration at the quarters of Engine 153, Ladder 77 (The Broad Street Bullies). The event is being organized by the FDNY community affairs, and should be a spectacular event. The date will be announced. Ladder 81 (The Beach Boys) and Engine 160 (The Hillbillies) will both be celebrating 100 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Staten Island. The centennials will be held on September 29th and September 30 respectively. Staten Island is scheduled to receive three brand new high-axle brush fire units manufactured by KME. These units will be a permanent replacement for the BFU’s that were lost during Hurricane Sandy. They will feature four-door cabs, bumper turrets, (the nozzle can be operated from inside the cab), and compressed air foam that can be sprayed on a structure that is in the line of fire and can make the structure fire-resistant. Staten Island is also in line to receive 2 new 1500-gal-
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lon foam tanker tenders manufactured by Seagrave. Congratulations to Staten Island resident James Leonard, who was recently appointed as Chief of Department for the City of New York. He is the 36th Chief of Department since the Department’s inception. It is one of the highest-ranking uniformed service positions in United States. Chief Leonard was promoted from his previous position of Brooklyn Borough Commander, and was formerly the Division 8 Commander. I would also like to congratulate Chief Richie Howe as the newly appointed Borough Commander of Staten Island. Both men will provide excellent leadership for the Department and are receptive to the needs of our membership. Good luck! In local politics, there is an open seat in the 11th congressional district of Staten Island and Brooklyn. As always, the Uniformed Firefighter Association will endorse the candidate that best represents our interests. The UFA will be endorsing Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan for Congress. We fully expect our membership will turn out to support our endorsement. We continue to have many pressing issues, which include the extension of the Zadroga WTC act and the restoration of disability benefits to our Tier-3 members. We expect our local politicians to support our efforts.
The Art of Labor Law. Certilman Balin proudly represents the New York City Uniformed Firefighters Association and many other organizations in the metropolitan area. We have a solid track record in representing union members in their personal litigation and life plans. Call Paul Linzer or Jennifer Bentley at (516) 296-7000 to resolve your personal legal matters with confidence.
Proven attorneys. Powerful advocates. Nassau: 516.296.7000 | Suffolk: 631.979.3000 | Real Estate – Real Property Tax Certiorari and Condemnation – Condominium and Cooperative – Land Use and Zoning/Environmental Law Corporate/Securities – Commercial Lending – Litigation – Labor Relations and Employment Law – Bankruptcy and Debtor/Creditor Rights Estate and Tax Planning/Probate Law and Estate Administration – Elder Law – Telecommunications Law – Criminal Law www.certilmanbalin.com Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
NO. 1 2015
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FDNY WTC Health Program ʹ What You Need to Know WTC Medical Monitoring ʹ What is it? How often? What happens? x
In-depth yearly health evaluation, providing you with WTC & non-WTC results: cholesterol, glucose levels, liver & kidney functions, blood cell counts, & Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) if indicated
x
Colonoscopy, Mammography, & Chest CT - if needed, based on US Preventive Services Task Force Guidelines
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Retired? ʹ WTC Medical appointments, available yearly, at five NY-area locations ʹ 718-999-1858
x
Active? Annual Company / Station Medical - at BHS - is your WTC Medical. You will now see two doctors 1. BHS Medical Officer will conduct your regular Fitness for Duty review 2. In a separate WTC Medical Suite at BHS, your WTC-related health issues are confidentially reviewed with an FDNY WTC Treatment doctor (no Duty Determination involved). You may receive referrals specialized diagnostic tests; specialists in FD WTC network. Plus WTC-covered prescriptions written
WTC Treatment ʹ Why is it An Important Companion Service to Yearly Monitoring? x
Shorter visit with FDNY WTC medical staff ʹ doctors and nurses
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Severity of your WTC-related health issues, determines how often you schedule a Treatment appointment
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Covered WTC health categories ʹ respiratory, chronic sinus, GERD, most Cancers & mental health
x
At a WTC Treatment appointment, your WTC health certifications are checked (certification is a Zadroga Law provision). FD WTC medical staff can submit request to NIOSH for WTC certification(s) you may be missing
x
Once your WTC health issue is certified, free services treating that specific health issue can include: o Specialized diagnostic tests; Referrals to outside specialists in FD WTC doctor network; WTC prescription meds. Please note ʹ WTC prescriptions must be written by an FDNY WTC Treatment doctor
x
Active? - FDNY WTC Treatment Doctors have NO duty determination responsibilities
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WTC Treatment ʹ 5 FD WTC sites in Metro NY, multiple days each week ʹ appointments for both active & retired members. Call FDNY WTC Member Services at 718-999-1858, to schedule appointment
What about WTC Counseling and Mental Health Services? x
5 CSU locations in NY area ʹ Manhattan (Lafayette St), Staten Island (Victory Blvd), Fort Totten (Bayside, Queens), Brentwood (Long Island), & Middletown (Orange County, upstate NY)
x
Sites staffed with licensed FDNY WTC Counselors & Psychiatrist MDs. CSU care is expert, confidential, & free
x
Call 212-570-1693 for more details, and to schedule an appointment
Is cancer covered under the FDNY WTC Health Program? x
Yes. WTC Health Program now covers over 60 WTC-related cancers. (Over 1,000 WTC-related cancer certifications have been issued for FDNY WTC Fire and EMS members)
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Have you received a cancer diagnosis, plus have biopsy & pathology reports? Contact Nadia Jaber ʹ 718-9991223 - to start WTC cancer certification process
Questions about FDNY WTC Healthcare? Call WTC Nurses ʹ 718-999-1878
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FDNY WTC Health Program ʹ Physical Health Satellite Locations 9 Retired Members ʹ Appointments for WTC Monitoring and WTC Treatment, available multiple days each week, at each WTC location, including BHS at HQ 9 Active Members ʹ WTC Treatment appointments (No Duty Determination), available multiple days per week, at each FDNY WTC satellite location 9 Active Members ʹ Annual Medical - BHS - is your WTC Medical. New feature - will now see a 2nd doctor, an FDNY WTC Treatment doctor, in a separate new WTC Medical Suite. There your WTC-related health issues confidentially discussed (no Duty Determination) 9 Newest locations ʹ Commack & Middletown ʹ all WTC healthcare services on one floor. BHS & all FD WTC Physical Health satellites (except Ft Totten) - handicapped accessible 9 Please call FD WTC Member Services at (718) 999-1858, for an appointment ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Commack, Long Island (Suffolk County) ʹ New office in a new location 66 Commack Road, Suite 200 ** New ** Commack, NY 11725 (631) 858-2190 Fort Totten (Bayside, Queens) Building 413B Bayside, NY 11359 (718) 281-7955 Middletown (Orange County, NY) ʹ Same parking lot, new office in different building 2277 Goshen Turnpike ** New ** Middletown, NY 10941 (845) 695-0695 Staten Island, NY 1688 Victory Blvd Staten Island, NY 10314 (718) 448-2391
Uniformed Firefighters Association 204 EAST 23rd STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10010-9998 Tel (212) 683-4832 • Fax (212) 683-0710 www.ufanyc.org
JAMES M. SLEVIN Vice President
STEPHEN J. CASSIDY President ENG 236
EDWARD BROWN Treasurer
LAD 7
LAD 48
JOHN G. KELLY, JR Trustee-Brooklyn ENG 201 Chairman, Board of Trustees
MATTHEW M. DESJARDIN Trustee-Queens ENG 325 VINCENT SPECIALE Trustee-Manhattan
STEPHEN J. CASSIDY Editor-In-Chief
ENG 55
LEROY C. MCGINNIS Recording Secretary
ENG 266
ERIC BISCHOFF Trustee-Staten Island
ENG 161
GERARD FITZGERALD Health & Safety Officer ENG 318 Sergeant-at-Arms WILLIAM GRECO Trustee-Bronx
ENG 68
STEVEN TAGLIANI Fire Marshal Representative
BFI
STEPHEN N. SYMBOLIK III Managing Editor
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ONL LY ONE LA AW FIR RM
Has Been General Counsel to the UFA for Over 30 Years! For decades, the fir i m of SULLIVAN PAPAIN BLOCK McGRATH & CAN A NA AVO V P.C. has been the friend of the in njjured New w York City ffir ireffight i er and the fa amilies of those fiireffiighters who have given their lives in the performance of their duties. As GENER RAL COUNSEL L to the members of the Unifformed Fireffighters Association, we are fully aware how these TRUE HEROES of our society place WKHPVHOYHV LQ KDUP¶V ZD\ WR SURWHFW WKH OLYHV DQG SURSHUW\ RI RXU FLWL]HQV each and every day. y Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo P.C. has obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in cases where fiireffiigKWHUV¶ lives were unnecessarily placed in jeopardy because of ffaul aulty building design and maintenance or as a result of defec e tive ffiir e eq quipment. NO FIRM can match the experience or success in this unique area of personal injjury litigation.
Contact Mike Block at (212) 732-9000 to discuss questions you may have if you or a family member has suffered an injury as a result of: - Line-off--Duty Accident - Automobile Accident - Slip and Fall - Un nsafe Premises
- Medical Malpractice - Construction Accident - Deffe ective Product - Unsafe Prescription Drug/Medical Device
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