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The Bravest
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
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UNIFORMED FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER NEW YORK
VOL. XLVIII NO. 1, 2012
Lt. Richard Nappi, E-237
President’s Message by Stephen J. Cassidy
ieutenant Richard A. Nappi, 47, of Engine-237, died on April 16, 2012 as a result of injuries sustained wile operating at Brooklyn Box 3-3 0717. The fire, which broke out at 1:00pm, consumed about 30,000 square feet on the second floor of a twostory warehouse at 930 Flushing Avenue. It took 120 firefighters to bring the three alarm fire under control at around 4 p.m. Eight other firefighters were treated for injuries. Lt. Nappi was directing the operation of a hose line when he complained of dizziness, afterward collapsing. He was pulled from the building by members of L-112 and suffered cardiac arrest en route to
Woodhull Medical Center where he died at 3:30pm. His death marks the first firefighter fatality in the line of duty at an active scene since August 2009. Lt. Nappi joined the FDNY in 1994. He was promoted to lieutenant 4 years ago and transferred to E-237 in 2007. He was not on duty on September 11, 2001, however, while assigned to his firehouse on Duane Street, he worked at the World Trade Center site. A Bronx native, he lived in Farmingville, N.Y and leaves his wife Mary Anne, and two children — a 12year-old daughter Catherine, and an 11 year-old son, Nicholas. Please keep Lt. Nappi and his family in your prayers. Continued on page 2
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President’s Message Continued from page 1
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he Bloomberg administration launched the new “Unified Call Taking” (UCT) system in May 2009 to modernize the 911 emergency call system. However, the City did not modernize its definition of response times accordingly. The City is still not counting the significant time that a “911” caller spends with a 911UCT operator, who now conducts the interrogation of the caller, thereby artificially reducing FDNY response times. Consequently, true response times under the UCT system have increased, not decreased, as the City contends. In addition, the safety of both firefighters and the public has been compromised because the information being relayed by the 911 UCT operators to the fire dispatchers is often inadequate or incomplete. Despite these facts, since 2009, Mayor Bloomberg, and Commissioner Cassano have used these artificially lower response times to justify the elimination of the 5th firefighter from 60 engine companies, and to threaten the closure of fire companies. Last year, the FDNY reported that the following 20 companies were slated to close: Engines: 4, 26, 46, 60, 157, 161, 205, 206, 218, 220, 233, 284, 294, 306, 328, and Ladders: 8, 53, 104, 128, 161. As part of its annual attempt to close firehouses based on these artificially lower response times, the City announced in its proposed 2012-13 fiscal year budget that it once again plans to close 20 units. In addition to the City’s threat to close firehouses, the Department continues to threaten that 24-hour mutual privileges will be suspended if medical leave levels increase to an annualized 7.5%. Since February 7, 2011, the UFA has had a grievance pending that challenges the legality of this policy. The City has filed a Petition claiming that the UFA’s grievance is not “arbitrable”. The case was held in abeyance, but since the Department renewed its threat to suspend mutuals in the May 1, 2012 Departmental Order, the UFA’s labor attorneys are requesting that the Union’s grievance be put back on the calendar. Medical leave rates are calculated on headcount. Currently, headcount is dramatically reduced thereby forcing firefighters work more overtime. The math formula that the Department uses to calculate the percentage of firefighters on medical leave fails to include overtime. Consequently, the medical leave percentage rises as the headcount continues to decrease. The operational policies of the Department (reduced staffing of 60 Engine companies, lower headcount, and UCT) have essentially created an environment where rising medical leave percentages are unavoidable. The Department is in effect saying it can penalize all firefighters by suspending mutual privileges because medical rates have risen, even though its policies are creating more injuries and its method of calculating medical leave is statistically flawed.
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With regard to UCT, since June 2011, there have been eleven (11) hearings on our UCT safety impact proceedings (jointly filed with the UFOA) before the Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB). Ironically, after the City’s disastrous response to the December 2010 blizzard, the Bloomberg Administration commissioned an independent review of New York City’s “911” system by a consulting company known as Winbourne Consulting, LLC. The authors have generated a report titled the “911 Call Processing Review”. During the January 2012 hearings, the UFA/UFOA requested all documents concerning the “911 Call Processing Review”. The City refused to provide the documents. The Board of Collective Bargaining does not have authority under the New York City Collective Bargaining Law to compel the City to produce documents. Therefore, the UFA filed with the NY Supreme Court asking for a Court order for the City to produce the requested information. On February 29, 2012, NY Supreme Court issued a judicial subpoena compelling the City to comply by March 30th with UFA Discovery Requests for the UCT Study documents, and additional information that the City refused to produce. On the day that the City was supposed to produce all drafts and versions of the UCT “911 Call Processing Review” consultant’s report, the City filed a motion to quash the February 29, 2012 judicial subpoena that required the production of the documents. The UFA opposed the City’s motion to quash. On April 9, 2012, the New York Supreme Court agreed with the UFA and denied the motion. Specifically, State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron agreed that the “911 Call Processing Review” should be released because it is relevant to firefighter and public safety, and he ordered the City to turn over all drafts of the report by April 16, 2012. The Judge delivered a sharp rebuke of the City’s attempt to withhold this information. Justice Engoron said “I very much believe in an open government. I believe in transparency,” He further commented that the Bloomberg Administration’s attempt to withhold information was comparable to the Nixon/Watergate scandal. “Public safety is at stake,” he added. “The city’s argument that all we have now is a draft proves too much. Ten years from now we could have [a more-complete report]...but meanwhile, fires are still happening.” On April 13, 2012, the City appealed the denial of its motion to quash the Judicial Subpoena to the Appellate Division, First Department. In response, the UFA filed a motion with the Appellate Division to require the City’s appeal to be processed in a dramatically expedited manner. If it is not expedited, the appeal could drag on for months. Delays in obtaining these materials will greatly impact the UCT case from going forward. It could also impact the roster staffing case. As I’ve said above, the City has been using inaccurate response times to argue that it could close firehous-
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Council and intend on working closely with them, and other elected officials, to ensure the continued operation of community firehouses. Information about rallies and other events will be posted on the UFA Web site. As always, stay safe!
Photo Credit: Stephen N. Symbolik III
es and reduce staffing on 60 engine companies in communities throughout New York City. The City’s Herculean effort to prevent the report from being turned over to us seems to indicate the likelihood that the content of the “911 Call Processing Review” will support our position and bolster our case. We are grateful to Judge Engoron’s ruling that mandates that the City turn over the “911 Call Processing Review”. The Judge made clear what we have been saying all along: firefighter safety and public safety are connected. As I said in a New York Times interview: “If your house is on fire or a member of your family is having a heart attack or stroke and the fire department shows up in six minutes they should not be able to report they were there in four minutes because of an accounting gimmick. Everyone knows seconds count.” The City’s fiscal year begins on July 1, 2012, and it presented its preliminary budget on May 3rd. Surprising no one, the City Hall spring ritual of proposed firehouse closings has once again come into play. In the past few years, we have received overwhelming support from the City
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Marching in the 251st St. Patrick’s Day Parade are: (L-R) FF Tim Coffey, E-74; Rob Gallo, Esq.; Eddie Brown, UFA Bronx Trustee; Daniel Murphy, UFA Manhattan Trustee; NY State Senator James S. Alesi; Stephen J. Cassidy; UFA President; James M. Slevin, UFA Vice President; Bill Romaka, UFA Health and Safety Officer; Bob Unger; and FF Marty Richardson, E-74.
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Legislative Update
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Firefighters and issues important to us, and has fought to keep firehouses open. Based on her past record and position By James M. Slevin, Vice President on all of our issues, we found Liz to be the best candidate to represent the UFA and people of 6th district in Congress. Once again, we will be looking for volunteers in the Get-Out-The-Vote operation for this election. If you would very ten years the legislature redraws the districts for like to get involved, please e-mail your information (name, the NY State Senate, Assembly and Congress based company and phone number) to PAC@ufanyc.org. We will on the census data. As a result of these new lines the need a big turnout of UFA members to help Liz get elected districts can get shifted, combined and out right eliminated in what will be a close vote for the Primary. In addition to or created. This year is no different. As a result of these the 6th C.D. we will also be rolling out some other endorsenew lines many of the incumbent office holders suddenly ments for the Congressional Primaries. Watch out for 65have competitive races. The primaries for the Senate and 2’s and updated information on the UFA website. Assembly will be in September. We will be looking to get The Mayor recently announced his updated involved with some of these races as we get closer to Executive Budget for Fiscal year 2013. Unfortunately his September but first we need to focus on the Congressional budget fails to restore funding to the FDNY and still primaries. includes the closure of 20 Fire Companies. Once again we The Primary election for the Congressional seats will have to rely on the City Council to restore this funding will be held on June 26th. On March 29th the UFA endorsed to prevent these closures. We are in the process of meeting City Council Fire & Criminal Justice Chair Liz Crowley for with Speaker Quinn and other council members to ensure the vacant US House of Representative seat in the 6th that the funding is restored. If necessary we will be looking Congressional district. Liz has been an ardent supporter of to mobilize our members and the communities to fight these closures. We are fully prepared to do more press conferences rallies and of course a march across the Brooklyn Bridge! Further info will be provided as we obtain it. The Albany session started off with fireworks this year. Tier VI was on the table for every public employee in New York State. As the State Budget process played out it became clear that Tier VI was not just an idle threat or budget negotiating tactic. The UFA responded by having thousands of emails, phone calls, faxes and letters sent to the Albany legislature from our membership letting them know our opposition and why Firefighters should be treated different for the risks we take to keep the public safe. Meetings were held with the Governor and leaders of the Senate and Assembly along with key legislators. Ultimately we decided with the NYSPFFA to conduct a mass rally outside the Capitol. Hundreds of Firefighters from NYC traveled to Albany by the busload. Our message was heard and the version of Tier VI that was passed spared our future member the drastic changes beyond what was already changed with the Tier II Extender Veto. Finally, the UFA would like to thank the over 150 members who turned out on March 20th for the Special election to fill the vacant assembly seats. Both candidates the UFA supported and worked for won their elections. The candidates and campaign staff were impressed by our turn out. The winners, Shelley Mayer and Frank Skartados, thanked us for our efforts in helping them to get elected. On Steve Cassidy addressed over a 1,000 firefighters who joined a behalf of the UFA Executive Board, a big thanks to all massive labor rally on March 13th outside the capitol in Albany to members who turned out. We look forward to your participation in the Congressional Primary elections on June 26th. protest Tier VI.
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New Lines, New Battles
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Active & Retired Security Benefit Fund Update Optical / Vision Benefits
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UFA No Out-of-Pocket Plan
You can quickly look up optical providers in your area that accept UFA SBF coverage via a link on the UFA website. www.ufanyc.org/security_benefit_fund/optical_provider_search.php Optical benefits provided by the SBF allow an eye examination and one pair of prescription eyeglasses for each member and each of their eligible dependents each calendar year (retirees every two calendar years), as follows: You have one year to submit a claim.
a. Covered: The benefits include a routine eye examination, glass or plastic single vision or bifocal prescription lenses and a standard frame. Contact lenses may be substituted for lenses and frame, subject to providers’ surcharges for fittings, follow-up examinations and/or materials. Surcharges, when applicable, are payable by the member. Make sure you inquire about surcharges in advance of any service. b. Cataract Lenses (retirees only): The Retired SBF allows up to $75 towards purchase after NYC Health Plan & Medicare, etc., have paid their portions (if applicable). Send the paid bill a n d N Y C H e a l th P l a n ( s ) E x p l a n a t i on o f B e n e f i t s ( E O B ) t o t h e S B F O ff i c e f o r d i r e c t r e i m b u r s e m e n t . You have one year to submit a claim. c. Not Covered: sunglasses, shatter-proof lenses where requested, more expensive frames, tinting, case-hardened lenses, progressive lenses, high-indexed lenses and similar options, except as specified on the SBF optical provider listing.
d. Limits: Participating eyeglass service providers fees are paid by the SBF with no out-ofpocket to you for eye examinations and glasses (or contact lenses) up to a maximum limit of $60.00 per dependent each year, which is calculated as follows: 1. Eye Exam – up to $15 2. Lenses – up to $25 3. Frames – up to $20 4. Contact Lenses – up to $45
Hearing Aid Benefit
Firefighters and their eligible dependents are covered for one (1) hearing aid once every five (5) years up to a maximum of $600, upon referral of physician or audiologist. To file a Claim: When you have purchased a hearing aid, send a copy of the paid bill and a copy of the audiologist’s report to the SBF office for reimbursement. A check will be mailed directly to the member. You have one year to submit a claim. www.ufanyc.org
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General Counsel’s Column
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Michael A. Block, Esq.
Overcoming A Pension Board Injustice
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he steady drum beat of media criticism of pensions for municipal employees appears to occasionally infect the proceedings before the Boards of various City pension Funds, including the FDNY Fund. In such cases, the Courts may be the only way to avoid an unjust result. A recent example of this involved the case of a firefighter who was treated for melanoma in his upper back in 1999 and 2000 (I.E., before the World Trade Center attacks.) He returned to full duty and worked steadily at the WTC site after 9/11/01. He remained cancer-free for more than eight years. Unfortunately, in 2008, he was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic melanoma in his left lung. He thereafter applied for a disability retirement under the “Cancer Bill” and the “WTC Bill.” The WTC Bill is the better alternative for the firefighter as it would provide line-of-duty benefits to his wife if he passed away from the cancer. When the firefighter’s case initially went before the Pension Medical Board, the doctors recommended that the firefighter be granted disability retirement under both the Cancer Bill and the WTC Bill. However, when his case went before the Board of Trustees, a representative of the City questioned the approval under the WTC Bill because of the firefighter’s melanoma in 1990-2000. The case was sent back to the medical Board. That Board, with no new evidence, but apparently feeling pressure from the City, simply reversed its prior position and recommended denial of the firefighter’s WTC retirement. The Medical board ultimately declared that the melanoma has a “tendency” to metastasize “long after initial diagnosis.” As a result of this new recommendation, the City representatives on the Board of Trustees all voted against WTC retirement, which resulted in the denial of WTC benefits for the firefighter. My law firm thereafter brought an Article 78 proceeding in the Supreme Court in Brooklyn challenging the denial of disability retirement under the
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WTC Presumptive Bill. The statute basically states that a person who is exposed to toxins at the WTC site and later develops certain specific conditions, including lung cancer, is presumed to have developed that disease as a result of his line-of-duty work at the site, unless contrary evidence is introduced sufficient to overcome that presumption. We argued that the Medical board’s speculation that melanoma has a “tendency” to metastasize years later, was not sufficient to defeat the presumption in favor of the firefighter. The case was assigned to Judge Arthur M. Shack, an excellent and courageous jurist. After reviewing the papers submitted by both sides and hearing oral argument, the Judge rendered a decision on March 6, 2012. Based upon the Pension Board record and, particularly, the arguments of UFA Vice President Jim Slevin, he determined that the denial of the WTC pension benefits was improper as the City had not presented sufficient evidence to overcome the statutory presumption of the WTC Bill. He noted the obligation of the City to all firefighters who worked at the Trade Center, even quoting the Gettysburg Address: [W]e can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract…It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they…have this far so nobly advanced…that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion –that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.
The Judge actually directed that the firefighter be granted retirement under the WTC Bill rather than sending the case back to the Pension Board for further consideration. This case points out not only the importance of the “presumptive” bills, but also highlights the valuable role of the UFA representatives on the Pension Board in creating a proper record for protecting the rights of UFA members.
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Attention: World Trade Center First Responders With Settled Lawsuits Were you turned down for the reopened 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund by the lawyers who represented you in the WTC Settlement? SULLIVAN PAPAIN BLOCK MCGRATH & CANNAVO P.C., General Counsel to the UFA for nearly 30 years, is accepting claimants for the Fund, including those represented by other lawyers in the 9/11 WTC Settlement • SULLIVAN PAPAIN recovered $265 Million for 360 claimants in the first 9/11 Fund (2002-2003).* • SULLIVAN PAPAIN represented more than 600 firefighters in the $700 Million settlement for WTC rescue and recovery workers. • SULLIVAN PAPAIN continues to represent many of those same clients, as well as many other firefighters, seeking compensation from the Fund. Call or Email Us Today For a Free Consultation about the Fund
SULLIVAN PAPAIN BLOCK MCGRATH & CANNAVO P.C. 120 Broadway New York, New York 10271 Phone: (212) 732-9000 Email: SPBMC-NY@TrialLaw1.com Website: www.TrialLaw1.com
*Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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WTC Program Updates by Dr. Kerry Kelly - FDNY Chief Medical Officer Bureau of Health Services, Co-Director -WTC Health Program
With the Federal legislation that went into effect on July 1, 2012, named the Zadroga Act, regulations have been implemented for all participating WTC Health Programs. The Federal agency which is responsible for supervising the implementation of this legislation is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The rules that have been enacted impact every WTC program, including the FDNY WTC Health Program. These changes may impact our patients as we deliver services to our members. In this transition phase, as we implement NIOSH requirements, our main goal remains in place: to provide outstanding patient care. Every effort to ensure continuity of care to our members has been made by the FDNY WTC Health Program, while following the legislative regulations. Let’s look at some of the newly implemented procedures for monitoring, treatment, and medications.
Monitoring
Monitoring remains in place for all members who were EXPOSED and are now ENROLLED in the WTC Health Program. For approximately 16,000 members, both active and retired, the process of documenting exposure (through patient questionnaires) and the subsequent enrollment with NIOSH has already occurred. Our FDNY Data Center has done extensive chart review and our clinical staff has reached out through mailings as well as telephone interviews to ensure that members’ exposure status has been correctly documented so they could be automatically enrolled in the program. For any members, active or retired, who were exposed at 9/11, and who have not documented their exposure status with the FDNY WTC program before 7/2011, that individual must register with NIOSH to become enrolled. The enrollment form is available online at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/wtc/pdfs/FDNYResp onderEligibility.pdf.
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FAQ:
If I am an active member, and not enrolled, do I continue to get Annual medicals? Yes, your annual medical will remain in place. If you have been exposed through your work at the WTC site, and are not enrolled in the WTC Health Program, you will be given the necessary paperwork and information to apply to NIOSH for enrollment. * NIOSH determines enrollment*
If I am retired, and not enrolled, do I continue to get WTC monitoring exams? If you were exposed at the WTC, you will fill out the paperwork to begin the process of enrollment with NIOSH. If you were not WTC-exposed, then you will not be part of the WTC monitoring program, since the program was designed for WTC rescue and recover workers and WTC exposed survivors.
*Again remember, in the initial phase of this transition, the FDNY WTC Health Program has already enrolled over 16,000 members, active and retired by utilizing historical records of WTC exposure.*
Treatment
Currently, there are several broad classes of WTC-related covered conditions. These include: Upper respiratory conditions: e.g. chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps •Lower respiratory conditions: e.g. asthma, reactive airways disease,sarcoidosis •Aero-digestive: e.g. reflux, gastroesophagitis •Mental Health: e.g. PTSD, anxiety, depression •Ortho: primarily for collapse victims, significant ortho at site Treatment for these conditions remains in place with some significant changes. In the past, all WTC participants could access treatment for these conditions as symptoms emerged (ortho has remained limited to significant symptoms
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within the first two years). Under the Zagroda Act, members must be certified for each of the WTC conditions based on their exposure and onset of symptoms. The decision regarding certification is again made by NIOSH. In order to assure continuity of care for our members, chart review has been done for all enrolled FDNY WTC-monitored members. After this review, the names of enrolled members who have been treated for and have had significant clinical symptoms of a WTC condition have been forwarded to NIOSH for certification. Through this process, over 8,000 members have been certified for one or more conditions.
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NIOSH. Once evaluation has begun, the process of certification would begin, based on the exposure history, past medical information and the findings of the tests.
Medications
Currently medications for WTC conditions are prescribed by FDNY WTC physicians for all covered WTC conditions. The prescriptions are filled through Express Scripts for mail-order (90-day presciptions) and locally (30-day) at your local pharmacy. Express Scripts has been our PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) since the WTC treatment program began in FAQ: 2006. How do I know if I am certified for a WTC condiWith the new legislation, NIOSH is working tion? toward a single PBM for all the WTC Clinical Centers This certification will automatically generate of Excellence. The selected PBM is into the WTC medical chart. This information will Emdeon/Walgreens. The process for filling prescriphelp the WTC doctor when ordering medications, tests tions will again be impacted by the new certification and surgery. process for WTC Health Program certified conditions. Members will be able to fill prescriptions that match What if I am not certified, and I think I have had the WTC condition for which they are certified. symptoms due to my 9/11 exposure? The process of certification for WTC condiFAQ: tions will be in place to provide the necessary informaDoes that mean I won’t get the medicines that I tion to NIOSH for their review. Ultimately, the final have been getting? decision will be made by NIOSH, but the FDNY WTC You will get medicines that are prescribed for program will provide the framework to help our memyour CERTIFIED conditions. If you have been under bers get certified. This information may include treatment for asthma, and certified for asthma, any WTC- site exposure information (such as “there at the medications on formulary to treat that condition will collapse”), annual medical questionnaire information be available to you through the WTC prescribing in regards to symptoms (such as “cough, congestion, physicians. heartburn”) in the first few years after 9/11, as well as If you are in the evaluation phase, before certichart review with the FDNY medical charts. Members fication, the WTC doctor can prescribe specific medmay have to bring in supporting documents from their ications for a limited time. Continued medications non-FDNY treating physicians because many individwith renewals would require certification of the condiuals chose to address symptoms with their own health tion. care professional. Why were these changes made? The package of information will be submitted The Federal legislation that put this law into by FDNY to NIOSH for review. The final decision to effect required the combined efforts of your unions, certify will be made by NIOSH. our medical experts, as well as the collective voices of the rescue and recovery workers who worked at the If I am not certified, can I get tests done if I have WTC site. This legislation required compromises as symptoms? both the Senate and House of Representatives put Yes, the WTC doctor can order a limited numtogether a law that a majority of Congress would ber of medicines, tests and treatments that will help in endorse. The Zagroda Act spells out many of the the evaluation of your symptoms, and to determine if a requirements that NIOSH has had to put in place. condition exists that may be able to be certified by Continued on page 10
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WTC Program Updates Continued from page 7
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unanswered at this time, and can only be determined by the Federal government.
Will new conditions be added?
We continue to work with your unions to support these At the Federal level, there is a mechanism for addition efforts. Your participation and involvement in the of new WTC-related conditions to be covered by the FDNY WTC Health Program remain critical as we program. A WTC Scientific and Technical Advisory continue to pursue our goal of providing outstanding Committee, which includes members of your unions, patient care. hold regular meetings. At these meetings, scientific information as well as personal stories of illness have Report from Your been presented. Based on this testimony, including the results of the FDNY WTC Cancer study that Dr. Sergeant-at-Arms Prezant and his team published, this committee has requested that Dr. John Howard (the Director of Health & Safety Officer NIOSH) add cancer as a WTC covered condition. This matter remains under consideration. How and when Bill Romaka this is implemented, what cancers are covered, and how one becomes certified are questions that remain The Health and Safety Office and Inner Imaging, affiliated with the Heart Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center, are pleased to announce a Health Screening program for retired firefighters. Over the last several decades more fellow firefighters have died of heart disease than from fires, Cancer, and the next three diseases combined. The Health and Safety Office believes that this proactive health initiative would help our retired members in identifying the early stages of heart and lung disease. I believe this is an important course of action for our retirees. The Health and Safety Office has arranged for a substantial discount for these tests. The out-ofpocket cost to our retirees will be $150 for both (heart Fr e e Co n s u l t a t i o n ! and lung) of these tests. (The regular cost can range Are You Injured or Disabled? You and your family may be entitled to substantial cash benefits. between $650 and $850.) The purpose of making this available is to You don’t have to wait for a denial to get professional help with your Social Security Disability claim. Attorney Ken Larkin and his associates at Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C., have successfully filed help you remain healthy. If on the other hand, you are thousands of applications for disabled working people. Ken Larkin and his firm will represent you on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless you win your claim. Let us help you file your Social a victim of a disease, we want to help you identify the Security Disability application. If you’ve been denied we handle hearings and appeals. disease early, before it becomes disabling. Don’t guess about what you and your family may be entitled to. Don’t guess about what you need to prove to get your Social Security Disability Benefits. Help us to help you and your fellow retired If you are thinking about filing for Social Security Disability, Firefighters. Call Inner Imaging at 212-991-5445 for or if you’ve been denied, call Attorney Ken Larkin for a free no-obligation consultation. You’ll be glad you did! an appointment and they will explain the program to you. Nine Conveniently Located Offices: Manhattan - Brooklyn - Queens Please note that active members receive an Staten Island - Bronx - Woodbury Uniondale - Commack - Medford additional scan of the abdomen and pelvis, in addition The Disability Lawyers Call: Ken Larkin, Esq. to the heart and lungs, for the discounted price of 1.800.416.5454 Ext 4550 $375. Part of the additional cost includes the cell 516-426-6072 The Disability Lawyers learn more about us at Established 1978 www.FBRlaw.com increased table time and radiological cost. Lawyer Advertising
Social Security Disability Questions? We Have Answers!
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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
WTC Zadroga Bill WTC Legal Experience Counts! Over $500 Million recovered from original WTC Victims Comp Fund
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Uniformed Firefighters Association
Prsrt STD US Postage PA I D Farmingdale, NY Permit #125
204 EAST 23rd STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10010-9998 Tel (212) 683-4832 • Fax (212) 683-0710 www.ufanyc.org
STEPHEN J. CASSIDY President ENG 236
JAMES M. SLEVIN Vice President
LAD 7
JOSEPH A. MICCIO Recording Secretary
ENG 295
JOHN G. KELLY, JR Trustee-Brooklyn ENG 201 Chairman, Board of Trustees
DONALD RULAND Trustee-Staten Island
ENG 157
ROBERT STRAUB Treasurer
EDWARD BROWN Trustee-Bronx
LEROY C. MCGINNIS Trustee-Queens
STEPHEN J. CASSIDY Editor-In-Chief
ENG 45
LAD 48
ENG 266
WILLIAM ROMAKA Health & Safety Officer Sergeant-at-Arms DANIEL MURPHY Trustee-Manhattan
STEVEN TAGLIANI Fire Marshal Representative
ENG 238
ENG 74
BFI
STEPHEN N. SYMBOLIK III Managing Editor
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