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I encourage each of you to take a few moments to drop your representatives a note, or give them a call, to let them know that YOU support YOUR emergency service personnel. Your voice DOES make a difference!

Fire Fighter News in the State of Washington:

SPECIAL UPDATE!

Senate Bill 6530 has been passed by the House, by a vote of 98-0! Apparently, there are a few changes to the bill which, I'm told, don't affect fire fighters. The bill has gone back to the Senate for a vote. Further information as it becomes available.

Senate Bill 6530 which contains LEOFF II pension improvements. This bill was brought to the Senate floor and passed unanimously on a 47-0 vote. The bill establishes normal retirement age at 53 and reduces the actuarial penalty for early retirement from 8% to 3% per year. It also retains the age 50 and 20 years of service eligibility requirements for early retirement. Proposed by Senators Jeanine Long and Karen Fraser The focus now moves to the House of Representatives, as SB 6530 has been referred to the Appropriations Committee. It is imperative that YOU call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 or e-mail your legislators and ask them to support the LEOFF II and PERS II improvements in SB6530.

An additional pension bill (SB 6792) is moving. This proposed legislation was generated by the Senate Ways & Means Committee in response to the current over-funded status of the LEOFF Plan I and would reduce the current employee and employer contribution rate for LEOFF I from 6% to 0% effective July 1, 2000. Further, it would direct the Joint Committee on Pension Policy (JCPP) to study the possible use of excess LEOFF I pension funds to assist local government employers with the cost of LEOFF I medical and long-term care. Again, you can contact the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 or e-mail your legislator and ask them to support SB 6792.

Presumptive heart legislation (SB 6158) also passed out of the Senate. This legislation would make the presumption that any cardiac problems experienced by fire fighters within 24 hours of a toxic exposure are work related. It now is before the House Commerce and Labor Committee. Further information will be passed along when it becomes available.

For further information for Washington State Fire Fighters and community members, please visit the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters web-site.

Fire Fighter News at the Federal Level:

Senator Roth Announces Bill to Take Fire Service into the 21st Century

House Rule 1168 authorizes "the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make grants to fire departments for the purpose of protecting the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards." Please contact your Representative and ask that they support this legislation.

Senate Bill 1899 redesignates "the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the `Federal Fire and Emergency Management Agency', and to amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the Director of the Federal Fire and Emergency Management Agency to make grants to fire departments for the purpose of protecting the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards." Please contact your Senator to let them know that you support this bill.

Finally, Senate Bill 1941 amends "the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to fire departments and fire prevention organizations for the purpose of protecting the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards." Please contact your Senator to let them know that you support this bill.

We encourage you to support these bills by letting YOUR elected officials know your position. This can be done by sending YOUR representatives an e-mail by consulting the House of Representatives web-site or the Senate web-site (Good), by calling your representative at their office (Better), or sending them a written letter (Best).

It is our belief that by fully supporting the needs of our fire fighters, we can make a difference for the entire community. Please do YOUR part!

Bob Nelson, Executive Director