Watch the Public Employee Forum on GASB 45 via streaming video webcast!  The four-hour program, offered in partnership with other AFT and NCPERS, was held February 7, 2007, in Washington, DC.    “GASB 45 will affect thousands of municipalities and other public employers. IAFF members will not be immune to these new rules,” warns IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “It’s likely that public sector employers will look to reduce retirement benefits to adjust their budgets under this new standard. Our members need to be prepared to assist their locals in addressing this challenge."     GASB Statement 45 concerns health and other non-pension benefits, also known as post-employment benefits -- along with retiree health care programs -- which are by far the most costly for employers. In general, all public sector employers offering post-employment benefits -- other than pensions -- will be required under GASB Statement 45 to reflect the costs of those benefits in the financial statements. This new requirement could drive municipalities to propose cuts that would adversely affect the financial health and well-being of IAFF members. GASB Statement 45 creates challenges for IAFF affiliates who will likely be faced with employer proposals to reduce post-employment benefit liabilities. The IAFF Public Employee Forum on GASB 45 prepared IAFF members and their affiliates to address this major threat. Click here for complete information. Materials from the live event are also available for download when viewing the webcast.

http://www.sacbee.com/703/story/100158.html

FULL HONORS SUNDAY FOR FIVE FALLEN USFS FIREFIGHTERS

early arrival suggested for memorial remembering the men of san bernardino national forest engine 57

NOTE CORRECTS START TIME INFORMATION

Firefighters from around the nation are gathering in San Bernardino this Sunday for a Memorial Service remembering the victims of the most devastating single-incident firefighter LODD since 9/11. 

The service commemorates the sacrifice of Mark Loutzenhiser, Jess McLean, Jason McKay, Daniel Hoover-Najera and Pablo Cerda. The five died as a result of a deadly burnover of their engine last Thursday in the early stages of the deadly Esperanza Fire. The arson fire consumed more than 40,000 acres. Hundreds of homes were saved, and 50 were destroyed.

WHAT:              ENGINE 57 FALLEN FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL

WHERE:            Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen Park

                        2575 Glen Helen Parkway

                        San Bernardino, CA 92407

                        Located near the junction of I-15 and I-215

                        ( Mapquest Link)

WHEN:              Sunday, November 5, 2006

TIME:               Parking Lots Open -- 8:00AM

                        Gates Open -- 11:00AM

                        Ceremony Begins -- 1:00PM 

ARRIVAL TIMES: The gates to the parking lot will open at 8:00am, and seating areas will open at 11:00am.  Apparatus and vehicle parking will be through Gate #1 off of Glen Helen Parkway, with parking in Lot A. Since this is a concert venue, traffic will back up as the event time draws near. TRY TO ARRIVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

RADIO ASSISTANCE: There will be two radio frequencies monitored on Sunday, for fire agencies arriving at the Memorial. These frequencies will be used to help with driving directions and other assistance as needed:

NFIC Command 2 (Repeater)
Receive Frequency: 168.1000
Transmit Frequency: 170.4500 (Narrow Band, No tone)

State White 2
Receive Frequency: 154.2650
Transmit Frequency: 154.2650 (Wide Band, No tone)

SEATING: Hyundain Pavilion has about 10,000 seats and a large lawn area that accomodates thousands more. A large crowd is expected, so again, early arrival is encouraged. 

APPARATUS: There will be no multi-agency apparatus procession. Local and state apparatus will be staged statically -- Enter through Gate #1, you'll be directed to apparatus parking.

PROCESSION: USFS Engines only will conduct a procession from the San Jacinto Ranger Station in Idyllwild, traveling along SR 243 to I-10 to I-215. The procession will begin approximately 10:00am and concludes at the Memorial site at 12:00noon. Those agencies and units in the Inland Empire not attending the ceremony are encouraged to post vehicles on overpasses along the procession route and salute the passing procession.

ATTIRE: Class A Uniforms.

HONOR GUARDS: US Forest Service Honor Guard will be the lead honor guard, and are inviting all California Fire Service Honor Guards to participate. Agency flags only – no tools or rifles and no US flags. If your local or department has an honor guard that would like to attend, please have honor guard director contact Dan Gosnell, USFS Honor Guard Coordinator, at dgosnell@fs.fed.us.

CONTRIBUTIONS: Firefighter contribution to help the families of the fallen and that of the surviving firefighter can be made payable to: California Fire Foundation, with a notation: "Esperanza Firefighters Fund". Mail to:

California Fire Foundation

Esperanza Firefighters Fund

1780 Creekside Oaks – Suite 200

Sacramento, CA 95833

Tax ID # 068-0118991

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

CPF -- www.cpf.org

USFS -- www.inciweb.org

Engine 57 -- www.engine57memorial.org

Riverside Press-Enterprise -- www.pe.com

Any additional questions can be addressed to CPF: info@cpf.org

Fifth USFS Firefighter From Engine 57 Dies After Valiant Fight

After a valiant struggle for life mirroring his call to serve, USFS Firefighter Pablo Cerda succumbed Tuesday night.

Cerda, a 23-year-old seasonal firefighter, was a member of the Engine 57 crew whose engine was overrun by flames in the early stages of the deadly Esperanza Fire in eastern Riverside County. Four other firefighters -- Mark Loutzenhiser, Jess McLean, Jason McKay and Daniel Hoover-Najera -- died of their injuries at the scene.

Cerda, who suffered burns over 90% of his body, had been in critical condition since the accident.

Cerda's family, residents of Fountain Valley, were escorted to their son's bedside by Fountain Valley Firefighters and police officers.

A Memorial Service honoring the five fallen heroes of Engine 57 will be held on Sunday, November 5th at 1:00pm at Hyundai Pavilion, Glen Helen Park in San Bernardino. Uniformed firefighters and honor guards are asked to attend. CLICK HERE for more information.

To help the families of the fallen firefighters, the California Fire Foundation is accepting donations. CLICK HERE for more information.

The California Democratic Party Presents….