IAFF Members Ready to Assist the Philippines Following Typhoon Haiyan

November 13, 2013 – Relief is slowly making its way to the Philippines after the country was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan on November 8. As airport runways open and roads are cleared of heavy debris, IAFF fire fighters who are members of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams will likely be deployed to the most affected areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has not announced any projected departure dates.

W.L. Gore & Associates Issue Safety Alert for Gore Moisture Barriers

November 13, 2013 — The IAFF Division of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine has been notified of a safety issue concerning stored fire fighter turnout gear. W.L. Gore & Associates has issued a safety alert for all users of Gore moisture barriers. The identified problem involves seam tape separation when the gear has been stored in its original packaging for three or more years before being issued and worn. When this seam tape separation occurs, turnout gear may no longer be resistant to liquid penetration per the requirements of NFPA 1971.

Schaitberger Urges President Obama to Establish Task Force on Wildland Fire Fighting

November 1, 2013 – General President Harold Schaitberger is urging President Obama to take immediate action and appoint a task force on wildland fires. In a letter to the president Schaitberger wrote, “Today’s issues and challenges surrounding wildland fires are analogous to the issues surrounding urban fire problems of the previous generation. To address adequately the wildland issues, the federal government must take a lead role in coordinating and leading the effort.”