Latest news with #IAFF
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Soros-backed Philly DA could face uphill battle for re-election if GOP write-in scheme succeeds
In the six-to-one Democrat stronghold of Philadelphia, winning a seat as a Republican is tough to say the least. There hasn't been a Republican mayor since Bernard Samuel in the 1950s, for example. So it may not be that surprising that the local GOP has a plan it hopes will give a Democrat primary challenger to incumbent District Attorney Lawrence Krasner a crucial second round against the Soros-backed prosecutor should he get knocked out in Tuesday's primary election. Krasner is facing fellow Democrat and former judge Pat Dugan, who also has the support of several Democrat ward committees and Philadelphia political stalwarts like state Sen. Tina Tartaglione, plus a slew of union groups like IAFF and the Teamsters. In his pitch to voters, Dugan drafted a "geographic prosecution plan" to crack down on crime in the city. 2024: The Year Law And Order Was Restored By Voters "This plan is about more than just fighting crime—it's about rebuilding communities. [It] will hold criminals accountable, provide second chances when appropriate, and ensure every neighborhood feels the impact of a fair and just system they can trust and believe in again," Dugan said in a statement on his campaign site. Read On The Fox News App Krasner, seeking a third term, has been lambasted for his progressive criminal justice policies and faced impeachment proceedings from Republicans in the now-Democrat-controlled State House of Representatives. In 2023, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled the GOP-controlled Senate cannot hold a trial because the House's articles of impeachment didn't meet the bench's standards. One top Republican, 2022 gubernatorial nominee Sen. Doug Mastriano, notably opposed Krasner's impeachment, quipping, "Philadelphia: They want Krasner – they like him. That's a huge mandate." While there was a drop in homicides year-over-year in 2023, Philadelphia saw a spike from 351 the year he took office in 2018 to 562 in 2021. Krasner also ceased charges for certain offenses like marijuana possession, eliminated cash bail for some offenders and has sought generally more lenient sentences than conservatives want. In the city where then-Mayor James Kenney did a dance on social media to celebrate its inception as a sanctuary city, Krasner has followed up by refusing to honor ICE detainer requests, saying that letting the feds tell him who to jail is unconstitutional. Philadelphia Da Krasner Slammed By Murder Victim's Sister: We're Fed Up Krasner's backing from about $1.45 million in political action committee support tied to Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros has also led to criticism. Last week, Dugan told PhillyVoice the city is feeling "Krasner fatigue" after eight years. "Many people come up to me and tell stories about how upset they are with some of the policies with the DA's office," he said. Republicans, largely out of power in the city for decades outside of two at-large city council seats that they – or independents – must statutorily be elected to, see Dugan's candidacy as an opportunity to oust Krasner and have a way to give him a second chance should he fail in Tuesday's primary. The city's Republican Party funded a website advising voters to write-in Dugan on the Republican line. By law, if Dugan receives 1,000 write-ins, he will be named the Republican general election nominee unless he declines the opportunity. That would give more city voters a chance to turn out Krasner in the November general election. "This is about making crime in Philadelphia illegal," PhillyGOP chair Vince Fenerty told the South Philly Review. Fox News Digital reached out to both Krasner and Dugan via their campaigns for comment but did not hear back by the publication article source: Soros-backed Philly DA could face uphill battle for re-election if GOP write-in scheme succeeds
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CT firefighters are dying from cancer likely due to their gear. Lawmakers want to help
With cancer the number one cause of death for firefighters, Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would allocate $3 million to replace fire apparatus thought to be causing cancer. Studies have shown over the years that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), a class of fluorinated chemicals known as 'forever chemicals' have been linked to cancer and other serious health effects, according to the International Association of Firefighters. The IAFF found in studies that all three layers of firefighter turnout gear, the protective clothing and equipment firefighters wear, contain PFAs. 'We feel very strongly that PFAS is a significant factor in those increased cancer rates,' Brown said. 'We are hopeful that we will never have to put gear on that contains PFAs and that we will see a reduction in cancer rates in the next generation of firefighters.' But though the state has been taking steps to eliminate PFAs from turnout gear and from the firefighting foam used to put out fires, the process is costly, deterring some departments and taking a toll on others who were eager to get potentially safer gear. Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, wrote in his testimony in support of the bill that in 2021 the state 'took an important step by banning the use of firefighting foams containing PFAs. 'However, fire departments that acted early to comply with this law have faced financial burdens as previous reimbursement programs only covered removals completed after July 1, 2023,' Kissel wrote. HB 7120 aims to address the epidemic of cancer among firefighters and also help departments shoulder the cost of replacing PFAs-containing firefighting gear. The bill would establish a pilot program to screen Connecticut firefighters for cancers common to firefighters and require municipalities to provide additional sets of turnout gear to firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer or are at an increased risk of developing cancer. It would also provide grants to departments that still need to replace PFAs-containing fire apparatus and provide reimbursement to those that replaced turnout gear prior to July 1, 2023. Peter Brown, president of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, said with firefighters getting cancer at a higher rate than the general population it is imperative to protect them. John Carew, Connecticut State Firefighters Association legislative representative and past president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, also said the bill is integral. But Carew also cited concerns with the bill. First, PFAs-free gear is hard to get because just one manufacturer currently is making it. Second, it's expensive. A set of PFAs-free gear costs roughly $4,000, he said. There are concerns also about the durability of the gear. Conventional gear containing PFAs lasts approximately 10 years, Carew said, while PFAs-free gear may last only up to two years. Last year legislators passed SB 292 which bans the manufacturing, selling or distributing of products containing PFAs beginning on Jan. 1, 2028, according to the bill's analysis. The products include apparel, carpets or rugs, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, children's products, menstruation products, ski wax, textile furnishings, and upholstered furniture, according to an analysis of the bill. There are concerns about the PFAs-free turnout gear, too. The National Fire Protection Association has found through testing of the PFAs-free gear that it is 'less breathable and offers less thermal protection, which could lead to higher heat stress among firefighters.' Brown has also learned of those concerns, he said. Waterbury Assistant Fire Chief Javier Lopez said his department decided not to move forward at this time with PFAs-free gear after testing the gear for three months. Lopez said they also cited concerns about heat-related issues related to the gear, which could include potential cardiac issues. Brown said since the legislature passed a law providing firefighters with occupational cancer job protection, there have been 30-35 cancer claims. But he believes that number is higher at around 50. To protect the next generation, PFAs in turnout gear must be addressed. 'They don't have to put the agent back on their body that could have caused their initial claim,' he said.
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
US fire union urges probe into truck makers over soaring costs and delays
Listen to article The largest firefighters' union in the United States has called on antitrust authorities to investigate the country's major fire truck manufacturers, warning that industry consolidation is inflating prices and threatening public safety. In a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) accused the industry's dominant players of stifling competition. Three companies — REV Group (REVG.N), Oshkosh Corporation (OSK.N), and Rosenbauer ( — control roughly two-thirds of the US market for fire and emergency vehicles, the union said. Prices for fire trucks have more than doubled in the past decade, with some ladder trucks now costing up to \$2 million. Meanwhile, some fire departments face delivery delays of up to four years. "It's really a critical hazard in public safety," IAFF President Edward Kelly said. The IAFF and antimonopoly group American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) urged the FTC to launch a market study and the DOJ to consider enforcement action. They warned that inflated costs and long lead times are undermining emergency response capabilities, especially in cities grappling with natural disasters. Fire departments, they said, are increasingly locked into contracts with 'floating' pricing — where final costs can rise after an order is placed. 'We are paying the price for all these corporate decisions,' Kelly said. 'It serves the investor well, but it doesn't serve the public when you call 911 and the ladder truck is out of service.' A spokesperson for Oshkosh said the company is investing in manufacturing capacity, technology and process improvements to meet growing demand. REV Group cited labour shortages, inflation, and pandemic-related disruptions as drivers of cost and delay, but said it has boosted production by 30% in two years and launched faster-delivery models. Rosenbauer said its backlog is shorter than the industry average and that it is also increasing output. Kelly added that fire departments are experiencing the knock-on effects of consolidation in other areas — from dispatch software to vehicle parts and personal protective equipment. The IAFF cited recent wildfires in California where dozens of fire trucks were reportedly unavailable, contributing to the deaths of at least 29 people in two communities.
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
As fire truck prices hit $2 million, US firefighters demand an antitrust probe
May 13 (Reuters) - The largest firefighters' labor union in the U.S. is demanding antitrust authorities investigate the companies that make fire trucks, saying industry consolidation has led to skyrocketing costs and years-long wait times, endangering fire fighters and the public. The U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission should probe the fire and emergency vehicle industry, where three companies — REV Group (REVG.N), opens new tab, Oshkosh (OSK.N), opens new tab, and Rosenbauer ( opens new tab — together make up around two-thirds of the market, the International Association of Fire Fighters said in a letter, opens new tab. Truck prices have doubled in the past decade, with ladder trucks now costing as much as $2 million each, while fire departments are facing backlogs as long as four years, said IAFF, which represents fire and emergency workers in the U.S. and Canada, and American Economic Liberties Project, an antimonopoly group. "It's really a critical hazard in public safety," IAFF President Edward Kelly told Reuters. Oshkosh spokesperson Lisa Barwick said the company is investing in manufacturing capacity, technology, and process improvements to meet demand. "Global supply challenges, unprecedented demand, and significant inflation since the pandemic started in 2020 have resulted in extended delivery times and increased prices," she said. A REV Group spokesperson also cited demand, labor shortages and cost increases as driving price increases and delays. "In response, we have increased production of our fire and emergency vehicles by nearly 30% in the last two years, introduced new lines of semi-custom trucks with faster ship times, and continued to invest in training programs for skilled talent," the spokesperson said. Rosenbauer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. IAFF and AELP said high prices and long waits are endangering public safety in communities facing natural disasters, citing reports that dozens of fire trucks were out of commission during the wildfires that devastated two Los Angeles communities and killed at least 29 people earlier this year. From Atlanta, to Houston, to San Francisco, cities and towns are facing a crisis where demand for new fire trucks outstrips availability and funding, Kelly said. On top of long wait times, fire departments are being pushed into contracts with "floating" pricing structures, where the final price of a truck may go up after an order is placed. "We are paying the price for all these corporate decisions. It serves the investor well, but it doesn't serve the public when you call 911 and the ladder truck is out of service," Kelly said. The DOJ or FTC should use their authority to investigate the industry, and the FTC should launch a study of how consolidation is affecting fire departments' access to a broader range of parts and services, they said. Fire departments are seeing the effects of consolidation on everything from dispatch software to personal protective equipment and vehicle parts, Kelly said.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Security Highlights From Trump's First 100 Days — How They Impact You
President Trump's first 100 days in office have brought sweeping changes to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Learn More: For You: In its work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the SSA is on a new course that prioritizes improving customer service, reducing waste, fraud and abuse while optimizing its workforce to better serve the public, the SSA announced in April. Here's what's happening in the SSA — and how it could impact you and your Social Security benefits. The SSA has implemented the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA), which is a law that repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The WEP and GPO reduced benefits for 2.2 million people who received a pension based on work not covered by Social Security. The SSA paid over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments. This will only impact those who received a pension from work where they did not pay into Social Security, such as teachers, firefighters and police find out if the SSFA affects you, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) suggested reviewing your work history, especially if you've held a public sector job or receive a pension from one. They also recommended reaching out to the SSA to get details on how your specific benefits may be impacted. Consider This: The SSA implemented new 'common-sense approaches' to cut costs by over $1 billion for fiscal year 2025. This included areas such as payroll, information technology, contracts and grants, real property, printing, travel and purchase card policies, according to the SSA. These cost-saving measures are intended to make the SSA more efficient and better able to deliver service. However, the Center for American Progress (CAP) pointed out that cuts to the SSA could lead to delayed or missed payments, longer wait times or slower response times. The SSA has a staffing target of 50,000 — a 7,000 reduction to its workforce. The CAP reported reduced staff levels likely mean greater delays. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren also recently said the workforce reduction and chaos have led to an increase in mistakes and a reduction in available support for correcting them. The SSA began rolling out a modern telecommunications platform on its National 800 Number. This will allow the agency to better handle calls to field offices while providing more self-service options. According to the SSA, there have already been improvements in office answer rates and average speed of answer. For retirees, this could mean faster access to support when questions arise about monthly payments, benefit adjustments or account issues. Complete rollout is expected by the end of summer 2025. The SSA has also improved fraud prevention tools for claims filed over the phone. This adds an extra layer of protection against identity theft and unauthorized access to retirees' Social Security benefits. After reports of people who are 'implausibly old to be living,' the SSA is improving the accuracy of death data. This could also prevent fraudulent claims that could strain program resources. According to the SSA, this is an important anti-fraud measure, as criminals may use those individuals' information to commit fraud. The SSA is increasing how much it withholds from monthly benefits when overpayments occur, raising the default rate from 10% to 50%, according to an SSA emergency message. This means retirees who owe money to SSA may see a larger deduction from their checks each month. The agency is also restarting the Treasury Offset Program (TOP), which allows the government to collect old Social Security debts, such as overpayments, by withholding federal payments like tax refunds. For retirees with unresolved debts, this could result in unexpected reductions in benefits or other federal payments. The SSA is rolling out a new system called the Payroll Information Exchange (PIE), which automatically pulls wage data from payroll providers. This allows the agency to quickly and more accurately verify income and reduce the chances of overpayments or errors. For retirees who still work or have fluctuating income, PIE means fewer reporting headaches and a lower risk of accidental overpayment that could later lead to withheld benefits. The SSA is expanding its Health Information Technology (Health IT) program, which enables the agency to access medical records for disability claims electronically. For those applying for disability, this helps streamline the determination process, which could allow applicants to receive decisions and potentially benefits more quickly. The Electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (eCBSV) service, which helps financial institutions and government agencies verify identities, is getting an overhaul. The plan will reduce operating costs and lower user fees to allow for greater accessibility. For retirees, this could also mean smoother and faster identity verification, resulting in fewer delays and identity-related errors. The SSA is completing its nationwide rollout of the new Hearing Recording and Transcriptions (HeaRT) system, which replaces outdated equipment with advanced, AI-powered software. This upgrade will help create more accurate hearing transcripts, and for retirees involved in appeals or disability hearings, HeaRT can mean faster, more reliable records of their proceedings. The SSA, in partnership with its Office of the Inspector General, is stepping up efforts to combat Social Security-related scams, especially those targeting retirees. For retirees, staying informed is a must. Scam allegations increased by 22.1% from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024, according to the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Scammers often pose as SSA employees to trick individuals into giving up personal information or making payments. The SSA has ramped up efforts to keep the public informed about how the agency is performing. It now publishes key performance metrics directly on its website at These updates give retirees and the broader public a clearer view of how the SSA is doing. For retirees, this increased transparency allows them to stay informed about any improvements or delays that may impact their benefits. More From GOBankingRates 6 Used Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for Retirees How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 7 Overpriced Grocery Items Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 2025 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources Social Security Administration (SSA), 'Social Security Administration Highlights Key Accomplishments in the First 100 Days of the Trump Administration' International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), 'Q&A: How will the Social Security Fairness Act impact me?' Center for American Progress, 'Cuts to the Social Security Administration Threaten Millions of Americans' Retirement and Disability Benefits' SSA, 'Social Security Announces Workforce and Organization Plans' SSA, Emergency Message Office of the Inspector General (OIG), 'Recent Trends in SSA-related Scams Reported to SSA OIG' SSA, Social Security performance This article originally appeared on Social Security Highlights From Trump's First 100 Days — How They Impact You
