Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts IAFF AFL-CIO ...pffm.org/2018 Legislative...

ProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusettsIAFFAFL-CIO

2018LegislativeConventionJune13,2018

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TABLEOFCONTENTSAgenda&ScheduleofEvents 15-17Delegates-At-Large 18ProfessionalStaff 19ConventionStaff 19ReportoftheLegislativeAgents 20-21Committees 23 Reception&Information 23

Credentials 23RulesofOrder 23Legislative&Policy 23Resolutions 23Elections 23

CommitteeReports 24 ReportofCommitteeonRulesofOrder 25 RulesoftheElectionCommittee 28 Resolutions 33NOTES 42



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CONVENTIONAGENDA&SCHEDULEOFEVENTS

Wednesday,June13,2018 7:00am RegistrationofDelegates8:00am–10:00am POLLSOPEN–LEGISLATIVEAGENTELECTION8:30am–8:45am ExecutiveBoardMeeting9:15am ResumeJohnJ.JenningsEducationalSeminar

LEGISLATIVECONVENTIONOPENINGRichardMacKinnonPresidentProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusetts

ROLLCALLOFOFFICERS

TheHonorableCharlieBaker GovernoroftheCommonwealth YvonneM.Spicer Mayor,CityofFramingham

(Continuedonnextpage)



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PoliticalPanel“Labor&PartisanPolitics”

EdHardingCo-Host,WCVB“OntheRecord”Moderator

JanetWuCo-Host,WCVB“OntheRecord”ModeratorWarrenTolmanDemocraticStrategistKristenHughesChair,MassGOP

TheHonorableDebGoldberg MAStateTreasurer

BlairMillerReporterBoston25News

SteveTolman President MassachusettsAFL-CIO Presentationofthe2018Recipientof

TheKennethJ.DonnellyExcellenceinLeadershipAward

(Continuedonnextpage)



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PRESIDENT’SREPORT

COMMITTEEREPORTSRESOLUTIONSENDORSMENTSCONVENTIONCLOSING

ADJOURNMENT



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DELEGATES-AT-LARGE RichardMacKinnon,Jr. PresidentWilliamCabral Secretary/TreasurerMichaelPapagni InformationOfficerJamesBrown Vice-PresidentDistrict1RichardFParis Vice-PresidentDistrict2MattReddy Vice-PresidentDistrict3DaveKeene Vice-PresidentDistrict4ArtWilliamson Vice-PresidentDistrict5JohnShinkwin Vice-PresidentDistrict6DanielHartwell Vice-PresidentDistrict7PaulMedeiros Vice-PresidentDistrict8PaulJacques LegislativeAgentArchibaldGormley,Jr. LegislativeAgentKaitlynShinney TrusteeWilliamHill TrusteeJohnSarro TrusteeEdwardKelly IAFFGeneralSecretary-TreasurerJayColbert IAFF3rdDistrictVice-PresidentRobertBMcCarthy PresidentEmeritusPaulMLestage Secretary/TreasurerEmeritusBradfordTenney Secretary/TreasurerEmeritusArthurCorey,Jr. Vice-PresidentEmeritusThomasAWelch Vice-PresidentEmeritusMichaelWHennessy Vice-PresidentEmeritusDarrellWRollins Vice-PresidentEmeritusJohn“Spike”Lawless Vice-PresidentEmeritusRonaldArmstrong Vice-PresidentEmeritusJohnSciara Vice-PresidentEmeritusJamesAllen Vice-PresidentEmeritusDavidColeman Vice-PresidentEmeritusWilliamMacdonald Vice-PresidentEmeritusJamesCuticchia Vice-PresidentEmeritusJordanLemieux Vice-PresidentEmeritusJosephCantalupa HistorianEmeritusJohnBrown InformationOfficerEmeritus



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DELEGATES-AT-LARGEJohnRocca TrusteeEmeritusRoySacco TrusteeEmeritusCorneliusSullivan TrusteeEmeritusHaroldBrunelle,Jr. TrusteeEmeritusMichaelAries TrusteeEmeritusAntonioGomes,Jr. TrusteeEmeritus

PROFESSIONALSTAFFExecutiveAssistanttothePresident MikeWalshExecutiveAssistanttotheSecretary-Treasurer BobKilduff,Jr.MediaRelations&SpecialEvents MelissaHurley-SullivanMembershipServices JosephCantalupaPension&RetirementLiaison JohnBrownOfficeManager KyleTildsley

CONVENTIONSTAFF

Parliamentarian LeahBarrault,Esquire

ConventionStenographer CarolTinkham

MasterSergeant-At-Arms RobertMullinsSergeant-At-Arms TBASergeant-At-Arms MartyCollinsSergeant-At-Arms JulioPastrana,Jr.Sergeant-At-Arms TommyJohnsonSergeant-At-Arms TBASergeant-At-Arms TBASergeant-At-Arms JohnCosmo

ConventionStaff MichaelCurtisConventionStaff JohnRoccaConventionStaff JosephDiFrancoConventionStaff DouglasSpence,Sr.ConventionStaff DennisFountainConventionStaff CorneliusSullivan



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REPORTOFTHELEGISLATIVEAGENTSThe Legislative Agents for the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts(PFFM) remained diligently active since our last Biennial Convention inHyannis, MA. The 2016-2017 legislative session passed several pieces oflegislationaffectingourMembers.ToincludethepassageofHB1328AnActRelative to the Devens (S-19) Fire Department that adds provisions forcollective bargaining rights, overtime provisions, and LOD benefits, amongothers. The 2017-2018 legislative session remains active with legislationregarding a various range of important issues ahead for passage in thecomingmonths.Such legislation includes addressing occupational cancer among ourMembers through prevention and assistance, the uneven distribution ofbenefits across municipalities regarding presumptive conditions such ascancer, extending cancer presumptive to include breast cancer andreproductive cancer, extend cancer presumptive benefits for up to 5 yearsafterthemaximumretirementage,establishapresumptiveforourMemberssufferingfromParkinson’sDisease,establishapresumptivefordisabilityordeath caused by contagious disease, Flame Retardant Legislation, BindingArbitration, Smoking Cessation Legislation, increase the hourly limit ourretirees who return to part-time public service from 960 hours to 1200hours, National Guard/Reserve protections forMembers serving our greatCountry,non-civilserviceresidencyrequirements,andmore.For some time now, the eroding of civil service by the legislature andcommunities across the Commonwealth has been a serious issue for theLegislative Committee. Time and time again, we see Fire DepartmentspullingoutofCivilServiceinallaspects.TheLegislativeAgentswillcontinuetotestifyagainstanyandallbillsinCommitteelookingtoberemovedfromCivilService.Massachusetts hasn’t stopped having election after election, and the 2017-2018 elections weren’t any different. Massachusetts had a few specialelectionsthatallowedustoelectourfriendsPaulFeeneyandNickCollinstotheStateSenate.EvenhavingsomefriendsinthelegislatureleavetobecomeMayor, such as in Lynn with Senator Tom McGee and in Attleboro withRepresentativePaulHeroux.Unfortunately,asweknowsowell,cancerandheartdiseasedonotdiscriminateandwelostsomegood



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REPORTOFTHELEGISLATIVEAGENTSfriends in the legislaturewith thepassingofRepresentative JimMiceli andRepresentativeChrisWalsh.ThankyoutothemforalltheiryearsofserviceinsupportofourMembers.2018 also brought out a number of PFFM Members running for politicaloffice and local Retirement Boards. Mike Armano, Lawrence Local 146candidateforStateSenate2ndEssex&Middlesex;TimFlynn,SalemLocal172andCityCouncilorSalemWard4.Thankyoutotheseandall theothersforstepping up and facing the challenges on behalf of the Membership.Throughout it all we’ve kept our friends in the US Senate, Congress, MAHouse, MA Senate, Constitutional Offices; all while supporting those whosupportus.YourLegislativeCommitteehasmadesuretohaveaseatatthetableforanyandallinitiativeshappeningaroundtheStatethatcouldaffectourMembersadversely and/or favorably. Working together with such organizations asthe Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Fire Chief’s Association of Massachusetts(FCAM), The State Fire Marshal’s Office, Civil Service, Janus Public SectorTask Force, fellow brothers/sisters in Labor, and others tomake sure ourMembersandtheirlivelihoodarenotonlyprotectedbutimprovedonadailybasis.Legislative Agents testimony has been ongoing before such committees asthe Joint Committee on Public Service, Joint Committee on Public Safety &HomelandSecurity,JointCommitteeonRevenue,JointCommitteeonPublicHealth, and other committees in support of our filed legislation and inoppositionoflegislationdesignedtohurtus.CurrentlytheFY19budgetisinthe final stages of the legislative process. Budget Amendmentswithin theHouse and Senate are written, filed, and followed to passage. These keyamendments preserve fire service funding for such things as FireDepartment Extractor Bulk Purchasing Program, SAFE, HazMat Teams,Training Academy Funding, JLMC line item for Police and Fire, and OnsiteAcademy…whodoesGod’sworkforourMemberssufferingfromPTSD.PFFMLegislativeAgentArchieGormleywillnotseekre-electionafterthisafterthisConvention.HehasbeenappointedtotheMassachusettsState



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REPORTOFTHELEGISLATIVEAGENTSRetirement Board where we know he will continue to represent ourMembers andRetireeswell. It has been an honor and a privilege toworkwithhimalltheseyears.Archieisatruefriend.WethankhimforeverythinghehasdoneandlookforwardtohiscontinuedsuccessforallfirefightersandworkingfamiliesthroughoutMassachusetts.Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupportandhardwork.StaySafe!

Paul Jacques Archie Gormley PaulW.Jacques ArchieGormleyLegislativeAgent LegislativeAgent



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COMMITTEES

Reception & Information Paul Medeiros Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large Arthur Williamson Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large

Credentials

Michael Papagni Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large Daniel Hartwell Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large

Rules of Order

John Brown Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large John Sarro Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large

Legislative

Archibald Gormley Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large Paul Jacques Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large

Elections

Kaitlyn Shinney Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large Bill Hill Co-Chairman Delegate-At-Large



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REPORTOFCOMMITTEEONRULESOFORDERRULE1.Theconventionshallbecalledtoorderat9:00amonWednesday,June13,2018,inordertoconformtotheprogramoftheProfessionalFireFightersof Massachusetts, at the Sheraton Framingham, in Framingham,MA, andadjournattheconclusionofconventionbusiness.The Presidentmay, from time to time, interrupt the order of business topresentspecialgueststotheconvention.

RULE2.In order to be seated as a registered delegate or alternate, thedelegate/alternatedelegatemustbeanactiveduespayingmemberof theProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusettsoradelegate–at–largeoftheProfessional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, in accordance with PFFMConstitution&By-laws.

RULE3.Ifadelegatewhilespeakingiscalledtoorder,he/sheattherequestoftheChair,shalltakehis/herseatuntilthequestionoforderisdecided;andthisshallfollowbyrecognitionfromtheChair.

RULE4.Shouldtwoormoredelegatesriseatthesametimetospeak,theChairshalldecidewhoisentitledtospeakfirst.

RULE5.No delegate shall interrupt another in his/her remarks, except to call apoint of order or a point of information; and, he/she shall state his/herpoint.Apointofpersonalprivilegemaybemadeatanytime.



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REPORTOFCOMMITTEEONRULESOFORDERRULE6.Nodelegate shall speakuntil he/she is first recognizedby theChair; andthenonlyafterhe/shehasstatedhis/hernameandlocalaffiliate.Allmotionsthataffectthepolicy,operations,structureortheConstitution&By-Laws of the Professional Fire Fighters ofMassachusetts, other thanprioritymotions thataregermane toresolutions thatareproperlybeforetheconvention,mustcomplywiththeprovisionsofArticleXII,section2,oftheConstitution&By-Laws.

RULE7.A delegate shall not speak more than twice on any subject withoutpermissionoftheConvention.

RULE8.Speakers on resolutions shall be limited to five (5) minutes forintroductions and three (3) minutes for others; however, time may beextendedbytheConvention.Thiscommitteerecommendsthatthisrulebestrictlyobserved.

RULE9.Amotionshallnotbeopenedfordiscussionuntilithasbeenseconded;andsostatedbytheChair.

RULE10.When amotion is pending before the Convention, nomotion shall be inorder; unless, to lay on the table, to recess, to refer to the previousquestion,topostponeindefinitely,topostponetoadefinitetime,todivideortoamend,torefertoacommittee;whichmotionshallhaveprecedenceshallbeinordernamedherein.

RULE11.Amotion to “layonthetable” shallnotbedebatable except as limitedbyRobert’sRulesOfOrder,NewlyRevised,10thEdition.



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REPORTOFCOMMITTEEONRULESOFORDERRULE12.A motion to reconsider shall not be entertained unless a delegate whovotedinthemajorityshallaskforitandreceiveamajorityvote.A motion seeking reconsideration of a resolution or a motion that hasalreadybeenconsideredwillbeinorderonlyifitismadeonthesameday,orthedayfollowing,thatconsiderationwasfirstgiven.

RULE13.The report of the Committees shall be subjected to the amendments andsubstitutions from the floor of the Convention; the same as any othermotionorresolution.

RULE14.It shall require a 2/3 vote by a show of hands, to move the previousquestion in theConvention.Amotiontostopdebateshallnotbe inorderuntil three delegates desiring to speak have spoken for and three havespokenagainstthependingmotionorresolution.

RULE15.Onaroll-callvote,thedoorsshallbetiledandnodelegateshallbeallowedto leave or enter the Convention Hall while the roll call is being takenwithoutthepermissionoftheChair.

RULE16.When a roll-call ballot has been ordered no adjournment shall take placeuntil the result of theballot has been announced; andnodelegate shall beallowedtoenterorleavetheConventionHalluntilthevoteiscomplete.RULE17.ItshallrequireamajorityvotebyshowingofhandsforaStandingDelegateCounttobeordered.

RULE18.Registration of delegates for the Convention shall begin on Wednesday,June13,2018,at7:00am,andconcludeat9:00am.



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REPORTOFCOMMITTEEONRULESOFORDERRULE19.Itshallrequirea2/3voteofthedelegatesassembledtoamendorsuspendtheRulesofOrderofthisConvention,afteracceptanceofsuchrulesbythemajorityofdelegates.

RULE20.Only delegates shall be allowed on the Convention Floor. Alternates andguestsmaybeseated inadesignatedareaof theConventionFloor,underthecontroloftheSergeants-At-Arms.

RULE21.AmajoritymustbepresentinCommitteemeetingstoconstituteaquorum.CommitteesshallnotmeetwhiletheConvention is insessionexceptwiththepermissionofthePresident.

RULE22.AmatternotcoveredintheseRulesofOrdershallbegovernedbyRobert’sRules of Order unless otherwise provided for in the PFFM or IAFFConstitution&By-Laws.

RULE23.AquorumforconventionbusinesstobeconductedatthePFFMConventionshallbe100registereddelegatespresentintheconventionhall.

RULE24.Amotion to adjourn shall not be in order until all convention business iscompleted.RULE25.Allmembersare reminded to conduct themselves inaccordancewith theConductofMembersPolicyofthePFFM.



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REPORTOFCOMMITTEEONRULESOFORDERRULE26.If an original resolution is amended, or a committee offers a substituteresolution to the delegates and it is defeated, the original resolution assubmittedwillbepresentedtothedelegatebodyfordeliberationandvote.

RULE27.Communication Devices: All personal electronic communication deviceswillbe turned tosilentorvibratewhiledelegate(s)are in theconventionhall.



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RULESOFTHEELECTIONCOMMITTEERule1.NominationforofficeofLegislativeAgentoftheProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusetts will be made on Friday May 18, 2018, at 10:00 AM at themonthlyStateMeetingoftheProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusetts..Rule2.NomemberoftheElectionCommitteeshallwearcampaignmaterialduringnominationsortheelection.Rule3.Nominatorswill be allowed three (3)minutes to nominate a candidate foroffice.Rule4.Acandidatewillbeallowedtohaveonesecondertohis/hernominationasprovided in Article III, Section 7, of the PFFM Constitution and By-Laws.Delegatessecondinganominationwillbeallowedone(1)minutetoaddressthebody.Rule5.LegislativeAgent candidatesdesiring toaddress thebodymust filewrittennoticewiththeChairmanoftheElectionCommittee.Rule6.Thepositionontheballotofthosenominatedforofficewillbealphabeticallylistedbylastname.Thewordincumbentshallbeplacedbesidethenameofanyofficerseekingre-election.Rule7.Anydelegateseekinganofficeorre-electionshall,bywrittennotice,informoneoftheco-chairmenoftheElectionCommitteegivingthenameandLocalofhis/hernominatorandseconder.



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RULESOFTHEELECTIONCOMMITTEERule8.ElectionfortheOfficeofLegislativeAgentoftheProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusettsshallbeconductedat8:00AMonWednesdayJune13,2018,attheSheratonFraminghamHotelinFramingham,Massachusetts.Rule9.TheElectionshallbebySecretBallot.Rule10.Incaseofatievoteforanyofficethetievoteshallbebrokenbyavoteofalldelegates assembled, through a runoff election as provided in Article III,Section8,ofthePFFMConstitution&By-Laws.Rule11.Each accredited delegate will be given a statewide election ballot. If theelectronicmachine cannotbeused, the statewideballotwill beplaced in aballotbox.Rule12.Eachcandidateforofficewillbeallowedanobservertoobservethecountingoftheballots.Itshallbetheresponsibilityofthedelegatenominatedtocausethe name of his/her observer to be given, in writing, to one of the co-chairmenoftheElectionCommittee.Rule13.TheobservershallabidebytheRulesoftheElectionCommittee.Rule14.Votingwillbeconductedbetween8:00AMand10:00AM,Wednesday,June13, 2018, at the Sheraton Framingham, in Framingham, Massachusetts oruntilalleligibledelegateshavevoted.Thecountingofballotswillcommenceimmediatelyfollowingtheelectionvoting.Rule15.A three(3)membersub-committeeof theElectionCommitteeshall judgeacontestedballot,validorinvalid.Theobservershallhavetherighttoappealto the entire Election Committee. Further appeal shall be taken to thedelegatesassembled.



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RULESOFTHEELECTIONCOMMITTEERule16.Campaign signs may only be placed in areas not in violation of theconventionhotelrules.Nocampaignsignsshallbeplacedonthestageareasorthefrontwalloftheconventionhall.Rule17.MembersoftheElectionCommitteeshallcasttheirballotimmediatelypriortothehourof8:00AM,Wednesday,June13,2018.Rule18.No delegate shall be issued a ballot unless he/she iswearing the delegatebadgeprovidedbytheSecretary/TreasureroftheProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusetts.Rule19.Anydefacedballotshallnotbecounted.Rule20.Onlyelectionofficialsandobserverswillbeallowedinthevotingarea.Rule21.Only delegateswhose name appears on the credential and delegate badgemayusethedelegatebadge.Rule22.Alternate delegates cannot vote in the election or on other conventionbusiness unless that alternate replaces a delegate of his/her Local andchangestoadelegatestatus.Rule23.Alternatedelegatesarenotallowedtobeseatedwiththevotingdelegatesinthe convention hall. A separate seating area, for alternate delegates andguests,willbeprovided.



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RULESOFTHEELECTIONCOMMITTEERule24.Each delegate shall present his/hermotor vehicle driver’s license or othergovernment issued photo identification, as proper identification prior toreceivingaballot.Rule25.If a registered delegate does not have a motor vehicle driver’s license orothergovernmentissuedphotoidentification,he/sheshallbecertifiedbytheLocalPresidentand/orDistrictVicePresident.Rule26.No updated list of delegates shall be released, until after the CredentialsCommittee makes its final report to the assembled delegates, and thedelegatesacceptsaidreport.

2018RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION COSTESTIMATE RESOLUTION#1 NON-PROFITHOSPITAL/HEALTHSYSTEM911BASED NONE AMBULANCEREIMBURSEMENT&REQUIREMENTSLegislativeCommitteeRESOLUTION#2RE-ALIGNMASSACHUSETTSOEMS&MIHUNDERTHEDIRECTIONOFTHE NONEEXECUTIVEOFFICEOFPUBLICSAFETY&SECURITYLegislativeCommitteeRESOLUTION#3PFFMMEMBERSRESPONDINGTOACTIVESHOOTER&OTHERHOSTILE NONE EVENTSLegislativeCommitteeRESOLUTION#4POSTTRAUMATICSTRESSDISORDER(PTSD) NONELegislativeCommitteeRESOLUTION#5PFOA’S NONELegislativeCommitteeRESOLUTION#6PARKINSONDISEASEPRESUMPTION NONELegislativeCommittee

RESOLUTIONNO.11 LegislativeCommittee2

34RE: NON-PROFITHOSPITAL/HEALTHSYSTEM911BASED5

AMBULANCEREIMBURSEMENT&REQUIREMENTS67WHEREAS: Commercial Payers, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement models8

alongwith the associated statutory and regulatory laws are driving9changesintraditionalhealthcaredeliveryandthedesignoflocalEMS10systems;and11

12WHEREAS: Localhealthcaresystemsarechangingtoembracethesavingsor13

avoid penalties set forth in the ACA including the delivery of 91114basedEMSServices;and15

16WHEREAS: A Non-Profit Hospital/Health System has begun to evaluate and17

operationalize911basedEMSservices;and1819WHEREAS: Non-ProfitHospital/HealthSystemhassignificantfundingstreamsthatlimit20

the risk and exposure of beginning and operating a 911 based ambulance21service;and22

23WHEREAS: Non-Profit Hospital/Health System could have better buying power on24

equipmentandsupplies;and2526WHEREAS: Non-Profit Hospital/Health System is allowed to collect ambulance27

reimbursement under various section of Medicare, Medicaid and28commercialinsurancethatpublicEMSsystemscannot;and29

30WHEREAS: Non-Profit Hospital/Health Systemwith different billing rates, less overall31

costandtheabilitytocollectdatafromallEMSservicethatdeliverpatients32into theNon-ProfitHospital/Health,makes thema potential threat to Fire33BasedEMSservicesacrosstheCommonwealth;therefore,beit34

35RESOLVED: ThatifanysuchNon-ProfitHospital/HealthSystemproviderlicensedunder36

Chapter111oftheGeneralLawsisawardeda911contract,so-called,bya37municipality, such hospital or provider shall contribute 33% of the gross38ambulancereceiptstowardthecostofsuchmunicipality’sfirebasedservice39for the purposes of enhancing such city or town’s public safety40infrastructureandfirebasedservices;and,beitfurther41

42RESOLVED: ThatifaNon-ProfitHospital/HealthSystemproviderlicensedunder43

Chapter111oftheGeneralLawsisawardeda911contract,so-called,bya44municipality,suchhospitalorprovidershallpaynolessthan50%ofthe45grossambulancereceiptsofthecosttooperatethePublicSafetyAnswering46Point(PSAP),so-called,inordertosupportthedispatchingof911services47insuchmunicipality;and,beitfurther48

RESOLVED: ThattheNon-ProfitHospital/HealthSystemambulanceprovidershallbe49requiredtoreportallcollectedrevenuestotheMassachusettsCenterfor50HealthInformationandAnalysis(CHIA)eachyear.51

5253

/s/EMSCommittee,PFFM5455COSTESTIMATE: NONE565758COMMITTEERECOMMENDATION:596061CONVENTIONACTION: 62


34RE: RE-ALIGNMASSACHUSETTSOEMS&MIHUNDERTHEDIRECTION5

OFTHEEXECUTIVEOFFICEOFPUBLICSAFETY&SECURITY6(EOPSS)7

8WHEREAS: ThecurrentstructureinMassachusettsEMSoversightislistedasthe9

Office of Emergency Medical Services which is a division of Health,10QualityandSafetyundertheDepartmentofPublicHealth;and11

12WHEREAS: Numerous layersofoversightexist in thecurrentstructureofOEMS13

andDPHmakingnewandinnovativechangesdifficultandtimely;and1415

WHEREAS: Many of the laws in place that provide oversight for OEMS16administration,oversightandgovernancewerecreatedwhentheEMS17systemwasfirstdeveloped;and18

19WHEREAS: Manyofthecurrentpracticesareproventhattheycreateinthedelay20

of oversight of EMS. Themost glaring is the size of the Emergency21MedicalCareAdvisoryBoard(EMCAB).Evenwithover40members,22the committee constantly struggles to achieve a quorum. A lack in23quorum just adds an unnecessary delay in advisement to the24leadership of the Office of EmergencyMedical Services (OEMS) and25theDepartmentofPublicHealth(DPH);and26

27WHEREAS: Ina2015study,Massachusettsiscurrentlythe39thworstfundedEMS28

system in America ($0.24 per capita versus Utah, who is the best29funded,at$4.02percapita.Medianis$0.80percapitaspending),and30under federal annualper capita,Massachusetts ranks32ndoutof4531states($0.11percapitacomparedtoatotalgrouppercapitaof$0.3732and toWyoming’shighof $2.60per capita). Permanent and reliable33fundingalongwithastreamlinedgovernancesystemremainthemost34significant roadblocks to neededEMS improvements and reforms in35Massachusetts. The state fiscal year 2015 (FY 2015) budget allows36DPH to expend $2.6 million in revenue collected from ambulance37licensure and recertification of EMS providers. Any additional38revenues collected over the $2.6 are sent to the General Fund;39therefore,beit40

41RESOLVED: That MGL 111c “Emergency Medical Services System” and MGL42

Chapter111o“MobileIntegratedHealthCare”willbechangedinthe43appropriatesectionstohavetheExecutiveOfficeofPublicSafetyand44Security(EOPSS)bethegoverningbody.45

46 /s/EMSCommittee,PFFM47

48COSTESTIMATE: NONE495051COMMITTEERECOMMENDATION:525354CONVENTIONACTION: 55


34RE: PFFMMEMBERSRESPONDINGTOACTIVESHOOTERANDOTHER5

HOSTILEEVENTS67

WHEREAS: The emerging threat of homegrown violent extremists (HVE)8conductingactsof terrorism,specifically, small unit"active shooter"9andimprovisedexplosivedevice(IED)attacks,remainsaconcernfor10thefireservice;and11

12WHEREAS: An attack by radicals armed with weapons in public areas, such as13

concert halls, hotels, schools, shoppingmalls, churches or any other14locationswherepeoplecongregateisarealthreattoasenseofsecurity15anddailylives;and16

17WHEREAS: "Activeshooter"scenariosareunfoldingacrossthenation;homegrown18

violent extremists are finding newways to attack innocent people19duringmassgatheringeventsorintheireverydaylives;and20

21WHEREAS: Thesenewtacticsincludeuseofedgedweapons,vehicleramming,and22

fireusedasaweapon;and2324WHEREAS: FireandLawEnforcementdepartments,regardlessofsizeorcapacity,25

mustfindwaystomarshalappropriateandeffectiveresponsestothese26events;and27

28WHEREAS: Localfireandlawenforcementdepartmentsfacedwithrespondingto29

active shooter and other hostile events are establishing standard30operatingprocedurestodealwiththeseunusual,highlyvolatile, and31extraordinarilydangerousscenarios;and32

33WHEREAS: FireandLawEnforcementdepartments,regardlessofsizeorcapacity,34


37WHEREAS: PFFM local leaders throughout the Massachusetts need information38

and guidance as these protocols are developed and negotiated;39therefore,beit40

41RESOLVED: That the PFFM support and promote the NFPA 3000 Standard for42

PreparednessandResponsetoActiveShooterand/orHostileEvents;43and,beitfurther44

4546

RESOLVED: That thePFFMfile legislationtoadopt theNFPA3000Standardas47the standardized guideline for Active Shooter response in48Massachusetts;and,beitfurther49

50RESOLVED: That law enforcement and fire departments should train together51

bothinitiallyandregularlytoassureallpersonnelarepreparedfor52responseasassigned;and,beitfurther53

54RESOLVED: That firedepartmentsmustensureappropriateprotectivegear for55

personnelexposedtorisk justastheyprovidePPEforresponseto56fire;and,beitfurther57

58RESOLVED: That fire departments must provide post-response behavioral59

healthprogramsforresponderstotheseevents;and,beitfurther6061RESOLVED: That the PFFMand its local affiliates advocate for theseminimum62

best practices whenever they are involved in the planning for63responsetotheseevents;and,beitfurther64

65RESOLVED: That thePFFMtransmitcopiesof this resolution to theFireChiefs66

Association of Massachusetts and all national law enforcement67organizations, both management and labor, and the PFFM shall68encouragetheseorganizationstoadoptthetenetsofthisresolution.69

70 /s/EMSCommittee,PFFM7172COSTESTIMATE: NONE737475COMMITTEERECOMMENDATION:767778CONVENTIONACTION: 79


34RE: POSTTRAUMATICSTRESSDISORDER(PTSD)56WHEREAS: Firefightingisoneofthemostdangerousoccupationsinthecountry;7

and89WHEREAS: Fire Fighters are exposed to tremendous stressors and traumatic10

eventsthroughouttheircareer;and11

12WHEREAS: DatashowsthefrequencyofPTSDandotherBehavioralHealthIssues13

resulting fromjobexposure ismorethantwicetheNationalaverage14inFirefightersthantheGeneralpopulation;and15

16WHEREAS: Theratesofsuicideandself-harmduetothechallengesandstressors17

ofFirefightinghasbeenincreasingexponentiallyinrecentyears;and1819WHEREAS: FireandLawEnforcementdepartments,regardlessofsizeorcapacity,20


23WHEREAS: Ifleftuntreated,PTSDleadstoveryseriousconsequences,rendering24

FireFightersfrombeingabletoperformtheirdutiesorevensuicide;25thereforebeit26

27RESOLVED: That the PFFM make mental health wellness a priority by actively28

lobbying theMassachusettsStateHouse tohavePTSDrecognizedas29anonthejobinjury;and,beitfurther30

31RESOLVED: ThatthePFFMfilelegislationtoadopttheNFPA3000Standardasthe32

standardizedguidelineforActiveShooterresponseinMassachusetts;33and,beitfurther34

35RESOLVED: That the PFFM protect Fire Fighters by drafting legislation tomake36

PTSDandBehavioralhealthissuesandconditionsthatarepresumed37to have been suffered in the line of duty for purposes of benefits38providedunderMGLCh.32.39

40 /s/SomervilleLocal7641

COSTESTIMATE: NONE4243COMMITTEERECOMMENDATION:4445CONVENTIONACTION: 46


34RE: PFOA’S56WHEREAS: Cancer rates among Fire Fighters are disproportionately high in7

comparisontothecivilianpopulation;and89WHEREAS: The causes of Fire Fighter occupational Cancer varies greatly; and10

11WHEREAS: AcauseofFireFighteroccupationalCancerisbelievedtoberelatedto12

thematerialsusedtoproduceFireFighterturnoutgear;and1314WHEREAS: These products can be specifically identified as the perfluorinated15

compounds known as perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA’s) and16perfluorooctanesulfonates(PFOS’s);thereforebeit17

18RESOLVED: ThattheProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusettsfilelegislationto19

furtherthetesting,studying,andregulationsofPFOA’sandPFOS’sin20themanufactureofFireFighterturnoutgear.21

22 /s/WorcesterLocal100923

24COSTESTIMATE: NONE252627COMMITTEERECOMMENDATION:282930CONVENTIONACTION: 31


34RE: PARKINSONDISEASEPRESUMPTION56WHEREAS: Throughouttheyears,thePFFMhaveknownof,andexperiencedfirst7

hand the dangers toxic products of combustion poses to our8members;and9

10WHEREAS: Exposuretotoxinsisknowntobeacontributingfactortothe11

contactingofParkinson'sdisease1213

WHEREAS: Our members put their lives on the line every day to protect their14communities and if become sick shouldn’t have to worry about15payment of medical expenses, disability retirement benefits, lost16wages,orbenefitsforspouse/family;and17

18WHEREAS: MassachusettsstilldoesnotprovideParkinson'sdiseasepresumptive19

protections for its’ firefighters who contract this illnesses in the20performanceoftheirduties;thereforebeit21

22RESOLVED: ThattheProfessionalFireFightersofMassachusetts(PFFM)againfile23

legislation to amendMGL Chapter 41, Section 111F and Chapter 3224RetirementSystemsandPensionsto includeParkinson'sdiseasesby25inserting after section 94B the following section: - “Section 94C.26Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the27contrary affecting the non-contributory or contributory system, any28condition of impairment of health caused by Parkinson's disease29resultingintotalorpartialdisabilityordeathtoauniformedmember30of a paid fire department, shall, if he/she successfully passed a31physical examination on entry into such service, or subsequently32successfullypassedaphysicalexamination,whichexaminationfailed33to revealanyevidenceof suchcondition,bepresumed tohavebeen34suffered in the line of duty, unless the contrary be shown by35competentevidence.36

3738

/s/WestfieldLocal11113940COSTESTIMATE: NONE414243COMMITTEERECOMMENDATION:444546CONVENTIONACTION: 47

CURRENTPFFMLEGISLATIONSTATUSHB413-AnActincreasingtheannualstipendformembersoftheCommonwealth'shazardousmaterialresponseteams

- ReferredtoHouseCommitteeonWays&MeansHB1242-AnActrelativetocriticalincidentinterventionbyemergencyserviceproviders-OrderedtoathirdreadingHB1245/1175-AnActtoprotectchildren,families,andfirefightersfromharmfulflameretardants-Extensionorderfileduntil7/13/2018HB1326-AnActrelativetoresidency-AccompaniedstudyorderHB1328-AnActrelativetotheDevensFireDepartmen-SignedbytheGovernorHB1361/SB1386-AnActrelativetofirefighterscessationprogram

- AttachedtofavorablereportbyJointCommittee

HB1444-AnActprovidingabonemarrowregistryforfirefightercandidates-JointCommitteeonHealthCareFinancingHB1446-AnActpertainingtofirefighterdisability-JointCommitteeonHealthCareFinancingHB1455-AnActrelativetoParkinson'sdiseasedisabilityanddeathinfirefighters-ReferredtoHouseCommitteeonWays&MeansHB2515-AnActrelativetodisabilitybenefits-OrderedtoathirdreadingHB2790-AnActdirectingtheFallRiverRetirementBoardtopayacertainretirementbenefittothesurvivingspouseofAdamFranco-SignedbytheGovernorHB3237/SB1192-AnActrelativetoemergencymedicalservicesoversight-JointCommitteeonHealthCareFinancingHB3240-AnActrelativetoHLTV111tests-Extensionorderfileduntil7/13/2018HB3278--AnActrelativetodisabilityordeathcausedbycontagiousdiseases,presumption-ReferredtoHouseCommitteeonWays&MeansHB3279/4260-AnActrelativetosurvivorretirementbenefits

- ReferredtoHouseCommitteeonWays&MeansHB3289-AnActrelativetofirefightertraining

- ReferredtoHouseCommitteeonWays&Means

HB3520-AnActestablishingamunicipalbulkpurchasingprogramforindustrialwashingmachinesforfiredepartments

- ReferredtoHouseCommitteeonWays&MeansHB4098-Resolverevivingandcontinuingthespecialcommissionstudyingcutting,weldingandhotworkprocessesregulatedbythestatefirecode-SignedbytheGovernorHB4535-AnActrelativetothedisabilityretirementofBrianPatrickCarroll,afirefighterforthecityofWorcester-ReferredtoJointCommitteeonPublicServiceSB404-AnActrelativetoincreasingtheannualstipendformembersoftheCommonwealth'sHazardousMaterialResponseTeam-ReferredtoSenateCommitteeonWays&MeansSB1380-AnActrelativetothecreationoftheCommonwealthTechnicalRescueRegionsandCoordinatingCouncil-ReferredtoSenateCommitteeonWays&MeansSB1400-AnActrelativetotheannualallowanceforcertainsurvivorsofpublicretireesandemployees-ReferredtoSenateCommitteeonWays&MeansSB1401-AnActrelativetooption(D)beneficiaries-ReferredtoSenateCommitteeonWays&MeansSB1424-AnActrelativetoGICdentalandvisionbenefitsformunicipalemployees-ReferredtoSenateCommitteeonWays&Means

Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts IAFF AFL-CIO ...pffm.org/2018 Legislative...

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