IAFF Local 61

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Problems Continue to Mount at the Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch Center

9-1-1 calls going unanswered or never being dispatched, wrong fire trucks being sent to locations or fire trucks being sent to wrong locations, long delays in dispatching units to emergencies, dispatchers giving wrong information to responding units these are just a few of the constantly re-occurring problems at the Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch Center.

A star was born in the Charleston City Fire Department this past week. CFD Battalion Chief and Local 61 Brother Howard 'Bubba' Bazemore recently starred in a commercial for MUSC's Cancer Research Center.

More Anti-Union Antics From Gov. Haley

Governor Haley continues to spew her anti-union rhetoric and she has struck quite a nerve with South Carolina's union workers.

Local 61 would like to congratulate the newest members of Local 61's Executive Board; Vice President Sean Harshaw, Treasurer Robby Baldwin, Trustee Scott Jainchill and Trustee Nick Daymut. We would also like to welcome our two newest members William Easterlin and Ryan Wood were both sworn in as Local 61 brothers during Local 61's January union meeting.

Careercast.com recently released the most stressful jobs for 2012 and coming in at number 2 on the list is Firefighter. Firefighting came in second to only Enlisted Soldier. The website cited the "high degree of danger mixed with life and death decisions" as part of the reason for Firefighter ranking so high on the 2012 Most Stressful Job list.

Engine 61 Restoration Project

At our last union meeting, members of Local 61 voted on and approved a deal that would allow the Charleston Firefighter Support Team to acquire Local 61's Fire Engine to restore and add to their fleet.

Charleston Firefighters - Local 61 has created an online donation page for the Charleston 9 Memorial Project on WePay.com. All funds collected from these online donations will go directly to help with the development of the Charleston 9 Memorial.

Help a Fallen Brother

On October 19th, 2011, Firefighter Don Beckett of the Kent Fire Department in Kent, Ohio passed away after a year long battle with Esophageal Cancer. Don's death was ruled a LODD, as it was determined by his doctors and the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Board that he contracted the disease as a result of on the job exposures.

Brother Chris Villareal is organizing two dragon boat race teams for Charleston Firefighters - Local 61, to participate in the 2012 Charleston Dragon Boat Race and he needs YOUR help! The event is set up to benefit cancer survivors. Brother Villareal needs help with organizing Local 61's teams for event, fundraising, event support and participants for the boat teams.

Welcome Our First Sponsor Wing's Neighborhood Bar & Grill!!!

Please welcome Wing's Neighborhood Grill to the Local 61 Family!!! Located on Greenridge Road, just off of Rivers Avenue, in North Charleston. Wing's is under NEW management, by one of Local 61's own and offers a 10% discount for all Firefighters, Police, EMS & Military, as well as a variety of bar & menu items, specials & events.
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LOCAL 61 SHIRTS ARE ON SALE NOW!!!

THE WAIT IS OVER!!! LOCAL 61 T-SHIRTS ARE ON SALE NOW IN THE LOCAL61.COM ONLINE STORE!!! The shirts are available now ONLY in NAVY with WHITE printing and we currently ONLY have SHORT SLEEVE TEES. The shirts are MADE IN THE USA, with the screen printing provided LOCALLY, by our friends at Screen East, in Summerville, SC.
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CFD Company Shirts & Patches Available For Sale On Local61.com's 'Online Store'
Check out the CFD Companies whose shirts and patches are available for sale in the Local 61.com Online Store. Click on the gray 'Online Store' tabs in the top corners of our website and pick yourself up some of these great items. Be sure to check back often for the latest additions to our online store.
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Be A Part of Local 61's Dragon Boat Team

PENSION (PORS) CHANGES UPDATE

We have just heard some more specifics on the changes proposed by SC Legislators to the SC Public Employees Pension System. Again, these changes are only PROPOSED at this point, nothing has been voted on or approved YET, stay informed and stay tuned as more developments on this hack job to our future continue to roll out. 1.
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Charleston 9 Memorial Online Donation Page

Help a Fallen Brother

ROOMATE WANTED

ATTENTION ALL CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE CFD/LOCAL 61 MEMBERS!!! FIREFIGHTER CASEY BLUME (ENGINE 6, A-SHIFT) IS LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE!!! SHE IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN A 1050 SQ. FT. APARTMENT, IN WEST ASHLEY, THAT HAS 2 BEDROOMS AND 2 FULL BATHS. RENT IS $340/MO. PLUS WATER AND UTILITIES.
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