Garland Fire Fighters Association - Garland Firefighters

2016 Presidential Election Information

Over the last 16 months, the IAFF Executive Board has been discussing our union’s potential endorsement of a candidate for president of the United States. Throughout this time, we have continued our due diligence in evaluating the candidates and our members' views and mindset.

After careful deliberations and discussions, the Executive Board made the decision not to support either candidate - a decision we announced at our 53rd Convention in Las Vegas this week.

This decision was not taken lightly, and we feel strongly that this is the right decision in this very different election. We simply cannot ignore that we have a more heated and ugly dialogue going on in our country and in this union over this election, over these candidates, than we’ve seen in modern times. We have a serious split because both candidates have negatives and unfavorable ratings that are at historical and record-breaking numbers.

Our Executive Board has discussed that deep and emotional divide in strongly held positions throughout our ranks and decided that endorsing a candidate for president in these circumstances would be devastating to so much of what we have built and counter-productive to our members interests.

It’s important to note that the elections coming this fall have incredible significance beyond the presidential race. In this election cycle there are 34 U.S. Senate seats and all 435 House seats up for re-election, along with 12 governors' races. The IAFF will be heavily involved in many of these races on both sides of the aisle where we can make the most difference.

Also in this election cycle, scores of state legislative body, mayoral and local municipal elections will also have an impact on our members, and we will continue our focus on state and local elections, devoting more of our resources and political operations on the down-ballot races.

Looking ahead to November 8, we are going to step up and make our presence known in these elections. And we will continue to educate our members on the issues that affect their lives and livelihoods and provide updates as the political season progresses.

So much of our success comes from our political strength. Whether there is a Republican or a Democrat in the White House, we have always found a way to get things done. When this election is over, we will be ready to work with whoever holds the highest office in the country.

Politicians and presidents will come and go, but this IAFF will be here long after they are gone.

Fraternally,

Harold A. Schaitberger
General President

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IAFF Behavioral Health Program

Behavioral Health and Wellness in the Fire Service

Traditionally, medical and physical fitness have been prioritized above emotional or behavioral fitness in the Fire Service. However, it is clear from the aftermath of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and other disasters that these priorities are now changing. With each passing year, research shows that fire personnel who balance physical, behavioral and emotional fitness have the best outcomes, whether one is looking at adjustment to becoming a fire fighter, ratings of career satisfaction, family well-being, or adjustment to retirement.

There is growing concern about behavioral health issues and the significant impact on wellness. The stresses faced by fire fighters, paramedics and EMTs throughout the course of their careers -- incidents involving children, violence, inherent dangers of firefighting, and other potentially traumatic events – can have a cumulative impact on their mental health and well-being.

With guidance from the IAFF Labor/Employee Assistance Programs Standing Committee, the IAFF? Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine Division continues to develop resources that educate and supports members on behavioral health concerns. Check back often for updated information on behavioral health programs and resources.

Peer Support

The stresses faced by fire service members throughout the course of their careers -- incidents involving children, violence, inherent dangers of fire fighting and other potentially traumatic events – can have a cumulative impact on mental health and well-being. Peer support programs have been demonstrated to be an effective method for providing support to occupational groups, including fire fighters. The IAFF Peer Support Training Program is a two-day interactive course taught by experienced peers from the fire service and behavioral health clinicians.

IAFF Behavioral Health Resources

The IAFF has created an Online Behavioral Health Awareness Course. The two-hour course is self-paced and tailored for the fire service. The overview course covers depression, substance abuse, trauma, PTSD, suicide risk and prevention, and strategies for maintaining balance and emotional wellness. Use IAFF login credentials to access the course.

The IAFF highlighted the risks of PTSD in the fire service through its cover story “Bringing PTSD Out of the Shadows” in Fire Fighter Quarterly magazine (Winter 2015).

IAFF national meetings regularly include plenary sessions and workshops to educate members, such as this two-hour panel presentation on behavioral health at the 2015 Affiliate Leadership Training Summit in Anaheim, California. The panel included: Suzy Gulliver, Director, Warriors Research Institute and Professor Texas A&M; Frank Leto, Uniformed Fire Officers Association Local 854; Joe Schulle, President, Philadelphia Local 22; Kenneth Stuart, President, Seattle Local 27; and Patrick Morrison, IAFF Health and Safety (moderator).

IAFF has updated the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative (3rd Edition) to include a behavioral health component to help departments develop successful and comprehensive? behavioral health programs.

Funded by a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant, the IAFF has worked with researchers from Texas A&M and Baylor Scott & White Healthcare to offer new resources on suicide awareness and prevention, including SOPs to use following a suicide.

Important Behavioral Health Links

Phoenix Fire Department’s FireStrong website has behavioral health information for the fire service
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ National Center for PTSD is dedicated to research and education on trauma and PTSD
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800- 273-TALK (8255) connects callers to local crisis centers and has information on suicide prevention.

Questions about the IAFF Behavioral Health Program?

Contact behavioralhealth@iaff.org

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GFFA Grey T-Shirt

If you are interested in purchasing a grey GFFA Shirt, please contact Brandon Day @ firemanday@hotmail.com . We only have XL and XXL available at this time.

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GFFA Gun Raffle

2015 GFFA GUN RAFFLE
15 WINNERS!
1. Henry U.S. Survival Rifle .22LR
2. Bond Arms Texas Defender .45ACP
3. EO Tech 512 Tactical Holo Sight
4. Glock 22.40SW
5. Glock 17 9MM GEN4
6. Glock 17 9MM Threaded Barrel
7. Beretta PX4 Compact .40SW
8. Glock 21 .45ACP
9. CI Yugo AK-47 Underfolder
10. S&W Pro MP40
11. CI C-93 Semi-auto Rifle .223
12. Ruger M77-GS Gunsight Scout Rifle .308
13. S&W M&P 15MOE MID .223
14. Mach 1 VEPR Shotgun 12 GA
15. Daniel Def M4 Carbine M4A1

*Details: Drawings will coincide with the Texas Lottery 6pm daily pick 3 numbers starting on October 5th for 15 consecutive drawing days. If no one wins one of the days, we will continue with drawings until we have 15 winners. Only the 6pm daily drawing will be used. All tickets are $20.Limit of 1000 total tickets. Winners will be responsible for passing background check and claiming their gun from Kyle Miller with Dark Horse Armory in Garland, TX. If a gun is unavailable for any reason, you will be able to apply cost towards another gun subject to availability. All money raised goes to the GFFA Coats for Kids Charity. Contact Brandon Day @ 214-415-0201 or firemanday@hotmail.com to get your tickets.

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