NNFD IAFF Local 794

Here is a reprint from the Daily Press article on April 20, 2008. The story was written by Sabine Hirschauer and Copyright © 2008, Newport News, Va., Daily Press . Please click on "read more" to view the article.

VPFF 2008 Covention Agenda

You are hereby notified that the 23rd Bi-Ennial and 30th Convention of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters will be held at the Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg, VA on Friday, May 16, 2008. This site was decided on by the 2006 Convention according to the provisions of the V.P.F.F. Constitution and By-Laws. The convention will remain in session until Saturday, May 17, 2008 or until the business of the convention shall have been completed.

Here is the agenda for the VPFF 2008 Convention. (click on read more)

IAFF FRONTLINE NEWS BRIEF

Here is the latest news from the IAFF FRONTLINE NEWS BRIEF

VPFF 2008 Convention

The 2008 VPFF Convention is approaching. For more information please click on VPFF 2008.

Help will be needed for the convention. Please contact Jim Diego for details.

Department of Fire Programs
Here is a link to the Department of Fire Programs Logbook. The Logbook book is a newsletter published by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. The Logbook

HELPS
Jim Gower asked that this message be passed on to the retirees.

HELPS is a new retiree health care benefit that provides a tax-free distribution of up to $3,000 from retirement plans to help retirees pay for health insurance or long-term care insurance.

The IAFF won an unprecedented congressional victory with the passage of the Health Care Enhancement for Local Public Safety Officers (HELPS) act. Under it, retirees can receive a tax-free distribution of up to $3,000 from retirement plans to help pay for health insurance or long-term care insurance premiums. The IAFF encourages affiliates to remind retirees about the HELPS benefit.

Under the benefit, the IRS will allow retired fire fighters to exclude from income distributions made from eligible retirement plans up to $3,000 annually to pay the costs for accident or health insurance or long-term care insurance. The funds can cover the retiree, spouse or dependents. The distribution must be made directly from the retirement plan to the insurance provider. Eligible retirement plans include qualified trusts, section 403(a) plans, section 403(b) annuities and section 457(b) plans.

Read questions and answers written with fire fighters in mind.

IAFF Q&A (PDF)

The IRS requires retirees to report total distributions on Form 1040, line 16a; Form 1040A, line 12a; or Form 1040NR, line 17a. The taxable amount should be reported on Form 1040, line 16b; Form 1040A, line 12b; or Form 1040NR, line 17b. Also, retirees should write “PSO” (for public safety officer) next to the appropriate line where the taxable amount is reported. For tax accountants: refer to code section 402(l).

Download IRS 1040 (with helpful highlights)

National Conference on Public Employees Retirement Systems (HELPS website)

HELPS in the news:

IRS Publishes Instructions on HELPS Benefit

Bush Budget
Email from Jim Gower

Subject: Bush Budget Destroys 9/11 Health Care Programs

February 7, 2008 -- A steep 77 percent cut in funding for 9/11 health care programs contained in President Bush’s proposed 2009 budget would totally destroy the programs and cut off treatment and monitoring services to thousands of people,” according to Dr. James Melius, chair of the Steering Committee for the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program.

The budget plan would cut the current $108 million appropriation for 9/11 health programs to $25 million for Fiscal Year 2009. The programs are administered by the Mt. Sinai Medical Center, the New York City Fire Department and the City of New York. Current 2008 funding for the programs includes an additional $50 million provided through an emergency spending bill passed late last year.

“It’s shocking that the president would use his final budget to take an axe to 9/11 health care programs,” says Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY). “Just a few weeks ago, the administration cancelled a program for 9/11 responders from around the country because it said it lacked funding, and now the president releases a budget that doesn’t even ask for the money needed. The administration has failed in every single one of its budget proposals to deliver adequate help to the heroes of 9/11.”

“This administration’s slashing of key federal funding for 9/11 health programs amounts to nothing less than an absolute betrayal,” adds Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).

Melius says he expects New York’s congressional delegation to wage a strong fight to demand the additional funding needed, and that the fight “may stretch into the term of the next president.”

If the 2009 funding is not restored, thousands of 9/11 workers in treatment would face severe hardship. “They would be forced to rely on whatever medical care providers they could find to help them, but as we know, many of them are without health insurance at the present time.” Melius notes.

“Even if they have health insurance, many of the health insurance companies will not pay for work-related health problems, so they would be in a very difficult situation and have to pay for treatment out of their own pocket. This isn’t tenable,” he says.

IAFF Legislative Issues
Here is a link to current legislation and legislative issues being tracked by the IAFF. Please click on: http://www.iaff.org/politics/legislative/issues.htm

VPFF D. Duane Dixon Scholarship Fund
Applications are now being accepted for financial assistance for spouse and legal dependents of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters. Applications and supporting materials must be mailed no later than March 1, 2008. All applications and supporting materials will become the property of the VPFF. Applications received after March 1, 2008 will be returned to the applicant.

Applications can be found at:http://www.vpff.org/2002/scholarship.htm

Passing of Jack Carper
Is it with our deepest regret to report the passing of former Local 794 President Jack Carper.

A viewing will be held at Weymouth Funeral Home
12746 Nettles Drive, from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.

The funeral with full fire department honors will be at 11 a.m.
Friday at First Baptist Church
corner of Warwick Boulevard and Maxwell Lane.