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Do you want your Chicago Fire Department (CFD) family name and/or legacy to be forever memorialized? Honor your loved one who served on the Chicago Fire Department.  CFD Firefighter and Paramedic Retiree Memorial, there will be a free standing Black Granite Memorial with CFD retired and or deceased uniformed member’s names. It is presently in Phase I of the project, we are very close and need a few more names to begin the etching of the monument.  The cost is 150.00 to place the CFD members name on the Monument. This monument will be erected behind “the Flame” at the Quinn Fire Academy. For more information contact retired Paramedics’ Doreen Chambers at 773-842-3143 or Eileen O’Connell at 773-844-2541, or email at CFDretireememorialpark@yahoo.com. It would make a great gift for someone who has everything!

Retiree Memorial at QFA - Order Form for Retiree Memorial 

 

RETIREE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION

Brothers and Sisters,

In an effort to provide every retired Local 2 member/spouse/widow an opportunity to make the right choice when it comes to their 2017 Healthcare coverage needs, Local 2 will offer informational seminars concerning the Local 2 Retiree Healthcare Plan Options. Whether you are Medicare eligible or not, your questions will be answered by healthcare specialists from Aetna and Labor First. These seminars are free of charge and feel free to bring along your spouse. 

 

Please pass this information on to any retiree or widow who may not have email access.

 

 

Brothers and Sisters,

With the latest ruling in the Underwood case regarding Retiree Healthcare insurance, Local 2 will continue to pursue any and all solutions available to our Members.

Please see the links below for Judge Cohen's ruling as well as an analysis by our Local 2 attorneys

Underwood Memo  & Underwood Ruling

 

Contribute to Local 2 PAC now - PAC Authorization Form

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If you are approaching Medicare age (65), make sure you and your spouse get any dental work or eyeglasses before the first day of the month in which you turn 65.

You become Medicare eligible the first day of the month of your 65th birthday. Once you become Medicare eligible you lose your dental and vision coverage, and the City will not pay those bills.  

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The Local 2 Employee Assistance Department (EAP) now has a confidential direct line: 773-358-3473

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Prior to the Civil War, the volunteer fire company was a private service in most American cities.  The early "fire society" or "fire brigade" was an association of local citizens banded together for the purpose of protecting community lives and property.   In 1831 the Illinois Legislature required any incorporated city or town to have a volunteer department.  Chicago's first volunteer company was organized in 1835.           

Firefighting soon became an established municipal service manned by a paid ful-time work crew.  But this new organization also depended upon the generosity of local politicians for jobs, salaries, and working conditions.  A civil service system did not exist.  Firefighters were often dismissed when a new political boss gained control of the city.  Firefighting jobs were treated as political gifts and men were not always hired for their skills, but for their political contributions at election time.

Like other labor groups, Firefighters contested with management over wages, hours and conditions.  But because of their unique status and the community's dependence upon them, their opportunities to press for change were often severely constricted. 

Firefighter History Link

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Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors warn you of fire in time to let you escape. Install them on each level of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Follow the manufacturer's directions, and test once a week. Replace batteries twice a year, or when the detector chirps to signal that the battery is dead. Don't ever take the battery out for other uses!

Plan and Practice Your escape
If fire breaks out in your home, you must get out fast. With your family, plan two ways out of every room. Fire escape routes must not include elevators, which might take you right to the fire! Choose a meeting place outside where everyone should gather. Once you are out, stay out! Have the whole family practice the escape plan at least twice a year.

Space Heaters Need space
Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet (1 meter) from paper, curtains, furniture, clothing, bedding, or anything else that can burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed, and keep children and pets well away from them.

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