Retirement
Is there such a thing as “too old to serve”?
Democrat-backed bill lowers maximum pension retirement age from 60 to 55
High court rejected claims from three dozen firefighters and police officers that the merger of 649 systems violates the state’s constitution
A lawsuit filed by high-ranking chiefs says Richard Blatus’ retirement highlights tactics used to get older chiefs to retire
Rocco Brienzo discussed his pride in the fire service; Lynn firefighters gave him a personalized helmet and took him for a ride in their new fire boat
They showed their support for a bipartisan measure that would benefit them
Retired public safety workers and teachers plan to sue again, citing the Medicare Advantage Plan’s pre-authorization requirements
“I will miss you all terribly,” said Lt. Adrienne Walsh, who served for 27 years
The new bill would make permanent a 2021 law that offered early retirement with a reduced pension
A city spokesman emphasized the expected cost savings from moving the former workers to a Medicare Advantage plan
26 unions voted against the move to remove traditional Medicare as an option
Charity
“When we leave, each house will be in better shape,” said James Earl, a retired New York City fire lieutenant and project manager with Heart 9/11
More than 200 family members, friends, FDNY members and elected officials gathered to celebrate with Anthony Louis Aquaro
Plane Fire
Rocco Chierichella and some Spirit crewmembers doused the overhead compartment with water and fire extinguisher spray
Pfeifer will manage day-to-day operations; the retired chief is known for his work in counterterrorism and disaster preparedness
Armando Hogan, a former spokesman for the agency, had been on administrative leave since Oct. 13
Adams could eliminate retired EMS providers, firefighters, officers and others’ health insurance options except for Medicare Advantage
Lawsuit
The retirement system, or PFRS, is a shareholder in WWE with some 350 shares, initially worth $100,000
Thomas D. Healy served with the department for 35 years
“I’m sure it’s going to help save lives,” said Garnell Whitfield, Buffalo’s former fire commissioner
The decision is a win for a group of retired EMS providers, firefighters, officers and others who said an Advantage plan would water down their health coverage
Michael Stanley’s ties with the Schenectady Fire Department go back to his great-grandfather, Edward Moffett, who enlisted in 1918
Local 73 is pushing for a system that is expected to be more responsive to firefighter concerns
A bystander saw the Pilcher’s ambulance and got the EMS providers out, but paramedic and retired firefighter Don Parrish did not survive
Robert Sanford left the Chester Fire Department a month after the Capitol attack
Theft
The retired firefighter told authorities he was approached by a man in an orange vest; the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has arrested three suspects
Stillwater firefighter Randy Blake retired at 44 and underwent a double lung transplant following a battle for his life
Whether you’ve been out of the fire service for five months or 15 years, your lived experiences remain valuable to the firefighters of today
The program would require legislative approval and could include $4,000 bonuses to first responders with bachelor’s degrees
Lawsuit
Vanessa Bryant’s attorneys say a sheriff’s deputy led Brian Jordan around to take site photos; the former captain and his lawyer cited stress and trauma
Melvin “Dennis” Fortney III also taught at a community college and had retired as a battalion chief for Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue
Charity
Instead of hotels, Jörg Richter is staying at fire stations as they always have “an open door,” he says
