Election Notice For September Meetings

 

Cism Debrief for Fatal Fire

Gents,

We will be conducting a second follow up cism debrief for the fatal fire which will be held on Friday 7/31/20 at 1900 at the Allentown Police Academy. Several of the individuals involved were unable to attend the first debrief so we felt it would beneficial to have a second one, anyone who was at the first may come as well. Please let the individuals under your command know. We will have food and beverages available as well.

Thanks,
Ben

BENJAMIN IOBST​

SERGEANT

Allentown Police

Resolution

Council,
This email is in reference to the proposed resolution on tonight’s council agenda.  As you navigate through  the process I ask that you consider how any proposed change in incident response could adversely affect the medical care that the citizens of Allentown receive.
Scene safety and security is not only important for providing immediate care,  it is the first rule taught in every medical certification protocol.  AFD and AEMS routinely respond to drug related incidents, domestic disputes, vehicle accidents and mental illness calls.
Patient agitation and violent reaction for afflictions ranging from imbalanced blood sugars to administering Narcan to an overdose patient happen frequently.  APD is an integral part of that conflict resolution and assures that AEMS and AFD can effectively provide medical treatment for the most positive outcome.
I have heard some of you say and much has been reported that this resolution as well protocol changes are an effort to divert calls and funding away from APD to social service responses.  As you know I am a huge advocate for mental health awareness and have come for your support on the issue in the past.  The mental health and addiction efforts should be focused in preventative measures and aftercare, not emergency service budget reduction.
Allentown citizens safety and treatment is the priority, but my members safety is also a concern when APD funding and response is being discussed.  Scene safety is paramount in the treatment we provide.  We are not in a controlled environment like a hospital or treatment center.  APD has done a fantastic job providing the security we rely on in very volatile situations with limited resources.
Once again I ask you take into consideration the ripple effects of any decisions being made with regards to protocol and funding. I sympathize with you having to be a steward for both citizen and employee and I trust you will be able to do right by both.
Jeremy Warmkessel
President Local 302 IAFF

 

Executive Board Vacancy

Attention:

Local 302 Membership

Due to the vacancy of the Office of Executive Board, created
because of Brother Keith Pierce’s resignation, in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the by-laws, the board is
now accepting names of candidates who are interested in
filling the vacancy.

Interested individuals should submit their names for
consideration to any Executive board member.

In accordance with Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, and by-laws of Local
302, names will be accepted for a period of 20 days from the date of this posting.
That would put the deadline on July 25th, 2020.

In the event, there is more than one name submitted for consideration, an election
will take place one (1) hour prior to the next month’s regular meetings.
In the event no names are submitted, the Executive Board shall seek a
replacement for the vacancy and appoint such member for the remainder of the
vacated term.

Secretary,
Jason J. Custer
[email protected]

 

P.S.

MEMBERS: LOGIN AND UPDATE YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER. AND BE SURE TO CHOOSE YOUR CARRIER INFORMATION SO YOU CAN RECEIVE IMPORTANT TEXT MESSAGES. AND MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL IS CURRENT.

Last Alarm For Firefighter Otto J. Skrovanek

,

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired Allentown Firefighter Otto J. Skrovanek.

Otto Joseph Skrovanek passed peacefully on June 22nd. Otto was born in Allentown. He served in the Army Air Force as a nose gunner during World War II, earning the rank of staff sergeant in the 15th Division. During his life, he worked as a firefighter for the city of Allentown. He enjoyed golf, bowling, and singing with his friends. Otto had a fine sense of humor and shared it often. He was always quick to extend a “Hello” to everyone he met. He was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. He is again holding hands with his best friend and spouse, Anna May Skrovanek. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage.

Otto was the son of Anton and Frances (Anderko) Skrovanek. He will be dearly missed by his children, Darryl (Norma), Leo (Pamela), Susan (Freeman), and Michael (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Laura, Stephanie, Ross, and Natasha; and great-granddaughter, Isabel.

A Catholic service will be offered at 10:00 AM Friday, June 26th at Weber Funeral Home 502 Ridge Avenue Allentown, PA 18102. Burial with military honors will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.weberfuneralhomes.com

Mask-Wearing

Brothers,

 

It has been brought to my attention that at city-wide meetings there have been discussions and concerns that AFD, APD, AEMS are not complying with the mask-wearing in stations as well as in the public at times.  With some asking that discipline be used to have us comply.

 

I encourage all of you when making contact with other city employees or the public to please wear your mask.  If a city employee or the public enters a firehouse do one of the following.  Avoid the area that they are operating in if you have no reason to be in contact with them or don one of the masks provided to you by the city.

 

To be clear I do find irony in the fact that City administrators who regularly ask us to work in unsafe conditions( equipment, PPE, and manpower) question our actions in our living spaces with regards to masks.  Fire Administration has communicated a message that we are very proactive and responsible for sanitation and protection.

 

Thank you as always and reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Jeremy Warmkessel

President, IAFF Local 302

June Union Meetings

Brothers,

 

Due to the COVID-19 guidelines and the fact that Lehigh County is not entering the green phase until next week I am changing location of the JUNE union meetings being held on June 22nd and 29th to Jack’s Slice outside pavilions at the Allentown Municipal golf course.

 

This meeting will include a vote on the  proposed by-law changes that you have received.

 

I will have a member of Local 302 stationed at the American Legion from 1915 hrs to 1945 hrs to redirect the attendees should they not receive this message.

 

I look forward to seeing you there.  There will not be union meetings in July or August.

 

 

Jeremy

 

By-Law Change Meeting

Attention :

Local 302 Members

Due to the cancellation of the regularly scheduled IAFF Local 302 May Union Meetings, the proposed By-Law change meeting will take place during Junes meetings which will be rescheduled to June 22nd and 29th.

   The meetings will be held at the American Legion Post 576,

1615 Sumner Ave. Allentown, Pa 18102.

   

    Fraternally,

    Jeremy Warmkessel

    President, Local 302 IAFF

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Last Alarm For Firefighter Alan D. Whitehouse

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It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired Allentown Firefighter Alan D. Whitehouse.

 

Alan David Whitehouse, 81, of Whitehall, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in the Gardens for Memory Care at Easton. He was the husband of the late Hyang Nan “Jackie” (Kim) Whitehouse, who died in 2019. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late John C. and Eleanor C. (Bitting) Whitehouse. Alan attended Allentown High School and participated on the J.V. Wrestling team. He went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force as a radar and computer technician in Air Defense Command. In 1962, Alan was appointed to the Allentown Fire Department. He briefly worked for Bendix Field Engineering in Baltimore, MD as a senior service technician and served in the Republic of Korea. In 1968, Alan was re-appointed to the Allentown Fire Department and after serving in all Allentown Fire Stations, retired after 31 years in 1994. Alan was a former member of Local #302 International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) for 25 years, serving as trustee, on the executive board, chairman of the Fire Fighter’s Ball and on the Safety Committee. He was also a member of the L.V. Timing Association, the Firemen’s Relief, and the Fearless Fire Company. Alan enjoyed hot rods, custom cars, volunteered for the American on Wheels Museum and loved hunting and fishing. Survivors: Alan is survived by cousins and close friends. Services: Due to gathering restrictions, services will be private and interment will follow at St. Mark’s Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, Inc., Allentown.