This is the BC Contingent that attended the Washington Lobby in front of the Capitol Building.  Larry Thomas (Secretary-Treasurer, BCPFFA), Chris Keon (Treasurer, Surrey Firefighters), Mike Hurley (President, BCPFFA), Gord Ditchburn (President, Vancouver Firefighters), Cory Parker (President, Richmond Firefighters), Ed Selinger (Secretary, Richmond Firefighters)

Your President and Secretary in front of the Capitol Building.

President Cory Parker, General President of the IAFF Harold Schaitberger, Secretary Ed Selinger and Assistant to thre General Secretary Treasurer of the IAFF Jim Lee at IAFF General Secretary Bollon's retirement.

Cory and Ed were fortunate enough to attend the US Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative conference in Washington, DC.  The issues that were brought up were: Collective Bargaining, Fire/Safer Reauthorization, Federal Fire Fighter Retirement, Job Recovery, Urban Search and Rescue, and 911 Responder Health and Compensation.  You can see by the items that needed to be lobbied for in the US that we are quite fortunate to have some of the labour laws that we have that govern such things as Retirement and Job Recovery.  we learned quite quickly that the lobbying in the states is also quite effective and that utilizing Political Action and Firepac funding is the key.

While we were down in Washington, another Hot Bed issue was the debate going around on centralized health care.  As Canadians, we were asked quite constantly on our thoughts and pros and cons of the system.  Wem quite enjoyed the sometimes "heated" discussions that ensued, but it was a learning curve for everyone involved.

We were also requested by the 6th District VP, Lorne West to attended the retirement of General Sectretary Treasurer Vincent Bollon.  Vinnie was elected as the IAFFs Secretary Treasurer in 1988.  In his tenure he was able to turn around a union that was almost broke, to a thriving business consisting of positive balances, Insurance Companies and a Financial Corporation.  Vinnie was the most decorated firefighter in the FDNY, and was stationed out of the Bronx, Truck 31.  We were glad to be a part of the tribute and were thanked by a number of IAFF Vps for being in attendance.

If you would like any further information, contact Cory or Ed.