WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009

SOS EMERGENCY CONTACT DATABASE  10/14/09

The State of Illinois is offering a new service connected to your drivers license. You can go to the link below and add two emergency contacts to your license data. Therefore, if you are incapacitated in some way, your license can be scanned and the emergency contacts retrieved so your loved ones can be contacted.  It only takes two minutes to complete. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this new service. Click here to sign up.

2009 PHYSICAL FITNESS AWARD UPDATE  10/14/09

Members should be aware that there is a second chance to register for the award. The test must be scheduled and completed by October 30, 2009.

Members who did not previously register may do so by registering on the Department Intranet. Members should select the Training Division website and click "2009 In-service Fitness Test" for a list of available dates and times. Please refer to AMFN 094238 for complete details.

FTO UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE  10/12/09

The Lodge completed the hearing portion of the Unfair Labor Practice on Thursday, October 8, 2009. The ULP was filed when the Department reduced the number of training districts down to six. The Department acknowledged that up to fifty FTOs resigned from the program immediately after the new training districts were implemented.

Closing briefs will be filed within forty-five days and the Lodge will await the decision of the Administrative Law Judge that heard the case. The Lodge is seeking to have the Judge rule that the Department acted improperly and return the FTO program  to the original training districts that were in place prior to the change. The Lodge is also seeking to have the FTOs that resigned due to the changes reinstated to their FTO positions and receive the benefits that they would have been entitled to.

VETERAN'S FLU SHOTS  10/12/09

FREE FLU SHOTS for all Military Veterans – Veterans Health Fair at FOP Hall on Wednesday, October 28, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Staff from the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center will be available to provide Flu Shots and Cholesterol, Glucose and Blood Pressure screenings. Veterans must have VA Health Care ID or verification of military service. This will also be an opportunity for veterans to enroll for VA services.  Representatives from Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) will be present and provide assistance regarding other veteran benefits.

ACTIVE AND RETIRED FLU SHOTS  10/12/09

The Lodge will be distributing free flu shots on Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 0800 to 1700 hrs.  As of today, we are uncertain if the H1N1 virus will be available to “first responders” on that date. We will definitely be distributing the annual flu vaccine, and we have requested the H1N1 inoculations, but we will be distributing in compliance with the, then current, CDC recommendations. H1N1 will most likely be distributed as a second vaccine and healthy adults will be able to get both vaccines at once. Adult dependents can receive the vaccine for a cost of $12.00 payable by cash or check.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS

Please contact Rich Aguilar.