EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: President Jim Hayhurst, Treasurer Paul Mallery, Sec'y/Editor Mike O'Keeffe, Legislation Bill Romaka, Trustee Vinny Doherty & Website Mgr. & Co-Editor Bill Schillinger.

GUEST SPEAKERS: Fire Marshal Bill Kregler, Author Joe Matthews, UFOA Rep. Brian Harvey & UFA Rep. Doug Carroll

Meeting commenced at 8:05pm in front of 44 RMA Members (Total of 48 present)

Jim opened with welcoming everyone despite the bad traffic, then led everyone in the

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

followed by moments of silence for our US Service Men & Women abroad,

and members of the FDNY ill and those who have passed. 383 FDNY members have died

of exposure as a result of working at the site Post 9-11.

Jim then reminded everyone to give to their favorite charity on "GIVING TUESDAY". 

Building Homes for Heroes is his favorite one. They are looking to build their 400th Home by Pearl Harbor Day; 12/7/24.

Up front on the dais were FDNY Military hats courtesy of Billy Hayes who passed them along to Jimmy. For more info, go to: http://www.fdnyvfw.com/

Also up front were Burn Center Calendars available for purchase for a $10.00 donation which goes directly to the Burn Ctr. Jime then informed members to possibly give to the FDNY Fire Museum. The museum will be closed all of 2025 and have a Grand Opening in 2026. They need funding to make this opening happen. Consider giving to them.

For a link to the museum go to: https://www.nycfiremuseum.org/

Our 1st Speaker was Fire Marshal Bill Kregler who came to the meeting to thank all for their support in his bid to unseat the incumbent of the 11th district of Congress. Bill received 45,000 votes but lost badly to Velasquez.

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An unscheduled speaker Tom Ciangiola spoke on behalf of the FDNY Fire Riders.

He passed out fliers regarding their annual Tune Up Party on April 19th, 2025 at the Plattdeutsche Park Restaurant where you can win a Harley Davidson Motorcycle via a Raffle Drawing. For more information click >https://nycfireriders.com/2025-bike-raffle

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Our First Scheduled Guest Speaker:

Author Joe Matthews (Retired FDNY)

Joe Matthews is a retired New York City firefighter whose life takes an unexpected turn when he undergoes bilateral knee replacement surgery. As Joe navigates the challenging road to recovery, he finds himself shaken by the turmoil of a horrific world event—the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022.

Fueled by a desire to make a difference in the face of adversity, Joe went on an inspiring journey: bicycling across America to raise funds for those affected by the crisis in Ukraine. From the highs of overcoming physical challenges to the lows of battling anxiety and insomnia, Joe's roller coaster ride captures the resilience of the human spirit. Through this journey, he discovers unexpected kindness in the generosity of strangers and the support of newfound friends.

Through profits from sales of his book, he donates to the following:

 Saint Jude Children's Hospital, World Central Kitchen, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.***

At our meeting he wanted to sell 15 books to reach his goal of 500 books sold and

HE DID IT! He sold 15! You weren't at the meeting? and you want a copy? Well don't fret, we have a link to Amazon where you can make a purchase and here it is:

by Joe Matthews (Author) 

Joe had a humorous presentation teasing us with some events in the book,

so please think of making a purchase to help Joe to continue to help those charities. 

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Our next Speaker; Brian Harvey  fromt the UFOA, opened with reminding everyone of the court cases still pending dealing with the Medicare Advantage Plan. The City has lost 4 times but persists to pass it. The last decision; Bentkowski vs The City of NY is still in appeal. The City is not doing well in these cases. The UFOA will pass along the final decisions when they become available... The Co-Pay decision will commence on 1/1/25 according to the City but this subject is still in negotiation...In 2025 Health Plans will change. Health organization will bid on acquisition-

ANTHEM, EMBLEM are among the contenders.

Regarding Prescription Drugs; instead of getting name brands, maybe doctor can prescribe GENERIC DRUGS. This will save the UFOA Drug Fund lots of $. Members need to get their doctors fill out questionaire to re-write prescriptions for Generic Drugs.

Regarding the New Dental Plans, Brian informed all Retired Officers to make sure they get PRE-TREATMENT AUTHORIZATION before you sit in the "Chair". Make sure you find out the costs of each procedure, including fillings, root canal, cleanings and x-rays and any other procedure.

Regarding Catastrophic Insurance-Make sure you still have it! If you have re-classified due to 9-11, you will recive a new Pension Number. This number needs to be communicated to  Catastrophic Insurance or you will be dropped. It will take 4 months to get re-instated.

You will see the deduction on your pension statements.

Regarding WTC Drugs, you receive them via Express Scripts after your WTC Medical.

The doctor there will ask you if you need to renew any 9-11 Drugs you need. Those scripts are good for one year until your next WTC Medical, so make sure you attend it!!!

Regarding Beneficiary Designations- Make sure you update them, because this designation comes first after you pass. it trumps any WILL items.

Regarding COBRA for Non Line of Duty Widows, they pay for it, it's called:

COBRA FOR LIFE and covers most of their needs, just them not any family members.

Deduction for UFOA Life Insurance also on your Pension Statement, policy good for $7,500.00.

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Next Speaker was from the UFA; DOUG CARROLL

He started off with a moment of silence for Father John Delendick who recently had his Plaque Dedication. At the ceremony he heard many interesing stories about Father John.

He went on to say the TURKEY TROT was successful. 

He warned those over 80 to send in the necessary forms for PROOF OF LIFE...

He also reminded everyone who re-classified to send in their new Pension Number to Catastrophic Insurance. If you are unsure if you have it or not to call the UFA office where many are eager to help you. He thanked his co-workers for a job well done.

Regarding the UFA Life Insurance which is a $2500.00 Policy, this is good until age 78.

See the deduction on your Pension Statement...

Pulmonary Hypertension will be added to the 9-11 Bill as a cause of death. It needs to pass thru congress. Doug hopes it will pass soon. Also ALS needs to be added to the 

9-11 Bill. A remark from our own BILL ROMAKA to Doug: "Auto Immune" also needs to be added. Bill also stated that you can Re-Classify up to 25 years after retirement.

Doug reminded all that Spouses can also sign up for Catastrophic Insurance.

Call the UFA to fill out forms for this.

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Mike O'Keeffe reminded all present of the Special Needs Program at the Counseling Dept. If anyone here present needs advice to see him at the meeting or call him.

Jimmy Hayhurst also reminded everyone to donate to the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees to help Marianne Pizzitola battle the city.

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING TO DONATE:

https://nycretirees.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

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Jim thanked everyone for coming on this traffic filled night in Brooklyn.

THE MEETING WAS CLOSED AND SECONDED.

CHOW WAS ON!

Raffles:

Two $100.00 Prizes

One $50.00 Prize

 SEE YOU ALL AT OUR NEXT MEETING IN 2025 WHICH WILL BE A DAYTIME MEETING; 

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

to be held at-

THE ELK'S CLUB

901 LAKEVILLE ROAD

NEW HYDE PARK, NY BEGINNING AT 11:00AM!

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In the meantime MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKAH, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

~MANY THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT~