WE PACKED THE COURTROOM AT THE APPEAL HEARING, READ ALL ABOUT IT ON OUR ACT NOW PAGE
WE PACKED THE COURTROOM AT THE APPEAL HEARING, READ ALL ABOUT IT ON OUR ACT NOW PAGE
Pictured, see JoAna Von Der Linn speaking with members at our February Meeting about Colon Cancer.
Pictured see Mom & Katreana Bellew. Katreana had a great presentation at our meeting.
We look forward to hearing from her on her progress.
MEETING COMMENCED AT 11:30AM AT THE ELK'S CLUB 901 LAKEVILLE ROAD NEW HYDE PARK, NY
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
President Jim Hayhurst, Treasurer Paul Mallery, Legislator Bill Romaka, Newsletter Editor Mike O'Keeffe and Media Director Bill Schillinger
GUEST SPEAKERS & Subject Matter:
JoAna Von Der Linn (FNP-BC)- Long Island Gastro (516) 584-6400
Katreana Bellew- BLACK SUNDAY MOVIE
Mike O'Keeffe- Dementia & Parkinson's
Bill Schillinger- Parkinson's Sniff Test
Jim Bevers- Chair Lift
Billy Hayes- FDNY VFW POST 12033
MINUTES:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-Jimmy led us in the Salute to our flag,
followed by a moment of silence.
Remain standing and keep in your prayers the recently deceased of the
FDNY;
Bobby Beckwith (Retired Ladder 164)
Kamran Khan (Active Lt. FDNY)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please Sit.
Jim remarked about how many new members were at the meeting.
He thanked everyone for coming to our Daytime Meeting.
He asked, "What do you prefer a Daytime or an Evening Meeting?"
The response was half and half.
Jim then brought up the MEDICARE DIS-ADVANTAGE Program that the city is trying to shove down our throats, but will they succeed?
Well our Angel of Mercy, Marianne Pizzitola is and has been going toe to toe with the City, she asks all to come to the Rally on March 21st, 2024. (Go to our Upcoming Events Page on this site to learn of the particulars.)
Marianne needs more funding to continue the successful fight against the City.
To Donate to the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees,
Go to their website: https://www.nycretirees.org/
Jimmy continued, mentioning DC 37 and noting that they just threw their
retirees under the bus.
Then he stated that Biden is also in favor of the Medicare Advantage Program,
oh my god what the hell is going on? So even more motivation to attend the Rally on
March 21st, 2024 at 1:00pm at 41 Madison Ave.
Jimmy then passed out the envelopes he usually passes out at each meeting.
He mentioned that the Burn Center Calendars were up for grabs, he also had FDNY Pins for sale which benefit the Burn Center.
He then introduced our First Guest Speaker, JoAna Van Der Linn from
the Long Island Gastro Associates.
She stated the importance of getting screened for Colon Cancer.
Firefighters have a higher rate of Colon Cancer so its imperative that
we all make appts. for Colonoscopies. The going age is 50 or over, but she thinks 45 should be the new age, just get it done!
She took questions from the audience. She left her business card and flier.
To get in touch with her call her at 516-584-6400.
[HERE'S AN UPDATE TO HER INFORMATION; A NEW BLOOD TEST IS AVAILABLE TO HELP SCREEN FOR COLON CANCER, CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE<]
Our Next Guest Speaker was introduced by Jimmy,
Katreana Bellew, a senior at NYU wrote the Screenplay for THE BLACK SUNDAY MOVIE PROJECT". Her dad, John Bellew was killed in the Bronx Fire in which illegal SRO's contributed to the deaths of John Bellew & Curtis Meyran.
Katreana has wrote a screenplay. She and her mom are raising money to further the project. They hope to by next year which is the 20th Anniversary of the Fire (1/23/05) that they can be in the final production of the movie. It will need donations and a lot of work. Anyone that can help can contact Katreana through her e-mail address:
To go to their website click on the following:
They will be having a 5k run on 4/14 with a barbecue, go to their website for the info.
Mom and daughter sold many hats for the cause.
The members responded after the presentation purchasing hats & pins.
Next up on the agenda was Mike O'Keeffe who spoke about Parkinsons.
Mike is involved in a Special Needs Group through the FDNY Counseling Unit.
They deal with children of FDNY Personnel who are afflicted.
They hope to have a Zoom Meeting dealing with it in March.
You can come to this website to find out when it will be, we will
post the link and time.
Bill Schillinger then added that there is a test you can take which is on the fdnyrma.org website now. It's a scratch and sniff test that you can sign up for.
The Michael J. Fox organization is footing the bill for the tests.
Next up was Billy Hayes from VFW Post 12033.
Billy was there selling his signature hats. He informed the members of the many issues affecting members of the FDNY who were in the military. Bill mentioned that there have been 47 members of the FDNY who were military vets and have passed away.
There's a lot of bogus information out there about Points towards taking tests for the FDNY. Military Vets are credited with 5 points when taking tests.
Get in touch with Bill Hayes if you have questions about those issues.
Go to their website above.
Jimmy then took a 15 minute break before Chow was on.
It was a very good meeting.
The members enjoyed refreshments and Lunch and Irish Soda Bread.
Coffee was then served.
Paul Mallery ran the Raffle and doled out the prize money.
We look forward to the next meeting which will be in Brooklyn on 4/30/24 at 7:30pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Bill Schillinger, this date, 2/27/24 at 5:45pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Go to the Act Now Page to help battle the Dis-Advantage Plan.
MEETING COMMENCED AT 8:10PM ON 11/28/23 AT THE K of C HALL IN BROOKLYN, NY
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS in attendance:
Jim Hayhurst, Bill Romaka, Paul Mallery, Mike O'Keeffe, Vinny Doherty &
Bill Schillinger.
Guest Speakers Rob Brown, Doug Carroll and Jim Ginty
along with Bill Schillinger.
Jim Hayhurst was our Emcee and led us in the
Pledge of Allegiance
Jim then remembered Mgsr. John Delendick who just passed away
CLICK HERE FOR THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
and also remembered those of our members who have passed
since our last meeting in September.
A moment of silence was observed for all...
Jim then informed the members of the next meeting which will be
held at the New Hyde Park Location and it will be a DAYTIME MEETING,
beginning at 11:00am on Tuesday Feb. 27th, 2024...
He then took time out to present what was for sale at the Meeting;
The FDNY / Vets Caps via Billy Hayes, the Burn Center Calendars which were
being sold by Bill Carlson at the front door and he also reminded everyone
of the ongoing litigation by the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees
and how they need help with funding.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THEIR PAGE TO DONATE
Jim then gave us an update of whats going on with the MAP Lawsuit-
All is quiet on the western front, we are just awaiting the decision of
the judge concerning whether the city will force us into the
Medicare Advantage Program or will we stay with our current
Just Plain Medicare which we were promised when we all got on the job,
so we will wait and hope...
~~~~
OUR FIRST SPEAKER WAS ROB BROWN
FROM THE HEART & LUNG INSTITUTE
"It's a Medical Center for Firefighters designed by Firefighters"
NY FF's Heart & Lung
1165 Northern Blvd.
Manhasset, NY 11030
(Suite 400)
Contact # : 516-441-7614
The institute is affiliated with Dr. Jeff Stahl MD FACC, A Past Chairman of Cardiology @ St. Francis Hospital
Rob Brown noted that the institute is a leading provider
of Medical Screenings since its inception since 2002.
Their progress has been on the increase, seeing 1/3 of the job each year.
Detection of Cancer thru biopsies is of extreme importance to them.
To make an appt., just go to their webpage and there
you will be able to make an appt. When you go to your appt., please bring your Fire Dept. ID Card with you.
They are able to make quick determinations of what's happening
with you with their state of the art equipment and since they
are affiliated with St. Francis, you will be seen by accredited
Heart Doctors. Rob said a 50 yr old firefighter was diagnosed with
a blockage in his thyroid and they were able to correct it with
their team of doctors and facilities at St. Francis.
The main point here is detecting it early before it becomes
a major problem. And not only Retirees are looked at but
also for active members.
Are Finances a problem?, well no problem for them and you,
this year alone they helped finance anyone with payment problems
Yes they helped anyone with paying their bills.
They also went to the Island of Maui
where they donated $85,000.00 to help their cause.
The UFA and the UFOA have kicked in substantially contributing
$250,00.00 each since their start up in 2002. Kudos to them (more applause)
Thanks Rob Brown for all of your info! It sounds like we are in good hands...
Another imaging place that you can go to is
Inner Imaging. Click here to get the info on it: https://www.innerimagingnyc.com/
~~~~
OUR NEXT SPEAKER WAS DOUG CARROLL FROM THE UFA-
Doug immediately thanked Rob Brown for his donation to Maui and
for his continued work at FDNY Heart & Lung.
A moment of silence was then observed for the Line of Duty Death of
after battling a 9-11 related illness.
A Fund has been set up for Michael's Family where he is survived
by his wife and three children....
Doug continued after the moment of silence to inform the members
of the Parkinson's Bill which was signed into law in the 2021/2022
Legislative Session in Albany by Gov. Hochul which states:
"Provides that any condition of impairment of health caused by Parkinson's Disease, resulting in total or partial disability or death to a paid firefighter shall be presumptive evidence that, unless the contrary be proven by competent evidence, such disability or death was caused by the natural and proximate result of an accident, not caused by such firefighter's own willful negligence, and was sustained in the performance and discharge of duty."
Doug then told everyone that an ALS Bill has been introduced and
that the UFA is pressing for the same fate as that of the Parkinson's Bill.
It's a long hard road to get this to pass but it will be worth it once it
gets done.
Doug then let us know that MET LIFE has teamed up with the UFA
to provide better benefits to its membership. Click on the following link-
to read all about it.
The UFA will also be providing better Dental coverage thru Met Life,
its called ONE LIFE DENTAL. They are excited when it goes into effect
on 1/1/2024 and YES, implants will be covered and you can use any Dentist!
A 65-2 will be coming out concerning this issue and other literature
thru the US Mail and thru e-mail to explain the parameters of the
Dental Program. I'm sure there will be a lot of questions from
the membership, says Doug.
A question from the floor came up about AFFF and Cancer.
Doug replied its an ongoing issue and anyone who suspects
they got cancer from using this Foam should contact the UFA immediately.
Thank you Doug for an informative talk...
~~~~
OUR NEXT SPEAKER WAS JIM GINTY,
PRESIDENT OF THE FIRE FAMILY TRANSPORT FOUNDATION
https://www.firefamilytransport.org/
Jim started off with informing the members present of the costs that the
FFT incurs throughout the year. It costs them $300,000.00 a year for the
payment of insurance and other fees to maintain the 10 vans
which are directly under the auspices of the FFT Foundation.
They will have a fund raiser on March 1st, 2024 at Russo's on The Bay.
So go to their website frequently to keep up to date on how to purchase tickets for the event. They also provide Memorial Cards and rely on private donations thru the Memorial Card Program and also on individuals donating to help
them continue assisting all in the Fire Family transporting them to
Doctor's Appointments. Volunteer Drivers are needed so go to their
website to volunteer. You can also contact the Family Assistance Unit
at Headquarters bu calling 718-999-1473 and volunteering.
[No one over 75 yrs old is permitted to drive the vans]
The Family Assistance Unit works hand in hand with the FFT Foundation.
Thanks Jim for the info...
Jim Hayhurst then spoke about Everet Wabst. Everett who is on our Executive Board has been suffering from Kidney cancer over many years.
He is going to a procedure on 11/29/23 in preparation for an operation
which is scheduled in another month or two.
We are asking all to keep Everett in your prayers for a speedy recovery.
Everett thru a letter he sent to Jim, wished to all a Merry Christmas
and a Happy & healthy New Year, we wish the best for you, Everett!
Jim then used some time to pass out envelopes for donations to
Building Homes for Heroes. He also expressed his Thankfulness to the Executive Board who were present at the meeting, Bill Schillinger, Mike O'Keffee, Paul Mallery, Vinny Doherty and Bill Romaka.
Bill Schillinger was then introduced to talk about the High Tech
Car Thefts going on in the city.
Bill spoke about how a device is used to steal cars with keyless entry.
They use a hand held computer and hold it up to your front door. They are able to retrieve the code from your Key Fob in your house. Once the code is acquired its relayed to a second person standing near your car and Viola! your car door
is opened and the car is started and they drive away to the Chop Shop.
So how can you prevent this from happening?
Well the easy way out is to wrap your Key Fob in Aluminum Foil or
drop your keys in a pot and cover them. In each case keep your
keys away from the front door.
Another way is to purchase a "Faraday Box" which can be purchased on
Amazon, click on this link:
They also have a Pouch that has the protective coating, click:
They are inexpensive and will give you peace of mind....
A request from the floor came from Tommy Ciangiola. He told all there
that the Fire Riders Raffle Tickets are available to purchase by going to their website:
The Meeting was adjourned and seconded...
CHOW WAS FINALLY ON,
[The German / Irish Soda Bread was provided by
Bill Schillinger]
The 50 in attendance enjoyed the Hot Food at the Knights of Columbus Hall
this the 28th day of November 2023.
Three Raffles were drawn by the use of a Raffle Spinner
Thanks to Paul Mallery and Vinny Doherty for running
the Raffle, as they do at every meeting.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Schillinger
-Website Director-
For More Info on the MAP
go to the ACT NOW Page
by clicking below
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