The Justice Department is processing just over half of death, disability and education benefit claims from police and firefighters within its one-year goal — despite an infusion of cash meant to resolve backlogs and a series of reports issued over the last decade documenting inefficiencies in the process.
- PUB DATE: 4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: washington times

The township’s veteran fire chief has been placed on paid administrative leave while officials consider the future of its fire department, Supervisor Donald Green said Tuesday. Lawrence Waligora, who has been chief for nearly 15 years, has been temporarily removed from his $75,000-a-year job, Green said.
- PUB DATE: 4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: detroit news

Sault Ste. Marie’s fire chief said the local firefighter union asked for 24 hour shifts and they will be expected to work them — without sleep. The Sault Ste. Marie Professional Fire Fighters Association (SSMPFFA) was recently awarded the ability to work 24 hour shifts by an interest arbitration — the final result of the union’s 2014 contract negotiations with the city — presented during tonight’s city council meeting.
- PUB DATE: 4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: sootoday.com

In 2009, I hung up my turnout gear and left my position as a fire chief after serving 30-plus years. Shortly thereafter I wrote an article for Firehouse.com about the challenges first responders can face as we transition from being a public safety provider to civilian life. The feedback to that article was so overwhelmingly positive that I developed a program that I presented at a national conference bearing the same title as the article.
- PUB DATE: 4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firehouse

A Snohomish County firefighter is battling both cancer and his insurance company. Dave Alberts has answered the call to save lives for 25 years and now finds himself in need of help. In January, Alberts got the news every man dreads. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, it was caught early.
- PUB DATE: 4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5