I hope you don't think you missed a July Newsletter. The Directors some time ago, in an attempt to reduce expenses decided to discontinue the July Newsletter each year. The thought was that many of our members are away on vacation; things are kind of quiet, not much going on in Olympia except election campaigns that now seem to be a year round program.

Some of you who receive the Newsletter by e-mail may have missed issues due to problems with our e-mail list and the computer program. Please see Monica's article regarding future Newsletters via e-mail, in addition to other notices and information. If you didn't receive the June Newsletter please forward an e-mail and we will send it to you.

In my article I tried to explain the various cost of living increases associated with both the LEOFF and Prior Act Retirement Systems and when they are paid. The amount of the cost of living increase you receive depends on which retirement plan the member retired under, the type of retirement the member received and if you are the retired member or a surviving spouse.

I mentioned that July is usually quiet; however business problems and inquiries don't take a vacation. We have received what appears to be a lot of dues checks from members who were behind as a result of Monica's notices in the past Newsletters. We do thank you and want you to stay in touch. We heard from one member who called from Tennessee and then sent a check for three years dues and a legislative fund (PAC) donation. It would be easier if more of you used payroll deduction, however I know many of you like to issue your own check. Maybe next year we can begin the dues notices in the November and December Newsletters or perhaps send out a dues notice on a postcard. Do they still have one-cent postcards?

The campaign season is in full swing. We have received at least seventy-five requests from candidates running for a position and from legislators who are seeking re-election. We even receive requests from legislators who are not up for re-election but would like to acquire a fund to pass to others whom they believe are worthy of their help. And then of course we hear from the House and Senate and the two caucuses as they solicit funds to use as they see fit. This is all in addition to the phone calls and e-mails from candidates and legislators themselves seeking donations. Remind me next year to give Monica's phone number. If you do have or know a legislator whom you feel is doing a good job, offer to help in the campaign as a retired firefighter, maybe addressing envelopes, helping with mailings or as you know, a small check is always acceptable.

One of the issues I continually try to remind legislators of is that firefighters and law enforcement officers should not be under and have no place in Labor & Industries workers comp, For example, in the past I have sat in Representative Helen Sommer's office and discussed this issue on more than one occasion to no avail. I don't want to demean any legislator but it just seems like common sense to me. Consider that workers comp was established to protect and to compensate the workers who are insured after every attempt has been made to insure their safety. Labor & Industries establishes rules and regulations for the workplace that employers must adhere to. There are joint employer/employee safety committees that develop rules and procedures for the workplace. Every accident is investigated by the Safety Committee or by a Labor & Industry investigator. Every attempt is made to determine if the accident was preventable.

Additional rules can be made or job procedures can be changed to reduce the possibility of an accident in the future. Workers Compensation will then pay the medical bills and compensate the injured worker for lost wages while disabled. In the event that worker has a permanent partial disability or is killed in a workplace accident, or dies as a result of an occupational accident or disease, a settlement will be paid by Labor & Industries.

Keep in mind that all this is provided when an employee is injured after all attempts have been made to insure the worker's safety. I'm sure you have seen that when there is a small spill they put up a barricade and a sign to caution that the floor is wet.

Now when a law enforcement officer is in pursuit of a felon or at an accident scene and a firefighter is involved in a structure fire or other emergency, all the safety rules and precautions are out the window. There are no safety inspectors, no one to place a caution notice on a wet floor and in fact there may be holes in the floor. At night there may be no lights, smoke, fire, poor visibility, excessive heat and other hazards too numerous to list.

Labor & industries provides the same benefit to the firefighter who is injured as to the office worker who is injured on a hot summer afternoon by tripping on an extension cord or on a loose carpet. To make matter worse, the firefighter is usually off from work for a longer period of time because when he/she returns to work they must be able to perform all duties. They can't show up with their arm in a sling or leg in a cast.

The Audit Committee has just completed the 2009 audit. It was quite difficult as the former treasurer was not present to answer any questions. I believe the committee felt that all the funds were accounted for but many accounting practices were questionable. There was a lack of consistence in the method expenses were recorded and paid.

The Audit Committee is drafting their report and will forward a letter to the former treasurer with questions regarding the audit. We will develop an audit protocol, establish, and define bookkeeping practices and procedures that will be incorporated in our Procedures Manual. All checks that are issued in the future will have a voucher, a bill or an invoice attached which was always done previous to 2009.

I have been notified by the IAFF that the new Dental Plan, PROTECT-DENT PLAN (Indemnity Dental Plan for IAFF Members) will be available to all members of the Retired Firefighters of Washington. We will have complete information in the September Newsletter. If you would like more information before September or would like a packet, please call toll-free 1-866-423-3757. See article in the June Newsletter.

The September newsletter will be a special edition and will be mailed to all LEOFF I and LEOFF II retired firefighters throughout the state. It will be developed as an introduction to the Retired Firefighters of Washington. It will include the purpose and the history of the RFFOW and an outline of the services we provide to our members along with an application for membership. It will have two or more pages about the organization as a recruitment piece to solicit their membership. We may include some articles from recent newsletters and two or more pages of current information found in our regular newsletter. This one newsletter will not be sent by e-mail and will be addressed to all retired firefighters, current RFFOW members and non-members by the Department of Retirement Systems using their mailing list. We hope to encourage those who are not members to become members as their membership will strengthen our organization. Regarding the ad for yard work by Jose Francisco, Jose is a documented worker from El Salvador. I have hired Jose to assist me on several occasions with rental property. I have found him to be a hard worker, prompt and dependable. You must furnish the tools and I give him lunch. If you live a distance from the bus you may have to pick him up and return him to the bus stop. I offer this information to those who live near Seattle or surrounding areas as a service to both you and Jose. Sometimes it is difficult to find someone to help for a short time with a difficult task. I have found Jose to be honest; however one should exercise normal precaution.

Hope to see many of you at our September meeting at the Ballard Elks.