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Calendar |
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Next Membership
Meeting
February 13, 2008
1930 Hours
Full Schedule Here
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Department News |
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New
On-Line Exposure Reporting
Take control of your personal exposure
history. Our new on-line reporting system puts the power in your
hands. To get started, first print a copy of the
directions, then click the image above to access the
system. Be sure to thank your Union leaders for making this a
reality.
NEWS BITES
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Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285 Honor Guard
Check out the new Pipes & Drums page
Honor Guard Meetings for 2008
1-16 "C"
FS 6, 9:00 am
3-11 "C"
FS 6, 9:00 am
6-17 "C"
FS 6, 9:00 am
9- 4 "C"
FS 6, 9:00 am
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Webmaster's Corner |
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Call for Papers
Ok, so I finally got around to updating the site and bringing most of
the dates, times and lists up to date. Time just seems to be something
that I have less and less of. So once again, I am asking, begging and
pleading for those of you with something to say to come forward. If you
have something to contribute to the Local's website, send it in. All
submissions will be reviewed and posted (as long as they are
appropriate). Digital files are best and can be emailed to me directly
by clicking
here. |
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Insurance & Trust Information |
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Brothers and Sisters,
I wanted to post a reminder to everyone that belongs to the Las Vegas
Firefighters Health & Welfare Trust Fund. It seems that every month the
Board of Trustees are getting appeals regarding approval of claims for
members that did not seek pre-authorization for dental claims either for
themselves or their dependents. All of these claims are being denied and
it is resulting in claims having to be paid by the member.
It is absolutely necessary for the members to seek out this
pre-authorization. It needs to be done for any dental work that is going
to exceed $750.00. Most if not all of the dentists are aware of this
requirement. Many choose not to follow it and it is costing our members
money out of their pockets.
Prior to work being done that exceeds the limit a pre-authorization must
be obtained. It is the members responsibility to be sure that this has
been completed. The best way to do that is to ask to see a copy of the
pre-authorization from Southwest Administrators. When the work is
authorized Southwest Administrators faxes a copy back to your dentist.
If it's been authorized then the dentist has a copy of this paperwork.
If they don't have the copy of the paperwork the pre-authorization has
not been completed.
The Board of Trustees does not like to have to turn down these appeals
but we have a responsibility to the trust fund and it's members to be
sure that the rules of the trust are followed by all. Please take the
time to get the proper paperwork taken care of before the dental work is
started.
Your help on this will save the trust fund money and will save you alot
of out of pocket expense and frustration. If you have any questions on
this policy please do not hesitate to contact Bill Combs or myself.
Fraternally,
Rusty McAllister
Treasurer
Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285 |
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Health & Wellness |
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My Brothers and
Sisters
Our IAFF and the IAFC have been studying ways to overcome our high
injury and death rates for as long as they have been around. All
the safety equipment and procedures we now enjoy are a result of
their collective efforts, but our numbers are not coming up as
quickly as projected. Overall, our health issues create more Line
of Duty Deaths (LODD) than all other causes combined. Developing
and implementing an effective Health and Wellness Program is
synonymous with lifesafety – our number one priority. 10 years ago,
the IAFF/C came out with a wellness and fitness initiative called
Peer Fitness training to help our bodies cope with the hazards of
our work. A healthy workout is the most effective prevention and
correction for poor health. Its time we got on board with this
program.
The program
advises coming to work in PT gear, getting the work out done like
your life/your partner’s life depends on it, because it does. Do it
early in the day so it does not get overcome by other things because
it is our number 1 priority. Do a balanced workout to develop good
posture and lower likelihood for injury (see peer fitness video in
each station). Stretch when you are done. A ˝ hour is plenty of
time to get it done. There is plenty of time in the morning to get
the rest of the details and other missions done. Plan to get the
collective work done in the morning. After lunch plan to get a nap
because sleep deprivation is a major contributing factor to the
demise of our health. There is time left for individual training in
the afternoon as well. Running calls and department training can
challenge the plan but it is nothing we cannot work around. If you
have any question, give me a call.
Thanks,
George Tiaffay
Peer Fitness Trainer |
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