"The Role of Government During Natural Disasters" is a cross-post from the IAFF Frontline Blog by Rich Duffy of the Fire Fighters (IAFF).

The devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast is a great example of why we need a centralized federal government that can respond to states and communities in need of disaster relief.  Hurricane Sandy also underscores a very important issue for Americans, and that is what role the federal government should play in during a disaster (man-made or natural).

Check out the AFL-CIO's new In Our Communities website feature, "Firefighters Give Back to Their Communities On and Off the Job." 

It’s hard to miss a burly firefighter in a bright pink T-shirt. And for tens of thousands of Fire Fighters (IAFF) union members across the country, that’s exactly the point. When the public sees them in pink tees, they are reminded that breast cancer is a deadly disease requiring regular exams and mammograms. And they are urged to help women who can’t afford regular check-ups.

This is a cross-post from the Fire Fighters (IAFF) union. 

IAFF Local 48 member Doug Stern from Cincinnati spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday night.

Stern says for the majority of his life he identified as a Republican. But with last year’s political assault on Ohio’s public employees, he felt that the Republican Party left him and other members of the middle class behind.

Walking through CarolinaFest in Charlotte, N.C., this past Labor Day, you could buy a funnel cake, ride down a bouncy slide—and hug a union “thug.”

Compliments of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, the Hug A Thug booth featured teachers, firefighters, nurses—just about everyone who’s a union member and/or thug, depending upon your political perspective. The union movement's "hug a union thug" campaign poked fun at conservative attempts to scapegoat union members.

We are saddened to report that Utah State AFL-CIO President and Fire Fighters (IAFF) member Jim Judd passed away Thursday from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. 

Read the AFL-CIO statement here. 

This is a crosspost from the Fire Fighters (IAFF).

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the IAFF encourages affiliates to participate in fundraising and awareness campaigns in
support of women in their fight against breast and other cancers.

Over the last several years, IAFF affiliates across North America have participated in events throughout October, prompting a movement to wear and sell pink  t-shirts as part of their breast cancer awareness efforts. Inspired by the  success of these campaigns, in 2010, the IAFF passed a resolution  that supports and encourages IAFF members to develop campaigns to benefit local  and national organizations dedicated to finding a cure for cancer.

Union Sportsmen's Alliance sends us a preview of this week's "Brotherhood Outdoors" on the Sportsman Channel at 8 p.m. (EST) which airs Thursday, August 2.

Scott Walsh, a third generation member of Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 1561), from Eastpointe, Mich., grew up hunting small game and deer. But in 2010, when Walsh and his family decided to take a risk and adopt a rescued bird dog, everything changed.

Members of the Fire Fighters (IAFF) were some of the first responders at the recent Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting. Aurora Local 1290 firefighters not only assisted at the movie theater but also at alleged shooter James Holmes’ apartment.

When you think of minimum wage workers, it’s a good bet firefighters don’t come to mind.

Yet in Scranton, Pa., firefighters are risking their lives rushing into burning buildings, all for $7.25 an hour.

This is a cross-post from the Transport Workers (TWU) blog. 

The rain couldn’t stop TWU Local 525 members as they kicked off informational picketing last week about their fight for a fair contract with G4S GS at the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, Fla.