PFFPNC Legislative Accomplishments since 1990
During the 1990's the PFFPNC has consistently worked to establish a 25 year retirement and to increase the retirement multiplier. Due to the high profile of the retirement program, numerous legislative successes of the PFFPNC has gone virtually unnoticed. The following is an overview of some of Legislative victories.
• ONE YEAR DISABILITY PAYMENTS - Established disability payments under the Local Government Employees Retirement System for firefighters who have one year or more creditable service and become incapacitated for duty as the natural and proximate result of an accident occurring which in the actual performance of duty. Prior to 1991 it was a minimum of five years.
• POLITICAL FREEDOM - Passed HB 818 in 1993 to ensure that public employees were no longer restricted from political activity while off duty. Prior to 1993, a majority of the state's city fire fighters could not work to influence political candidates for city or state offices and some could not even politic for candidates running for federal office.
• HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY RESPONSE - Lobbied with coalition of groups for state funding to establish Regional Response Teams for Hazardous Materials in North Carolina. RRT-6 is a product of this effort.
• NC FIRE AND RESCUE COMMISSION SEAT - Established a seat for professional fire fighters on the NC State Fire and Rescue Commission. Prior to 1995, professional fire fighters (IAFF members) had no voice on this commission.
• WORKER’S COMPENSATION - Worked consistently with a coalition of organizations to defeat an effort to strip North Carolina workers of most of the protection under state worker’s comp laws. Fire fighters have a higher rate of on the job injuries than any other workers. Today NC workers have better worker comp laws than most states in the nation.
• COLLEGE TUITION WAIVER - Established free tuition at all state supported institutions of higher learning for the spouses and children of fire fighters and paramedics killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Firefighters and paramedics permanently disabled in the line of duty are also included in this benefit.
• DISCIPLINARY DISCLOSURE - Defeated an attempt by the North Carolina Press Association to have public employee’s personnel records opened to the public where it was determined that serious disciplinary action had taken place. The action did not have to be based on confirmation that the employee was proven guilty.
• FIREFIGHTER/NO CONFLICT - Established an exemption for firefighters in the NC General Statute which prohibits the engagement of any work within the city’s jurisdiction (side jobs or employment) of state certified inspectors. The exemption is for firefighters who’s primary job is fire suppression and rescue but do some fire inspections. Of all the state certified inspectors (plumbing, electrical, building, etc.) line firefighters are the only certified inspector’s exempt from this law but are prohibited from inspecting their own work.
• IAFF LICENSE PLATE - Passed legislation granting IAFF license plates with the IAFF logo on it to all IAFF members. Once informed, the Department of Motor Vehicle will revoked the IAFF tags of any non-member.
• INCREASES IN FIRE AND RESCUE PENSION - Appointed by the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives as a member of two Legislative Pension Study Commissions and lobbied for increases in pension payments of the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Pension Fund. Since 1994, the pension payments has increased from $100 per month to $170 per month.
• LGERS INCREASES - Constantly lobbied for increases in the Local Government Employees Retirement System multiplying factor. Since 1987, the LGERS multiplying factor has increased from 1.52% times AFC to 1.85%.
Current Legislative Initiatives
The PFFPNC has had a constant presence in the North Carolina General Assembly since 1991. The preceding list of accomplishments did not just appear by them selves. PFFPNC lobbyist have made a point of being at the General Assembly anytime it was in session. The PFFPNC will continue to work hard to provide the representation expected by our members. While the list will continue to grow, the following is just a few of the issues PFFPNC lobbyist will work on:
• Improve retirement for fire fighters and paramedics.
• Establish Deferred Retirement Option Plan for the retirement system.
• Establish collective bargaining laws in the state.
• Improve benefit opportunities for disability retirement.
• Improve presumptive heart and lung benefits.
• Increased representation on commissions, LGERS Board of Trustees and all other committees affecting our profession.
