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A blog of all sections with no images
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Written by Bob Burtch
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Friday, 14 September 2007 |
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To our LEOFF II brothers and sisters about to retire- Now what?
You’ve finally made the decision to retire. Before you go though, you have to make a lot of decisions about health insurance, finances and more. Then, as you walk out the door you will likely be presented with a retired ID card, possibly a Retired Firefighter badge and a “Thank you for your service”. And then you are gone. Welcome to the ranks of the retired firefighter.
How do you keep track of those lifelong friends and associates you built over the years? How do you keep track of changes to you pension? There is no place in your Department or City where you can get advice or answers to questions. Being retired you are not even in your local union anymore. Your only remaining connection is with the Department of Retirement Systems in Olympia. They are mostly good folks but provide little in the way of resources and no connection back to you or your department.
That is where the Retired Firefighters of Washington comes in to play.
The Retired Firefighters of Washington was originally established in 1932 as the Retired Firemen’s Association, representing those members who retired under the “Prior Act”. In 1970, when the LEOFF Pension System was established, the organization changed its name to the current “Retired Firefighters of Washington” and is the only politically active organization dedicated to, and representing, the interest of all RETIRED Washington State firefighters.
During the Legislative Session we spend countless hours lobbying on behalf of retired firefighters to protect and improve their pensions as they apply to the retired firefighter, their families, and their surviving spouses.
Members of the RFFOW pay $45/year for membership. For that they get monthly meetings, the annual RFFOW Christmas Luncheon, our monthly newsletter, and an organization dedicated to the welfare of all retired Washington State firefighters and their families and, most importantly, the preservation of the pension you worked so hard, and for so many years, to receive.
But wait, there is more! We maintain a web site so the members can stay up to date on friends and associates as well as what is going on in Olympia with the Legislature and with your pension. We work with, and stay in contact with, the numerous city and county Pension Boards statewide as a ready resource for the boards and their members.
Unless you win the lottery or are a very astute investor you will probably count your pension as the major financial element in your retirement. However, the Legislature likes to “tweak” that pension on a regular basis. Right now LEOFF II members have some strong organizations that are working to protect and improve that system. But, they are union based and active member based organizations. The RFFOW tracks pension legislation, and works with the advocacy groups to keep its members current on things that can impact their pension. Additionally, the RFFOW’s mission is to represent not only the retiree, but the surviving spouse and families as well, in matters regarding the maintenance, protection, and/or improvement of their pension benefits.
Finally, and as simple as it sounds, the RFFOW serves as a social venue to keep you in touch will all of those folks you worked with over the years of your career. New members are always amazed at the importance of this function and how rewarding it is to see these old faces from time to time.
Right now most of us in the RFFOW are LEOFF I but we have reached that point in time when LEOFF II members have started to retire. Our organizations motto states: “For, about, and in Support of all Retired Washington State Firefighters.” In that regard, our organization is poised to shift its focus to deal with the new issues confronting our LEOFF II members. LEOFF I members have always been blessed with a Pension Board and Pension Office that could answer our questions and help keep us together. LEOFF II members do not have that resource. Hence it is doubly important that the RFFOW fills that gap.
As you prepare to retire it is also time to join the RFFOW. For more information call or write Dick Warbrouck, 425-775-9080 (
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) or Bob Burtch, 425-226-3793 (
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). We will answer your questions and help you get signed up.
You can also visit our website at www.rffow.org where you will find information about our organization as well as our membership application.
We hope you’ll give us a try. You have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain with membership in the Retired Firefighters of Washington.
The preceding article was edited, with permission, from an article originally written by Mr. Jerry Taylor, President of the Retired Seattle Police Officers Association and published in the “The Guardian,” the publication of the Seattle Police Officers Guild.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 28 November 2007 )
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Written by Bob Burtch
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Wednesday, 13 June 2007 |
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What to do when a death occurs: When a retiree dies it is important that someone contact the members Pension Board. Have the phone number available for the survivors. Hopefully the Pension Board will be able to assist the survivors with Pension issues and survivor benefits. Also, please notify the RFFOW so we can post the information in our newsletter and on the website. We can also provide you with information on how to get in touch with the Seattle FD Honor Guard that is available to participate in memorial services for Seattle retired members as well as those from other jurisdictions. AND DON‘T FORGET TO NOTIFY DRS: Whenever a death occurs in a family there are many important details, such as settling the estate, that the survivors must deal with. If a retiree dies and you are a family member or you are managing the estate of a retiree or beneficiary, or you are a retiree who’s beneficiary dies before you, it’s important that you contact DRS as soon as possible. . When you contact DRS, be ready to provide the deceased retiree's full name and Social Security Number. To contact DRS (Department of Retirement Systems) DRS Mailing Address PO Box 48380 Olympia, Washington 98504-8380 DRS Reception Center Phone: Department of Retirement Systems (360) 664-7000 or toll-free 1-800-547-6657 TDD Line (for the hearing impaired): E-mail:
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(360) 586-5450 or toll-free 1-866-377-8895 |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 14 September 2007 )
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
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This prayer is dedicated to all who have fallen or who will fall in the line of duty.
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Read more...
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
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Most fire departments use the Maltese Cross as the centerpiece of their "Firemen's Badge". The "Fireman's Badge of Honor" signifies COURAGE, PRIDE, DIGNITY, and INTEGRITY.
The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection, a badge of honor. It dates back to the Crusaders when the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land. The Saracens used fire as a weapon. It was a horrible device of war; it wrought excruciating pain and death to the fighters for the Cross.
As the Crusaders advanced on the walls of a city they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. Hundreds of knights were burned alive. Others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying this painful, fiery death. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor, a cross similar to the one fire fighters wear today.
Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on the little island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.The Maltese Cross is the emblem of the Fire Service.
The Maltese Cross symbol of protection means that fire fighters who wear this cross are willing to lay down their lives for the citizens they serve. The person who places the fire fighter's shield upon his or her uniform puts on a fire department's Badge of Honor.
Copyright © 2004 RFFOW. All rights reserved. |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
ADVICE TO HELP PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT
We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc.
The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address.
Never have your Social Security # printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. (You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.)
Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
You might also carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either here or abroad.
Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case your wallet or purse is stolen:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But most important:
(And most would never think to do this).
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
The numbers are:
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
- Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
- Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Copyright © 2004 RFFOW. All rights reserved. |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
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A group of original members working hard and eating well.
Now it's coffee and doughnuts, but we still have fun and work hard. The "Retired Firemen's Association" was established on September 14, 1932, by a group of firefighters from the Seattle Fire Department. The title of the organization was later changed to "Retired Firefighters of Seattle".
In the late 1960s, the State of Washington took over pensions for Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters (L.E.O.F.F. I), and the group changed its name to "Retired Firefighters of Washington" in the 1970s, welcoming members from across Washington State.
In 1973, RFFOW successfully lobbied the 43rd Legislature, and a bill was passed to increase the fixed pensions of older retirees. This was followed, in 1974, by legislation providing an annual cost of living adjustment to offset increasing inflation. (Remember 20% interest rates and 12% CPI increases?)
The Retired Firefighters of Washington is administered by a Board consisting of President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and eight Board Members. The Board and members meet monthly to discuss association business. Copyright © 2004 RFFOW. All rights reserved. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 January 2007 )
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Next Meeting
October 11, 2008
11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church 5515 Phinney Ave (across from the Woodlawn Park Zoo) Doors open at 10:30 AM with coffee and donuts provided
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