U.S. Honor Flag arrived in LR July 2, it was flown from Dallas and will be on display at the Clinton Library through Sunday.  Thanks to all the "A" shift companies that came out and showed respect towards all our brothers and sisters that have fallen.  Special thanks to Engine 4 that was out in front of the motorcade, RES2CUE that transported the flag, and the ARFF units that did a great water show.  BC1 & BC2, Engine 13, and Bomb Tech attended.  Engine 1 of Sherwood also came out.  For more info. on the flag, check out the website:  www.thehonornetwork.org.  Brother Mize did a great job organizing the ceremony and the Honor/Color Guard did a wonderful job.  More pictures under "photo gallery" and focus.arkansasonline.com.

Local #34 came away with both trophies this year at state convention.  We were able to bring the MDA trophy back home and also got presented with a Children's Hospital travel trophy!  Congratulations to all the members who made both our big charity events a big success.   The Children's Hospital trophy is a new item at the APFF Convention, it recognizes the Local that has contributed the most to Camp Sunshine.  There is also a per capita trophy, which Van Buren Local won.

Little Rock Firefighters,

Huge Thank You to RES2CUE, ENGINE 15, & TRUCK 15 for coming out to MDA Summer Camp VIP Night at Camp Aldersgate.  The kids were so excited to see Local 34 members and their apparatus!  Thanks for taking time out of your busy shift to visit Jerry's Kids!  Another great year by Local #34 members in raising $44,001.00!!!           Be safe,  Charles

Little Rock Firefighters,

The 17th Annual Burn Center Golf Tournament was a great success, we raised $13,043.65, a new record!  Thanks to all the volunteers that worked so hard June 2nd.  I hope everyone had fun and got full off the great food Outback provided.   Thanks to all of these companies and individuals that helped in a  big way to making this tournament a great success!    Charles

Thanks to all of these Gold & Club Sponsors that helped make the 17th Annual Burn Center Golf Tournament a huge success. 

Little Rock Firefighters,

GREAT NEWS!!!  A HUGE THANK YOU, TO BAT. CHIEF DAN OBERSTE!  BROTHER OBERSTE WROTE MDA A CHECK FOR $501.00!  This makes the total for the 2009 MDA "Fill the Boot" $44,001!  Thanks to all the members that came out and helped Jerry's Kids!                                 Thanks for making a difference,   Charles

The Honor/Color Guard did a great job at the 14th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Little Rock!   I would like to thank everyone that came out!   

Great Job Team

Charles Austin, Jr.

Our 2008-09 scholarship winners recieve their 2nd semester checks. Bill Watson's sons, William and Joshua, are this year's winners. Luck was on Bill's side as his boys won both scholarships out of a drawing of fifteen entries.

Great News for all our members covered under the LOPFI retirement system. LOPFI SB179 has passed the House and Senate. For those of you who are unaware, this bill increases our multiplier to 2.94 and the retirement cap to 100%. below is a letter from APFF Legislative Chairman Ed Jaros-

Brothers and Sisters,

The APFF has scored a major victory with the House passing SB179 over the strong opposition of the Arkansas Municipal League. This was truly a team effort from those who made phone calls and wrote emails, and came to the Capitol. I want to personally thank Mark Wofford and Ray Vance for coming to the Capitol yesterday. Also Alan Hughes and Ricky Belk with the AFL-CIO for their support and assistance.
I spoke with James Miller from Governor Beebe's office and he assured me that the Governor will sign this Legislation.  I will be meeting with them on Monday to see about a Bill Signing Ceremony.
Even as we were working to lock down votes, Mayors from all around the state were contacting Legislators on their cell phones and computers. The League pulled out all stops on their attempt to block our bill and we still won with an overwhelming amount of support. We have exceeded expectations since the day our proposal was first brought forward at the December LOPFI meeting and it was because of all of your hard work. It is an honor to be able to represent the Professional Firefighters at the State Capitol.

Thanks again,

Ed Jaros
APFF Legislative Chairman