Little Rock Fire Fighters Local 34 will host their 17th annual golf tournament to benefit the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Burn Unit on Tuesday, June 2, 2009. The tournament will be held at the Eagle Hill Country Club in Little Rock.

Local 34's past sixteen tournaments have raised over $133,000.00. These funds have enabled the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Burn Unit to provide much needed equipment to make the stay of burn patients more comfortable.

Sponsors for the 2009 tournament are now being accepted. For more information about how your business can participate in this very important event, contact Local 34 Vice President Charles Austin at (501) 352-7716 or (501) 804-7614. Organizations wishing to participate at one of three levels of sponsorship may also download the "burncenter_sponsor" file attached to this page.

The tournament will include long drive & closest to the hole contests for both firefighters and non-firefighters. The first hole in one on a designated hole with win a car. Trophies and other prizes will be awarded. Tournament registration opens at 9 am with a shotgun start scheduled for 10 am. Registration forms can be downloaded from this page and sent with entry fee to Local 34 Golf, 8619 Chicot Road, Little Rock, AR 72209. Checks should be made out to Arkansas Children's Hospital Burn Center.

The Cabot Firefighter's Association, IAFF Local 4544, will host their first annual Team Bass Tournament May 9 on Greer's Ferry Lake. Proceeds from the tournament will be used to help fund a union hall for the local. Tournament check-in will begin at 4 am at the top of the ramp at the Devils' Fork Recreation Area. Weigh-in will be at 2 pm at the tournament center. Entry fee is $75.00 per boat with optional entry into the big fish and stringer contests available. Download the tournament entry form below or for more information, call Nick Karras at 209-896-6848 or Luke Tischler at 501-941-0348. You may also e-mail treasurer@cabotlocal4544.com.

A recent study of firefighters aged 40 and over conducted in Atlanta, GA has found that firefighters have a three hundred percent increased risk for cardiac disease as compared to other segments of the population. "Preliminary findings show that one third of firefighters had heart disease that is unrelated to traditional risk factors, such as high cholesterol," says Dr. H. Robert Superko. "Those results are astounding and point at job duties and environment as the primary determinants for early death in our country's first responders."

To read more, visit: http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?id=63115&sectionId=46

All Arkansas Firefighters are invited to the Red and Gold Ball on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock.  The Ball will benefit the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters' Memorial.  Tickets are $200 and include dinner.  There will be a cash bar.  Reception at 6:00pm and dinner at 7:00pm.  Dance all night to the sounds of the Midlife Crisis led by firefighter Jimmy Woods.  You must order your tickets 96 hours prior to April 4.  To order contact Susan Heikkila at cherrypiecorner@yahoo.com or 501-259-4275 The Event Chair is Shirley.  Shirley is also the Chair of Iron Ladies for a Bronze Statue.

The Chief of the North Little Rock Fire Department is now retired effective Feb 1 after 36 years of service.

Chief Joe McCall was honored in his retirement on Friday, January 30th at the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Citizens Center.  As a replacement for him, Chief McCall wrote a strong recommendation for the Assistant Chief of the Department, Robert Mauldin.

Chief Mauldin has been offered the appointment to Chief by the City, and it is expected that he will accept the appointment.

The North Little Rock Fire Department and IAFF Local #35 congratulate both Chief McCall on his retirement and Chief Mauldin on his appointment.

[Photo: Chief Joe McCall on right, Chief Robert Mauldin on left.]

January 22, 2009 – Eureka Springs, AR Local 4708 is one of the newest affiliates to join the IAFF. IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny Todd recently presented the charter at the Lumberyard Saloon, owned by Local 4708 member Katrina Neunzer.

“I am proud to have them as part of this great union,” says District Vice President Todd. “This new addition will certainly help further our strength in northwest Arkansas.”

Local 4708 is also an affiliate of the Arkansas Professional Fire Fighters (APFF). “I am especially pleased to announce that 100 percent of the Eureka Springs Fire Department are members of the new local,” says Pete Reagan, president of the APFF.

Newly elected executive board members include: President Jason Morris, Vice President Nick Samac, Secretary Billy Summers and Treasurer Scott Howie.

http://www.iaff.org/Comm/SpotLight/09stories/012309EurekaSprings.htm