Rochester, NY Airport Firefighters Association - IAFF Local 1636

It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of a local airman. US Air Force Captain Terrell K. Brayman of Pittsford was tragically killed, along with seven other airmen, when their CV-22 Osprey went down in Japanese waters on November 29th. Captain Brayman commissioned as an officer through Ohio State University USAF ROTC Detachment 645, where he earned a pilot slot and assigned to the Osprey with the 353rd Special Operations Wing in Yokota Air Base. He will be missed, and we extend condolences to his family and friends.

Fly-Fight-Win!

Due to the escalating public safety crisis, Sheriff Todd Baxter is reaching out to our communities to ask our politicians for assistance. He is asking our leaders in New York State to prioritize four initiatives to make our streets safer and relieve the heavy burden that is currently weighing down law enforcement officers statewide.

Please take a few minutes to read the letter and consider signing the online petition.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/oVQm5fg/CSC112023

Happy Thanksgiving from Local 1636! While you are enjoying time with your family and friends, let us remember and give thanks for our military members and first responders who are working today! Group 1 is making sure the travelers coming through the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport are safe!

Visiting the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport today is this Southwest Airlines aircraft. This Boeing 737 is painted with the "Arizona One" livery. If you would like to follow this aircraft with your flight tracker app, its tail number is N955WN.

#737

Today is the day! We urge all eligible voters that haven’t already to get out and exercise your right to vote. Polls will be open until 9:00 p.m. and you can find your location on the Board of Elections website.
https://www.monroecounty.gov/etc/voter/

We once again support Adam Bello for County Executive and hope you will too. Since being elected four years ago, Adam has made tremendous improvements in labor-management relations. While previous administrations continually fought us on every issue - no matter how small - Adam’s team has worked with us to find solutions. Months-long grievances involving outside counsel that cost taxpayers money have now become issues resolved by making a phone call or sending an email. While we occasionally have our differences, the improvement in working conditions is a big reason we wholeheartedly support the reelection of Adam Bello as Monroe County Executive.

The question is often posed; are you better off than you were four years ago? When it comes to working conditions and our relationship with management, the answer is a resounding YES!

Today is Election Day! We hope you will join us in supporting the following candidates:

Endorsed/supported by Local 1636;
Adam Bello for County Executive
Sean McCabe for County Legislature
Howard Maffucci for Monroe County Legislature
Paul Dondorfer for County Legislator
Steve Brew - Our County Legislator
Rick Milne for Monroe County Legislator
Mark Johns for County Legislator
Blake Keller for County Legislator
John Burns Baynes

Early voting is open if you are registered and eligible to vote in Monroe County! The polls will open one week from today on November 7th between 6AM to 9PM. Excercise your constitutional right and make your voice heard!

Per our past practices, Local 1636 meets with potential candidates in person to better select the candidates we support and endorse. Since we want the right candidate for the job, we are fluid in the parties we endorse and do not support or endorse based on political party affiliation alone.

The candidates we endorse are; Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello, Sean McCabe for County Legislature , Re-Elect Howard Maffucci for Monroe County Legislature, Paul Dondorfer, Steve Brew - Our County Legislator , and Rick Milne for Monroe County Legislator.

The Candidates we support:
Mark Johns, G. Blake Keller, John Burns Baynes.

With New York State currently working to create a single-payer healthcare system, we would like to point out that this undermines the collective bargaining of unions across the state. Unions fight hard to negotiate top of the line healthcare, and our workers only deserve the best! We do not support any proposal from the governor or any state representative concerning the matter without representation.

Early voting is open if you are registered and eligible to vote in Monroe County! The polls will open one week from today on November 7th between 6AM to 9PM. Excercise your constitutional right and make your voice heard!

Per our past practices, Local 1636 meets with potential candidates in person to better select the candidates we support and endorse. Since we want the right candidate for the job, we are fluid in the parties we endorse and do not support or endorse based on political party affiliation alone.

The candidates we endorse are; Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello, Sean McCabe for County Legislature , Re-Elect Howard Maffucci for Monroe County Legislature, Paul Dondorfer, Steve Brew - Our County Legislator , and Rick Milne for Monroe County Legislator.

The Candidates we support:
Mark Johns, G. Blake Keller, John Burns Baynes.

Local 1636 supports and endorses Adam Bello because he prioritizes public safety! The last three County Executive administrations HAVEN'T in the past twenty plus years and five contracts.

Adam Bello FOLLWED THROUGH on his promises AND completed our current contract with his signature August 29th, well before the December 31st deadline.

https://www.whec.com/top-news/public-safety-unions-and-organization-endorse-county-executive-bello-for-re-election/

Public safety unions and organization endorse County Executive Bello for re-election ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Nine area public safety unions and organizations announced their endorsement of Monroe County Executive Adam Bello for re-election. Those organizations are:Monroe County Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association says that since his election in 2019, Bello has shown dedication to ...

We are saddened to hear about the passing of another firefighter. Merrick "Bunny" Bunstone of the Fort Drum Fire Department suddenly passed away recently. A husband, father, and longtime firefighter, Merrick also served as President of the Fort Drum Professional Firefighters IAFF Local F-105. He surely will be missed, and our condolences go out to his family and his brothers and sisters in uniform.

Rest easy, brother.

Every six months we test the foam systems on our trucks. The FAA requires us to flow at least 3% AFFF foam solution, and these tests determine IF the systems are working properly. This is also a great training opportunity for us as we operate every turret and handline we have!

With the AFFF foam containing PFAS, which is hazardous to the environment, and MORE IMPORTANTLY to us, we are able to test the foam systems utilizing a specialized cart that substitutes water for the foam.

With election day just three weeks away we want to remind everyone to get out there and vote! We will be out and about with Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello in the coming weeks campaigning for his re-election. Adam is a huge supporter of the county's labor force, which is shown through the signing of new labor contracts before their expirations, something prior administration's have never done. With his pro-labor attitude, we stand behind Adam Bello.

If you are eligible to vote, and have not yet registered to do so, there is still time! Per the Monroe County Board of Elections website, "You must mail or deliver your completed registration form to the Monroe County Board of Elections no later than 10 days before the election in which you want to vote. Your eligibility to vote will be based on the date you file this form, and the County Board will notify you of such."

https://www.monroecounty.gov/elections-registration

Honor Flight: Mission 76 Monroe County is comprised of 19 towns, 10 villages and the City of Rochester, the third largest city in the state. Visit our website at www.MonroeCounty.gov

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Samuel J. Agnello. Not only was Sam a charter member of Local 1636, but he was our last surviving charter member. Dedicated to the job and his brothers in uniform, Sam helped set the foundation that all of our successes have built upon. His legacy will live on with our current and former members.

Sam was an amazing person. His role in shaping our department and organizing our Union was pivotal, and is greatly appreciated. As many of us met him over the years we found him extremely personable, and filled with his fair share of stories! He surely will be missed. Rest easy, brother.

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/29298657/samuel-j-agnello/rochester/new-york/diponzio-funeral-home-inc

UPDATE: Per the New York State Police Charlotte has been found safe and the Amber Alert has been cancelled! Excellent job by those involved in the search.

Today we welcome home the veterans aboard Honor Flight 80 to the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport... !

We back our brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community!

Recently, Rochester City Council Members Stanley Martin, Kim Smith, and Vice President Mary Lupien critized the Rochester Police Department and the officer who was involved in shooting a criminal without reviewing the body camera footage from the officer or any other facts of the incident.

According to the story from 13 Wham, the officer provided life saving EMS interventions to this person prior to the arrival of AMR. The story can be read here:

https://13wham.com/renderer/13wham/amp/news/local/rochester-police-union-responds-to-city-councilmembers-statement-denouncing-officer-involved-shooting

The Rochester Locust Club has put out the statement regarding the Council in the attached clip.

Local 1636 is proud to support our brothers and sisters in the United Auto Workers Union who are currently on strike.

The UAW is negotiating for reinstatement of the annual cost-of-living adjustments, traditional pension benefits, allow for a four-day workweek, include paid health care for all UAW retirees, and limit the use of temporary workers.

Your Local 1636 firefighters supported the Gates Firefighters IAFF Local 3792 golf tournament on Friday. The proceeds from this year’s tournament will go to and their mission to build an inclusive playground for kids of all abilities! Also, this tournament supported their annual coat drive, which provides children in need with a winter jacket!

While no group photo was taken, our members did spot Sasquatch at the 11th tee box

Here are a few shots of the visiting F/A-18 that landed today at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport - ROC . In case you missed our earlier post of this pilot landing their aircraft on Runway 22, it is linked below.

https://fb.watch/nbhFMjhCLw/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Since 1987 Chief Warrant Officer Doorley has served his country in both active and reserve status. Today he has retired from service! Deployed overseas multiple times on active duty, CW4 Doorley enjoyed a final flight over the Hornell and Rochester areas with the New York Army National Guard! Local 1636 members provided the traditional water cannon salute.

Enjoy your well deserved retirement!

They say time heals all scars, but after 22 years these scars still show. A clear blue sky filled with smoke and ash forever changing our way of life. But we united, standing shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans, and persevered. Today we need to continue that stance, because we will never forget.

#343

Happy to all of our supporters! We hope you’re enjoying this holiday that has been brought to you through the efforts of organized labor, and the beautiful - albeit HOT - weather we have today.

Our members were proud to march in this mornings parade celebrating the ROC labor community and support our brothers and sisters in labor. It was great to see so many Unions represented and a reminder to all that great things can only be accomplished when we stand together!

It’s also fitting that we marched shoulder to shoulder with Adam Bello to support his reelection campaign for County Executive. Adam has been a supporter of ours from the beginning and his actions have demonstrated that he backs County workers. For the first time in memory, a successor contract was negotiated well before the previous agreement expired for all County workers.

Thank you to all who turned out to represent their Unions and to those who showed their support today. It was great to see so many familiar faces and make new acquaintances.

This week's signing of our contract is a symbol of what a group of people can do when they stand united. We, like many of our Union brothers and sisters before us, stood strong and steadfast throughout our long and arduous task of negotiating for fair wages, working conditions, respect, and understanding.

Labor Day isn't just another holiday for us. It is recognition of the hard work that has been endured in the past and present by our brothers and sisters, and a reminder that we must remain united to continue to push forward!

We wish you all a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Looks like someone was having fun today! A skywriter was above Rochester today and created this wonderful gem.

By the way, if you didn't get enough airplane action at the Rochester International Airshow, the Wings Over Batavia Airshow at the Batavia Airport is this weekend. They will have plenty of aerobatic acts, including the A-10 and F-22!

Today we hosted Monroe County Executive Adam Bello along with other representatives from Monroe County and the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport... to sign our new Collective Bargaining Agreement!

Both sides of the table have been working together to meld many documents into a single contract. Working with Adam's Administration has been a pleasant improvement from the past, and we look forward to continuing this relationship going into this year's election and beyond.

As an added bonus, Mr. Bello awarded two of our members service awards; Captain J. Friday for 15 years and Captain T. Harper for 20 years, and presented Local 1636 a signed copy of the 2023 team photo.

National Aviation Week may be over, but we're always celebrating aviation at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport - ROC! Staffing three ARFF units, an engine, and a command vehicle 24/7 our members are always enjoying the wonderful (and busy) world that is our airport.

From the left: Reserve Rescue 14, Rescue 5, Rescue 4, Rescue 3, Rescue 1 (Command), and Rescue 2 (Engine).

To wrap up National Aviation Week we have an international arrival that came into the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport - ROC. This KC-130J Super Hercules flew all the way from Cambridge, England! This aircraft is used by the U.S. Marine Corps for aerial refueling, but can use the fuel for itself on long-haul missions. The outside pods underneath the wings contain hoses that can be extended to refuel other aircraft, especially helicopters, while airborne.

While celebrating National Aviation Week we cannot forget about the airlines! Pictured today is a Boeing 737 operated by Southwest Airlines. The 737 is the most popular commercial passenger jet in the world, with over 11,000 built since 1967! This aircraft is "Illinois One." The livery, or paint job, is part of Southwest's odes to the nation and the states.

#737

This Lake 270T made an appearance at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport - ROC recently. It's a notable aircraft not only that it can land on water but it has a rear-facing engine. Known as a "push plane" the engine faces backwards to get it high enough so the prop doesn't contact the water when operating as a seaplane.

Thanks to Ryan Moses Media for sharing this awesome shot from the airshow!

One of my favorite shots I took at the Rochester International Airshow in 2023! Rochester, NY Airport Firefighters Association - IAFF Local 1636 did a great job keeping everyone safe and showing off their amazing rigs like these two ARFF vehicles. Thanks for all you do! Thanks to you the performers were able to !

One of our favorite aircraft to see at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport - ROC in Whiskey 7. A C-47 "Skytrain," most commonly know to civilian aviators as a DC-3, W7 was the lead plane for the second wave of paratroopers jumping into Normandy on D-Day, but today she's a flying exhibit for the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, NY.

For today's installation of National Aviation week we see then Rescue 4 (now Rescue 14) pictured with a MV-22 Osprey from the United States Marine Corps at the 2008 Rochester Airshow!

The Marine Corps variant of the Osprey is an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, capable of operating from ships or expeditionary airfields ashore.