More than any other day, Sept. 11 reminds us of the true spirit of fire fighters, emergency medical and rescue workers. The members that died that day – and those that continue to succumb to WTC-related illnesses – remind us of our oath: others come first.
The Gary Sinise Foundation is honoring that sacrifice with an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World for families of our fallen. This extraordinary opportunity includes flights, hotel accommodations, and park admissions for families who lost a first responder on or after Sept. 11, 2001, to enjoy Disney World without financial burden. Like our union, the foundation is committed to honoring our fallen and caring for our families.
More on the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Project Snowball is below. Please share with any eligible families. Information can be submitted through Friday, Sept. 15.
To be eligible for the program, the First Responder would need to:
- Have been employed by a United States First Responder agency on/after 9/11/2001
- The loss of the First Responder happened on/after 9/11/2001 while employed as a first responder. Can be:
- Line of Duty loss
- Illness
- Accident
- Suicide
- Eligibility is open to any surviving spouse/guardian of a child/children, ages birth through 26yo, who lost their father/mother as a First Responder. This means that it can be:
- A spouse of the Fallen First Responder raising his/her dependent children.
- An ex-spouse of the Fallen First Responder raising his/her dependent children.
- A fiancé(e)/never married partner of the Fallen First Responder raising his/her dependent children.
- A legal guardian raising the children of the Fallen First Responder (guardianship designation documentation will be required.)
Required documentation:
- PSOB (Public Safety Officers’ Benefits form) – If they have a PSOB, and it lists spouse/guardian and all children by name, it is the only documentation needed.
- If no PSOB:
- Proof of employment and proof of loss while employed as a First Responder
- Proof of dependents (of Fallen First Responder)
- Proof that the adult applying is parent/guardian of the child(ren) of the Fallen First Responder.
- If a guardian, guardianship designation documentation.
Learn more and register: www.garysinisefoundation.org/snowball-express.
A message from AFFI President Sullivan:
“As many of you know, our long time office manager, Sue Smith, will be retiring in November. Nicole Fromme has been hired to replace her. Her first day was today, so she will have a good 2 months of orientation and training. Nicole is from Franklin, IL. She is married to her husband Sam and they have three children, Kinley (13), Kellan (8) and Cooper (6). Please give a big welcome to Nicole! We are happy to have her at the AFFI.”
Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Lieutenant/EMT Kevin P. Ward of Chicago, Local 2. Brother Ward passed away on Monday, August 28th, from injuries sustained while battling a house fire on August 11th. Brother Ward was 58 years old.
By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.
Brother Ward’s services are as follows:
Visitation: Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, from 0900-1100hrs, at Fourth Presbyterian Church- 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1030hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1000hrs.
Service: Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, at 1100hrs, at Fourth Presbyterian Church- 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611
Interment: Private.
Please plan on attending, and please bring Local flags and tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Ward, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Firefighter/Paramedic Jacek Brylewski of Rolling Meadows Firefighters and Paramedics, Local 3075. Brother Brylewski passed away unexpectedly Thursday, August 24th. He is survived by his wife, Tana, and five children.
Although this is NOT an activation, Brother Brylewski’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard attendance at his services.
Details for Brother Brylewski’s services are as follows:
Memorial Service: Wednesday, September 6th, from 1600hrs-2000hrs, at Meadows Funeral Home- 3615 Kirchoff Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. There will be a Fire Department/First Responder walk through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.
Please do what you can to attend and honor Brother Brylewski, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of retired President Tom Blecha of Oak Park Firefighters, Local 95. Brother Blecha passed away suddenly on August 6th.
Although this is NOT an activation, Brother Blecha’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard participation at his walk-through.
Details for Brother Blecha’s walk-through are as follows:
Fire Department Walk-Through: Saturday, August 19th, at 1100hrs, at Heritage Funeral Home- 3117 S. Oak Park Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1045hrs.
Please do what you can to attend and honor Brother Blecha, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
The AFFI and our Labor History Committee were honored to have our history displayed at the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Museum and Library in Springfield. The display includes pieces from AFFI Locals through the state of Illinois.
The exhibit will be on display from late July through mid October 2023. Check it out!
Thank you for participating in this year’s AFFI Sox/Cubs Game to benefit MDA. The event was very successful and raised $21,000 for the MDA.
Berwyn Local #506 members did a great job of hosting the tailgate party.
We’d like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors for partnering with the AFFI to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Grand Slam Sponsor
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
AFFI Honor Guard
Chicago Firefighters Local #2
Crystal Lake Firefighters Local #3926
Stephen P Kelly Attorney
Illinois AFL-CIO
Home Run Sponsor
Asher, Gittler & D’Alba Ltd
Illinois Firefighters Peer Support
Boone’s Saloon
DeKalb Local #1236
Palatine Local #4588
Wauconda Local 34876
Waukegan Local #473
Triple Play Sponsor
AFFI President Chuck Sullivan
AFFI Secretary-Treasurer Kurt Snow
AFFI VP Luke Howieson
AFFI CD Legislative Director Jeff Maher
Illinois Association of Retired and Disabled Firefighters
Bloomington Local #49
Thanks again for helping to make the fundraiser so successful. Plans are already underway for next year’s event.
Chuck Sullivan, President
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
