• PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF MAINE
    PROTECTING THE PROTECTORS

    What We Do
    Since May 7, 1945 The Professional Fire Fighters of Maine has been on the Frontlines fighting to better our members wages, working conditions, and health & safety. We fight for our members’ interest at the Contract Table , in the Legislature, political and social landscape.

    Who We Are
    The PFFMaine’s Executive Board working with the IAFF and our 3rd District Vice-President are committed to protecting our members and their families. The PFFMaine Executive Members have the knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences at the Local, State and International Level that represents all aspects of the fire service, our Union, and our membership and is fully committed to fighting for you!

    Who We Represent
    We are proud to represent over 1400 active and retired members that include Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, Communication Operators, Inspectors, Training Officers and other Fire Department personnel in thirty-five (35) IAFF Locals throughout the State of Maine.

    PFFMaine Firestrong
    Tools to Build a Stronger You

    IAFF Center of Excellence
    Exclusively for IAFF Members

    New Perceptions
    Specializing in Treatment for First Responders

     

     

     

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    PFFMaine's Behavioral Health Response Program

    Sisters and Brothers, Firestrong is an independently operated online resource for members of the Fire Service and their families. The mission of Firestrong is to offer mental, emotional, and physical support to each member of the fire department and their families by providing educational tools, resources, crisis intervention assistance (crisis line) and peer support services. The Professional Fire Fighters of Maine has partnered with Firestrong and have incorporated their resources into the PFFMaine’s Behavioral Health Response Program.

    Cancer Risks for Firefighters: More Than You May Realize

    By Diane Atwood Two years ago, 43-year-old Maine firefighter Mike Nixon was diagnosed with malignant melanoma — the most dangerous form of skin cancer. “I had a spot develop in a weird place on my ear,” he says. “It wasn’t on top where you’d think people would get skin cancer, where there is sun exposure.

    Maine Scientist to Study Link Between Fire Fighters and Cancer

    By Caitlin Burchill Posted Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 Firefighters risk their lives daily for those in the community. A scientist says there are many health risks involved and what protects them is part of the problem. Caitlin Burchill explains. ==== The Orrington Fire Chief wants to protect his crew at all costs.

    Study: Exposure to flame retardant chemicals means firefighters face higher cancer risk than previously thought

    Study: Exposure to flame retardant chemicals means firefighters face higher cancer risk than previously thought ELLSWORTH, Maine — New research by a Blue Hill scientist shows that during a fire, firefighters are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic, cancer-causing chemicals created when commercial flame retardants burn.

    Help us Fight Cancer

    Sisters and Brothers, The cancer epidemic is leaving its mark on families all over Maine, but firefighters are getting hit even harder than most. Firefighters are getting cancer at alarming rates -- sometimes more than DOUBLE the cancer rates in the general public.


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    UPCOMING EVENTS
    PFFMaine March 2023 Quarterly Meeting
    Mar 21, 2023
    Plummers & Pipefitters Union Hall Augusta, Maine
    We Need to Talk Series
    Mar 27, 2023
    We Need To Talk Series - Zoom [Link Below]
    PFFMaine District(s) 1 & 2 Meeting
    Mar 28, 2023
    Bruno's
    Labor Lobby Day
    Mar 30, 2023
    Tuesday, March 30th, 8am - 3pm, Statehouse, Augusta
    We Need to Talk Series
    Apr 24, 2023
    We Need To Talk Series - Zoom [Link Below]
    AFL-CIO Organizing Institute
    May 05, 2023
    Portland
    PFFMaine' Educational Conference
    May 21, 2023
    Portland, Maine Exact Location TBD
    We Need to Talk Series
    May 22, 2023
    We Need To Talk Series - Zoom [Link Below]
    PFFMaine June 2023 Quarterly Meeting
    Jun 20, 2023
    Plummers & Pipefitters Union Hall Augusta, Maine
    We Need to Talk Series
    Jun 26, 2023
    We Need To Talk Series - Zoom [Link Below]
    We Need to Talk Series
    Jul 24, 2023
    We Need To Talk Series - Zoom [Link Below]
    Labor Summer Institute
    Aug 02, 2023
    University of Maine, Orono
    We Need to Talk Series
    Aug 28, 2023
    We Need To Talk Series - Zoom [Link Below]
    PFFMaine September 2023 Quarterly Meeting
    Sep 19, 2023
    Plummers & Pipefitters Union Hall Augusta, Maine
    Common Ground Fair
    Sep 22, 2023
    Unity

    New Perceptions, Inc, and the Professional Fire Fighters of Maine

    Monthly Behavioral Health Education Series 2023

    We Need To Talk

    New Perceptions and the PFFMaine are launching our “We Need To Talk” Series where our Behavioral Health Response Team and other Professionals and Guest Speakers will be having a serious discussion on behavioral health amongst 1st Responders and their families. Our NEW On-Line series will be held on the 4th Monday of every month from 4 pm to 6 pm via zoom. All members are encouraged to attend. Peer and CISM certified members will receive credit toward continuing education requirements for the Peer and CISM programs.

    We Need To Talk Topics for 2023 are as follows:

    Feb 27th-Work/Home Life Balance: First Responders are dedicated to their careers and at times struggle with balance in their personal lives. This class will discuss how to manage work and home life to increase resilience.

    March 27th- First Responder Perspective: Shaun Hadlock will discuss his experiences dealing with PTSD and utilizing the IAFF Center of Excellence.

    April 24th- Spiritual Fist Aid: Cultivating spiritual resilience in the face of crisis-Guest Lori Whittemore

    May 22nd-Process and Behavioral Addictions: This is a topic that needs more attention. We are aware of chemical addictions, but behavioral addictions can have a huge impact on functioning and coping for the individual.

    June 26th-Resilience Part I (Jason Mills): There is much talk about resilience but it is time to start thinking about how to increase the ability to manage stressful situations.

    July 24th-Administrative Betrayal and Moral Injury: There is more than just PTSD in the fire service. Attention is being paid to the impact of administrative betrayal on the individual and the members. In addition, more attention is being paid to the lasting impact of moral injury.

    August 28th-Post Traumatic Growth: This is a term that is being used more and more. While trauma can have detrimental effects many are finding ways they have grown from their experiences.

    September 25th-Resilience Part II (Jason Mills): This will be a continuation of building resilience to be a healthier member of the fire service. In addition, a discussion of how exercise, sleep and food has an impact on the neurochemical functioning of the brain.

    October 23rd-Managing interpersonal dynamics in the fire service: First Responders live together and it is a unique work situation. How can members increase their ability to manage conflict and create a healthier environment for themselves and their coworkers?

    November 27th-Managing Holiday Stress: All the stressors that occur in day-to-day life are heightened at this time of year. Increased family, social and financial expectations all impact our ability to manage stress effectively.

    The We Need To Talk series is open to all IAFF/PFFMaine members and their families. We encourage you to attend one or all of these sessions. We are excited about this new program and will only continue to help our members and their families have a better understanding of behavioral health issues impacting 1st Responders of stress and how to deal with them.

    In the meantime, should you need someone to talk to, please reach out to any member of our Behavioral Health Response Team…

    Resources for PFFMaine Peer Support Team

    Michael Crouse, Director: (207)239-2625
    Mike Scott, Deputy Director: [207] 576-2234
    Amy Davenport Dakin, LCMHC, LCPC, Clinician: (207)941-0010 | (603)257-0258
    Jason Mills: (207) 250-1683
    Gerry Gay, District 1 Peer Leader: (207) 651-5944
    Tom Lafferty, District 2 Peer Leader: [609] 502-4800
    Carl Anderson, District 3 Peer Leader: [207] 831-9323
    Ronnie Green, District 4 Peer Leader: (207)944-5366
    Kyle Moser, District 5 Peer Leader: [315] 868-9282

    Crisis Numbers

    Maine Crisis Team 1-888-568-1112
    Crisis Text Line: Text Hello to 741741
    IAFF Center of Excellence 1-833-300-3765
    We Need To Talk Zoom Link
    TWEETS BY @PPFMAINE

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