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Pay your dues on line!!
Click below This page is designed to keep the retired members up to date on issues, from a "Sick List" to Pending Legislation and anything else we can think of. Hopefully anyone reading this will pass the word around to all other retired members. This is here for your use.
Contact Web Master We now have a page just to address the pension problems
Click Here to go to that page To sign up for our e-mail blasts scroll to the bottom of this page and fill out the form. Hit the subscribe button only once!
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Supplemental Dental and Vision plans will be with "United Healthcare"
Contact Customer Service New 11-16-23 Iris West, Benefits Advisor 410-337-7577 ext. 162 iwest@sfandc.com For more info Click Here |
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April 2 12:00
Eastern Shore Lunch |
April 3 1:00
Central VA Lunch |
April 7 11:00
RFA Meeting |
April 7 11:30
Myrtle Beach Lunch |
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March 30, 2025
Below are pictures sent in by the family of Elvin Davis E-12 1950 to 1968 March 25, 2025
Message from President Partridge: Fellow Retirees, Monday April 7 is the last regular business before summer break. We will be having several guest speakers covering a variety of topics. Anthony Stratford, DCRB will speak on operations at the board and take questions. Kia Jones, MPD HR Will speak on the self-service website for changes to your personal changes needed. The questions will cover the themes below:
Jason Stentna will speak on the CANCER SCREENING be conducted April 8 and 9. We have lost quite a few members the last month to cancer. It seems more and more of our members are battling this ugly disease. I implore all of you take advantage of this opportunity. I will be taking the screening. The block of rooms at the hotel in Florida for the reunion is booked. However, the hotel does have additional rooms remaining and you still get the discounted rate! If you plan to attend please act fast. Any questions can be directed to myself or Joe Rainwater. As usual lunch will be provided! I hope to you on the 7th! Fraternally Jimmy Partridge President March 19, 2025
The RFA regret to announce the death of RFA Life Member Edward H. Izumi. Brother Izumi passed away on March 17, 2025 at the age of 91. Brother Izumi was appointed to the DCFD on 10-30-1955 to E-20 and retired on 8-31-1980 E-13 Lt. Funeral arrangements will be posted once they are available. 
March 17, 2025
The RFA regret to announce the death of RFA Member John C. Goff. Brother Goff passed away on March 15, 2025 at the age of 84. Brother Goff was appointed to the DCFD on 12-24-1961 to T-15 and retired on 11-14-1989 E-15 Sgt. Funeral Arrangements will be posted when they become available. March 3, 2025
The RFA voted Steven Mills as the new 1st VP at today's meeting. Welcome Brother Mills, and thank you for stepping up! Stefan Ventura will still be doing the website, Facebook page, e-mail, and membership. Save the date
Fall Cookout October 11, 2025 American Legion Post 238 6265 Brandywine Rd. Hughesville, Md (301) 274-3522 October 11, 2025 12:00 - 5:00 PM Cost - $25 - No personal alcohol - County Law Side dishes and desserts are welcomed if members want to bring them Mail checks made out to the RFA for $25.00 each to Stephen Kuhn 8339 Wagon Wheel Rd. Alexandria, VA 22309-2143 E-30 T-17 70th Anniversary Dinner.
All active, retired, and former members are invited to a dinner on April 5th. See Flyer below for more info. 
There is now a Washington DC Fire Fighters Memorial Foundation this is a 501c non profit. They are collecting money to put up a permanent memorial to the Fallen DC Firefighters. They are looking for sites, getting permits, hiring an artist to design the memorial. It is all in the early stages, but money is needed to get things moving.
https://www.dcfallenfirefightersfoundation.org 
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March 13, 2025
The RFA regret to announce the death of RFA Member William "Billy" FitzGerald who passed away today March 13 after a long battle with cancer. Brother FitzGerald was 69 years old. Brother FitzGerald was appointed to the DCFD on 11-19-1978 to E-12 and retired on 1-6-2007 AFC/S Funeral Arrangements: On Sunday April 6th at 1:00 PM we will be holding a Celebration of Life for Billy FitzGerald at his fire house in Louisa, VA. Please let us know if you will be able to attend, as we will be providing food and non-alcoholic refreshments. If you would like alcohol, it is BYOB. We will be holding an opening prayer and Lila, John, Jimmie, and Family will speak followed by video remembrances of Billy's life. We will then do a small prayer and allow people to eat and share stories they have of Billy. If you would like to share, please try to keep it short story. This day is about Billy and people are welcome to stay and celebrate him as long as they like. Please click on the website below to RSVP to the service https://invite.social/celebratebillyfitz The family has set up a website to allow folks to reach out with pictures and stories. billyfitzgerald.com Please feel free to pass to others. 
Feb. 14, 2025
The RFA regret to announce the death of RFA member James "Bo" Bojalad. Brother Bojalad passed away Feb. 2, 2025 after a long battle with MS, at the age of 83. Brother Bojalad was appointed to the DCFD on 9-2-1962 to T-14, and retired on 2-23-1991 E-21 Tech Funeral Arrangements: Memorial service for James “BO” Bojalad will be held at the Fellows Helfenbein & Newman Funeral Home at 408 South Liberty St. , Centreville, MD 21617 on April 7 at 11 am Phone 410-758-1151 March 2, 2025
The RFA found out about the following Life Members deaths. RFA Life Member Donald H. MacDaniel passed away on 6-27-2021 at the age of 90. Brother MacDaniel was appointed to the DCFD on March 1950 T-16 and retired on March 1, 1969 T-1 RFA Life Member Paul R. Hawes passed away on 2-23-2024 at the age of 88. Brother Hawes was appointed to the DCFD on 9-23-1958 to T-11 and retired on 7-1-1970 E-19 Sgt. RFA Life Member Philip J. Folan Jr. passed away on 3-5-2024 at the age of 91. Brother Folan was appointed to the DCFD on12-10-1961 to T-10 and retired 8-3-1980 FD Clinic Feb. 1, 2025
Message from the DC Retirement Board regarding your 1099 tax form As tax season approaches, I wanted to provide some important information in case you receive inquiries related to the 2024 Form 1099-R from retirees/survivors. Please note that the 2024 Form 1099-R was mailed in late January to the address on file with the District of Columbia Retirement Board (DCRB). If a member does not receive their 2024 Form 1099-R by February 16, 2025, they can obtain a copy through one of the following methods:
Jan. 26, 2025
Message from IAFF regarding the WEP Social Security Act. This answers a lot of the questions most of us have had. Click on the link below https://www.iaff.org/news/qa-how-will-the-social-security-fairness-act-impact-me/ Nov. 1, 2024
The DCFIRE&EMS Foundation has put up a website on the history of the DC Fire Dept. Lots of great info, and photos. Link below https://www.dcfireemshistory.org/ May 28, 2024
The DCFD has launched a new project to honor members who have died in the line of duty. DC Firefighter Memorial Helmet Project. On Tuesday May 28, firefighters from DC will launch the DC Firefighters Memorial Project and hang the first of 102 memorial helmets on DC streetlight and Pepco utility poles throughout the District to honor firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Links below to both the DC Fire and EMS Foundation website, and the story on WUSA 9 www.dcfireemsfoundation.org/so/84O_yCxC5?languageTag=en&cid=ae664f96-9389-4313-becc-c88a41a9ddb1 www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/memorial-helmets-to-honor-dc-firefighters-who-lost-their-lives-in-line-of-duty/65-6f70b363-0b6b-414d-8156-e221deaabba7 Nov. 9, 2023
District of Columbia Police Officers and Firefighters’ Retirement Plan Summary Plan Description 2023 See attached file below
Jan. 28, 2022
Federal Tax deduction info for retirees below
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March 30, 2025
The Emerald Society is hosting a golf tournament May 5th to raise money for the fight against ALS. They are also looking for hole sponsors at $50.00 per hole. See Flyer below for more info: 
March 24, 2025
Get Screened for ESOPHAGEAL PRECANCER/CANCER SCREENING THAT CAN SAVE LIVES Spouses are eligible if they meet at least 3 of the criteria. April 8, and 9 2025 08:00 to 16:00 Hrs. at the Union Hall 3002 12th St. N.E. Washington DC 20017 Hi President Partridge, I hope this note finds you well. Per our discussion, below is a recap of some of the important items that we talked through over the last few weeks, as well as some resources to distribute to your retiree members (and social media awareness) to assess eligibility to be screened with EsoGuard. Retirees are an important population to screen because they have extensive occupational exposure, often with equipment that was inferior to the safety standards that exist today AND the age-related risk factor. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET SCREENED, PLEASE COMPLETE THE STEPS BELOW:
WHY:
WHO: EsoGuard is not a population screening test. The American Gastroenterological Association has defined 7 risk factors to qualify for screening and there is an additional 8th risk factor specific to occupational exposure to firefighters that has been established and substantiated by published NIOSH data. If any combination of 3 or more of the 8 risk factors listed below are met, the individual is eligible for screening.
HOW: To recap logistics and workflow for a screening event, Lucid Diagnostics comes on-site to perform the cell collection. Lucid has a team of nurse practitioners, nurses, and clinical specialists that do this every day and are very proficient in making this an easy process. Although this is a quick and simple cell collection, and we need a private room(s) with a door for testing. We have done screening events in office space, conference rooms, bunk rooms, training facilities, etc.
We have hosted nearly 200+ screening events nationally in the past ~18 months and successfully screened 19,000+ firefighters and first responders. We have received a lot of positive media around these events, and we are in the process of developing case studies about specific firefighters that were tested, were found to have dysplastic disease, and went on for an intervention to effectively prevent cancer. Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighters’ health and safety today.
WHY ESOGUARD IS A NICE ADJUNCT SCREENING TO OTHER SCREENINGS YOU HAVE DONE: There are many cancer screening options on the market but there are only 2 ways to identify esophageal pre-cancer (Barrett’s Esophagus) – EsoGuard or an upper endoscopy. The limiting factor with upper endoscopy is that it requires time off from work, sedation/anesthesia, higher cost, and may not be covered by insurance depending on risk factor presentation. For example, a white, male, firefighter with 10+ years of service would not be clinically indicated on those risk factors alone for an upper endoscopy, whereas this individual would qualify for EsoGuard screening. 40% of all esophageal adenocarcinoma diagnoses occur in non-GERD patients. EsoGuard is an office-based screening that typically takes about 2 minutes and does not require sedation/anesthesia, allowing firefighters/first responders to be quickly tested while on duty and then return to work without any restrictions. REAL LIFE STORY: We are in the process of putting together a firefighter case study but until it's officially published, I can give you a preview. There was a firefighter screened at one of our events in Mississippi – white, male, 10+ years as a firefighter – no other risk factors, no symptoms. He came back with a positive EsoGuard test, had a confirmatory upper endoscopy by a local gastroenterologist, and was diagnosed with High Grade Dysplasia (HGD). HGD is the phase of Barrett’s Esophagus (pre-cancer) right before it turns into Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. About 40% of patients with HGD progress to cancer within 12 months. This is one of many stories we have from the ~9,000+firefighters we have screened nationally. This truly is a life saved! Look forward to seeing everyone! This is a very important preventative screening test that could save lives. JUSTIN C. STENTA Senior Market Development Manager – US East Lucid Diagnostics M: 607-237-3771 E: JCS@LucidDx.com 360 Madison Avenue 25th floor New York, NY 10017 www.LucidDx.com www.EsoGuard.com March 16, 2025
The RFA regret to announce the death of RFA Member David E. Zollars. Brother Zollars passed away on March 9, 2025 at the age of 78. Brother Zollars was appointed to the DCFD on 7-12-1970 to E-30 and retired on 1-6-2007 BFC-4 Funeral Arrangements will be posted as soon as they are available. March 6, 2025
The RFA regret to announce the death of RFA Life Member George L. Richards. Brother Richards passed away on 3-4-25 at the age of 91. Brother Richards was appointed to the DCFD on 7-22-1957 and retired on 8-1-1976 T-16 Funeral Arrangements will be posted when they are available. March 3, 2025
Latest DCFD Personnel Actions below:
Golf Opportunities During the Florida Reunion:
We have been able to secure a limited number of Tee Times for Golf Opportunities during the Florida Reunion on a First-Come, First-Served basis on both Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, at the following venues: Saturday, April 26, 2025: Twin Isles Country Club 301 Madrid Avenue Punta Gorda, FL 33950 (10 minutes from our venue) Tee Times begin at 0930ish. Cost: $79 PP inc. Tax, Green Fees and Cart Friday, April 25, 2025 (For those Early-Bird arrivals): Deep Creek Golf Club 1260 San Cristobal Avenue Punta Gorda, FL 33983 (13 minutes from our venue) Tee Times begin at 0930ish. Cost: $65 PP inc. Tax, Green Fee and Cart. Anyone attending the Reunion wishing to take advantage of either/both of these golf opportunities should contact John Lee by phone/text at 703.915.6994; or by email at jlee1257@gmail.com nlt March 30. Hope to see you there! Thank You!! 2025 Florida Reunion Flyer below. April 25-27 Punta Gorda Florida When making your reservations make sure it's with the Hotel front desk
Feb. 20, 2025
Photos from today's Annapolis "Lunch". Looks like everyone was on a liquid diet. Photos submitted by Paul Wood. Feb 12, 2025
The 2025 COLA has been announced. Police/Fire Plan annuitants hired before November 10, 1996, will receive a COLA of 2.9%, and as the percentage is lower than the 3.0% cap, annuitants hired on or after November 10, 1996 will also receive a COLA of 2.9%. Annuitants who retired from either Plan after March 1, 2024 and before March 1, 2025 will receive a prorated amount of the appropriate percentage comparable to the number of months they were retired prior to March 1, 2025. In accordance with the provisions of the applicable statutes, the effective date of these increases is March 1, 2025, and they are payable to eligible annuitants effective April 1, 2025. Click on link below for more details: dcrb.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcrb/release_content/attachments/2025%20DCRB%20Cost%20of%20Living%20-%20DCHR%20Approval%20Feb%203%202025.pdf Jan. 22, 2025
DCFD 2025 Work Schedule below: 
July 12, 2024
The DC Bar Pro Bono Center has made an offer to do Pro Bono wills for our members making less than 60k a year. See below for more info, and attached flyer. Dear Mr. Partridge: I am writing to follow up on our conversation earlier this week regarding the “Wills for Heroes” estate planning project we are organizing for 09/11. Please find attached a flyer to send out to your membership and post on your website. We would really like to get interested individuals signed up and started on preparation by the end of this month, so anything you could do to bring this to the special attention of your disabled or older retired firefighters who would qualify would be appreciated. Thank you so much for your interest and all you do for fellow firefighters! Very truly yours, Murray MURRAY D. SCHEEL (he/him/his) Managing Attorney, Future Planning & Probate D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center 901 4th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 202.780.2593 www.dcbar.org/pro-bono
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Honor Guard
In an effort to provide our retired brothers (at the time of their demise) with a dignified, and respectable presence, the Retired Association has decided to organize a "Honor Guard". This will not be a precision - spit and polish - drill team type concept, but simply a list of retired brother firefighters who may have known and worked with the departed, or at least served during the same time frame. Participation by this Honor Guard will be ONLY By request of the family, and only to the extent that the family desires.
To include but not limited to pallbearers, (active or honorary) - liaison between the family and visiting fire fighters, or simply lending a fire service presence.
The "uniform of the day" for this honor guard shall from this day forward be known as the "Lockrow Suit" which will consist of a navy blue blazer, white shirt, gray slacks, and black shoes (properly polished) and official Honor Guard tie issued by the Association.
For those who wish to participate, and do not own a "Lockrow Suit" we have made arrangements with "Men's Warehouse" for a very good discount on the blazer and slacks.
The more members who participate in this honor guard will provide for a large cadre to draw from meaning less travel and less frequent events.
Please give this Honor Guard serious consideration, and join us in providing our departed members with class, dignity, and proper respect.
To volunteer please contact :
Tom Scherer Joe O'Neil
301-609-7923 410-507-2450
capttom44@outlook.com joeoneil9@hotmail.com
To include but not limited to pallbearers, (active or honorary) - liaison between the family and visiting fire fighters, or simply lending a fire service presence.
The "uniform of the day" for this honor guard shall from this day forward be known as the "Lockrow Suit" which will consist of a navy blue blazer, white shirt, gray slacks, and black shoes (properly polished) and official Honor Guard tie issued by the Association.
For those who wish to participate, and do not own a "Lockrow Suit" we have made arrangements with "Men's Warehouse" for a very good discount on the blazer and slacks.
The more members who participate in this honor guard will provide for a large cadre to draw from meaning less travel and less frequent events.
Please give this Honor Guard serious consideration, and join us in providing our departed members with class, dignity, and proper respect.
To volunteer please contact :
Tom Scherer Joe O'Neil
301-609-7923 410-507-2450
capttom44@outlook.com joeoneil9@hotmail.com
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RFA Pocket Badge Order Form
EXAMPLE JOSEPH C. HEALY RETIRED FIREFIGHTER’S ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON DC FIRE DEPARTMENT T-9 Please send a check for $45 with your name and address and the way you want your badge to read to: Joe Healy 7511 Woodville Road Mt. Airy, MD 21771 (A fourth line can be added for an extra $2) |
Members of the Retired Association can now order an official Fire Dept. badge on-line. Just click on the site below and find the badge you want and follow the instructions. (The difference between the active badge and our badge is that it has the word "RETIRED" is on the top.)
Thanks to Jimmy Martin, the link has been fixed. They advised that if you are still having problems, to turn off your pop-up blocker. Click Here to order |
Meetings will be announced on this site, and our Facebook page.
Local 36 Kenny Cox Building
3002 12th St. N.E Washington, D.C. 20017
Snow Policy:
IF SNOW CLOSES OR DELAYS THE PRINCE GEORGE'S SCHOOL SYSTEM , THERE WILL BE NO RFA MEETING THAT DAY.
Local 36 Kenny Cox Building
3002 12th St. N.E Washington, D.C. 20017
Snow Policy:
IF SNOW CLOSES OR DELAYS THE PRINCE GEORGE'S SCHOOL SYSTEM , THERE WILL BE NO RFA MEETING THAT DAY.
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