IAFF MDA Boot Camp

Add Feedback

Share |

For more than 50 years there has been a partnership between the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). MDA is the IAFF's "Charity of Choice", and so far more than $450 million has been raised by firefighters and their Fill-the-Boot campaign, making them the greatest contributor to MDA. To run a successful campaign, every department or local must have a coordinator, and once a year,  MDA holds a boot camp for those coordinators.

"It's about networking and getting folks together. And the firefighters like a good challenge, and this is the place where we can challenge each other," said Lou Paulson, president of the California Professional Firefighters. He added, "Firefighters love a challenge and they love to be competitive." 

"We try to develop a little bit of rivalry between the departments and try to build a little bit of gamesmanship so that for these guys, it's more than just a task, it becomes fun," said Todd Palmquist, the Regional Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

During this boot camp, firefighters and MDA families are able to reconnect. Often there is a very special bond between them. Ronald Kuley, the IAFF/MDA National Director explains, "Every successful local that we have that's out there raising money for MDA is because of the relationships that's within that family. It's not a one time a year visit.  These are relationships that's built throughout the year."  

"The personal touch is there, our guys know where the money is going.  They speak with the families, they have a chance to converse with them, and they see it, they witness it. They witness what this great association of Muscular Dystrophy does for our families affected with these deadly diseases," Kuley said. 

One of the MDA families attending the boot camp includes Phil Kelleher, a former firefighter who is now battling one of the 40 neuromuscular diseases MDA is trying to find a cure for. "Not only have they been a blessing to me personally, but my family," Kelleher said. "I've been involved with Fill-the-Boot campaign long before I was even really aware of what the specific neuromuscular diseases were," Kelleher said. He explained that MDA has helped him as well as his family, giving them something to focus on and allowing them to realize they are not in this fight by themselves.  

Throughout the afternoon there were several classes coordinators could go to where they learned the responsibilities of a coordinator and how to involve their firefighters and their communities so they can have a successful Fill-the-Boot campaign in 2010. 

Many awards were also handed out during the boot camp. These are the top winners:

Most Dollars Raised - 700+ members - Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014

Most Dollars Raised - 101-69 members - Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association Local 1364

Most Dollars Raised - 100 or less members - Upland Professional Firefighters Local 3477

Top Dollars Raised by a Member - $1,525.73 per member - Upland Professional Firefighters Local 3477

Most Improved Over Previous Year - CAL FIRE Local 2881

Rookie of the Year Award - Long Beach Firefighters Local 372

#Rookie of the Year Award - Vernon Fire Department

The winners of the Top Dollars Raised by a Member award also won a national award. The Upland Firefighters were number one in the country with 37 members raising a total of $56,452.01.

There were also some special awards given out by MDA. These awards highlighted funny or special circumstances surrounding some of the local's drives. Here is a list of those winners.

Local That Played Hardest To Get - Long Beach Firefighters Local 372

Biggest Sandbaggers Award - Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association Local 1364

Can't Keep a Great Man Down Award - Ron Topolinski, Ventura County

Most Likely to Throwdown with an Elected Official - Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014 

Most Likely to Throwdown with an Elected Official - United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

Best Use of a Fire Helmet - Riverside City Firefighters Local 1067

Most Likely to Sprain an Arm while Filling the Boot Award - Pasadena Firefighters Local 809

Two Ways to Give Back to the Community Award - Coronado Firefighters

Despite all the laughs generated by these awards, everybody knew they were there because they want to help raise money for MDA. Abby Umali, the 10-year-old 2009 MDA National Goodwill Ambassador said it best, "Without you, MDA couldn't do what it does, and that is to give help to kids and adults with Muscular Dystrophy like me. And I hope you all know how much hope you're giving to all of us."

"The IAFF, the CPF, firefighters are committed to MDA. We actually want to put MDA out of business. We want to be able to find a cure for all neuromuscular diseases and actually end the strife that a lot of families are going through," Paulson said.

Ashley Garcia, a 14-year-old girl confined to a wheelchair thanked the firefighters for all their work, and explained what was in her heart, "You guys go out there and save lives each and every day but when you go out there and fill the boot you save one of us, one of our lives, so thank you."


Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com