La Crosse Firefighters

What's New at L-127

Update on IRS Rule on Normal Retirement Age for Governmental Plans

Posted On: Apr 13, 2012 (11:49:04)
The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF), which administers the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), continues to track an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulation regarding the definition of normal retirement age (the age at which one can retire with an unreduced benefit) for governmental plans. The regulation is effective January 1, 2013. There has been widespread concern that this rule would raise the normal retirement age for police officers, firefighters, and other protective-class employees in the WRS. Currently, the normal retirement age requirements for these protective-class employees are 54 years with less than 25 years of service, or 53 with 25 years or more of service. Based upon additional research and a recent analysis conducted by ETFs tax counsel, ETFs position is that the current regulation DOES NOT affect the normal retirement age levels for any WRS participants. Although the regulation would benefit from clarification, analysis of the regulation, the underlying federal law and informal information from IRS representatives indicates that in regard to normal retirement age, the current rule only applies to governmental plans that make in-service pension distributions (payment of pension amounts while the person is still employed). The WRS does not permit in-service distributions, so the rule would not apply in regard to WRS normal retirement age levels. ETF contacted Senator Kohls office expressing concern about the IRS rule in early 2011. Senator Kohl sent a letter to the U.S. Treasury asking that the matter be addressed. The Treasurys reply indicated that they would be clarifying the matter in the near future, but they have not issued any guidance on the rule so far. On March 28, 2012, Senator Kohl and Representative Baldwin sent a joint letter to the Treasury strongly urging the IRS to take prompt action on this matter. In addition, on April 6, 2012, Governor Walker, Senator Johnson, and Representatives Sensenbrenner, Petri, Ryan, Duffy, and Ribble sent a joint letter to the Treasury strongly urging the IRS to promptly address this concern. We are hopeful that the IRS will clarify the regulation soon. We will provide additional updates when they are available. To sign up for automatic e-mail updates, click on the red envelope below. Department of Employee Trust Funds April 11, 2012

Mahlon Mitchell for Lt. Governor

Updated On: Apr 05, 2012 (11:14:00)
PFFW President and Madison Local 311 Firefighter Mahlon Mitchell is running against Rebecca Kleefisch for Lt. Governor in the upcoming recall election. Brother Mitchell has been leading firefighters in the fight again Governor Walker and his war on collective bargaining since the very beginning. In order to get his name on the ballot, 4,000 signatures need to be collected by April 9th. If you are interested in signing the petition contact Firefighter DuMez. Its short notice, but time is of the essence.

L-127 Supports Childhood Cancer Research

Posted On: Mar 26, 2012 (11:06:24)
On Saturday March 24th, about 20 Local-127 firefighters participated in the annual St. Baldrick's event at the UW-L Eagle Rec Center. The event raises money for childhood cancer research and raised over $28 million last year alone. In addition to shaving their heads, Local 127 donated $400 to support the cause. Find out more about St. Baldrick's here: http://www.stbaldricks.org/

A-Shift Fights House Fire

Updated On: Dec 27, 2011 (15:50:00)
No one was injured, but two pets died in a La Crosse house fire Monday. Passersby reported smoke coming out of a house at 1420 Market St. at 1:20 p.m. "It was going good when we got here," said Fire Department Capt. Dave Schneider. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to put the blaze out. Nobody was home at the time of the fire. Officials are still trying to determine the cause Read More...

Crews Battle Downtown Fire

Posted On: Aug 09, 2011 (08:38:38)

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - Firefighters from La Crosse and Onalaska battled most of Saturday to put out a fire that proved tough to put out.

Crews were called to 423 Jay Street around 930am. They quickly blocked off several streets around the building and began to start to extinguish the fire.

La Crosse's Assistant Fire Chief Warren Thomas said the fire spread throughout the attic area. The building's first floor also has extensive smoke and water damage. Part of the building was demolished Saturday afternoon after the roof collapsed.

Firefighters also had to cut into neighboring buildings' roofs and sprayed water on them to keep the fire from spreading. The former Optical Fashions building suffered smoke and water damage.

So far, no injuries were reported among firefighters or any of the building's tenants, who were able to safely evacuate their apartments on the top floor.

There's been no word yet on what might have caused the fire.

We will bring you updates to this continuing story, online and on our Sunday 10pm Report.

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LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW)-- The La Crosse Fire Department continues to work to put out an attic fire at the 126 5th Ave. South building downtown La Crosse.

Crews were called to the scene around 9:30 Saturday morning and had block of Jay Street between 4th and 5th Streets.

Both the La Crosse Fire Department and Onalaska Fire Department are on the scene.

The department says there were able to make sure everyone was out of the building and no injuries have been reported.

The department says the fire is spreading north to south in the attic space, yet is contained in this one building.

One neighboring building has serve water and smoke damage.

Tri-State Ambulance is also on the scene to help cool firefighters.

Crews say high temperatures and the heat of the blaze are a concern for some firefighters.

News 19 has a crew on the scene and reporter Pete Zervakis says he talked to firefighter, Franco Garritano, who has worked this job for six years and said it is the biggest fire he has ever seen.

The fire department is also cutting into the roofs of neighboring buildings and spraying water to keep the fire from spreading.

All of the La Crosse Fire Department units are at the scene and the department has called for backup with the fire and to backfill stations.

Hooters restaurant has also provided a complimentary lunch for the crews working on the fire.

News 19 remains on the scene and will have more updates as the story develops.

http://www.wxow.com/story/15179153/building-fire-downtown-la-crosse