Redmond EMS Abstracts.indd - IAFF

BRIEFING:
9-11 Health Compensation Act (Zadroga)
for the position of the Sergeant-at-Arms/Health and Safety Officer for the Uniformed Firefighters
Association IAFF Local 94 in 2005. At the UFA President’s urging, he worked with the NYS AFL/
CIO’s Suzy Ballantine, the UFOA’s Chief Richie Alles, the IAFF, and the President of the Professional
Firefighters of Maine, John Martell to help pass the 9/11 WTC Zadroga Bill that covers all our IAFF
Brothers and Sisters who were exposed to carcinogens and other toxic materials in the weeks and
months after 9/11. He is married with two grown daughters and a granddaughter.
Ritchard Alles
Health & Safety Director, Chief’s Representative
IAFF Local 854
Uniformed Fire Officers Association
225 Broadway, Suite 401
New York, New York 10007
212-293-9300
ralles@ufoa.org
Background:
Rich was appointed to the FDNY in 1979 and served on Engine 91 and Ladder 43 in Spanish
Harlem. Upon promotion to Lieutenant in 1987, he was briefly assigned to lower Manhattan and
later transferred to Ladder 174 in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Rich was promoted to Captain in 1993
and was assigned to Ladder 106 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Upon promotion to Battalion Chief in
1999 Rich was assigned to FDNY Headquarters and worked on the Department’s Operational
Millennium Plan. Rich was rewarded for his efforts by then Chief of Department Peter Ganci
with a transfer to Battalion 58 in Canarsie, Brooklyn in 2000. He was designated Battalion
Commander in 2005 and served until his promotion to Deputy Chief in 2007. Rich has always
been actively involved in his labor union, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, and has
assisted the organization in different roles until deciding to seek an open Chiefs Representative
position on the UFOA Executive Board in 2007. Upon winning his election, Rich has served in
various postions, including Sergeant at Arms. He is presently the UFOA Financial Secretary and
the National Legislative Director. Rich was asked by his local President, Al Hagan, to represent
L-854 and to work with L-94, the AFL-CIO, and the IAFF to lobby and gain passage of the 9/11
Health and Compensation Act (Zadroga bill), which covers all IAFF brothers and sisters who were
exposed to carcinogens in the weeks and months after September 11, 2001. The law was passed
on 12/22/10 and became effective on 7/1/11.
Rich is a graduate of St. John’s University with a BS in Criminal Justice. He continues his education
by attending labor courses at Cornell University as well as the International Association of Fire
Fighters Political Training Academy. Rich resides in Jackson Heights, Queens with his wife Dinah.
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