Greater York Professional Fire Fighter member Aaron Eckert is scheduled to be locked up at the MDA Lock Up on May 20 at the Texas Roadhouse. Aaron wrote in an email that "he is tasked with raising money for MDA and Jerry's kids to free himself from jail". Aaron has a personal website to provide people a secure method of contributing, which is at https://www.joinmda.org/yorkeast2009/aee00. "This is a perfect opportunity for professional fire fighters to demonstrate their committment to Jerry's Kids...a relationship that has been ongoing for decades" said David Eckman, President of the Greater York Professional Fire Fighters Associaion. "I am sure that there will be many of our members who will go to the Texas Roadhouse when Aaron is in jail and contribute to MDA to keep him locked up longer!" Eckman jokingly added.

Vice President of the United States Joe Biden addressed the delegates to the IAFF Legislative Conference on Monday, March 16. Biden, who has a very special connection to fire fighters, talked about how the lack of adequate fire apparatus staffing has negatively impacted both fire fighter and public safety. "Hopefully our elected leaders will get the message that the Vice President is delivering" said David Eckman, President of the Greater York Professional Fire Fighters. "We have been trying to convince our leaders about this very issue for years." Four members of the Greater York Professional Fire Fighters attended the Conference and spent the day on Capitol Hill talking with Congressman about their legislative agenda. You can watch all of the speeches by going to www.iaff.org.

York City Local 627, Manchester Township Local 3503, and Greater York Professional Fire Fighters, Local 2377 recently held a canned food drive for the benefit of the York County Food Bank. Firefighters collected and donated canned food items over the last few weeks and delivered those goods to the York County Food Bank on Friday, February 26. "This is just another example of how professional fire fighters give back to the community's in which they serve", said David Eckman, President of the Greater York Professional Fire Fighters. "We are extremely happy that our members were able to step up and help the Food Bank when their needs are so heavy".

York Area United Fire and Rescue, today announced the retirement of Deputy Chief Barry Emig effective in April. Deputy Chief Emig had been the fire chief of Spring Garden Township and was instrumental in the formation of YAUFAR, assuming the position of Deputy Chief in May 2008. YAUFAR is a joint effort between Springettsbury and Spring Garden Township to provide regional fire services.

"Deputy Chief Emig has devoted his entire career to the fire service, first as a fire fighter in Spring Garden Township, rising to Lieutenant, and on to Chief of the Department" said David Eckman, President of the Greater York Professional Fire Fighters Association. "He has served the community well and on behalf of all of the members of our organization, we wish him all the best".

In a memo circulated by department officials, Deputy Chief Emig will be pursuing a second career in fire cause and origin investigation, whihc has been a longtime passion of his.