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GFOA and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are working together to develop resources that will promote better collaboration between finance officers and fire chiefs. Below, three IAFC members-- [...]

Hereditary primary systemic amyloidosis, an unusual expression of the amyloid problem, is characterized by a protean symptomatology that remarkably mimics the commonplace and the obscure. To date only four reports have appeared in the world literature describing in some detail the clinical, genetic, and pathologic constellation.* Recently three reports have appeared which emphasize the remarkable involvement of the ocular apparatus.†As to the genesis of this universal and morbid process, much speculation has appeared in the literature in the past halfcentury. On the one hand, it has been held that the pathophysiology represents the endresult of an immunological reaction, and, on the other, it has been regarded as an anomaly of the connective tissue ground substance. For the greater part, these observations have been based upon, with their known limitation, fundamental animal experimental data. It has recently been suggested that secondary (parenchymatous) and primary (mesenchymal) systemic amyloidosis might represent similar

Reports on proposed revisions to the Fair Labor Standards Act in the U.S. Simplification of the rules as it apply to firefighters, police officers and emergency service personnel.

Focuses on the concept and legality of workplace searches in the U.S. Question on the legitimacy of the right of an employer to search an employee's workspace; Merits of the O'Connor v. Ortega Supreme Court case, concerning workspace searches; Action of the U.S. Supreme Court on the case.

Discusses the proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act in the U.S. Increase in the salary level portion of the executive/administrative/professional employee test; Establishment of a super-salary test for highly compensated employees; Elimination of the non-exempt percentage work standard and independent-judgment/discretion tests.

Reports on court decisions on religious discrimination cases in the U.S. Suggestion that the decisions make religious-harassment law clearer for fire service managers; Facts of the court cases; Evidence offered by the plaintiff in civil-rights cases; Conclusions on which the court's ruling was based.

Discusses the application of employment arbitration agreements in fire service management in the U.S. Advantages of arbitration over lawsuits both for employers and employees; Ways in which a fire department can develop an employment-application lawsuit waiver program that would an employee's substantive rights.

Discusses issues related to problems faced by fire department chiefs in the U.S. with personnel who refuse to comply with no-body-piercing rules on religious ground. Review of related laws and legislation; Analyses of precedent cases; Tips on how to avoid legal liabilities on equal employment opportunity ground. INSET: Sikh officer versus 'no turbans' policy.

Reports on the court ruling on fire service-related cases in the U.S. State liability in damages for accessibility problems of persons with disability to public buildings; Church-state separation issue of a fire truck with a provision for painting part of Psalm 23; Sentiment of fire fighters when call for duty at 2 in the morning.