activities · 6
what they do
advocacy · 5
- Advocacy for Firefighter Benefits and Protections First Responder Legislative AdvocacyThe organization advocates for legislative changes and policies to improve benefits, working conditions, and health protections for firefighters, including securing Social Security benefits, expanding presumptive illness coverage for cancers, and establishing mental health support.
- Advocacy for Firefighter Staffing and Safety First Responder Legislative AdvocacyThe organization advocates for improved staffing levels, safety policies, and funding for fire departments, engaging with legislative bodies and supporting local campaigns to prevent department abolishment and secure better labor contracts.
- Advocacy for Firefighting Equipment and Standards First Responder Legislative AdvocacyThe organization advocates for national and international policy action to address fire risks, fund the removal of hazardous materials like PFAS, and update aviation regulations for airport firefighting to meet international standards.
- Securing Fire Grants and Legislation First Responder Legislative AdvocacyThe organization works to secure the passage of legislation such as the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which reauthorizes funding for firefighter training, equipment, and staffing, and supports bills to honor fallen heroes.
- Union Representation and Member EngagementThe organization represents over 360,000 professional firefighters and emergency medical workers, hosts biennial conventions for members to shape union policy, and provides litigation support for issues like overtime pay.
capacity building · 1
- Firefighter Training and Certification Fire Service Certification & Technical TrainingThe organization secures funding and provides training programs, including HazMat response certification for over 2,000 firefighters and Fire Ground Survival train-the-trainer courses, to enhance firefighter skills and safety.
strategies · 8
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advocacy for minimum staffing and safe apparatus deployment minimum_staffing_campaignPushes for mandated minimum staffing levels, particularly four-person crews on fire apparatus, to ensure operational safety, efficiency, and effective emergency response.
- Collective bargaining and workplace rights advocacy collective_bargaining_advocacyAdvances fire fighters’ rights through collective bargaining at all levels of government and promotes adoption of the Firefighter Bill of Rights to ensure fair treatment in discipline, promotion, and workplace decisions.
- Fire safety integration in building codes and design building_code_advocacyUses fire fighter expertise to shape building safety codes and design standards, advocating against hazardous configurations like single-exit buildings to prevent loss of life and improve emergency response.
- Local preservation of career fire departments local_advocacyConducts targeted local advocacy campaigns to protect and sustain professional, career fire departments against privatization or defunding efforts.
- Political engagement through campaign support and PACs political_action_candidate_supportLeverages FIREPAC and political advocacy to support candidates and campaigns that prioritize firefighter interests, building sustained political power to influence policy.
- Securing presumptive health and disability coverage for firefighters presumptive_health_coverageAdvocates for presumptive health policies that recognize occupational risks—such as cancer, heart disease, and behavioral health conditions—to ensure timely medical care and benefits for affected fire fighters.
- Union representation for public safety professionals labor_union_representationOrganizes a diverse range of public safety workers—including fire fighters, dispatchers, and HazMat crews—under a unified labor union to strengthen collective voice, workplace protections, and operational effectiveness.
- Workforce development through apprenticeship programs workforce_developmentExpands access to fire and EMS careers by supporting federal apprenticeship programs that reduce barriers to entry and promote a more diverse and qualified workforce.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
4 Fire Fighters 4 Your Safety
Campaign in Atlantic Canada advocating for minimum staffing of four fire fighters per apparatus to improve public and fire fighter safety
Fire Ground Survival
Training program focused on fire fighter safety during emergency operations, funded by Ontario government for train-the-trainer expansion
Guardian Policy
Legal initiative protecting fire fighters’ free speech rights; supports members facing retaliation for raising safety and morale concerns
Medical Assistance Program
Provides support to fire fighters and families in securing line-of-duty death benefits and workers’ compensation claims
relationships · 32
who they work with
- Austin, TX Local 975 Partner — Assisted in winning a battle over contract-protected association time in the Texas Court of Appeals.
- Boeing Partner — Negotiated a four-year contract with IAFF I-66.
- Boeing Fire Fighters Local I-66 St. Louis, Missouri Partner — Supported in contract negotiations, resulting in a new contract.
- Boeing Fire Fighters Local I-66 St. Louis, Missouri Partner — Won a new contract after facing threats of a lockout.
- Canadian Government Government — Called on to strengthen airport firefighting regulations.
- Canton, OH Local 249 Partner — Member Richard Sacco triumphed in the Canton City Council Ward 8 election.
- Congress Government — Engaged with Congress during the IAFF Legislative Conference to advocate for fire fighter staffing and safety policies.
- Department of Labor Partner — Collaborated to launch a federal apprenticeship program for fire fighters.
- Goldwater Institute Partner — Won a legal battle against a group of taxpayers funded by the Goldwater Institute over contract-protected association time.
- Hackensack Uniformed Fire Officers Association Partner — Affiliate organization representing fire fighters in Hackensack, NJ.
- Halifax, NS Partner — Affiliate organization representing fire fighters in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Houston Local 341 Partner — Provided resources to ensure pro-labor Mayor John Whitmire secured the city’s top job.
- Houston Local 341 Partner — Received support for political efforts to ensure pro-labor Mayor John Whitmire secured the city’s top job.
- Indianapolis Local 416 Partner — Supported in securing the reelection of Mayor Joe Hogsett.
- Indianapolis Local 416 Partner — Supported the reelection campaign of Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.
- JD Vance Government — Visited the IAFF during its biennial business meeting in August 2024 as a Vice Presidential nominee.
- Memphis, TN Local 1784 Partner — Supported the family of Fire Fighter/EMT Jeffrey Scott Arick in securing line-of-duty death benefits.
- Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union (MPFFU) Partner — Fought on behalf of unions for the repeal of Michigan's right-to-work law.
- Morgantown, WV Local 313 Partner — Supported in winning holiday backpay dating to 2014.
- New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Partner — Collaborated to strengthen cancer presumption laws in New Mexico.
- North Maine, IL Partner — Affiliate organization representing fire fighters in North Maine, IL.
- Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters Partner — Worked together to secure long-term mental health support for fire fighters in Ohio.
- Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association Partner — Cultivated a strong relationship with the province’s Progressive Conservative government to advance fire fighter safety.
- Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA) Partner — Advocated with to save the jobs of four member dispatchers.
- Orillia ON Local 1100 Partner — Advocated with to save the jobs of four member dispatchers.
- Pascagoula, MS Partner — Affiliate organization representing fire fighters in Pascagoula, MS.
- Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association Partner — Supported Local 78 in campaign to prevent abolition of the professional fire department in Jeannette, PA
- Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) Partner — Supported in signing legislation extending workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.
- Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) Partner — Provided guidance to IAFF Locals to expand 24/7 fire coverage and strengthen public safety.
- South Fulton, GA Local 3920 Partner — Supported in ratifying their collective bargaining agreement with the City of South Fulton.
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