The ultimate goal is to develop protocols for fire departments to use to help fire fighters. The Philadelphia Firefighters’ and Paramedics’ Union, Local 22 of the International Association of Fire Fighters proudly endorses President Trump for re-election. International Association of Firefighters General President Harold Schaitberger has confirmed the IAFF will not endorse a presidential candidate in the general election. In that role, this union is an advocacy group similar to the NRA, Christian Coalition, Sierra Club, Chamber of Commerce, National League of Cities, etc. The IAFF was formed in 1918 and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO in the United States and the Canadian Labour Congress in Canada. The IAFF has more than 316,000 members in its more than 3,200 affiliate organizations. The FOP supported the Republican candidate for President in 2008, 2004, and 2000, and its non-endorsement is seen as a refutation of Mitt Romney. We know that one of the most important ways we represent our members is in the legislatures at all levels of government – because that’s where most of the decisions are made that have an impact on our members and their jobs. Similarly, the IAFF will never criticize any member for his or her choice of candidate. The IAFF believes, respects and celebrates the absolute right of every IAFF member to vote for the candidate that he or she feels best represents and embraces that individual’s views and political philosophy. In fact, almost every time an endorsement is made, there is disagreement – but it’s usually based on personal political leanings or how one values certain issues. An annual Fallen Firefighters memorial ceremony is held each year in September in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We recognize that there are many issues that are important to all IAFF members – beyond fire service and labor issues, and the IAFF respects its members’ right to vote for candidates who have not won the endorsement of the IAFF or your local affiliate. Decisions are predicated on how candidates stand on fire fighter and labor issues, such as collective bargaining rights, protection of fair labor standards (FLSA) and overtime rights, pay fairness and equity for federal fire fighters, presumption of disability for federal fire fighters, funding for first responder initiatives, full funding of the FIRE Act and SAFER programs, protection of pension and Social Security benefits, and protection and extension of health care benefits for active and retired members, to name a few. The center also will serve to train and educate peer support members in the treatment of post-traumatic stress and substance abuse in the fire fighter population. The IAFF Charitable Foundation was formed in 2011 to assist IAFF union members and their families if affected by natural disaster (including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods) promotes fire and burn prevention, advocates for fire fighter health and safety, and provides public education on how to prevent and recover from burn trauma. Over the years attendees have heard from President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, members of the Cabinet of both Republican and Democratic administrations and numerous members of Congress, including the Leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives and key congressional staff. FIREPAC (Fire Fighters Interested in Registration and Education Political Action Committee) is the federally registered political action committee of the IAFF. Hello, I am Jake Lemonda, President of Local- 854, NYC Fire Officer’s Association. However, just like IAFF members review the history, positions and platform of each candidate and make a decision based on that information, so does the IAFF. Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Finance Committee Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), 2008 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and former 1988 and 2008 presidential candidate Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairwoman … FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2020. These are the types of issues that IAFF FIREPAC focuses on when making decisions on whether or not to support a candidate. No one should expect or accept it if the NRA based endorsements on fire fighter bargaining rights. Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics Union Endorses President Donald J. Trump. [1][2], IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, IAFF Fire Fighters Interested in Registration and Education Political Action Committee, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "IAFF News: Osceola Professional Firefighters", "IAFF Raises Record-Breaking Donation For MDA Telethon", "Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Fire Fighters", Firefighters flex their political power, Teddy Davis, ABCnews.com, March 12, 2007, International Association of Fire Fighters, Wildfire suppression equipment and personnel, Building and Construction Trades Department, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, American Center for International Labor Solidarity, International Labor Communications Association, Labor and Working-Class History Association, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Association_of_Fire_Fighters&oldid=998598592, Articles lacking in-text citations from January 2020, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 6 January 2021, at 03:59. The IAFF Center of Excellence is intended for union members only and will offer treatment for recovery from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring addictions in hopes to help members return to the job. The IAFF became the first union to endorse Biden, announcing it last Monday at the candidate’s first campaign stop in Pittsburgh. Members raise funds primarily through the "Fill the Boot" campaign, which helps fund MDA summer camps for children, professional and public health education and other programs. The IAFF stayed out of the 2016 election, declining to endorse Democrat Hillary Clinton in her bid against Trump. The endorsement came from the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), which represents 316,000 professional firefighters in … IAFF as a union represents full-time paid firefighters and emergency medical technicians, and membership is not open to volunteer firefighters. 350 Sparks Street, Suite 403 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1R 7S8 Phone: 613.567.8988. Controversy has erupted over the endorsement of President Donald Trump by the Philadelphia firefighters and paramedics' union, Local 22. This union views candidates through a very narrow focus. Since 1966 the International Association of Fire Fighters has appeared on and co-sponsored The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. The IAFF respects its members’ right to vote for whomever they choose, and we hope you respect the IAFF’s right to endorse candidates, regardless of party, who have demonstrated their support for the IAFF and professional fire fighters. Consequently, no one should expect the IAFF to base its endorsement on anything other than its specific set of issues. Its bylaws do not allow members to work or volunteer with any other emergency service organization beyond their full-time employer, and can have their membership revoked if they do, though in practice this rarely, if ever happens.[5]. “The members of Local 22 respectfully break with the undemocratic IAFF endorsement of Joe Biden and pledge our full support to President … Within organized labor, FIREPAC has been the most bi-partisan PAC during the last decade, contributing a larger percent of its donations to Republican candidates than any other union. The IAFF has fought for better wages, benefits, working conditions and improved safety for union members. Politics within the IAFF is an issue of mutual respect. For the first time in 98 years, the 330,000-member Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) will not endorse a candidate for president this year. President Trump on Monday slammed the leaders of what he called the “Dues Sucking firefighters” union after the International Association of Fire Fighters endorsed former Vice President … Apr 29, 2019. Vice President Biden has been one of the strongest and most influential voices for fire fighters in Washington, D.C. throughout his career, … On the presidential level, it is true that the IAFF has endorsed Democrats in past presidential elections based on the records of the respective candidates on fire fighter issues. In any union, association or even political party, when an organization endorses a particular candidate or a specific position on any issue, not everyone who is a member is in agreement. Our range of issues is very specific. The IAFF has announced plans to open the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery in 2017 located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland (outside Washington, DC). I … The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is a labor union representing paid full-time firefighters and emergency medical services personnel in the United States and Canada. The IAFF has one mission: to improve the lives and livelihoods of professional fire fighters. . Joe Biden won the endorsement of the nation’s largest firefighters union Monday, injecting key organizing support into the start of his presidential campaign. September 29, 2020. IAFF General President Endorsement . More than 8,800 names of fallen IAFF members are etched on the wall. Schaitberger told HuffPost in March that he had been personally lobbying Biden to jump into the race, and that the union would be there for him if he did declare. But the union’s president is defending the endorsement and the union’s role advocating for worker rights. YouTube page opens in new windowFacebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowFlickr page opens in new windowIAFF PodBean Podcast, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is a labor union representing paid full-time firefighters and emergency medical services personnel in the United States and Canada. Likewise, no one expects the Christian Coalition to base its support of candidates on funding the FIRE Act or SAFER grants. Each year the IAFF hosts a national legislative conference in Washington, DC that is open to any IAFF member who wishes to register. The IAFF is the largest national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is a permanent remembrance of IAFF members and emergency medical services personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The IAFF also respects the right of state and individual affiliates to endorse the candidate they believe will best represent their membership at the state and local level. That’s why we play hard in politics – so that we help get people elected who will push our legislative agenda forward. The IAFF has more than 316,000 members in its more than 3,200 affiliate organizations. IAFF 55th Convention News COVID-19 Resources COVID Vaccine Information Grant Assistance for FP&S (Deadline February 26) and SAFER (Deadline March 12) Financial Fitness for Fire Fighters 2020 Media Awards Contest Winners Sign Up for IAFF SMART IAFF FIREPAC does not and will not base its decisions on issues such as Second Amendment rights, reproductive rights, the environment or other social issues that many of our members hold firm beliefs about. We recognize that there are many issues that are important to all IAFF members – beyond fire service and labor issues, and the IAFF respects its members’ right to vote for candidates who have not won the endorsement of the IAFF or your local affiliate. The endorsement by the IAFF – which sat on the sidelines in the 2016 general election – is the first by a major union this presidential cycle. And, just like the IAFF respects your right to vote for the candidate of your choosing, we ask for the same respect concerning the IAFF’s duty to make its endorsement based on fire service, employment, safety and health and labor issues that directly affect our members’ lives and livelihood. The IAFF was formed in 1918 and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO in the United States and the Canadian Labour Congress in Canada. Great job by Schiller Park Firefighters Local 5230.In a dramatic scene caught on video, a dozen first responders were able to rescue a woman who was trapped underneath a collapsed awning on Monday night in suburban Schiller Park, and they’re sharing their stories of the harrowing incident. Important Message from President Docherty (Dec. 18, 2014) City and fire fighters settle lawsuit (11/07/2014) IAFF/MPFFU Partners With Military-Friendly School (11/6/2014) Message from MPFFU President Mark Docherty (Nov. 6, 2014) Join President Obama! People are entitled to and respect their right to disagree and express their own opinions. Its political action committee, FIREPAC, is one of the most active PACs in the country. [3] Its political action committee, FIREPAC, is one of the most active PACs in the country.[4]. Fire Fighters for Biden - The International Association of Fire Fighters shares a special relationship with Vice President Joe Biden. The IAFF, which represents more than 316,000 full-time firefighters, announced its endorsement of Biden in Pittsburgh, something Schaitberger said is one of the earliest endorsements … Total donations since 1954 are over $558 million. The IAFF gives significantly to both Republicans and Democrats. The IAFF follows a simple philosophy when it supporting candidates – they support those who support them, regardless of party affiliation or one's political leanings. International Association of Fire Fighters. I want to thank Jim, Matt and Joe for your kind words in your endorsement speeches. History suggests that each party’s eventual nominee will emerge from 2015 in one of the top two or three positions, as measured by endorsements, fund-raising and polling. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is the driving force behind every advancement in fi... re and emergency services. Saginaw L-102 needs your help!!! During the 2009 – 2010 election cycle FIREPAC raised $5.3 million and was the tenth largest PAC in terms of donations to federal candidates. In June, IAFF President Harold Schaitberger, with the assent of the board, told the Clinton campaign that the union was strongly leaning toward endorsing Clinton… President Donald Trump lashed out at the country’s largest firefighter union on Wednesday, claiming to have “done more for Firefighters than this dues sucking union will ever do” after the organization endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary.. After kicking off his Presidential campaign with a high dollar fundraiser hosted by th e union-busting CEO of Comcast and a union-busting lawyer from Philadelphia, Vice President Joe Biden locked up his first union endorsement on Monday. Similarly, the IAFF will never criticize any member for his or her choice of candidate. PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia firefighters union voted overwhelmingly to not rescind its endorsement of President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.. While you may personally disagree with an IAFF endorsement and believe that another candidate better represents your own viewpoint on issues important to you, please be mindful that the IAFF endorsement is about the candidate’s stance on fire service and labor issues. The IAFF was formed in 1918. On Monday, former Vice President Joe Biden accepted a major endorsement from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) for the 2020 election, prompting President Donald Trump to publicly blast the union leaders for “sucking” dues from their members without endorsing the candidate of their choice. FIREPAC was established in 1978 and has grown into the top one percent of all federally registered PACs. President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Harold A. Schaitberger addresses delegates at IAFF Presidential Forum in Washington on … The quick endorsement does not come as a surprise. © 2021 International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, CLC. The IAFF has a close relationship with Biden stretching back to the 1970s. The IAFF has also pushed for more full-time union firefighters. The IAFF legislative conference is the largest legislative conference of any union in the country. No one, including your union, has a right to tell you how to vote. All rights reserved. 2018 IAFF L106 Primary Election Endorsement List Sisters and Brothers, Your Political Action Committee (PAC) has met with several would-be candidates over the past few months. “While we believe he would be a great President of the United States, in the end Joe decided not to run, and our union will now hold our powder dry and likely wait until the New Year to consider any decisions on any future endorsement," IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said in a statement to The Huffington Post.