International Association of Fire Fighters

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is a labor union representing full-time, paid firefighters and emergency medical services personnel in the United States and Canada.

History

The IAFF was founded on February 28, 1918, in Washington, D.C., with the primary goal of improving wages, hours, and working conditions for rank-and-file firefighters. At its inception, thirty-six delegates gathered to establish the union's constitution and by-laws. Since then, the IAFF has grown significantly, becoming one of the largest and most influential labor unions in the AFL-CIO and Canadian Labour Congress.

Mission and Activities

The IAFF's mission focuses on securing fair compensation, improving working conditions, and ensuring safety for its members. The union has been instrumental in advancing legislative changes related to collective bargaining rights, staffing, line-of-duty deaths, healthcare, pensions, and safety issues.

• Membership and Representation: The IAFF represents over 344,440 members through more than 3,500 affiliate organizations. Its membership includes full-time firefighters and emergency medical technicians, excluding volunteer firefighters.
• Political Advocacy: The IAFF operates FIREPAC, a prominent political action committee known for its bipartisan support of candidates who advocate for firefighters' interests.
• Community Engagement: The IAFF is the largest national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, contributing significantly through its "Fill the Boot" campaign.

Health and Safety Initiatives

The IAFF has established the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, dedicated to treating post-traumatic stress disorders and substance abuse among firefighters. Additionally, the IAFF promotes health and safety through various programs, including fire fighter fatality investigations, wellness-fitness initiatives, and advances in safety technology.

Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial

The IAFF maintains the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado, honoring over 8,800 members who have lost their lives in the line of duty. An annual memorial ceremony is held each September.

Governance

The IAFF operates as a participatory democracy, with major decisions made by delegates at its biennial convention. The union's leadership includes a General President and General Secretary-Treasurer, who are elected to four-year terms. The Executive Board consists of district vice presidents from both the U.S. and Canada.

[1] https://www.iaff2067.org/aboutus.html [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Association_of_Fire_Fighters [3] https://www.iaff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/18163_An-Overview-of-Membership-Services-Manual.pdf [4] https://iaff2498.org/visitors/history-of-iaff.html [5] https://calgaryfirefighters.org/index.php?9-iaff-history