1989-1998

The IAFF and its state and local affiliates contribute approximately $8 million to political candidates in the 1991-1992 election cycle.

With the support of the IAFF, James Lee Witt is confirmed as FEMA director by the U.S. Senate. He is a guest of the IAFF at the Congressional Fire Services Institute dinner in Washington, DC.

IAFF General President Al Whitehead joins U.S. President Bill Clinton in New Orleans to announce the National Service Program to allow youths to defray the costs of a college education by working in community service.

The IAFF supports the nomination of Carrye Burley Brown as administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration.

IAFF General President Al Whitehead forms a special task force to study the Clinton administration’s National Health Care proposal and to evaluate its impact on IAFF members and their families, as well as to pursue any necessary changes in the bill.

The IAFF’s “1991 Annual Death and Injury Survey” reveals that more than one out of every three fire fighters is hurt on the job.

The IAFF FIREPAC program is the 58th largest political action committee in the United States among the more than 4,300 PACS that contribute to federal candidates, according to the Federal Election Commission.

State and local affiliates that raise money for FIREPAC will now be recognized in a new class of FIREPAC membership, the Century Club. An affiliate must reach 100 percent of its target amount to achieve this designation. Century Club members will be recognized in the International Fire Fighter and receive a special certificate.

The IAFF supports H.R. 2722 to exempt fire departments and police departments from the provisions of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The ADEA bars employers from using age for hiring or retirement purposes.

During the first session of the 103rd Congress, the IAFF makes substantial gains in the legislative arena, including passage by the House of Representatives of the ADEA, President Bill Clinton’s signing of the reformed Hatch Act into law, and passage of the hazmat bill by the House of Representatives.

The IAFF’s second conference on EMS and the Fire Service is held in Seattle, Washington. The delivery of emergency medical services is considered to be an integral part of the fire service’s future.

History of Fire-Based EMS →

At the 12th John P. Redmond Symposium on the Occupational Health and Hazards of the Fire Service in Boston, Massachusetts, Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts speaks to the need for OSHA reform.

Thanks to the hard work of IAFF locals throughout Canada, the House of Commons plans a hearing to allow fire fighters to inform the government and the public of the dangers infectious diseases pose to emergency personnel. A parliamentary committee asks Health and Welfare Canada to work with the provinces to set up notification programs.

A National Academy of Sciences report points out serious flaws in the system used to identify hazardous materials shipments and calls for major improvements. The report stemmed from congressional action backed by the IAFF two years prior.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control warns emergency medical personnel, especially those working in rural areas, to be alert for victims of the deadly virus, also known as “The Four Corners Flu.”

IAFF members raise $9 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the Labor Day Telethon.

MDA and the IAFF →

IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer Vincent Bollon provides guidelines to help fire fighters estimate how much to save for retirement.

The IAFF per capita rate is increased from $5.27 to $5.42 for active members and from $2.64 to $2.71 for active-retired members.

Several studies confirm that fire-based emergency medical services have by far the best response times, higher levels of patient survivability, lower fees to the public and lower levels of stress for EMS providers.

History of Fire-Based EMS →

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) denies the IAFF’s formal request to add safe fire ground staffing language to the NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Service Occupational Health and Safety. The IAFF formally ends its 71-year relationship with the National Fire Protection Association, citing the NFPA’s utter contempt and disregard for the safety of fire fighters and the public. The IAFF severs its organizational membership and discontinues its representation on all NFPA committees and sections. This action does not affect any existing laws or policies at the local, state, provincial or federal levels that are based on NFPA standards.

NFPA and the IAFF →

A new IAFF Union Member Mortgage and Real Estate program helps members make buying a home easier and more affordable.

The nearly 100 delegates to the IAFF Canadian Policy Conference approve a name change from the Canadian Association of Fire Fighters to IAFF Canada.

The IAFF offers participating unions personal checks decorated with the Union Yes logo, their union’s logo and the printer’s union label.

At the Sixth Memorial Observance honoring IAFF members who died in the line of duty in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Canadian affiliates install a new flag standard for the Canadian flag.

The IAFF offers members a 75th anniversary ring with a free diamond. Prices vary by gender and metal type. Proceeds benefit the FIREPAC.

The IAFF issues a supplement to the International Fire Fighter on health care reform. On November 20, 1993, President Clinton’s 1,348-page “Health Security Act” is officially introduced in Congress. The IAFF awaits specific legislation prior to formally responding to its provisions.

The IAFF offers a limited number of Ben Franklin’s Firefighters’ Silver Medals issued by the U.S. Mint. The medals commemorate Ben Franklin’s role in establishing the U.S. fire service. The medal costs $50 and proceeds benefit the William H. McClennan Scholarship Program.

The IAFF offers members 14-carat gold St. Florian medals, “turn of the century” helmets and axe pendants in honor of its 75th anniversary.

IAFF General President Al Whitehead is named to the board of the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation.

Representative Austin J. Murphy of Pennsylvania’s guest column in the International Fire Fighter focuses on the Firefighters and Police Retirement Security Act of 1993. He plans to introduce legislation to make permanent an exemption to allow state and local governments to set mandatory retirement ages for fire fighters and law enforcement officers.

To celebrate its diamond anniversary, the IAFF publishes a special four-page insert in the International Fire Fighter tracing the history of the union. The inserts are excerpted from a special 75th anniversary book available from the Department of Education.