1999-2008

Congress votes to significantly increase funding for the FIRE Act grant program, using $210 million of the $20 billion in emergency financing budgeted in response to 9/11. Legislators make $360 million available for 2002.

President George W. Bush proposes the creation of a new $3.5 billion program to aid first responders, but the new program would eliminate the successful FIRE Act and other existing fire service programs. General President Harold Schaitberger sends a letter to President Bush, asking him to support full funding for the FIRE Act. But in August, President Bush decides not to authorize a $5.1 billion supplemental appropriations bill for the FIRE Act and FDNY families. In lieu of FIRE Act funding, President Bush decides to develop a new first responder program to provide unprecedented amounts of money to states to help fire fighters and other first responders prepare for terrorist attacks, but does not allow the use of federal funds to hire additional fire fighters, despite inadequate staffing nationwide. When asked why, Bush officials merely reiterated their mantra that the president admires and respects fire fighters.

As a result of intense IAFF lobbying, the Congressional Fire Service Caucus unanimously passes a resolution calling for $50 million to help communities hire additional federal fire fighters.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell meets with Canadian fire fighters in Whistler, British Columbia, and commends them for their display of solidarity in the aftermath of September 11.

President George W. Bush signs the Mychal Judge Police and Fire Chaplains Public Safety Officers Benefit Act (PSOB) Act into law. The PSOB program provides $250,000 for the families of fire fighters, emergency response workers and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The legislation was introduced after it was discovered that 10 public safety officers who gave their lives on September 11 would not be eligible for death benefits because they did not have any surviving immediate family members. The bill is named in honor of FDNY Chaplain Mychal Judge who, while serving as a chaplain to the New York City Fire Department, was the first certified fatality of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Members of Congress invite fire fighters to develop a strategy to fight terrorism at the grassroots level. The IAFF provides input during a Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs hearing on the “Local Role in Homeland Security.”

The IAFF endorses legislation introduced in the House of Commons that aims to amend the Criminal Code of Canada to impose tougher penalties on anyone who commits a crime that kills or injures a fire fighter acting in the course of his or her duties.

The IAFF partners with NFPA and Representative Jack Quinn (NY) to promote the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Act, legislation that provides grants to local communities to hire additional fire fighters.

The 2002 elections present challenges for the fire fighter agenda as Republicans control both Houses of Congress and the presidency for a two-year period. However, 83 percent of FIREPAC-supported candidates win their elections, including several in high-profile Senate and House races.

The IAFF develops the Partnership Education Program (PEP) designed to assist affiliate leaders in meeting the challenges they face on the job. Topics range from NFPA 1710 to collective bargaining negotiations.

The IAFF announces the availability of a Hepatitis C “Moving Forward Kit” through the Schering Corporation. The educational program is designed to help fire fighters who have been diagnosed with the disease to learn about their therapy options.

The IAFF 46th Convention is held in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the theme, “Always on the Front Line.”

List of All IAFF Conventions →

The IAFF and IAFC collaborate to offer a peer fitness program for the fire service. This is the next phase in the organizations’ Wellness-Fitness partnership. The IAFF and IAFC also release a new policy regarding how the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) program may be used to ensure its integrity.

In response to IAFF advocacy, the government of Manitoba, Canada enacts legislation granting presumptive status to five forms of cancer that are prevalent among professional fire fighters.

General President Harold Schaitberger and fellow IAFF members participate in the Ride for Life fundraiser for motorcycle-riding enthusiasts in Pennsylvania to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A similar event is planned in San Francisco, California.

MDA and the IAFF →

The IAFF is the leading sponsor of MDA summer camps across North America. Mattie Stepanek, the MDA national goodwill ambassador, attends MDA summer camp at Camp Maria in Leonardtown, Maryland, every year. He continues to inspire many people through his poetry.

MDA and the IAFF →

The IAFF co-sponsors a kids’ trauma program at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. The International Center to Heal Our Children (CHOC) program will provide resources and training to fire fighters interested in gaining a better understanding of children’s responses to disasters and trauma.

IAFF members raise $17 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the Labor Day Telethon.

MDA and the IAFF →

The IAFF Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC) appoints an executive director to manage the development and implementation of the deferred compensation and other financial service products for its members.

The IAFF unveils the FIREPAC Leadership Trust, a new and prestigious donor level for those who contribute $500 or more during a calendar year.
 

The IAFF establishes a Weapons of Mass Destruction Department to assist in protecting member health and safety through risk-based WMD training.

The IAFF receives a $3.2 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIESH) to provide specialized training to 4,000 FDNY fire fighters to assist them in rebuilding their hazardous materials response program in the aftermath of September 11.

September 11, 2001 →

The AFL-CIO opens its 24th Convention with a ceremony showcasing and recognizing the heroism and sacrifice of professional fire fighters. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney presents the Federation’s prestigious community service award to New York City fire fighters. General President Harold Schaitberger speaks to the 3,000 delegates and guests in attendance.

As the war on terrorism continues, more IAFF members are called to active military service.

Although only four percent of U.S. IAFF members participate in FIREPAC, contributions top $737,000. This is the largest amount FIREPAC has raised in a calendar year. Members who contribute $25 or more to the FIREPAC Check-Off campaign via payroll deductions are eligible to win a trip to the 2002 IAFF Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Given the passage of the NFPA 1710 standard, General President Harold Schaitberger urges members to stop supporting the deferred compensation programs sponsored by the International City/County Management Association, which was the chief opponent of the recently passed NFPA 1710 standard.

IAFF-MDA’s new website is redesigned to include the latest news across North America, Mattie Stepanek’s special web page, a new picture gallery and a calendar of events, among other features.

MDA and the IAFF →

The IAFF and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) become partners in the push for union fire fighters to wear union-made uniforms.

The 16th Annual IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service is held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in September to honor the memory of 499 IAFF members who died in the line of duty over the last two years, including those who died in New York in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. More than 10,000 fellow fighter and friends attend to pay their respects.

September 11, 2001 →

November 25, 2002

President George W. Bush signs legislation establishing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The creation of the new department marks the largest reorganization of the U.S. federal government in more than 50 years. The new department combines 22 agencies and 170,000 employees, and operates with a $38 billion budget. However, the legislation fails to address the fire fighter staffing crisis that is impeding first responders’ ability to defend their hometowns.

October 12, 2002

An estimated 75,000 professional fire fighters gather in New York City to honor the 356 FDNY fire fighters who died in the line of duty in the last two years. The historic event, held in Madison Square Garden, begins with a stirring procession of 50,000 professional fire fighters from across the United States, Canada and elsewhere. Speakers included General President Harold Schaitberger, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scopetta. U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer attended the event. The IAFF provided the bulk of financial resources for the memorial weekend and spent several months organizing the ceremony. The gathering was by far the largest in the IAFF’s 84-year history.

General President Harold Schaitberger speaks at the Democratic Governors Association Conference in Austin, Texas. He urges governors to make sure that safe and adequate fire fighter staffing is a top priority for the nation’s leaders.