During a press conference on Capitol Hill General President Harold Schaitberger, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle ask President George W. Bush and congressional members to put homeland security and first responders at the top of the nation’s priority list.
The IAFF endorses Democrat John Kerry for president in the 2004 election.
Congress doubles FIRE Act funding to $750 million, from $360 million in 2002. In addition, the legislation provides $90 million to monitor the health of fire fighters and other workers who responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks, $25 million for interoperable communications equipment and $60 million for urban search and rescue teams.
Canadian fire fighters achieve victory on pension reform. Finance Minister John Manley announces that the federal government will enact a regulatory change reflecting an increased yearly pension accrual rate of 2.33 percent for fire fighters.
Congress gives its final approval to a smallpox compensation package after IAFF members and other first responders express concerns over taking the vaccine. The program includes a $262,000 death benefit and compensation for injuries that result in lost wages.
Congress passes the IAFF’s SAFER initiative, which authorizes the federal government to hire up to 75,000 fire fighters over the next seven years.
The IAFF completes work with the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland, to offer college credit for fire service and EMS training, as well as local labor organization activities.
The IAFF releases smallpox vaccination guidance for its affiliates and members. Fire fighters, paramedics and other first responders are advised to weigh the pros and cons of smallpox vaccinations before making a decision.
IAFF advocacy results in improvements to a Canadian standard regarding the use of SCBAs during structural firefighting. This standard brings SCBA use in line with the two-in/two-out protections.
Two Memphis, Tennessee, fire fighters die as the roof of a store collapses while they battle an arson fire. One of the store managers was suspected of setting the fire to cover up theft of money.
The worldwide outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) serves as a test case for the ability of emergency responders and public health officials to deal with bioterrorism.
The Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia recognize some cancers as a fire fighter occupational hazard, following the precedent set by Manitoba in 2002 and by Alberta in 2003.
The IAFF outlines HIPPA regulations for members in their role as health care providers, as well as patients.
After a 25-year hiatus, the International Fire Fighter returns to a magazine format beginning with the July-August 2003 issue.
IAFF members raise $18 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the Labor Day Telethon.
President George W. Bush releases a federal smallpox vaccination plan for health care workers and first responders. The IAFF holds public officials accountable for the smallpox vaccine program’s shortfalls and calls for the development of comprehensive guidelines for those who will be administering and receiving the vaccine.
The IAFF honors those who serve in the military by posting the names of mobilized reservists and guard members on its website.
The IAFF Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC) offers members a new program that makes paying for a college education more affordable for fire fighters and their families. The IAFF-FC also partners with Nationwide Retirement Solutions to provide retirement services for members, launching two new programs: the FrontLine 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for retirement savings and a post-employment health savings plan for locals.
IAFF membership reaches 260,000 in the United States and Canada.
General President Harold Schaitberger announces the formation of the IAFF Alumni program to serve the needs of the more than 100,000 retired professional fire fighters who are former IAFF members in the U.S. and Canada.
The Department of Justice’s Office for Domestic Preparedness awards a $3 million grant to the IAFF’s Weapons of Mass Destruction training program.
FIREPAC ranks 22nd among all PACs that contributed to U.S. House and Senate candidates in 2002.
Samuel A. Fink (1919-1919)Samuel A. Fink took office in May 1919 and served through September of that year. He spent his entire fire service career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and with Pittsburgh Local 1. When the IAFF was organized in 1918, Fink was elected 1st Vice President. One year later, as president, Fink focused on growing the membership, organizing 96 new locals. Fink resigned during the latter part of 1919 due to family obligations.
William D. Buck (1957-1968)William D. Buck was first elected secretary-treasurer by delegates at the 23rd IAFF Convention in Montreal, Canada. Less than a year later, he was elected by the IAFF Executive Board to serve as acting president after the untimely death of President John P. Redmond. As president, he set increasing membership as a priority, successfully growing the ranks by 50 percent to 115,370. He retired from his position as president in 1968 after celebrating the IAFF’s 50th anniversary.
Buck began his career as a fire fighter with the St. Louis Fire Department in 1930 and soon became an active member of Local 73. He served as a vice president for the local and was also a member of several committees.
Buck was elected 2nd District Vice President in 1940. During his tenure, he was credited with forming three state affiliates, including the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada and the Kansas State Council of Fire Fighters.
William D. Buck (1956-1957)William D. Buck was first elected secretary-treasurer by delegates at the 23rd IAFF Convention in Montreal, Canada.
Buck began his career as a fire fighter with the St. Louis Fire Department in 1930 and soon became an active member of Local 73. He served as a vice president for the local and was also a member of several committees.
Buck was elected 2nd District Vice President in 1940. During his tenure, he was credited with forming three state affiliates, including the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada and the Kansas State Council of Fire Fighters.
All members from the youngest age to the oldest are taken regardless of occupation, nationality or locality, without a medical examination. New members under 50 years of age will be automatically added upon notice without a medical examination after the original group closes March 15, 1921. No member over 50 will then be accepted for insurance.
The Bush administration initially strongly opposed the use of federal funds to hire local government personnel. In addition, ballooning budget deficits and a weak economy stacked the odds heavily against passage of any new large-scale federal spending programs. The IAFF, however, succeeded in generating significant bipartisan support for the legislation in both the House and Senate. The key breakthrough came when Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) offered SAFER as an amendment to the Annual Defense Authorization Bill on the Senate floor. Although most amendments to the Defense bill were rejected, the IAFF was able to secure crucial endorsements from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner (R-VA) and the committee’s ranking Democratic members. After considerable political maneuverings, SAFER passed and the president signed it into law.