2009-2018

In a bold move that is part of the IAFF’s Fighting Back Campaign to help members wage political and legislative battles in state houses across the county, the International shuts off FIREPAC contributions to federal candidates and federal parties, party committees and the super PACs that support them.

General President Harold Schaitberger appears on the Ed Show, FOX News and the Rachel Maddow Show to protest public safety cuts. His views are published in the Associated Press, USA Today, Politico, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

The IAFF adds its voice to the chorus of emergency responder organizations calling on the Canadian government to dedicate 20 MHz of bandwidth within the 700 MHz spectrum for Canada’s public safety agencies.

General President Harold Schaitberger joins President Barack Obama at a wreath-laying ceremony at Ground Zero where 343 FDNY members died in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.

September 11, 2001 →

Twenty-five IAFF members from five provinces participate in the inaugural edition of the IAFF Canadian Political Training Academy held in Ottawa.

With the Canadian federal election complete, the IAFF’s attention returns to working with the Conservative government and with opposition members to advance fire fighter issues on the Canadian legislative agenda.

The U.S. Senate blocks the first stand-alone measure from President Barack Obama’s jobs bill – the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act, S. 1723. The IAFF lobbies for passage of this critical legislation, which would have provided $35 billion in funding for public safety and education, including funding for the SAFER grant program, which would have created up to 10,000 jobs.

A special session at the 2011 IAFF Legislative Conference addresses how to combat anti-fire fighter attacks from governors and state legislators on public employees and their pensions.

At the combined John P. Redmond Symposium and Dominick F. Barbera EMS Conference, the IAFF holds a special 9/11 10-year anniversary remembrance ceremony.

September 11, 2001 →

Fire fighter fatality data compiled by the U.S. Fire Administration shows that fire fighters becoming trapped and disoriented represent the largest portion of structural fire ground fatalities.

A new report on fire safety released by the NFPA and IAFC warns that the confluence of budget cuts, rising call volume, personnel and equipment shortages, security issues and an overall expectation to do more with less is putting the safety of citizens, fire fighters and communities at risk.

IAFF members raise $27 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the Labor Day Telethon.

MDA and the IAFF →

June 2, 2011

Two San Francisco, California, fire fighters die after being caught in a flashover house fire.

For the first time in its 32-year history, FIREPAC tops the $5 million mark in fundraising during an election cycle.

The IAFF offers Canadian members the opportunity to gain advanced executive leadership training at the joint Harvard Law School-University of Ottawa Executive Leadership Program.

The IAFF donates $37,264.80 to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Foundation to help build a monument to fallen fire fighters in Canada.

The IAFF establishes a new Pension Resources Department to help fight back against attacks on fire fighter pensions, which have become a target of public officials, the media and the public.

The IAFF launches an online job center listing employment opportunities with fire departments in the United States and Canada, as well as job openings at the IAFF, other labor unions and municipal, state or federal agencies.

The IAFF publishes a special edition of the International Fire Fighter, “Battlefront 2011: Fighting Back.” The issue is focused exclusively on the challenges that its members face and the battles they are waging in North America. Articles address collective bargaining, right to work legislation, eliminating dues payroll deductions, threats to retirement security, pension attacks and SAFER grants, among other topics. Special emphasis is also included on threats to Canadian fire fighters.

General President Harold Schaitberger is elected to the NFPA Board of Directors.

NFPA and the IAFF →