Since the IAFF Center of Excellence opened its doors in 2017, the center staff has delivered three continuous years of treatment to IAFF members recovering from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring addictions. More than 1,200 members have been treated, enabling them to return to their work and home life.
The IAFF launched its fire fighter nutrition campaign to assist members who are striving to eat healthy while meeting the caloric needs of a physically demanding job. The campaign kicked off with a very successful nutrition challenge which asked participants to eat only whole foods for 30 days.
The IAFF became one of the first organizations in the United States to release safety protocols to prevent COVID-19 exposure and infection on Jan. 24, 2020, as cases begin to be reported in the country.
Chicago, IL Local 2 member Mario Araujo and Detroit, MI Local 344 member Franklin Williams become the first two IAFF members to die from COVID-19.
As soon as the IAFF learned about the potential impact of the coronavirus, the International positioned itself at the forefront of the pandemic response by issuing safety guidelines and protocols for members to utilize as they continued to serve communities across the U.S. and Canada.
IAFF Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Frank A. Palumbo died on June 16. He was 90. Palumbo was elected 1st District Vice President in 1970 and two years later, Convention delegates elected him Secretary-Treasurer, a position he held until 1980.
Legislation to ensure fire fighters who die or are permanently and totally disabled due to COVID-19 receive full federal benefits officially became law.
The Safeguarding America’s First Responders (SAFR) Act of 2020 was introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and establishes a presumptive benefit under the Public Safety Officer Benefit (PSOB) program for public safety officers who contract COVID-19.
Following successful lobbying efforts by the Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters (RISAFF), state legislators pass a law making cancer an occupational illness and providing accidental disability benefits to fire fighters who can no longer work due to cancer complications.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1646, the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act by voice vote. Introduced in 2019 by Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), this high-priority legislation for the IAFF addresses the real need for increased mental health resources within the fire service.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act, HR 451, with a decisive bipartisan vote of 397 to 5. Representative Elliot Engel (D-NY) sponsored the bill, which repeals a 2012 law directing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction off the T-Band frequencies starting in 2021.
“Fire fighters and emergency medical responders cannot safely and effectively serve the public without dependable communication systems. The IAFF will always fight to make sure those on the frontlines have the tools, like reliable radio systems, they need to do the job,” stated IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger.
To address the ongoing opioid problem, and with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the Department of Energy (DOE), the IAFF launches a new online resource, Responding to the Opioid Epidemic, a 10-segment video and podcast series.
Healthcare protections and a line-of-duty death benefit for occupational cancer are extended to fire fighters thanks to the hard work of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina (PFFASC).
H 5139/S 1071, the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan, calls for a one-time payment of $20,000 per cancer diagnosis and a healthcare benefit of up to $12,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses. Additionally, the legislation provides a $75,000 line-of-duty death benefit for the families of fire fighters who die due to occupational cancer.
Always looking to expand and expedite services to members impacted by a natural disaster, the IAFF used its own supply trailer during this the 2020 Hurricane season for the first time. The trailer enables members to move supplies from site to site, speeding up the process of delivering assistance considerably.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 contains several provisions to benefit IAFF members, including addressing toxic chemicals in turnout gear and improving the work schedule for many 16th District members. The IAFF worked closely with congressional allies throughout the year to ensure fire fighter priorities were included in the final bill.
The NDAA includes provisions to reduce fire fighters’ exposure to the toxic chemical PFAS, known to be present in firefighting foam and turnout gear. Most significantly, the bill directs the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) to quantify the exact amount of PFAS present in turnout gear and determine the health dangers associated with the chemical’s use.
The Electoral College in all 50 states gathered to cast their ballots for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. In California, 10th District Vice President Frank Líma was the first IAFF member to participate in the process.
“Biden’s victory was an endeavor years in the making, and the IAFF’s support for Joe, especially when the chips were down in the early primary and caucus states, will not be forgotten.”
General President Harold Schaitberger says following Joe Biden’s election as 46th President of the United States
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.
