International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) News

The IAFF is lobbying against a health-benefits tax on behalf of firefighters IAFF campaign leads to reassessment on firefighter healthcare tax An aggressive lobbying campaign led by the IAFF has dampened enthusiasm on Capitol Hill for paying for health reform by imposing a tax on employer-provided health benefits. The IAFF has argued that such a tax would disproportionately impact the nation's firefighters and other unionized workers. The health benefits tax has been champ...

A cross at Ground Zero: the UFA wants the 9/11 memorial to highlight the sacrifice of first responders Need to properly recognise NY firefighters highlighted The IAFF recognizes the efforts of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) of Greater New York Local 94 for its determination and perseverance to gain proper recognition for the sacrifice of New York City fire fighters and other first responders who perished at the World Trade Center site on September 11, 2001. "...

President Obama has approved new rules on the use of SAFER grants In an economic crisis, changes will allow fire departments to use SAFER grants to retain fire fighters President Obama today approved new rules that govern how fire departments can use funding from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, an important change during an economic crisis that is responsible for widespread layoffs of fire fighters throughout the country. The ne...

Designed to foster cooperative andcollaborative labor-managementrelationships Labor-management relationships needed to deal with difficulties of the current economic situation Strong labor-management relationships are critical in order to effectively address the financial and operational difficulties most fire departments are facing in the current economic environment. The IAFC/IAFF Labor-Management Initiative, a joint program of the IAFC and the International Associatio...

The IAFF has thanked the Obama administration for supporting Providence firefighters The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) today thanked the Obama administration for honoring the picket line planned for the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Annual Meeting next week in Providence, Rhode Island. "We appreciate the Obama administration's support of fire fighters. This is another example of the administration's unqualified support for workers and organized labor,"...

Firefighters protest against Governor Ritter's veto of Colorado Senate Bill 180 Colorado fire fighters frustrated by Ritter's veto Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has vetoed a bill that would have allowed fire fighters to unionize without local government approval. Senate Bill 180, which passed the state legislature in May, would have given fire fighters' unions with a minimum of 50 employees equal negotiating status with management in decisions on pay, benefits and workin...

The IAFF has released a statement on the need for improved airport fire fighting standards IAFF comments on need for improved airport fire resources International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold A. Schaitberger today released this statement on passage of H.R. 915 by the U.S. House of Representatives. With passage of the FAA Reauthorization, the Federal Aviation Administration will be required to update current aircraft rescue and fire fighting standard...

Fire fighters at work: the IAFF has launched a campaign to raise awareness of high blood pressure IAFF launches nationwide firefighter health campaign The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) today announces a first-of-its kind health initiative that is providing its 300,000 professional fire fighters with tools to raise awareness of high blood pressure within their ranks and in the local communities that they serve. These fire fighters - who are responsible fo...

Fire service organizations have reacted strongly to anti-sprinkler state legislative efforts Stand together to better protect firefighters and public Citing the fact that more than 90 percent of fireground firefighter deaths occur in one- and two-family homes, leading fire service organizations have warned against state-by-state legislative efforts, orchestrated by homebuilders, which are designed to prohibit communities from requiring residential fire sprinklers in new h...

Members of the Common Voices Coalition accepting the award Award given in recognition of oustanding contributions to firefighter health and safety The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., announces its Common Voices advocates' coalition received the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. Named after retired Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, the award - presented by th...