FIREPAC Tops $5 Million Mark

December 15, 2010 -- For the first time in its 32-year history, FIREPAC has topped the $5 million mark in fundraising during an election cycle (2009-2010). As of December 10, FIREPAC has raised a total of $5,042,970 for the 2010 election cycle. The $5 million total exceeds last cycle’s total of $4.6 million by 8.5 percent.

“Every election cycle, we establish a fundraising goal for FIREPAC to assure that we have the financial resources necessary as we head into the next set of critical elections,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “While I know the goals we set may be a little high, it’s a challenge to our membership who truly understands the importance of our political program and the work that FIREPAC does.”

Despite tough economic times, IAFF members around the country have stepped up to help make a difference.

“This is not the time to step back,” says Schaitberger.”We are experiencing attacks on our pensions, pay and other benefits by many politicians and our members understand that we must be vigilant.”

This last election cycle, FIREPAC continued to rank as one of the top PACs in the country, placing in the top one percent of all federally registered PACs (82 of 7,290). In addition, FIREPAC ranked 14th overall in contributions to federal candidates and, once again, was the most bipartisan PAC within labor, contributing the largest percentage of its PAC dollars to Republican candidates. Over the past several election cycles, FIREPAC has supported a number of Republicans who will be incoming Chairmen in the 112th Congress including Peter King on Homeland Security, Dave Camp on Ways & Means and John Kline on Education & Labor.”

FIREPAC’s continued growth can be directly attributed to the FIREPAC Check-Off program. Today 233 IAFF affiliates in the United States participate in FIREPAC via a Check-Off program in their local. In 2010 alone, 21 IAFF locals started a Check-Off program.

“I am proud of our members for their continued support, and I am proud of the work our IAFF staff has done to assist our membership in these trying times,” says Schaitberger.

To begin a Check-Off program, visit the FIREPAC section of the IAFF web site or contact the IAFF Political Action Department at (202) 824-1582.