IAFF Welcomes 3,000 in Emotional Opening Ceremony

August 28, 2006 - IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger welcomed more than 3,000 delegates and alternates and guests to the 48th Biennial Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Monday morning during a powerful and stirring opening ceremony. Watch video…

General President Schaitberger praised the 275,000-member International for working “together as one” over the last two years, through storm and devastation, wildfires and floods, and fire and medical emergencies.

“Fire fighters, paramedics and EMS members — all of our brothers and sisters — together in service to our communities, share a bond that unites us as a family and allows us to achieve our goals,” said President Schaitberger. “Large and small locals alike, states and provinces, 16 districts and two countries — together, we have become one great union.”

Toronto Local 3888 President Scott Marks passes General President Schaitberger the gavel to declare the opening of the IAFF 48th Convention.

“We’ve grown by some 36,000 members since 2000 — when so many unions are suffering a downward trend. And, we’re able to respond to our affiliates’ needs on a moment’s notice — no matter the issue, no matter the emergency.” Schaitberger reflected on the challenges and successes in the two years since the last IAFF Convention.

As an example, he reminded delegates that just one year ago, when the worst series of natural disasters in U.S. history — Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma — struck, the IAFF and its members stepped in to respond, even while the U.S. government stood idle.

“I am so proud of what we did for our members,” said Schaitberger. “Together — two countries, one great union — we responded. That’s what this IAFF is all about…and that’s what we will continue to do.”

While Schaitberger noted the many great achievements by the IAFF over the last two years, he maintained that as delegates make important decisions this week about where this union is going, the value of this union lies not in the past, but in what the IAFF can offer in the years that lie ahead, including increasing the International’s political power and influence.

“Everyone knows the importance of political action,” said Schaitberger, “whether it’s Parliament or Congress, city hall or the state legislature, elected officials and their appointees make the decisions that affect our members’ jobs.” Citing the recent passage of the Health Care Enhancement for Local Public Safety Retirees (HELPS), Schaitberger talked about how this landmark legislation, which will help make health care coverage more affordable for U.S. IAFF retirees, is another example of how the IAFF puts results before rhetoric. Canadian members have witnessed the power of the IAFF political program as well, winning presumptive cancer laws and improving pensions.

He also promised to continue the IAFF bipartisan political approach of supporting those who support the IAFF and opposing those who don’t. “I don’t give a damn whether they are conservative or liberal, from a red state or blue state, we hold every politician accountable. All I give a damn about is if they’re going to support the IAFF!”

Concluding his remarks, Schaitberger stressed the need to keep pushing further and harder to build a stronger, more capable union. “This isn’t a time to accept the status quo,” he said. “This is the time to reach higher. Together as one, this is our chance to take this union to even greater heights.”