The IAFF Political Training Academy

The 2012 Political Training Academy application period is now closed.

Developed through FIREPAC, the IAFF Political Training Academy educates and assists campaign veterans and political newcomers alike on how to run for elected office, manage a political campaign or direct an affiliate’s political action program. More than 700 IAFF members have graduated from the Political Training Academy, and over 300 IAFF members and their relatives currently hold elective office.

Held once a year, the Political Training Academy is a week-long, hands-on political training course taught by outside campaign experts and IAFF staff. Seminars focus on issues of concern to politically active fire fighters, such as developing an effective campaign plan; targeting voters; recruiting volunteers; mastering polling, fundraising and budgeting; developing an effective message; working with the press; getting out the vote; and complying with campaign finance laws.

IAFF members or family members who are running for public office, managing a campaign or implementing a political program for an IAFF local should consider applying for the IAFF Political Training Academy. The skills learned at the Academy are invaluable for all political activists at all levels. 

Regular past instructors at the Political Training Academy include many former senior staff from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), a former director of the AFL-CIO’s National Labor Political Training Center, and nationally renowned polling expert Celinda Lake.

How Do I Apply to the Political Training Academy?

All applicants for the IAFF Political Training Academy must complete and submit the online Political Training Academy application.

Each applicant must also submit a letter of recommendation from his or her local president. Letters of recommendation can be faxed to (202) 783-4570, emailed to pta@iaff.org, or mailed to the IAFF Political Department at: 1750 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20006.

Due to the intensive, interactive nature of the Political Training Academy, class size is limited to 50 participants per year. Accordingly, the IAFF requests that each local recommend only one applicant per year.

The IAFF and FIREPAC pay for the cost of all housing, food and training materials for attendees of the Academy. Attendees are only responsible for the cost of their transportation to and from the Academy.

Acceptance into the Political Training Academy is based on the applicant’s reason for attending, the number of previous attendees from a given local, geographic diversity considerations, and the history of FIREPAC contributions by the applicant and his or her local.

For more information, please contact the IAFF Political Department at (202) 824-1582 or via email at pta@iaff.org.  

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