FIREPAC
FIREPAC is a political action committee (PAC) that is connected to the IAFF. It is made up of voluntary contributions.
This portion of the IAFF website is paid for by IAFF FIREPAC. This page has not been authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
Why FIREPAC?
Every decision about your job is influenced by someone who was either elected or appointed. FIREPAC helps fire fighters build relationships with decision makers and communicate with the voters who elect them.
As long as politicans are involved in our ability to fight fires, fire fighters must be involved in politics. Contributing to FIREPAC builds a more powerful, effective union.
What is FIREPAC?
FIREPAC is the IAFF’s federally registered political action committee. It is funded by voluntary contributions used to support or oppose ballot initiatives, state legislative efforts, campaigns and candidates at all levels of government.
FIREPAC is a critical resource in fights for collective bargaining, healthcare, adequate staffing, retirement security, safety gear, better equipment, and a healthy environment.
Contribute to FIREPAC
Contributing to FIREPAC is an easy way to make a big difference. Anyone who contributes $50 or more will receive a unique FIREPAC lapel pin.
Contribute Online
There are two ways to contribute online with your debit or credit card:
- Make a one-time contribution.
- Make or renew recurring monthly contributions.
- This option allows you to distribute your contribution over the course of the calendar year by debiting your credit card in equal monthly payments.
Membership Club
There are several membership levels to choose from. All amounts are suggested investment amounts:
| Membership Club | 12 Pay Periods | Annual Total |
| Cornerstone | $83.34 | $1,000 |
| Chairman’s Council | $62.50 | $750 |
| Leadership Trust | $41.67 | $500 |
| Founder’s Circle | $16.67 | $200 |
| President’s Club | $8.34 | $100 |
| Capitol Club | $4.17 | $50 |
To adjust your monthly contribution amount, contact [email protected]
About Recurring Contributions
The IAFF online contribution option allows members to contribute monthly – and automatically – to one of FIREPAC’s donor clubs. The auto-draft program is similar to a dues check-off program.
In other words, if you sign up for recurring contributions in January for the Leadership Trust donor level, your credit card would be debited $41.67 each month ($41.67 x 12 = $500). FIREPAC will automatically pro–rate any recurring contributions for the remainder of the year if you sign up after January.
So, if you sign up in July for the Leadership Trust donor level, your credit card would be debited $83.34 each month ($83.34 x 6 = $500). Once the new calendar year begins, the monthly deduction amount will automatically revert to a 12-month cycle.
Members who choose to contribute via recurring contributions will also receive their donor club gifts as soon as they are available each year.
Check-Off Program
The FIREPAC Check-Off program is a voluntary payroll deduction plan that allows IAFF members to make individual contributions to FIREPAC. Before an IAFF member can contribute to FIREPAC via check-off, the local must first have an established Check-Off program with its employer.
If you are a local president or secretary-treasurer who is interested in starting a check-off program, click here for instructions and documents to help start your program.
The Check-Off program allows members to spread their contributions over the course of a calendar year. Each member determines the amount that will automatically be deducted from his or her paycheck and forwarded to FIREPAC. Members can also choose to check off an amount that allows them to join one of FIREPAC’s six membership clubs:
| Membership Club | 26 Pay Periods | Annual Total |
| Cornerstone | $38.47 | $1,000 |
| Chairman’s Council | $28.85 | $750 |
| Leadership Trust | $19.24 | $500 |
| Founder’s Circle | $7.70 | $200 |
| President’s Club | $3.85 | $100 |
| Capitol Club | $1.93 | $50 |
To adjust your monthly contribution amount, contact [email protected]
FIREPAC Canada
FIREPAC Canada is a powerful tool that gives Canadian IAFF members a loud and clear voice in the legislative arena. At the federal level, FIREPAC Canada utilizes funds raised by individual member contributions to educate members and politicians about issues of importance to professional fire fighters and at the local and provincial levels, FIREPAC Canada funds are also used to support fire fighter-friendly candidates in the heat of an election campaign.
FIREPAC Canada supports those who will support fire fighter issues, and who will speak out in support of professional fire fighters and their families.
IAFF members in Canada are encouraged to make voluntary contributions to FIREPAC every year to ensure the voice of professional fire fighters is heard loud and clear at all levels of government.
Without funds to educate or support our friends in the political arena, the IAFF will not be able to make its voice heard before critically important decisions that affect fire fighter and public safety are made.
IAFF members can also make their voluntary FIREPAC Canada contributions through a check-off program if their local offers one. It’s a payroll deduction system, similar to a dues check-off, through which a fire fighter authorizes periodic paycheque deductions.
Please note that due to federal law, FIREPAC Canada contributions are not tax deductible.
IAFF Elected Officials
FIREPAC is an IAFF-managed PAC that may be able to donate to your campaign. IAFF members and their family members running for public elected office are eligible to request a FIREPAC contribution. Here’s what you need do:
- Submit the FIREPAC Contribution Request Web Form, which requires the following attachments:
- Letter of endorsement from your home local president
- Letter of endorsement from any local president whose local you would represent if elected
- Copy of your campaign budget
- W9 Tax form
You can find a list below of IAFF members who have been elected to federal, state and local offices. Some of these members have received a FIREPAC contribution in their successful campaign runs:
FAQs
What is FIREPAC?
FIREPAC is the IAFF’s federally registered political action committee. It is funded by voluntary contributions, and it is used to support local, state, and federal candidates, campaigns, legislative efforts, and ballot initiatives.
Does any of my dues money go to FIREPAC?
No dues money goes to federal candidates. Federal election law, regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), prohibits the use of union dues money for the purposes of making contributions to federal candidates.
What does FIREPAC Help us fight for?
FIREPAC helps us hold and gain ground on issues that are important for fire fighters, such as the right to collective bargaining, healthcare, adequate staffing, retirement security, better tools and equipment to do your job, and a safe, healthy environment both on and off the job. FIREPAC supports work done on these issues at all levels of government.
Who can contribute to FIREPAC?
Federal law prohibits FIREPAC from soliciting contributions from anyone who is not an active or active-retired member, employee, or immediate family member. For the program to be strong and effective, all IAFF state and local leaders and active retired members are encouraged to participate.
I am not really political. Why do I need to contribute to FIREPAC?
At its core, FIREPAC is not just about politics – it is about your job, your family, and our union. Contributing to FIREPAC is an easy way to support meaningful work that improves the health, safety, and loves of fire fighters. Every leader and member is encouraged to participate.
How has FIREPAC helped me or my union?
FIREPAC contributions have helped us fight for your health, safety, benefits and influence at every level of government, all across the country. FIREPAC has helped win fights for fire fighters across the country. Togetherwe have:
- Funded intiatives to pass collective bargaining and protect pensions on the state and local level.
- Supported pro-fire fighter candidates, including our very own members who run for office.
- Secured billions of dollars in federal funding to local fire departments through a variety of grant programs, including the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Fire Fighter Grants (AFG).
- Established a first-of-its-kind national cancer registry exclusive for fire fighters.
- Defeated efforts to directly tax your employer-provided healthcare benefits.
- Passed legislation to officially recognize PFAS as a danger to fire fighters, secured PFAS blood testing for federal fire fighters, and is developing next-generation bunker gear.
I already give to my state and local PAC. Why do I need to give to FIREPAC?
FIREPAC focuses on federal candidates who have a say over your job and benefits, as well. FIREPAC is managed by the IAFF because there are contribution limits, so it’s easier for us to manage and track the limits.
How do I contribute?
You can make a one time or recurring contribution here!
I am a local/state leader. What should I be doing with FIREPAC and how can I help make FIREPAC successful?
The first thing you can do, as an IAFF affiliate leader, is lead by example. Your FIREPAC donation shows fellow members that contributing is easy and the FIREPAC mission is important.
You can also reach out to the IAFF Political Department to request FIREPAC contribution data and a FIREPAC toolkit that includes information on why FIREPAC is important, as well a promotional materials.
How do I start a FIREPAC check-off program for my local?
You can check if your local has a FIREPAC check-off program by emailing [email protected].
If your local does not have one, consult your local president or secretary-treasurer and encourage them to start one today. If you are a local president or secretary-treasurer who is interested in starting a check-off program, click here for instructions and documents to help start your program.