Statement from General President Harold Schaitberger: “On behalf of the more than 320,000 members of the IAFF, I offer our full support and utmost professional respect to our sister and brother fire fighters battling the destructive bushfires ravaging their country.
“We know from our own experiences in California and throughout the western part of the United States and Canada that wildfires are a dangerous threat and painful tragedy. The photos of the damage are stark and the destruction overwhelming, but the perseverance of the fire fighters who continue to battle around the clock against the worst nature has to offer in hellish conditions to protect their fellow countrymen are nothing short of heroic.
“Our thoughts too are with the people of Australia as they evacuate as tragedy hits their homes.”
