IAFF helps Locals drive key campaign wins  

The IAFF has been a driving force behind significant victories for fire fighters and emergency medical workers across the U.S. With guidance from IAFF’s Strategic Campaigns and Political Action teams, fire fighters have secured essential improvements to working conditions, funding, and public safety resources. From contract negotiations to staffing and improvements to facilities, IAFF’s behind-the-scenes support has made all the difference in ensuring that communities and IAFF members benefit from fair treatment and enhanced safety.  

“Fire fighters and emergency workers made a powerful case to the voters this election, and the response was overwhelmingly supportive. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our members, fire fighters from California to Louisiana to Massachusetts will now have better staffing, more competitive wages, and the equipment they need to keep the public safe,” said General President Edward A. Kelly. “These victories show the power of what can be accomplished when each level of the IAFF – Local, State, and International – come together to fight for a common goal.” 

Here’s a look at how the IAFF’s strategic efforts led to key victories in various states. 

Stockton, CA Local 456 secures Measure N success 

After years of struggling to reach fair agreements, Stockton’s fire fighters and police officers secured a significant victory with the passage of Measure N, an initiative that will bring binding arbitration to public safety contract negotiations. Thanks to the support of the IAFF, the California Professional Firefighters, local fire departments and Local 456, Measure N passed with more than 65 percent of the vote. 

The measure, which changes the Stockton city charter, introduces a new, fair, and impartial process for resolving disputes between the city and its fire and police unions. Under the new system, a three-person independent panel will handle mediating future labor negotiations if the parties reach a stalemate.  

Local 456 President Mario Gardea said the win was long overdue. “We lost binding arbitration in 2010, and then the city filed for bankruptcy, so there were many years since 2010 when we were unable to come to a compromise,” said Gardea. “We also worked without contracts for many years and received compensation well below the market rate.” 

To get Measure N in front of voters, Local 456 mobilized an extensive grassroots campaign, collecting 32,000 signatures and engaging in widespread canvassing and media outreach. “We definitely did an investment from within our union,” said Gardea. “We basically pulled money out of different funds to cover some of the costs and then we did an assessment to our fire fighters. With the help of the IAFF, California Professional Firefighters and local fire departments, we were able to produce the rest of the funds to take on the campaigning costs.” 

Gardea says the support was instrumental in driving the campaign forward. “10th District Vice President Stephen Gilman and IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma were big supporters. Líma has always been a supporter of Stockton, and we have always had a great relationship with him and Gilman.” 

Líma congratulated the Local on their victory. “Local 456 should be proud of their efforts to pass Measure N. Their commitment gives them a stronger voice when it comes to better working conditions and fairer wages for our members. This is a great example of how a Local can be successful when they get involved with the community and work hard,” he said. 

IAFF helps secure $25-million fire station rebuild in Chelmsford 

Chelmsford is another example where the IAFF’s efforts led to a major win. Chelmsford, MA Local 1839, with the help of IAFF Strategic Campaign Specialist Marc Sanders, won approval for a $25 million bond to rebuild two outdated fire stations. The measure passed with overwhelming support, marking a significant achievement for fire fighter safety and improved community service. 

“This was a long road, but IAFF’s support helped us educate the community and build a powerful coalition,” said Local 1839 President Rob Albon. “We were able to show our neighbors why these new fire stations are essential not only for the safety of our fire fighters but for the safety of the entire community.” 

Albon says the project began three years ago, when the Fire Station Study Committee was tasked with addressing the aging fire stations within town, including station conditions, staffing, apparatus usage, response times in relation to public safety and investment. The city received a GIS Study conducted by the IAFF. He said the study gave credence to the arguments the union was making during the meetings, focusing on response time analysis, and staffing complement. 

 “We reached out to our state union, the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, seeking any support they could offer,” said Albon. “We were then assigned Marc Sanders from the IAFF Strategic Campaign team. Marc was crucial in guiding us in the right direction to better inform the voters of Chelmsford. He also secured meetings with our Congressional Representatives to better inform them of the issues that affect their constituents,” said Albon. 

The collaboration between the IAFF, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM), and Local 1839 secured a meeting with Congresswoman Lori Trahan, alongside 3^rd District Vice President Jay Colbert and IAFF Governmental Affairs Director Evan Davis to gain federal support, engaged with Massachusetts state representatives to gather support at the local level. Members attended Chelmsford Town Council meetings to build local support, established a social media presence to raise awareness, published an op-ed in The Lowell Sun, printed and distributed signs throughout Chelmsford, and “Calls to Action” from PFFFM encouraged Local members to display signs and volunteer on Election Day. 

“The effort paid off, with unofficial results showing 11,623 votes in favor, compared to 8,158 against,” said Albon. 

Albon says the project will now be handed over to the permanent building committee in Chelmsford, which will manage procurement and oversee construction. 

“Local 1839 will continue advocating for our health and safety. Both Engine 5 and Engine 3 were built to support just two fire fighters and are over 50 years old, presenting serious safety risks for crews,” said Albon. “Rebuilding these stations is crucial, particularly in addressing the growing cancer epidemic in the fire service. Without these upgrades, we risk missing the chance to enhance shift strength and establish key officer positions that directly impact our safety.” 

IAFF Strategic Campaigns team helps Fargo fire fighters deliver Measure 3 victory  

Fargo, ND voters overwhelmingly approved Measure 3, a 0.25% sales tax increase to provide funding to address staffing shortages, improve retention, and ensure adequate public safety resources for Fargo’s growing population. 

“The Fire Department is accredited with an ISO 1 rating, but our pay and benefits have lagged behind similar departments,” said Fargo, ND Local 642 President Eric Eisenlohr. “In 2015, a pay study showed we were 17 percent behind our peers. Despite some adjustments, we’re now about 15 percent below industry standards.” 

To address this, Eisenlohr says the Local called on the IAFF for strategic assistance. Strategic Campaigns Specialist Dave Coker guided them in developing a tailored plan, while Local 642 worked with city commissioners to advocate for improved retention and pay. The group also endorsed city commission candidates for the first time and changed bylaws to become politically active. 

After a pay survey conducted by the city fell short, Local 642 pushed for an alternative solution through a sales tax to fund fire and police operations, equipment, and buildings. 

“The goal was to replace earmarked funds for capital expenditures, freeing up resources to address staffing needs. After meeting with all commissioners, we gained enough support to place the measure on the Nov. 2024 ballot,” said Eisenlohr. “With a $120,000 budget primarily funded internally, the campaign was led by a four-person organizing committee and supported by the Professional Fire Fighters of North Dakota, the IAFF, and the Fraternal Order of Police.” 

Eisenlohr says campaign efforts included door-to-door canvassing, radio ads, social media, and a revamped website. The Local also bought an old fire truck to display banners – increasing visibility and community engagement. 

The measure passed with nearly 70 Percent approval, well above the 60 percent threshold. The sales tax will be in place for 20 years, generating $8 million annually for fire and police operations. 

“This victory is especially significant given that two other tax measures were also on the ballot,” said Eisenlohr. “While the mayor initially expressed concerns, the measure’s success highlights the community’s strong support.” 

The IAFF played a crucial role in the campaign’s success, providing strategic guidance, resources, and support, including Dave Coker and Kent Grosse. “Their expertise and resources were instrumental in making our campaign effective, and we are deeply grateful for their involvement and guidance,” Eisenlohr said. 

IAFF helps Texas Local fight for collective bargaining rights  

Irving voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition A, a ballot measure that grants fire fighters the ability to collectively bargain with the city. The measure passed with 71 percent in favor and 29 percent against, according to election data from Ballotpedia. 

“We’ve been very successful in the Irving City Council and state elections we’ve been involved in, so I believe most people expected us to win,” said Local 2073 President Brian Becker. “However, the margin of victory was a surprise to a lot of people. Our team felt confident throughout the process, but you don’t usually expect to win a collective bargaining election in the South by this margin.” 

Becker says under Texas law, the city has up to 30 days after the end of the fiscal year to adopt the law, meaning adoption could occur anytime up to Oct. 30, 2025. “In the meantime, we’re forming a Collective Bargaining Committee to survey members on contract priorities and conducting Affiliate Leadership Training Summit to enhance our collective bargaining and negotiation skills,” said Becker. 

IAFF experts, including Grosse and Chris Bartley, provided strategic advice throughout the campaign including messaging, campaign resources, and media outreach strategies. 

“I was on the phone with [Grosse and Bartley] every day, sometimes several times a day,” Becker said. “Both were instrumental in our success. We all know fire fighters are ‘type A’ personalities and can get emotionally invested in the elections we’re involved in. Having someone I could call who was not emotionally tied to our organization proved invaluable. They had the ability to look at things from the outside and make decisions based on facts, not emotions.” 

Becker added, “Our support comes from the hard work and quality service our members provide day in and day out when responding to emergencies. The people who call us for help are also the people we call on come election time.” 

This win shows the power of collaboration and building relationships with community leaders and elected officials. 

“The reality is, without a ton of money and a ton of time, it’s unrealistic to effectively communicate with the 112,000 registered voters in our city,” Becker said. “We utilized those previously established relationships to help get our message out to their sphere of influence. Then those people told their friends and family, and it just snowballed from there.” 

IAFF helps Baton Rouge fire fighters win historic pay raise 

Baton Rouge fire fighters secured a major victory when voters approved a 6-mill property tax used to raise salaries and benefits for all fire fighters. This measure, which passed with 68 percent support, will provide a 17 percent pay increase for all fire fighters, closing the pay gap with neighboring cities and improving recruitment and retention. 

“”We mirrored the language from our other millage that we passed, 24 years ago. We went back and forth with the city to get higher pay and instead of coming up empty, we decided to go to the taxpayers for the ballot measure for the first time in 24 years,” said Baton Rouge, LA Local 557 President Jake Morgan. 

IAFF Strategic Campaign Specialist Trevor Towey helped Local 557 organize outreach efforts and communicate the importance of the tax increase to the community. “We leaned on the IAFF, and Towey helped us with the political campaign. I spoke with the past Local 557 president who ran the first campaign. The IAFF and Towey advised us on everything, including signs, radios, messaging, and digital and social media ads. We made flyers and postcards and used every tool we could. We involved politicians and the community for support, and we really reached all demographics throughout the city of Baton Rouge.” 

Towey praised Local 557 and their collaboration with the IAFF. “Thanks to the work done by the IAFF, Local 557 leadership was able to focus on activating members and engaging voters, which resulted in successfully passing the proposition,” said Towey.  

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