For 43 days, thousands of federal fire fighters worked without pay — and many were struggling to cover basic expenses while still protecting some of the nation’s most critical federal facilities.
To ensure no member faced that crisis alone, the IAFF launched its “Adopt a Family” program, quickly mobilizing Locals across every district to support federal fire fighters in need.
Through the program, the IAFF connected more than 100 federal fire fighters seeking support with municipal Locals across the U.S. These Locals responded immediately, offering financial assistance, gift cards, groceries, childcare support, and other essential needs during an incredibly difficult time.
The campaign was led by Philadelphia Naval Shipyard F-61 Local President and 16th District Field Service Representative Joe Love, whose outreach ensured every federal member was paired with a Local ready to help. He worked closely with 16th District Service Representatives Mike Holmes (Naval Weapons Station Earle FD, Colts Neck, NJ) and Charlie Martinez (California Professional Firefighters) on the project.
“When you join the IAFF, you’re not just joining a labor union – you’re joining a brotherhood and sisterhood,” said General President Edward Kelly. “Our union fights for collective bargaining rights, fire fighter safety, and other important issues for our members. But we also fight for each other – especially in times of need.”
Locals in all U.S. IAFF districts offered to help federal fire fighters, from Hawaii and Florida to Maine and Alaska, and everywhere in between.
“As soon as the General President’s message went out, our Executive Board and membership knew we had to act,” said Local 2180 President Darrell Roberts. “We quickly rallied together to help multiple families make ends meet while they were working without pay.”
Local 2180 members helped multiple federal fire fighters with food and monthly bills and even purchased a birthday present for one federal member’s young son – a small moment of normalcy in the midst of the shutdown.
Our union fights for collective bargaining rights, fire fighter safety, and other important issues for our members. But we also fight for each other – especially in times of need.
General President Edward Kelly
“We have so many good people in this union who look out for one another and make sure our members and their families are taken care of, even in the toughest times.”
For those who received this support, knowing their union brothers and sisters had their back was a huge relief.
“While the current political and economic environment makes it more difficult, I love what I do. And after seeing the efforts of my fellow IAFF members during the shutdown, I know I have the best job in the world working with some of the best people I know,” said one federal fire fighter from Southern California, who received assistance through Adopt a Family.
Another federal fire fighter in the Northeast received his call from his Adopt a Family Local just moments after taking out a $3,000 loan from his bank to help get by during the shutdown. Within hours, the Local had helped him pay off the entire loan.
These are just some of the dozens of stories from federal members who were supported by their union brothers and sisters throughout the shutdown. Their efforts helped ease the financial and emotional strain of working without pay and demonstrated the true power of union solidarity.
“I’m incredibly proud of how many Locals stepped up to assist our federal members, and of our 16th District team – including Joe, Mike, Charlie, and DVP Johnson – for their hard work and dedication to this cause,” Kelly said. “They worked around the clock to support our members, and it made a major difference.”
