On New Year’s Day, an early morning terrorist attack shook New Orleans.
Just days after the attack, affiliate leaders from across the United States and Canada gathered in the city for the IAFF’s annual Affiliate Leadership Training Summit (ALTS). This year’s summit carried special significance, serving not only as an opportunity for education and networking but also a tribute to the bravery of New Orleans, LA Local 632 members, who were among the first on scene.
“Right down the street from here, our New Orleans brothers and sisters did us proud,” said General President Edward Kelly. “The opposite of bad is good, and the opposite of hate is love. When evil strikes and hate rears its head, love rolls down the street in a big red truck.”
Local 632 President Aaron Mischler welcomed members of his Local to the stage during General Session. “We just wanted to point you all out and give gratitude for what you all do,” said Mischler. “It doesn’t go unnoticed; it’s hard, and it’s treacherous and dangerous, and everyone in here has been there and will continue to show up for every call and every alarm.”
Kelly delivered a powerful message on the IAFF’s mission. “Answering the call is what we do,” Kelly said. “It’s who we are; we represent hope for the hopeless and we’re a beacon of light for those that are lost. We’re there on a stranger’s worst day and sometimes we are there trying to make it better.”
Answering the call is what we do. It’s who we are; we represent hope for the hopeless and we’re a beacon of light for those that are lost. We’re there on a stranger’s worst day and sometimes we are there trying to make it better.
General President Edward Kelly
With more than 100 workshops, ALTS 2025 addresses critical issues facing IAFF affiliates, including recruitment and retention, burnout prevention, mental health, cancer research, PFAS exposure, suicide prevention, fire fighter fitness, crisis communication, and retiree healthcare.
Kelly also reflected on the substantial strides the IAFF has taken to improve safety standards and to advocate for the health of members.
“We promised you the IAFF would go wherever the fight is,” said Kelly. “We’ve taken on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and finally changed the standard which drove the introduction of PFAS into our bunker gear. We pushed the Biden Administration to get the OSHA Emergency Response Standard off the shelf. For the first time, we addressed fire fighter safety in the public sector.”
He also highlighted the historic passage of the Social Security Fairness Act.
Kelly traveled to the White House on Sunday for the bill signing before heading back to ALTS in New Orleans the same night. This monumental victory ended the unfair penalties fire fighters had been subjected to under the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), ensuring that they will no longer lose Social Security benefits they’ve earned and paid into.
“We led that charge. Everyone said fixing this would be impossible. Some of our own IAFF affiliates said it,” said Kelly. “The repeal is what was right, fair, and we demanded it. We didn’t take no for an answer, and it was history in the making. It’s the most significant legislative victory in the history of the IAFF.”
When we took office, we had a lot of adversity, a dark cloud over our pension system, a lot of negative issues, but the accomplishments we built; we brought in oversight, checks and balances and accountability.
General Secretary-treasurer frank líma
General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma also reflected on the IAFF’s progress in ensuring greater accountability and transparency within the union.
“When we took office, we had a lot of adversity, a dark cloud over our pension system, a lot of negative issues, but the accomplishments we built; we brought in oversight, checks and balances and accountability,” he said.
Facing adversity head-on and making significant progress, Kelly said the IAFF will continue to seek better standards, safer working conditions, and a brighter future for all its members. “That’s why we’re here this week to prepare, to learn, to get ready to lead,” he said. “With your help, we’re leading the IAFF to new and exciting horizons.”
