Southwest, IN Local 5259 is one of the newest affiliates to join the IAFF.
The local represents career fire fighters in the Southwest Central Fire Territory, which includes the Centre and Portage townships.
Local 5259 President John Zwickl says many of the surrounding departments of similar size have already organized and are already seeing the value of union membership.
“We knew it was time for us to do the same,” Zwickl continues. “As a local, we will now have a seat at the table as decisions are being made about the growing emergency service needs of the citizens living in the Southwest Central Fire Territory.”
Joining President Zwickl on the Local 5259 Executive Board are Secretary Jason Fischer, Treasurer Robert Litteral, Vice President Lee Schmidt and Trustee Darwin Stephenson.