2019-2028

For 65 years, when not fighting fires, IAFF locals have been fighting another ongoing threat — muscular dystrophy, a disease that includes more than 40 neuromuscular disorders.

The NFORS Exposure Tracker app was created to give IAFF members a place to log exposure and incident details in a private, encrypted and secure online environment. The information shows when and where carcinogenic exposures are likely to have occurred. The app was developed through a partnership with the IAFF, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, International Public Safety Institute (IPSDI) and other fire service experts.

As more and more women choose fire fighting as a career, the IAFF moves forward with plans to better address women’s health issues including pregnancy to include health guidelines and other resources.

Soon after former Vice President Joe Biden, a long-time friend of the fire fighters and the labor movement, announced his candidacy for president, the IAFF announced its decision to endorse him. The International’s members got behind him 100 percent. The IAFF gold and black could be seen at nearly all Biden’s campaign events.

The Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act to permanently extend the September 11th Fund (VCF) was signed into law, the result of tireless efforts by the IAFF, the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) Local 94, Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) Local 854 and many others to make sure those who become ill as a result of their work at Ground Zero get the benefits and care they deserve.

Thanks to strong lobbying efforts by the Professional Fire Fighters Association (PFFA) of Louisiana, the state legislature unanimously passed SB 107 adding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of injuries eligible for workers’ compensation. Governor John Bel Edwards signed the bill into law on June 5.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill granting benefits to fire fighters who develop cancer, making Florida the 47th state to recognize the disease as an occupational injury.

The law provides full coverage for cancer, including disability and death benefits and recognizes 21 cancers as linked to firefighting. The coverage will be provided, not through a workers’ compensation claim as in many other states, but instead through an employer-provided group health plan. The coverage includes a one-time, lump-sum payment of $25,000 to fire fighters upon a cancer diagnosis.

New Brunswick became the fifth province to formally recognize post-traumatic stress as an occupational disease among first responders. Legislation introduced earlier this year was officially signed into law June 29. The legislation helps protect members in seven IAFF locals in New Brunswick. Presumptive coverage for post-traumatic stress for the purpose of workers compensation benefits now exists in half of Canada’s 10 provinces and covers a vast majority of the nation’s 23,000 members.

Fire fighters in Canada’s easternmost province are celebrating a hard-fought victory with the announcement that Newfoundland and Labrador will amend its workers’ compensation rules to specify that 11 types of cancer are presumed occupational when contracted by fire fighters who have worked a pre-determined number of years on the job.

With these changes, presumptive coverage for professional fire fighters now exists in every Canadian jurisdiction in which there are IAFF affiliates.

Membership in the IAFF has grown to a record 320,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics in the United States and Canada. Since 2000, when Harold Schaitberger took office, membership has grown 45 percent.

After years of intense lobbying by the IAFF, Congress did the right thing and repealed the employer-provided health insurance tax, more commonly referred to as the Cadillac Tax.

The Cadillac Tax was set to go into effect in 2022 and would have imposed an arbitrary 40 percent tax on employer-provided health insurance. The dangerous tax would have shifted the burden of coverage on to workers through high deductibles-co-pays and coinsurance while doing little to lower costs.

Since the IAFF Center of Excellence opened its doors in 2017, the center staff has delivered three continuous years of treatment to IAFF members recovering from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring addictions. More than 1,200 members have been treated, enabling them to return to their work and home life.

The IAFF launched its fire fighter nutrition campaign to assist members who are striving to eat healthy while meeting the caloric needs of a physically demanding job. The campaign kicked off with a very successful nutrition challenge which asked participants to eat only whole foods for 30 days.

The IAFF became one of the first organizations in the United States to release safety protocols to prevent COVID-19 exposure and infection on Jan. 24, 2020, as cases begin to be reported in the country.

Chicago, IL Local 2 member Mario Araujo and Detroit, MI Local 344 member Franklin Williams become the first two IAFF members to die from COVID-19.

When the IAFF learned about the potential impact of the coronavirus, the union moved quickly — issuing safety guidelines and protocols to help members continue serving their communities safely.

IAFF Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Frank A. Palumbo died on June 16. He was 90. Palumbo was elected 1st District Vice President in 1970 and two years later, Convention delegates elected him Secretary-Treasurer, a position he held until 1980.

Read More

Legislation ensuring fire fighters who die or become permanently disabled due to COVID-19 receive full federal benefits officially becomes law.

The Safeguarding America’s First Responders (SAFR) Act of 2020 was introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and establishes a presumptive benefit under the Public Safety Officer Benefit (PSOB) program for public safety officers who contract COVID-19.

Thanks to successful lobbying efforts by the Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters (RISAFF), state legislators passed a law recognizing cancer an occupational illness and providing accidental disability benefits to fire fighters unable work due to cancer complications.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1646, the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act, by voice vote. Introduced in 2019 by Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), this high-priority legislation addressed the urgent need for more mental health resources within the fire service.

“This IAFF is committed to preventing the profound pain and shock that comes from losing a fellow IAFF brother or sister, and we will do all we can to make sure no one misses the signs of a fire fighter battling with a mental health condition,” says General President Harold Schaitberger. “Our men and women face some of the harshest work environments imaginable and, coupled with the toll this pandemic takes on first responders and their families, it becomes obvious how necessary it is for the HERO Act to become law.”

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act, HR 451, with a decisive bipartisan vote of 397 to 5. Sponsored by Representative Elliot Engel (D-NY), the bill repeals a 2012 law that required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction off T-Band frequencies starting in 2021.

“Fire fighters and emergency medical responders cannot safely and effectively serve the public without dependable communication systems. The IAFF will always fight to make sure those on the frontlines have the tools, like reliable radio systems, they need to do the job,” stated IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger. “While I send our thanks to the House of Representatives, the work isn’t complete. Now, we turn our focus to the Senate and call on them to get the job done.”

South Carolina fire fighters now have established healthcare protections and a line-of-duty death benefit for occupational cancer under H 5139/S 1071, the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan. The law, backed by the Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina, provides a one-time payment of $20,000 per cancer diagnosis and covers up to $12,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses. It also includes a $75,000 line-of-duty death benefit for families of fire fighters who die from occupational cancer.

The IAFF deploys its own supply trailer for the first time during the 2020 hurricane season. The trailer makes it easier to move supplies between sites, significantly improving how quickly assistance is delivered. More trailers are expected to become available, particularly in wildfire-prone areas of the Southwest.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 includes several key provisions that benefit IAFF members, especially when it comes to reducing toxic chemicals in turnout gear and improvinge the work schedule in the 16th District. The IAFF worked closely with congressional allies throughout the year to ensure fire fighter priorities were included in the final bill.

The NDAA takes steps to limit fire fighters’ exposure to PFAS, toxic chemicals that can be found in turnout gear and firefighting foam. Most significantly, the bill directs the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) to measure PFAS levels in turnout gear and assess the associated health risks.

Congress has passed a consolidated appropriations act for Fiscal Year 2021 that delivers on several key IAFF priorities.The bill secures major funding for the fire service, sets new standards to reduce the use of toxic flame retardants, takes action to address fire fighter suicides and restores critical communications spectrum to public safety.

Read more.

The Electoral College in all 50 states gathered to cast their ballots for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. In California, 10th District Vice President Frank Líma made history as the first IAFF member to take part in the process.

Harold A. Schaitberger dedicated nearly five decades to union leadership, serving as IAFF General President from 2000 to 2021.

With the theme ‘Union on the Rise’, the IAFF’s 55th Convention officially kicked off January 26 as the first-ever virtual Convention. A total of 3,641 delegates and alternates registered—making it the largest Convention in IAFF history.

Newly elected principal officers General President Edward Kelly and General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma were officially sworn in on March 10, along with IAFF Executive Board members elected in contested races.

The Federation of State and Provincial Professional Fire Fighters (FSPPFF) held its officer elections in December through mail-in ballot and virtual submission.

Two officers – Chair Pete Carozza (Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut) and Vice Chair Bobby Lee (Hawaii State Fire Fighters Association) were both re-elected. Brandon Day, Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF) was elected FSPPFF Secretary-Treasurer, filling the vacancy left by Tom Roate of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, who chose not to seek re-election.

Joe King, one of the IAFF’s longest-serving leaders and a true labor champion, passed away on February 9, 2021. The former president of Pittsburgh Local 1, King was known for his unwavering commitment to fire fighters and the labor movement.

Signed into law in March, the American Rescue Plan Act includes key provisions championed by the IAFF to support fire fighters. The union successfully lobbied for millions in fire service grants, funding to help local governments address fire department budget shortfalls, and resources to assist with COVID-19-related challenges.

Read more.

Newly elected IAFF principal officers General President Edward A. Kelly and Frank V. Líma officially begin their terms in office, marking a new chapter in our union’s history and for our 324,000 members across the United States and Canada.

Elected by delegates at the IAFF 55th Convention, Kelly and Líma, our union’s 10th General President and 12th General Secretary-Treasurer, step into their roles ready to lead from day one. Their focus: building a stronger, more united IAFF and a brighter future for the fire service.

Read more.

Legislation to extend basic collective bargaining rights to fire fighters and emergency medical personnel in all 50 states has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan Fire Fighters and EMS Employer Employee Cooperation Act, (HR 2586), sponsored by Representatives Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), was introduced on April 16, 2021.

The bill is expected to be advanced by the House Education and Labor Committee and the full House of Representatives in the coming months.

Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, former Assistant to the General President for Technical Assistance and Information Resources (TAIR) and President and CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI), becomes the United States Fire Administrator. Her appointment by President Joe Biden follows strong support from the IAFF and other leading fire service organizations.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) announced a historic, long-term collaboration to help fire fighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel with detection, treatment and prevention of cancer.

Unveiled December 2 at Engine 55 in Lower Manhattan, the alliance will focus on sharing research and delivering the latest information to fire fighters on the frontlines. Together, The IAFF and ACS will collaborate on projects aimed at advancing both organizations’ missions and tackling the growing threat of occupational cancer in the fire service.

Read more.

Federal fire fighters will see improved benefits and safer working conditions with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022., A key win for the IAFF, the new law includes a long-sought provision allowing federal fire fighters to voluntarily trade shifts with similarly qualified personnel.

Read more.

The IAFF marked a major milestone in the fight against occupational cancer with the introduction of Bill C-224 in Canada’s House of Commons. The Private Member’s Bill, introduced Jan. 31 by MP Sherry Romanado, proposes national standards linking firefighting and cancer, aiming to improve prevention, treatment, and support for fire fighters across Canada.

The bill calls for regular cancer screenings, education for healthcare professionals, and expanded research and data sharing. By establishing national standards, the legislation would help provinces and territories identify the full range of cancers that should be presumed occupational for the purpose of workers’ compensation, bringing consistency, awareness, and support to the fight against the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service.

Read more.

The IAFF Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC) made an historic change during its February Board meeting, amending its bylaws to allow expanding the Board of Directors to up to 15 members, eight of whom are independent directors.

Read more.

After years of IAFF advocacy, the Department of Labor has announced new policies at the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) that will streamline claims for federal fire fighters, especially those facing occupational cancer.

The changes include a dedicated claims unit trained to handle fire fighter cases and a new partnership with NIOSH to better evaluate cancer claims using data from the National Firefighter Cancer Registry. These updates will lead to faster, fairer claim decisions for injuries and illnesses tied to the job.

This breakthrough follows direct engagement between IAFF leadership and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and builds momentum for the Federal Fire Fighter Fairness Act, which the IAFF continues to champion in Congress.

Read more.

As war breaks out in Ukraine, the IAFF rises in support and solidarity with Ukrainian fire fighters on the frontlines. Amid missile strikes and destruction, Ukraine’s fire fighters continued responding to structure fires, searching for survivors, and saving lives.

The IAFF publicly commended their courage and pledged to monitor the crisis and explore ways to provide support.

Read more.

In a historic moment for the IAFF, Dr. Danny Whu, MD, MPH was appointed as the organization’s first Chief Medical Officer. A proud member of Metro-Dade Local 1403, Dr. Whu is also a fire fighter-paramedic who worked 30 years in fire-rescue and EMS, 25 of them with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. As part of the IAFF’s senior leadership team, Dr. Whu will lead the Health, Safety and Medicine Division and oversee the development and delivery of innovative medical services for IAFF affiliates and members.

Read More.

After two decades of advocacy by the IAFF, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), – part of the World Health Organization –, officially reclassified fire fighter occupational exposure as Group 1 – carcinogenic to humans. This landmark announcement confirms the link between fire fighters’ occupational exposure and cancer.

The reclassification was issued following a meeting of 25 international experts in Lyon, France, including IAFF Canadian Trustee and longtime cancer advocate Alex Forrest. The IARC found sufficient evidence linking fire fighter exposure to mesothelioma and bladder cancer, with limited evidence for several other cancers.

Previously listed as a possible carcinogen (Group 2B), fire fighter exposure now joins the same category as tobacco smoke and benzene. This shift marks a turning point in the global understanding of cancer risk in the fire service and is expected to influence medical research, health policy, and presumptive legislation.

Read more.

Citing emerging research linking PFAS exposure to cancer and other serious illnesses, The IAFF and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association issued a joint warning urging members to take immediate steps to reduce exposure. Fire fighters were advised not to bring gear into living quarters, to store gear in sealed containers when off-duty, to clean apparatus cabs regularly, and to wash hands after handling gear.

Recognizing that safer alternatives require time to develop, the IAFF is actively working with researchers, health organizations, and manufacturers to identify and transition to PFAS-free gear.

Read the statement here.

General President Edward Kelly appeared on NBC Nightly News to discuss the statement.

With the adoption of presumptive legislation in Quebec, fire fighters in all 13 Canadian provinces and territories now have formal occupational disease coverage. Enacted in October, the new law covers nine cancers and post-traumatic stress injury. It will apply to the 2,395 members of Montreal Local 125 and the 34 members of Shawinigan Local 5209.

Read more.

In response to rising numbers of fire deaths in the United States, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), with strong support from the IAFF, declared a national fire crisis and launched a five-pillar strategy to confront it.

Unveiled during a three-city Fire Stop Tour that honored victims of the Twin Parks North West apartment fire in the Bronx and the Fairmount rowhouse fire in Philadelphia, the strategy focuses on strengthening and enforcing fire codes, investing in a national apprenticeship program to address staffing shortages, expanding training for structure fire fighters who now face increasing wildfires in the wildland urban interface, supporting mental health needs, and developing a comprehensive fire fighter cancer strategy.

Read more.

With strong backing from the IAFF, Congress advanced two major fire safety bills following the deadly 2022 fires in the Bronx and Philadelphia. The Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act, now law, gives the USFA the authority to investigate major fires and issue public reports with recommendations to prevent similar tragedies.

The Public and Federally Assisted Housing Fire Safety Act, passed by the House, would require tamper-proof smoke alarms in Dept. of Housing and Urban Development-assisted housing. Both measures are vital steps toward protecting vulnerable communities and stopping preventable fire deaths.

Read more.

The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery celebrates its sixth anniversary. Since opening in Upper Marlboro, Md., in 2017, the East Coast center has become a safe space for fire fighters and emergency medical professionals dealing with substance abuse, PTSD, and other behavioral health challenges.

In its six years, the COE has treated over 2,600 IAFF member representing 917 Locals from across all 50 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces.

The IAFF took decisive legal action to protect members from PFAS exposure by retaining three nationally recognized law firms: Motley Rice, Simmons Hanly Conroy, and Sullivan Papain. These firms were brought on to challenge the regulatory systems that have allowed toxic PFAS chemicals in turnout gear, demand the immediate development and replacement of gear with PFAS-free alternatives, and be available to support members and their families seeking compensation for PFAS-related illnesses.

The announcement, made by General President Edward Kelly at the Affiliate Leadership Training Summit, marked a major step in the IAFF’s ongoing campaign to eliminate occupational cancer.

Read more.

The IAFF premiered “BURNED: Protecting the Protectors” at the 2023 Affiliate Leadership Training Summit, marking a pivotal moment in the union’s fight against occupational cancer. Produced by Mark Ruffalo, the documentary follows Diane Cotter’s discovery of PFAS in fire fighter turnout gear after her husband, a retired IAFF member, was diagnosed with cancer. “BURNED” shines a light on the toxic chemicals putting fire fighters at risk and underscores the IAFF’s ongoing commitment to eliminating PFAS from gear, protecting members, and holding manufacturers accountable.

Alexandria, VA Local 2141 became the first IAFF affiliate in Virginia in over 40 years to ratify a collective bargaining agreement. The unanimous vote by Alexandria City Council marked a major victory following the repeal of Virginia’s ban on collective bargaining. The contract secured pay raises, staffing improvements, and reduced hours, setting a precedent for other Locals across the state. This historic win signaled a new era of labor rights for Virginia fire fighters.

Read more.

The bipartisan Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2023 was reintroduced by Republican Rep. Pete Stauber, a former police officer, and Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee. The bill would grant fire fighters and EMS personnel nationwide the right to form unions; collectively bargain for wages, hours, and working conditions; and resolve negotiation disputes, all while prohibiting strikes or lockouts.

General President Edward Kelly emphasized the bill’s importance, saying it ensures those who risk their lives have a seat at the table to advocate for safer workplaces and stronger communities.

Read more.

Following the catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, 2023, three Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams staffed by IAFF members deployed to assist in recovery efforts. Members from Fairfax County Local 2068, Los Angeles County Local 1014, and Burnaby Local 323 joined international teams on the ground within 48 hours, rescuing victims and bringing hope amid devastation.

Read more.

Three IAFF members were honored with the Medal of Valor by President Joe Biden during a White House ceremony on May 16, 2023, recognizing their extraordinary heroism. Lt. Justin Hespeler and Fire Fighter Patrick Thorton of New York Local 94, along with retired Lt. Jason Hickey of Local 854, were celebrated for life-saving rescues, including saving a newborn from a burning home, rescuing a man trapped under a capsized boat, and saving a drowning victim in the Harlem River.

Read more.

President Joe Biden made history at the 2023 Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference, becoming the first sitting president in 25 years to address IAFF members in person. A longtime ally of the fire service, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to protecting fire fighters’ rights, benefits, and health, pledging support for PFAS-free gear, presumptive coverage for federal fire fighters, and the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act.

Read more.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with IAFF members and their families at a March 16 Town Hall hosted by Mississauga Local 1212, addressing key issues like occupational cancer, PFAS exposure, wildland fire training, and fire fighter safety. He voiced strong support for MP Sherry Romanado’s Bill C-224, pledged to train 1,000 wildland fire fighters, and committed to reviewing PFAS protections. Trudeau also backed adding fire fighter safety to the National Building Code. The event underscored the Liberal Government’s ongoing partnership with the IAFF on both safety and legislative priorities.

Read more.

The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA) secured major provincial funding to enhance fireground safety and expand behavioral health resources. On May 15, Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced $700,000 for four projects, including $367,105 for province-wide IAFF Fire Ground Survival training and $65,099 for IAFF Peer Support training.  Additional funding was awarded to the towns of Mississauga and Georgina to support professional development and safety training.

The announcement marked another step forward in Ontario’s commitment to fire fighter health and safety, coming just weeks after the government expanded its presumptive cancer coverage to include thyroid and pancreatic cancers, raising the total to 19.

Read more.

The IAFF reaffirmed its support for the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (S. 1069 / H.R. 2402), pressing Congress to eliminate a critical threat to fire fighters. If passed, the bill would ban the import, use, and sale of asbestos in the United States, bringing the nation in line with more than 70 others that have already enacted bans. The bill would also accelerate the transition to safe alternatives already in use.

Read more.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act took effect June 27, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant and postpartum employees. Modeled after the American Disabilities Act, the law prohibits retaliation or denial of opportunities for those requesting accommodations like light duty, more breaks, or properly fitting gear.

Read more.

In early August 2023, fires fueled by Hurricane Dora devastated Maui, killing 115 people and destroying more than 2,200 structures, including the homes of 18 Hawaiian Island Local 1463 members.

The IAFF was on the ground immediately, with General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma and 10th District Vice President Stephen Gilman leading a disaster relief team to deliver financial aid, supplies, and peer support through the IAFF Foundation. For the first time, FEMA requested IAFF peer support counselors to assist Urban Search and Rescue teams and help members cope with trauma.

Read more.

In a unanimous vote, Canada’s parliament passed Bill C-224, creating a national framework to address occupational cancer in fire fighters, a historic win for the IAFF and its 27,000 Canadian members. The new law supports research, education, cancer screenings, and knowledge sharing, and declares January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month.

Championed by MP Sherry Romanado and supported across party lines, the legislation will help provinces improve coverage and compensation for fire fighters with job-related cancer.

Read more.

President Joe Biden met with Philadelphia fire fighters to mark the reopening of Ladder 1, Engine 6, and Ladder 11, three companies shuttered in 2009 but brought back with a $22.4 million SAFER grant. The award will fund 72 fire fighter/EMT positions over three years. IAFF General President Edward Kelly joined Biden, Governor Josh Shapiro, and Mayor Jim Kenney in recognizing the lifesaving importance of staffing and the need for immediate SAFER and FIRE Act reauthorization.

Read more.

On July 12, 2023, members of the Newark Firefighters Union voted overwhelmingly to rejoin the International Association of Fire Fighters, regaining access to critical resources including training, advocacy, and legal support. Newark’s Local 71 originally joined the IAFF in 1918.

The decision comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of Newark fire fighters Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr., who responded to a deadly Port Newark fire. Their sacrifice has intensified calls to address longstanding concerns about staffing, training, and apparatus safety.

Read more.

Just weeks after securing government funding, 50 IAFF members completed wildland interface response training Aug. 1-4 in Kamloops, British Columbia, marking the start of a one-year, $400,000 pilot project funded by Natural Resources Canada.

The training included a train-the-trainer course and a standard course designed to equip fire fighters with skills to defend structures threatened by wildfires in urban interface area, a growing risk amid Canada’s record-breaking wildfire season.

Read more.

After more than 30 years of competing in full turnout gear, fire fighters participating in the 2024 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Stairclimb were given the option to compete without it, due to growing concerns over PFAS exposure. The change, advocated by Missoula, MT Local 271 member Andrew Drobeck, reflects increasing awareness of the cancer risk posed by PFAS in turnout gear. Held at Seattle’s Columbia Center, the event was the largest stair climb fundraiser for fire fighters, raising over $28 million for LLS since 1991.

Read more.

Local 5335 became the first-ever IAFF affiliate, and the first union of any kind, to organize in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Representing members of the CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting personnel at the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the new Local is working to secure fair wages, benefits, and labor practices through its first contract.

Read more.

Marking eight decades of advocacy, the Florida House of Representatives passed a resolution celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Florida Professional Firefighters Association (FPF). The resolution recognized the FPF’s long-standing contributions to public safety and its role in shaping labor protections across the state. Since its 1944 charter with just six Locals, the FPF has grown to represent over 28,000 members in 150 Locals statewide.

Read more.

More than 100 IAFF members and leaders rallied outside Boeing’s Arlington, Virginia, headquarters to protest the ongoing lockout of Local I-66 fire fighters in Washington state. The global aviation manufacturing company locked out 125 IAFF members fighting for fair wages and working conditions.

General President Edward Kelly, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and other union leaders joined the demonstration, emphasizing nationwide labor solidarity and demanding Boeing end the lockout immediately. Congressional allies, including Rep. Val Hoyle, voiced strong support for the locked-out members.

Read more.

After nearly a month on the picket line, members of Boeing Fire Fighters Local I-66 ratified a four-year contract with Boeing, securing better wages, overtime guarantees, and a streamlined path to top pay. The lockout, which began May 4, drew national attention, with President Joe Biden and Washington State Governor Jay Inslee urging Boeing back to the table. The new deal increases average annual pay by up to $21,000 and ends years of wage disparity.

Read more.

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule banning chrysotile asbestos, the only form of raw asbestos still imported into the U.S., marking a major step toward protecting fire fighters from cancer.

The IAFF, a leading advocate for a full ban, welcomed the move but continues to push for the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act to eliminate all forms of asbestos.

President Joe Biden signed a sweeping FAA reauthorization bill into law, securing major IAFF-backed wins for fire fighter health and safety. Included is a $350 million grant program to help airports eliminate toxic AFFF foam and transition to safer, PFAS-free alternatives such as PFAS-free, fluorine-free firefighting foam (known as F3). The legislation also earmarks $30 million to replace aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles that operated using AFFF.

Read more.

The Government of Canada is doubling its investment in the IAFF’s Responding to the Interface (RTI) program, following a successful pilot that trained 325 fire fighters in Alberta and B.C. With $800,000 in new funding announced at the IAFF’s Canadian Legislative Conference, the program will expand its mission to prepare structural fire fighters for wildland-urban interface response. The IAFF has also proposed a national rollout, including French-language training.

Read more.

The IAFF will train nearly 1,700 more fire fighters in hazardous materials response thanks to a nearly $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding, part of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s effort to reduce HazMat exposures, will allow the IAFF to expand hands-on training and improve coordination across jurisdictions.

Read more.

Congress is now poised to vote on the IAFF-backed Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which would repeal the WEP and GPO penalties impacting retired fire fighters and other public servants. The bill reached a major milestone when a discharge petition secured its 218th signature, forcing a House floor vote. Introduced by Reps. Garret Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), they worked closely with the IAFF, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), American Federation of Teachers, and other labor organizations representing public servants to secure the signatures. The bill is the most bipartisan of the 118th Congress, with 329 House and over 60 Senate co-sponsors.

Read more.

The IAFF has been inducted into the U.S. Department of Labor’s Century of Service Honor Roll, recognizing unions that have shaped worker protections for over 100 years. The IAFF was one of nine unions honored for historic contributions to labor rights, joining more than 50 others in the permanent exhibit at the Labor Department’s Frances Perkins Building.

Read more.

President Joe Biden has signed the Fire Grants and Safety Act, reauthorizing the AFG and SAFER grant programs through FY 2028 and extending their sunset to 2030. The law secures nearly $700 million annually for fire departments to hire and retain fire fighters, invest in equipment, and deliver critical training. The IAFF applauded bipartisan Congressional leaders and the Biden administration for their continued support of the fire service.

Read more.

The Government of Canada is investing $12.29 million over five years to tackle occupational cancer. Announced at Ottawa’s Fire Station 13, the funding supports Canada’s National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting and will drive research, prevention, diagnostic tools, and data collection. General President Edward Kelly joined Health Minister Mark Holland and other officials for the announcement, honoring fallen Ottawa fire fighter Ryan Hill and underscoring the urgent need to protect those who serve.

Read more.

General President Edward Kelly and General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma have been re-elected to continue serving the IAFF’s more than 350,000 members at the IAFF’s 57^th convention in Boston.

Read more.

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, caused severe destruction across Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, deeply impacting IAFF members and their communities. The IAFF quickly mobilized, establishing a command center in Orlando to coordinate disaster relief efforts.

Read more.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration held virtual hearings on the proposed Emergency Response Standard (ERS), the first major update to fire fighter safety standards in since the Carter presidency. IAFF General President Edward Kelly and union leaders testified, pushing for stronger protections on staffing, training, gear, medical screenings, and mental health support. The ERS aims to replace OSHA’s outdated Fire Brigade Standard and set a new safety baseline for emergency responders nationwide.

Read more.

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, by a decisive 327-75 vote, marking a major victory for the IAFF and public servants nationwide. Thanks to a rare successful discharge petition, the bill bypassed a committee roadblock, demonstrating the bipartisan support behind it.

Read more.

Congress reauthorized $5.5 million a year through 2028 for the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, a major step forward in the IAFF’s fight against occupational cancer. First established in 2018, the registry collects critical data to help researchers understand cancer risks in the fire service. It officially opened to all U.S. fire fighters in 2023.

Read more.

In a powerful show of solidarity, IAFF leaders led major U.S. labor unions outside the U.S. Capitol to demand a Senate vote on the Social Security Fairness Act. Braving the rain, IAFF General President Edward Kelly called on Congress to right a decades-old wrong affecting millions of public servants. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer responded with a historic pledge: the Senate will vote to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Read more.

A newly trained group of IAFF instructors is now equipped to deliver life-saving wildfire structure protection training in Eastern Canada after twenty-three members from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI completed the IAFF’s Responding to the Interface (RTI) “train-the-trainer” course in Fredericton, N.B., building regional capacity as fire seasons grow longer and more dangerous.

The RTI program, developed by the IAFF prepares fire fighters to defend communities on the wildland-urban interface. With $1.3 million in federal funding secured to date, the IAFF continues to expand the program across Canada, ensuring fire fighters have the tools to meet the growing threat of wildfires head-on.

Read more.

After decades of advocacy, the U.S. Senate voted 76–20 to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) that unfairly reduced benefits for retired fire fighters and other public workers. The landmark bipartisan vote came just days after an IAFF-led labor rally on Capitol Hill.

General President Edward Kelly praised the outcome as a long-overdue correction, crediting the more than 30,000 IAFF members who contacted lawmakers. The bill, expected to restore billions in earned benefits, now heads to the President for signing.

Read more.