IAFF   1750 New York Ave., NW Washington, DC 20006

International Association of Firefighters

One of the oldest public employee unions in America, the International Assocation of Fire Fighters (IAFF) was formed in February 1918 when thirty six delegates from twenty four locals attended the first IAFF Convention in Washington D.C. Thomas G. Spellacy served as the first president of the organization, which worked toward the goal of uniting fire fighters for better wages, improved safety, and greater service for their communities.

Today, members of the IAFF are the largest providers of pre-hospital emergency medical care in the United States. Union members include city and county fire fighters, emergency medical personnel, rescue service employees, state employees, and federal workers. Fire and emergency medical personnel employed at certain industrial facilities throughout the United States and Canada are also eligible for IAFF membership.

The IAFF has been the leading force behind numerous safety advances for the fire and emergency services personnel. In addition to ensuring that firefighters and paramedics are provided with the tools they need to perform their jobs, the IAFF is involved in the development and implementation of new training and equipment. In order to improve the working conditions of IAFF members, the IAFF Fire & EMS Operations/GIS Department provides comprehensive information on fire departments and fire-based EMS and works hard to ensure the proper staffing of fire and EMS departments.
 
Created in 1975, FIREPAC is the IAFF's political action committee. FIREPAC promotes the interests of professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel by educating members of Congress about fire fighter staffing, labor issues, safety and equipment, and other relevant topics. FIREPAC also helps elect candidates who understand and support the interests of IAFF members.