International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is a labor union representing fire fighters and other government workers based in Washington, D.C. ¹ IAFF is a member of the left-of-center AFL-CIO labor union federation ² that encompasses 3,500 local affiliates and includes approximately 329,000 members. ^{3 4}

In May 2019, IAFF became the first labor union to endorse the presidential campaign of Joe Biden in an announcement at Biden’s first campaign stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ⁵

History and Leadership

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1918 when delegates representing 24 local labor unions of firefighters held the first IAFF convention. IAFF has worked on political advocacy since its inception. In 2017, the union opened a members-only behavioral health service. ¹

The IAFF board is chaired by the general president and consists of a general secretary-treasurer and 16 district vice presidents. Edward A. Kelly is the general president of IAFF. Previously Kelly was the elected vice president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO labor union. He is a 2015 graduate of the Harvard University Trade Union Program. ^{6 7}

Activities and Funding

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is a labor union that represents fire fighters and pandemics in the United States and Canada based in Washington, D.C. ⁸ An affiliate of the left-of-center AFL-CIO labor union, ⁹ IAFF encompasses 3,500 local affiliates in the U.S. and Canada and contains more than 329,000 members in both countries. IAFF members represent more than 85 percent of the population in both the U.S. and Canada. ^{3 4}

In May 2019, IAFF became the first labor union to endorse the presidential campaign of Joe Biden (D), announcing it at the first campaign stop of the Biden campaign in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ¹⁰

In addition to its labor union organizing activities, IAFF operates the IAFF Political Training Academy, ¹¹ which focuses on targeting voters, recruiting volunteers, get-out-the-vote, fundraising, and other topics for participants. ¹² IAFF also operates a Southern Strategic Organizing Initiative, which has increased the union’s membership by 30 percent in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. ¹

During the COVID-19 pandemic, IAFF strongly encouraged its members to take the COVID-19 vaccine. ¹³ IAFF, along with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) embraced the Fire Service Joint Labor/Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative, which states that “uniformed personnel must receive or provide documentation of having received vaccinations” in a letter discussing the organization’s position on vaccines. ¹⁴

Political Contributions

The International Association of Fire Fighters is one of the “most active lobbying organizations in Washington, D.C.” ¹⁵ According to filings with the U.S. Department of Labor, the International Association of Fire Fighters spent a total of $9,602,152 on political and lobbying activities in 2021. ¹⁶

IAFF’s 2021 contributions supported U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD),  Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Andy Levin (D-MI), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Conor Lamb (D-PA), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Jim Clyburn (D-SC), David McKinley (R-WV), Chris Pappas (D-NH), David Cicilline (D-RI), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Bobby Scott (D-VA), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Fred Upton (R-MI), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Steven Horsford (D-CT), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Tom Emmer (R-MN), David McKinley (R-WV),  Jared Golden (D-ME), John Katko (R-NY), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Del. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC);  U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY),  Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA); gubernatorial candidates Brad Little (R-ID) and Terry McAuliffe (D); and others. ¹⁶

In 2021, IAFF also supported the left-of-center AMERIPAC, Biden Victory Fund, Blue Dog PAC, Bostonians for Real Progress, Bridge PAC, CHC Bold PAC, Citizens for Good Government PAC, Committee for a Democratic Future, Congressional Black Caucus PAC, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Defending Main Street, Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee, Democratic Majority, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), Energized for Change, Green Mountain PAC, Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC, Impact, Leadership Connect, House Democratic Campaign Committee, Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota, MO Opportunity, Moving Missouri Forward, Democratic Party of New Jersey, National Republican Campaign Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the left-leaning Roosevelt Institute, left-leaning law firm Sandler, Reiff, Lamb, Rosenstein & Birkenstock, Democratic Party-aligned Senate Majority PAC, Stop the Republican Recall of Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), National Democratic Club, Vibe PAC, and others. ¹⁶

In 2021, IAFF also gave gifts or contributions to several local IAFF chapters, the AFL-CIO labor union federation, Coalition of Back Trade Unionists, Decide Campaigns, left-wing Good Jobs First, Harvard University Trade Union Program, and others. ¹⁷

Associated Organizations

IAFF also operates the IAFF Foundation ^{1 18} and manages the FIREPAC political action fund (PAC), which is funded by voluntary contributions from labor union members to advocate for what it identifies as the “fire fighter agenda.” ¹⁹ In the 2020 election cycle, FIREPAC contributed $1.27 million to Democratic Party candidates and $261,000 to Republican Party candidates. ²⁰ FIREPAC is among the top one-half of one percent of all federally registered PACs in the country. ¹⁵

Funding

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) receives funding from monthly member dues. ²¹ In 2021, IAFF reported revenue of $71,173,758 and expenses of $69,009,628. ²¹ In 2020, IAFF reported receipts of $77,456,678 and disbursements of $60,126,435. ²²

1. Quinnell, Kenneth. “Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: Fire Fighters.” AFL-CIO. June 10, 2019. Accessed July 15 , 2022. https://aflcio.org/2019/6/10/get-know-afl-cios-affiliates-fire-fighters.
2. “Get to know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: Fire Fighters.” AFL-CIO. June 10, 2019. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://aflcio.org/2019/6/10/get-know-afl-cios-affiliates-fire-fighters.
3. “IAFF Headquarters.” International Association of Fire Fighters. Accessed July 15, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/contact-us/.
4. “About Us.” International Association of Fire Fighters. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/about-us/.
5. Landrigan, Kevin. “IAFF endorsement of Biden draws ire.” The New Hampshire Union Leader. May 3, 2019. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.firerescue1.com/politics/articles/iaff-endorsement-of-biden-draws-ire-gtQ6Oek9G5YMw3St/.
6. General President Edward A. Kelly.” International Association of Fire Fighters. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/general-president/.
7. “International Association of Fire Fighters.” Annual Report of a Labor Organization (Form LM-2). 2021.
8. “Home.” International Association of Fire Fighters. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/.
9. ^[1] “Get to know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: Fire Fighters.” AFL-CIO. June 10, 2019. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://aflcio.org/2019/6/10/get-know-afl-cios-affiliates-fire-fighters.
10. ^[1] Landrigan, Kevin. “IAFF endorsement of Biden draws ire.” The New Hampshire Union Leader. May 3, 2019. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.firerescue1.com/politics/articles/iaff-endorsement-of-biden-draws-ire-gtQ6Oek9G5YMw3St/
11. ^[1] Quinnell, Kenneth. “Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: Fire Fighters.” AFL-CIO. June 10, 2019. Accessed July 15 , 2022. https://aflcio.org/2019/6/10/get-know-afl-cios-affiliates-fire-fighters.
12. “Political Training Academy.” International Association of Fire Fighters. 2020. Accessed July 15, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/pta/.
13. “IAFF Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates.” International Association of Fire Fighters. July 30, 2021. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/wp-content/uploads/IAFF-Statement-on-COVID-19-Vaccines.pdf.
14.  ^[1] “IAFF Position Statement on COVID-19 Vaccines.” International Association of Fire Fighters. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/uncategorized/iaff-position-statement-on-covid-19-vaccines/.
15. “About US.” International Association of Fire Fighters. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/about-us/.
16.  “International Association of Fire Fighters.” Annual Report of a Labor Organization. (Form LM-2). 2021. Schedule 16.
17. “International Association of Fire Fighters.” Annual Report of a Labor Organization (Form LM-2). 2021. Schedule 17.
18. “IAFF Foundation.” AFF Foundation. Accessed July 15, 2022. https://iafffoundation.org/.
19. “FIREPAC.” International Association of Fire Fighters. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.iaff.org/firepac/.
20. ^[1] “APC Profile: International Assn of Fire Fighters.” Open Secrets. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/international-assn-of-fire-fighters/C00029447/summary/2020
21. “International Association of Fire Fighters.” Annual Report of a Labor Organization (Form LM-2). 2021. Statement B.
22. “International Association of Fire Fighters.” Annual Report of a Labor Organization. (Form LM-2). 2020. Statement B.