IAFF 50th Convention Opens in San Diego

IAFF delegates from the United States and Canada gathered August 23 at the San Diego Convention Center for the IAFF 50th Convention, launching the week’s important business. The emotional ceremony reminded all in attendance of the accomplishments and sacrifices members have made and laid out plans to overcome the challenges ahead.

The ceremonies began with the traditional introductions of the IAFF District Vice Presidents, Trustees and Emeriti officers, presentation of colors and the national anthems of United States and Canada. The ceremony also featured performances by the Marine Band San Diego, the San Diego Master Chorale, as well as vocalists Amy Sky and Clint Holmes.

But the event took an emotional tone with a tribute to members of the military for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. and Canadian Urban Search and Rescue teams were also honored for their work after the Haitian earthquakes and other disasters. A somber tribute was paid to all of the IAFF fire fighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice since the last convention in 2008.

The ceremony concluded with IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger’s State of the Union address. Schaitberger said that even though much has been gained over the past two years, the ongoing economic crisis will continue to present many obstacles. But, he said that this great International can overcome those challenges as long as the IAFF and its members “stand together” as they always have.

Schaitberger acknowledged that many locals have faced layoffs and other cuts to fire department resources. For the IAFF’s part, the International worked to pass legislation to rewrite the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant regulations to bring back laid-off fire fighters and refill positions lost through attrition.

“I am damn proud of this union because we’ve already been able to bring back to work more than 1,500 of our own,” Schaitberger said. “But I know that many of you are still hurting, still waiting for funding to bring your members back and fill those open seats. More help is on the way.”

The guidelines for the 2010 SAFER funds were released August 16, making $420 million ready to help fire departments in need. If you add the $200 million from 2009 and the $400 expected in fiscal year 2011, “that’s a billion dollars – that’s with a “b” – to get people back to work and restore positions left unfilled.”

Schaitberger also shared with Convention delegates news that the DHS has promised that only career fire fighters will be reviewing grant applications from career departments.

He also stressed the importance of ongoing political action. While he and all of the IAFF’s members are disappointed that the collective bargaining bill has not been passed, he has received promises from both U.S. House and Senate leadership that the bill would go to formal vote before Congress adjourns this year.

But, with the disappointments, there are also important victories, such as the defeat of the so-called “Cadillac tax,” which would have taxed fire fighter health care plans in the United States. In Canada, he praised the wide-spread passage of provincial presumptive laws.

In conclusion, Schaitberger committed to all IAFF members that the International will “push back harder than ever to protect our members’ lives and livelihoods.

He further resolved, “I commit to you that while you’re fighting on the frontlines in your communities, this IAFF will be on the frontlines with you. This is our mission and failure is not an option.”

Video of the entire State of the Union address is available at www.iaffconvention2010.com.