FIREPAC is the IAFF's political action committee (PAC) and an integral part of the IAFF's efforts to promote the legislative and political interests of all professional fire fighters and paramedics at the federal level. FIREPAC's mission is to educate members of Congress about issues important to fire fighters and emergency medical personnel and to help elect candidates to office that support those issues.

Since its creation, FIREPAC has raised and contributed more than $12.5 million to federal candidates and their campaigns. During the 2005-2006 election cycle, FIREPAC raised nearly $3.4 million, contributing to more than 330 congressional candidates. FIREPAC has earned the distinction of being in the top is among the top 25 federal PACs among the more than 4,000 in the country.

In addition, of all organized labor unions (AFL-CIO or Change to Win unions), FIREPAC is the most bi-partisan PAC, contributing 30 percent of its funds to Republican candidates.

Although not every candidate who receives a FIREPAC contribution is elected, every FIREPAC-supported candidate stands strongly in support of issues important to fire fighters and emergency medical personnel.

FIREPAC's goal is simple: if an incumbent or candidate supports the IAFF on its legislative priorities, FIREPAC will support him or her - regardless of political affiliation . The only label that matters is pro-fire fighter.

As a federally registered PAC, FIREPAC relies solely on personal, voluntary contributions from IAFF members, spouses and family members. Federal election law prohibits the use of union dues money to support federal candidates. Federal election law also limits the IAFF's ability to solicit its membership and their immediate family members on behalf of FIREPAC.

How is My Contribution Used?

Your FIREPAC contribution allows the IAFF to educate members of Congress about issues important to your profession as fire fighters and emergency medical personnel and to help elect candidates to office who support those issues. For those incumbents or candidates who are supportive of the IAFF legislative agenda, FIREPAC will make a contribution to their campaign.

During the 2005-2006 election cycle, FIREPAC contributed more than $3 million to more than 330 pro-IAFF candidates running for Congress in aces across the country. FIREPAC is among the top 25 federal PACs among the more than 4,000 in the country.  In addition, of all organized labor unions (AFL-CIO or Change to Win unions), FIREPAC is the most bi-partisan PAC, contributing 30 percent of its funds to Republican candidates.

While many candidates solicit FIREPAC contributions, not all are successful in receiving its support. To be eligible to receive a FIREPAC contribution, candidates must meet specific criteria. For incumbents, FIREPAC reviews voting records on IAFF issues, as well as other actions elected officials take -- such as co-sponsoring legislation and working behind the scenes with the IAFF to promote its legislation -- weighs the difficulty of the race and surveys the level of participation IAFF locals have in the campaign.  

Challengers must complete a candidate questionnaire detailing their positions on a number of IAFF legislative issues. FIREPAC will also meet with the candidate to discuss the race and his or her commitment to the IAFF’s legislative agenda. FIREPAC also assesses polling data, the candidate’s viability, the level of support from IAFF locals and, if applicable, voting records on IAFF issues at the state or local level.

The IAFF believes that every IAFF member has an absolute right to vote for the candidate they deem best represents and embraces that individual’s views and political philosophy. No one, including your union, has a right to tell you how to vote.

The IAFF knows that its members are intelligent enough to review the history, positions and platform of each candidate and to make a decision based on that information. The IAFF will never criticize any member for their choice of candidate.  There are many issues that are important to all Americans -- including IAFF members -- beyond fire service and labor issues. Consequently, the IAFF respects its members’ right to vote for candidates who have not won the endorsement of the IAFF or your local affiliate.

However, the IAFF asks that its members respect the IAFF’s duty to make its endorsement based on fire service, employment and labor issues. This union views candidates through a very narrow focus. Decisions are predicated on how candidates stand on fire fighter and labor issues — such as collective bargaining, protection of FLSA and overtime rights, pay fairness and equity for federal fire fighters, funding for first responder initiatives, support of the FIRE Act and SAFER, protection of pension and social security benefits, protection and extension of health care benefits for active and retired members, federal spending and tax policies, etc. The IAFF  does not base decisions on issues such as Second Amendment rights, right to life or pro-choice, the environment or other social issues.

The IAFF has one mission: to improve the lives and livelihoods of professional fire fighters. This union is  an advocacy group similar to the NRA, Christian Coalition, Sierra Club, etc. Its range of issue is very specific. No one expects  the NRA to base endorsements on fire fighter bargaining rights; likewise, no one expects the Christian Coalition to base its support of candidates on funding the FIRE Act. Consequently, no one should expect the IAFF to base its endorsement on anything other than its specific set of issues. 

While you may personally disagree with the IAFF endorsement and believe that another candidate better represents your own viewpoint, please be  mindful that the IAFF endorsement is about the candidate’s stance on fire service and labor issues.

In any union, association or even political party, when an organization endorses a particular candidate or a specific position on any issue, not everyone who is a member is in agreement. People are entitled to disagree and express their own opinions. 

Politics within the IAFF is an issue of mutual respect. The IAFF respects its members’ right to vote for whoever they choose.  Please respect the IAFF’s right to endorse candidates — regardless of party -- who have demonstrated their support for the IAFF and professional fire fighters. The IAFF also respects the right of state associations and individual affiliates to endorse the candidate that they believe best represents the views of their respective memberships. The IAFF believes that our job is putting fire fighters first.