Fire Politics: Our Dirtiest Job: Politics

If we stand on the sidelines and decline to participate, we lose

There is no fire too dangerous or EMS call too horrific to prevent America’s Bravest from responding with alacrity and resolve. But, successfully motivating a firefighter or paramedic to become involved in politics is a yeoman’s feat.

Most firefighters view politics with disdain and hold politicians in the same esteem as serial arsonists. The sentiment is not without some justification, especially in recent years, as overt partisanship has crippled the legislative process. Overlay that general malaise with a new crop of politicos who do not believe funding fire and emergency services should be a priority or even a responsibility of government and the reluctance to engage in political discourse or become involved in electoral politics is understandable.

There are, however, two irrefutable reasons to embrace political activity and action – self-interest and survival. When I was a young firefighter and union leader, an old salt gave me some very sage advice. He admonished, “Every decision affecting your career, profession and safety is made by a politician or someone appointed by a politician.” That advice is relevant to all firefighters – career or volunteer, management or labor.

For professional firefighters, elected officials control their very livelihood. Decisions regarding salary, working conditions, retirement and other crucial issues are ultimately made by elected mayors and city councils or other governing body. Volunteer departments are equally affected by elected officials who determine fuel subsidies, apparatus and equipment grant programs, training budgets and LOSAP or similar compensation programs.

Programs like the federal Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB), the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs benefit all firefighters. Initially passed in 1976 and amended over the years, PSOB affords the family of every firefighter killed in the line of duty a benefit of $339,310. Since 2001, over 50,000 AFG grants totaling in excess of $3.8 billion have been made to fire departments across the nation for training, equipment, apparatus, and other crucial needs. And more than $4.8 billion in SAFER money has helped fire departments hire thousands of firefighters. During the great recession (2007-2012), more than 6,500 firefighters were brought back to work or spared layoffs through the SAFER grant program.

If you believe that these programs were simply the result of government’s benevolent largess, you are sorely mistaken. They were created and sustained through lobbying and hard work.

If we choose to stand on the sidelines and decline to participate, we lose. In today’s competitive world with shrinking government resources, there are armies of lobbyists representing every conceivable interest and making their case for funding.

Politicians recognize and respond to power, money and votes. Playing the part of a shrinking violet is a recipe for disaster. As firefighters, we have advantages that few other advocacy organizations enjoy. Public perception of firefighters remains high. And, with more than 300,000 professional firefighters and one million volunteer firefighters, we are in every community, from the largest cities to the most remote hamlets.

Politicians and voters alike understand that we put our lives on the line to save others. And, they appreciate it. Collectively, we must leverage these factors to fight for our issues at all levels of government.

Political involvement for firefighters is not about trading in your turnout gear for an expensive suit and becoming a professional lobbyist. It’s far simpler and less daunting. National organizations and their state affiliates very ably handle the respective legislatures.

The legendary House Speaker “Tip” O’Neill frequently proclaimed, “All politics is local.” That’s where our legions of firefighters need to engage. Because we are in every community, we are the neighbors, club members, friends and workmates of elected officials. JUST TALK TO THEM! Educate them on the fire service and its needs. You don’t need to reference bill numbers or dazzle then with financial stats. Speak from the heart.

Explain to a city council member at your child’s soccer game why the local fire department needs better staffing. Engage the state delegate you see at the grocery store on funding training programs and how it helps the community and its citizens (read: VOTERS). If you cross paths with members of Congress, make sure they know that supporting AFG and SAFER grant programs is important to the fire service and voters in their districts.

Inviting politicians to visit your fire station for lunch or a tour is also a very useful tactic. Encourage them to wear the gear, don an airpack and get a glimpse of the true value of the fire and EMS service and the men and women who risk their lives to help others.

The IAFF Fire Ops 101 engages politicians in various fire, EMS and rescue drills, including battling a live fire. Hundreds of elected officials have participated in Fire Ops events throughout the United States and Canada. In many cases, former adversaries have become staunch advocates after the experience.

Seize every opportunity to educate, engage, cajole and, yes, lobby. Ensuring that the fire service receives the support it needs and rightfully deserves requires an all-hands approach. From the fire chief to the back-step rookie, we can and should all do our part.