WHO WE ARE ...
The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey was originally
established and chartered as a State Association by the International
Association of Fire Fighters on October 29, 1929, as the Uniformed Firemen's
Association of New Jersey. Charter locals included Newark Local 71,
Carteret Local 292, Perth Amboy Local 286, Woodbridge Local 290 and
Rahway Local 295. At some point in its history, the unions'delegates
saw fit to change the association's name to Fire Fighters Association
of New Jersey and operated as such for more than 30 years. Delegates
to the 1996 convention, concerned that there be no misunderstanding
of the unions calling and mission, moved by resolution to change the
name of the organization to the current Professional Firefighters Association
of New Jersey. Despite the identity changes, the PFANJ is most often
referred to as the "IAFF". That particular reference being the most
accurate in that the IAFF exists on three plains; Our parent IAFF headquartered
in Washington, DC, the IAFF State Association headquartered in Trenton
and our local unions. A network of sorts designed to flow information
back and forth for the benefit of all.
Since 1929, the PFANJ has grown to in excess of sixty (60) local unions
of every size and complexity representing in excess of 3500 of New Jersey's
approximately 6,000 professional firefighters. In all but a few cases,
IAFF/PFANJ affiliates are the recognized bargaining agent responsible
for terms and conditions of employment in their respective locations
despite any other affiliation. Our locals range from fire districts
fast developing into full time round-the-clock suburban fire and rescue
agencies, to the State's largest and busiest urban fire departments
and all in between.
WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT...
The mission of the hard working, loyal and dedicated professionals that
comprise the Elected Officers and General Membership of the Professional
Firefighters of New Jersey/IAFF, AFL-CIO, has not altered nor has its
membership wavered in the performance of their duties to Union or community
since its establishment 70 plus years ago.
To organize professional firefighters, emergency medical service and
related services members for the purpose of securing just compensation
for their services and equitable settlement of their grievances; to
promote and maintain a healthy and safe work environment for members
as might be possible employing modern technology, research and regulation;
to promote the establishment of just and reasonable working conditions
and harmonious relations between members and their employers including
the establishment and maintenance of statutory collective negotiations;
to assure a just standard of living for retired members and surviving
families; to place members of the Association on a higher plane of skill
and efficiency by way of basic and continuing training and education;
to promote members active participation in all levels of local, county,
State and Federal governmental affairs; to encourage formation of local
unions affiliated with our parent International, its Chartered State
Association, and the State and National AFL-CIO; to cultivate caring,
understanding , equality, friendship and a union work and loyalty ethic
amongst the membership that results in a Brother and Sisterhood of professional
firefighters organized within the House of Labor that is second to none.
OUR CALLING...
Professional Firefighters take an oath to protect life and property.
We do not agree to die, become seriously and permanently injured, disabled
or ill by virtue of our occupation. In a few instances, our demise for
the sake of saving a life becomes a necessity and that single conscious
act defines our occupation and Membership from all others. In all other
instances, our injury and death is most often associated with or the
direct result of an unsafe workplace and an under-prepared workforce.
We as trade labor unionists must continually strive to make our workplaces
safer and workforces better prepared to face the challenges, the most
dangerous and debilitating occupation in the Nation confronts us with
on a daily basis. Those that insist that we work in an unsafe, under-prepared
environment, despite their knowledge to the contrary, can and will be
held accountable for their misdeeds against our membership, families
and the Citizens we are sworn to serve.
They say some things never change. Our profession requires that you
can get as close to a fire as possible and then apply water until it
is extinguished. While the water part remains unchanged since the Stone
Age, ever evolving technology allows us to get deep into and closer
to fires for longer periods of time than ever before. Fighting fires
and response to related emergencies has become simultaneously more efficient
and dangerous at the same time. The other thing that remains unchanged
is the notion of cutting costs on the backs of firefighters and then
relying on their good nature and dedication to duty to get the job done.
Even if at the expense of the firefighters safety, health and life.
Our fore bearers needed a strong union 70 some odd years ago and for
as long as some conspire against our ranks and families, we will need
this Union of Professional Firefighters to advance our interests and
concerns of The Bravest. The more things change, the more they stay
the same.
Fraternally and united,
Keith B. Kemery
Keith B. Kemery,
President
