In 1955 there were two fire fighter organizations that decided to combine their annual conventions. The Wisconsin Paid Firemen’s Association was holding its 47th Annual Convention and the Wisconsin State Association of Fire Fighters were conducting their 20th. Both organizations met in Stevens Point that year and met.
Per a resolution passed at their 1962 convention, the Wisconsin State Association of Fire Fighters became the United Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, AFL-CIO.
This was followed by the Wisconsin Paid Firemen’s Association voting to dissolve and become a part of the United Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin in July of 1968.
The Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin (PFFW) have experienced great success working on behalf of all fire fighters in the state since that time. As a state affiliate of the International of Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the political arm in the state, we have had great success in lobbying our state and local officials to the benefit of our over 4000 members statewide.
Some of our efforts to protect our members have included passing the following legislation working with both sides of the isle and supporting those that support us:
- 1997 Wisconsin Act 173 - Cancer Presumption law
- 2005 Wisconsin Act 320 – Tuition Remission Benefits for families of LODD (Arnie Wolff Bill)
- 2009 Wisconsin Act 284 – Infectious Disease Presumption
- 2009 Wisconsin Act 285 – Health Insurance Benefits for families of LODD
- 2017 Wisconsin Act 66 – Community Paramedicine
- 2021 Wisconsin Act 29 – Workers Compensation Benefits related to PTSD
- 1997
Wisconsin Act 173 - Cancer Presumption law
- 2005
Wisconsin Act 320 - Tuition Remission Benefits for families of LODD (Arnie Wolff Bill)
- 2009
Wisconsin Act 284 - Infectious Disease Presumption
- 2009
Wisconsin Act 285 - Health Insurance Benefits for families of LODD
- 2017
Wisconsin Act 66 - Community Paramedicine
- 2021
Wisconsin Act 29 - Workers Compensation Benefits related to PTSD
The PFFW has also most recently successfully assisted IAFF Locals around the state in passing local referendums by educating voters on the importance of staffing levels and related safety for their families.
We continue to be driven by our core values of Communities, Coalitions Common Sense.
Our organization recently celebrated our 83rd Biennial Convention in Stevens Point. We have come a long way and a bright future serving our members and the communities they protect.