Brothers and sisters,

January is Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month. Tragically, IAFF members are constantly exposed to carcinogens on the job that make us far more likely to get sick or die from cancer than the average person.

Since the IAFF and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network launched the inaugural Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in January 2021, our message has spread across the globe. Our collective voices are beginning to be heard, and we must keep at it. We are in a life and death battle.

In 2022, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declared firefighting – our profession – a Group 1 threat, its most dangerous classification. Shortly after, the IAFF and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs issued a joint safety advisory warning of the adverse health risks in today’s bunker gear.

Last January, I shared your IAFF Executive Board’s decision to retain three world-renowned toxic tort law firms to assist our efforts to end fire fighter cancer and remove PFAS from use in the fire service.

This summer, Canada enacted historic legislation establishing a national framework for addressing fire fighter occupational cancer, including proclaiming January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada.

We all know that any call could be our last. But that does not mean we should not strive to make a dangerous job safer. In fact, that is the IAFF's mission.

Presumptive coverage for cancer-related illnesses and deaths in the U.S. and Canada continues to grow at a rapid pace as we work to get members the medical care and benefits they deserve. The IAFF is fighting to require the removal of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” from the PPE that is supposed to be designed to protect us. We are working with scientists, physicians, politicians, and environmentalists to develop independent research to study the connection between fire fighters and cancer.

Everyone shares in the obligation to care for public servants who dedicate their lives to protecting others. As members of the IAFF, that means doing everything we can to make the job safe – for our fallen, for the fire fighters of today, and for the generations to follow.

Get involved in Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month. Share our resources with your department and your communities. Together, let's end cancer in the fire service.

Be You. Be Strong. Be Fire Fighters.

Edward A. Kelly
General President

The 2024 TPFFA Frank D. Stephens Legislative Conference will be held February 26-28, 2024, at the Hilton Downtown in Nashville.  In accordance with TPFFA Policy, the TPFFA shall provide one room for each TPFFA Local for the first and second night of the annual Frank D Stephens Legislative Conference.  Please see the information below regarding securing the rooms that are paid for by the TPFFA. 

Our policy provides for one room for two nights paid for by the TPFFA for each local.  You must contact Secretary/Treasurer Barry Byers by e-mail: barrybyers@iaff140.org by December 9th to claim your first room for your local.  Please specify if you would like a king room or double queen room.  Starting December 10th, you may reserve one additional room per local on a first come, first serve basis if any are still available, by e-mailing Secretary/Treasurer Byers. 

If your local needs any additional rooms after that we will assign those starting December 24th if any are remaining on a first come basis.  Contact Secretary/Treasurer Byers by e-mail to request these rooms as well.

Here are the dates:

First Room

November 25, 2023 - December 9, 2023

Second Room

December 10, 2023 - December 23, 2023

Remaining Rooms

December 24, 2023 – January 7, 2024

Please email me your request on these dates. We have 35 rooms secured for February 26 & 27, 2024.

2024 TPFFA Frank Stephens Legislative Conference Agenda

Thank you and Stay Safe!

Barry Byers
Secretary/Treasurer
Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association

Brothers & Sisters:

We'd like to take a moment to encourage those of you who live in Tennessee to consider purchasing the Tennessee IAFF license plate for your vehicle.

Proceeds from this license plate go to the Tennessee Fire Fighters Emergency Relief Fund.  This fund has helped thousands of Tennessee IAFF members across the state for many years who have experienced financial hardships.  Depending on what county you're in, a letter from your local union officer or your IAFF membership card will be required to purchase the tag(s). 

For more information, reach out to your local union officers.