The Florida Professional Firefighters, Inc. is a State Association chartered by the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO-CLC. The FPF was formed January 11, 1944, by six (6) IAFF locals and has grown steadily ever since. By 1980, the FPF’s annual budget was just under $200,000.00 with 79 IAFF/FPF Local affiliates and 8,600 members working in 100 departments throughout Florida. Currently, we are comprised of 150 local affiliates and councils, with a membership of over 27,000 Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services Personnel, working in 175 departments within the various state, county, municipal, and special district governments of Florida, with an annual budget of over $2,000,000. The FPF represents only full-time, paid Professional Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services Personnel with offices located at 343 West Madison Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1625.

The major and primary service provided by the F.P.F. is to be a governmental relations advocate, and conduct a year-round legislative and lobbying program in Florida’s State Capitol. This activity is supported by an aggressive statewide political action agenda. Throughout the years, the F.P.F. has come to be recognized as one of the most effective and respected voices in our state capitol. Most, if not all, of the benefits and protections presently enjoyed by Firefighters and Emergency Services Personnel under state law or rule have been acquired as a direct result of, or have been influenced by, our legislative efforts. (Refer to our web page Florida Legislative Successes and Issues Benefiting Firefighters, Paramedics, and EMTs for a complete listing.)

Each year during Florida’s Annual Legislative Session, the FPF conducts a Legislative Conference/Executive Council meeting. This event is utilized to update our local affiliate leadership on how our issues are doing in the legislative process, and encourage them to be involved with the FPF’s political action program in order to give them an opportunity to meet with their legislators, and discuss firefighter/paramedic issues.

The FPF Principal Officers, members of our Executive Board, affiliated locals, attorneys, economists, IAFF 12th DVP, and others, lobby and work throughout the year for Firefighters, EMS Personnel, and for the overall good and improvement of the Fire and EMS Services of Florida.

The F.P.F.’s Political Action Committee, entitled Florida Fire-PAC, is actively involved politically in order to improve the professional status of the Fire and Emergency Services, together with all its full-time paid professional members. Furthermore, the F.P.F. offers to teach, instruct, and assist its members in advancing their profession by political involvement at all levels of government.

Other services provided by the F.P.F. in a supplemental role to the I.A.F.F. are: help and assistance during organizational efforts of I.A.F.F. Locals; contract negotiations; communications and information regarding current and proposed legislation; the Public Employee Relations Committee (PERC); litigation and arbitration awards; an annual salary survey, etc.

The F.P.F. holds an annual convention in June, and two (2) Executive Council meetings (Spring and Fall). We sponsor, or co-sponsor with the I.A.F.F., seminars and symposiums on such subjects as Health and Safety, Political Involvement, Labor Relations, Pension, Workers Comp, Disabilities, etc.

Wayne "Bernie" Bernoska, President
Florida Professional Firefighters
343 West Madison Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1625
PHONE (850)224-7333      FAX (850)222-1751
fpf@fpfp.org