Campaign

About Us- Mission Statement

The Portland Fire Fighters Association represents the Professional Fire Fighters of the City of Portland, the Bureau of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, and the Portland International Airport.
The Portland Fire Fighters Association Local 43 is a charter member of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Our Charter was granted on February 28, 1918. The association currently represents 696 Professional Fire Fighters.

The mission of Local 43 is to Establish and protect a livable standard of wages, benefits, and safety for fire fighters and the community. To provide a powerful and collective voice for workers that is inclusive, democratic, and enhances unity among workers.

Portland voters approve reforms to FPD&R’s disability system

On Tuesday November 6th, voters overwhelmingly approved by a margin of nearly 73% to 27% changes to FPD&R that will allow the Fund to cover medical expenses for service connected disabilities after retirement. Currently a member’s injury is only covered while serving as an active member or if that person is medically retired after reaching 30 years of service while still on disability. That means that if you are injured and return to work, your injury would not be covered when you retire. Besides being a disincentive for any return to work program, this antiquated aspect of FPD&R was extremely unfair to firefighters and police officers. And while this was identified as a significant problem during the negotiations and discussions that lead to the 2006 reforms it was not included in the ballot measure that passed last fall. It took another year of talks and considerable support from Commissioners Leonard and Sten to move the issue to the ballot box. In the end, Commissioner Adams was able to help find language that satisfied the Mayor’s and Commissioner Saltzman’s desire to clarify the oversight authority of the Fund Administrator which produced a 5 to 0 approval for Council to refer the measure to the voters. The Council members also contributed supporting arguments in the voters’ pamphlet. But the highlight had to be Commissioner Saltzman joining firefighters and police at the Oregonian Editorial Board and helping to make the case for endorsement. Besides the endorsement of the Oregonian, we received the endorsement of Willamette Week, the FPD&R Board and several favorable interviews on local radio stations. All of this coupled with a radio ad campaign featuring Dan Rossos and an injured police officer (and an untold number of hand bills passed out during the last week of voting) produced a well deserved vote of confidence from the people we serve.

SUMMARY REPORT        2007 Special Election

Run Date:11/07/07     Multnomah County Oregon

RUN TIME:10:48 AM     November 6, 2007

26-93 CITY OF PORTLAND

          VOTE FOR  1

           Yes  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   121,097   72.72

           No.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    45,428   27.28