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Firefighters risk their lives daily to protect their communities from fires and other disasters. They are prepared to answer the calls when the alarm sounds, but who answers theirs? The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is an unwavering ally for firefighters. The organization advocates for the job security of firefighters and the promotion of their mental and physical well-being. The IAFF’s dedication ensures firefighters receive proper training and education and have the tools to do their jobs effectively.
According to Tampa IAFF President, Nick Stocco, the IAFF is “the leading organization for the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Caribbean Islands for advancing paid firefighters and paramedics standard of health, safety wages, and working conditions.” Tampa Firefighters Local 754 was founded in 1943 and has about 730 members. It obtained its name as the 754th organization to join under the IAFF. As of January, Stocco has served as the president. Stocco earned his title through election after serving on the executive board since late 2017. The credibility that comes with his title does not prevent Stocco from facing criticism, as he states: “I try to keep an open mind and understand that each person sees from their point of view and their position. He says, “being transparent with members” and helping them understand the processes and how they play out helps “you don’t know what you don’t know.”
Despite misconceptions, one thing remains clear: the IAFF is committed to improving the lives of firefighters and the communities they serve. Among their most important goals is ensuring firefighters have the resources to reduce their risks. Stocco notes that securing their safety is currently one of their greatest needs. To cope with Tampa’s increasing population and ensure a faster response time to emergencies, Stocco emphasizes the need for new houses. Stocco shared response times have four components: Dispatch time, which is “the time from when 911 is called until the 911 center notifies a unit.” Second, is turnout time, “when the unit is notified, until the unit leaves the station.” Firefighters must gather their equipment, board trucks, and arrive at the scene within this period. The final two components are travel time and the time it takes them to arrive at the destination, where they will assess the situ- ation and devise a plan of action. Stocco states, “Station geographical location plays a big factor in travel time,” he says, “As population density grows, not just by residents, but by visitors, cars, semi-trucks, and railroad tracks, that delays travel time.” He continues, “The current [number of firehouses] was good 20 years ago. There was an immediate ask for three stations in 2020 with an ultimate need of 17 to success fully be able to touch every area of the city if they were to grow as it’s growing today.”
With increased construction, firefighters are also in short supply. Stucco adds, “With more occupiable space, it allows for that space to be filled up with either people or other hazards that increase the need for more firefighters in those areas.” According to Stucco, Tampa is understaffed, as the “industry standard is a minimum of four firefighters per engine, and [Tampa’s] minimum staffing is three per engine.” He added that “high-hazard areas, like high rises, airports, and amusement parks, call for five firefighters per truck, and in most cases, six in the downtown area.” The response time and the number of firefighters on the scene for these types of fires are crucial as they require 43 firefighters on the scene within 10 minutes and 10 seconds of the incident time. However, the concern for more stations extends further than response times. “These stations are our homes. We have to work out of them. So, we must make sure they are safe with proper health and safety codes.” Inadequate staffing and an insufficient number of houses significantly strain fire- fighters and the IAFF, especially considering recent budget cuts that “don’t allow room for growth, although the city is growing.” In fiscal year 2023, public safety expenditures de- creased 4%.
Despite the challenges they are facing, Stocco says that firefighters are glad to assist. “I think the biggest help from the community would be awareness of fire pre- vention that they can do themselves. To ensure that the firefighters can be safer when responding to emergencies. Unblocking exits, having fire extinguishers, and things like that…But they’re just happy to do their jobs.”
With the appropriate attention and support, the IAFF will be able to continue to help its firefighters serve the Tampa community and ensure the safety and well-being of the residents with the greatest efficiency. The city and its residents must recognize the importance of the IAFF and the benefits we get from their dedicated service.