FIREPAC Hits $2 Million! 

December 13, 2007 -- For the first time in its history, FIREPAC has raised $2 million in a single calendar year. This milestone follows on the heels of FIREPAC’s successful fundraising efforts during the critical 2006 election year when it reached a record $1.9 million.

One of the nation’s top political action committees, FIREPAC experienced another first in 2007, raising more than 50 percent of its election cycle goal in the first year of the cycle. Previously, FIREPAC’s best non-election year (on a percentage of money raised) was in 2003 when it raised 46 percent of its goal. For the 2007-2008 election cycle, FIREPAC has set a fundraising goal of $3.75 million.

This steady growth is in part due to increased participation in the FIREPAC Check-Off program, an automatic payroll deduction. Currently, 179 locals participate in the Check-Off program, a 497 percent increase over the past seven years. The program alone raised more than $1.1 million in 2007, and in 2006 surpassed the $1 million level for the first time.

“I’m proud that our members have recognized the good work that FIREPAC has done, and have validated our efforts by continuing to support FIREPAC at this amazing level,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “But there is still a lot for us to do. The 2008 election year is going to be another busy one for the IAFF gold and black political brand, and we need to have the PAC resources to continue to elect pro-IAFF candidates.”

To establish a FIREPAC Check-Off program for your local, visit the FIREPAC section of the IAFF web site, send an email to firepac@iaff.org or contact the IAFF Political Action Department at (202) 824-1592.