Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734

06/01/2026

05/24/2026

Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 extends its heartfelt condolences and unwavering support to the members of Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF following the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter Robert Kilduff Jr. this morning at a 3-alarm fire.

We ask everyone to keep Firefighter Kilduff’s family, friends, and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

May he rest in peace, and may his brothers and sisters in Boston find strength in one another in the days ahead

05/18/2026

It is with profound sadness that Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 announce the passing of active member Firefighter Timothy Spielman, a member of Engine Company 20.

Brother Spielman joined the Baltimore City Fire Department on August 13, 2003, and served the citizens of Baltimore with courage, professionalism, and dedication throughout his career. His loss is deeply felt throughout our firehouse family and across the Baltimore City Fire Department. Timothy was more than a firefighter, he was a brother, a friend, and someone who answered the call to serve others every single day.

On behalf of the Executive Board and membership of Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734, we extend our deepest condolences to the Spielman family, his brothers and sisters at Engine 20, Truck 18, Medic 8, and all who knew and loved him.

Please keep Timothy’s family and our members in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

Rest easy, Brother. We have the watch from here.

05/18/2026

This EMS Week, Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 proudly recognizes the extraordinary men and women of the Baltimore City Fire Department EMS Division.

Every single day, our EMTs, Paramedics, and Firefighters answer the call under some of the toughest conditions imaginable. From life-threatening emergencies to moments of compassion and comfort, BCFD EMS providers are there for the citizens of Baltimore 24/7, delivering critical care with professionalism, courage, and dedication.

Your sacrifices often go unseen, but your impact is felt throughout every neighborhood in this city. Whether on the streets, in our medic units, engines, trucks, or specialty teams, you continue to serve with pride despite staffing shortages, high call volumes, and constant challenges.

This week, and every week, we thank you for your commitment to protecting lives and serving Baltimore.

Please join us in honoring all BCFD EMS providers during EMS Week.

05/13/2026

The Mayor’s Recommended Budget proposes staffing one fewer fire suppression company daily to save approximately $2 million.

Let that sink in.

At a time when firefighters across this country, and right here in Baltimore continue to make the ultimate sacrifice, this administration believes the answer is to reduce frontline suppression staffing. Haven’t our members suffered enough loss? Haven’t we learned the lessons written in blood about the importance of adequate staffing and available companies on the street?

Once again, the burden of correcting fiscal shortcomings is being placed on the backs of firefighters and paramedics who are already being asked to do more with less every single day. Cutting frontline resources while call volumes, staffing shortages, and operational demands continue to rise is not a sustainable solution, it is a dangerous one.

Every suppression unit taken out of service increases response times, stretches remaining companies thinner, and puts both firefighters and citizens at greater risk. Fires do not wait. Cardiac arrests do not wait. Baltimore residents deserve fully staffed fire companies ready to respond when seconds matter.

NIOSH reports and internal committee recommendations have repeatedly emphasized the importance of improving fireground operations, accountability, and safety. Those lessons cannot be ignored. Reducing suppression staffing moves us in the wrong direction and creates unnecessary danger for both firefighters and the communities we protect.

Public safety starts with boots on the ground, staffed apparatus, and enough firefighters to do the job safely and effectively. We will continue to fight for the safety of our members and the citizens we serve.
-Matthew Coster President, Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734

05/13/2026

🚨 HAPPENING NOW May 12, 2026 2145 Hrs 🚨
Baltimore City firefighters are operating at a working fire in the 1600 block of W. Saratoga St. (21223).

🔥 3-story end-of-group rowhome
🔥 Heavy fire on the 2nd and 3rd floors
🔥 Due to deteriorating building conditions, all companies have transitioned to exterior operations for firefighter safety.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott
Zeke Cohen
Councilman John Bullock
Baltimore Fire Officers IAFF Local 964

05/11/2026

On May 7th, Local 734 hosted our first PAC Fundraiser, bringing together labor leaders, elected officials, candidates, and community leaders to discuss the issues facing the Baltimore City Fire Department and how we can address them together.

We were honored to have representatives from Mayor Brandon Scott’s office, Congressman Johnny Olszewski’s office, and Senator Attar’s office beside us, along with City Council President Zeke Cohen, Councilman Paris Gray, Councilman John Bullock, Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, Councilman Jermaine Jones, Sheriff Sam Cogen, Comptroller Bill Henry, State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, and Senator Carl Jackson of Baltimore County District 8, who advocated for and sponsored Bill 439 during this year’s legislative session.

We were also pleased to welcome candidates Ryan Turner and Bobby Lapin.

A special thank-you goes to PFFMD President Jeffrey Buddle, Assistant to the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) for Government Affairs, Political Action, and Strategic Campaigns, Kevin O'Connor, and President Courtney Jenkins of Metro Baltimore Council AFL - CIO Unions for their continued support.

We could not have done this without our sponsors:

🔥🔔🔥Third Alarm Sponsors🔥🔔🔥
🔥🔔🔥Baltimore Fire Officers IAFF Local 964
🔥🔔🔥Berman Sobin Gross LLP
🔥🔔🔥Platinum Emergency Services

🔥🔔Second Alarm Sponsors🔥🔔
🔥🔔Baltimore County Professional Firefighters Association
🔥🔔Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters
🔥🔔Darby Law Group
🔥🔔Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland

🔥First Alarm Sponsors🔥
🔥RescueMeds Work Injury Pharmacy🔥

🔔Silent Sponsors🔔
🔔Howard County Professional Fire Fighters Association🔔
🔔Retirement & Investment Group, LLC🔔
🔔NTA Life🔔

🔥🔥🔥We also want to thank Alliance Collective (Section 771 Blue Agave The Outpost American Tavern So Pro) for sponsoring food and drinks.🔥🔥🔥

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and helped make this event a success. Strong relationships with supporters of organized labor are critical to creating meaningful change. When labor leaders, elected officials, and community advocates unite and take action together, real progress can be made for the firefighters and citizens of Baltimore City.

Thanks to our photographers Stanley Jaworski & Brian Magill

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanjaws/albums/72177720333525287

https://rachelbrianmagillphotography.zenfoliosite.com/bcfd

05/05/2026

🚨 We stand with President Fannon and Local 964 and let’s be clear about what’s really happening here.

Calling fair overtime for firefighters “the same service at a higher cost” completely misses the point.

For years, Baltimore has balanced its budget on the backs of firefighters by forcing excessive hours, delayed overtime, and chronic understaffing. That’s not fiscal responsibility, that’s exploitation.

SB445 doesn’t create a problem. It exposes one.

Trying to make firefighters work MORE hours to fix budget issues is the definition of fiscally irresponsible. Fatigued crews, burnout, and staffing shortages don’t save money, they lead to higher long-term costs, slower response times, and increased risk for both firefighters and the public.

You don’t strengthen a city by stretching its first responders to the breaking point.

You strengthen it by:✔️ Proper staffing✔️ Fair pay for hours already worked✔️ Investing in recruitment and retention✔️ Ensuring crews are rested and ready

That’s how you get better service, not by pretending overworked firefighters are a sustainable solution.

Baltimore’s firefighters aren’t asking for special treatment. They’re asking for fairness.

And the public should demand the same.

🔥 Stand with those who stand for us.

05/05/2026

🚨🔥2nd ALARM SPONSOR ANNOUNCEMENT🔥🚨

We’re proud to announce a NEW 2nd Alarm Sponsor for the First Annual Baltimore Firefighters Local 734 PAC Fundraiser!

👏 Huge thank you to Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters for stepping up and supporting our mission.

This event is shaping up to be a great night of:
🤝 Networking
🍽️ Light food & refreshments
🚒 Supporting Baltimore’s firefighters

🚨Want to get involved? We’re still looking for sponsors!
This is a great opportunity to support a meaningful cause while gaining visibility in the community.

🎟️ Interested in attending?
Tickets are $100 per person

📩 For sponsorship opportunities or ticket information, contact:
Mike Schley Jr
[email protected]

Let’s make this first annual event one to remember. Thank you to all who support Local 734! 💪🔥

05/01/2026

Congrats & welcome!

💪🔥NEW EMS MEMBERS IN BALTIMORE!

Leaders of Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 welcomed 15 new union members from the EMS recruit class to the .

Congrats, brothers and sisters!