Baltimore Fire Officers IAFF Local 964

05/11/2026

🔥 Support Your Brothers & Sisters – Enter the Maryland Firefighter 50/50 Raffle! 🔥

IAFF Local 964 is proud to back the Baltimore Fire Officers Charitable Foundation through the Maryland Firefighter 50/50 Raffle! Every ticket you buy helps support the health, safety, education, and welfare of our firefighters and their families when they need it most.

💰 Weekly jackpots
🎟️ $1,000 early bird prizes
🏆 $500 bonus draws

Your purchase directly benefits hometown heroes right here in Baltimore. It’s easy, fun, and makes a real difference for those who run toward danger every day.

👉 Buy your tickets now and help us take care of our own:

Enter the Maryland Firefighter 50/50: https://md.5050raffle.org/give/mdfire/50-50-raffles/md5050/charities/baltimore-fire-officers-charitable-foundation?fbclid=IwdGRjcARt4V1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeBZNIcg5xya3pIEWiKWAyq2-GhdMMBW5vkEnDiWK1LUZq3RQcXGMvNaryotI_aem_iloYRa4dPWO-RxLqITYSQA

🔥 Weekly jackpots. $1,000 early bird prizes. $500 bonus draws. Enter the Maryland Firefighter 50/50 and help support Maryland’s hometown heroes!

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from IAFF Local 964! ❤️

Today we celebrate the incredible mothers who stand beside us — and the extraordinary mothers among us.

To the moms who raised firefighters and paramedics: Thank you for teaching us courage, compassion, and resilience. You packed our lunches, dried our tears, and still managed to raise heroes who run toward danger to protect others. Your strength is the foundation of every life we save.

To the mothers who wear the uniform themselves — the firefighters and paramedics balancing shift work, family life, and the calling to serve: You are true superheroes. You answer the tones at any hour, then come home to hug your kids and show them what it means to be brave and selfless.

Whether you’re on the job or cheering us on from home, your love and sacrifice make our department — and our community — stronger every single day.

We honor you today and every day.

Happy Mother’s Day!

05/09/2026

🚨 International Association of Fire Fighters Recognizes a Big Win for Maryland Firefighters! 🚨

After years of dedicated advocacy by the Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland (PFFMD) and strong support from our locals across the state, Governor Wes Moore has signed landmark legislation establishing a statewide 42-hour work week for all firefighters!
This means fair overtime pay after 42 hours—no more patchwork system that forced many of our brothers and sisters (especially in high-volume areas like Baltimore) to work 48 hours before qualifying for OT. Better work-life balance, improved safety, stronger staffing, and fairness for every firefighter in Maryland.

Huge thanks to PFFMD President Jeffrey Buddle, 4th District VP Andrew Pantelis, all the local leaders who fought for this, and Governor Moore for standing with us. Most important thanks goes to the grassroots work of rank and file Maryland IAFF local members for pushing this over the finish line! 🏁

This is what UNION power delivers.

Read the full story: https://www.iaff.org/news/maryland-fire-fighters-secure-42-hour-work-week-thanks-to-union-advocacy/

Maryland now has a standardized 42-hour work week for all fire fighters across the state.  

05/08/2026

Proud to Back the Blue! 🇺🇸💙

We were honored to sponsor a hole at the FOP Lodge 3 Memorial Golf Tournament — supporting the brave men and women of the Baltimore Police Department and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Events like this are a powerful reminder of the importance of standing with law enforcement and the law enforcement community.

Thank you to everyone who came out to play, support the cause, and keep the tradition alive!

05/08/2026

A huge congratulations to IAFF Local 734 for the incredible success of your First Annual PAC Fundraiser! 🔥

It was an absolute pleasure spending the evening with such dedicated leaders and friends. We were proud to sponsor at the Third Alarm level and support this important cause for our Baltimore Firefighters.

From great policy conversations on the issues that matter to our members, to unforgettable moments, the night was a true testament to the strength and unity of Local 734.

Thank you for having us — we truly appreciated the opportunity to connect and give back.

Here’s to many more successful events ahead!

05/05/2026

🚨 “It’s not going to lead to better service… same service but at a higher cost.”

That’s Baltimore Deputy Finance Director Bob Cenname in today’s Budget & Appropriations Committee hearing, downplaying Maryland’s new firefighter overtime law (SB445).

Watch him say it himself 👇

Wrong. Flat-out wrong.

Here’s the truth our Baltimore firefighters have been living:

You run into burning buildings, respond to medical emergencies, and work 24-hour shifts that often push well beyond 42 hours a week — with overtime only kicking in later under the old rules. SB445 finally fixes that. It guarantees fair overtime after 168 hours in a 28-day period (42 hours/week average), closer to what nearly every other worker in Maryland gets. No more exploiting the heroes who keep us safe.

This isn’t “higher cost for the same service.” It’s smart investment in public safety:
✅ Ends burnout & fatigue → sharper, safer responses
✅ Boosts recruitment & retention → fully staffed firehouses (no more chronic shortages)
✅ Improves morale → firefighters who feel respected stay and excel
✅ Faster emergency response times for every Baltimore family

Better pay for the work already being done = BETTER service, not the same.

Our first responders risk everything for us every single shift. They deserve fair pay, dignity, and departments that aren’t constantly short-handed. Taxpayers deserve the strongest, most reliable fire protection possible.

This is about respect. This is about fairness. This is about keeping Baltimore strong.

🔥 If you stand with our firefighters, drop a 🔥 below, share this clip, and tag your councilmembers!

05/05/2026

🚨 “It’s not going to lead to better service… same service but at a higher cost.”

That’s Baltimore Deputy Finance Director Bob Cenname in today’s Budget & Appropriations Committee hearing, downplaying Maryland’s new firefighter overtime law (SB445).

Watch him say it himself 👇

Wrong. Flat-out wrong.

Here’s the truth our Baltimore firefighters have been living:

You run into burning buildings, respond to medical emergencies, and work 24-hour shifts that often push well beyond 42 hours a week — with overtime only kicking in later under the old rules. SB445 finally fixes that. It guarantees fair overtime after 168 hours in a 28-day period (42 hours/week average), closer to what nearly every other worker in Maryland gets. No more exploiting the heroes who keep us safe.

This isn’t “higher cost for the same service.” It’s smart investment in public safety:

✅ Ends burnout & fatigue → sharper, safer responses
✅ Boosts recruitment & retention → fully staffed firehouses (no more chronic shortages)
✅ Improves morale → firefighters who feel respected stay and excel
✅ Faster emergency response times for every Baltimore family

Better pay for the work already being done = BETTER service, not the same.

Our first responders risk everything for us every single shift. They deserve fair pay, dignity, and departments that aren’t constantly short-handed. Taxpayers deserve the strongest, most reliable fire protection possible.

This is about respect. This is about fairness. This is about keeping Baltimore strong.

🔥 If you stand with our firefighters, drop a 🔥 below, share this clip, and tag your councilmembers!

05/05/2026

🎉 PROMOTION🎉

The following member has been promoted by General Order 52-26:

To Lieutenant:
FF/PM JR Weglein, SQ26

Congratulations and welcome to Local 964!

05/01/2026

🔥 Honoring Our Fallen Brother Lt. Mark Dranbauer Jr. | Engine Co. 5

Today we join family, friends, and the entire Baltimore Fire family in remembering our brother, Lt. Mark Dranbauer Jr., Engine Co. 5 at the annual Fallen Heroes Day.

A 23-year veteran and dedicated fire officer, Lt. Dranbauer made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Baltimore. His bravery, leadership, and commitment to this job will never be forgotten.
We honor his life, his service, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Rest easy, Lieutenant.

Watch the tribute 👇

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/video/remembering-baltimore-city-fire-lt-mark-dranbauer/

Family and friends remember Baltimore City Fire Lt. Mark Dranbauer who will be honored as a Fallen Hero.

04/30/2026

📢 Honoring a True Hero: Battalion Chief Lawrence “Larry” Goldberg

Today, we stand with the family and brothers and sisters of the Baltimore City Fire Department as we recognize Battalion Chief Lawrence Goldberg as a fallen hero. After a courageous battle, Chief Goldberg passed in 2019 from occupational cancer — a devastating reminder of the hidden dangers our members face every day on the job.

His dedication to the fire service spanned decades — from his start as a volunteer at Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company in 1988, through his career as a paramedic, instructor, and rising through the ranks to Battalion Chief. He touched countless lives as a mentor, leader, and friend who would do anything for anyone. His legacy lives on through his son Zachary, now serving as an EMT/Firefighter with the City.
This Friday, May 1, Chief Goldberg will be honored during the Fallen Heroes Day Ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, with his name also being added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

Occupational cancer remains the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters. We will continue fighting for better presumptive coverage, stronger protections, earlier screenings, and the resources our members and families deserve.

Rest in peace, Chief. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/fire-chief-lawrence-goldberg-fallen-hero-occupational-cancer-maryland/

For the family of Baltimore City Fire Department Battalion Chief Lawrence Goldberg, the memories are flooding back now that his death from cancer is finally being recognized in the line of duty, both locally and nationally.

04/29/2026

🚨 BIG WINS FOR MARYLAND FIREFIGHTERS! 🚨

Yesterday, April 28, 2026, Governor Wes Moore proudly signed SB445/HB532, SB439, and HB347 into law — three major victories for fire and rescue personnel across the state!

These bills deliver real protections and fairness for the men and women who run toward danger every day.

🔥 SB445 / HB532 – The 42-Hour Overtime Bill
Requires governmental employers to pay firefighters overtime for every hour worked over 168 hours in a 28-day period and provide clear payroll statements. After years of fighting for fair compensation, this finally ensures our members get the overtime pay they’ve earned — just like nearly every other worker in Maryland. This is huge for recruitment, retention, and respect!

🔥 SB439 – Medical Cannabis Employment Protections
Prohibits employment discrimination against firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and other fire/rescue personnel for lawful, off-duty use of medical cannabis as registered patients. Our members deal with PTSD, chronic pain, and service-related injuries — this bill removes a major barrier so they can access legitimate medical treatment without fear of losing their jobs.

🔥 HB347 – Workers’ Compensation Presumption for Hypertension
Clarifies a presumption that hypertension is an occupational disease for firefighters, rescue squad members, and related public safety personnel. This makes it easier and fairer to receive the workers’ comp benefits our members deserve when job-related stress and physical demands take a toll on their health.

These wins are a direct result of relentless advocacy by the Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland and our locals — and they show what we can accomplish when we stand together!

Huge thank you to Governor Wes Moore, the bill sponsors, and every legislator who supported these critical measures. IAFF Local 964 is proud to represent Maryland’s firefighters, and we’re stronger than ever!

📸 Check out the photos from yesterday’s historic bill signings!