James Island Professional Firefighters Association-Local 5385

08/11/2026

SOUTH CAROLINA FIREFIGHTERS — WE NEED YOUR HELP!

THE STATE-FUNDED PFAS TESTING & CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM IS UP FOR A VOTE TOMORROW.

The South Carolina House has our backs. Now we need the South Carolina Senate to stand with us.

There are ongoing efforts to reduce funding for programs in the state budget, and our life-saving PFAS testing and cancer screening program could be at risk of being cut.

WE CANNOT LET THAT HAPPEN.

This program will provide South Carolina firefighters with PFAS testing and cancer screenings at NO COST to the firefighter.

For firefighters who spend their careers exposed to toxic chemicals and carcinogens, early detection can save lives.

This isn’t about politics.

It’s about firefighters. It’s about families. It’s about making sure the men and women who protect South Carolina have access to the testing and screenings they need to protect their own health.

📞 CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR TODAY

If you are a South Carolina firefighter, family member, friend, or supporter, please contact your State Senator before tomorrow’s vote.

📍 FIND YOUR SOUTH CAROLINA STATE SENATOR:
Find Your South Carolina Legislators⁠

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/search/index.php

Find your Senator. Make the call. Tell them to protect funding for this critical program.

⏰ DON’T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW.

Every call matters. Every voice matters. Every firefighter matters.

South Carolina firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.

Now it’s time for South Carolina to protect the people who protect South Carolina.

🔥 CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR.
🔥 SHARE THIS POST.
🔥 GET YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS INVOLVED.
🔥 DO NOT LET THIS PROGRAM GET CUT.

05/24/2026

The James Island Professional Fire Fighters are saddened by the line-of-duty death of Boston Firefighter Robert “Bobby” Kilduff.

Bobby was a mentor, leader, and true union brother who helped shape many within the IAFF. His willingness to teach, listen, and share his knowledge left a lasting impact on the fire service.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, IAFF Local 718, and the entire Boston Fire Department.

Rest easy, Brother.

05/13/2026

The James Island Professional Fire Fighters proudly support State Representative James Teeple for his continued support of firefighters, first responders, and public safety.
Now it’s our turn to stand with him.

Attention all Lowcountry firefighters! We are asking you to show up and show out for our good friend representative James Teeple! State Representative James Teeple has been a warrior for our members and a key driver of our success here in South Carolina. After the forum, there will be a meet-and-greet and fellowship with our brothers and sisters. We can’t wait to see you!

03/25/2026

This isn’t going away; it’s becoming the standard.

As the cost of living continues to rise across the Lowcountry, Summerville leaders are taking steps to address concerns that first responders are not being paid enough to live in the communities they serve.

READ MORE:
https://bit.ly/4bNoTJg

02/20/2026

I wrote this because I believe leadership in the Southern fire service requires hard conversations, not avoided ones.

For years, some departments have operated as if IAFF Locals can simply be sidelined. That mindset is outdated. The legal landscape is evolving, and so is the expectation of accountability in our profession.

This isn’t about conflict. It’s about governance, risk, and protecting the people who protect everyone else.

The culture is changing. The question is whether we choose to lead that change or react to it.

Sean Foulois
President

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥, 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬

In many Southern fire departments, IAFF Locals exist, but leadership often acts as if they don’t. Emails go unanswered. Meetings are avoided. Concerns are labeled “union issues” and dismissed. In right-to-work states like South Carolina, some departments have operated under the assumption that if collective bargaining isn’t recognized, engagement isn’t required.

A recent federal court ruling in Cargill v. City of Greenville (Case No. 6:25-cv-01841-JDA) should prompt a reset. The court reinforced that firefighters retain their First Amendment rights to speak, associate, and petition, including through their union, on matters of safety, training, morale, and operational readiness. The absence of collective bargaining does not eliminate constitutional protection.

Ignoring IAFF Locals does not reduce union presence; it increases risk. When structured communication is avoided, issues escalate instead of being resolved early. Trust erodes. Informal workarounds replace professional dialogue. And legal exposure grows. What could have been handled through engagement becomes far more costly when addressed through litigation.

For municipal managers and elected officials, this is not a labor relations debate; it is a governance issue. Strong IAFF Locals can serve as an early-warning system for operational risk, morale decline, retention challenges, and policy gaps. Engaging a Local is not surrendering authority; it is strengthening accountability, transparency, and risk management within your organization.

The Southern fire service culture is evolving. The hazards are changing. The legal landscape is clearer. IAFF Locals are not going away, and firefighters’ rights are not optional. Departments that choose collaboration over avoidance will be stronger, more stable, and better positioned to serve their communities.

02/14/2026

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫.

South Carolina is still taxing overtime pay — even when firefighters and First Responders work extra shifts and sacrifice time with their families.

H.3793 is about fairness and keeping more of that hard-earned money at home.

📞 Call your South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives members.
📧 Urge them to pass H.3793.

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐇.𝟑𝟕𝟗𝟑. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬.

State Representative James Teeple Mark Smith for Congress Pamela Evette State Rep. Jay Kilmartin