05/22/2026
🙌 Ballot Box Victory: Measure 3 and Union Advocacy Deliver Nine New Firefighters to the Fargo-Moorhead Metro
FARGO – The Fargo-Moorhead metro area is safer today thanks to the relentless political action of local union members. By taking their case directly to the voters and city leaders, Fargo Firefighters Local 642 and Moorhead Firefighters Local 1323 secured funding for nine new full-time firefighter positions.
Pictured below are the nine newest members of their ranks following their swearing in as union brothers and sisters. These fresh faces represent the tangible outcome of what happens when organized labor fights for safer staffing levels.
🗳️ Fargo: Measure 3 Public Safety Sales Tax
In Fargo, Fargo Firefighters Local 642 championed Measure 3 on the 2024 ballot - a 0.25% sales tax dedicated exclusively to city fire and police operations, buildings, and equipment. Fargo Firefighters spent weeks knocking on doors, educating, and promoting across the community. Voters approved Measure 3 with nearly 70% of the vote, creating a dedicated revenue stream for the next 20 years that funded six of the new graduates seen in this photo.
"The passage of Measure 3 was a defining moment for our local," said Ron Guggisberg, President of Local 642. "These new graduates are the direct result of that political action. It proves that when we unite to educate our community, we secure the resources necessary to save lives and protect our members."
🗣️ Moorhead: Advocacy in Action
Across the river in Minnesota, Moorhead Firefighters Local 1323 fought a parallel battle in the council chambers. By presenting undeniable data on call volume spikes, the union successfully lobbied the Moorhead City Council to prioritize public safety. Their advocacy secured budget authorization for the remaining three new firefighter graduates pictured here, a critical step toward meeting national staffing and safety standards.
"Seeing these new members graduate and stand ready to serve is incredibly rewarding," said Eric Welk, President of Local 1323. "Securing these positions required persistent engagement with our city leaders, and it shows that our political voice is our most powerful tool for ensuring our crews have the backup they need."
💪 Union Strong
Whether at the ballot box in Fargo or the budget hearings in Moorhead, Fargo Firefighters Local 642 and Moorhead Firefighters Local 1323 have shown that safety is non-negotiable. Please join us in welcoming these nine new brothers and sisters to the frontline!
Stay engaged. Stay united. Stay safe.
Fargo Firefighters Local 642
Moorhead Firefighters Local 1323
IAFF 5th District
International Association of Fire Fighters
