Southwest Florida Professional Fire Fighters

06/16/2026

Southwest Florida Professional Firefighters & Paramedics, IAFF Local 1826, and the firefighters of the Fort Myers are proud to officially endorse Terolyn Watson for reelection as Fort Myers City Councilwoman for Ward 3.

Councilwoman Watson has consistently demonstrated a commitment to public service, community engagement, and the residents of Fort Myers.

As first responders, we value leaders who understand the importance of investing in public safety and supporting the men and women who serve our community every day. Councilwoman Watson has consistently shown a willingness to listen, engage, and work collaboratively to address the needs of both residents and public servants.

We are honored to stand alongside Councilwoman Terolyn Watson and proudly support her reelection campaign. We encourage the residents of the City of Fort Myers, Ward 3 to join us in reelecting a proven leader who continues to put community first.

05/29/2026

This is another way for our Local to give back to our members and their families while helping promote career opportunities in the noble fields of fire service, EMS, paramedicine, and continuing education.

We are currently offering four $3,000 scholarships, please see the info in the flyer below.

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

Today, Local 1826 pauses to honor the brave men and women who gave everything in service to our nation.

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend. It is a solemn reminder that the freedoms we enjoy were paid for by those who never made it home. Their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to this country can never truly be repaid, but they must always be remembered.

To the families of our fallen heroes, we know this day carries a weight that many of us can never fully understand. Your loved one’s sacrifice lives on in the freedom of every American, in the flag that flies above us, and in the hearts of a grateful nation. We honor not only those who served and gave their lives, but also the families who continue to carry their memory forward every day.

From the Firefighters, Paramedics, and EMTs of Local 1826, we say thank you. We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

05/23/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, the IAFF Local 1826 office will be closed Monday, May 25th, as we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who sacrificed everything in service to our country.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the cost of freedom and to pay respect to those who never made it home.

We are grateful for their service, their courage, and their sacrifice. IAFF Local 1826 wishes everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend. 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

Local 1826 is proud to endorse Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass for re-election to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.

Commissioner Pendergrass has been a strong and consistent supporter of the members of Local 1826, our firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and public safety professionals throughout Lee County. He has always maintained an open door, listened to our concerns, and stood with first responders when it mattered.

We are also proud that Commissioner Pendergrass was the recipient of our 2025 Local 1826 Labor Leader Award. This was the first year we presented this award, and we could not think of a more deserving person to receive it. His years of service, dedication to public safety, and commitment to the men and women who serve this community speak for themselves.

Thank you, Commissioner Pendergrass, for your continued support of Local 1826 and for your many years of service to Lee County.
We are proud to stand with Cecil Pendergrass and look forward to another term of strong leadership on the Lee County Commission.

Local 1826 proudly endorses Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass for re-election.

05/22/2026

Time to get your applications in for grant funding.

🚨 AFG, SAFER, and FP&S Grant Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is POSTED!
📍 Deadline to Apply: June 22, 2026
❓ Questions: [email protected]

🔥 AFG: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/362440
🔥 SAFER: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/362438
🔥 FP&S: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/362442

05/22/2026

Strong win in the fight against occupational cancer.

Today, Governor DeSantis signed SB 984 (DiCeglie) relating to Firefighter Cancer Benefits into law. 🎉

This legislation ensures that firefighters battling terminal occupational cancer can spend their final days at home with their families without jeopardizing their family’s death benefit.

Beginning July 1, 2026, firefighters and their families will retain access to the cancer death benefit for one year after terminating employment.

Thank you to Senator Nick DiCeglie and Demi Busatta- State Representative for their leadership, and for all the members of the Legislature who supported this important clarification for Florida’s firefighters and their families. Thank you to Governor Ron DeSantis for signing this good bill into law.

This is an important step forward for firefighter families across Florida we were proud to champion. 🇺🇸🚒

04/25/2026

Congratulations to Kissimmee Fire Department on moving to the 24/72 schedule.

This is a major step forward and a clear recognition that firefighter health, wellness, recruitment, retention, and family life matter.

Firefighters are not built to run indefinitely on exhaustion. The job already demands nights, weekends, holidays, missed family time, interrupted sleep, and exposure to some of the worst moments people will ever experience. A schedule that provides more recovery time is not just a benefit — it is an investment in healthier firefighters, stronger families, and better service to the community.

Kissimmee deserves credit for recognizing the importance of addressing the long term health and well being of its firefighters and moving toward a schedule that better aligns with the realities of the job.

Congratulations to the members of Kissimmee FD, their leadership, and everyone who helped make this happen. Hopefully, more departments across Florida will continue to recognize that taking care of firefighters is also taking care of the communities they serve.

Day one of a 42 hour workweek!! Congratulations to Kissimmee FD for moving to the 24/72 firefighter schedule.

In less than one year, they went from three shifts with no Kelly day to four fully staffed shifts at minimum staffing and are currently hiring to further upstaff.

They are the first department in the Orlando area to make this progressive life and money saving change.

You can hear more about their journey by listening to my interview with Kissimmee firefighter Logan Broberg on Episode 1004 of the Behind the Shield Podcast.

You can also find a mountain of FREE resources on the Behind the Shield Podcast website under the 24/72 tab.

Congratulations to you all! I'm looking forward to hearing of your continued success in recruitment, retention and most importantly, firefighter and family health.

04/11/2026

There are a few Autism Awareness Shirts available for sale

Local 1826 Leroy Nottingham Benevolent Fund