Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin

10/20/2026

A few photos can tell a lot about the work our members do every day.

We’d like to see your crews on the job. Share a photo from a fire, rescue, or training in the comments, and include your local and a little about what’s happening.

Let’s show Wisconsin’s firefighters in action.

📸 Nate Leff

10/18/2026

Good Sunday morning to our members working across Wisconsin today. Hope you get a chance to enjoy a meal with your crew and catch some football between calls.

Thanks to the families taking care of things at home while we’re on shift.

Who’s working today? Share your local and a crew photo in the comments.

10/16/2026

If you Live in New Berlin, WI vote YES on New Berlin Public Safety Referendum for a Stronger, Safer New Berlin

NEW BERLIN, LET’S TALK ABOUT TRUST, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND YOUR SAFETY. 🚒

As we get closer to the November 3rd referendum, we’ve heard a common concern from our citizens:

“How do we know the City will actually use this money for what we’re voting on?”

That’s a fair question. And we believe you deserve a straightforward answer.

First, we want you to know something: We hear you. We understand your frustration. And we understand why some of you have lost trust in city leadership.

As your firefighters and paramedics, we have a front-row seat to the challenges facing public safety in New Berlin. We see the staffing shortages, the demands on our members, and the difficult position our department is put in when resources don't match the needs of our community.

We've been advocating for appropriate staffing and resources for years because we believe New Berlin residents deserve better. This isn't about politics, personalities, or picking sides. It's about making sure that when you call 911, the people coming to help you have the staffing and resources they need to serve YOU, our citizens.

WHAT DOES WISCONSIN LAW SAY?

Wisconsin Statute § 66.0602(4)(a) addresses referendums that allow municipalities to exceed state-imposed property tax levy limits.
Under this law, the resolution supporting a levy increase must specify:

1) The proposed amount of the increase.
2) The purpose for which the additional revenue will be used.
3) Whether the increase is temporary or ongoing.

The referendum process also requires voters to approve the proposed increase.
In other words, the purpose presented to voters is not supposed to be an afterthought. It must be specified in the resolution and referendum question.

WHY WE'RE ASKING YOU TO VOTE YES

This referendum is about adding 12 firefighters to the New Berlin Fire Department to help address the staffing challenges that affect emergency response and firefighter safety.

Our citizens deserve to know that when they call 911:

🚑 There are enough firefighter-paramedics available to respond to medical emergencies.
🚒 Fire engines can be staffed and ready to respond when emergencies happen.
🧑‍🚒 Firefighters have the personnel needed to perform dangerous, physically demanding work as safely and effectively as possible.
🏠 Our community has the level of emergency protection it needs as New Berlin continues to grow.

These aren't luxuries. They're essential public-safety needs.

WHERE DOES LOCAL 4724 STAND?

We are firefighters. We are paramedics. We are your neighbors, friends, and family members. We live here, work here, and care deeply about the future of this community.
We understand the skepticism. We understand the frustration with how public dollars are prioritized. We share your frustration, but we cannot allow that frustration to overshadow the very real public-safety needs facing our community.

Our responsibility is to advocate for the resources necessary to protect you, your family, and our fellow first responders. We will continue to speak up about staffing concerns and the needs of the department because your safety is our priority.

We cannot control every decision made at City Hall. But we can continue to educate our community, advocate for responsible public-safety funding, and remind our leaders that the people of New Berlin deserve a fire department equipped to meet their needs.

On November 3rd, we ask you to look at what's at stake. This is bigger than politics. Bigger than personalities. And bigger than any disagreement with city leadership.
This is about what happens when your child isn't breathing, when your house is on fire, when your parent falls and needs help, or when someone you love needs an ambulance.

When those moments happen, you deserve to know help is coming—and that enough people are available to provide it.

Please ask questions. Demand accountability. Read the referendum language. Make an informed decision.
And please remember that the men and women asking for your support are the same people who will show up at your door when you need us most.

Vote YES on November 3rd. Invest in public safety. Invest in your community. Invest in the people who show up for you.

Stay safe, New Berlin. We've got you! 🚒❤️

— Professional Firefighters of New Berlin, IAFF Local 4724

10/16/2026

Wisconsin, you Have a World Series!

Congrats to the Milwaukee Brewers on winning the National League Pennant!

10/14/2026

Every parent in crisis should know there is a safe place to turn.

The Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin wants families to know about Wisconsin’s Safe Haven law. A parent can safely and anonymously surrender their unharmed newborn within 30 days of birth without prosecution for the surrender. Wisconsin expanded that window from 72 hours to 30 days in March 2026.

A newborn can be handed directly to a hospital staff member, law enforcement officer, or EMS practitioner at a hospital or staffed police, fire, or EMS station. Always make sure someone receives the baby. Never leave a baby outside or at an unattended station. (dcf.wisconsin.gov)

For parents who need a no-contact option, Safe Haven Baby Boxes are available at these Wisconsin locations:

📍 Racine — Fire Station 4
3829 Washington Avenue.

📍 Elkhorn — Elkhorn Area Fire Department
13 South Broad Street.

📍 Howard — Howard Fire Rescue
2456 Glendale Avenue.

📍 Reedsburg — Reedsburg Ambulance
230 Railroad Street.

📍 Trevor / Salem Lakes — Salem Lakes Fire & Rescue
11252 254th Court.

📍 Watertown — Watertown Fire Department
621 Bernard Street.

📍 Whitewater — Whitewater Fire & EMS
312 West Whitewater Street, west side of the building.

📍 Wisconsin Rapids — Fire Station 2
1640 West Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495

These boxes allow a parent to safely surrender a newborn without a face-to-face handoff. They provide a protected environment and alert responders so the baby can receive immediate care. Follow the instructions posted on the box.

For confidential support or help finding a location, call or text 1-866-99BABY1 (1-866-992-2291), available 24/7. Current Baby Box locations can be found at shbb.org/parents-in-crisis. For an immediate medical emergency, call 911.

Our firefighters and EMS professionals are here to help. Please share this information so a parent facing a difficult moment knows where to turn.

10/13/2026

Occupational cancer remains one of the greatest threats to firefighter health. Protecting our members starts with simple, consistent safety habits on every call:

• Wear your SCBA through overhaul: toxic fumes remain long after the fire is out.
• Perform field decontamination on turnout gear before loading it into apparatus.
• Wash gear promptly and shower within an hour of returning to the station.

Our commitment to service means taking care of the firefighters who protect Wisconsin every day.

10/10/2026

This is a reminder that we are never alone.

If members need assistance, they can reach out to our Membership Assistance Program (MAP) Team by clicking this link. https://pffwcf.org/fire-fighter-support/

🎗️ is a reminder that no or emergency medical worker stands alone.

Behavioral health is part of this job, and the has resources for members and their families year-round.

Learn more ➡️ iaff.org/behavioral-health

10/10/2026

As cool autumn weather arrives in Wisconsin, heating systems and fireplaces are back in use. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during fall and winter—take these precautions to protect your home:

• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually by a certified professional.
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves.
• Never leave portable heaters unattended or running while sleeping.

A few simple steps today help keep your family safe all season long.

10/08/2026

Thank you to all the locals who attended WALTS 2026 and helped make this year such a great event!

When we come together, share ideas, and learn from one another, we strengthen our union and bring home the tools to make things better for our members. The conversations and connections made this week carry that work forward long after WALTS ends.

We appreciate everyone who took the time to be part of it. We hope to see you all next October in Milwaukee at the Baird Center!

10/07/2026

WALTS ended with a bang today with a special appearance by the next Governor of Wisconsin, David Crowley!

We were proud to welcome David to speak with our members as we came together to rally in support of his campaign. Thank you, David, for joining us and hearing from Wisconsin’s firefighters and paramedics.

Thank you to everyone who helped make WALTS and today’s rally a success!