Portsmouth Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Union

05/05/2026

They increased fire department staffing. Then quietly took 22 positions back. We're calling on Portsmouth City Council and the City Manager to reinstate them. The receipts are right here.

Make your voice heard. Contact the City Clerk to reach Council:
📧 [email protected]
📞 757-393-8639

05/04/2026

Virginia Firefighters are asking Gov. Abigail Spanberger to SIGN THE BILL! Collective bargaining for all Virginia firefighters is within our grasp. SB378 and HB1263 passed the General Assembly after much consideration and negotiation, and with the support of workers across the Commonwealth.

The effort, misinformation and fear-mongering of localities and their lobbying firms against collective bargaining is reason enough to demonstrate the need for it. On behalf of all Virginia firefighters, we are asking the Governor of Virginia to respect the will of the General Assembly and support the workers of Virginia, not those who wish to silence our voice.

Virginia AFL-CIO
Scott A. Surovell
Delegate Kathy Tran
International Association of Fire Fighters

04/27/2026

Collective bargaining provides a predictable annual agreement for service that provides negotiated clauses allowing a locality to plan for the foreseeable future. With the proposed legislation, localities still retain complete control over their budget. This is so attractive it led a Republican Supervisor in Prince William County to be quoted saying, “The fiscally conservative (and) responsible side of me sees an upside in this that I rarely find…I am going to be supporting this simply because I know (the) set cost for this for at least two years.”

The fear-mongering of VACo and VML is both disinformation and misinformation about collective bargaining. The time is right and the time is now for giving worker’s the respect and dignity they deserve. We ask the Governor of Virginia to SIGN THIS BILL.

Virginia AFL-CIO
Delegate Kathy Tran
Scott A. Surovell
Abigail Spanberger
International Association of Fire Fighters

04/26/2026

Studies have shown localities with collective bargaining have lower death rates per fire. In addition, firefighters who are allowed to actively participate in decisions affecting their employment are happier, healthier and more productive. This leads to increased recruitment and retention, which directly impacts the safety of the citizens they protect.

The collective bargaining legislation on the desk of the Governor of Virginia would allow firefighters to collaboratively work with their locality to make important decisions on items such as pay, hours, benefits, staffing and safety. We ask Gov. Spanberger to SIGN THE BILL. Please give firefighters the voice and respect they deserve.

Virginia AFL-CIO
Scott A. Surovell
Delegate Kathy Tran
International Association of Fire Fighters
Abigail Spanberger

04/01/2026

03/23/2026

Is your fire department interested in contributing apparatus or Honor Guard for the 2026 Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service? If so, please contact the Virginia Department of Fire Programs at [email protected].

The event is taking place June 6, 2026 at the Richmond Raceway Complex -- honoring the bravery and sacrifice of Virginia’s fallen firefighters and EMS personnel.

We'd love to have your department join us in this day of remembrance.

Find more information here: https://bit.ly/3SdiDkp

01/02/2026

Local 539 has recently become aware of a serious issue affecting health insurance coverage for fire department personnel. Please check your city email for an update from the Fire Chief. We are working with management to resolve this matter urgently and restore coverage for all affected personnel and their families.

12/31/2025

✨🎉 Wishing our members, their families, and the communities we serve a safe and healthy New Year.

Here’s to 2026 – strong, united, union. ✊✨

12/18/2025

In a historic development, the U.S. Senate has passed the IAFF-endorsed Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act