Tampa Firefighters Local 754

05/26/2026

Over the weekend, Tampa Firefighters Local 754watched and listened as our brothers and sisters of Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF mourned the heartbreaking loss of Firefighter Robert “Bobby” Kilduff, Jr. in the line of duty.

A Marine Corps Veteran, 3rd generation firefighter, staff member of Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) and 24-year member of the Boston Fire Department, Bobby dedicated his life to serving others and protecting his community. The impact he made on the fire service is clear from the countless stories shared by those who worked beside him.

This is a tremendous loss for the Boston Fire Department, Local 718, and the entire fire service family. Men like Bobby leave behind big shoes to fill and a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Please keep his family, friends, and all of our brothers and sisters in Boston in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

05/24/2026

Before anyone forms an opinion on fire and EMS response times in Tampa, Tampa Firefighters Local 754 encourages residents to review the actual data, national standards, and GIS analysis for themselves.

The information being discussed publicly is not based on personal opinion, politics, or speculation.

It is based on:
• Publicly available records
• Tampa Fire Rescue response data
• GIS mapping and deployment analysis
• NFPA 1710 national fire service standards
• Scientifically studied response time benchmarks used across the fire service industry

Response times matter because emergencies are time sensitive. Whether it is a cardiac arrest, house fire, vehicle accident, hazardous materials incident, or simultaneous emergencies occurring at the same time, system reliability and travel time directly impact outcomes.

The NFPA 1710 standard establishes a 4-minute travel time objective for first-arriving units because research consistently shows that increased response times negatively impact survivability, firefighter safety, and property conservation.

Residents deserve transparency, factual information, and data-driven discussions regarding emergency response coverage in the City of Tampa.

Review the information yourself:

05/21/2026

Tampa Firefighters Local 754 support continuing the Tampa Bay Rays MOU framework forward and appreciates the Rays’ direct engagement with firefighters throughout this process.

From the beginning, we made clear that public safety, fire protection, EMS services, and long-term Fire/EMS infrastructure had to be part of the conversation surrounding a project of this scale.

Up to this point, the Rays organization has answered every call, provided requested documents, engaged directly with Union Leadership, and demonstrated a willingness to include dedicated Fire/EMS infrastructure within the proposed district as definitive agreements continue to develop.

As Tampa continues to grow, firefighters will continue advocating for additional stations, staffing, updated technology, and infrastructure investments citywide. Those priorities remain critical to the future of emergency response in Tampa.

We appreciate being included in the process and look forward to remaining engaged as discussions continue moving forward.

05/21/2026

Tampa Firefighters Local 754 stayed involved in this process for one reason: firefighters cannot afford to be left out of conversations that will impact emergency response, infrastructure, and the future growth of our city.

Tampa is growing regardless. The question is whether public safety is planned for upfront or treated as an afterthought later when response times and system strain worsen.

Throughout this process, we pushed directly for Fire/EMS infrastructure to be part of the discussion, for existing public safety funding protections, and for firefighters to continue having a seat at the table as definitive agreements move forward.

At the same time, we have consistently fought for additional fire stations, updated CAD systems, staffing, and long-term investment in Tampa Fire Rescue across the entire city and that fight does not stop here.

Public safety must remain a priority as Tampa continues to grow.

The Rays have committed to fire and emergency medical services on the site through a moved police substation and a robust infrastructure presence for a Tampa Fire EMS presence there.

As a result, both of the labor unions that represent our police officers and firefighters support moving forward with the Memoranda of Understanding with continued talks. This represents a big win for public safety, no matter how one feels about this project.

Like I said from the beginning, everyday cops and firefighters need to be a part of this discussion. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past and not make room for a robust public safety presence here - if we ultimately approve this project. I am happy that police officers and firefighters have a place at the table to share how this impacts public safety.

From the article:

“Public safety has been a sticking point for city council member Luis Viera…He has helped organize meetings with the Rays and local law enforcement unions, including the city and county fire unions and the Tampa Police Benevolent Association. ‘There can be no viable dialogue without a full commitment to our first responders,’ Viera said earlier this week…Viera said, ‘No matter one’s position on this, step one on a project of this scale is to listen to our first responders, which is being done by the Rays.”

See: https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/05/20/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-fire-police-union/

05/20/2026

We appreciate FOX 13's Kylie Jones covering the ongoing concerns regarding fire and EMS response times in New Tampa and the proposed relocation of emergency resources from Station 23.

This discussion is not about politics. It is about response reliability, simultaneous incidents, and ensuring residents in the 33647 area continue to receive dependable emergency coverage.

The data referenced in this report comes directly from Tampa Fire Rescue’s own CAD reporting system and will be part of the upcoming City Council discussion on May 21, agenda item #65.

We encourage residents to stay informed and engaged as these operational decisions move forward.

The firefighters' union in Tampa is pushing for more resources for Tampa Fire Rescue and addressing concerns over travel times. 🔗⬇️

05/19/2026

Tampa Firefighters Local 754 was proud to recognize the incredible nurses and staff of the Occupational Health Division during Nurses Week.

These professionals work behind the scenes every day caring for our firefighters and their families, from injuries and exposures to long-term health and wellness. Their work often goes unseen by the public, but our members know firsthand the dedication, compassion, and professionalism they bring to the job.

Thank you for everything you do for Tampa Fire Rescue and the members of Local 754. We appreciate you more than words can express.

05/18/2026

Since 2016, Tampa Firefighters Local 754 have proudly supported Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera - District 7 because he has consistently supported us. He’s been one of the strongest advocates for public safety at City Hall and has always taken the time to listen to frontline firefighters. We appreciate his years of support and leadership. Luis Viera for Florida House of Representatives we are ready!

There are so many references to 'The Boss.'

05/12/2026

New Tampa residents should be aware!

The attached GIS data reflects the City’s own reported fire and EMS travel time information for Tampa Fire Rescue.

The red line represents the NFPA 1710 travel time objective of 4 minutes for first-arriving units.

As shown in the data, Tampa Fire Rescue travel times, including Station 23 in New Tampa, already experience some of the longest response times in the City of Tampa, with all stations exceeding the NFPA benchmark by several minutes.

Emergency response systems must be built for reliability during simultaneous incidents, brush fires, major medical calls, vehicle crashes, structure fires, and periods when nearby units are already committed elsewhere.

Recently, during a brush fire incident in New Tampa that required multiple suppression units, another resident in the area suffered a cardiac arrest. Thankfully, additional resources were still available within the district, crews were able to respond quickly and patient care was not delayed.

That is exactly why response coverage and system depth matter.

On May 21, Tampa City Council is expected to discuss fire and EMS response times involving New Tampa and the 33647 area.

Residents and business owners who share concerns regarding emergency response reliability are encouraged to respectfully request that the City of Tampa cease relocating emergency response apparatus from New Tampa until the proposed changes can be fully justified through operational data and publicly presented at the May 21 City Council discussion.

Mayor Jane Castor
[email protected]
813-274-8251

Mayor’s Office / Chief of Staff John Bennett
[email protected]
813-274-7360

Fire Chief Barbara Tripp
[email protected]
813-274-7011

For questions or additional information:
[email protected]

05/07/2026

We appreciate Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera - District 7 bringing attention to response times and fire rescue coverage in New Tampa.

This discussion is about making sure one of Tampa’s fastest-growing areas has the resources and coverage depth needed when multiple emergencies happen at the same time. New Tampa already experiences some of the city’s longest travel times due to geography and distance from surrounding resources.

IAFF Local 754 looks forward to participating in the May 21 City Council discussion and ensuring the conversation remains focused on public safety, operational data, response capability, and long-term planning for the residents of New Tampa.

05/06/2026

Temple Terrace Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2160 are absolutely right on this.

Public safety coverage is a citywide system, not just a neighborhood issue.

When units are tied up on simultaneous emergencies, every second matters. Adding Fire Station #3 improves deployment, reduces coverage gaps, strengthens EMS and fire response reliability, and helps ensure the closest available help gets to residents faster no matter where they live in the city.

This is about protecting the entire community, improving resiliency, and planning ahead for the future, not waiting until the system is overwhelmed.

We stand with the members of Temple Terrace Professional Firefighters Local 2160 in supporting smart investments in public safety infrastructure and emergency response.