Williston Professional Firefighters Local 3743

07/29/2026

Hey Williston,

Did you know that when there’s a gas leak, hazardous materials spill, structure fire, trench rescue, high-angle rescue, motor vehicle crash with or without entrapment, smoke detector activation, interfacility transport across town or across state lines, or any medical emergency, your local Williston IAFF Local 3743 responds often with minimum staffing and while battling fatigue?

We don’t complain. We show up.

We answer the call on the worst days of your life because that’s what we swore to do.

The fire service has long been known as the jack of all trades and the master of them all. We are expected to perform at the highest level in every emergency imaginable. We train relentlessly so that when your family needs us most, we’re ready.

Our community deserves firefighters who are properly staffed, properly rested, and prepared for whatever emergency comes next.

No matter the circumstances, we will continue to give you our very best, even when we’re at our very worst.

That’s our promise to the people of Williston!

07/28/2026

🔥 Local 3743 will be heading to Arlington!

A delegation of our Local 3743 leadership will be attending the 58th IAFF Convention in Arlington, Texas, to represent the Fire and EMS Professionals of Williston on the international stage.

What does this mean for our members and community?
Every two years, union leaders from across the United States and Canada gather at the IAFF Convention to deliberate, debate, and vote on critical resolutions, constitutional amendments, and leadership that direct the future of our profession.

For our local membership, having our leadership in the room means having direct representation to help advance safety & health initiatives, as well as building regional relationships.

Our leaders are heading south to bring back the tools, knowledge, and backing necessary to keep moving Local 3743 and the Williston Fire Department forward! 🚒✊

🌎 How well do you know history?

For more than a century, IAFF members have gathered in cities across the United States and Canada to debate resolutions, elect leaders, and shape the future of our union.

Before we head to Arlington, , for the 58th IAFF Convention, let's see who knows their history...

Can you name 10 cities that have hosted an IAFF Convention? No Googling! 👀

We'll start you off:

🔥 Washington, DC
🔥 San Diego, CA
🔥 Toronto, ON
🔥 Arlington, TX (2026)

Drop your answers in the comments ⬇️ and see who can name the most!

07/14/2026

📘🔥 DEMYSTIFYING THE NUMBERS: WHAT IS NFPA 1710? 🔥📘

Over the past few months, you’ve probably heard us reference "NFPA standards" when talking about local response times and staffing levels. We want to take a moment to break down exactly what that means, why it matters to your family, and what the objective benchmark for safe firefighting looks like.

❓ What is the NFPA?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating death, injury, and property loss.

🚒 What is NFPA 1710?
NFPA 1710 is the industry standard governing career fire departments across North America. It establishes the absolute minimum staffing levels required to ensure the safest and fastest emergency response possible.

🛑 Why is a 4-person crew the non-negotiable baseline?
The timeline to save a life has shrunk drastically. Forty years ago, residents had about 17 minutes to safely escape a house fire. Today, due to modern building materials and open floor plans, you have as little as 3 minutes to get out. Because fires move faster, civilian fire deaths across the country have actually increased by 16% since 2014.

🦺 Protecting the Protectors: Personnel Safety
Operating at proper staffing levels isn’t just about the community. It is also vital for the physical safety of your first responders. When a department is properly staffed, it directly reduces firefighter burnout, extreme fatigue, and on-the-job injuries.

💡 Why This Matters to Williston
While NFPA 1710 is an industry benchmark rather than a legal law, it serves as the professional definition for safe and effective public safety.

When your local Fire and EMS Professionals advocate for meeting these standards, we aren't asking for extra perks. We are fighting for the proven, scientific minimum required to protect your neighborhood and ensure our personnel make it home safely at the end of their shift!

06/29/2026

The future of Williston public safety starts with the next generation of first responders. If you’ve ever considered a career in Fire & EMS, don't miss this Open House this Wednesday! Come meet our members, ask the tough questions about the job, and see what it takes to protect this community. We hope to see you there! 🤝🚒

🚒 Interested in a Career in Fire & EMS? 🚑

Join us for an Open House and discover what it's like to serve with the City of Williston Fire Department!

📅 Wednesday, July 1
🕠 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 Fire Station 2 (610 58th Street West)

Whether you're ready to apply or just exploring a career in Fire & EMS, this is your chance to:
🔥 Test the physical agility equipment
🚒 Tour Fire Station 2
👨‍🚒 Meet our firefighters and paramedics
❓ Ask questions about the hiring process and what it's like to work for the City of Williston Fire Department

Ready to take the next step? Apply today:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/willistoncityofnd/jobs/5377168/firefighter-aemt-trainee?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

We look forward to meeting you and showing you what it takes to join our team!

06/20/2026

While the election is over, the daily reality for your Fire and EMS Professionals hasn’t changed. Over the past week our short-handed crews have been pushed to the limit, answering a relentless wave of emergency calls.

​Aside from a high volume of medical alarms, our personnel stepped up to battle multiple fires right here in the community while simultaneously executing critical, long-distance medical transports that take an ambulance and crew out of the city for hours at a time.
​This is where public safety and personnel safety collide:

​For Our Community: When a crew is hours away on a long-distance transport, local coverage drops. If a fire breaks out at the same time, response times are pushed to the edge.

​For Our Firefighters: Doing the physical work of two shifts to cover overlapping emergencies accelerates extreme fatigue, which drastically increases the risk of fireground injuries.

​We are incredibly proud of our members who worked to their limits to keep you safe this week, but operating at a constant deficit isn't sustainable. True public safety means having enough boots on the ground to handle all calls for service without compromising anyone's safety.

​Thank you for standing with us as we continue to advocate for a safer Williston.

06/11/2026

🗳️🤝 CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES 🤝🗳️

With the primary election now behind us, the Williston Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3743, want to extend a sincere congratulations to every single candidate who stepped up to run for office. Putting your name on a ballot takes immense dedication, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to the future of Williston, and we applaud everyone who participated in the democratic process.

To our incredible community: while this election has come to a close, our mission is just getting started. The vital work of protecting our city, advocating for safer staffing levels, and giving a voice to our Fire and EMS Professionals doesn’t end on election night. We are fully committed to working alongside our newly elected and returning leaders to build a safer, stronger, and more transparent Williston.

Stay tuned right here for regular updates and the ongoing activities of IAFF Local 3743. The future is bright, and we are proud to be standing on the front lines for you every single day!

06/09/2026

🛡️🗳️ ELECTION DAY: YOUR VOTE, YOUR SAFETY 🗳️🛡️

The polls are open, Williston! Today is the day we translate months of conversations, research, and data into real, lasting change for our community.

When you head to the polls today, remember what is at stake. Your vote isn't just a ballot. It is your direct voice on response times, on keeping our neighborhood fire stations fully staffed, and on ensuring our Fire and EMS Professionals have the resources they need to protect your family when every second counts.

Public Safety is the foundation of a strong city, not a budget line item to be compromised. We have shared the operational realities; now the future of our city’s safety is in your hands.

Let's make our voices heard. Hit the polls, vote for public safety, and vote for a safer Williston! Polling specifics and locations can be found on the Williams County website under the elections section.

Find your polling location and make your plan to vote today, June 9th!

06/08/2026

🚨 TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY! 🚨

The wait is almost over, Williston. Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9th, the polls open, and our community has the opportunity to choose a safer, more transparent path forward.

🗳️ Our Endorsed Choices for Williston:

~Cory Swint for Williston City Mayor
~Matt Clark for Williston City Commissioner
~Corey Johnson for District 23 House of Representatives

Before you cast your ballot tomorrow, take a final look at what is on the line. We need leaders in City Hall who value integrity over double standards. We need decision-makers who back our Public Safety Professionals with the resources required to protect your home, your business, and your family.

Your vote is your voice for a safer Williston. Let’s protect the professionals who protect you. Head to the polls tomorrow and vote for safety, leadership, and accountability!

06/07/2026

🚨 INCIDENT UPDATE: EARLY MORNING STRUCTURE FIRE 🚨

At approximately 03:00 hours today, June 7th, Williston Fire Department crews responded to a structure fire in the 900 block of Avenue West. Initial responding units included Engine 1, Medic 1, Engine 3, and Truck 2, bringing 9 professional personnel to the scene alongside the Incident Commander.

Crews faced fire conditions worsened by a torrential downpour that severely cut visibility and made fireground conditions hazardous. There were also immediate challenges in locating a usable municipal hydrant to establish a secure water supply. Firefighters pushed through the elements to initiate an aggressive attack, transitioning to overhaul by 03:30 hours, and turned the scene over to the WPD at 04:45 hours for security pending an investigation by the WFD Inspections Division. We appreciate the assistance from the POC and Command Staff, as well as Williston Police Department.

This incident brings our city's critical operational staffing shortages directly to light:
The NFPA 1710 Standard: National safety benchmarks dictate a minimum of 15 professional firefighters for an initial residential structure fire response to safely perform essential tasks such as search and rescue, water supply, and structural attack, simultaneously.

Operating at a Deficit: Arriving with just 9 personnel meant our firefighters had to double their workload under extreme storm conditions. Arriving short-handed forces critical tasks to be delayed, escalating risks to both residents and the crews on the line. This also accelerates physical exhaustion, which is the primary driver of fireground injuries and operational bottlenecks when our Professionals are pushed to their limit.

Public safety is the foundation of our city, not a line item to be reduced. Use your voice as a citizen of this community to help ensure the safety of your families and the Fire and EMS Professionals who serve you!

06/07/2026

⏳ 2 DAYS TILL ELECTION DAY! ⏳

Williston, the future of our city’s public safety framework, and much more, is decided in just 48 hours.

As you look over your ballots this weekend, we urge you to look past the political noise and focus on what truly keeps our community strong: accountability, true leadership, and transparent decision-making. Mark your calendars, double-check your polling locations, and let's make your voices heard on Tuesday, June 9th!

🗳️ IAFF Local 3743 Endorsed Candidates:

~Cory Swint - Williston City Mayor
~Matt Clark – Williston City Commissioner
~Corey Johnson – District 23 House of Representatives

When municipal choices impact emergency response times and front-line staffing, your vote becomes your most powerful tool. Join the Williston Professional Firefighters in voting for candidates who treat Public Safety as a foundational commitment, not a line item to compromise. Your Vote is your voice for a safer Williston!