Polk County Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 3531

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Polk County Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 3531

The official page of IAFF Local 3531 - Polk County Professional Firefighters Inc.
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09/03/2026

🔥A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR TITLE SPONSOR!🔥

The Polk County Firefighters Benevolent Association would like to give a HUGE shoutout and heartfelt THANK YOU to SERVPRO Team JMP Servpro of Tampa EC/Temple Terrace, NE Hillsborough County/Plant City for being our Title Sponsor of our Annual Polk County Firefighters Benevolent Golf Tournament! 🏌️‍♂️⛳️

Their continued support of our firefighters and the work of the Benevolent Association means more than we can put into words. Sponsors like SERVPRO Team JMP help make it possible for us to continue supporting our brothers and sisters in the fire service and their families when they need us most.This tournament is about more than golf, it's about brotherhood, community, and giving back to those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Having local businesses like SERVPRO Team JMP stand behind us makes a tremendous difference.

From all of us at the Polk County Firefighters Benevolent Associatio, THANK YOU for believing in what we do, supporting our firefighters, and being there for our fire service family!

08/24/2026

Local 3531’s Principal Officers recently attended the 58th Annual IAFF Convention in Arlington, Texas.

The IAFF Convention brings together firefighters from across the nation to make our voices heard, address the issues affecting our members, and help shape the future of our union.

It is also a powerful reminder of what makes the IAFF strong. When the Brother/Sisterhood come together, stand united, and prove that we are ALL IN!

Proud to represent Local 3531 and stand alongside our IAFF family. One union. One voice. ALL IN. 💪🔥

08/23/2026

August 23, 2004 will forever be etched in our hearts. Today marks 22 years since our brother, Firefighter Ben Lang made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Ben was the gold standard of a firefighter, a brother, a friend and a constant reminder of what real courage and integrity look like. As we reflect on his legacy today, we recommit ourselves to serving with the same passion and heart that defined his life. You are never forgotten, Ben.

08/19/2026

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the tragic loss of one of our own, Polk County Fire Rescue Chaplain Hector Cruz.

Chaplain Cruz was involved in a vehicle crash in Eagle Lake while traveling between stations and visiting with PCFR crews. The crash occurred shortly after he had left the Eagle Lake station. Hector was a dedicated member of our fire service family and someone who was always there to provide support, guidance, and comfort to our members.

Please keep Chaplain Cruz’s family, friends, and our entire Polk County Fire Rescue family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. We also ask that you say a special prayer for the crews who were faced with the heartbreaking task of responding to and caring for one of our own.

This is a devastating loss for our department and our union family. LODD funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced as soon as they become available.

Rest in peace, Chaplain Cruz. You will be deeply missed, and we will never forget your service to our members and our community. 🖤❤️

08/18/2026

🚨 TODAY IS VOTING DAY! 🇺🇸

Polls are open today from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

No matter who you support, we encourage everyone to get to the polls, make your voice heard, and VOTE!

And if all things are equal when you’re making your decision, we hope you’ll consider supporting the candidates endorsed by the Polk County Firefighters Political Action Committee.

We believe these candidates will stand with Polk County’s firefighters and paramedics, support public safety, and work to make our community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Get out and vote, Polk County! 🇺🇸🚒

08/16/2026

Yesterday was a day worth celebrating. 🚒
Our brother was released from the hospital after receiving a kidney transplant, following serious complications from a work-related COVID-19 infection he sustained back in 2020.

His road has been long, difficult, and filled with challenges, but through it all, he has continued to fight and has continued to prevail!

A HUGE thank you to the incredible staff at Tampa General Hospital for the care, compassion, and dedication you have shown our brother throughout this journey. Your work has made a difference in his life and in the lives of everyone who loves him. We also want to send a special thank you to Tampa Fire Rescue and Tampa Firefighters Local 754 for helping us come together and cheer our brother on as he walked out of the hospital. Seeing his brothers and sisters there to welcome him home was a moment none of us will forget. The fire service is more than a job. It’s a brotherhood. When one of us is down, we show up. When one of us fights, we fight alongside them. And when one of us gets to go home, we celebrate together. While his fight may not be over, today we celebrate a new chapter. 💪

08/11/2026

Polk County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3531, is proud to endorse Rick Wilson for Polk County Commissioner, District 2.

Commissioner Wilson has consistently demonstrated his support for public safety and for the men and women who work every day to provide exceptional fire and EMS services to the citizens and visitors of Polk County.

We appreciate Commissioner Wilson’s continued commitment to our firefighters, paramedics, and the communities we proudly serve.

08/10/2026

The Polk Professional Firefighters stand with our brothers and sisters of Hillsborough Firefighters Local 2294 as they mourn the loss of Lieutenant James “Sarge” Sargent, #1345.

Although we may wear different patches, we are all part of the same brotherhood. When one of us loses a brother, we all feel the loss.

Our thoughts are with Sarge’s family, his crew, and all of those who had the honor of working alongside him.

Rest easy, Brother Sarge.🚒🖤

08/09/2026

Congratulations to our Local 3531 members on successfully completing the Captain Academy! This is a huge accomplishment and an exciting step forward as they prepare to begin the next chapter of their careers as Captains with PCFR.

Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to leadership have earned you this opportunity. We’re proud to see our members continue to grow, lead, and represent Local 3531.

08/07/2026

🚨 LATERAL TRANSFERS WELCOME 🚨

Looking for your destination department? There has never been a better time to join Polk County Fire Rescue.

Whether you’re an experienced firefighter or paramedic looking for a new opportunity, or you’re just starting your career, Polk County Fire Rescue is investing in its people like never before.

✅ $15,000 Sign-On Bonus for Certified Paramedics

✅ Lateral Transfer Experience Credit — Eligible applicants may receive credit for prior experience up to Step 5.

✅ 48-hour average work week beginning October 2026 through our 3-week Kelly Day schedule.

✅ 42-hour average work week (24 on / 72 off) no later than October 2027 with the implementation of D Shift.

✅ Competitive pay, outstanding benefits, and opportunities for advancement in one of Florida’s fastest-growing fire departments.

✅️ State of the art training center and in house training programs.

These improvements reflect a shared commitment by our members, department leadership, county administration, and the Board of County Commissioners to recruit and retain the very best firefighters and paramedics while continuing to provide exceptional service to the residents of Polk County.

If you’re looking for a department that values its people and is building for the future, we’d love to have you on our team.

Apply today at http://polkfl.gov/careers

Address

3885 Recker Highway
Winter Haven, FL
33880

Website

http://www.iaff3531.com/

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