01 / MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATIONMembership participation and electronic voting
Your shift, assignment, or family obligations shouldn’t determine whether you have a voice in your union. I want to bring secure, confidential electronic voting to our membership, giving every eligible member a meaningful opportunity to participate. Motions and seconds would still take place at meetings, with members given time to understand the issues before casting their votes, consistent with applicable rules. We should use technology to remove barriers and give more members the opportunity to participate.
02 / MEETING TRANSPARENCYCommunication and meeting transparency
No member should walk into a meeting unprepared for what’s on the agenda. I’ll advocate for agendas and supporting materials to be available at least 72 hours in advance, giving members time to review the issues and come prepared. Significant last-minute additions should be communicated promptly, with reasonable exceptions for urgent matters. Members deserve the opportunity to understand what’s being discussed before decisions are made.
03 / ANSWERSQuestions deserve answers
If one member asks a question that affects all of us, the answer should benefit all of us. When questions raised at meetings require additional research or follow-up, I’ll work to ensure both the question and the response are shared with the membership. Information shouldn’t stop with the person who asked, while private or confidential matters will always remain protected.
04 / REPRESENTATIONEvery rank. Every shift.
Whether you’re a firefighter, engineer, officer, or working a specialized assignment, your concerns deserve to be heard. Representation shouldn’t depend on rank, assignment, seniority, or who you know. I’ll work to ensure members throughout IFD have a voice and receive the same commitment to fair, consistent representation.
05 / FAIR PROCESSClear procedures and safeguards
Members deserve confidence that union decisions are handled fairly, consistently, and according to the rules. I’ll advocate for clearly defined procedures governing motions, seconds, supporting information, and voting. When legal or bylaw concerns arise, members should be informed of the issue and understand what happens next. Important decisions should never disappear behind closed doors without explanation.
06 / FIREHOUSE QUALITY OF LIFESeparate bunk rooms. Run data. Better rest. Stronger families.
We already sacrifice enough sleep doing this job. We shouldn’t be unnecessarily awakened for calls we’re not responding to, or dispatched to calls that don’t require our response. I’ll advocate for a realistic plan to improve sleeping arrangements in older firehouses, including separate bunk areas by unit wherever feasible. I’ll also work to evaluate our response assignments and identify calls where our resources may not be necessary. Better rest means safer firefighters, a better quality of life, and more energy for the people waiting for us at home.
07 / COMMUNICATIONNo one left guessing
You shouldn’t have to rely on rumors, word of mouth, or knowing the right person to find out what’s happening within your union. I’ll advocate for regular, straightforward updates on important decisions, ongoing issues, and the work being done on behalf of our membership. Even when there isn’t an immediate solution, members deserve to know where things stand and what comes next.
08 / DEPARTMENT POLICYAccountability and policy transparency
If the Department changes the rules we’re expected to follow, we deserve to know exactly what changed. I’ll advocate for policy revisions that clearly show deleted language with strikethrough and new language highlighted in red. Members shouldn’t have to compare entire documents to discover new expectations. Clear changes, reasonable notice, and consistent accountability should be the standard.
09 / CONTRACT PRIORITIESFair compensation and contract priorities
Our next contract should reflect the priorities of the firefighters who work under it. That means fair compensation, recognition of additional responsibilities, and taking a serious look at healthcare costs affecting our families. High deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses shouldn’t be overlooked simply because we have insurance. I’ll advocate for meaningful membership input, a review of available benefit options, and negotiations focused on improving the compensation and financial protections our members depend on.
10 / UNION LEADERSHIPServing selflessly
Union leadership should never be about personal agendas or recognition. Every decision should begin with one question: How does this benefit our membership?
