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History
Local 4245 was chartered with the International Association of Fire Fighters on April 1, 2003. Since then, the
membership has grown from about 30 members to 46 members today.
In 2002 the full time firefighters began to investigate retaining membership with the International for several
reasons. The members felt it was important to have the massive resources available to it through the
International. Some of these resources include case law, salary information, staffing surveys and training
opportunities.
Most importantly, the members wanted to recognize the hard work of the IAFF and it's members since 1918 for its
role in firefighter safety. Most of the standards in place under NFPA are there because of the lobbying efforts of the
IAFF at the federal level. None of that would have happened without the dues of the firefighters and the time and
effort of firefighters both on the national level as well as the community level.
Another reason for joining was to give the members a"support system" to refer to when communicating with the
Fire Chief and the Fire Board over subjects like salaries, benefits, staffing, safety, and working conditions. To this
day most of our communication with the Board and Fire Chief has been about salaries. Since the inception of the
Local, our salaries have increased tremendously. Our staffing has improved as well. All of this has happened
without being "recognized" by the Fire Board and without a labor contract.
While we believe we have made progress without a contract, it is important that the Local continue on the path
toward a more "official" relationship with the Fire Board. This will enable the Local to have direct input about our
own futures and to discuss many issues directly with the Fire Board and the Fire Chief on a regular and formal basis.
As President of Local 4245, I would like to thank it's members for their time and dues given to support the Local. I
would also like to thank the Fire Board and the Fire Chief for continuing the effort to increase wages and improve
working conditions as the District grows.
George Wilson
Local 4245 President
Local 4245 was chartered with the International Association of Fire Fighters on April 1, 2003. Since then, the
membership has grown from about 30 members to 46 members today.
In 2002 the full time firefighters began to investigate retaining membership with the International for several
reasons. The members felt it was important to have the massive resources available to it through the
International. Some of these resources include case law, salary information, staffing surveys and training
opportunities.
Most importantly, the members wanted to recognize the hard work of the IAFF and it's members since 1918 for its
role in firefighter safety. Most of the standards in place under NFPA are there because of the lobbying efforts of the
IAFF at the federal level. None of that would have happened without the dues of the firefighters and the time and
effort of firefighters both on the national level as well as the community level.
Another reason for joining was to give the members a"support system" to refer to when communicating with the
Fire Chief and the Fire Board over subjects like salaries, benefits, staffing, safety, and working conditions. To this
day most of our communication with the Board and Fire Chief has been about salaries. Since the inception of the
Local, our salaries have increased tremendously. Our staffing has improved as well. All of this has happened
without being "recognized" by the Fire Board and without a labor contract.
While we believe we have made progress without a contract, it is important that the Local continue on the path
toward a more "official" relationship with the Fire Board. This will enable the Local to have direct input about our
own futures and to discuss many issues directly with the Fire Board and the Fire Chief on a regular and formal basis.
As President of Local 4245, I would like to thank it's members for their time and dues given to support the Local. I
would also like to thank the Fire Board and the Fire Chief for continuing the effort to increase wages and improve
working conditions as the District grows.
George Wilson
Local 4245 President
Our Executive Board
- President: Lieutenant George Wilson has been a full-time member of Eagle River Fire for ten years and is a
charter member of Local 4245. President Wilson served as Vice-President of Local 4245 in 2003 when the
Local was formed.
- Vice President: Engineer Mick Woodworth has been a member of Eagle River Fire and Local 4245 since 2005.
- Secretary: Engineer Jenny Klingmueller has been a member of Eagle River Fire and Local 4245 since 2007.
- Treasurer: Firefighter Danny Quinn has been a member of Eagle River Fire and Local 4245 since 2007.
- Trustee: Engineer Richard Romsdahl has been a member of Eagle River Fire and Local 4245 since 2006.
- Trustee: Firefighter Dan Schwalm has been a member of Eagle River Fire and Local 4245 since 2007.
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