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MS IAFF
Newswire Current news directly from MS IAFF locals. |
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Opposing Tier 5 Language Written in HB1
03/26/25 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
The leadership of the Professional Firefighters Association has studied the PERS Tier 5 very closely and looked at the impact it will have on future law enforcement from a financial, mental, and physical wellness perspective. |
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URGENT: Call the Governor's Office: VETO House Bill 1!!!!!
03/25/25 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi Tell the Governor to VETO House Bill 1 (HB1)!!! Call the Governor's Office: 601-359-3150 House Bill 1 (HB 1) is now on its way to Governor Tate Reeves' desk for signature, bringing with it serious implications for Mississippi’s fire service community. The legislation calls for a significant overhaul of the state’s retirement system, transitioning to a Hybrid Retirement System that eliminates the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) provision. ? This change strikes at the heart of what has historically made public service—particularly firefighting—a sustainable and attractive career in Mississippi. Without a guaranteed COLA, retirees will see their pensions lose value over time, making long-term financial security more difficult to achieve. ? Recruitment and retention across fire departments statewide will undoubtedly suffer as a result. Young professionals weighing career options may now think twice before committing to a demanding and often dangerous job that no longer offers the reliable retirement benefits it once did. Mississippi’s firefighters serve with dedication, courage, and commitment. This bill threatens to undermine the very support systems that allow them to do so with confidence in their future. Our communities rely on well-trained fully-staffed fire departments. We must ensure that our policies reflect that same level of commitment to those who protect us.? URGENT REQUEST! CALL THE Office of the Governor at 601-359-3150. Ask Governor Reeves to VETO HB 1 and stand in support of Mississippi's firefighters and their families.? Office of Governor Tate Reeves Now is the time to raise awareness and demand action—before it’s too late. |
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House Bill 1 Passes with Senate Language to include PERS Tier 5 -- Urgent Call to the State House of Representatives!
03/20/25 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
Today, the State House of Representatives passed House Bill 1 (HB 1) with language to include a Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Tier 5 category for pension reform. HB 1 does NOT include any additional funding for our PERS system that was in the original House Bill. |
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IAFF SURVEY SAYS: TELL US WHO HAS OUR BACKS
07/01/24 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
In our continuing commitment to listening to every member who wants their voice heard, the IAFF recently conducted an all-member survey asking them questions about the job, their personal and political priorities, and what the Executive Board should consider when making political endorsements.
The results of the survey are attached. |
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Call Alert!! for HB 1590 and SB 2699
04/02/24 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
FOR ALL ACTIVE AND RETIREE MEMBERS OF PERS - ACT NOW!
CALL ALERT!!!
House Bill 1590 will be taken up by the Senate’s Government Committee tomorrow, Tuesday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m. The House of Representatives State Affairs Committee is set to meet on April 2 at 3:00 p.m. |
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PERS Board Issues Statement Opposing House Bill 1590
03/17/24 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
The PERS Board has issued a Statement Opposing House Bill 1590.
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PERS MEMBER ALERT - RED ALERT
03/15/24 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
What You Need to Know:
House Bill 1590 has passed the Mississippi House of Representatives and is now being considered by the Senate. The bill abolishes the current 10-member PERS Board effective June 30, 2024. All members of the current PERS Board have to be members of PERS. |
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KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! CALL YOUR SENATORS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TOO!
03/14/24 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
HB 1590 passed the House and is moving to the Senate!
This unprecedented bill will remove the current PERS Board from a member-owned, elected board to a politically-appointed board!
Please use this message:
If HB 1590 passes, you will see a mass exodus of firefighters leaving. |
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ACT NOW! MISSISSIPPI HOUSE PASSES HB 1590
03/14/24 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
CALL YOUR STATE SENATORS TODAY!!!
House Bill 1590 passed the House and has moved to the Rules Committee of the Senate as of early this morning. The bill allows for a dramatic change of the PERS Board from a member-based board to a POWERFUL political-appointee PERS Board.
The most dramatic piece of legislation regarding PERS that has been proposed in the last thirty years. |
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Summary of PERS Recommendations and Other Recent Board Actions
02/08/24 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
PERS of Mississippi has issued a Summary of PERS Recommendations and Other Recent Board Actions.
You can review the one-page summary and the Linked Letter from PERS Executive Director Ray Higgins, Jr. here. |
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Some Counties Requiring a Professional Firefighter Tag Letter Annually
01/10/24 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
PROFAM has been receiving information from firefighters across the state that county tag offices are requiring a letter for annual renewal. Although our legislation does not require a letter every year, we will gladly accommodate you. Please contact us at www.pffms.org. |
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Impact of Reducing Annual Cost of Living Allowance on Retention and Recruitment In the Fire Service
12/27/23 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
The Fire Service in Mississippi stands as an essential pillar of public safety, dedicated to safeguarding lives and property. However, the state faces a critical challenge in retaining and recruiting skilled firefighters due to disparities in pay, benefits, and retirement requirements compared to neighboring states like Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. The proposed reduction in the annual cost of living allowance exacerbates this issue and threatens to impede the retention and recruitment efforts in Mississippi's Fire Service. |
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State Legislature Changes Being Considered for CURRENT AND FUTURE PERS Members
12/21/23 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
The State Legislative 2024 Session begins on January 2, 2024. This year the State Legislature is considering changing to PERS that will remove the COLA retirement portion of our defined benefit for FUTURE PERS members and possibly FREEZE CURRENT COLA Benefits for retirees! These changes and a new Tier of this magnitude will adversely affect the fire service. |
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IMPORTANT VOTE FOR PERS RETIREES
03/21/23 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi Please Watch Your Mail Box for Your Ballot - Complete and Return or Use the Instructions to Vote On-Line. We encourage retirees to vote and share the information provided. Make your choice for the person you believe will best serve the interests of current and future retirees. |
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MISSISSIPPI CAREER FIREFIGHTERS CALL TO ACTION!!!!
02/06/23 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
VOTE "NO" TO HOUSE BILL 605
Call your Mississippi House of Representatives NOW! Vote "No" on House Bill 605
If voted into law, this bill would allow the legislature to have veto power over the PERS Board. |
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First Responder Appreciation and Recruitment Act
01/30/23 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
First Responder Appreciation and Recruitment Act - for every 5 years served, the First Responder receives 1 year of retirement credit!!!!
The Mississippi State Legislative session is well underway for 2023. There are two bills pertaining to career firefighters. |
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Mississippi Department of Public Safety Taking Steps to Pay Premium Pay for Firefighters and Law Enforcement
07/22/22 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has developed a link to provide instructions and steps for departments to apply for the premium pay authorized during the 2022 State Legislative Session.
PLEASE make sure you contact your fire department administration for instructions and training.
https://www.dps.ms. |
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Please Vote Tuesday, June 28th!! Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi Supports Mike Ezell for 4th District Congressional Representative
06/15/22 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
Please Vote Tuesday, June 28!!!
Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi
Supports Mike Ezell for U.S. |
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Call Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann on Monday, April 3rd!!!!
04/03/22 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
Fire up the phone lines for firefighters! Call Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann MONDAY at 601-359-3770. Tell him to pass HB 451 to save lives with the First Responders Health and Safety Act funding!
This bill provides funding for the 1st Responders Health and Safety Act as well as provides equipment and apparatus funding. Here is a link to the bill:
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms. |
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Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!
04/01/22 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
URGENT! URGENT!! URGENT!!!
HB 451 to fund the First Responders Health & Safety Act has been stopped by Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann! Please call (601)359-3200 or the switchboard at (601) 359-3770 to ask for his support of House Bill 451 immediately!
Please call immediately. |
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Families of Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters will receive LODD Covid-19 Benefits from the State of Mississippi
03/14/22 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
Firefighters and Law Enforcement personnel were on hand to join Governor Tate Reeves in celebration as he signed House Bill 779 into law at a ceremony on Friday, March 11. The law will take 5 million dollars from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund for Coronavirus to support the families of those who died of COVID-19 after contracting the virus on the job. |
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First Responder Legislative Caucus Meets At The State Capital
03/08/22 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 1.jpg)
First Responders met with Senators on Thursday, March 3, to discuss current issues with firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement. Senate Caucus Chairman Brice Wiggins led the meeting. President of the Caucus Bubba Carpenter and House Caucus Chairman Jeff Hale also spoke at the meeting. |
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Urgent Request for Action!!
03/01/22 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi Urgent Request! Urgent Request!! Please call from 8:00 am - 1:30 pm today!! We are asking for all first responders to call the State Capital to RESPECTFULLY request Chairman Briggs Hopson to support HB 819 and bring it out of the Appropriations Committee. SAVE FIRST RESPONDERS' LIVES BY SUPPORTING HB 819! Please call 601-359-3770 this morning. |
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Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi Works with Columbia Southern University as a Learning Partner
06/11/21 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
Columbia Southern University is pleased to have Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi as a Learning Partner. As a member, this partnership provides a reduced tuition, plus many additional benefits. And, for your convenience, all programs are offered in an online format. |
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Assistance to Firefighters Grants 20th Anniversary
06/11/21 - Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi 
This month marks the 20th anniversary of our Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). |
