Local 4 History

The Des Moines Fire Department celebrated its centennial as a paid professional fire department in 1983.  In the early 1900s the Des Moines Firemen's Association Number 14546 was formed to represent the interests of the members, and to create cooperation among the rank and file in which they could openly discuss their ideas to improve the department.

During World War I there was a surge in unionism and professional firefighters eagerly joined in.  By 1917, over fifty local unions had been organized and an international charter convention was called for the next year.

On February 28, 1918 the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) was founded in Baltimore, Maryland and was chartered by the American Federation of Labor.  The original IAFF constitution established the union along organizational lines and continues to the present day. The original IAFF constitution laid out a set of objectives essentially similar to those cited in the present IAFF preamble.

When the IAFF was founded there were fifty-four hundred members with an average salary, of the top grade Firefighter, of $1,346.00 per year.  Very few firefighters were protected by civil service laws, and almost all pay, promotions, and other benefits came and went at the whim of local politics.

Des Moines proudly received the designation as Local 4 on February 28,1918, the fourth recognized local to charter with the IAFF.  From its inception, the goals of the Des Moines Association of Professional Firefighters has remained unchanged; a decent wage for a skilled, difficult and dangerous profession; protection for the firefighter's family; a pension tailored to limited working years on the job with cost of living adjustments; modern protective clothing and equipment to make a very dangerous job, as safe as possible.

In 1919 the work week for Des Moines Firefighters was reduced from 126 hours per week to 84 hours per week.  The two platoon system was established with the firefighters working every other day.  The first motorized fire apparatus was placed in service the same year, beginning the end of an era.

On April 27, 1923 Local 4 initiated the application to join the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters Association. On January 1, 1926 the application was approved.

In 1938 the work week was reduced to 72 hours with each member off duty every eighth work day.  This remained in effect until 1957, when the work week was reduced to 67 hours.  Two years later in 1959 the work week was again reduced to 63 hours.  In 1961 the Des Moines Fire Department established the 3 platoon system, which resulted in the 56 hour week. The 56 hour week remained in effect for 44 years until 2005 when it was reduced to the current 53 hour work week.  The three platoon system is still in effect today; Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3, with each division working 24 hours on and 48 hours off.  The 56 hour firefighters are supported by the 40 hour, Monday thru Friday administrative staff, of which most are Local 4 members.

In 2007 the paid Professional Firefighters with the Urbandale Fire Department, a close suburb of Des Moines, approached the Local 4 President and Executive Board with a request to join Local 4.  That request was voted on by the body and granted the same year.  Although the Urbandale Firefighters are part of Local 4 they have a separate contract from the Des Moines Firefighters.

Over the years members of Local 4 have donated their time in the community by supporting worthy projects such as: Muscular Dystrophy, Salvation Army, Golden Gloves, Soap Box Derby, Easter Seals, and Boy Scouts.  In addition to these worthy projects Local 4 members have volunteered their time for many youth sports activities.

Throughout the 100 plus years of service to the citizens of Des Moines, the firefighters of Local 4 have established a proud tradition.  It is difficult for today’s firefighters to comprehend the awesome task faced by our brave departed brothers.  Working seven days a week, fighting fires with leather hose, and horse drawn steam pumpers.  The proud legacy handed down from generation to generation, will continue for the firefighters of tomorrow.