Hope Firefighter Justin DeVinney, about to be sworn in as president of the local, rose to speak first, explaining that since the Hope Firefighters had been a local of the APFF before and was in good standing when the local was ended years ago, it could use its previous local number. “We're just going to get it going and keep it going this time,” he said. “We wanted to start this union to better ourselves, have better resources, and just kind of look out for us going into the future.”
APFF President Seth Rainwater introduced himself, revealing his home local was El Dorado Fire Department and he had 22 years of service there. Concerning the Hope Firefighters’ local he said, “[I’m] really excited to have you guys join up. It's a big deal to take this kind of step and do this . . . to be able to put in and help wherever we can help and get the things so you guys can serve your citizens and take care of each other.”
Secretary Treasurer of APFF Cain Harrison noted that he had spoken with Hope Firefighters about the benefits and duties of unionizing. “Several of you may have reached out, including Justin, about some of the benefits for Arkansas professional firefighters as well as the International so I came down and kind of explained some of those,” he said. “On behalf of that, I'd like to present you with your charter.”
The presentation of this large, framed document took place, followed by the swearing in of several officers of the local. Rainwater said the Hope local made 32 unionized fire departments in Arkansas and about 73 percent of Arkansas firefighters are in unions.
Afterward, the firefighters all gathered for photos in front of one of the department’s fire engines with the charter, Rainwater and Harrison.
Justin DeVinney said after the photos were taken that the firefighters chose to unionize soon after the death of his partner, Tristan Johnson this past spring. “That's kind of got us started on just needing more resources and more help for the guys. So that's the main reason we looked into it, just for providing better care for them because of the things that we deal with on an everyday basis that people don't see.”
Rainwater explained further the benefits of APFF membership for firefighters in Hope. “The I[nternational] A[ssociation of F[ire] F[ighters] does a lot for firefighters across this country, from wage and benefits to health and safety to mental health support. When you have an organization here, it gives an opportunity for those guys to be in the room where those answers are. And so it's a good opportunity.” APFF is an affiliate of IAFF.
