NEWS
Member health & wellness
IAFF Center of Excellence
The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD and other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.
Historic milestone • September 22, 2026
Portsmouth Passes Collective Bargaining Ordinance
On September 22, 2026, Portsmouth City Council unanimously passed its collective bargaining ordinance. IAFF Local 539 thanks the City Council and City Manager for helping bring this historic step forward for Portsmouth’s public employees.
Know the issues
What Is Collective Bargaining?
Collective bargaining is how employees, through their union, negotiate with their employer over pay, benefits, hours and working conditions. It gives workers a shared voice and a process for reaching a written agreement and addressing workplace concerns.
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🚒🗳️ ELECTION DAY IS HERE! YOUR VOTE MATTERS — FOR YOUR SAFETY AND OURS!
Today, November 3rd, the citizens of Portsmouth have an opportunity to help shape the future of public safety in our city.
For months, Portsmouth Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 539 has been out in our neighborhoods, talking with residents, sharing our concerns, and advocating for a stronger, safer Portsmouth.
Our message has remained the same: Public safety must be a priority, not an afterthought.
We need leadership committed to:
🚒 Four-Person Staffing – Safer firefighters and more effective emergency operations.
🚑 Reliable EMS Coverage – Adequately staffed ambulances and qualified providers when seconds matter.
💰 Recruitment and Retention – Competitive compensation, a fully funded pay plan, and benefits that keep experienced professionals serving Portsmouth.
⏰ Better Work Schedules – Reducing fatigue, improving retention, and supporting firefighter families.
🔥 Keeping Fire Apparatus in Service – Ensuring our neighborhoods have the emergency response resources they deserve.
We cannot afford to go backwards.
That's why Portsmouth Professional Firefighters Local 539 proudly endorses:
🗳️ MOODY • TILLAGE • HUGEL
These are the candidates we believe will listen to frontline professionals, prioritize public safety, and help move Portsmouth forward.
To our members, families, friends, and the citizens we proudly serve: GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY!
Your vote isn't just about who sits on City Council. It's about the future of emergency services, the safety of our firefighters, and the protection of every Portsmouth neighborhood.
YOUR VOTE MATTERS. YOUR SAFETY MATTERS. OUR SAFETY MATTERS.
🚒 WE SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT US!
Councilman Vernon L. Tillage Bill Moody Mark Hugel
🇺🇸 VOTE MOODY, TILLAGE & HUGEL — FOR A SAFER PORTSMOUTH!
#ElectionDay2026 #SaferPortsmouth #MoodyTillageHugel #PortsmouthFirefighters #IAFFLocal539 #PublicSafetyFirst #WeSupportThoseWhoSupportUs
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🚒 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! LET'S FINISH STRONG! 🗳️
Portsmouth Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 539 is calling on our members, families, and supporters to help us make a difference this Election Day!
Tuesday, November 3rd, we need volunteers to assist with handing out campaign literature at polling locations throughout Portsmouth in support of our endorsed City Council candidates:
MOODY • TILLAGE • HUGEL
We've worked hard getting our message out into the community. Now it's time for one final push!
Whether you can give an hour, a few hours, or the entire day, your help will make a difference.
📍 Where: Portsmouth polling locations
📅 When: Tuesday, November 3rd
📱 Interested in helping? Contact President Turner at 757-679-5897.
Our strength comes from our members and our willingness to stand together for a safer Portsmouth.
LET'S SHOW UP, STAND TOGETHER, AND FINISH STRONG!
🚒 WE SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT US!
#IAFFLocal539 #PortsmouthFirefighters #ElectionDay2026 #MoodyTillageHugel #SaferPortsmouth #Volunteer
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🚒 WE CAN'T GO BACKWARDS! PORTSMOUTH DESERVES BETTER!
Public safety should never be compromised by decisions that reduce emergency response capabilities.
There was a time when Portsmouth made the decision to take fire apparatus out of service, reducing the resources available to protect our neighborhoods, businesses, and families.
We've seen what happens when staffing shortages, limited resources, and inadequate planning affect our ability to deliver emergency services.
We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes.
Portsmouth Professional Firefighters Local 539 believes our citizens deserve:
🚒 Fire Trucks That Stay in Service – Maintaining reliable fire protection and the apparatus necessary to respond when emergencies happen.
👨🚒 Adequate Firefighter Staffing – Working toward four-person staffing on fire apparatus to improve safety, operational effectiveness, and emergency response.
🚑 Reliable Paramedic Coverage – Ensuring properly staffed ambulances and qualified medical professionals are available when our citizens need them most.
📈 Investment in Public Safety – Prioritizing recruitment, retention, competitive compensation, and the resources necessary to build a stronger fire department.
Portsmouth should be moving forward, not returning to a time when fire trucks were taken out of service and our community was left with fewer emergency response resources.
That's why Portsmouth Professional Firefighters Local 539 proudly endorses MOODY, TILLAGE, and HUGEL for Portsmouth City Council.
We need leaders who recognize that public safety isn't an expense to minimize. It's an investment in the lives and well-being of the people we serve.
Our firefighters are committed to protecting Portsmouth. We need a City Council equally committed to supporting them.
🗳️ On November 3rd, vote MOODY, TILLAGE, and HUGEL!
KEEP OUR TRUCKS IN SERVICE. STAFF OUR APPARATUS. PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.
🚒 WE SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT US!
Vernon L. Tillage Bill Moody Mark Hugel
#WeCantGoBackwards #SaferPortsmouth #PublicSafetyFirst #PortsmouthFirefighters #IAFFLocal539 #MoodyTillageHugel
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