Local 246 Brother Firefighters,

Welcome to your Union website.  To start, I would like to thank all of you, the membership of Bakersfield Firefighters IAFF Local 246, for doing an outstanding job.  As firefighters, we strive to always provide essential services to our community.  Poll after poll shows our profession ranks at the top for trustworthiness and integrity.  Our community continually shows support and respect for firefighters, as was evident in our successful  MDA “Fill the Boot” Fundraiser.

With pride we always look to help those in need by running on fires, rescues, medical aids, and more.  Every minute of everyday we are accomplishing more than any high paid developer or overbearing talk show host can match.  With every call of outstanding service we raise our standing  in our community.

As we all know, these are trying times for our Union.  From every angle it seems our pay, pensions, and benefits are under constant attack.  Certain political factions go out of their way to portray  public employee unions in a negative light, labeling and blaming us to gain a political advantage.  This is evident by the negative publicity that our local media and politicians hang their hats on.

Your Union is the one aspect of the fire service that is not autocratic, and that you as a member, can give direction to your leadership.  The Union has the  job of conveying the membership’s needs, and opinions to staff.  As your Union President, I will work hard to protect and improve your wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Every time you interact with the public, it is a direct reflection of our profession and  your  Union.  I implore you to continue your hard work and dedication so we can show the politicians that the public cannot be fooled by their propaganda.  If you want to see changes in our department, then be apart of the change, and get involved with the Union and BFLAG.

Safety and Bravery,
Fraternally
Derek Tisinger
President, IAFF Local 246