About Local 81

IAFF Local 81 represents the professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel of the Salt Lake City Fire Department. As a proud affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters, we are part of a union representing over 350,000 firefighters and emergency responders across the United States and Canada.

Our union was established in 1918, making us one of the original IAFF local affiliates with over a century of service to Salt Lake City's firefighters. We work tirelessly to advocate for our members' rights, safety, and well-being while ensuring the citizens of Salt Lake City receive the highest quality fire protection and emergency medical services.

Local 81's mission extends beyond just labor representation. We are committed to promoting fire safety education, supporting charitable causes in our community, and fostering strong relationships with the citizens we serve. We believe in giving back to the community that supports us every day.

The Salt Lake City Fire Department was established in 1883 after a devastating fire in downtown Salt Lake City on June 21, 1883. Prior to that date, fire protection was provided entirely by volunteer firefighters. The Salt Lake City Council recognized the need for a professional, full-time fire department to protect the growing city.

Today, the department operates with a workforce budgeted for 338 sworn firefighters and emergency medical personnel, plus 55 non-sworn support and administrative employees. Our members work a three-platoon system (A, B, and C platoons) with crews rotating on 48-hour shifts.

Our apparatus includes twelve engine companies, two quint combination engine and ladder companies, three tractor-drawn aerial ladder truck companies, seven aircraft firefighting rescue (ARFF) units for Salt Lake City International Airport, two light medical response teams, and two battalion chief vehicles. Each engine is staffed with one captain, one engineer, and two firefighters, with two crew members certified as paramedics on Medic Engines.

Salt Lake City is the capital and most populous city of Utah, with a population of approximately 222,000 residents within city limits. The Salt Lake City metropolitan area serves over 1.2 million people, making it the 46th-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Founded in 1847 by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young, the city was originally named Great Salt Lake City due to its proximity to the Great Salt Lake. The name was shortened to Salt Lake City in 1868. Officially incorporated on January 6, 1851, our city has a rich history spanning over 175 years.

Salt Lake City is located in the northeast corner of the Salt Lake Valley, bordered by the Great Salt Lake to the northwest, the steep Wasatch Mountain Range to the east, and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. The city encompasses diverse neighborhoods, from the historic downtown district to the vibrant Sugar House area, from the professional communities of the east bench to the diverse, working-class neighborhoods of the west side.

As Utah's capital city, Salt Lake City is the economic and cultural hub of the state, home to numerous businesses, educational institutions, and cultural attractions. The city's diverse population (70.5% White, 20.8% Hispanic, 5.4% Asian, and other ethnicities) reflects the growing multicultural character of modern Utah. With a median age of just 33 years, Salt Lake City has a young, dynamic population that our firefighters are proud to protect and serve.

As a local affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), we are part of the premier labor union representing professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel throughout the United States and Canada. The IAFF was founded in 1918 and has grown to represent over 350,000 members across more than 3,500 affiliates.

The IAFF works tirelessly to advance the interests of firefighters and emergency medical workers at the national level. Their advocacy focuses on improving wages, benefits, working conditions, and safety standards. The IAFF has been instrumental in securing better equipment, promoting proper staffing levels, and ensuring that firefighters have access to the resources they need to protect both themselves and the public.

Beyond labor advocacy, the IAFF Foundation provides critical support for firefighters and their families through programs including disaster relief, burn injury assistance, behavioral health services at the Center of Excellence, and scholarships for children of fallen firefighters. The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado honors over 8,800 IAFF members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Through our connection to the IAFF, Local 81 members have access to world-class training, health and safety resources, legal support, and a network of firefighters across North America. This partnership strengthens our ability to serve both our members and the Salt Lake City community.

Have questions about Local 81 or interested in learning more about our union? We'd love to hear from you.