International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Challenge Coins
Since its formation in 1918, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has improved the safety, training, and professionalism of firefighters around the nation. The organization represents more than 313,000 full-time professional firefighters and paramedics protecting 85 percent of the nation’s communities. As the country’s primary firefighter labor union, the IAFF develops procedures and policies to ensure the health and safety of firefighters, and advocates for supplying the essential tools firefighters need to do their jobs.
The organization’s stated goals since it was first formed are to:
- To promote safer working conditions and equipment for firefighters, which the IAFF achieves through advocacy and firefighter safety training.
- Create reasonable working conditions and fair compensation for firefighters, which the IAFF achieves through lobbying efforts through the IAFF Political Action Committee, FIREPAC, and economic support to firefighters and their families.
- To educate and train professional firefighters throughout the U.S. and Canada. The IAFF provides essential training standards and services through their local offices to certify professional and expert staff.
- To provide for the health and safety of professional firefighters, through peer-to-peer support and the implementation of modern safety equipment.
To honor its members and recognize the country’s professional firefighters, the International Association of Firefighters commissions custom firefighter challenge coins representing their membership as a valued member of the IAFF. These custom coins represent the broader union of firefighters beyond their local department and their bonds of solidarity as professionals who put their lives on the line in the field. Our company, Signature Coins, is a leading producer and designer of custom firefighter challenge coins for firefighting organizations throughout the nation. We understand that each branch of the IAFF forms a unique character and personality due to their local communities and work individually with each of our clients to ensure that their organizations are represented faithfully to the spirit of their communities. Paying the utmost respect to the history and traditions of our clients, we offer only the highest quality products at quick turnover times.
Brief History of the IAFF
Prior to the formation of the IAFF, firefighters were considered unskilled laborers who were required to work 24/7 shifts with low pay and poor support. In fact, some organizations were supplied with few tools beyond buckets and towels, safety standards were virtually nonexistent, and support for injury or death was almost unheard of for themselves or their families. Additionally, the corrupt political climates of the time meant many government officials would hire on political cronies as firefighters who were unqualified but willing to advance their political agendas.
To advocate for better pay, better benefits, training, and support for firefighter families, the International Association of Firefighters were first formed in 1918 with 36 delegates from 24 different local fire departments. Among their first actions was the approval of a Firefighters Fund, benefiting the orphaned children of firefighters who died in the line of duty. During the 1930s, the IAFF made impressive strides in forming modern professional firefighter standards including the introduction of two-way radios, breathing equipment, modern firefighting apparatus. Additionally, the organization began making large political strides in Pennsylvania including the first Heart and Lung Act, Worker's Compensation Act, and the Occupational Disease Law. By World War II, the IAFF had formed many fire departments into disciplined organizations who were vital not only to deploying in the war effort as soldiers but also fire professionals responding to the chaos of the time. During this time of conflict, members of the IAFF who did not deploy rotated their work shifts and worked overtime to make up for the loss of manpower and continue to protect their communities.
Since then, the IAFF has continued to advance standards of professionalism and training in emergency services including helping integrate EMS professionals into firefighting organizations. The organization works to advocate for better safety equipment, training, and staffing issues through lobbying efforts and charity work to those who have suffered. Today, the organization continues to provide training resources, support, and advocacy for professional firefighters, often designing custom firefighter challenge coins to support their charity work, fund programs, and to reward outstanding firefighters in their local communities.
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Design Elements of an IAFF Challenge Coin
IAFF design elements often include the maltese cross, the internationally recognized symbol of firefighters, and the central element of the IAFF’s logo. Other features might include the date of the IAFF’s formation, 1918, and both the name and initials of the overall organization. On the other side, IAFF organizations are often customized with unique designs related to the specific organization or group under the IAFF. For example, challenge coins given to members of the Ground Survival Program often includes the organization’s motto for its members to “Breath, Organize, Act.”
Local chapters of the IAFF may commission localized challenge coins incorporating their own mottos or slogans related to the fire departments in the area and celebrating their anniversaries and achievements. On a national level, the IAFF commissions custom challenge coins for major events and to memorialize fallen firefighters such as their official IAFF memorial coin, which depicts a relief of the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial located in Colorado.
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Create a Custom Challenge Coin With Signature Coins
With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Signature Coins has developed a streamlined and easy process for our clients to design custom challenge coins for their needs. Our staff of graphic artists works one-on-one to create IAFF challenge coin designs based on any information provided by our clients. Filling out our quote form gives us all the information we need to get started immediately. If you have any special requests or ideas for a specific design, we also work to integrate any ideas, artwork, logos, and text you may send into the final design.
We recognize the importance of firefighter challenge coins in many communities and strive to create only the best products to honor local fire departments located throughout the nation. As a key organization in the formation of professional fire departments nationwide, IAFF branches have a history and pride that we work tirelessly to honor through our work.
Once all of the information is submitted, we immediately work on developing a free digital color proof of your written description or sketch and send a finalized price quote for your project back to you usually within 24 to 48 hours. This initial proof is based entirely on your specifications, but if any part of the design fails to satisfy, we offer unlimited free revisions on any part of the coin’s design to modify and change it exactly as you want. No design goes to production until you give us final approval, but once you do, we immediately start production after completing your order and have it delivered usually within 14 business days via FREE UPS Air shipping.