A firefighters’ union in the CNMI is actually not a new development and has, in fact, been approved way back in 2021.

It was learned that the Northern Marianas Professional Firefighters Union was officially approved by the International Association of Fire Fighters — Local 5335 some two years ago.

Despite only being brought to public attention this past September, it was learned that the NMPFU was petitioned and was approved to affiliate and charter with the IAFF in May 2021.

NMPFU was approved as a not-for-profit 501©(5) organization by the Internal Revenue Service in February 2021 and was approved as a non-profit 501©(3) organization by the CNMI Department of Commerce in April 2021. This means the NMPFU has been functioning since January 2021.

Currently, NMPFU members consist of 78 Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel, and 25 personnel from the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting division.

The NMPFU has no physical office, but communicates with members through social media, specifically WhatsApp, and has a designated mailing address.

The NMPFU is the CNMI’s first firefighters’ union and the first union ever established for the CNMI government as there has been no previous attempt to establish one.

The NMPFU’s main goal is to provide better wages, benefits, and opportunities for career-ladder advancement and quality of life for all professional firefighters in the CNMI that is fair and equal within the workforce.

The NMPFU submitted last Sept. 27, 2023, a letter of intent to start negotiations with DFEMS’ current leadership.

NMPFU also submitted on Nov. 21 a letter of intent to mutually start negotiations with CPA ARFF leadership.

Firefighters

The Northern Marianas Professional Firefighters Union was officially approved by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) – Local 5335 back in 2021.

Despite only being brought to public attention back in September, it was learned that the NMPFU was petitioned and was approved to affiliate and charter with the IAFF in May 2021.

NMPFU was approved as a not-for-profit 501(c)(5) organization by the Internal Revenue Service in February 2021 and was approved as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization by the CNMI Commerce in April 2021. This means the NMPFU has been functioning since January 2021.

Currently, NMPFU members consist of 78 Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel, and 25 personnel from the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting division.

NMPFU has no physical office, communicating with members through social media, specifically WhatsApp, and has a designated mailing address.

NMPFU is the CNMI’s first firefighter’s union and the first union ever established for the CNMI Government as there has been no previous attempt to establish a union.

NMPFU’s main goal is to provide better wages, benefits, and opportunities for career-ladder advancement and quality of life for all professional firefighters in the CNMI that is fair and equal within the workforce.

NMPFU recently submitted letter of intent to mutually start negotiations with DFEMS’ current leadership last September 27.

NMPFU also recently submitted letter of intent to mutually start negotiations with CPA ARFF leadership on Nov. 21.