About Local 2803

Local 2803 was affiliated on Nov. 13, 1980. We represent the majority of the uniformed employees ranging from firefighters to assistant chiefs. We also permit civilian employees, along with our battalion and executive staff, to join. There are a number of emergency dispatchers represented in the Association as well. The CPFFA has developed a partnership with the management of our department. We continue to improve our working conditions and ensure that our members are treated with dignity and respect. We provide each member with a guarantee of duty to fair representation, which includes the following:

  • Support during all steps of grievance process, including legal representation during step 3 and 4.

  • Support during the workers compensation process, including legal representation.

  • Mediation of issues per department policy. The Association was extensively involved in program development and implementation.

 Other Benefits:

  • Group life insurance plan which provides $10,000 coverage

  •  Social events

  • Yearly calendar book

  • IAFF news letter

  • Access to the IAFF Financial Corp

Our Mission

To organize Chesterfield County firefighters and secure improved working conditions through organizations and negotiations while increasing public awareness and supporting community activities. 

Our Philosophy

We will take care of our members and their families with the same level of dedication our members have for the profession of firefighting and emergency response.

Our Goals

To perform in a safe and productive work environment:

  •      Obtaining and maintaining safe staffing levels at each fire station

  •      Ensuring the best equipment is available to do our job safely

  •      Promoting health and fitness

  •      Promoting state-of-the-art training

To earn competitive wages commensurate with our expertise and commitment:

  •      Competitive salaries on both local and national fronts

To receive an equitable and competitive benefits package including:

  •      Annual Leave

  •      Health coverage

  •      Dental coverage

  •      Short-term disability

  •      Long-term disability

  •      Retirement

  •     Workers Compensation

Our Business Plan Strategies

  •  Have Association leadership meet regularly with the department leadership to discuss issues

  •  Have Association representation present at Chesterfield Board of Supervisors meetings when CF&EMS issues are considered

  • Support the IAFF on their national level agenda to institute collective bargaining agreements, with binding arbitration, for all professional firefighters

  •  Develop and build relationships with local lobbyist and county/state politicians to perpetuate the Association's agenda before the Board of Supervisors and the Virginia General Assembly

  •  Support selected local politicians, at the grass-roots level, to perpetuate the Association's agenda before the local legislature

  •  Maintain and build relationships with IAFF and AFL-CIO officials to stay apprised of national issues affecting professional firefighters

  •  Establish and perpetuate a strong, positive relationship with the citizens of Chesterfield

  •  Garner the citizen commitment to supporting the Chesterfield Professional Firefighters on safety, compensation, and benefits issues.

  • Gain the support of Chesterfield business leaders for the Association’s agenda and issues

Accomplishments

  •  Development and implementation of the department’s Rapid Intervention Team policy (2 in 2 out)

  •  Installation of diesel emissions systems in firehouses

  •  Development and implementation of a career development program

  •  Purchase of the department’s first PASS devices

  •  Development of a professionally managed department-wide health and fitness program based on the IAFF/IAFC joint initiative.

  •  Development of a department program to investigate line of duty injuries and deaths based on the program developed by the IAFF

  • Development of the department’s infection control program

  • Development of recommendations regarding the implementation of the county’s drug/alcohol testing procedure

  • Changes in the Family Medical Leave Act policy

  •  Support for the Old Dominion Professional Firefighters Burn Foundation’s burn treatment and prevention efforts

  • Support and donations for the Central Virginia Burn Camp, which provides a week-long escape for children who are the victims of burn injuries

  •  Contributions towards the community effort to purchase a CFD Life Safety Trailer