Did you know that the International Association of Fire Fighters has an official position  against  cell towers on fire stations. 

“The International Association of Fire Fighters’ position on locating cell towers commercial wireless infrastructure on fire department facilities, as adopted by its membership in August 2004 (1), is that the IAFF oppose the use of fire stations as base stations for towers and/or antennas for the conduction of cell phone transmissions until a study with the highest scientific merit and integrity on health effects of exposure to low-intensity RF/MW radiation is conducted and it is proven that such sitings are not hazardous to the health of our members.”

Firefighter groups in the United States have long opposed cell towers on their stations. Not only that, but in California they have been able to be exempt from the forced placement of towers on their stations because of the strong opposition they have- due to health concerns from the radiation.

What exemptions have California firefighters  fought for that that stopped cell towers being forced on their stations?

AB57- Firefighters lobbied to exempt cell towers and cell antennas on or adjacent to their facilities in regards to California’s 2015 legislation AB57 . CA AB57 (2015) Legiscan Text of Bill.  ” Section 65964.1.  (f) Due to the unique duties and infrastructure requirements for the swift and effective deployment of firefighters, this section does not apply to a collocation or siting application for a wireless telecommunications facility where the project is proposed for placement on fire department facilities. “

SB649- They also received an exemption in  California’s SB649 (2018), a bill which was ultimatley vetoed by Governor Brown.  SB 649 California (2017) Wireless Telecommunications Facilities – 65964.2. “(a) A small cell shall be a permitted use subject only to a permitting process adopted by a city or county pursuant to subdivision (b) if it satisfies the following requirements: ….(3) The small cell is not located on a fire department facility.”

ABC7 News

On this page we are keeping documentation on the firefighters opposition and we have posted important news videos that cover this issue.

Teacher unions also have made position statements on wireless radiation. Learn more here.

ConsumerWatch: 5G Cellphone Towers Signal Renewed Concerns Over Impacts on Health

Must Watch News Segment Below 

In this news report below- California investigative reporter Julie Watts interviews firefighters and California officials on the SB649 exemption for firefighters.   

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS (IAFF)

• “The IAFF opposes the use of fire stations as base stations for towers and/or antennas for the conduction of cell phone transmissions until a study with the highest scientific merit and integrity on health effects of exposure to low-intensity RF/MW radiation is conducted and it is proven that such sitings are not hazardous to the health of our members.”   
• The IAFF Official Position Against  Cell Towers on Fire Stations passed in 2004.
• This position was initiated after increasing complaints among firefighters with cellular antennas on their stations coupled with the California study showing neurological damage in California firefighters conducted by Dr. Gunnar Heuser.

Read the Press Release on the Firefighter Resolution and Research Study that found Neurological Damage

Read the Affidavit of Susan Foster detailing the study and findings here, September 2, 2013.

• Local 1014 had a webpage dedicated to stopping towers because of a plan to install them on over 200 of their stations. See the webpage saved here https://web.archive.org/web/20150403040308/http://www.stopcellphonetowers.com/index.html

• The Firefighter’s Website in 2015

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 IAFF-CIO-CLC Opposes Cell Towers on Their Stations.

• “ It is inexcusable that once again our firefighters in the field were the last to know about a massive 150 million dollar project that could jeopardize their health and safety. … nobody talked to us and we have not heard from one single expert who has told us that this project will be safe.”
• “UFLAC will strongly oppose the use of Fire Stations as base locations for cell towers and/or antennas “
• DownLoad  the  9/24/2014 letter from LA Firefighters Union Local 122 asking for an immediate halt to cell towers on fire stations.
• Watch videos the these Firefighter  testifying to the LA Board of Supervisors on the Issue here.

Exemptions for California firefighters

AB57- Firefighters have gotten an exemption to have cell towers on or adjacent to their facilities. This was codified in California’s 2015 legislation AB57 . CA AB57 (2015) Legiscan Text of Bill.  ” Section 65964.1.  (f) Due to the unique duties and infrastructure requirements for the swift and effective deployment of firefighters, this section does not apply to a collocation or siting application for a wireless telecommunications facility where the project is proposed for placement on fire department facilities. “

SB649- They also received an exemption in  California’s SB649 (2018), a bill which was vetoed by GovernorBrown.  SB 649 California (2017) Wireless Telecommunications Facilities – 65964.2. “(a) A small cell shall be a permitted use subject only to a permitting process adopted by a city or county pursuant to subdivision (b) if it satisfies the following requirements: ….(3) The small cell is not located on a fire department facility.”