Glendale Firefighters Local 493

08/20/2026

A WIN FOR OUR FALLEN AND THEIR FAMILIES

Last week at the 2026 IAFF Convention, delegates took an important step toward making sure our fallen Brothers and Sisters are never forgotten because of an administrative technicality.

Resolution 42 was introduced to address a policy issue that could have prevented retired members who later died from occupational illnesses, including presumptive cancers, from being honored on the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall in Colorado Springs because they did not have Active Retiree status.

For Glendale Firefighters Local 493, this hits especially close to home. Two of our own fallen members, Firefighter Max Sine and Captain Kevin Thompson, along with their families, could have been impacted by this policy.

Local 493 Chapter President Arick O’Hara took the convention floor and spoke passionately in support of Resolution 42, explaining the impact this issue has on our Glendale families and why our fallen members deserve to be honored regardless of their membership status at the time of their passing.

Occupational cancer does not care whether a firefighter is active or retired. The exposures we face while protecting our communities do not become any less real after retirement.

The voices of Local 493 and firefighters from across the United States and Canada were heard.

Resolution 42 PASSED.

This resolution will help ensure that IAFF members whose deaths are attributable to line-of-duty exposures can be permanently honored on the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall, regardless of whether they were active or retired members at the time of their passing.

This is more than a policy change. It is about honoring our fallen, supporting their families, and making sure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

We remember. We honor. We never forget.

Firefighter Max Sine
Captain Kevin Thompson

08/14/2026

07/24/2026

Proposition 143 puts local public safety at risk.

This measure would permanently change the Arizona Constitution and could have dangerous consequences for our communities by interfering with local decisions about firefighter staffing, training, recruitment, retention, and working conditions.

These decisions should remain in the hands of local communities, fire chiefs, and the firefighters who protect them every day- not state politicians.

Join your Glendale Firefighters in voting NO on Proposition 143. Protect local control. Protect public safety.

07/04/2026

The members of Glendale Firefighters Local 493 extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all the members of Gilbert Fire & Rescue following the passing of Captain David Tavares.

Captain Tavares dedicated more than two decades to serving others and courageously battled occupational cancer with the same strength and determination that defined his career. His service, sacrifice, and commitment to his community will never be forgotten.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, loved ones, and our brothers and sisters at Gilbert Fire & Rescue.

Rest easy David, We’ll take it from here.

04/19/2026

For the past three weekends, your Glendale
Firefighters—along with our friends and families—have been out front at local Fry’s grocery stores raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity, support, and kindness from the Glendale community. Every dollar donated goes toward helping families right here in Arizona who are affected by neuromuscular diseases.

Glendale, you continue to show up in a big way, and we’re proud to serve a community that cares so deeply.

If you had a chance to stop by, donate, or even just say hello—thank you. Your support truly makes a difference. ❤️