"Answering the Call"

The OPFFA has adopted and initiated a political action plan for this fall’s (October 10th, 2007) upcoming Provincial Election.

Our plan, called “Answering the Call” was rolled out in early May of this year and we continue to build on it.

What have we done?

In essence, we have created a virtual “Provincial Fire Fighters Campaign Office”.

The OPFFA’s political action plan, “Answering the Call” uses our existing organizational structure with the additional feature of the aforementioned virtual campaign office.

The plan establishes a support structure that that addresses strategy, resources and communications needs for each of our locals.

As we continue to move forward we will review and evaluate each political party’s platform with respect to fire service issues. We will identify the positive and negative features of each party’s platform on our members and their families.

We have and will continue to evaluate the actions and level of support from each of the incumbent candidates, working with our member locals to ensure that a fire fighter friendly government is elected on October 10th.

Within our campaign we are providing a three pronged approach to not only support our efforts as a provincial Executive Board, but one that provides all the necessary assistance and resources our members need on the ground to achieve success.

Our virtual campaign’s three pillar approach includes:
1. Strategy Desk,
2. Communications Desk and,
3. Resource Desk.

Strategy Desk

Our Strategy Desk will be available from now through to October 11th to assist your local in developing, implementing and adapting your local strategy as need be.

Led by President LeBlanc, the Strategy Desk team will be readably accessible for your local association leaders when the need arises.

Communications Desk

From now until Election Day, and even the days following October 10th our Communications Desk team will be available 24/7 to assist your local in addressing communications related issues that arise.

Whether it be from local media, municipal administration, your fire service management, we will be there to assist in managing the response, if need be.

Led by Secretary/Treasurer McKinnon, and including but not limited to President LeBlanc and representatives from the IAFF, we are confident that our Communications Desk will be there with sound advice when needed.

Resource Desk

The Resource Desk itself will provide a multi-dimensioned level of support and assistance.

We have, developed and populated a “Resource Desk” database within our current OPFFA Database for access by your local and political action committee leaders.

This customized section of our database will provide, at your association’s finger tips, all the information you could possibly need for the upcoming election.

Each and every electoral district (riding) has been researched, and all relevant information with regards to the incumbent, their stance on our issues, their record with us, their opponents bios, candidates' political history (where applicable), media monitoring, past election results, etc. have been complied and are ready for use.

Further, our Resource Desk database in a one stop shopping type format, has links to all necessary Elections Ontario sites, political parties sites, leaders' sites, province wide media clippings, our Legislative Fact Sheets, riding maps and descriptions, current polling, etc.

Secondly, the Resource Desk, led by Executive Vice-President George will be available to provide research and information gathering service from here to Election Day as required.

The Resource Desk will also be providing, during the election period (September 10th to October 10th), on the ground assistance in ensuring we have the representation where and when it is needed across the province.



District Vice-Presidents

The District Vice-Presidents will continue to assist their locals in building the team and resources necessary to effectively participate in the election campaign. They will continue to monitor election preparedness activity for the locals within their respective districts.

Summary

We are both excited and confident in our political action plan, “Answering the Call”.

We hope that this brief synopsis of our plan and our efforts instill a level of confidence for you that we have a sound plan and structure in place.

To be successful, all we need is 4 hours of your time between Labour Day weekend and October 10th.

If you would like to do more, that would be even better.

4 hours is very little to ask for to display our appreciation for what we have achieved and to ensure we continue to have opportunities for future success.

Getting Results means Getting Involved!

Contact your local President or the OPFFA today to find out how you can do you part to Answer the Call.

Sign me up for your 4 Hours