Whipple will receive his nomination to run for President of the NYSPFFA when the association holds its annual convention from Sunday, July 13 to Wednesday, July 16 in Saratoga Springs.

Whipple was nominated by his fellow members of the Saratoga Springs Professional Fire Fighters Local 343, which he has been president of since 2002. Since receiving the nomination, he has spent a great deal of time campaigning for votes from his fellow union members in districts across New York State.

As president, Whipple looks to fight for the protection of firefighters and tackle issues concerning the fallen fire fighters memorial, restructuring the union’s voting strengths, investing and working with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and eliminating the big vs. small, upstate vs. downstate stigma. He also hopes to create educational opportunities for new leaders, open up lines of communication to better allow input from members and develop legal assistance programs, among many other hot button issues that affect firemen throughout the state.

“As president I hope to fight for the proper legislation that will help better protect fire fighters across New York State and move us into the future,” he said.

Whipple was hired by the Saratoga Springs Fire Department in March of 1987 and has served as president for the 54 member Local 343 fire fighter union since 2002 and previously served as the union’s president from 1990 to 1992. Throughout his experience as a negotiator and president, Whipple has accomplished a 384E retirement program and created home rule legislation for the local union. He has also held the post of Vice President of the NYSPFFA’s Third District since 2000 in which he created a third district dues structure fund and formed a new Local 4151 during his eight years in office.

“Fred carries on a family tradition of firefighters and union members here in Saratoga Springs,” SSFD Chief Robert Cogan said “He has been a union representative for a long time and he has represented his members with honesty and integrity throughout that time.”

The NYSPFFA consists of 102 paid firefighter unions from across New York State and has approximately 25,000 members. The annual convention will celebrate 70 years when firefighters from across the state convene on the city of Saratoga to discuss new legislation, vote for president and enjoy an array of events.

Whipple will receive his official nomination for President of the NYSPFFA at the conference on Tuesday, July 15 and the vote for president will take place on Wednesday, July 16.

“In my 20 years of experience in the union there have been some tough times and there have been some good times, but I have really enjoyed it and I just look forward to becoming the president of the State Association and fighting for the rights of firefighters throughout the state,” Whipple said.