Columbus Nebraska Professional Firefighters-Local 1575

04/01/2026

In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as a Group 1 carcinogen ("carcinogenic to humans"), the highest risk level.

Well, this week has been difficult for our members following a fairly emotional past couple months and a tough session at the Nebraska State Legislature. Our cancer presumption bill for fire fighters – LB400, introduced by Senator Dave Wordekemper (pictured – a former Fremont fire fighter) – failed to overcome a filibuster launched by a senator/Bank CEO that claimed our members with cancer are attempting to “bilk” money out of the workman’s comp system.

We’ve shared information about the bill with you before, but simply put, this would have changed presumption for our fire fighters that are diagnosed with cancer from the fire fighter battling cancer to their employer. That’s it – as our profession is directly linked with much higher cancer rates than the general population due to the hazards and carcinogens we’re exposed to regularly, we wanted the burden to show that the cancer is related/not related to the job to shift from the person that suddenly has to battle cancer to the municipality that has their own lawyers.

We worked hard to share all the information, statistics, and insight into our profession with our legislators – the majority of whom understood what this bill would have meant to our fire fighters with cancer – but faced opposition from about 17 senators, falling just one vote.

Here in the Omaha metro area, while we had some great support from many of our local legislators (and THANK YOU to those that supported it!) our bill was ultimately defeated after not receiving a “yes” vote from Senators Bob Andersen, Christy Armendariz, and Rita Sanders.

This bill is too important for us to simply shrug and tell our members fighting cancer to keep asking their coworkers to donate sick leave, keep paying their lawyers, and keep fighting to prove their cancer was the result of their job while fighting cancer to return to that same job where they have a chance to serve. We’ll continue to educate, continue to fight for our members with cancer and their families, and continue to bring this bill, and our members, to the state legislature to advocate for what is right. Thank you to our supporters that called their senators, e-mailed, shared info with friends and neighbors, and helped us get this bill as far as it did….we appreciate you all, and will continue to share ways you can help when this bill comes back in the future!

09/10/2025

Dozens in Nebraska are advocating for enhanced benefits for firefighters diagnosed with cancer, highlighting the increased risks they face compared to the general public.

05/21/2025

🚨 Columbus Voters: Your Voice Matters! 🚨

Ballots are in the mail—now is the time to stand up FOR public safety and a stronger community by voting FOR Propositions A & B!

✅ Prop A & B will reauthorize critical funding for our police and fire departments, ensuring they have the tools, training, and support needed to keep our neighborhoods safe.

✅ This is NOT a new tax. In fact, it will actually reduce property taxes while continuing to fund vital emergency services.

✅ These propositions will also help foster economic development and create a safer, more prosperous future for Columbus.

🗳️ Ballots are due by June 10 – don’t wait!
📬 Return your ballot today and vote FOR A & B to invest in public safety, lower taxes, and build a stronger Columbus.

05/03/2025

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for our first Local 1575 raffle drawing. We appreciate all of your support, and here are your winners!

03/03/2025

It is with profound sadness and great respect for the passing of one of our brothers, David C. Burritt. Dave was a 29 year veteran of the Columbus Fire Department and also worked many years as a fire instructor for the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office. He had a deep passion for the fire service and loved to teach. He was our union brother and believed wholly in the union mission. For the last several years Dave battled with cancer, probably occupational in nature. He was a dedicated Husband and Father. He boasted often of his daughter’s achievements and toughness. He was a Nebraska Football super fan and never missed a game.

Dave will be missed terribly by his brothers here at Local 1575. It’s our watch now brother, rest in peace. May God bless him and keep him close.

02/26/2025

Today we welcome two new brothers to our union! Terry Luthy III (left) and Shane Ehlin Jr (right). Columbus Nebraska Professional Firefighters-Local 1575 welcomes you brothers. May you have a long and successful career in the fire service.

10/25/2024

Columbus Professional Firefighters - Local 1575 proudly endorses incumbent Mayor Jim Bulkley in this election.

We ask that you join us in support of Mayor Jim Bulkley in this election. Jim is an experienced servant of our community. Spending 16 years as a City Councilman and the last 8 years as our Mayor.

Mayor Bulkley has been a true believer in the need to provide a safe and secure community for all our citizens. He was involved, as a Council member, in the building of the voter approved main Fire Station. As Mayor, he also helped secure passage of the bond that financed the addition to Charlie Louis allowing for full staffing 24-7-365 which began on May 5, 2024.

Mayor Bulkley has done all of this with a watchful eye on our City’s budget and done his best to spend our tax dollars wisely. Columbus will remain in solid hands with Jim Bulkley as our Mayor.

10/25/2024

Congratulations to our newest Fire Union brother Noah Lindberg! Local 1575 welcomes you, and wishes you a long successful career here in Columbus.

10/02/2024

Columbus Professional Firefighters Local 1575 would like to express our gratitude to everyone who donated and helped us raise money for our MDA fill the boot drive! We were happy to get some photos of donors posing next to Old Smokey the engine!

09/14/2024

Good morning Columbus, and surrounding communities. Today we kick off the first weekend of our MDA fundraiser FILL THE BOOT!!

Please come out and support us today from 09:00AM-4:00PM outside of Hy-vee. We will be gladly accepting monetary donations or we can offer a link to donate over the phone.

B-Shift (Black Sheep) will be out there today!