DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne now has its own chapter of the International Association of Firefighters — an organization that promotes rights of firefighters through legislation, grants and benefits.

The area branch, Daphne Professional Firefighters Association Local 4647, joined the IAFF to provide low-cost catastrophic medical insurance and death and dismemberment insurance to fire personnel, according to a news release. The organization will receive its charter at the City Council meeting on Monday night.

The insurance aims to ease firefighters’ minds in life and death situations — such as becoming trapped in an enflamed building, a common threat in the line of duty.

“It makes me feel more comfortable in the fact that my beneficiaries will be taken care of if something happens to me … I feel better in the fact that my family will be taken care of,” Tom Walker, DPFFA secretary, said.

A recent emergency brought the dangerous situation to light and spurred fire employees take the additional step to join the association. A fire that erupted at Lake Forest Apartments last December had injured one firefighter when a second-story apartment floor caved in. He dropped approximately 12 feet when the floor crumbled.

The IAFF insurance will provide financial assistance to firefighters and their families in such an event.

Another benefit is the availability of more federal grants. The IAFF lobbied for legislation in Washington, D.C. that has provided funds to hire 75,000 firefighters with contributions totaling over $300 million, according to a news release.

“They (IAFF) have asked for legislation to increase benefits for line of duty deaths and fire department equipment. They have tried to help the fire department and firefighters in any way they can,” Walker said.

The organization is seemingly tireless in efforts to benefit fire employees and services, according to Daniel Castrillo, DPFFA president.

“The IAFF is the driving force behind nearly every advance in the fire and emergency services in the last decade,” he said in an e-mail. “They are a strong political force in Washington (D.C.) and lobby congress to add additional spending for public safety.”

Daphne Fire Department has applied for one such grant that, if awarded, would relieve city coffers’ responsibility for fire employee appropriations.

“Gulf Shores Fire (Department) received their award on March 21 with a money value of $1,265,100. The city of Daphne is still in the running to receive the grant and we are very hopeful that award will be made to ease personnel shortages within the department,” he said.

Castrillo said the connection will aid firefighters and citizens.

“We formed this association within the city in order to become members of what is considered the main trade organization for firefighters and paramedics,” he said.

“Almost every member of the department joined in the hope that we could advance the Daphne Fire Department and better serve the citizens and visitors of Daphne.”