We are incredibly proud to announce that Cherry Hill Fire Department Lt. Jim Aleski from Cherry Hill Fire Officers IAFF Local 3198 was honored to be selected as a participant in the International Association of Fire Fighters' first ever Advanced Communications Training Academy held from May 6-8, 2026 at the AFL-CIO Headquarters in Washington, DC!

This groundbreaking academy brought together labor leaders from IAFF affiliates across the United States and Canada for an intensive training program designed to equip affiliate leaders with cutting-edge tools and strategies to strengthen their vital work in our communities. These 32 initial participants were selected from the IAFF's more than 366,000 members to join in this inaugural class.

The comprehensive curriculum reflected today's rapidly evolving media and technology landscape, covering:

- Communications Strategy

- Message Discipline

- Crisis Response

- Media Engagement

- Digital Tools, Social Media & AI

Lt. Aleski learned from an exceptional team of instructors including media and public relations professionals,Congressional staffers, and the IAFF's expert communications team.

As media and technology continue to evolve, strengthening our communication capabilities ensures we can better advocate for our members, engage with our community, and effectively share our message. Investing in these skills helps us serve you better!