Colbert, left, was sworn in as 3rd district Vice President by IAFF President Harold Schaitberger.

By Rebecca Danvers

Somerville Fire Lt. Jay Colbert was sworn in as the 3rd District Vice President to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) last Thursday, Jan. 28. In this role, he will serve on the executive board of the IAFF and represent fire locals throughout New England.

“On behalf of General Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Miller and the entire IAFF Executive Board, I want to welcome District Vice President Colbert to this important leadership position,” said General President Harold Schaitberger. “I am confident that he will represent the Third District in an outstanding fashion. We all look forward to working with him in accomplishing the work of our great union.”

“Jay brings a wealth of real-life experience to the job,” said Professional Fire Fighters of MA President Edward Kelly. “As President of Somerville Firefighters Local 76 for 12 years, and currently as Secretary-Treasurer of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, he’s helped countless members. As Legislative Agent he worked with state and legislative leaders to pass laws that protect the safety and wellbeing of firefighters. His experience negotiating contracts large and small, navigating the local political process at city hall and the state capitol, and working to make sure firefighters stay safe, are just a few of the skills he’ll be able to share with members. He’ll be an important voice for the nearly 23,000 members in New England as well as the 300,000 members throughout the country.”

Colbert joined the fire service in 1988 after graduating from Malden Catholic and the University of Massachusetts School of Business. A lifelong Somerville resident, he currently serves as a Fire Lt. at the fire station on Lowell Street and as the Secretary-Treasurer for the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. He served as President of Somerville Local 76 for 12 years, and was PFFM District 6 Vice President and Legislative Agent. He attended the Harvard University Trade Union program in 2012 and has been the Firefighter Chair of the state Joint Labor Management Commission for five years.