The mission of this association shall be to organize all career emergency responders, to secure just compensation for their services and equitable settlement of their grievances, to promote the establishment of just and reasonable working conditions, to place members of the association on a higher plane of skill and efficiency, to promote harmonious relations between firefighters and their employers, to encourage formation of sick and death benefits and other legislation to advance the interest of firefighters, to encourage the establishment of schools of instruction and imparting knowledge of modern and improved methods of firefighting and prevention, to cultivate friendship and fellowship among its members, and to give its members the right to select persons of their own choosing to represent them.