The SPAAMFAA organization consists of both individual local chapters and as as overall national (international) organization.

Members may choose to join a local chapter, several different local chapters, and/or the National organization as a whole.  Each option provides different benefits.

Local Chapters (found in most major metropolitan areas) are the vanguard.  They provide face-to-face (and often hands-on) support and organizational resources for fire apparatus enthusiasts living and working in a given geographic area.  Most local chapters organize regular meetings and host special events, and their members are also often more focused on documenting fire service and fire apparatus history on a local level.     

The SPAAMFAA “National” Organization, provides an organizational network and resources to support the “local chapters.”  They also provide an array of benefits and resources above-and-beyond those which are provided by most local chapters, and are also an outlet for those members not living in or near a local chapter.