The New Haven Firebird History
The Firebird Society of New Haven Incorporated an organization of Black and Hispanic Firefighters organized on March 22, 1971.
On that date, at the home of Firefighter Earl D. Geyer, Sr. New Haven's First Black Firefighter James Curry Jr., Deceased, George Sweeny, Donald Holess, Donald Wilson, Marion Robinson, Deceased Charles Holnes, Martin Goodson, Jimmy Laboone, Charles Goodson, Tim Watkins Jr., and Clarence Smith decided to patern the organization after already established Hartford Phoenix Society. George Sweeney, First black firefighter to be assigned (For New Haven Firebirds History Click Here)
The Firebird Society of New Haven Incorporated an organization of Black and Hispanic Firefighters organized on March 22, 1971.
On that date, at the home of Firefighter Earl D. Geyer, Sr. New Haven's First Black Firefighter James Curry Jr., Deceased, George Sweeny, Donald Holess, Donald Wilson, Marion Robinson, Deceased Charles Holnes, Martin Goodson, Jimmy Laboone, Charles Goodson, Tim Watkins Jr., and Clarence Smith decided to patern the organization after already established Hartford Phoenix Society. George Sweeney, First black firefighter to be assigned (For New Haven Firebirds History Click Here)
Presidents
Donald Wilson 1971-1972
George Sweeney 1972-1976
Thomas Bullock 1976-1977
Dennis W. Daniels 1977-1981
George Sweeney 1981-1982
Curtis B Hayes 1982-1983
Edward Henderson 1983-1984
Gregory Cross 1984-1985
Curtis B Hayes 1985-1986
David James 1986-1987
George Sweeney 1988-1990
Elmer Henderson 1990-1992
Sheryl Broadnax 1992-1996
Ronald Benson 1996-2005
Wayne Ricks Sr. 2005-2007
Gary Tinney 2007-2012
Michael Neal 2012- 2015
William Augustine 2015 - 2020
Ernest Jones 2020 - Present
Donald Wilson 1971-1972
George Sweeney 1972-1976
Thomas Bullock 1976-1977
Dennis W. Daniels 1977-1981
George Sweeney 1981-1982
Curtis B Hayes 1982-1983
Edward Henderson 1983-1984
Gregory Cross 1984-1985
Curtis B Hayes 1985-1986
David James 1986-1987
George Sweeney 1988-1990
Elmer Henderson 1990-1992
Sheryl Broadnax 1992-1996
Ronald Benson 1996-2005
Wayne Ricks Sr. 2005-2007
Gary Tinney 2007-2012
Michael Neal 2012- 2015
William Augustine 2015 - 2020
Ernest Jones 2020 - Present
The International Association of Black Professional Firefighters History
In September of 1969, Black and minority firefighter of all ranks from municipalities across the United States met in New York City for two days of discussion on the injustices that exist in the following Categories: The recruitment of Black Youth in to the fire service, firefighter-community relations with special emphasis on relations with the residents of neighborhoods inhabited by Blacks, inter-group relations and practices in fire departments: and the need to improve fire prevention in the area of greatest need, the inner city ghettos which are inhabited (For the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters History Click Here)
In September of 1969, Black and minority firefighter of all ranks from municipalities across the United States met in New York City for two days of discussion on the injustices that exist in the following Categories: The recruitment of Black Youth in to the fire service, firefighter-community relations with special emphasis on relations with the residents of neighborhoods inhabited by Blacks, inter-group relations and practices in fire departments: and the need to improve fire prevention in the area of greatest need, the inner city ghettos which are inhabited (For the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters History Click Here)
