History of The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters
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 by our mos disadvantaged, neglected and exploited citizens.
The meetings was very productive and out of it was born the I.A.B.P.F.F. in October of 1970, the first convention of Black professional firefighter was hel in Harford, CT, The Constitution and the proposed structure of the international was adopted. The I.A.B.P.F.F. is not looked upon as a Black separatist organization and its chapters are autonomous, since many union locals and city governments failed to institue and affimative action plan in the testing, recruiting and the promotional process, it is there fore incumbent upon minority firefighters to press for wide-scale reforms, and in the course of dealing with these problems, we expected to reduce the number of fire deaths and property lose in our respective communities. As well as reduce the high rate of false alarms.
We are convinced that the Black community has an abundance of untapped talent to offer the fire service. Conversley we expect to improve the economic development and employment opportunities for minorities. As Black firefighters it is our challenge to make the fire services more relevant to the needs and aspirations of minority citixens. The I.A.B.P.F.F. will insit that Black and minority fire department officials become full partners in the leadership and decision making of the fire service.
The meetings was very productive and out of it was born the I.A.B.P.F.F. in October of 1970, the first convention of Black professional firefighter was hel in Harford, CT, The Constitution and the proposed structure of the international was adopted. The I.A.B.P.F.F. is not looked upon as a Black separatist organization and its chapters are autonomous, since many union locals and city governments failed to institue and affimative action plan in the testing, recruiting and the promotional process, it is there fore incumbent upon minority firefighters to press for wide-scale reforms, and in the course of dealing with these problems, we expected to reduce the number of fire deaths and property lose in our respective communities. As well as reduce the high rate of false alarms.
We are convinced that the Black community has an abundance of untapped talent to offer the fire service. Conversley we expect to improve the economic development and employment opportunities for minorities. As Black firefighters it is our challenge to make the fire services more relevant to the needs and aspirations of minority citixens. The I.A.B.P.F.F. will insit that Black and minority fire department officials become full partners in the leadership and decision making of the fire service.
Founding Organizations
1. VULCAN SOCIETY, INC. FDNY 2. PHOENIX SOCIETY, INC. HARTFORD. CT 3. VULCAN PIONEERS, NEWARK, NJ 4. VULCAN PIONERRS, HUDSON CO. JERSEY CITY, NJ 5. VALIANTS, INC PHILADELPHIA,
Explanation Behind The I.A.B.P.F.F.'S Logo
The I.A.B.P.F.F. logo was designed by David James Floyd, the first president of the international association of Black Professional Fire Fighters. The following is his explanation behind the design
COLORS
Red, Black, and Green, these were the colors used by Marcus Garvey's Black pride or African Movement of the 1930's. The "Red is for our Blood, the "Black is for the race and the "Green is for our hope.
HAND
The hand was selected because of the number five (5). The fice fingers represented the five founding organizations of the international, which were Phoenix Society, Hartford, CT. Valiants, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA., Vulcan Pioneers of Hudson County, Jersey City, NJ, Vulcan Pioneers of Newark, NJ and Vulcan Society, Inc., of New York City.
CLENCHED FIST
Symbolized strength and power when the fist (organizations) came together.
OUTLINE OF FINGERS
It was strongly felt by the designer that the Almighty has a guiding Hand in bringing Black Firefighters together, from across the nation. The outline of the fingers was shaped to form the Arabic word "Allah" which means "God".
FLAME
Represents the heat that is necessary to take something old (five groups) and forge them into something new (International).
ORIGIN
The international Association of Black professional Fire Fighters was formed during the first convention of Black professional Fir Fighters held Hartford, CT, October 1, 2, and 3rd 1970.
PREAMBLE
Whereas we, Black fire fighters, aware of the increasing complexity of our problems and those of our brothers with in the community, feel called upon to form an organization for the purpose of studying and solving such problems, in order to take our place in the vanguard of civilization, we here by form ourselves into an organization for the purpose of cultivating and establishment of unity and brotherhood, also keeping alive the interest among retired members for the abowed purpose of improving the social status of our race, and increasing professional efficiency.
PURPOSE AND AIMS
To create a liaison between our black brothers across the nation, to collect and evaluate data on all deleterious conditions incumbent in all area where minorities exist in the working conditions in the fires service, and implement actions to correct them.
To promote interracial progress throughout the fire service, and to see that competent Blacks are recruited and employed as fire fighters, wherever they reside, and to aid in motivating our Black brothers to seek advancement to elevated ranks throughout the fire service.
COLORS
Red, Black, and Green, these were the colors used by Marcus Garvey's Black pride or African Movement of the 1930's. The "Red is for our Blood, the "Black is for the race and the "Green is for our hope.
HAND
The hand was selected because of the number five (5). The fice fingers represented the five founding organizations of the international, which were Phoenix Society, Hartford, CT. Valiants, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA., Vulcan Pioneers of Hudson County, Jersey City, NJ, Vulcan Pioneers of Newark, NJ and Vulcan Society, Inc., of New York City.
CLENCHED FIST
Symbolized strength and power when the fist (organizations) came together.
OUTLINE OF FINGERS
It was strongly felt by the designer that the Almighty has a guiding Hand in bringing Black Firefighters together, from across the nation. The outline of the fingers was shaped to form the Arabic word "Allah" which means "God".
FLAME
Represents the heat that is necessary to take something old (five groups) and forge them into something new (International).
ORIGIN
The international Association of Black professional Fire Fighters was formed during the first convention of Black professional Fir Fighters held Hartford, CT, October 1, 2, and 3rd 1970.
PREAMBLE
Whereas we, Black fire fighters, aware of the increasing complexity of our problems and those of our brothers with in the community, feel called upon to form an organization for the purpose of studying and solving such problems, in order to take our place in the vanguard of civilization, we here by form ourselves into an organization for the purpose of cultivating and establishment of unity and brotherhood, also keeping alive the interest among retired members for the abowed purpose of improving the social status of our race, and increasing professional efficiency.
PURPOSE AND AIMS
To create a liaison between our black brothers across the nation, to collect and evaluate data on all deleterious conditions incumbent in all area where minorities exist in the working conditions in the fires service, and implement actions to correct them.
To promote interracial progress throughout the fire service, and to see that competent Blacks are recruited and employed as fire fighters, wherever they reside, and to aid in motivating our Black brothers to seek advancement to elevated ranks throughout the fire service.
