1903 The First Fire Fighter Unions

At the dawn of the century, fire fighters worked 84 hour weeks and 24 hour shifts, with only a few hours off. Fire fighters lacked the safety equipment they have today and multiple fatalities were common. Like factory workers, fire fighters were still considered unskilled labor. Salaries were low-29 cents an hour-and few cities had pension systems or assistance for widows or dependents. Promotions were based on who had the most political influence. Vacation time was dependent on the shortage of manpower at that station.

Fire fighters knew they had to organize their own union to improve the working conditions of the fire service. Before the IAFF officially formed in 1918, 17 locals had affiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

 

1930s The Making of the Modern Fire Fighter

During the Depression of the 1930s, fire fighting became a coveted and dependable job. Already, the IAFF was improving the lives and working conditions of its members. At the 1934 Convention the 16-year-old IAFF was praised by the National Fire Protection Association, the United States Agricultural Department and others for playing a crucial part in fire reduction, education and research. It was during this time that the IAFF assisted locals in Pennsylvania to pass the first Heart and Lung Act, Worker's Compensation Act, and the Occupational Disease Law, establishing some of the first heart and lung legislation. In a 1934 issue of the Fire Fighter, Secretary-Treasurer George J. Richardson wrote, "There are many more things in store for us."

 

1954 IAFF adopts the Muscular Dystrophy Association as their charity

 

In 1952, Charlie Crowley went to IAFF member George Graney's Fire Engine Company 1 in South Boston. Crowley's sons had been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and he needed money to take care of them. IAFF Local 718 member Graney immediately rounded up 20 fire fighters and set in motion a door-to-door drive that raised $5,000. MDA was adopted as the IAFF's charity in 1954, And more than $240 million has been raised for research and treatments to prolong the lives of children suffering with Muscular Dystrophy.

 

1956 George J. Richardson, Creator of IAFF History

One of the founding delegates of the International Association of Firefighters, george J. Richardson would go on to serve as Secretary-Treasurer, for 36 years, from 1920 to 1956. He became a charter member of Canada's first fire fighter's union, Local 18. Much of what we know today about early IAFF history is from his 1974 book. Symbol of Action.

He was officially designated as Secretary-Treasurer, Emeritus of the IAFF in 1956. A year later, AFK-CIO President George Meany appointed him to be his assistant. George Richardson died in 1980 at the age of 86, fide days before Meany. He is remembered for his great sense of humor and monumental contributions to the fire fighter labor movement.

 

 

1960s Beginning of Modern EMS

The late 1960s saw the emergence of specially trained personnel for emergency medical support. Although some towns had a "rescue squad" in place, most systems to for getting patients to a hospital were ill equipped to handle medical emergencies and the death toll was high. the IAFF Fire & EMS Operations/GIS Department provides comprehensive information on fire departments and fire-based EMS that assists in improving the working conditions of IAFF members

 

1917 Samuel Gompers and a Union for Fire Fighters

At its 1917 convention, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and President Samuel Gompers, embraced the growing number of fire fighter locals and helped create the IAFF. The AFL was formed in 1886 as one of the first assemblages of unions dedicated to organizing skilled labor. The AFL would become the largest labor organization in the world. "Our movement is of the working people, for the working people, by the working people," Gompers said. The International Association of Fire Fighters would become one of the largest unions in the AFL-CIO.

 

 

 

 

1955 George Meany and the AFL-CIO

George Meany, a former plumber from New York City, was president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) from 1952 to 1955, when it merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). Believing that trade unions were an essential part of democratic society,Meany was the driving force behind the joining of the two labor organizations and is credited with uniting the American Labor Movement. In 1969, Meany helped found a labor studies center to promote education and training opportunity for union leadership and rank-and -file members, which would later overcome the national Labor College. The IAFF recently established a National Labor College scholarship, an addition to it labor studies scholarship programs with the Harvard Trade Union Program and Labor College of Canada.

 

 

1958 John P. Redmond Foundation

John P. Redmond joined the Chicago Fire Department in 1912 and become a member of the AFL Federal Local 12270, which had organized before the IAFF's creation. Later, he became the 8th District Vice President, serving 16 years. During that time helped many locals organize. Redmond was unanimously voted in as president of the IAFF in 1946 and served until his sudden death on December 10, 1957, from occupational heart disease.

The John P. Redmond Foundation was established as a nonprofit organization at the IAFF Convention in 1958. The purpose of the Foundation was to encourage and carry forth research and education regarding the occupational hazards and diseases associated with fire fighting. Studies funded through the Redmond Foundation have lead to conclusive medical evidence that correlates heart and lung diseases with the profession of fire fighting. The research has been used to lobby for statutes that provide benefits to fire fighters with heart and lung disease. To promote education, research and training, the Redmond Foundation continues to sponsor a biennial symposium on the occupational health and safety hazards of the fire service

 

 

1975 FIREPAC

Formed in 1975, FIREPAC is the IAFF's political action committee. At the 1976 Convention, Resolution 135 set forth the FIREPAC program as "a means for the voices of fire fighters to be heard on legislative matters in Washington " and urged all locals to participate in FIREPAC.


Since its creation, FIREPAC has been on the frontline for fire fighter issues by raising a conscience within the federal government about fire fighter staffing, labor issues, safety and equipment. FIREPAC has helped to prevent station closings, secure federal funding for fire fighting, and train members to become active in their government. The program educates members on the importance of political action through seminars, the annual Legislative Conference and the IAFF's Political Academy.

After an eight-year battle with the U.S. Congress, the IAFF persuaded President Gerald Ford to sign the Public Safety Officer Benefit Act (PSOB), which provides federal money to families of fire fighters killed in the line of duty .A series of expansions of PSOB has increased the Act's benefits for families of fallen fire fighters:

The 1980s saw funds double for allocation, from $50,000 to $100,000. In 1990, PSOB was expanded to include fire fighters disabled in the line of duty. After 9/11, PSOB funding increased to $250,000. In 2003, PSOB was expanded to include fire fighters who died from a heart attack or stroke.

 

 

1980 Advancing Health and Safety

One of the first standards issued to the fire service was the Occupational Health and Safety Administration's (OSHA) "Fire Brigades," 29 CFR 1910.156 of 1980. The IAFF was a driving force behind the standard which issued requirements for the organization, training, and personal protective clothing and equipment of fire brigades. The goal was to create minimum acceptable standards that each fire department could follow-what personal protective equipment fire fighters wore and how they were trained. It gave manufactures of the equipment a benchmark for protective equipment. This legislation was a milestone for fire fighters and the beginning of a mission to improve and standardize the fire service

1983: NFPA 1982, Personal Alert Safety Systems for Firefighters, which provides standards on audible devices for fire fighters in trouble

1986: NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Occupational Safety and Health Program, which provides guidelines for establishing, implementing and managing a comprehensive safety and health program

2001: NFPA 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, which provides standards on minimum staffing

 

 

1985 Creation of the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial

The Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial was created in 1985 to honor the sacrifice made by professional fire fighters and paramedics who have given their lives in the line of duty. The names of more than 1,600 fallen IAFF members have been engraved into the Wall of Honor. With the passage of the Public Safety Officers Benefit Act of 1976, the IAFF was able to create a memorial that included the names of fire fighters who answered their last alarm. Today, the organization provides assistance to surviving families. The memorial, under the shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado is a reminder to us all of the risks that fire fighters take every day.

 

1991 First Canadian Legislative Conference

 

A few dozen IAFF members gathered around a table in May of 1991. Preparing to speak to Parliament about issues affecting fire fighters, their meeting marked the first Canadian Legislative Conference and the beginning of a powerful voice for professional fire fighters in Canada. The first issues they discussed included the need for Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) legislation in Canada, the creation of a national emergency response information system on hazardous materials, and protocol for dealing with infectious disease notification.

 

 

2002 Protecting First Responders through : SAFER

In200 and 2001 , three Houston fire fighters died in the line of duty while responding to structure fires. After investigating, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported inadequate staffing at the scene as the contributing factor for these tragic deaths. Building on the legislative success of the Firefighters Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act-which provides millions of dollars in grants to local fire departments since 2001 - the IAFF convinced Congress to enact the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters Act of 2003 (SAFER) to prevent future tragedies due to inadequate staffing.

 

 

 

 

2005 Hurricane Response

More than 200 locals and their members felt the impact of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, which hammered the Gulf Coast in 2005. IAFF leaders and district service representatives immediately established a command response headquarters in the Gulf region to provide assistance to IAFF members and

their families. The IAFF supplied food, water, clothing, medication, transportation, shelter, and money to help members. The IAFF also assisted as part of the nation's official response as members of USAR teams and FEMA response personnel. To date, $1.6 million have been given to locals and their families whose lives have been impacted by the hurricanes

 

 

 

2007 IAFF is Front and Center in National Politics

The IAFF's role in national politics into the 21st century marks an important era in IAFF history. As our union grows, so does the capacity to create and support legislation on behalf of first responders. Collective bargaining rights, staffing, line-of-duty deaths, health care, pensions and safety-issues the IAFF fights for on Capitol Hill and before the Canadian Parliament

 

1977 The McClennan Scholarship

IAFF's McClennan Scholarship was named after former president William "Howie" McClennan. Elected President in 1968, McClennan served until his retirement in 1980. He began his career as a Boston fire fighter in 1942 and served for 26 years. His first fire was one of the worst in American history-the Coconut Grove nightclub, which killed more than 500 people. After fighting on the freezing streets of Boston, McClennan was inspired to speak up for fire fighters in his local.

McClennan's true passion was fighting for professional fire fighters. He was a leader in Boston Local 718 and served as 3rd District Vice President for 12 years. While president of the IAFF, he was appointed by Richard Nixon to serve as Vice-Chairman of the National Commission on Fire Safety, which helped establish the National Fire Academy, in addition to publishing its famous report, America Burning. The report led the nation to make the reduction of fire fighter deaths and property loss from fires a priority. McClennan's gregarious and outgoing personality is remembered today-he called everyone "pal" and had a loud fashion sense. McClennan died at the age of 95 on October 7, 2002.

Established in 1977 by President McClennan, the scholarship provides financial assistance for children of fire fighters killed in the line of duty who plan to pursue higher education. Currently, the scholarship funds more than 20 students.

 

1983 The IAFF and Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS)

In 1978, four fire fighters in Syracuse , New York died after becoming disorientated fighting a fire in a dormitory. In 1979, three fire fighters died in a restaurant fire in Lubbock , Texas , after becoming disorientated inside the building. Again in 1979, a fire fighter in the City of Los Angeles, California,

was killed after becoming disoriented in an industrial warehouse, which was followed by a confusing

search to find the lost rescue worker. The IAFF studied line-of-duty deaths and found the inability of fire fighters to let others on the fire ground know they are in trouble and need assistance contributed to many deaths. Fire fighters need the capability to signal distress at a scene. Two-way radio was not the answer for every department.

In response, the IAFF developed performance criteria for the PASS device, or Personal Alert Safety System. It emits an audible alarm signal to summon assistance. The IAFF was the driving force behind developing and introducing

standards for the device to the fire service's standard issuer, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In 1983, the NFPA adopted their standard, NFPA 1982: Personal Alert Safety Systems for Fire Fighters, which sets regulations on the functioning and test methods for devices. Later, PASS devices would be built into breathing equipment and would be modified so that fire fighters would not have to remove a glove to turn them on.

 

1987 Human Relations at the IAFF

In 1987, a group of fire fighters from across the United States and Canada came together to form the Civil Rights Committee, which would later become the Human Relations Committee. Also in 1987, the first Human Relations Conference was held in San Antonio-its theme: Change from Within. It was at this time, the IAFF decided to create and fully maintain a dialogue about the human relations issues that for so long have troubled the fire service. The IAFF's membership has recognized and supported the mission of the Committee, passing every resolution on human relations issues brought to IAFF Convention.

 

2001 9/11

On the morning of September 11, 2001, hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City , the Pentagon outside Washington , DC , and a Pennsylvania field. In the ensuing operations and collapse of the smoldering towers, 343 IAFF members died

The Aftermath

The IAFF was at Ground Zero-providing vital administrative and logistical help to Locals 94 and 854. Critical Incident Stress Management teams made up of IAFF members from across the union traveled to New York City to help their brothers and sisters cope with the grief of the tragedy. The IAFF also helped the families of members through the New York Firefighters 9-11 Relief Fund . In 2002, the IAFF distributed more than $96 million to the families of fire fighters killed on 9/11.

Since 9/11, the IAFF has worked to increase funding for emergency response. The IAFF participated in the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and was one of the first groups to call for its creation. The IAFF worked to ensure fire fighters would have a prominent role within the Department.

 

Never Forget.

On October 12, 2001 the IAFF and FDNY held a memorial service for fire fighters who lost their lives on 9/11. IAFF President Harold Schaitberger and local union leaders led the procession of 356 honor guard members from around the country, each of whom carried a flag for a fallen fire fighter.

 

 

 

 

2002 Project HEROES

As first responders, fire fighters face tough enemies: weapons of mass destruction, chemicals, radiological, nuclear and biological attacks. The IAFF knew fire fighters needed improved protection for their current turnout gear for responding such attacks. This initiative became Project HEROES (Homeland Emergency Response Operational and Equipment System) and was part of a long process to develop state-of-the-art protective clothing and equipment to protect modern fire fighters.

The challenge behind Project HEROES was to incorporate added protection into current turnout gear without adding weight or separate gear. In addition, the IAFF wanted to ensure that the breathing apparatus would provide the same protection as the gear. Prototype PPE went into field testing in 2005.

Prior to Project HEROES, the IAFF had begun to develop personal protective equipment (PPE) in the 1970s. The IAFF and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had begun a technology transfer program to develop state-of-the art protective clothing and equipment. This program became known as Project FIRES (Fire Fighter Integrated Response Equipment System). Under the program, new materials and performance requirements were incorporated into NFPA standards on PPE