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IAFF History and Mission
History of the
IAFF
The
International Association of Fire Fighters
was established on
February 28, 1918, for the sole benefit of rank-and-file fire fighters
in the United States and Canada. It was on this date that thirty-six
fire fighter delegates attended the first IAFF Convention and adopted
the IAFF Constitution and By-Laws. The objectives incorporated into
that Constitution remain in our preamble to this day.
The International
Association of Fire Fighters was formed to achieve the following
objectives:
To organize all fire
fighters and emergency medical or rescue workers; to secure just
compensation for their services and equitable settlement of their
grievances; to promote as safe and healthy a working environment for
fire fighters as is possible through modern technology; to promote the
establishment of just and reasonable working conditions; to place the
members of the Association on a higher plane of skill and efficiency;
to promote harmonious relations between fire fighters and their
employers; to encourage the formation of local unions, state and
provincial associations and joint councils; to encourage the formation
of sick and death benefit funds; to promote the research and treatment
of burns and other related health problems common to fire fighters; to
encourage the establishment of schools of instruction for imparting
knowledge of modern and improved methods of fire fighting and
prevention; and to cultivate friendship and fellowship among its
members. [From the Preamble of the Constitution and By-Laws of the
International Association of Fire Fighters AFL-CIO, CLC.]
The history of fire
fighting is really a story of men and women who have dedicated their
lives to helping people. The heritage of fire fighting has always been
one of bravery, loyalty, and devotion to public service. These
characteristics, coupled with a strong commitment to a personal
calling that places their lives in jeopardy every day, makes the
career of fire fighting truly a Proud Profession. Success in this
proud profession is only possible when there is a unity of purpose.
When the IAFF was established on February 28, 1918, fire fighters
brought with them a newly formed union, and shaped the IAFF into the
Bold Union that it is today.
It is through the
collective strength of its diverse membership that the IAFF has fairly
earned the honor and respect necessary to move forward and accomplish
its mission to improve wages, hours, and working conditions of its
membership. As you examine the history of the IAFF, you can see that
the success of the IAFF has always been dependent on its membership.
The growth, achievements, and success of the IAFF and its membership
are as distinguished as its Future is Bright.
History of
the Maltese Cross
The symbol of a fire
department and the badge of a firefighter is, the Maltese Cross. The
Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and is worn as a badge of
honor. Its story is hundreds of years old.
When a courageous
band of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John fought the Saracens
for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown
to European warriors. It was a simple, but a horrible device of war.
It wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave
fighters for the cross. The Saracen's weapon was fire.
As the crusaders
advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs
containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly
flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled flaming torches into their
midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive, others risked their
own lives to save their brothers-in-arms from painful, fiery deaths.
Thus, these men
became our first firemen and the first of a long list of courageous
firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders
who awarded each a badge of honor - a cross similar to the one
firefighters wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived for
almost four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea
named Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.
The Maltese Cross is
your symbol of protection. It means that the firefighter who wears
this cross is willing to lay down their life for you just as the
crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years
ago. The Maltese Cross is a firefighter's badge of honor, signifying
the performance of courageous acts -- a ladder rung away from death.
Historic Success
The IAFF exclusively
represents full-time, paid professional members of the fire and
emergency medical rescue services. The history of the IAFF is a story
of how these professionals have made extraordinary accomplishments
through organized strength, collective unity, and collaborative
teamwork. Today, the International Association of Fire Fighters
represents unparalleled professionalism in the fire and emergency
medical rescue services.
Making up more than
90% of all professional fire fighters in the United States and Canada,
the IAFF also proudly represents paramedics, emergency medical
technicians, hazardous material experts, technical rescue personnel,
crash and fire rescue specialists, communications personnel, fire
investigators, and other related fire and rescue services. The IAFF is
a strong and proud labor organization solely dedicated to the welfare
of its more than 225,000 members and representing over 2,400 locals.
The success of the
IAFF has always been dependent upon the diversity of its membership
and their solidarity. Throughout its history the IAFF has played an
active role in protecting the lives and rights of our members and
their families. Over the past eighty years, the services of the IAFF
have greatly improved the wages, hours and working conditions of
career fire and rescue service professionals.
1901 The AFL
charters the first Union of Fire Fighters in Washington D.C.
1903 Pittsburgh
fire fighters organize and affiliate themselves with the AFL,
becoming Local #1 of the IAFF in 1918.
1917
Firefighters in Vancouver B.C. become the first in Canada to form a
firefighters union.
1917 A motion is
passed at the AFL convention in Buffalo, N.Y. authorizing the
president of the AFL to form an international Union of Fire Fighters
chartered under the AFL.
1918 The average
firefighter earns 29 cents an hour and works either a continuous
duty system or 84 hours per week.
1918 The first
IAFF Convention is held in Washington D.C. on February 28th
with 36 firefighter delegates. 5,400 fire fighters become the first
members of the new IAFF.
1921 IAFF
membership grows to over 20,000 members.
1938 The first
article in a series on heart disease among firefighters is published
in The International Fire Fighter.
1939 The IAFF
assists locals in Pennsylvania to pass the first Heart and Lung Act,
Workers Compensation Act, and the Occupational Disease Law
establishing the first presumptive heart and lung legislation.
1939 U.S.
Congress repeals laws prohibiting the Washington D.C. Fire
Department from being affiliated with the IAFF.
1943 The average
firefighter earns 50 cents an hour and works 70 hours per week.
1948 The IAFF
charters its 1,000th local union.
1954 The IAFF
adopts muscular dystrophy as it particular charitable endeavor.
1958 The IAFF
established the John P. Redmond Foundation for the health and safety
of firefighters.
1962 President
Kennedys Executive Order 10988 brings new recognition to the IAFFs
Federal Fire Fighters.
1963 Canadian
IAFF members gain important rights when all Canadian provinces begin
requiring binding arbitration of bargaining disputes.
1966 The IAFF
begins the Harvard University Trade Union Program Scholarship and
sends its first IAFF member to Harvard to explore key issues of the
labor movement.
1968 The IAFF
officially opens its Canadian Office in Ottawa, Ontario to serve as
the central clearing-house for member services and information in
Canada.
1968 The average
firefighter earns over $2.00 an hour and works 56 hours per week.
1968 President
Johnson signs the National Fire Research and Safety Act into law,
authorizing for the first time in IAFF history a fire research and
safety program which the federal government will largely frame.
1970 Ground
breaking for the new International Headquarters building takes place
three blocks from the White House in Washington D.C.
1970 IAFF
President McClennan is made co-chairman of the National Commission
on Fire Prevention by President Nixon.
1970 The IAFF
charters its 2000th local.
1971 The IAFF
conducts its first Redmond Symposium on the health hazards of the
fire service.
1976 The IAFF is
instrumental in extending coverage of the FLSA to include
firefighters after presenting key testimony to Congress.
1976 At the
urging of the IAFF, President Ford signs the Public Safety Officer
Benefit Act (PSOB), providing federal money to the families of four
firefighters killed in the line of duty.
1982 The IAFF is
instrumental in the developmental work that resulted in the standard
on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS).
1984 At the
urging of the IAFF, federal firefighters are now covered under PSOB.
1986 The IAFF is
instrumental in establishing the first edition of NFPA 1500,
Standard of Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Programs.
1986 President
Reagan signs the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
establishing first responder and advanced Hazmat training. The IAFF
receives federal funds to begin a training program for firefighters.
1986 The IAFF
established the Occupational Medicine Residency Program with Johns
Hopkins University.
1987 The IAFF
established its Hazmat Training Program with a grant from the
federal government.
1988 The IAFF is
reorganized to provide expansion of its services through the
following departments: Research & Labor Issues, Governmental Affairs
& Political Action, Public Relations & Communications, Education,
Occupational Health & Safety, Hazardous Materials, In-House Legal
Counsel, Special Events, and the Canadian Office.
1990 The IAFF
conducts its first Regional Seminar as part of a new Educational
Seminar Program.
1991 The IAFF
holds its first EMS Conference to promote fire-based EMS.
1992 The IAFF is
instrumental in getting OSHA to pass 29 CFR1910.1030-
Bloodborne Pathogens Regulation.
1992 The average
firefighter earns over $13.00 an hour and works 50 hours per week.
1994 After
assisting in getting the Ryan White Act passed 1990, the IAFF is
instrumental in establishing the Ryan White infectious disease
notification for firefighters implemented by the Centers for Disease
Control.
1996 The IAFF
continues its push for fire-based EMS integration with the creation
of a new EMS Department.
1996 The IAFF
launches an internet web site at
www.iaff.org.
1996 The IAFF is
instrumental in obtaining a permanent exemption for firefighters
from the ADEA.
1997 IAFF and
IAFC join together for the Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness
Initiative.
1997 IAFF and
NIOSH develop Line- of-Duty Death Investigation Programs. President
Clinton includes $2.5 million to begin the federal investigation
program for firefighters.
1998 The
IAFF is instrumental in getting OSHA to update 29
CFR1910.134-Respiratory Protection Regulation, including 2 in/2 out
provisions for firefighting in an immediately dangerous to life and
health atmosphere. |
