People, Locations, Episodes

The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters is Founded

*The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (I.A.B.P.F.F.) was founded in Hartford Connecticut on this date in 1970.

In September of 1969, Black and minority firefighters of all ranks across the United States met in New York City to discuss the racial injustices in American fire fighting municipalities. That meeting created the I.A.B.P.F.F. Discussed that week in September were the recruitment of black youth into the fire service, firefighters-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 programs in the areas of greatest need.

The I.A.B.P.F.F. Connecticut convention produced their constitution and their proposed structure was adopted. The I.A.B.P.F.F. ensures that Black and minority fire department officials become full partners in the leadership and decision-making arenas of the fire service through their Preamble, Purpose & Aims, and Memberships.

The I.A.B.P.F.F. contains seven active regions, they are:
*North Central Region: (1971): Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
*Northeast Region: (1970) Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Nova Scotia, Canada.
*Northwest Region: (1976): Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, Wyoming.
*South Central Region: (1970): Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.
*Southeast Region: (1970): Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.
*Southwest Region: (1972): Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
*Caribbean: (1995): Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad, and Antigua, England.
*Future Regions: Africa, Europe, Central, and South America.

To become a Firefighter