International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters collection

1969-1995

The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters was founded in September 1969 at a meeting attended by black and other minority fire fighters of all ranks from municipalities across the United States. They met to discuss various problems and issues affecting black fire fighters: the recruitment of black youth into the fire service, fire fighters-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 minority areas. The association represents more than 5000 fire service personnel including fire fighters, dispatchers and individuals in related professions throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, organized into 96 chapters. The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters Collection (IABPFF) is primarily limited to the Northeast Region where the organization was established. There are several items regarding the initial meeting, the constitution and by-laws, along with reminiscences of the first president regarding monitoring the recruitment of minority fire fighters. Most of the collection is comprised of publications and papers related to IABPFF conferences. Also included are newsletters, printed material related to various chapters, some officers' correspondence, souvenir journals, and newspaper clippings. There is printed matter from other organizations that are consistent with the aims of the IABPFF.