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Museum Board
of Trustees
Brent Burton, President
Kwame Cooper, Vice President
Akosua Hobert, Secretary
Troy Westbrook, Los Angeles City Stentorians
Daryl Osby, Los Angeles County Stentorians
Arnett Hartsfield, Historian
Jennifer
McIntosh,Treasurer
Michelle Banks, President Emeritus
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The IABPFF organized in Hartford, Connecticut, October 3, 1970. FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS: Vulcan Society Inc., New York, N.Y., Phoenix Society Inc., Hartford, Connecticut, Vulcan Pioneers of New Jersey Inc., Newark, N.J., Vulcan Pioneers of Hudson County Inc., Jersey City, N.J., Valiants Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS: The 2003 - 2004 Membership of the l.A.B.P.F.F. is comprised 104 Chapters and represents 5301 fire service personnel and a 2003 - 2004 Lifetime Membership of 185 members.
President IABPFF |
That meeting was very productive and out of it was born the International
Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters. In October of 1970 the first
convention of Black Professional Fire Fighters was held in Hartford, Connecticut.
The constitution and the proposed structure of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters was adopted. To address the lack of substantial access into the Fire Service and upward mobility opportunities, it is therefore became incumbent upon our membership to press for wide-scale reforms. And in the course of dealing with these problems, we expect to reduce the number of fire deaths and property loss in our respective communities and society as whole. We are convinced that the black community has an abundance of untapped talent to offer the fire service. Conversely, we expect to improve the economic development and employment opportunities for minorities. As black fire fighters, it is our challenge to make the fire service more relevant to the needs and aspirations of minority citizens. The I.A.B.P.F.F. will ensure that black and minority fire department officials become full partners in the leadership and decision-making arenas of the fire service. PREAMBLE: Whereas we, Black Fire Fighters, aware of the increasing complexity of our problems and those of our Brothers and Sisters within 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 hereby form ourselves into an organization for the purpose of cultivating and maintaining professional competence among fire fighters, and establishment of unity, also keeping alive the interest among retired members for the avowed purpose of improving the social status of our RACE, and increasing professional efficiency
"IABPFF Smoke"
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Past
IABPFF President In September of 1969, black and minority fire fighters 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 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.
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Happy Holidays or Happy Holidaze?
On behalf of the IABPFF and at the pleasure of the Executive Board, for those who are celebrating, I extend a heartfelt Happy Holidays to you and your families!
As we move into this particular season, there are two dynamics of paradox to consider. Certainly in the next few days, many will be joyous celebrating their way of life, their culture and value systems, and Lord willing, bringing in the New Year with hope while giving serious reflection to 2009. Then there will be those properly planning priorities, navigating through economic nuances, strengthening themselves for social challenges, and thanking our Creator (no matter what we call him or her) for a reasonable portion of health, realizing simple pleasures are the best. There are some of us that believe this is a period of enlightenment, and then there are those who chant, “Joy to the World” or “’Tis the season to be Jolly.” Whatever your preference, today hopefully will be Happy Holidays or it could easily be described as Happy Holidaze. In other words, if we fail to keep this moment in perspective instead of feeling heartfelt, our hearts may be susceptible to cardiac arrest and our minds confused by illusion.
In the Fire Service in general, and the IABPFF in particular, we are being confronted by a myriad of internal and external obstacles. I implore you to continue to work cheerfully and fear not. With faith, obstacles can be turned into opportunities. We hear about the closing of firehouses, the brown-outs, and budget cuts. Administrations justify their analysis by standard of coverage for emergency response, risk assessment, time on scene performance expectations, distributions of resources, response reliability, etc. All of this is real, yet when you compare it to the 7 million Americans who have lost their jobs since December 2007; there but for the grace of God we go.
This is why community outreach engagement is so important and I commend our local chapters for your toy, food, and clothing drives, especially “in times like these”. I also congratulate our members who continue to promote our STOP FIRE safe cooking campaign, augmented by the USFA Smoke detector and the Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Campus fire prevention initiatives. Let’s press on moving forward and taking pride in what we are blessed to do. If we don’t, we will never realize our potential or be able to turn trial into triumph.
Another concern as we approach 2010 will be our influence on the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and our alliances to other associations of like interests. In the movie, “Law Abiding Citizen” is a very significant quote; “It’s not what you know, it matters not what is the truth, but it’s what you can prove in court.”
Looking at the rise in reverse discrimination lawsuits bolstered by the U.S. Supreme Court decision, what will be our responsibility as a law abiding citizens?
In one case, an attorney was quoted as saying, “We got everything we wanted. These cases are a major change in the business. They are really beneficial to the municipalities, which had been held hostage by a misinterpretation of the rules concerning discrimination claims. They will now be able to save a ton of money. This fight has been going on for a long time”. We know this socio-political and economic landscape has rendered a major segment of society confused, dissatisfied and/or angry. Why should we think the Fire Service profession is any different? Now, more than ever, we must be vigilant watchmen, like “The Wisemen” looking for the right sign. Like in the case of a firefighter claiming bias as he and others witnessed a stuffed monkey dressed in African Garb with a fire department shield, hanging from a noose. The Human Relations Department stated, the incident might have reflected “racially offensive stereotypes” but did not constitute the city engaging in unfair discriminatory practice. “Not all actions reasonable people consider offensive amount to illegal discrimination.” Courts have found discrimination if “that conduct or communication is so severe or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s employment, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment environment”. As many of us may rejoice during this holiday season, also recognize the racism, repression, and resistance. Beware of the masters of illusion using code words like diversity, and racial preferences. It is almost as wicked as those who have purposefully sought out to deceive and trick others to believe Christmas or Kwanzaa are about commercialism.
As your President, I thought about sending you a “Season’s Greetings” Card, or I could have sent you one of those singing telegrams. Then I thought, “What would Jesus do?” He would be a reminder, a warner, and bring “good news” to the believers! I play our “Drum” poetically; Enjoy these forthcoming days, be aware of the smoked filled maze, it’s designed to put you in an illusionary daze, and just might get you caught up in a delusional craze. Does this make sense? I would love to hear a reply from you. Trust your training, for the life you save may be your own. Stay too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed. Thank you for allowing me to serve, and I am forever grateful for your contribution.
“There can be no perfect democracy curtailed by color, race, or poverty. But with all we can accomplish all, even peace.”- W.E.B. DuBois
GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Sincerely,
Joseph B. Muhammad, IABPFF President
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July 9, 2008
The Road Ahead In the book “A Journey That Matters: Your Personal Living Legacy”, author Erline Belton writes, “We are not solo on this journey, even though we may feel like it at times. As the story of our life unfolds, it is what happens along the way that shapes and defines who we are in the world”. As all roads lead to Detroit in a few weeks for our 38th biennial convention, think what the aforementioned statement means to you, me, and our organization. Certainly we want to have safe travel to and from Motown. We want to have productive meetings, academic and professional training enrichment, as well as inspirational fellowship. The internal and external networking can only be increased and improved if we understand that this journey we are on does matter. Let our trip to the “Motor City” be one to remember for the better, if not the best. On behalf of our membership and at the pleasure of President Johnny J. Brewington and the Executive Board (elected and selected), it gives me great pleasure to thank all those responsible for their time, sacrifice, concern and preparation for our arrival. To the North Central Region, the host chapter, the meeting planners, the site committee and others, thank you very much. To the sponsors, vendors, contributors and participants, your involvement is invaluable and appreciated much. To the attendees in advance, “to whom much is given, much is required”. On the road ahead we will continue to make our organization better if we take heed to the song sung by a Detroit native, Anita Baker, “Giving you the best that I’ve got.” Since I made the declaration to run for President, I’ve been asked the proverbial question, “Are you ready for the position Brother?” Time will tell. If there is one thing I am sure of, it is to know that I am born to do what I am being blessed to do. That is all I am petitioning you to do. I am as committed to serving on an international level with the help of our Executive Board, as you are committed on your level to the advancement of our aims, goals, objectives and mission. For the good of the organization, let our convention be a pilot program for some, a catalyst for others and/or an extension of us bringing and using our expertise and God given talents. If you are born to do what you are doing, then hopefully the ancestors will be proud; the elders encouraged; and the younger generation inspired and aspiring to carry on the legacy. Our theme is “Sustainability: Looking beyond today and preparing for tomorrow”. To sustain ourselves, now more than ever, we need each other. To look beyond today, is only congruent if we have some knowledge of our past. As Brother Vincent W. Julius stated to me after the passing of Brothers Joe Hughes, Warren McDaniels and Thomas Taylor: “As time passes, it will become more important to archive the history of the IABPFF, and to house such archives in a suitable location, a central repository, so those that follow will have the torch that will light the way of our race into the future.” Let us prepare for tomorrow by using our convention as an example for the road ahead. Allow me to also submit caution to our efforts. If we don’t hold each other accountable, who will? When egos exceed the objective, then the mission is bound to fail. Failure is not an option. I offer this to reduce the questions, whether legitimate or gossip. Why did we even come to Detroit? Didn’t we experience similar dissatisfaction at previous conventions? We have come here, we saw, we heard, we spent money, but what did we accomplish? I welcome constructive criticism but I also want to eliminate back-biting and slander. Most organizations deteriorate from the inside out, not the outside in. By God’s grace, I vow not to let this happen on my watch. In the spirit of the theme, I believe the success of our convention and the road ahead relies on our positive vibrations alone, by God’s permission. In closing, America and our profession is in need of visionaries. I believe the visionaries exist in the IABPFF. Since all of you are experts in emergency management, rescue me if I am wrong. When we take ownership of our personal (organizational) living legacy, we will realize we are on a journey that matters. Vision is to conceive, believe in, and achieve for the road ahead. I know, we may not know what the future holds, but most of us know who holds the future. Praise God! Share this with the believers and future converts. Lastly, my prayer goes to the families of our members who have recently lost loved ones. On behalf of my family, I convey my deepest condolences and sincere sympathy. To the injured, sick and shut-in; get well soon. Scripture is right, “weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” “Trials are made to purify and are necessary to establish the truth.” To our members who have recently been promoted, or are eligible to be promoted, and to the parents of graduates or those who have been blessed to give birth; congratulations! I can’t wait to see you all on the road ahead to Detroit. Keep the Fire Burning for Justice, Joseph B. Muhammad, President-elect About l Black Ribbon l Contact l Docent l Education l Facility Rental l FAQ l Feedback l Funding l Home l Historical Timeline l IABPFF l Museum Dedication Photos l Patrons l Publications l Resources l "The Rookie" l Stentorians Volunteer l Women in Fire Service
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