The 1940s saw major advances in membership and effectiveness, even as the IAFF coped with wartime and post-war problems. Although a World War II wage freeze largely stymied efforts to counter wartime inflation, the 48-hour work week became widespread.
In a letter to IAFF Secretary-Treasurer George Richardson, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) John Edgar Hoover – on orders from President Franklin D. Roosevelt – asks the IAFF to turn over any information obtained related to espionage, counter-espionage, sabotage, subversive activities and violations of neutrality laws.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service sends a letter to IAFF Secretary-Treasurer George Richardson requesting the IAFF’s cooperation in publicizing the compulsory registration of aliens in the U.S. in accordance with the Alien Registration Act of 1940.
Delegates at the IAFF 15th Convention, held in Des Moines, Iowa, approve a resolution to establish a Fire Defense Committee . IAFF President Fred Baer writes to President Franklin D. Roosevelt asking him to set up a committee from the fire service for determining how the fire service could best be of assistance in the national defense program. A Committee is appointed to explore the entire field of firefighting and fire prevention.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt publicly opposes anti-labor employers and reactionary congressmen clamoring for restrictive anti-labor laws.
The Public Safety Tax Act is signed into law, requiring local and state employees in the United States to pay federal income tax, including fire fighters. Compensation received after December 31, 1938, was deemed to be taxable.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt vetoes a bill providing for a 60-hour work week for DC fire fighters on the grounds that the financial condition of the city cannot support it. The IAFF continues efforts to help DC fire fighters obtain a shorter week. Meanwhile, he signs a bill allowing members of the DC Fire Department who have served 25 years and who are 55 to retire.
Dr. Max H. Skolnick begins to compile a registry of occupational and, therefore, compensable diseases and illnesses among firemen.
Columbus, Ohio, is the first fire department in the United States to have all its members trained in first aid. Fire fighters are required to have at least 30 hours in first aid work, serve as instructors of first aid and take water life-saving courses.
An IAFF resolution to create a state and provincial legislative fund is narrowly defeated in a roll call vote, with 88 voting yes and 91 voting no.
Samuel A. Fink (1919-1919)Samuel A. Fink took office in May 1919 and served through September of that year. He spent his entire fire service career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and with Pittsburgh Local 1. When the IAFF was organized in 1918, Fink was elected 1st Vice President. One year later, as president, Fink focused on growing the membership, organizing 96 new locals. Fink resigned during the latter part of 1919 due to family obligations.
William D. Buck (1957-1968)William D. Buck was first elected secretary-treasurer by delegates at the 23rd IAFF Convention in Montreal, Canada. Less than a year later, he was elected by the IAFF Executive Board to serve as acting president after the untimely death of President John P. Redmond. As president, he set increasing membership as a priority, successfully growing the ranks by 50 percent to 115,370. He retired from his position as president in 1968 after celebrating the IAFF’s 50th anniversary.
Buck began his career as a fire fighter with the St. Louis Fire Department in 1930 and soon became an active member of Local 73. He served as a vice president for the local and was also a member of several committees.
Buck was elected 2nd District Vice President in 1940. During his tenure, he was credited with forming three state affiliates, including the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada and the Kansas State Council of Fire Fighters.
William D. Buck (1956-1957)William D. Buck was first elected secretary-treasurer by delegates at the 23rd IAFF Convention in Montreal, Canada.
Buck began his career as a fire fighter with the St. Louis Fire Department in 1930 and soon became an active member of Local 73. He served as a vice president for the local and was also a member of several committees.
Buck was elected 2nd District Vice President in 1940. During his tenure, he was credited with forming three state affiliates, including the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada and the Kansas State Council of Fire Fighters.
All members from the youngest age to the oldest are taken regardless of occupation, nationality or locality, without a medical examination. New members under 50 years of age will be automatically added upon notice without a medical examination after the original group closes March 15, 1921. No member over 50 will then be accepted for insurance.
The purpose of the Fire Defense Committee was to determine how the fire service could best be of assistance in the U.S. national defense program. The IAFF vowed to cooperate with the government in every possible way in making the country safe against any form of aggression. The president was asked to set up a national committee to study and develop proper methods for defense by the fire service to fight fires and at the same time properly protect the citizens under modern warfare. The IAFF reported that the fire service in Great Britain had performed this important function during the air raids in London.
