1969-1978

IAFF President William H. McClennan and other IAFF leaders visit with U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew to seek his support for the full implementation of the Fire Research and Safety Act of 1968.

President Richard M. Nixon signs a new historic Executive Order 11491, which brings increased bargaining rights to 12,000 federal fire fighters.

The U.S. Civil Service Commission considers separate pay and work systems for 12,000 federal fire fighters.

39 states have laws providing for fire fighter compensation for service-connected heart and respiratory diseases. All Canadian provinces have such laws.

The IAFF begins a campaign to gain additional compensation for federal fire fighters who work on national holidays declared by the U.S. president. The day after the moon landing was declared a federal holiday, but fire fighters were not paid extra for this day’s work.

The IAFF holds a five-day organizing workshop in Washington, DC, with the intent to sign up every paid professional fire fighter in North America.

The IAFF Executive Board opposes the lowering of educational and physical standards for fire fighter recruits and officers, and supports pre-employment education programs to prepare those interested in becoming fire fighters.

The IAFF produces six new radio spots to boost the public image of professional fire fighters.

A new booklet, “Fire Fighters Fight Fires, Not People,” is sent to all locals in the United States and Canada as a practical guide to use in countering harassment in times of civil disturbance.

Riots and Civil Disturbances →

The IAFF launches a national Committee on Political Education (COPE) drive to urge all locals to set up political action committees. A contribution of $1 per union member is requested.

The IAFF begins a campaign asking all locals to support fire fighters whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Camille in Mississippi.

A widow of an Ontario, Canada, fire fighter wins a pension . She is assisted in making her case through information in the John P. Redmond library.

More than 70 percent of IAFF members receive an annual salary below what the U.S. Department of Labor considers a “moderate standard of living.”

November 21, 1969

Four fire fighters are killed in Wichita, Kansas. On the night of November 21, the fire chief, chief fire inspector and two fire fighters were killed in a mass disaster when the roof of a burning building collapsed. The four fire fighters had entered the burning repair building of an auto dealership to seek out and extinguish a blaze in a space between a false ceiling and a roof. The roof caved in on them unexpectedly, trapping them beneath falling steel beams and debris.

An in-depth study, “The American City and Its Organized Employees,” reports that fire fighters are among the most heavily organized occupational group among all municipal employees.

The IAFF, along with four other International unions, acquires land for a new headquarters at the intersection of New York Avenue and 18th Street, NW in Washington, DC.

The backs of firetrucks are enclosed with special shatter proof gates to protect fire fighters from acts of civil disobedience.

Riots and Civil Disturbances →

The IAFF revises its Model Pension Plan for locals to help set up their own pension programs.

1,059 fire fighters participate in 11 IAFF education seminars in 1969.