The IAFF is a co-sponsor of the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CSFI) first dinner in Washington, DC. President George H.W. Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle, along with more than 100 members of Congress, join with more than 2,000 guests to pay homage to the fire service. President Bush pledges support to fire fighters.
The U.S. Supreme Court opens the door for white workers to challenge affirmative action settlements by a vote of 5-4.
U.S. Representative Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania forms the Congressional Fire Services Caucus to direct Congress’ attention to the fire problem in America. According to Weldon, insensitivity to fire safety issues in government and among the public at large has given America the “biggest fire problem of any industrialized nation, and a dwindling level of recruitment into the fire service to tackle the growing crisis.”
The IAFF testifies in support of the Hotel/Motel Fire Safety Act of 1989, H.R. 94, which will require the installation of sprinkler systems and smoke detectors in hotels and motels.
Executive Assistant to the President Harold Schaitberger testifies before the House Ways and Means Committee on behalf of the IAFF in opposition to mandatory Medicare coverage for currently non-covered employees of state and municipal governments.
The IAFF Department of Governmental and Political Affairs undergoes a thorough review designed to ensure its continued effectiveness on Capitol Hill and to prepare detailed plans for the implementation of its current legislative program. The IAFF issues the first edition of a new legislative newsletter, “Capitol Alert,” to be published every two weeks while Congress is in session and mailed to the presidents of all U.S. affiliates for posting on firehouse bulletin boards.
The IAFF is notified by OSHA that officials of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are insisting that OSHA exclude state and local emergency response employees from the OSHA safety standard of hazardous materials due to be promulgated soon.
“What took place in Kansas City can take place in nearly every community in America. As a nation, we must recognize our inability or unwillingness to deal with the problems associated with fighting hazardous materials accidents. We must further recognize that the cost of ignoring the problem is paid in tragedies like that which took the lives of six dedicated fire fighters in Kansas City.”Al Whitehead, IAFF General President (1988-2000)
The IAFF’s “1987 Annual Death and Injury Survey” reveals that work-related death rates among fire fighters have increased by 6 percent since 1986, despite no change in death rates for other high-risk occupations.
The IAFF joins forces with the American Furniture Manufacturers Association to urge passage of legislation to require flameproof furniture in hotels and motels, nursing homes, day care centers, hospitals and other high-risk residences.
According to the National Council on Compensation, stress claims account for approximately 14 percent of occupational disease claims, up from five percent in 1980.
IAFF President Al Whitehead and Secretary-Treasurer Vinnie Bollon embark on “Operation Outreach,” a 13-city tour to hear from fire fighters about their problems and listen to possible suggestions on how the International can be more effective to the members it serves.
IAFF affiliates raise $6 million for the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
Three Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, fire fighters are killed when they are hit by a flashover at a residential fire.
The International Fire Fighter invites the IAFF membership to send in Letters to the Editor, providing an opportunity to express their views, concerns, ideas or gripes.
Two Orange County, Florida, fire fighters are killed when an explosion occurs as they are fighting a blaze near a gift shop at Walt Disney World village.
The IAFF Executive Board establishes a permanent IAFF Reward Fund to pledge rewards to individuals who provide information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of persons responsible for major arson incidents that cause the death of IAFF members.
The International Fire Fighter’s annual subscription rate for non-IAFF members increases to $18, the first increase since 1974.
The wage differential between union and non-union members continues to grow. In 1989, full-time wage and salary employees who are union members had a median earning of $480 per week ($24,960 per year) compared with $356 ($18,512 per year) for those who are not union members, a $6,448 difference.
The IAFF offers several publications to affiliates, including Managing the Entry of Women in the Fire Service, Pregnancy and Collective Bargaining and Promotion Practices in the Fire Service.
The second phase of the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial dedication takes place in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Wall of Honor is inscribed with the names of more than 800 U.S. and Canadian fire fighters who died in the line of duty over the years. Nearly 750 fire fighters and their families, IAFF officers and others attend the events.
The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program is upgraded to reflect the rise in the consumer price index. Effective October 1, 1989, the current benefit of $103,890 will be increased approximately 5.4 percent to $109,460.
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.