Progressive Fire Fighter’s Association of Washington DC

Below is the video of our Black History Month Event with DC Fire and EMS Department!

This event presented Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton with the Honorary Fire and EMS Chief Designation and a Discussion Panel “Keeping the Fire Through The Transition”

Photos from the “Keeping The Fire Burning Through The Transition” Discussion Panel

The below photos are by Dennis Blackwell.

The below photos are by Jerome Young.

Welcome to the website of the Progressive Fire Fighter’s Association of Washington DC (PFFADC)! In 1968, our founders cultivated the idea to unite Black fire fighters and communities in the struggle to contest the injustices that exist in the fire service and in our local communities. This cultivation led to the unification of efforts to take a stand for social justices in, what was then known as, the District of Columbia Fire Department (DCFD).

In October of 1970, Black and minority firefighters from various municipalities across the United States, met in New York City for two days of discussion. As a result of the meetings, the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (I.A.B.P.F.F., Inc) was established. Then in 1970, the PFFADC became a charter member of the IABPFF, Inc.

We are cognizant that the Black community has an abundance of untapped talent to offer. The PFFADC works to improve the economic development and employment opportunities for minorities in Washington, D.C., and internationally. As Black firefighters, it is our challenge to make the fire services more relevant to the needs and aspirations of minority citizens and communities across the world.

We remain in the forefront of action as we voice our needs and come together to face deleterious conditions that exist in the fire service and local communities. The PFFADC celebrates and recognizes our founders, who had the courage and vision to “speak truth to power” over the many decades. We “kept the fire burning for justice” to quote founding president David J. Floyd.

We welcome you to explore our website as we proudly share who we are and the principles for which we stand. Our website is intended to support the needs of our members by providing basic tools and resources for international business and services to the communities we serve. We hope you enjoy your visit to our online home.

The Progressive Fire Fighters Association was established to create a liaison between our Black Brothers and Sisters within the District of Columbia, to collect and evaluate data on all deleterious conditions incumbent in all areas where minorities exist, and to compile information concerning the injustices that exist in the working conditions in the Fire Service, and implement action to correct them. To promote interracial progress throughout the Fire Service; and to see that competent Blacks are recruited and employed as firefighters, wherever they reside, and to aid in motivating our Black Brothers and Sisters to seek advancement to elevated ranks throughout the Fire Service.

Our Vision is:

That all ranks and divisions of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department reflect the ethnic and gender make up of the District of Columbia.
Transparency of all promotional processes, duty and positional assignments, and disciplinary processes for all ranks and divisions of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
For persons of all socioeconomic backgrounds within our community to have the real opportunity to pursue careers in the fire service.

The Progressive Firefighter Association and it members are members of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPFF)!

Benefits of being a Member of the Progressive Firefighters Association of Washington DC:

Camaraderie
- Between Active DC Fire and EMS Employees
- Retired DC Fire and EMS Employees
- Firefighters Worldwide
- The Community
Access to Professional Fire Service Networking
Fraternal Associations worldwide
Discounts on Services and Products
Leadership, Professional Development, and Organizational Structure Training
Cultural Education, Fellowship, Collaboration, and Edification
Business Networking
Access to lobby at the National Level with Professional Organizations