Progressive Fire Fighter’s Association of Washington DC
UniverSoul Circus First Aid Station Volunteers
Click the image below for Dates!
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
How the Progressive Firefighter’s Association has assisted the Employees within the Department, please click here!
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Progressive Firefighter’s Association has organized an Honor Guard Committee. The Chair of this committee is Woodrow Price.
MLK Day Parade/Walk of 2019
2018 Ward 8 Christmas Toy Drive
EVENTS COMING UP!
Please click here to access our Events Page.
Below is a video interview with Romeo O. Spaulding on the history of Progressive Fire Fighter’s Association of Washington DC and the Southeast Region of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, Inc.
“TRIBUTE TO A BLACK FIREMAN”
I HEARD THE ENGINE’S CLANGING GONGS,
A BLOCK OR TWO AWAY.
AND THEN I SAW THE RANGING FIRE,
DARK SMOKE AND WATER SPRAY.
I SAW THE SHINY LADDER
AS IT REACHED UP TO THE WALL.
AND THEN I SAW HIM CLIMBING,
CLIMBING UPWARD, TOWARD THE CALL
HIS BLACK HANDS GRIPPED THE LADDER
WHICH HE CLIMBED WITH SURED PACE
THE SMOKE ENGULFED HIS BODY
FLAMES DANCED ABOUT HIS FACE
“I CAN’T HOLD ON ! PLEASE HELP ME!”
A YOUTHFUL VOICE, A PLEADING CRY.
“HOLD ON ! HOLD ON ! I’M COMING!’
WAS HIS FIRM ASSURED REPLY?
THE ROOF BEGAN TO CRUMBLE,
THE BUILDINGS’ END WAS NEAR.
THOSE BELOW BEGAN TO SCTTER
AT THE SOUND WHICH FILLED THEIR EARS.
HAS DARK FACE WAS GRIPPED WITH HORROR.
HIS MIND WAS SEIZED BY FEAR.
AS HE REACHED THE FIREY WINDOW,
HE HEARD – “SWING THE LADDER CLEAR!”
IN THAT NEXT HEROIC MOMENT
AS I CLOSED MY EYES TO PRAY,
A BLACK HAND GRASPED THE CHILD
AND LIFTED HIM AWAY
THERE A TOP THE LADDER
CLEARLY SEEN BY EVERY EYE,
WERE THE FIREMAN AND CHILD
DARK SILHOUETTES AGAINST THE SKY.
HE WAS GRIMEY, HOT AND HAGGARD
AS HE STEPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND.
AS CHEER AROSE – HE SMILED,
BUT HE NEVER TURNED AROUND.
WHEN A REPORTER ASKED HIS NAME,
HE HEARD HIM QUIETY SAY
NO NAME PLEASE!”
“COMPARE TO THE BIGOTRY AND OTHER BARRIERS I’VE OVERCOME.
THIS WAS AN EASY DAY”
JAMES O. ROGERS, AUTHOR
PROGRESSIVE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION – WASHINGTON, D.C.