Greetings Director Tinney,
The following is a historical overview of the Vulcan Society's contributions to the genesis of the IABPFF.
The Vulcan Society F.D.N.Y. Incorporated was founded in 1940 under the leadership of Battalion Chief Wesley Williams.
1944- The Society conducted a survey throughout the department to determine how widespread were discriminatory attitudes and acts against Negro firemen. Verification of a pattern of racial discrimination was followed by a Vulcan Society initiated hearing before the City Affairs Committee of the New York Council on December 7th. At this hearing the Vulcan Society accused the Fire Department of a policy of conscious and deliberate discrimination against Negro Fireman and of permitting the assignment of Negro Fireman to Jim Crow beds in at least Twenty Firehouses.
1945- The Society became the first organization of civil servants in the nation to purchase a $500.00 Lifetime Membership in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
1952- At the behest of the Society, Fire Commissioner Jacob Grumet spoke out strongly at a meeting of the American Jewish Congress against the stand of the Uniformed Firemen's Local in Washington D.C. This union opposed and refused to permit the integration of Negro Fireman into undermanned white companies. Letters of protest were sent by the Society to all New York State representatives in Congress.
1954- At the direction of Chief of Department Peter Loftus, the Society prepared affirmative answers to a questionnaire from the Fact Finding Committee of the Los Angeles Fire Department concerning the results of racially mixing fire companies in the New York Fire Department.
This questionnaire was related to efforts by the N.A.A.C.P and other groups to break up racially segregated firehouses in Los Angeles, California.
1959- In October the Society won a fight to secure the admission of Fireman Louis Newton and other Negro Firemen in the previously all-white New Rochelle, New York Uniformed Fireman's Local 273 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
1960- David James Floyd was appointed to the F.D.N.Y. On October 29, 1960 and assigned to Division 11, in Brooklyn New York., As Firefighter 4th Grade he was assigned to Engine 238 on March 11, 1961, as Firefighter 3rd Grade he was assigned to Ladder 108 on April 28, 1962.
1963- The Society secured the signatures of 20,000 persons on petitions requesting the Mayor to appoint Member Robert O. Lowery to the position of Deputy Fire Commissioner.
On November 19, 1963, Robert O. Lowery was sworn in as Deputy Fire Commissioner by Commissioner Edward Thompson.
Also, at the instigation of the Society, the Uniformed Fire Officers' Association on July 9th approved a resolution condemning the use of fire hoses by Birmingham, Alabama firemen against peaceably demonstrating Negro Citizens.
And, on August 28th, 106 Members of the Society served as marshals at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
1965- The Society received approval from Fire Commissioner Scott for the endowment of a
Medal, the Chief Wesley Williams Medal For Valor to be awarded annually to a member of the Fire Department in recognition of an act of Bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
1966- On June 11, 1966 David James Floyd was assigned to Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn
New York, becoming the FIRST BLACK FIREFIGHTER ever assigned to a Rescue Company in the HISTORY of the FDNY !
1967- The Society actively participated in the Testimonial Dinner Honoring Hartford, Connecticut's 1st Black Fire Officer, Lt. John B. Stewart, President and a founding member of
the Phoenix Society of Hartford.
1968- Vulcan member Augustus A. Beekman was promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief of Department, making him the Highest ranking Black Fire Officer in the Nation.
1969- During the months of July and August the Executive Board met and developed the concept for a Conference of Black Professional Firefighters. David G. Jackson served as Chairman of a joint committee, consisting of the Vulcan's Executive Board and representatives from other fraternal organization's of Black Firefighters from Newark, New Jersey; Jersey City,
New Jersey; Hartford, Connecticut and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The proposed conference was scheduled for October 17, 18, 1969 to be held at the Hotel Commodore, New York City.
On October 31 and November 1, respectively, the Conference of Black Professional Firefighters was held at the Hotel Commodore, New York City with representatives from approximately 29 cities in attendance. They came from Boston, Mass., from Los Angeles, California and all points in between. It was a most memorable and historic occasion-another outstanding achievement which was initiated by the Vulcan Society.
The Society was saddened by the passing of retired member Vonner Jordan, one of the founding members of the Vulcan Society. Vonner's last public appearance was at a meeting of the founding members to help formulate plans for the Conference of Black Professional Firefighters.
1970- Members of the Executive Board of the Society journeyed to Baltimore, Maryland to help members of the Los Diakonis Club form a fraternal organization that later became the Vulcan Blazers.
The first Convention of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters in Hartford, Connecticut on October 1, 2 and 3, was a outstanding success. The Vulcan Society again sponsored the Vanguards. Our first Vice President David James Floyd was elected as the President of this International Association.
1971- David James Floyd was promoted on December 4, 1971 to the rank of Lieutenant.
1972- At the second Biennial Convention of the International Association of Black Professional
Firefighters, in St. Louis, Missouri, more than fifty delegates and wives attended.
David James Floyd was re-elected International President and Vincent W. Julius was elected Corresponding Secretary.
Lieutenant David James Floyd was assigned to Ladder 123 on February 5, 1972, the roster of this legendary and illustrious Fire Company had the largest Black Firefighters representation than any Fire Company in Brooklyn, 17 of the 25 members were Black.
1973- On June 23, 1973 Lieutenant David James Floyd returned to Rescue Company 2 as a Rescue Officer.
After other assignments Brother Floyd was Promoted to Captain on April 18, 1987, and his last assignment was as Captain of Ladder 20 in Lower Manhattan.
He retired on April 24, 1996 after 36 Years of service to the F.D.N.Y.
And, having served as President of the IABPFF for its first Decade, 1970-1980
Respectfully Submitted,
Elbert Washington
Lifetime Member
The following is a historical overview of the Vulcan Society's contributions to the genesis of the IABPFF.
The Vulcan Society F.D.N.Y. Incorporated was founded in 1940 under the leadership of Battalion Chief Wesley Williams.
1944- The Society conducted a survey throughout the department to determine how widespread were discriminatory attitudes and acts against Negro firemen. Verification of a pattern of racial discrimination was followed by a Vulcan Society initiated hearing before the City Affairs Committee of the New York Council on December 7th. At this hearing the Vulcan Society accused the Fire Department of a policy of conscious and deliberate discrimination against Negro Fireman and of permitting the assignment of Negro Fireman to Jim Crow beds in at least Twenty Firehouses.
1945- The Society became the first organization of civil servants in the nation to purchase a $500.00 Lifetime Membership in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
1952- At the behest of the Society, Fire Commissioner Jacob Grumet spoke out strongly at a meeting of the American Jewish Congress against the stand of the Uniformed Firemen's Local in Washington D.C. This union opposed and refused to permit the integration of Negro Fireman into undermanned white companies. Letters of protest were sent by the Society to all New York State representatives in Congress.
1954- At the direction of Chief of Department Peter Loftus, the Society prepared affirmative answers to a questionnaire from the Fact Finding Committee of the Los Angeles Fire Department concerning the results of racially mixing fire companies in the New York Fire Department.
This questionnaire was related to efforts by the N.A.A.C.P and other groups to break up racially segregated firehouses in Los Angeles, California.
1959- In October the Society won a fight to secure the admission of Fireman Louis Newton and other Negro Firemen in the previously all-white New Rochelle, New York Uniformed Fireman's Local 273 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
1960- David James Floyd was appointed to the F.D.N.Y. On October 29, 1960 and assigned to Division 11, in Brooklyn New York., As Firefighter 4th Grade he was assigned to Engine 238 on March 11, 1961, as Firefighter 3rd Grade he was assigned to Ladder 108 on April 28, 1962.
1963- The Society secured the signatures of 20,000 persons on petitions requesting the Mayor to appoint Member Robert O. Lowery to the position of Deputy Fire Commissioner.
On November 19, 1963, Robert O. Lowery was sworn in as Deputy Fire Commissioner by Commissioner Edward Thompson.
Also, at the instigation of the Society, the Uniformed Fire Officers' Association on July 9th approved a resolution condemning the use of fire hoses by Birmingham, Alabama firemen against peaceably demonstrating Negro Citizens.
And, on August 28th, 106 Members of the Society served as marshals at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
1965- The Society received approval from Fire Commissioner Scott for the endowment of a
Medal, the Chief Wesley Williams Medal For Valor to be awarded annually to a member of the Fire Department in recognition of an act of Bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
1966- On June 11, 1966 David James Floyd was assigned to Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn
New York, becoming the FIRST BLACK FIREFIGHTER ever assigned to a Rescue Company in the HISTORY of the FDNY !
1967- The Society actively participated in the Testimonial Dinner Honoring Hartford, Connecticut's 1st Black Fire Officer, Lt. John B. Stewart, President and a founding member of
the Phoenix Society of Hartford.
1968- Vulcan member Augustus A. Beekman was promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief of Department, making him the Highest ranking Black Fire Officer in the Nation.
1969- During the months of July and August the Executive Board met and developed the concept for a Conference of Black Professional Firefighters. David G. Jackson served as Chairman of a joint committee, consisting of the Vulcan's Executive Board and representatives from other fraternal organization's of Black Firefighters from Newark, New Jersey; Jersey City,
New Jersey; Hartford, Connecticut and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The proposed conference was scheduled for October 17, 18, 1969 to be held at the Hotel Commodore, New York City.
On October 31 and November 1, respectively, the Conference of Black Professional Firefighters was held at the Hotel Commodore, New York City with representatives from approximately 29 cities in attendance. They came from Boston, Mass., from Los Angeles, California and all points in between. It was a most memorable and historic occasion-another outstanding achievement which was initiated by the Vulcan Society.
The Society was saddened by the passing of retired member Vonner Jordan, one of the founding members of the Vulcan Society. Vonner's last public appearance was at a meeting of the founding members to help formulate plans for the Conference of Black Professional Firefighters.
1970- Members of the Executive Board of the Society journeyed to Baltimore, Maryland to help members of the Los Diakonis Club form a fraternal organization that later became the Vulcan Blazers.
The first Convention of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters in Hartford, Connecticut on October 1, 2 and 3, was a outstanding success. The Vulcan Society again sponsored the Vanguards. Our first Vice President David James Floyd was elected as the President of this International Association.
1971- David James Floyd was promoted on December 4, 1971 to the rank of Lieutenant.
1972- At the second Biennial Convention of the International Association of Black Professional
Firefighters, in St. Louis, Missouri, more than fifty delegates and wives attended.
David James Floyd was re-elected International President and Vincent W. Julius was elected Corresponding Secretary.
Lieutenant David James Floyd was assigned to Ladder 123 on February 5, 1972, the roster of this legendary and illustrious Fire Company had the largest Black Firefighters representation than any Fire Company in Brooklyn, 17 of the 25 members were Black.
1973- On June 23, 1973 Lieutenant David James Floyd returned to Rescue Company 2 as a Rescue Officer.
After other assignments Brother Floyd was Promoted to Captain on April 18, 1987, and his last assignment was as Captain of Ladder 20 in Lower Manhattan.
He retired on April 24, 1996 after 36 Years of service to the F.D.N.Y.
And, having served as President of the IABPFF for its first Decade, 1970-1980
Respectfully Submitted,
Elbert Washington
Lifetime Member