Association for Black Professionals in the Fire Service (UK)

Welcome to the Association for Black Professionals in the Fire Service (UK) website.

This will provide you with opportunities to learn about the UK chapter of the International Association for Black Professional Firefighters (IABPFF). 

In September 1969, Black and Minority firefighters of all ranks from across the United States met in New York City for two days to discuss the injustices that exist in the following categories:

The recruitment of black youths into the fire service, firefighters' community relations with residents of neighbourhoods inhabited by black people, inter-group relations and practices in fire departments, and the need to improve fire prevention programmes in the areas of greatest need.

That meeting was productive and out of it was born the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) with the first convention being held in Hartford, Connecticut in 1970.

We were introduced to the IABPFF in the late 1990s and following our attendance at the 2004 IABPFF Conference we established a UK Chapter with approximately 10 members.  After our attendance at the 2006 Conference this grew to approximately 30 due paying members and we have now become a national organisation.

In the last two years all members have been active in moving our Chapter forward either through assisting in establishing our charity status, writing our constitution, organising our finances or playing a role in our local communities. 

Through the inspiration we have taken from our colleagues in America a large percentage of UK Chapter members have achieved promotion within their Brigades.  25 of our 30 members are FRS-D or crew manager and above.  We have become trainers, we have become spokes persons for a number of black-run organisations throughout the country, we are trade union reps and we are mentors, all of which empowering our members, fire service colleagues and communities. 

A number of the women in the ABPFS(UK) were involved in organising a conference aimed at Black women in the Fire Service.  The conference was supported by the West Midlands Fire Service and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) with additional support from members of the ABPFS.  We hope to inspire and encourage women of colour in the fire service (operational and support) through workshops, inspirational speakers and networking opportunities.