AIAFF History

The following article came from the International Fire Fighters Newsletter of August 1973, In a Message to the Membership of the IAFF from the President then - WM. Howard McCLennen. (AIAFF wants to thank him and all others for the support and help through our history.)

Our Ladies

Everybody knows for sure that fire fighting is an all male occupation. Everybody knows it, perhaps except the women of fire fighters' families-the wives, the mothers, the sisters, the sweethearts of the men who have to respond when the alarm rings.

It occurs to me that we tend to take the women's contribution altogether too much for granted.

When a fire fighter loses his life, it is the widow who must cope with raising the surviving family. When a fire fighter is severly injured, it is the wife-or mother, or some relative who bears a heavy responsibility for helping keep day-to-day routines in some sort of normal operation.

In fact, when the alarm bell rings, in many ways it's easier for the fire fighter than the loved ones. He is trained, and skilled and ready to face danger. The women and children can only be strong and hope danger will pass their man this time.

But there's more involved than that.

A good share of the thoughful mail about fire fighters' problems that comes into my office each week is from our womenfolk. They care. They have ideas. They beleive in the goals and objectives that the IAFF tries to bring about. They give great support.

Often, of course, that support is organized. The Auxiliaries do a terrific job: picketing, ringing doorbells, getting out the vote, running parties, raising money, and all the other day-to-day jobs that need doing.

Whether it's organized activity or lonely worries, our women give this International and its members a tremendous amount of support.

I hope you guys out there recognize this fact, and appreciate it. I do-and on behalf of the IAFF, I think it's time we said, loud clear, "Thank you, ladies, and God Bless you."

WM. Howard McClennen

  **The following article was written in 1973 from the then IAFF President WM. Howard McClennen. Firefighting is no longer just a male occupation and we appreciate the women of the firefighting industry for their dedication and service as well.