[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE 
                                 CHIEFS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2023

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 150th 
anniversary of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). 
Established in 1873, the IAFC represents the unified voice of the fire 
chiefs of career, volunteer, combination, and military fire departments 
worldwide. With a current membership of more than 11,000 strong, the 
IAFC has advocated for essential programs that keep our citizens safe 
from fires, hazmat incidents, structural collapses, acts of terrorism, 
pandemics, and other tragedies, both human-made and natural.
  The year 1873 was a momentous one in the history of the United 
States. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a patent for their famous 
jeans with copper rivets. The U.S. Naval Institute was established. And 
the IAFC was officially formed. Known first as the National Association 
of Fire Engineers, these brave firefighters were guided by a mission 
``to bring forward an exchange of ideas and introduce new machinery 
that would facilitate the workings of fire departments.'' Later, with 
the addition of Canadian members, the name was changed to the 
International Association of Fire Engineers, and it finally became the 
IAFC in 1926.
  The IAFC has been a leader in developing important National fire 
service initiatives. In 1957, the IAFC petitioned the Federal 
Communications Commission to establish a 3-digit universal emergency 
services number. This decade-long effort resulted in the first 9-1-1 
call being placed on February 16, 1968. In addition, the U.S. Fire 
Administration was created in 1974 in response to the landmark Report 
of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.
  The IAFC is a trusted partner of the Congressional Fire Services 
Caucus, of which I am a longtime Co-Chairman. When I led the effort to 
create the FIRE grant program in 1999 and 2000, I worked closely with 
the IAFC to bring the voices of thousands of fire chiefs to Washington 
to deliver federal dollars directly to local fire departments for the 
very first time to afford training, equipment, and fire prevention 
programs. In addition, the IAFC provided significant assistance to the 
Congressional Fire Services Caucus's successful efforts to create the 
SAFER grant program to support the recruitment and retention of career 
and volunteer firefighters.
  Today, the IAFC is a trusted voice to its members, the fire and 
emergency service community, legislators, and more. The IAFC remains on 
the frontline helping local fire departments prepare for wildland fires 
and emerging technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and autonomous 
vehicles. In addition, the IAFC is assisting fire departments in 
harnessing data, developing EMS programs, and recruiting diverse and 
inclusive workforces to better provide service to their communities. 
Fire chiefs are the backbone of our cities and towns, and that could 
not be truer than in my hometown of Paterson, New Jersey. Paterson Fire 
Chief Brian McDermott will retire in August after over 28 years of 
distinguished service in the Paterson Fire Department. His leadership 
has been instrumental for the public safety and security of so many 
residents of New Jersey.
  I ask every member to join me in recognizing the outstanding work of 
the IAFC. The organization remains dedicated to providing leadership, 
expertise, and integrity to its members, its federal partners, and the 
public. Here's to the next 150 years of the IAFC.

                          ____________________