Boston Society of Vulcans of Massachusetts records

The Boston Society of Vulcans of Massachusetts was founded in 1971 for the recruitment of African American and other minorities into the fire service. In 1972 the Boston Society of Vulcans, with assistance from the NAACP, Attorney Thomas Mela, and the Justice Department, filed a class action suit against the Civil Service Commission, which resulted in the City of Boston having to hire minorities on a one to one basis until minorities represented 26% of the fire fighting force. In addition to recruiting, the Vulcan Society also works to create more upward mobility for minority firefighters, as well as performing charitable activity for local communities. Their mission statement is, "To serve as an advocate for the recruitment, support and advancement through the ranks and fair treatment of people of color in the fire service: to empower the low income and high risk communities of Boston through fire and life safety training, positive cultural activities and charitable support." (www.bostonvulcans.org) The Vulcan Society, with the cooperation of the Boston Fire Department, recruited and counseled people from 1976 to the present. In 1988, the Lloyd Phillips Scholarship Fund was established to assist students in the community to meet college costs. From the efforts of the Vulcan Society, other organizations and community leaders, the Boston Fire Department figures have increased from 18 in 1976, to over 500 African American and Hispanic firefighters in 2004.

The parent organization to the Boston Society of Vulcans is the International Association for Black Professional Firefighters (IABPFF). It the a unifying body for its many member organizations. In September of 1969, African American and minority fire fighters of all ranks from municipalities across the United States met in New York City for two days of discussion on the recruitment of minority youth into the fire service, firefighters-community relations, and the need to improve fire prevention programs in the areas of greatest need. Out of this meeting the International Association for Black Professional Firefighters was formed, it held its first convention in Hartford, Connecticut in 1970. The IABPFF defines its purpose and aims as: "To create a liaison between our Black Brothers and Sisters across the nation, to collect and evaluate data on all deleterious conditions incumbent in all areas where minorities 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." (http://www.iabpff.org/index2.htm).

1972-1976

Charles Parris

1977-1980

Roy E. Burrill

1981-1986

Robert Powell

1987-1990

Stanley D. Moore

1991-1996

Walter Porter