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IABPFF INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IABPFF COMMUNITY RELATIONS CHAIR
An experienced Fire Service Leader whose professional responsibility expands into areas of public education, public speaking, motivational leadership and decision-making. Competent and knowledgeable in all phases of Fire Service Management as it relates to Fire Suppression, with specific expertise in Fire Prevention & Safety.
Professionally trained by Dr. Carl Homes, creator of the Executive Development Institute, the National Fire Academy, the University of Memphis and Chattanooga State Technical Community College to conduct Research and Planning that forecast long-range department goals. As an instructor, I have contributed pertinent information to the Executive Development Institute overall organizational plan, which has impacted thousands of individuals and their corresponding fire departments, as well as, their Fire Safety Management Division goals.
Provide guidance on Developing Fire & Life Safety Strategies to Fire Chiefs, Fire Marshal, City Officials, Fire Protection Engineers, Fire Plans Examiners, Public Education Officers, Fire Inspectors, and Fire Service personnel, Architects, Code Enforcement Officers and business owners.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
City of Chattanooga Fire Department - July 3, 1987 - October 31, 2015
An experienced Fire Service Leader whose professional responsibility expands into areas of public education, public speaking, motivational leadership and decision-making.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS
Joined the Brothers United, Chattanooga, TN. In 1987
Served as President for (4) years
DEGREE STUDIES/CONTINUING EDUCATION
Chattanooga State Community College
Fire Science Technology A.A.S.
University of Memphis
Bachelors of Professional Studies
Fire Administration/Fire Prevention Technology B.P.S.
National Fire Academy contract Instructor
Fire Prevention & Life Safety Education
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
National Fire Protection Association
National Fire Academy Alumna Association
National Fire and Life Safety Educator
Home Safety Council
COMMUNITY RELATIONS ACTIVITIES:
Board of Directors for Generation (H.O.P.E.) Male Mentoring Program Inc.
Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee (Wish Granter)
2nd Vice-Director Southeast Region
Founding member of The 100 Black Men of Chattanooga
Community Relation Coordination (I.A.B.P.F.F.)
General Colin Powell’s America’s Promise
East 5th Street Child Care Center Board of Directors
Event Coordinator for Blood Assurance (Bone Marrow Drive)
Director for Black Achievers Henry Branch Y.M.C.A
Center for Missing and Exploited Children (Take 25)
Mentoring at Howard School for Males
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Developed a National community outreach program to address fire and life safety across the country
Listed as a faculty of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy
Recognition for outstanding achievement for promoting Chattanooga by the President’s VIP Council (Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Received Proclamation from the State, County, and City for the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (November 2, 2000)
Awarded the Presidential Award for Community Outreach from the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters
Comments (26)
To all our IABPFF, EDI and Chicago Fire Department family, I regret to bring sad news and condolences on the passing of former Deputy Fire Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department, Nicholas Russell.
This news is sudden and I ask all to give the family and Department time and space to grieve and then notify us of arrangements. Please the family in your prayers.
Thank you
All Retires & Life Members let’s join together and help this Organization function and Thrive. There is strength in numbers. We can make it strong.
Let’s do it!
Sounds like a plan, and a great one at that
All for strengthening and empowering, membership in all aspects of upward mobility
Thanks to Sister Rita. PS: Everyone please stay safe
And good luck to my son Chris Holmes DC Fire new BFC
Welcome brother Ted to the new site.
Please extend congratulations to your son on my behalf and best regards.
Hello Mr. Holmes
So sorry to hear of the passing of Brother Outerbridge. I can remember him being argumentative on the convention floor back in the 70s. I see he continued to voice his strong opinions well after retirement in some of the things he wrote. Thank you for your committment and contributions to the IABPFF. Rest in Peace
Biography, RIP Brother
Fireman Leslie Outerbridge risked his life to save others and risked his job for racial justice. Born December 29, 1936 in Chicago, Outerbridge grew up in the Cabrini Green projects. His father, a former cricket champion from Bermuda, taught him about fair play. Outerbridge was a good student at Jenner School and entered Wells High School early at age twelve. Dropping out at age fifteen, he joined the Air Force in 1953. There, he played on the installations’ basketball, football and baseball teams. After his discharge, Outerbridge drove a taxi, until his father’s friend, Robert Thompson, a black firefighter, “sponsored” him for the Chicago Fire Department (CFD). Outerbridge passed the written exam, but “failed” his first physical. Later, Outerbridge found that his father’s donation of $300 ensured that he “passed” the second time around in 1961. Outerbridge later returned to school, earning a B.S. from Chicago State University in 1981.
In 1968, Outerbridge, along with Jim Winbush and Wesley Thompson and backed by the NAACP, Operation PUSH, and the Chicago Urban League, with inspiration from Father George Clements, Anderson Thompson, and legal assistance from Attorney Kermit Coleman, formed the Afro American Firefighters League (AAFL). The AAFL completed a study in 1973 that detailed the Chicago Fire Department’s record of racial discrimination in hiring and promotional practices. The United States Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago that same year. Mayor Daley signed the court ordered “consent decree” in 1977, which resulted in increasing the number of black firefighters from 125 to 400 by 1979. Now, the number is over 1,000. Forced to fight a relentless paper war with unhappy CFD brass, Outerbridge discovered that paperwork was their weakness. For thirty-seven years he performed his duties and retired in 1995. Outerbridge was also a founder of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters in 1969.
A talented photographer and part time model, Outerbridge has researched the history of African Americans, the CFD and the great Chicago fires – a history that goes back to 1873 when Willie Watkins was the first black firefighter. Outerbridge lives in Chicago’s West Chesterfield neighborhood with his wife, Annie.
Rest in Heaven
It has come to my attention that Brother Les Outerbridge of Chicago passed to reward yesterday. Brother Outerbridge was a warrior in the war of racism and discrimination on the Chicago Fire Department and he left his legacy, his book called SMOKE. My Brother will be missed by all that knew him. Rest in Peace Warrior.
I would like to say thank you to the election committee. Great process. Yay, we got it right!!!!!
Yes Brother Adams!
Thanks, I’m glad to be logged in.
Please share http://www.FirefightersABCs.com with the youth in your community – Free Online Internship Program
Thank you.
Always Service
Please share http://www.FirefightersABCs.com with the youth in your community – Free Online Internship Program
The same to you and best regards!
Always helping our community! Keep up the good work!! You are appreciated!!! Mia C.
Thank you.
Always Service
Thank you and best regards!
Glad to be able to Log-in thanks everyone for making the website come alive!!
IABPFF Member Action Item Matrix
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