This user has not added any information to their profile yet.
I am a retired Member from New York City. I am also a Past President of My Local Chapter, the Vulcan Society FDNY, Inc. I have been a Member of the IABPFF since joining the FDNY in 1973. I had the honor of serving as Vice President of My Chapter under the Leadership of Brother David James Floyd the Founding President of the IABPFF. Brother Floyd was also the First Black Firefighter to be assigned to a Rescue Company in the History of the FDNY. He was a Member of Rescue Company 2, the busiest of the Rescue Units in NYC. And after being Promoted to LT. he returned to Rescue 2 as an Officer. As You can tell he was a Great inspiration in many ways to Us all. I was retired by My Department on May 1 , 1999 due to Line of Duty Injuries. During My Twenty Six Years of Service I served in some of the Busiest Fire Companies in New York City. Engine 290, Squad Company One and Rescue 2. During My Eleven Years at Rescue 2 (1981-1992) I had the Honor of Serving with some of the Best of the “Bravest”, as Firefighters are nicknamed in NYC. Of the 343 Firefighters who gave their Lives on September 11, 2001, were 42 who I worked with Personally. Battalion Chief Raymond Downey who was the Chief of Rescue Services that day, was My Captain in both Squad Company One and Rescue 2. He was also one of the founders of the National Urban Search and Teams, that many of You are members of in Your Cities across the Nation.. At the time of My Retirement I was the Most Decorated Black Firefighter in NYC. Something I’m very Proud of, particularly since when I joined the FDNY as a result of a Lawsuit by the Vulcan Society in 1973, We were told that We were lowering the Standards of the Department, and the Union Greeted Us at the Division of Training by stating “WE DON’T WANT YOU” ! but We’ll take Your Dues. And when I and a Brother Latino Proby entered the Quarters of My first assignment, while the Companies were on a run, in big bold letters on the Blackboard in the Kitchen were the words, “NO NIGGERS AND SPICS WANTED” ! Keep the Fires Burning for Justice ! Elbert Washington