IABPFF Recording Secretary

Robert has been a firefighter for over 15+ years and currently serves in the rank of Fire Specialist. He began his fire service career with Travis County ESD’s for 6 years while becoming the first paid African American Firefighter at North Lake Travis Fire Rescue and then joining the Austin Fire Department as the only African Americans hired out of more than 4000 applicants. Robert currently holds the position of the Vice President with the Austin African-American Fire Fighters Association (AAAFFA). Prior to this position, he served as the Interim President for AAAFFA after past chapter President Assistant Chief Davis moved to the political advisor position. While serving as chapter president, Robert helped fill chapter Eboard member positions, run an election process, represent the AAAFFA in South-Central Region monthly meetings, as well as host and manage the South-Central Region monthly meetings via Zoom. Robert has over 5 years of experience as the Recording Secretary for AAAFFA and over 12 years as a chapter member. He has attended several International Association of Black Professional, Firefighter conferences, and conventions. 

He has served the department as a Fire Explorer post Advisor for more than 3 years mentoring young men and women into the fire service and helping them becoming Firefighters. Robert is also a 2018 Community Award Winner for his distinguished service and commitment for helping shape the Fire Explorer Post 370 as a top post in the Capital Area Council of central Texas. Robert fought and led the policy change for the Austin Fire Department on the C.R.O.W.N. Act as well as assisted with the fight to gain the use of Association Business Leave hours for the AAAFFA chapter. Robert has over 5 years of experience serving on the AFD Uniform committee as well as the Cadet Oversite committee. 

His certifications include: Advance Firefighter, Master Firefighter (pending)Instructor I and II, Fire Officer I, and Inspector I and II pending. Going into his sophomore year at Fire Rescue International, Robert is working to complete his degree in the Officer Development Program. Outside of the fire service, Robert volunteers with the Man In Me project as well as his radio show on the longest running Black community radio station in Texas, KAZI 88.7FM. Robert is the father to a beautiful daughter and helps manage a growing zoo of her pet fish, hamsters, dogs, corn snake, chameleon, and chickens, yes that’s right, chickens. A little Miss Doctor Dolittle in the making. Currently, Robert is working with the Austin Fire Department’s Recruiting program to help achieve the goal of improving the number of minorities in the department. His goal is to help produce great high-quality Firefighters that will excel in the fire service and become great community leaders of today and tomorrow.

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Duties & Responsibilities

The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes at all regular or special International Executive Board meetings. He or she shall have access to all records and minutes of all IABPFF meetings where minutes are kept.
He or she shall in the absence of the International President and Executive Vice President perform the duties of the International President.
He or She Shall:

1. Record the minutes of all IABPFF meetings;
2. Review and transcribe all minutes of the IABPFF meetings for
   accuracy;
3. Finalize a report of said minutes to the IABPFF membership
   within 30 days after the close of the International Convention.

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