Bloomington Fire Fighters IAFF Local #49

Bloomington Fire Fighters IAFF Local #49. "Strength-Solidarity-Success". Bloomington Fire Fighters organized as an original number of the International Association Fire Fighters on February 28th, 1918 as Local #49, . In 1921 Local #49 was disbanded due to the depression era antilabor sentiments in city governments across the country, . In 1934 Bloomington Fire Fighters reorganized with the IAFF as Local #388, . On July 16th, 1935 fire fighters from 8 Illinois fire departments, including Bloomington, met at the Bloomington Trades and Labor hall to seek a way to establish better insurance benefits for fire fighters, . On August 22nd, 1935 Illinois fire fighters met again here in Bloomington to create a constitution and bylaws for an Illinois fire fighter's labor association. The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois was formed in Springfield on October 22nd, 1935 from this work. Bloomington fire figher Harold Wood was elected as the first Secretary Treasurer of the AFFI, . On June 7th, 1976 Bloomington Fire Fighters Local #388 went on strike due to an impasse in contract negotiations with the city. Fire fighters still answered calls while on strike, never leaving the public unprotected. The strike was over in less than 24 hours, . In 1993, Bloomington Fire Fighters regained their original local number once again becoming IAFF Local #49