Chattanooga Football Club is proud to recognize The International Association of Professional Black Firefighters, or the IABPF of Chattanooga for Black History Month.
Founded in 1972, the Black Firefighters of Chattanooga are a staple of our community. The organization, made up of current and retired Black firefighters, has a mission focused on training, community outreach, and advocacy.
John Courtney and Jessie Sims were Chattanooga's first two African American firefighters and were instrumental in helping make the CFD a more diverse workforce.
The local chapter of the IABPF, known as the “Brothers United,” leads various initiatives around Chattanooga to prepare families for emergencies in their households. Members have planned educational courses to help families prepare for emergencies through public safety summer camps and service smoke alarm drives shared with members of our community.
Chattanooga FC and the IABPF have a shared goal of increasing educational literacy programs throughout Chattanooga. The local chapter of IABPF created a Read to Succeed Literacy Program, where firefighters read books on fire safety and education to kids at local elementary schools.
This program was created to give students the opportunity to have a positive experience with influential African Americans in the community.
Members of CFC also had the opportunity to support the organization by attending the 2nd Annual Black Firefighters Gala, which also helped benefit the Net Resource Foundation, whose mission is to challenge systemic issues through mentorship and community-building programs in the South Chattanooga community.
CFC looks forward to partnering and supporting the Black Firefighters of Chattanooga throughout 2024 and beyond.
