Schaitberger Delivers Inspiring Human Relations Conference Address

January 28, 2010 – As the Ernest A. “Buddy” Mass Human Relations Conference got underway in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, January 24-27, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger addressed Conference attendees.

Schaitberger began by expressing his heartfelt appreciation of the retiring IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer Vincent J. Bollon and the service he has provided to the International since he became a fire fighter in 1959. Bollon was the second-longest serving principal officer, surpassed only by George Richardson, who served as General Secretary-Treasurer from 1920-1956.

While he was sorry to see Bollon retire, Schaitberger is confident that the newly-elected IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer, Thomas Miller, will continue to provide the high-level of service the nearly 300,000 members of the IAFF need and deserve.

He also took time to acknowledge the valiant efforts that American and Canadian USAR teams have made on behalf the Haitian earthquake victims. “Godspeed that they all come home safely; they definitely are making all of us proud to be a part of this great profession and this great union,” Schaitberger said.

Turning his attention to the issue at hand – improving human relations, Schaitberger spoke with pride about the progress made by the IAFF as a union since the first IAFF Human Relations Conference was held 23 years ago.

"This country has elected its first African American president and many other high-ranking positions are filled with minorities," he said. "And as a union we’ve faced important issues head-on because we understand that equality and social issues provide the foundation upon which this union is built. Without that foundation and without that commitment to broader ideas, all of our accomplishments are an empty promise.”

Schaitberger conceded that, despite all of the progress, “Much remains to be done. Achieving the ideals of justice and equality is an ongoing struggle." But he encouraged attending members to confront those challenges with the same professionalism and dedication that they face on the job.

“We should be measured by our deeds,” he said. “If we don’t stand up, take responsibility and do what is right, our failure to act will outweigh all the positive words we speak here this week. It’s up to each of us to commit to actions that will give our words meaning.”

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