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Founded May 24, 1951 The History of AAFCFrom one statewide organizational meeting grew a lasting voice for Alabama’s fire-service leaders. Our founding A Statewide Association Takes ShapeThe Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs was formally organized on May 24, 1951, during a meeting at Northington General Hospital in Tuscaloosa. Fire chiefs and fire-service representatives from communities throughout Alabama gathered to establish an organization dedicated to cooperation, professional leadership and the advancement of the state’s fire service. Chief E. L. Mathews of Tuscaloosa opened the meeting as temporary chairman. Charles Burns of the Alabama League of Municipalities discussed opportunities for affiliation with the League. 1951 The unanimous decision “The organization will be known as: The Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs.” The original record The Document That Started It AllThis surviving meeting record identifies the date and location of AAFC’s founding, the representatives in attendance, the unanimous adoption of the Association’s name and its first elected officers. The original page has been preserved with its aged paper, binder holes, typewritten text and handwritten marks intact. Elected May 24, 1951 AAFC’s First Officers PRESIDENT
E. L. MathewsTuscaloosa CL
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Clyde E. LandersGadsden  2ND VICE PRESIDENT
G. A. MitchellOpelika RR
SECRETARY-TREASURER
R. Henry RyanUniversity The founding delegation Representatives from Across AlabamaThe organizational record lists 47 attendees representing municipal fire departments, hospitals, industry, the University and the Alabama League of Municipalities. Clyde E. Landers — Gadsden W. E. Dixon — Prichard James Ward, T.C.I. — Fairfield Eddie Alford — Samson J. D. McDaniel — Jasper G. A. Mitchell — Opelika E. H. Knox — Homewood Hoyt M. Ayers — Birmingham T. V. Fields — Mountain Brook J. C. James — Eufaula A. E. Bumpus — Athens Thomas E. Parker — Piedmont Herman Scott — Prattville J. L. Barrow — Bay Minette C. J. Phillips — Glencoe George B. Garrison — Albertville Hugh M. Sims — Columbiana W. R. Dillard — Ozark K. D. Tubbs — Jasper Rufus King — Jasper W. A. Woods — Calera Floyd Jacox — Grant Charles Burns — Alabama League of Municipalities, Montgomery E. V. Bishop — Scottsboro J. L. Newsome — Phenix City W. C. Holmes — Talladega Sam E. Roberts — Bemiston John M. Hasenbein — Cullman Clyde V. Sellers — Fairfield C. J. Kittrell — Tarrant H. G. Robinson — Reynolds Metals, Sheffield M. B. Jackson — Bynum D. H. Belue — Cordova W. J. White — Troy C. T. Porch — Alexander City S. D. Allen — Bryce Hospital, Tuscaloosa E. L. Mathews — Tuscaloosa L. Floyd Elkins — Decatur E. L. Blankenship — Sylacauga W. H. McWhirter — Chickasaw R. Henry Ryan — University H. A. Moon — Veteran Hospital, Tuscaloosa P. N. Robinson — Goodrich Rubber, Tuscaloosa L. D. Lovelace — Florence T. I. Moore, Jr. — Marion A. L. Posey — Dothan Floyd Harris — Dothan Help Us Preserve AAFC HistoryHistorical photographs, programs, meeting records and stories from AAFC members can help us continue building this record of service. Additional milestones will be added as materials are identified and verified. |
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