Chicago Fire Fighters Local No. 2 History

Prior to the Civil War, the volunteer fire company was a private service in most American cities. The early “fire society” or “fire brigade” was an association of local citizens banded together for the purpose of protecting community lives and property. In 1831 the Illinois Legislature required any incorporated city or town to have a volunteer department. Chicago’s first volunteer company was organized in 1835.

Firefighting soon became an established municipal service manned by a paid full-time work crew. But this new organization also depended upon the generosity of local politicians for jobs, salaries, and working conditions. A civil service system did not exist. Firefighters were often dismissed when a new political boss gained control of the city. Firefighting jobs were treated as political gifts and men were not always hired for their skills, but for their political contributions at election time.

Like other labor groups, Firefighters contested with management over wages, hours and conditions. But because of their unique status and the community’s dependence upon them, their opportunities to press for change were often severely constricted

As the years went on, dedicated firefighters realized that something needed to be done. It was necessary to create an organization for the improvement of working conditions and the reputation of the profession. The first such organizations formed began as mutual insurance groups to care for members and their families because of on the job death and injury.

An annual salary by the turn of the 20th century was only about $1,300 per year. The cost of living at this time was relatively low, yet a firefighter’s salary was still not comparable to that of other skilled workers. Chicago Firefighters labored under the “continuous duty system” which required them to live at their fire stations day and night with only three breaks for meals. With luck, a fireman would receive a day off from this routine once or twice a month and, depending upon the disposition of his fire chief, a vacation break. It became clear to Firefighters that an organized Labor Union was the solution to their problems.

Trade Unions for Firefighters were always opposed by city officials. It was their contention that there was no place for Unions in fire departments.

Chicago Firefighters formed an independent Firemen’s Association in 1901, but this young Union had its problems. In spite of intense opposition on the part of many city officials, and the suspension of many Union officers as they struggled to form the Firefighter’s Union, the officers and members succeeded.

The first president of the newly formed, Fireman’s Association of Chicago was Henry Bassett who died in the line of duty. He was a Lieutenant on the 2nd Platoon and was killed by falling walls on December 19, 1905.

While the association lacked the clout an alliance with a larger organization could bring, in July 1906, the fledgling Union became the second Firefighters’ Union to be chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). There was no existing national Union for new groups of workers, the AFL issued what was known as a Federal Labor Union Charter to the new local group, which it did for Chicago and the few scattered firefighters locals around the nation that organized in later years prior to 1918.