in 1970, capt's david floyd and john l.ruffins jr. of the fdny vulcan society founded the international association of black professional firefighters, an international fraternal order that the stentorians became a part of. black firefighters across the country formed chapters and the gov't civil service firefighters in barbados, bwi became a member making the organization international. the iabpff is currently led by pres. james hill, a veteran 40yr dallas, texas firefighter.