The Denton Fire Fighters Association became affiliated with the International Association of FireFighters on November 15, 1957 with a charter membership of 12 Denton firefighters.  A replica of our charter can be seen posted on the wall in our association hall.  Our membership has now grown to approximately 115 members strong and continues to grow.

    The DFFA has a long history of being politically involved throughout the City of Denton and has worked diligently to preserve pay, safety and working conditions for its members.  Over the last 30 years in particular, we have made great strides in the development of our association and fire department by effectively communicating and lobbying with our local government on those issues that effect us.  A number of these issues are detailed below:

·         Pay parity with the Police Department.  In the late 70’s and early 80’s members were able to help close the gap between pay for firefighters and police officers.  Pay parity is still a major issue we are working on to this day.

·        April 1980:  Won the battle with the city over Civil Service Guidelines for ambulance drivers, commonly known as the “Hickman case”.  This applied to an ambulance that had a Paramedic Driver and an EMT Firefighter, where the EMT was performing a driver’s duties.

·        In 1983/84 a lawsuit was filed that claimed Fire Marshals, Inspectors and Dispatchers should be covered under Civil Service Law, instead of those positions being filled by civilians.  Obviously, that never happened, but we will continue to fight the good fight.

·        Change in the Holiday Pay Policy.  In the 1980’s, the city was attempting to change the way firefighters would get paid for holidays by paying us only 8 hours of holiday time like other city employees.  Through our effective lobbying efforts, that policy was changed to 12 hours like it currently is.

·        Continued work on salaries and pay raises.

·        Involved with the lawsuit where two prospective recruits were passed over on the entrance exam so that the city could hire two recruits that were already certified.  This lawsuit was won and the two recruits were subsequently hired and are still working here today.

·        In 1987/88, Local 1291 effectively had Holiday Pay restored, not allowing the city to replace it with Compensatory Time.

·        In 1991, worked to ensure appropriate staffing was made when Station 6 was first opened.

·        4-man staffing on Quint 1, when we first had Quint 1 put in service.

·        January 2003, Shift Battalion Chief’s returned.