One of the founding locals of the International Association of Fire Fighters – DC's own IAFF Local 36 – celebrated its 99th birthday yesterday. Local 36 was created at the same February 28, 1918 gathering at the American Federation of Labor building that saw the founding of the IAFF, and where delegates debated on a name for the new organization, deciding between the International Brotherhood of Fire Fighters, the International Union of Fire Fighters, and the International Association of Fire Fighters. “We’re proud of our rich history,” says Local 36 president Dabney Hudson. “We’re also proud to carry on a tradition of serving DC residents and fighting to improve the working conditions of DC fire fighters.”