In the year 2001 the municipalities of Newmarket and Aurora got together with the aim of amalgamating the fire departments of  the two municipalities. The Newmarket Professional Firefighters Association and the Aurora 

Professional Firefighter Association along with the two municipalities jointly developed the framework for an amalgamated fire department that would provide the minimum required level of fire protection services to the two towns.

On January 01, 2002  the Central York Fire Services was born. Also on that date, the Central York  Professional Firefighters Association came into existence.

International Association of  Firefighters History

The IAFF was established on Feb. 28, 1918, for the sole benefit of rank-and-file fire fighters in the United States and Canada. It was on this date that 36 fire fighter delegates attended the first IAFF Convention and adopted the IAFF Constitution and By-Laws. The objectives incorporated into that Constitution remain in its preamble to this day.

At that meeting the delegates decided to dedicate their union to the following objectives (modified only slightly over time):

• To organize all fire fighters and emergency medical or rescue workers;

• To secure just compensation for their services and equitable settlement of their grievances;

• To promote as safe and healthy a working environment for fire fighters as is possible through modern technology;

• To promote the establishment of just and reasonable working conditions;

• To place the members of the Association on a higher plane of skill and efficiency;

• To promote harmonious relations between fire fighters and their employers;

• To encourage the formation of local unions, state and provincial associations and joint councils;

• To encourage the formation of sick and death benefit funds;

• To promote the research and treatment of burns and other related health problems common to fire fighters;

• To encourage the establishment of schools of instruction for imparting knowledge of modern and improved methods of fire fighting and prevention; and

• To cultivate friendship and fellowship among its members.

[From the Preamble of the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Fire Fighters AFL-CIO, CLC]

Throughout the last 83 years, the members and staff of the IAFF have worked tirelessly to fulfill each of these charges. As a result of their work, the IAFF was the driving force behind nearly every advance in the fire and emergency services in the twentieth century, from the introduction of shift schedules early in the century to the enactment of the 2-in/2-out safety regulation near its close. With extremely active political and legislative programs, and with recognized experts in the fields of occupational health and safety, fire-based emergency medical services and hazardous materials training, the IAFF has long occupied a special place in the North American fire service.

Today, the IAFF is the primary advocate for providing fire fighters and paramedics with the tools they need to perform their jobs. The union also provides a strong voice in the development and implementation of new training and equipment, and has worked hard to advance the proper staffing of fire and EMS department.