In 1937, a group of Houston firefighters decided to create a pension fund, which would provide for them and their families in case of retirement or disability. Before 1937, the firefighters, along with other city employees, were left with little relief if they retired or became disabled. The Social Security system had just begun but was inadequate and unable to satisfy the needs of the firemen. In later years, the firefighters received some revenue from the state and from private donations. But in general, Houston firefighters had to rely on their own efforts to raise money for their needs. For years, the Fire Department sponsored the annual Firemen’s Ball. Later in the 1950s the Fire Department put on shows to raise money, including ice shows and country & western shows, which included such stars as Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams. Proceeds from these shows were raised to supplement the pension fund and the benevolent fund. In those days before the Fund existed, the shows would make around $5,000, which would be split evenly between the two funds. After the Fund began in 1937, $100 of the money raised by the shows went to the pension fund, with the remainder directed to the firefighters’ benevolent fund.

Because the need for an organized pension plan existed, firefighters went to Austin and helped enact legislation that let firefighters build their own pension funds. Some of the major agents for this change were B.J. Cafferkey, C.M. Duffield, H. Diezi, "Chubby" Matthews and Claude M. Bullock. Though the City of Houston initially sought to block this legislation and even insinuated that they might fire the legislative agents who lobbied for the change, the Fund was eventually founded. Article 6243e of the Texas Civil Statutes established a statewide system for cities to create their own pension plans. With the collection of dues amounting to 1% of the annual salary of the firefighters, the Houston Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Fund began.

All members who had worked 20 or more years and who were at least 55 were eligible for the pension, which culminated at $100 per month. A Board of Trustees was put in control of the Fund and its management. This board was then composed of five members - the mayor, the city treasurer, and three firefighters elected by their peers - and chaired by the mayor. The very first board meeting took place on May 26, 1937, and was presided over by Mayor R.H. Fonville. A copy of the minutes of the first pension board meeting can be found here. The first board consisted of Mayor Fonville, City Treasurer R.D. Hardcastle, Captain B.J. Cafferkey, Battalion Chief H. Diezi, and Fireman C.M. Duffield. Though the mayor was the official chairman of the board until 1958, the vice chair, who was always a firefighter, actually ran the board meetings in lieu of the often-absent mayor. The foresight of these firefighters in seeing the need for an organized pension plan propelled the Fund toward the billion-dollar success it is today.

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