Members of the York
Township Fire Department enjoyed continued prosperity, and better
working conditions throughout the 1960's. The decade began with a shift
from the 56-hour work week to the 48-hour work week on March 1, 1960,
and a further reduction to the 42-hour week in 1963. To accommodate the
reduced work hours, large groups of recruits were hired. At left is the
group hired in 1963. The department had the largest staff ever, and
call volume between the beginning of the decade and 1970 rose by almost
100%.
During this period, the increasing dangers of the job were emphasized with the first line of duty death suffered by the York Fire Department. Fire Fighter Robert Ludlow perished while fighting a fire at the Loblaws Store at Dufferin and Eglinton on November 7, 1960.
Chief
Clifford Rigby became the second Fire Chief of the York Township Fire
Department. Along with an active union, he brought several progressive
operating changes to the department. Both officers and fire fighters
began to participate in courses at the Ontario Fire College. A
promotional system based on examination, rather than appointment, was
instituted. Two modern, spacious fire halls were opened on Jane Street
and Oakwood Avenue to replace older halls built in volunteer times. 
Amalgamation continued to be a topic of conversation, and the Association passed several motions and participated in joint meetings to facilitate the process. Politicians finally made the decisions on which municipalities to amalgamate. York Township was joined with the Town of Weston to form the Borough of York in 1967. In preparation, York Local 411 joined in talks with Weston Local 1209 in advance of the amalgamation. Executive members from both locals participated in meetings and bargaining sessions in advance of the actual amalgamation. After the municipalities united, members chose the name York Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 411 for their association's name.
Members continued to participate in social activities including participation in parades for Labour Day and Remembrance Day, the Annual Ball and sports activities. However, sports and the childrens' "Christmas Trees" were virtually stopped by the end of the decade. While there was still a residency requirement early in the decade, the fire fighters were now allowed to live anywhere in Metropolitan Toronto. Many took advantage of this as fire fighters bought new homes in places like Downsview and Rexdale. Applicants for the job still had to live in the Township/Borough (or make the employer believe they did), but could move out after being hired. The sense of community on the department was weakening as the suburbs grew.
While the 1960's are remembered as turbulent and revolutionary times throughout North America, the same cannot be said for the fire department. Some did try to let their hair grow a bit, or sneak longer sideburns. But older officers tried to keep this type of "insubordination" in check. Tradition, and the old views were still dominant. The Local 411 minute books are filled with motions by younger members for changes to such things as vacation schedules, as well as requests for air conditioning, and bargaining submissions to end residency requirements and snow shovelling. But these were almost always outvoted by members who didn't want to "rock the boat," or who thought that these demands were asking too much. However, the association was progressive and more demanding in this era, proceeding to arbitration in 1964, and winning many good contracts ovewhelmingly supported by the membership.
The turbulence of the sixties touched York as the members saw what was being expected of other fire fighters throughout the continent. Members voted to get a legal opinion on whether or not they had to turn their hoses on strikers or rioters if ordered to do so. This was done in advance of the International Association of Fire Fighters public relations campaign of the 1960's relaying the message that "Fire Fighters Fight Fires... Not People."