PhilaStories

Alfred Ward - Joins the Philadelphia Fire Department on a Whim in 1950

Alfred Ward was born in 1928 and was raised in South Philadelphia. I spoke with Alfred at his home in Mount Airy. Alfred joined the Philadelphia Fire Department on a whim in 1950 and retired 28 years later. He talks about how he went about learning to be a fireman at a time when training began the first day on the job.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Alfred is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

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Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Clarence Brogden - Desegregation in the Philadelphia Fire Department

Clarence Brogden, 86 years old, was born and raised at 21st & Montgomery Sts. in North Philadelphia. His mother was born on an Indian reservation in South Carolina. She came to Philadelphia as a child. His father was born and raised in South Philadelphia.

I spoke with Clarence at the Club Valiants meeting hall in Mount Airy. Shortly after serving in the armed forces during WWII Clarence joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1946. He was assigned to Engine 11. In this story he tells us that Engine 11 fireman were starting to be transferred to formerly all white firehouses.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Clarence is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

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Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Clarence Brogden: Joins The Philadelphia Fire Department, Engine 11

Clarence Brogden, 86 years old, was born and raised at 21st & Montgomery Sts. in North Philadelphia. His mother was born on an Indian reservation in South Carolina. She came to Philadelphia as a child. His father was born and raised in South Philadelphia.

I spoke with Clarence at the Club Valiants meeting hall in Mount Airy. Shortly after serving in the armed forces during WWII Clarence joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1946. He was assigned to Engine 11. In this story he talks about his early days in the fire department.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Clarence is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click To Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Walter Lindsay & Lloyd Alma - Crossing The South Street Bridge Riding or Running

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma At Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They tell us about the street games they played in the '30's growing up in West and South Philadelphia respectively, and some of the places they visited in the city.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

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Google Maps: Ruby Street, 15th & Wharton Street

Walter Lindsay & Lloyd Alma - Captain Davis Was All Fireman

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma At Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They talk about Captain James G. Davis who instilled pride and camaraderie among the men at Engine 11 through discipline.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11
 

Walter Lindsay - This Was the First Time We Had Whites in the Ranks

I spoke with Walter Lidsay at his home in South Jersey. Walter Lindsay worked in the Philadelphia Fire Department from 1950 until 1977 when he retired as Battalion Chief. Walter talks about the start of desegregation at Engine 11 in 1952.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter is one of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Click To Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Lloyd Alma - A Lot Of Them Oldtimers Didn't Know How To Drive

I spoke with Lloyd Alma, 90 years old, at his home in West Philadelphia. Lloyd talks about his days as a fireman in the Philadelphia Fire Department. He worked at Engine 11 for 8 years. Lloyd became the driver of the fire engine by default.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Lloyd is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Lloyd Alma - Salary $1900 a Year, Hours Unlimited

I spoke with Lloyd Alma, 90 years old, at his home in West Philadelphia. Lloyd talks about his days as a fireman in the Philadelphia Fire Department. He worked at Engine 11 for 8 years. From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only.

Lloyd is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Walter Gentry - Being Detailed From Engine 11

I spoke with Walter at his home in West Philadelphia. In his second story Walter talks about being detailed from Engine 11 to Engine 5 when it was located at 37th & Ludlow Street.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Walter is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Walter Gentry - Do You Want To See Where The Colored Fireman Work?

I spoke with Walter in his home in West Philadelphia. In his first story Walter talks about visiting Engine 11 as a child and beginning training as a fireman in Philadelphia on December 1, 1950.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was segregated from 1919 - 1952. African-American firemen were assigned to Engine 11 on South Street. Walter is one of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here a few more Engine 11 photos

Google Maps: Engine 11