Nationwide — Dekalb Walcott’s new book, Black Heroes of Fire, Chicago’s 100 Years of Public Service: A Historic Photographic Archival Documentary (Engine Company 12 – 1872 to 1972), contains a combined 400 never-before-seen photos of Black men working as firefighters in Chicago and news clippings involving Chicago Fire Department historical events from 1872 to 1972.
Blacks have been a part of Chicago since the founding father, Jean Baptist Point Du Sable, who was identified as Chicago’s first citizen from 1790 until 1800. During Chicago’s growth period between 1835-1870 all Blacks who migrated to Chicago did not live in Chicago, but in many cases settled in unincorporated areas outside Chicago.
Seven years before Engine 21 was established, the Civil War ended, banning Slavery; and thereby granting equal rights, voting rights, and citizenship to Blacks. Many, if not all, of Engine 21’s Black members were ex-slaves and Civil War Veterans. Foreman David Kenyon, who was a Captain, the highest rank serving in the War, led a Black regiment of men, making him an ideal candidate to lead this brave group of firefighters. From 1872-1927, Engine 21 participated in most, if not all, major fires that occurred in Chicago’s Downtown and Shantytown areas.
Newspapers such as the Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Defender have laid a foundation for hundreds of heroic narratives about these courageous Black firefighters. These archival stories and photos share a once-in-a-lifetime historical view of 19th and 20th-century Black Chicago.
According to Walcott, without this illustration, many firefighters would continue as unknown heroes. He comments, “Black Heroes of Fire, Chicago’s 100 Years of Public Service tells of the Esprit De Corp, valor, bravery, and courage while illustrating the value of Chicago’s early Firefighters. I dedicate this special tribute to those unselfish courageous noble Firefighters both black and white; slave and free; who paid the ultimate price while serving to protect life and property.”
Retired Battalion Chief Dekalb Walcott Jr. entered the Chicago Fire Department on November 16, 1978. He was assigned to Engine Company 101 in the Englewood community where he served for three years, and later was transferred to Truck 41 serving two years as a tiller driver. He worked with Rev. Willie Barrow of Operation Push where they lobbied for a Smoke Detector Ordinance in Chicago, 1982/83. They also organized Black Firefighters Day, held annually at Operation Push during fire prevention week honoring those Firefighters who were awarded for rescues in the department. Chief Walcott has also served in Public Education and Fire Prevention rounding out his career as a firefighter. Currently, he works with the Bronzeville Historical Society archiving Black Firefighters’ History and The Black Fire Brigade, in order to bring a Black Firefighters’ Museum to Chicago.
Black Heroes of Fire was established to engage the community in African American Firefighters and Paramedics’ rich History, Art, and Culture. The mission encompasses Fire Prevention, Safety Education, employment standards, and fostering discussions on the unique challenges African American professionals face in these vital roles. All are invited to participate in its mission by educating and inspiring the public about the history of the fire service, locally and nationally while supporting and guiding fire service professionals, students, and organizations in documenting their histories and promoting our efforts through documentaries, movies, photos, radio & social media.
About the Book
Black Heroes of Fire, Chicago’s 100 Years of Public Service: A Historic Photographic Archival Documentary (Engine Company 12 – 1872 to 1972)
By Dekalb Walcott
ISBN: 979-8-9892970-0-9
398 Pages, Paperback
Available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and via the official website at BlackHeroesofFire.com
(All proceeds from this book go towards the Chicago African American Firefighters Museum)
Interested retail customers and organizations should call 773-510-9668 or send an email to dekalbw1@gmail.com
Bookstores and libraries should email all purchase orders to dekalbw1@gmail.com
For press inquiries, contact 773-510-9668.
Source: BlackNews.com
