Museum History
The African American Firefighter Museum (AAFFM) opened its doors on December 13, 1997. The dedication of the AAFFM also served as acknowledgement of what was then believed to be the city’s first 100 years of service by African American Firefighters (1897-1997). However, in 2002, a Los Angeles Times historian contacted the AAFFM with information to indicate our history started before 1897. We can confirm that Sam Haskins was the first Los Angeles fireman of African descent. Haskins was hired in 1892 and killed while responding to a fire in 1895. Entering the AAFFM, located across the street from the historic Coca-Cola Building on South Central Avenue in Los Angeles, California, is like taking a step back in time. The museum resides inside Fire Station No. 30, one of two segregated firehouses in Los Angeles between 1924 and 1955.
Prior to building Belmont High School in 1924, the city was a very deserted place. However, when the school was built, the department, community, and school district became concerned about school children looking African American firefighters in positions of authority; therefore, the city relocated the African American firefighters to Station #30. The particular area where the station is located happened to be where many Black residents moved to when migrating to Los Angeles. In 1936, the LAFD opened Station #14 at 34th St. and Central to Black firefighters. Making it the second station that Black firefighters could be assigned to. When the stations became integrated in 1955, firefighters from Station #30 and #14 were transferred to other stations and were met with extreme hostility.
The Black firefighters who served at integrated stations were forced to eat separately, as well as provide their own kitchen supplies and utensils, unable to eat with their white counterparts. In June of 1955, Firefighter Rey Lopez took a photo of a sign reading “White Adults” and Hartsfield submitted it to the media. This photo exposed the racism within the fire department and led to more equal rights in the fire service. Today the AAFFM stands as the first and the only free-standing museum dedicated to African Americans in the fire service in the United States. The museum gallery is located on the second floor with pictures, artifacts, and other memorabilia of African-American firefighters from around the country.
The building is a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The African American Firefighter Museum has a long track record of public humanities programming through tours, expert-led talks, workshops, and community events. In addition, we provide school-based programming through our Junior Fire Cadet Program and Future Firefighter Program. Other community engagement activities encompass disaster preparedness, leadership training. We count the Los Angeles Public Library, the Stentorians Organization, the American Red Cross Loss Angeles Region, and the Los Angeles Conservancy among our many community partners.
Past Events
Engaging the community using an educational framework is the museum’s key goal in teaching the history of African American firefighters in Los Angeles. Past programs include presentations, exhibition-specific tours, oral history seminars, family days, and docent training. In 2022, the museum successfully hosted hybrid events consisting of in-person and virtual components.
Los Angeles County Stentorians
Los Angeles County Stentorians
The Stentorians Organization was founded in 1954 by a collective effort of African-American firefighters at station 30 and 14 on Central Ave. With Fireman Jerva Harris as the first President followed by Captain Bob Craig. Fireman Gerald George came up with the name Stentorians for the appropriateness speaking out against the fire department’s segregation policy. Their purpose was to combat the racism and blatant bigotry that prevented African-Americans from joining and advancing in the fire service. The Stentorians fought to make the fire service a profession of equality and opportunity for all. To better serve the diverse needs of our members, the Stentorians organization restructured in 1990, forming two chapters; The Stentorians of Los Angeles County and The Stentorians of Los Angeles City.
Today, the entire Stentorians membership consists of more than 500 AFRICAN-AMERICAN men and women Fire Personnel. The Stentorians also belong to the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, IABPFF, a national organization promoting equality for the fire service nationwide. The Stentorians organization maintains Old Station 46, one of the FIRST fire stations integrated by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, as its office and training facility. This facility is now named in honor of Arnett Hartsfield and Van Davis. Both are former firefighters of the City and County Fire Departments, respectfully.
Los Angeles City Stentorians
Los Angeles City Stentorians
The Los Angeles City Stentorians have played an important role in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the LAFD and the fire service as a whole. The group has also been involved in community outreach and education initiatives, such as providing fire safety and prevention information to local schools and organizations.
Overall, the Los Angeles City Stentorians have been a significant presence within the Los Angeles fire service and continue to serve as advocates for underrepresented communities within the profession.