Tribute to a Black Fireman
Letter to Fire Commissioner Paul from Robert Powell, Vulcans President, 1981.
“Tribute to a Black Fireman,” James O. Rogers, ca. 1992.
After a successful class action suit in 1972 resulting in compensatory hiring practices, the Vulcans continued to work to combat the hostile firehouse environments into which their fellows were hired. Vulcans leaders were tireless advocates for their men and women, bringing notice and evidence of discrimination directly to the Fire Commissioner and his team, and insisting on clear and decisive action that would demonstrate the Fire Department’s total commitment to the new policies. From the Boston Society of Vulcans records.