Hello, the City of Milwaukee is now accepting applications for Firefighter. If you, or someone you know, is interested in pursuing a rewarding and impactful career, here the link leading to the job requirements and application: (fb)

As we embark on our 150th year, we’d like to recognize some of the Milwaukee Fire Department’s first black trailblazers paving the way for generations of Milwaukee’s finest and bravest. On October 1, 1948, William E. Curry was the first black member appointed to the Milwaukee Fire Department. He was assigned to Engine Company 20 at 533 North 6th street, and later, transferred to Engine Company 1 on Broadway. He resigned from the department on October 18, 1953 to attend college. John W. Graham was appointed on January 1, 1954, and assigned to Engine Company 3 at 100 West Virginia Street. He retired on September 26, 1983. Clarence Hardison, Jr. was appointed on February 15, 1954, and assigned to Engine Company 18 at 3160 North 3rd Street. He retired on March 18, 1983. Architect Alonzo Robinson became the citys and state’s first black architect in 1954. In the early 1960s, Mr. Robinson designed the Milwaukee Fire Department’s headquarters building, which is in use to this day. In November 2021, the headquarters was renamed to the Alonzo Robinson Milwaukee Fire Department Administration Building. Edward L. Thomas was appointed July 1, 1955 and also served as the first black member to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in May of 1967. Donald Jackson was appointed on July 20, 1964. He was promoted to Lieutenant in July of 1973 and became the department’s first black Captain on November 19, 1976. He was promoted to Battalion Chief in June of 1984, and to Deputy Chief in charge of EMS on May 11, 1987. He was selected as Assistant Chief on April 1, 1990. Chief Jackson retired on February 25, 1996. Firefighter Doss Bender, appointed October 4, 1960, lead the Milwaukee Chapter of the NAACP. In 1977, Bender received a Thalheimer Award, the NAACP's top award given to branches and units for outstanding program achievements. The Milwaukee Chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters formed in August of 1979. Their first mission was to enlist as many of the 113 black members of MFD into the organization. (fb)