RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Fire Department honored the trailblazing firefighters who integrated the department 75 years ago during a ceremony at the Main Street Station.
July 1, 1950 marked a historic moment in Virginia’s history when the first Black firefighters were hired to serve at Engine Company Number Nine.
Among those honored was Harvey Hicks, who became the city’s first Black fire captain 11 years after joining the department. Hicks lost his life on June 16, 1963 during a rescue attempt…