Firefighter - Driving back to the station 1943
by Mike Savad
Title
Firefighter - Driving back to the station 1943
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Hand Colorized Photo
Description
Hand colored photo from 1943
Original title: Firehouse station number four. Washington, D.C. Engines returning from a fire
Photographer: Gordon Parks
Location: 6th and R Street NW
Engine Company No. 4, founded on February 21, 1870, was Washington, D.C.'s first all-Black firefighting company, becoming official in 1919. Originally known as "S. J. Bowen Engine 4," the company moved to 931 R Street NW in 1940. The image captures them heading east on R Street, likely on their way back to the station.
At this time, firefighters still practiced "tailboarding," or riding on the truck's back step, a dangerous practice abolished nationwide by the 1970s. Modern fire trucks are now equipped with enclosed seating, securing both firefighters and their gear en route.
Engine 4 endured segregation, limited resources, and second-hand equipment, often receiving older models like Seagrave or American LaFrance engines passed down from white companies. While much of their historic equipment is lost, recent efforts aim to locate or commemorate pieces that honor the legacy of these pioneering firefighters.
Uploaded
November 25th, 2024
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