Vulcan Society facts for kids

The Vulcan Society, founded in 1940, is a special group of Black firefighters in New York City. They came together to support each other and fight for fair treatment.

History of Black Firefighters

First Black Firefighters in NYC

After a big court decision in 1896 that allowed "separate but equal" rules, more job chances slowly opened up for Black men. On December 6, 1898, a man named William H. Nicholson started working for the Brooklyn Fire Department. He was assigned to care for the horses and clean their stables. He is known as the first Black fireman in the paid New York City Fire Department. Before him, in 1818, a female slave named Molly Williams had helped out with an old volunteer fire department.

The second Black fireman, John H. Woodson, joined the department on September 21, 1914. He was assigned to Ladder Company 106 in Brooklyn and performed regular firefighting duties. Woodson was brave; he received a medal for his courage in 1916. He worked in several companies before retiring in 1936.

John Woodson knew that being a Black firefighter could be tough. He wrote a letter to Wesley Augustus Williams, another Black man who was about to join the department in 1919. Woodson warned him that he might face "jealous and narrow minded men." He advised Williams not to force friendships and to stay neutral in arguments. He also told him to ignore unkind words about Black people. Despite these warnings, Woodson wished Williams "success and a pleasant career."

Wesley Augustus Williams: A Firefighting Hero

Wesley Williams was an amazing athlete. He scored a perfect 100% on the physical test to become a firefighter. This was a very rare achievement! Five years after joining in 1924, Williams also won the heavyweight boxing championship for the fire department.

Williams joined the department on January 10, 1919. He was assigned to Engine Company 55 in Manhattan. When he arrived, the captain retired to avoid working with a Black fireman. Other firefighters tried to transfer out, saying they didn't want to work or sleep in the same firehouse as a Black man. The department stopped all transfers for a year. Fireman Williams was often ignored and left out.

During his first big fire, Williams was ordered to take the hose nozzle into a smoky cellar alone. The rest of his company left him there when explosions started. A chief found Williams still fighting the fire by himself and was very upset with the company. This event showed everyone that Williams was a very brave firefighter who would not give up.

Facing Unfair Treatment

Wesley Williams faced many challenges. The bed assigned to him, and later to other Black firefighters, was often next to the toilet. This "black bed" was a symbol of unfair treatment for many years. White firefighters would not use it, even after the sheets were changed.

Williams was very good at driving vehicles. At that time, horses were being replaced by motorized fire trucks. Because of his skill, Williams was assigned to drive the fire truck, even though he was new to the department. This made some white firefighters angry because usually only the most experienced firefighters got that job.

Williams found a quiet place on the firehouse roof in the hose tower. He built a small gym there and studied fire manuals. He continued to train and became a skilled boxer. He even became the FDNY heavyweight boxing champion in 1924.

In 1920, Williams was walking with his father when they saw a fire. A 19-year-old was trapped in a window. Williams quickly climbed a ladder, saved the young man from falling, and then helped rescue five other children. Reporters wrote about his heroic act. However, his captain refused to write it up for an award. Another time, he rescued people from a burning building with another fireman, but his captain again refused to recognize his bravery.

When Williams was promoted to lieutenant in 1927, he was assigned to the same Engine 55. This was unusual, as new officers were usually sent to a different firehouse. Williams insisted on being a regular officer, saying, "I took orders from white officers; white firemen will have to learn to take orders from a colored officer." He made sure his orders were followed, and eventually, he was promoted to captain in 1934 and then to Battalion Chief in 1938.

The Vulcan Society is Born

Between 1936 and 1939, the fire department grew, and more firefighters were hired. This meant more opportunities for Black men. By 1937, there were 20 Black firefighters, and by 1940, there were about 50.

One of these new Black firefighters was Walter Thomas. He joined in 1937 and later wrote about his experiences. He described the "Jim Crow bed" and other unfair practices. Black firefighters were often given the dirtiest jobs, like cleaning toilets or removing ashes. They were also often assigned the toughest tasks at fires, like carrying heavy equipment up many flights of stairs.

However, not all white firefighters were unfair. Many treated their Black colleagues with respect.

Chief Williams realized that Black firefighters needed to unite. He said, "The men must organize and fight their battles themselves." So, in 1940, the Vulcan Society of the New York City Fire Department was officially formed. Chief Williams chose not to hold office in the society so that the members could lead themselves.

Some people in the Black community worried that forming a separate organization would make things worse. But the Vulcan Society believed it was important to fight for fairness and equal chances for promotions.

In 1944, the society surveyed the department to show how widespread the unfair treatment was. They presented their findings to the New York City Council. They accused the fire department of purposely treating Black firefighters unfairly and allowing "Jim Crow beds" in many firehouses. After this, things slowly started to change. Black firefighters began to get better assignments, like driving fire trucks.

In 1946, a new Fire Commissioner, Frank J. Quayle Jr., was appointed. He was open to meeting with different groups to discuss their problems. Black firefighters continued to make progress under him and the next commissioner, Jacob B. Grumet. The "Jim Crow bed" practice finally ended, and the Vulcan Society grew as more Black firefighters joined.

Chief Wesley Williams leads the Vulcan Society through Harlem during a parade.

Since its start in 1940, the Vulcan Society has been active in the fire department and the community. They created fire prevention programs in Harlem, teaching people how to stay safe from fires. They also helped recruit more minority firefighters starting in 1946. The society also supported community causes, like helping to get a Black person appointed to the New York City Board of Education. They even organized basketball games to raise money for Sydenham Hospital in Harlem. The Vulcan Society was also the first organization to become a lifetime member of the NAACP, a major civil rights group.

First Black Fire Commissioner

Robert O. Lowery, who became the first Black Fire Commissioner.

Robert O. Lowery became a fireman in 1941. He later became a fire marshal, investigating the causes of fires and catching people who started fires on purpose. Lowery was very good at his job and received awards for capturing criminals. He was also a very active member of the Vulcan Society, serving as its president for many years.

In 1963, the Vulcan Society asked Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. to appoint a Black person to a high-level position in the fire department. They gathered over 20,000 signatures from New York City residents to show community support. On November 19, 1963, Mayor Wagner appointed Robert O. Lowery as Deputy Fire Commissioner.

Then, on January 1, 1966, Robert O. Lowery made history. He became the first Black fire commissioner of a major city in the United States.

First Female President

In 2015, Regina Wilson was elected as the Vulcan Society's first female president. She was a 16-year veteran firefighter and an instructor at the FDNY Academy. Her election was a historic moment for the organization.

Medals

The Chief Wesley Williams Medal for Valor.

In 1965, the FDNY created a special award called the Chief Wesley Williams Medal for Valor. This medal is given to firefighters who show great courage. Many brave firefighters have received this medal over the years.

• George J Jablonsky, 1965
• Joseph H. Gates, 1966
• Michael Maye, 1967
• William J. Tursellino, 1968
• Edward J. Fusco, 1969
• Richard C. Donovan, 1970
• Chester P. Checkett, 1971
• Richard J. Rittmeyer, 1972
• Harold N. Taylor, 1973
• Charles F.Magrath II, 1974
• Thomas F. Kelly II, 1975
• George W. Hear, Jr., 1976
• Harrison Mckay, 1977
• Albert A. Inglese, 1978
• Thomas J. Potter, 1979
• Ralph L. Oliver, Jr., 1980
• James J. Corcoran, 1981
• James F. Stark, 1982
• Edward P.Moriarty, 1983
• John R. Mcallister, 1984
• Dennis W. Williams, 1985
• Richard P.Kearns, 1986
• Sheldon George 1992
• Carl G. Havens, 1991
• James D. Smith, 2012
• Michael Perrone, 2014

Other awards issued:

• Darrell S. Dennison, 2006, Thomas A. Wylie Medal
• Brian E. Pascascio, 2007, Arthur J Laufer Memorial Medal

Images for kids

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  Early Engine, Wesley Williams at front of pumper wagon by Engine 55 quarters. Photo:New York City Fire Museum.

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  Firefighter Wesley Williams; Engineer of Steamer operating Christie Tractor at 363 Broome St; Engine 55 in Little Italy NYC; circa 1920. The tractor had 2 wheels and pulled the steam fire engine (rear end with large wheels) in place of the Percheron draft horses.

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  Image of the Chief Wesley Williams Medal for valor FDNY

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  55¢ stamp depicts a Vulcan Rescue

Further sources

• Smith, Terrence (Nov 24th, 1965) Lindsay selects negro as first fire commissioner, New York Times
• United States of America and Vulcan Society, Inc. v. City of New York

• Goldberg, David (2020). Black Firefighters and the FDNY: the struggle for jobs, justice, and equity in New York City. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN: 978-1-4696-6146-9