LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Honoring the pioneers of diversity in Louisville firefighting history. Dec. 14, 2023 marks 100 years since the city hired the first African-American firefighters stationed at Firehouse Number 8, 725 South 13th Street.

Captain Donovan Sims says these brave men paved the way for individuals like himself. Those men were Clarence Hampton, Marion Tinsley, Samuel Marshall, Robert W. Green, William Fort, Russell Wigginton, James Forbush, Tom Sharp, Leon Boone, J. W. Fowler, Philip Towns, William (Jack) Porter and Charles Grundy.

“They saw the need. They also had plenty of African-American citizens that wanted to step into that role to serve their community. And it was just really cool to read up on that history and also know that I’m part of it in a way. You know, 100 years later,” said Sims.

The Louisville Fire Department is 165 years old.

“And for 65 of those years, African-Americans were not allowed to be on and serve on the fire department,” explained Sims.

Understanding the good and bad of the department’s story, Sims says it is huge that the third oldest professional fire department in the nation made such a progressive change in 1923.

“Knowing that the trials and tribulations, the good and the bad of what we’ve been through and how far we’ve come along or how far we still need to keep going. So we can find ways to bridge those gaps,” said Sims.

And the fire department is still striving to make their team as diverse as the Louisville community.

 “We’re recruiting minorities, women, you know, it doesn’t matter the gender or ethnicity of these members, but we want to see more of that,” noted Sims.

Sims says he hopes people can look back our Louisville’s history and take pride in how far they have come and where they are going.

You can schedule a visit to see the Louisville Fire Museum on their website.