Black Fire Brigade Honors 9/11 Heroes, Inspires Future Firefighters

At a commemorative 9/11 Bell Ringing Ceremony, the Black Fire Brigade paid tribute to the sacrifices of Black firefighters, including 12 FDNY Vulcan Society members who perished during the attacks (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders). The Black Fire Brigade is crucial to ensuring the sacrifices of Black firefighters are not forgotten. They also help young people see firefighting as a noble profession with genuine career potential. On Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 8 a.m., the Black Fire Brigade held an official 9/11 Bell Ringing Ceremony at 5349 S. Wabash at the renovated African American Firefighters Museum. The event honored the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters who responded to the 9/11 attacks. Among those fallen heroes were 12 members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Black Vulcan Society, a group founded in 1940 to address discrimination within the department. “We must remember the often-overlooked contributions of Black firefighters who gave their lives on that fateful day.” – New York Fire Marshall John Coombs The Black firefighters who perished from the Vulcan Society include Gerard Baptiste, Vernon Cherry, Tarel Coleman, Andre Fletcher, Keith Glascoe, Ronnie Henderson, William Henry, Karl Joseph, Keithroy Maynard, Vernon Richard, Shawn Powell and Leon Smith Jr. The guest...