History of the Cincinnati African-American Firefighters Association

The fire division complement was about 900 between 1955 and 1960 when three African-Americans were hired.

The first was Herbie Baines in 1955. Baines was promoted to Squad 52, a specialty quad of firefighters before being pressured out of the fire division. Herbie Baines became a firefighter in the federal service, and has become  of the highest ranking firefighters in government service.

Charles Fowler (10/23/28 - 2/24/02) was hired in 1956. The racism that had kept Blacks out of the division for 100 years was overwhelming, and Charles Fowler left the division  eventually becoming a Captain in the Workhouse Guards.

Oliver McGee hired in 1956 also had a short career

Bennie Shepard and Richard Chiles took the oath in 1968. After long and illustrious careers, they both have retired as lieutenants. Two years later in 1970, Thaddeus Speed and Willie Meadows were sworn in. In 1972, unequal hiring practices were questioned and the federal government initiated the "Model Cities Program." This program trained cadets for the fire service. Fifteen other African-American and four Caucasian cadets joined a young and eager Jerome Wynn  in that program in 1972. The class of 1973 added nine more brothers to the ranks. In that group was Robert Wright, now Cincinnati’s first African-American Fire Chief. In the year 1974, the city and the federal courts entered into an agreement, "Consent Decree," allowing for affirmative action. The "Consent Decree" was brought about because of a lawsuit filed by private citizens, Tilford Youngblood and Ralph Nichols. The class of 1974 brought aboard eighteen African-American Firefighters.                                        

The "Watchman" organization was formed in the mid-seventies. This organization provided a forum for brothers to meet and share their problems. This group evolved into the Black Firefighters Association in 1980. The first meeting of this organization took place at the First Baptist Church of Walnut Hills. In 1981, under the direction of newly elected President Edward Turner, Jr., the association moved its meetings to the Evanston Community Center. Edward Turner, Jr. served as president of the Black Firefighters’ Association, which later changed to the Cincinnati African-American Firefighters’ Association, for sixteen years. Subsequent presidents have been Reginald Hocker and current president, Jeff Harris, Jr. The relationship between the Evanston Community and the Cincinnati African-American Firefighters’ Association continues to be one of love and mutual respect to this very day.    

 Ed Turner Jr.
The First President of the Cincinnati Black Firefighters Association

 The City of Cincinnati broke new ground in 1984 when it hired twenty-five African-Americans to duty, three were women, Paula Duncan, Vickie Goodson and Pateeser Jackson. These were the first women hired in the history of Cincinnati’s fire service. Since then the numbers have increased to over twenty. Nearly three hundred African-Americans now proudly serve as firefighters. With a commitment to personal involvement, the Cincinnati African-American Firefighters’ Association continues to forge ahead in its efforts towards equality and diversity in the hiring and promotional practices in the City of Cincinnati Fire Division.

A landmark was reached in 1995 when the first African-American retired from the CFD. Bennie Sheppard, a Fire Lieutenant at Engine 2, retired in 1995 after a long distinguished career

In January 2000 the CFD hired a 50% Minority Recruit Class, 15 African American Men,   3 African American Women, 1 Indian Man, and 1 White Woman.

Also in the year 2000 CAFA begin its fight for inclusion into Local 48 by the witdrawal of CAFA members and the pursuit of justice in the court of law, and by the civil service system.