ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The first six Black firefighters to serve with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue were honored on Monday. Even now, decades later, the Legacy Six continue to inspire change.

These six men broke barriers and pioneered with their service at St. Pete Fire Rescue. In total, they have a combined 184 years of service.

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Captain Alphonso Brown, Lieutenant Willie Barnes, Lieutenant Riley “Preston” Floyd, Firefighter Eugene Curry, Firefighter Staton Singletary, and Firefighter Eddie Utley make up the Legacy Six.

“Whose courage and determination helped shape the department we know today,” said Chief Keith Watts.

In the early 1970s, each of these trailblazers led the way to a new future while making history.

Floyd said it was not easy. He would go to calls and sometimes hear racial slurs, faced discrimination from the very people he was trying to help, and even faced it inside his own station.

“I would go to bed, pick up the bed, and they would move all their beds. The dishes I ate out of, they would throw them in the garbage… When the new people started coming on, the whole scenario changed,” he said.

Floyd said the Legacy Six never took the job for recognition, but he is proud to have created opportunities for future generations.

“It’s great, it’s absolutely great and like I said, my son followed in my footsteps,” he said.

This includes Antonio Brown, who is the first recipient of the “Legacy Six” Scholarship.

“It makes me want to push and be like them once I get older, just seeing African American men and me being an African American man, being able to be in this field, it means a lot to me,” Brown said.

The 17-year-old said seeing the accomplishments of the Legacy Six inspires him to never give up.

“It wasn’t easy for them, they dealt with a lot,” he said. “I appreciate them for paving the way and making it easier for me.”

Emotions ran high during the dedication. The room erupted in applause for the men who did not let the obstacles they faced prevent them from making history.

“To the members of the Legacy Six and their families, thank you,” Chief Watts said.

“Their stories are six shining reminders that progress is made by people who refuse to let obstacles define our collective future,” said Mayor Ken Welch.

“If I had to do it all over again, I would do it,” Floyd said.

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