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<\/p>\nIn the early 1970s, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue hired its first Black firefighters. The men were Alphonso Brown, Sr., Willie Barnes, Riley \u201cPreston\u201d Floyd, Eugene Curry, Stanton Singletary and Eddie Utley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Known as the Legacy Six, the trailblazing professionals were honored at a ceremony Monday at the Mahaffey Theater.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Legacy Six were more than firefighters,\u201d said St. Petersburg Fire Rescue chief Keith Watts at the event. \u201cThey were pioneers. At a time when opportunities were not always equal and barriers still existed, these men answered the call to serve. They chose a profession built on courage, sacrifice and commitment to others.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that they \u201chelped transform our department for future generations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Floyd, who retired as a Lieutenant in 2007 from Station 10, began his journey with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue in January 1973. He grew up in the city and graduated from Gibbs High School.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The firefighter was hired by the department after working as a welder for Misener Marine. Singletary and Utley encouraged him to apply for the job.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis recognition means a lot,\u201d he told the Catalyst. \u201cI never in my lifetime could imagine anything like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Floyd, the experience was far from easy. Colleagues refused to watch TV with him. They even discarded the dishes he used, rather than wash them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was rough,\u201d Floyd explained. \u201cDiscrimination was rampant. We weren\u2019t wanted. We had to prove ourselves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As older generation Fire Rescue leaders and coworkers retired, he added, \u201cthings got dramatically better.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Legacy Six plaque will be permanently displayed at St. Petersburg Fire Rescue headquarters.<\/p>\n
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch attended and spoke at the Monday celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese six men answered the call to serve in a time when doing so required not only strength and skill, but extraordinary courage,\u201d he said. \u201cThey faced barriers that went far beyond the dangers of the job. Yet, they showed up every day with professionalism, determination and commitment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Welch added that the Legacy Six\u2019s influence extends beyond Fire Rescue. They have paved the way for other Black public servants in the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that we stand on the shoulders of giants,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen we all understand our common history, we can build a stronger future together and that\u2019s why inclusivity is important for the City of St. Petersburg.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
City and Fire Rescue leaders officially dedicated a Legacy Six plaque at the gathering. It will be permanently displayed at the department\u2019s headquarters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Boca Ciega High School graduate Antonio Brown was honored with the Legacy Six Scholarship Award.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He graduated from high school earlier this year and is planning on pursuing a career as both a firefighter\/paramedic and a registered nurse.<\/p>\n
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St. Petersburg Fire Rescue chief Keith Watts, left, and \u201cLegacy Six\u201d Scholarship Award recipient Antonio Brown.<\/p>\n