AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Fire Department is celebrating a major milestone for one of its trailblazers.
Marvin Douglas, AFD’s fourth Black firefighter and the first Black fire inspector in Texas, turned 100 years old this weekend, according to the department.
Douglas was hired in 1953 and served at Station 5 for 14 years before moving into the Fire Prevention Division after it expanded. He later became a lieutenant and worked as a fire inspector.
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In that role, he conducted building inspections, educated the public on fire safety and helped recruit future firefighters.
Fire officials said Douglas also helped break down racial barriers in the 1960s, mentored youth through golf and later pinned the badge on Austin’s first Black fire chief, Joel G. Baker.
The department said Douglas’ life and legacy serve as a reminder that public service can have a lasting impact across generations.