In the early 1970s, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue hired its first Black firefighters. The men were Alphonso Brown, Sr., Willie Barnes, Riley “Preston” Floyd, Eugene Curry, Stanton Singletary and Eddie Utley.
Known as the Legacy Six, the trailblazing professionals were honored at a ceremony Monday at the Mahaffey Theater.
“The Legacy Six were more than firefighters,” said St. Petersburg Fire Rescue chief Keith Watts at the event. “They 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.”
He added that they “helped transform our department for future generations.”
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.
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.
“This recognition means a lot,” he told the Catalyst. “I never in my lifetime could imagine anything like this.”
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.
“It was rough,” Floyd explained. “Discrimination was rampant. We weren’t wanted. We had to prove ourselves.”
As older generation Fire Rescue leaders and coworkers retired, he added, “things got dramatically better.”
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch attended and spoke at the Monday celebration.
“These six men answered the call to serve in a time when doing so required not only strength and skill, but extraordinary courage,” he said. “They faced barriers that went far beyond the dangers of the job. Yet, they showed up every day with professionalism, determination and commitment.”
Welch added that the Legacy Six’s influence extends beyond Fire Rescue. They have paved the way for other Black public servants in the community.
“We know that we stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “When we all understand our common history, we can build a stronger future together and that’s why inclusivity is important for the City of St. Petersburg.”
City and Fire Rescue leaders officially dedicated a Legacy Six plaque at the gathering. It will be permanently displayed at the department’s headquarters.
Boca Ciega High School graduate Antonio Brown was honored with the Legacy Six Scholarship Award.
He graduated from high school earlier this year and is planning on pursuing a career as both a firefighter/paramedic and a registered nurse.
Brown attended the Center for Wellness and Medical Professions at Boca Ciega High School. This helped prepare him for post-secondary education and a healthcare career.
During Brown’s senior year, he was a dual enrollment student at Pinellas Technical College and pursued emergency medical responder and emergency medical technician training.
“It’s been pretty challenging,” Brown told the Catalyst. “I had some minor setbacks. But, to get this scholarship, it’s making me want to keep pushing for it and keep doing it.”
Brown said that he feels honored to continue the Legacy Six’s legacy. For him, firefighting was something “different.”
“The Legacy Six Scholarship Award ensures that their story continues to inspire future generations,” Watts added, “and helps create opportunities for those who dream of serving the community through the fire service.”
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
