Viddler > All tags- SouthPhiladelphia for mfeagans

Alfred Ward - Joins the Philadelphia Fire Department on a Whim in 1950

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:33:21 GMT

Alfred Ward was born in 1928 and was raised in South Philadelphia. I spoke with Alfred at his home in Mount Airy. Alfred joined the Philadelphia Fire Department on a whim in 1950 and retired 28 years later. He talks about how he went about learning to be a fireman at a time when training began the first day on the job. From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Alfred is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

By mfeagans

Tags : Alfred Ward, Bella Vista, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia stories, South Philadelphia, digital storytelling, firefighter, fireman, oral history

Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma - Captain Davis Was All Fireman

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:04:05 GMT

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma At Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They talk about Captain James G. Davis who instilled pride and camaraderie among the men at Engine 11 through discipline. Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

By mfeagans

Tags : Bella Vista, Captain Davis, Engine 11, James G Davis, Lloyd Alma, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia stories, South Philadelphia, Walter Lindsay, digital storytelling, firefighter, fireman, oral history

Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma - Crossing The South Street Bridge Riding or Running

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:55:33 GMT

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma At Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They tell us about the street games they played in the '30's growing up in West and South Philadelphia respectively, and some of the places they visited in the city. Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

By mfeagans

Tags : Devils Pocket, Lloyd Alma, Philadelphia, Philadelphia stories, Ruby Street, South Philadelphia, The Pocket, Walter Lindsay, West Philadelphia, Wharton Street, deadblock, halfball, marbles, street games

Lloyd Alma - Salary $1900 a Year, Hours Unlimited

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:48:31 GMT

I spoke with Lloyd Alma, 90 years old, at his home in West Philadelphia. Lloyd talks about his days as a fireman in the Philadelphia Fire Department. He worked at Engine 11 for 8 years. From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Lloyd is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

By mfeagans

Tags : Bella Vista, Engine 11, Lloyd Alma, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia stories, South Philadelphia, firefighter, fireman

Walter Gentry - Being Detailed From Engine 11

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:40:50 GMT

I spoke with Walter at his home in West Philadelphia. In his second story Walter talks about being detailed from Engine 11 to Engine 5 when it was located at 37th & Ludlow Street. From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Walter is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

By mfeagans

Tags : Bella Vista, Engine 11, PhilaStories, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia stories, South Philadelphia, Walter Gentry, digital storytelling, firefighter, fireman, philly

Walter Gentry - Do You Want To See Where The Colored Fireman Work?

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:58:19 GMT

I spoke with Walter in his home in West Philadelphia. In his first story Walter talks about visiting Engine 11 as a child and beginning training as a fireman in Philadelphia on December 1, 1950. The Philadelphia Fire Department was segregated from 1919 - 1952. African-American firemen were assigned to Engine 11 on South Street. Walter is one of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

By mfeagans

Tags : African American, Bella Vista, Engine 11, PhilaStories, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia stories, South Philadelphia, Walter Gentry, digital storytelling, firefighter, fireman, oral history