Group Photo at Denver Station Pays Homage to City's Black Firefighters

Feb. 11, 2024
Denver Fire Station 3 was, until 1957, the only station where black firefighters worked and the new group photo will be added to the station's wall.

Firefighters gathered Saturday as snow fell on Denver's historic Fire Station 3 to recreate a photo from the station that was once the only station available for black firefighters to work at.

Marcus Gibson Sr. said he worked with Local 858 to organize the group photo of black firefighters similar to ones on display inside the station.

“With the history of Station No. 3 I just really wanted to bring us all together and show the growth that we’ve had throughout the years,” Gibson told KDVR.com.

Until 1957, Station 3 was the only station where the city's black firefighters were assigned.

“This is where, back in the 40s and 50s, we were only allowed to work here as Black firefighters, so now the opportunity that we can work and expand throughout the city, its the significance, like a homage to this is where we started,” Gibson told the television station.

Station 3, featured in this Firehouse.com In Quarters gallery, is the city's oldest active fire station and was opened in 1931.

Gibson added, “I want to be a voice to the young people out there, the young minorities in the city, that you can become anything you want to be, and we are a testament to that.”

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