Betty Squire, president of Engine Company No. 9 & Associates, leads a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the hiring of the first African- American firefighters by the City of Richmond on July 1, 1950. The ceremony was held Sunday by the historical marker at 5th and Duval streets near the site of the engine company’s station. The city integrated the fire department on July 6, 1963, and demolished the station in 1968. About 40 people attended the event, including relatives of the trailblazing firefighters.
