Chicago City Council Resolution Honoring the Chicago Fire Department Fire Engine Company 21
WHEREAS, I Alderman Michelle A. Harris, and on behalf of the residents 8th Ward and my fellow colleagues of the Chicago City Council, have informed this august body of the accomplishments and historical significance of Chicago Fire Department Fire Engine Company 21; and
WHEREAS, On December 21. 1872, Chicago Mayor Joseph Medill established Fire Engine Company 21 which was located at 47 Eldridge Court, and became the first paid African American fire company in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The initial members were George Adams, Willie Hawkins, James Johnson, Stephine Paine, Henry Pethybridge, James E. Porter, George Reed and William Watkins; and
WHEREAS, Five years later, in 1877, David Kenyon, Captain of Engine 21, invented the wooden sliding pole. Following this invention, Engine 21 became Chicago's leader in total fire runs, work time and most miles traveled. It also improved the response times of tire engine companies across the nation; and
WHEREAS, Hodd Bond, descendant of Enos Bond, Chicago's oldest African American family, who settled in Chicago in 1866, became a firefighter after serving in World War I. On May 30, 1936, while responding to a fire alarm, Hodd Bond was killed in a traffic accident; and
WHEREAS, The accomplishments of Engine 21 are chronicled in the recently released book entitled, "Black Heroes of Fire," written by former Chicago Fire Battalion Chief Dekalb Walcott Jr., who served in the department for 31 years; and
Therefore Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, do hereby express our appreciation and acknowledgement of Fire Engine Company 21; and
Be It Further Resolved, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Mr. Dekalb Walcott, Jr., and descendants of the original eight members of Engine 21.