Black firefighters have a long and storied history in the United States, facing prejudice and discrimination while also making significant contributions to the firefighting profession. One of the earliest known Black firefighters in America was Peter Marrant, who served as a volunteer firefighter in the 18th century in New York City.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Black firefighters faced challenges in gaining entrance to fire departments due to racial segregation and discriminatory hiring practices. Despite these obstacles, many Black firefighters persevered and paved the way for future generations. In the 1960s and 1970s, the civil rights movement and affirmative action initiatives helped to increase the number of Black firefighters in cities across the country.

Today, Black firefighters continue to make important contributions to their communities, serving on the front lines and helping to save lives and property. They also play a role in advocating for diversity and inclusion within fire departments and working to address issues of racial equity and justice in the firefighting profession.