"Engine No. 30"  by Errol Cook
32" x 48" Oil on Canvas
 
Insipiration and History
This painting is a combination of several pictures joined together in an effort to pay tribute Engine No. 30.
 
Fire Station #30, located at 1401 Central Avenue in Los Angeles, was established in 1913.  It served a geographical area that was, at that time, a growing African-American community. Los Angeles’ fire stations, much like most of America, were subject to strictly enforced racial segregation.   A second segregated, all African-American fire station was established in 1936 (Fire Station #14).  
In 1954, pursuant to the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which outlawed racial segregation, African-American firefighters were dispersed to various fire stations throughout the City of Los Angeles.  Despite the segregation being outlawed, African-American firefighters continued to face racial discrimination, severe racial hostility, and second class treatment at their new stations from their white firefighter counterparts.  Separate dining facilities within the fire station were not uncommon.  Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, African-American firefighters continued to not only boldly fight fires, but also to fight racism within the fire department.
As a result of ongoing and persistent racial discrimination within the ranks of the Los Angeles Fire Department, firefighter Arnett Hartsfield, Jr. founded the Stentorians in 1954.  The Stentorians has strong and unparalleled history of advocacy for justice, equal treatment and equal opportunity for African-American Firefighters.