| Milton C. Alford, the first Black firefighter for the Houston Fire Department, passed away Tuesday, May 6 at the age of 97.
Alford was hired March 4, 1955 during Mayor Roy Hofheinz’s administration and served the City for 26 years and 10 months, retiring as an inspector. He was one of 10 Black firefighters in that inaugural class under the leadership of Fire Chief Joseph W. Lobue.
“I ask Houstonians to join me in honoring Mr. Alford’s life and legacy. He was a trailblazer who broke barriers and paved the way for generations of firelighters. His journey required sacrifice, courage, and commitment. As a public servant, he represented the best of our city,” said Mayor John Whitmire.
«Inspector Alford represents something much larger than the hardworking firefighter he was,» said Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz. «Like Mayor Lee P. Brown, Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, and Reverend Jack Yates, Inspector Alford is embedded into the history of the city of Houston and will be remembered for his commitment to public service.”
“The Houston Black Firefighters are honored to stand proud, yet saddened as we gather to pay tribute to a true pioneer — the first Black firefighter in the history of the Houston Fire Department,” said District Chief Greg Politte, President of the Houston Black Firefighters Association. “In recognizing his courage, we are not only honoring a man, but a movement and a moment that cracked the door open so that generations could walk through it, not just with pride, but with purpose.”
Funeral services for Inspector Alford are pending.
Recently, a documentary about Alford and the legacy of Black firefighters in the department was screened at Rice University. The film can be viewed at the link below. |
