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David Hitt, Fire Fighter
Thirty-five years ago, on May 11, 1984, I began my career as
a Toledo fire fighter.
Shortly after graduating from Macomber Vocational High
School in 1982 I spent two at The University of Toledo
before joining the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department. The
Fire Class of 1984 was historic for the TFRD; it consisted
of the largest number of African-American fire fighters in a
class and included the first female fire fighters ever hired
by the City of Toledo.
The TFRD has provided me with many challenges and
opportunities. One of my biggest challenges was working my
way through the ranks from private to battalion chief
considering the many obstacles I faced as an African
American.
However, I was determined to overcome these obstacles to
move through the ranks to level the playing field for future
African-American fire fighters.
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