A PIECE OF HISTORY

They called themselves Stentorians, a Greek term for one who speaks out. And speak out the group of African American firefighters did, against racism and segregation in the Los Angeles Fire Department.

But what they did most notably was fight fires. Working out of Old Fire Station 30 at 1401 S. Central Ave. in South Los Angeles, the Stentorians were among the best at their job in the city.

This week, the Los Angeles City Council moved to honor the Stentorians by requesting $1.2 million to convert the old fire station into a museum. Funding would come from the Fire Department and the State Office of Historic Preservation.

Councilwoman Rita Walters, who sponsored the motion, had hoped to get council approval for the funding Tuesday. But the funding must first be approved by the city’s Budget and Finance Committee. The motion would come back before the council for final approval in three weeks.

Built in 1913, Old Fire Station 30 was segregated in 1930, becoming a station for black firefighters exclusively. Firefighters there were considered among the best in the city, said Kwame Cooper, captain of Fire Station 68 in the Mid-Cites area.

“When they had a big fire in other parts of the city, they often called on the Stentorians,” Cooper said. The station, which was integrated in 1955, closed in 1980.

Cooper said he hopes the museum will open later this year to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the hiring of George Bright, the city’s first black firefighter.