the history of african-american firefighters in the lafd began to take shape in the 1940s and 50s when individual firefighters and officers began organizing and making their voices heard. as their numbers in the ranks grew, slowly at first but; with the return of many blacks after serving in the military overseas they stood firm that there was a place for them at the table of civil service. many, once appointed, were ostracized by their fellow firefighters, so the model of a fraternal organization was used across the country in forming groups. the most notable of the groups were the vulcan society of the fdny and the stentorians of the lafd for them to join.