William H. Hamer, who became Atlanta’s first African American fire chief in 1985, passed away over the weekend at the age of 85.
Trailblazer & Civil Rights Pioneer
Hamer began his career in 1963 as part of a group of just 16 Black firefighters to integrate the Atlanta Fire Department, a move made at the height of the civil rights era.
For years, he and his Black colleagues endured harassment and exclusion.
“There was still segregation in the department that they were fighting against everything from coworkers not really wanting to  be in the station with you, not willing to help you learn anything,” said Chief Smith.
In 1975, Hamer filed — and won — a landmark discrimination lawsuit against the City of Atlanta that prompted changes to its hiring and promotion practices.
“That lawsuit had an impact on the city of atlanta as well, because the whole hiring premise of the city of Atlanta had to change as a result of that lawsuit,” said Chief Smith.
In 1985, Hamer became Atlanta’s first African American fire chief.
“We all stand on the shoulders of his actions. If it were not for him, there would be no me standing here talking to you. The legacy of Chief Hamer lives on and the legacy and the efforts of the original 16 still live on,” said Chief Smith.
Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement saying in part: “Most of us will never know the pressures of being the ‘first.’ What we do know though is that this city will never stop celebrating the legacy of fortitude, faith and fearlessness that Chief Hamer and his trailblazing compatriots have left with us.”
Services for Chief Hamer are planned for Saturday, July 19, at 11 am at Hoosier United Methodist Church.Â
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