Luther M.B. Hooey began working as a fire fighter for the New York City Fire Department (NYCFD) in 1942. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1954, and to captain in 1962. When the Fire Prevention Unit was established in 1956, Hooey, one of 35 blacks in the department, was one of the two officers appointed. Working mainly with audio-visual aids, Hooey addressed thousands of New Yorkers yearly in every borough, wrote his own scripts for radio and television appearances and prepared various Fire Department pamphlets and brochures. In the 1950's Hooey served as president of the Vulcan Society, a fraternal organization of black fire fighters employed by the NYCFD. While president of the society, Hooey conceived the idea of forming a study group within the society for the promotion to lieutenant. He received six decorations of valor.
From the description of Luther Hooey collection, 1941-1976. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 144652070
From the guide to the Luther Hooey collection, 1941-1976, (The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.)
