Luther Hooey collection 1941-1976

ArchivalResource

Luther Hooey collection 1941-1976

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. The Luther Hooey collection consists primarily of letters of appreciation and commendation written by schools, hotels, and social and other organizations to which Hooey had given presentations concerning fire safety. A 1941 letter from Walter White congratulates Hooey on his high score for appointment to the NYCFD, and letters from fire commissioners Robert O. Lowery to Hooey and to Edward F. Cavanagh, Jr. and other officers commend Hooey's professionalism. A letter from Thurgood Marshall presents a monetary gift to the Vulcan Society from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (1956). There are also two certificates presented by Mayor Robert F. Wagner, Jr., as well as two papers Hooey wrote about chief Wesley Williams of the NYCFD and the dangers Involved in using Kerosene oil heaters. Several news articles feature stories about Hooey and two Vulcan Society programs for memorial services list Hooey (1975-1976).

3 folders

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6317179

Related Entities

There are 6 Entities related to this resource.

Williams, Wesley A., 1896-1984

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kw63xp (person)

New York City's first African-American fire fighter and fire official in the New York City Fire Department, ascending through the ranks from driver (1919), retiring as battalion chief (1952). He was a founder of the Vulcan Society, a black firemen's professional and social organization which sought better employment conditions. From the description of Wesley Williams papers, 1909-1984, 1919-1984. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122517463 From the guide to the Wesley Williams ...

Marshall, Thurgood, 1908-1993

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w658224h (person)

Thurgood Marshall (b. July 2, 1908, Baltimore, Maryland – d. January 24, 1993, Washington, D.C.) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from October 1967 until October 1991. Marshall was the Court's 96th justice and its first African-American justice. Before becoming a judge, Marshall was a lawyer who was best known for his high success rate in arguing before the Supreme Court and for the victory in Brown v. Board of Education, a 1954 decision that ruled t...

Lowery, Robert O. (Robert Oliver), 1916-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6vq5t2j (person)

Vulcan Society (New York, N.Y.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bw62cx (corporateBody)

Hooey, Luther, 1913-1969

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wt7h8m (person)

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 Depar...

New York (N.Y.). Fire Department

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n05skr (corporateBody)

The New York City Fire Dept., comprised of volunteers, was disbanded by act of the state legislature in 1865 and replaced with the Metropolitan Fire Dept., a paid force. From the description of Records, 1855-1865. (New York University, Group Batchload). WorldCat record id: 58759003 Course taught at John Jay College for promotion and career training. From the description of Promotion and career training collection, 1972-1975. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 1554566...