Joseph D. Kimbrew (May 31, 1929 - July 16, 2015)[1] was the first African American appointed as chief of the Indianapolis Fire Department. In 1968, he received the first "Firefighter of the Year" award for the city.[2]
Joseph D. Kimbrew | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 31, 1929 |
| Died | July 16, 2015 Indianapolis, IN |
| Resting place | Crown Hill Cemetery |
Early life and family
editKimbrew graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in January 1948.[3] He went on to serve in the United States Army, from which he was honorably discharged.[4] Kimbrew was married to Carolyn Scott Kimbrew for 62 years and together they had one son, one daughter, and multiple grandchildren.[5]
Career
editIn 1955, Kimbrew joined the Indianapolis Fire Department and worked in multiple stations across Indianapolis.[6][2] In 1968, he was awarded the first "Firefighter of the Year" award.[7] On January 19, 1987, Mayor William Hudnut of Indianapolis, appointed Joseph Kimbrew as Chief of the Indianapolis Fire Department.[8][9] During his time as chief, Kimbrew expanded emergency services to include technicians trained to administer advanced assistance for heart-attack victims. He was familiar with both fire suppression and emergency medical services.[10] He retired from the department in 1992.[6]
Death and legacy
editJoseph Kimbrew passed away on July 16, 2015 and the following year, Indianapolis Fire Department Fire Station 1 was renamed in his honor.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Chief Joseph Kimbrew Dedication" (PDF). Local 416. July 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b local416 (2015-07-17). "Watchroom-Death Notice-Joseph D. Kimbrew". Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Union. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Twenty-First Annual Commencement of the Crispus Attucks High School, Graduates of January 1948". iuidigital.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Joseph Kimbrew Obituary (2015) - Indianapolis, IN - The Indianapolis Star". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "CHIEF JOSEPH D. KIMBREW, SR. Obituary - 2015 - Stuart Mortuary, Inc". www.tributearchive.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ a b c Hanlon, John (2015-07-19). "IFD's first African-American chief dies". Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic | WISH-TV |. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Retired IFD Chief Joseph Kimbrew passes away". Fox 59. 2015-07-19. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Indianapolis Fire Department". indyencyclopedia.org. 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Joseph Kimbrew Obituary". IndyStar. July 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Institute for civic leadership and digital mayoral archives". uindy.historyit.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
External sources
edit- Twenty-First Annual Commencement Program for Crispus Attucks High School (Kimbrew is listed in January 1948 graduates)
- Joseph Kimbrew's 1948 yearbook photo
- Press Release from Mayor Hudnut's office announcing Joseph Kimbrew's Appointment - University of Indianapolis Archives