Oral Histories

The DC Fire & EMS Foundation is grateful to have received a grant from HumanitiesDC as part of the DC Oral History Collaborative. This project supports “oral history projects that explore Washington, DC’s life, history, and culture through interviews with the people who have lived it.” Please enjoy these oral history interviews that are scattered throughout the website. We will continue adding interviews through calendar year 2024.

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As we embarked on this oral history journey, many themes emerged. The most consistent was the palpable love and sense of honor that permeates DC Fire and EMS service – for both the mission and for the people who have served alongside each other. Another common experience – from narrators of every background – was how service in the Department lifted up individuals who otherwise may have not expected their careers or lives to rise up to such a prestigious calling. The stories also cover more difficult subjects, like discrimination, exposure to terrible traumas and loss, and underinvestment in the agency that led to real tragedies. The Department is in many ways a microcosm of society, and it has never been held harmless from the conflicts and challenges that are inherent in communities.

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The content of oral history interviews is interpretive. By its nature, it relies on the memories, perceptions and opinions of individuals. While we have made all reasonable attempts to avoid inaccuracy where possible, interviews should not be understood as statements of fact or opinion endorsed by the DC Fire & EMS Foundation, the Friendship Fire Association, or the DC Fire and EMS Department. This site also contains links to other resources but that does not amount to an endorsement or guarantee of their content.