ELIZABETH CITY, NC

Top image: Quick Step Hook And Ladder Band 1908.
Bottom image: Quick Step Hook and Ladder Band 1919.
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The Quick Step Hook and Ladder was organized in 1891. Some twelve years would pass before a municipal water supply would be established.

Quick Step was an elite group of men who guarded membership in their organization closely.
John Williams was one of the early organizers and some member of his family has served on the department from the beginning. Andrew W. Williams the last surviving member of the Quick Step Hook and Ladder Company

Rescue and ventilation was the area of expertise in which they operated. The capability of demolishing threatened structures was also a part of their duty and the hooks they used are today in a museum.

After the water system was functional two steam engines were purchased and manned by White firemen. The hose company was manned by Whites as well.

By 1914 fourteen White fire fighters and forty Colored men made up the fire department. The equipment was housed in one building and when the alarm sounded they all gathered at the same fire house to respond.

The horse drawn hook and ladder was replaced by a solid tire chain drive Brockway Hook and Ladder about 1921 and this was the first line ladder truck until 1950. By 1923 the chief was a full paid position and three White drivers were also paid. There were 22 White volunteers and the Black company of 12 volunteers had a paid driver.

As members of the NCCVFA the Quick Step company also maintained a band that participated at the conventions and tournaments. Not all of the band members were firemen and in a 1919 photo of the band there are forty-one members.

In 1977 all of the fire companies determined it was time to merge their manpower and the all Black company gave way to an integrated department.

One of the oldest living members of the all Black unit stated in an interview that he felt over the years they had been “treated fairly and squarely”

Citations:
1901 - The Weekly Economist on May 10, 1901, reports that the "Colored fire company of this city" will visit the Colored Rescue Fire Company of Norfolk County on June 15.

1902 - The Tar Hell on December 12, 1902, reports that the "Rescue Hook and Ladder Co., composed of the Colored citizens are doing effectual work in fighting fires.
At a recent fire they had extinguished the flames before their White friends had reached the scene of the conflagration. They deserve the unreserved appreciation of every person in this city. Elisha Overton the captain is a competent leader and one who merits confidence."

1905 - Excelsior H. and L. Company listed in 1905 conference proceedings.

1923 - The Daily Advance on January 17, 1923, reported that "Tuesday afternoon at 4:55 a.m. an alarm from Box 63 called the [fire] department [to a home] on Tatum's Lane [for a chimney fire with no damage. It was the first time the new Quick Step ladder truck had been used.]

1923 - The Daily Advance on January 22, 1923, reports that a "house has just been built back of the engine house for the new hook and ladder truck which is manned by the Quick Step Hook and Ladder Company, a colored volunteer firefighting band." The new Brockway/American LaFrance combination chemical and service ladder truck cost $6,500 and was purchased by the city. It carried 250 feet of ladders and 40 gallons of chemicals, noted the newspaper.

1924 - The Daily Advance on January 2, 1924, mentioned that the Quick Step Hook and Ladder Company wanted to express its appreciation to the people of Elizabeth City, for their generosity which made possible the company's new helmets, rain coats, and boots, and which would protect them against inclement weather "in the course of duty during the coming winter.