Honoring Atlanta Fire Rescue Chief William H. Hamer

                                                            

 William H. Hamer          

City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Chief 

December 12, 1938  -   July 10, 2025

by C. Henry Adams

Growing up on Hermer Circle NW in Atlanta, Georgia in the 1970s, 1980s & 1990s, I knew little about the Hamer Family that was located around the Circle from my home.  Except there was Mr. Hamer, Mrs. Hamer and there (3) three Sons.

However, before I was born or even heard of..., Mr. William H. Hamer became one of (16 ) African American Atlanta Fire Rescue Fighters in the State of Georgia in 1963.   

The First Male African American Fire Rescue Fighters for the City of Atlanta, Georgia in 1963

1) J. Belcher
2) F. Bolden
3) H. Bowden
4) W. Callier
5) T. Ector
6) W. Hamer
7) M. Harp
8) G. Jordan Jr
9) R. Lester
10) J. Maddox
11) E. Morrow
12) M. Reed
13) Q. Redding
14) H. Rosemond
15) E. Smith
16) R. Ware

By the year of 1977, (7) seven African American Women became City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Fighters:

• 1) Lisa Bradley
  2) Sheila Callaway
  3) Louvenia Jenkins
  4) Janice Jones
  5) Sheila Kirkland
  6) Emma C. Morris
  7) Liz R. Summers 
• 
  

Within the Kevin Heights Neighborhood, where I grew up with the Hamer Family; (6) six of my friends were likely inspired by Chief William Hamer.  Why do I say that?   
Well, they became Fire Rescue Fighters too.

       

     Brian Oneil Johnson

July 14th 1968 -  May 19th 2025

  City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department

1)  Brian Johnson - City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
2)  William Bivins III - City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
3)  Derrick Jones - City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
4)  Stanley Creech - City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
5)  Pat Hardy  -  Fulton County Fire Rescue Department
6)  Captain William Pearson - City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department

C. Henry Adams & Captain William Pearson 

I recently had the opportunity to briefly interview Captain William Pearson by text message, here is a brief discussion:

C. Henry Adams:   Do you remember meeting the Chief growing up on Hermer Circle since you lived two houses away from the Hamer Family?

Captain William Pearson:   I had a very great relationship with him and his family.  I knew his wife and all 3 Sons .

The exact total number of African American Atlanta Fire Rescue Fighters since 1963 and 1977 is not publicly available.  However, the struggles and obstacles faced by these Fire Rescue Fighters who served the Citizens of Atlanta , Georgia and the People of the World within this region will not go unnoticed.

Mr. Hamer became the first African American Fire Rescue Chief in 1985 for the City of Atlanta, Georgia.

We salute Chief William H. Hamer , well done, Sir!   Thank you for your service, guidance and motivation!

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