Drake, John B., Jr.

In 1969, John Drake, Jr. became the first African American firefighter in Lexington, KY. In 1991, Drake, a 22 year veteran, was Lexington's Firefighter of the Year. He was promoted to Lieutenant on January 13, 1992. John Drake was born in Lexington, KY, and lived in Michigan and Wisconsin. He returned to Lexington and was employed at the TRANE Corporation before becoming a firefighter. In 1969, the decision was made by the city of Lexington to hire Black firefighters, Drake applied and was hired. For more see B. Neumann, "Lexington firefighter provides positive public image," Lexington Herald-Leader, 02/27/1991, Community section, p. 10; and History of Black Firefighters by K. L. Jackson.