Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta Robert Saffold holds the plaque that honors him for being the first black fireman in Warren. It will be displayed at the city’s Central Fire Station downtown. Saffold began working at the Warren Fire Department on May 17, 1961. He remained with the department for the next eight years.

WARREN — “Today is a day to honor a trailblazer, an individual whose shoulders we stand on, amongst many others, who faced many injustices and indignities to break down a color barrier,” said Councilman Todd Johnson, I-1st Ward, during a plaque ceremony Friday afternoon at Central Fire Station to honor 90-year-old Robert Saffold, who was the first African-American firefighter in Warren.

“We’re grateful for the legacy that Mr. Saffold has created for many of us who have come behind him. And so, it’s fitting that in Black History Month, we would have the opportunity to honor him,” said Johnson, who also is pastor at Second Baptist Church in Warren.

Since 1836, the Warren Fire Department has provided emergency services to its citizens. Saffold’s contribution began on May 17, 1961. He remained with the department for the next eight years.

A native of Dothan, Alabama, Saffold’s family moved to Warren in the mid-1940s when he was 9. A 1954 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, he worked at Republic Steel Corporation and joined the Marines before settling on working for the city. He originally wanted to join the Ohio State Highway Patrol, but was recruited by the fire department.

Immediately after Warren fire Chief Kenneth Nussle greeted Saffold, the former city fireman went to the current firefighters to shake their hands before moving to his seat so the ceremony could begin.

During his speech, Saffold recognized those in the military and first responders.

“I’m so glad to see my people, the guys in blue, Semper Fi, Marine Corps. We rise together.”

He added, “The most important branch of government, I believe, in the United States, including the Marine Corps, are the firefighters. They’re unheralded but they do a job.”

While some at the department didn’t want Saffold to work there, he pointed out that those against him were people in lower ranking positions.

“I’m so proud,” he said. “When people say I had problems with the fire department, I really didn’t. I was a hero.”

Prior to giving Saffold the key to the city, Mayor Doug Franklin referred to himself when he said, “As Pastor (Todd) Johnson said, a lot of us here, particularly us who have made history, like myself, there is no first African-American mayor (of Warren) without Bob Saffold breaking the door open.”

He then pointed out another history maker in attendance — Helen Rucker, who was the first African-American female council member in Warren.

Acknowledging Saffold again, Franklin said, “I’m standing on the shoulders of a giant. This is really a great moment for our community, and it’s made possible by you. You started in 1961. I was 4 years old. Little did I know when I was born that you were opening a door for me. So, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Reflecting on her father’s days in the fire department, former Warren councilwoman Cheryl Saffold said, “One of my proudest moments was my dad would go to the schools every year during Fire Prevention Week, and he would give out these little ink pens and other little things. We were just so happy to be a part of that. When he came to my fourth-grade class, I was like, ‘That’s my dad!’ I was so proud. I’ll never forget that.”

She added, “Another good thing is, the fire department allowed him flexibility to be a Golden Gloves trainer. So, he trained over 300 young men in the city of Warren to be boxers. It was a beautiful relationship.”

Following her speech, she presented her father with a plaque commemorating his status as the first African-American in the Warren Fire Department. It will be displayed in the main lobby of the Central Fire Station.

Earlier, Cheryl set up a display of historical documents related to her father. It included letters from the city solicitor in response to union members who were attempting to force Saffold out of the fire department, a photo of a young Robert working on a firetruck and a copy of a Tribune Chronicle article from May 8, 1961, that announced his hiring. “First Negro Named As A City Fireman” read the headline.