“ALL I AM I OWE. I LIVE ETERNALLY IN THE RED”
Established in 1973, the Oakland Black Firefighters Association (OBFFA) recruits Black candidates into the fire service and supports Black firefighters throughout their careers.
Our vision is reflected in the Oakland Fire Department as one of the most racially diverse departments in the nation. This directly aligns with City of Oakland’s mission statement to provide a “work force that values and reflected the diversity of the Oakland Community.
What is the first step in becoming a firefighter?
The minimum requirement to be a firefighter in most major municipals is an Emergency Medical Technician Certification. Your first step should to obtain this certification.
Thursday Night Prep Class
& Other Events
The Oakland Black Firefighters Association (OBFFA) hosts Thursday night classes to help candidates prepare for fire service exams, and many professional firefighters credit these classes with contributing to their success in getting hired. These classes are designed to assist with the process of becoming a firefighter.
Michael Hughes has served as Oakland Black Firefighter (OBFFA) President since 2023. Michael Hughes was hired with the Oakland Fire Department in January of 2008. He has held the rank of Battalion Chief since January 2023. Battalion Chief Hughes has been crucial in the development of fellow firefighters throughout his career, serving as Academy Director for multiple City of Oakland entry level academies. Michael Hughes teaching continues on his off-days, serving as cadre from the Bay EMT Youth Fire Academy for more than a decade.
Meet our Fire Chief
Damon Covington
The OBFFA is a counter space designed to help Black firefighters navigate a historically white male institution that, until 1922, Excluded Black Firefighters.
We are forever indebted to the legacy of our elders and ancestors who were Oakland’s early Black firefighter.
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