First Black chief honored in Roanoke Fire-EMS community room dedication

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Roanoke community members gathered Thursday at Fire Station 5 on Orange Avenue to honor Chief Rawleigh Quarles, the first Black fire chief at Roanoke Fire-EMS.

A ceremony was held to dedicate the community room to Chief Quarles. Organizers say the space will bring community members together and reflect the values of equality and togetherness that Chief Quarles left during his time at Roanoke Fire-EMS.

Quarles said, “I’m sure it’s going to serve as an inspiration, whether they come into the halls of this station or not, and see the plaque or just hearing about it, knowing about this event today, and reflecting back on my service and some of the things that I was involved in and things that I promoted, equality not only for minorities, not just male-wise, but female-wise as well, and the city made some positive strides after that.”

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