My purpose was to leave a record that would surprise and intrigue people in 100 years.  After several years of collecting, I have been able to find and identify about 4200 of the possible 9200 pictures dating back to 1865 up to 2005.  The sources include personal photographs, Department composites from 1963 and 1977, Detroit newspapers, The Firemen’s Fund Newsletter, and The Detroit Firefighter Magazine.  I thank my husband, retired Chief Fred Anderson who bugged everyone we knew to get many of these pictures.

My family has been in professional photography for 130 years and I have always loved images.  I dabble as an amateur photographer.  An image gives your brain the visual message; it punctuates a story, and shows you the narrative.  I wanted others to see who Detroit’s firefighters were.  Their names run the full alphabet.  They come from every nationality.  Their goal still remains: “to strive to uphold the call to excellence, the devotion to the duty, and the dedication to protecting the citizens of the city by putting their lives in danger to stop fire.”

            I continue to search for those other 5000 photos that would complete this huge collection.  Along the way, I’ve been privileged to hear amazing stories about many of these men and women.  Perhaps it’s another book waiting to be printed.  For now, please contact me with your submissions and thoughts.

                                                                         Cheryl Anderson, author

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