Chief Jack H. Harrison (1939)

Harrison became the 1st African-American Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Pittsburgh.  He served as a firefighter from 1942-1955.  He became a Captain in 1955, a Battalion Chief in 1969, and the Deputy Fire Chief in 1969.  He later swore in the first female firefighter. During his 43 years of service, he only used one sick day.  

Chief Harrison education path included Lincoln Elementary, Westinghouse High, and then Carnegie Mellon.  He was a member of White Lily Baptist Church, the Retired Firefighters, the Black Firefighters organization, the Democratic Committee, and was a 1994 Afro-American Community Role Model.

Advice to students: “Never give up!” “Find a job that you love and you will never work a day in your life!”

CHIEF JACK H. HARRISON

WESTINGHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1939