Former CFD Battalion Chief Oswald B. Lewis

The Chicago Sun-Times recently published a heartfelt article with accompanying photographs honoring the life of veteran Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief Oswald B. Lewis, who passed away at the age of 89. The piece reflects on his long and distinguished career, highlighting his service during some of the city’s most challenging moments. Lewis was a key figure in the department, serving as a battalion chief and working on Snorkel Squad 3, one of the busiest units in Chicago. Based initially at Francisco and Fillmore, and later at Erie and Western, the squad responded to nearly 7,000 fire calls annually — an impressive feat that underscored the unit’s critical role in the city’s emergency response system. Kenneth Little, a retired fire-alarm operator and department historian, described Lewis as a standout leader. “He was a crack outfit,” Little said, recalling how the new flexible snorkels helped improve firefighting efficiency. “Everyone knew this guy was going places.” Lewis was known for his hands-on leadership. He never asked his firefighters to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. His ability to navigate dangerous buildings and ensure no one was left behind earned him deep respect among his peers. Retired Fire Lt. Mike Dineen shared a personal story: “I got turned around in a basement, and he came down looking for me. We both made it out.” Pete Cunningham, a retired deputy district chief, remembered how Lewis always gave credit where it was due. “If you did something worthwhile at a fire, he’d write you up for an award,” he said. “He was always doing those extra things.” Lewis joined the department in 1955, becoming a role model for young African-American firefighters during a time when the department was still grappling with segregation and internal divisions. His rise through the ranks was not easy — he had no political connections or family ties in the city’s traditional power centers. “He didn’t have a patron, he didn’t come from Bridgeport, he wasn’t Irish or Italian,” his daughter recalled. “So you had to earn your peer’s respect.” His communication skills and intellectual curiosity also played a key role in his success. Les Outerbridge, a retired fire engineer and co-founder of the Afro American Firefighters League, noted that Lewis could connect with people easily. “He was very soft-spoken, very well-read, so he could really hold a conversation with just about everybody.” After retiring in 1979, Lewis continued to serve in public safety roles, working for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Safety Council. His legacy lives on, not only through the stories of those who served alongside him but also through the impact he had on the department and the community. During the 1968 riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis faced one of his most difficult challenges. As fires raged on the West Side, he and his team had to deal with rioters throwing homemade missiles. “It got to the point we had to be escorted by police,” said Jim Syler, a retired acting battalion chief. “If you drove on the Congress Expressway, they were throwing bricks and rocks on the expressway at cars.” Today, the Chicago Fire Department honors leaders like Lewis, whose courage, integrity, and dedication helped shape its history. His story is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and the power of hard work. Thanks, Dan.

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