A first look at the powerful true story behind Richmond's historic Engine 9.
This is not just a Richmond, Virginia story.
It is America's story.
It is about:
- Community organizing
- Civic persistence
- Professional dignity
- Generational progress
Engine 9 reminds us that history does not move forward on its own.
Engine 9 is not only a firefighting story.
It is a civil rights story.
It is about:
- Relentless courage
- Navigating discrimination
- Access and inclusion
- Professional equality
These men were not simply firefighters, they were pioneers.
The firefighters of Engine 9 were trailblazers.
They endured skepticism.
They endured scrutiny.
They endured the pressure of knowing they had to be exceptional.
Their excellence did more than protect lives and property.
It opened doors.
By the 1970s, women began joining the fire department — a progression made possible because barriers had already been challenged, confronted, and broken.
The courage of those early men created space for others to follow.
Meet Barbara Hicks, Richmond's 1st Female Firefighter
At its heart, Engine 9 is not only a story of courage and brotherhood—it is an epic love story, where deep devotion, sacrifice, and enduring connection rise from the flames and echo across generations.
Key Themes
- Epic Love – A powerful romantic bond, embodied in the story of Harvey Hicks, that becomes one of the emotional anchors of the film.
- Love Across Generations – Relationships that ripple through time, connecting families, community, and legacy.
- Big, Abiding Love – The kind of love that endures hardship, distance, and the weight of history.
- Deep Devotion – A romantic attachment that grows into something far deeper—steadfast, unwavering, and life-defining.
- Love in the Midst of Duty – While serving their community as firefighters, the characters also navigate the profound personal relationships that shape their lives.
I am the author behind Engine 9, a story inspired by real events that took place in Richmond, Virginia. Originally from New York, I made Richmond my home within the past decade and quickly found myself drawn into the city's vibrant creative community.
While exploring Richmond's history, I discovered the remarkable story of Engine 9 — the city's first all-Black firehouse. I was deeply moved by the courage of the men and women who served there, and by the voices of the Jackson Ward community whose determination made it possible. From that moment on, I felt called to help bring their story to life.
Firefighting, in many ways, has always been part of my own story. You could say my family became American through firefighting. My great-grandfather came to the United States in the 1890s and became the first Irishman allowed to fight fires in New York. My grandfather followed the same calling. Years later, my Sicilian grandfather came to this country when I was eight years old and became a firefighter in Southampton.
Because of this history, the story of Engine 9 resonated with me in a deeply personal way. It is not only a story about Richmond — it is a story about courage, community, and the enduring legacy of those who answer the call to serve.
Contact: (c) 646.236.8343 | (e) susan.micari@gmail.com
Engine 9 is a dramatic screenplay that brings this untold chapter of Richmond's history to the screen with emotional depth, authenticity, and cinematic power.
Through personal stories, family dynamics, firehouse brotherhood, and the broader social climate of the era, the film explores what it truly means:
To obtain the unattainable.