THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512290253
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
Before Floyd Myrick joined the Portsmouth Fire Department three decades ago, there were no African Americans in its ranks.
Myrick had just turned 23 and was a student at Norfolk State, majoring in psychology, when he decided to put his studies on hold to pursue a career completely foreign to him.
``To be frank, I was pretty much ignorant of the job,'' said Myrick, who retires today with 31 years of service.
``I didn't know anything about it because being a fireman was something that hadn't been part of black culture,'' he said.
``Back in the '50s and '60s, not many blacks grew up and said, `I want to be a fireman.' That was something that you never even thought of.''
Today, 36 African Americans are part of the 211 firefighters in Portsmouth.
Myrick, 53, grew up in Prentis Park and is a 1961 graduate of I.C. Norcom High School.
Through the years, the fire captain has served at headquarters on Effingham Street and at stations in Churchland, Cradock and on Victory Boulevard. But Station 6 on Portsmouth Boulevard and Elm Avenue is Myrick's ``home away from home.''
``Half of my career has been right here, which I'm very proud of,'' Myrick said. ``We respond to more calls of all types than any other fire station in the city.''
An avid fan of Norfolk State basketball, Myrick plans to catch as many home games during his retirement as his leisure time will allow. He also intends to become more involved in his church, Ebenezer Baptist, where he is a deacon.
``I don't plan to work,'' he conceded. ``The only work I plan to do, possibly, is at the church. I'm big on church now.''
More than anything else, Myrick will miss his colleagues after retiring, he said. He will also miss the adrenaline rush he often gets when responding to emergencies. Fortunately, Myrick has never been seriously injured on a call.
``I've only had one little burn and that was very minor,'' he said. ``The Portsmouth Fire Department is very well trained. We have good equipment and good training.''
Until about nine years ago, Myrick was a lifelong resident of Portsmouth. He moved to the Fernwood area of Chesapeake after marrying his wife, Dianne.
``Marriage was my only reason for leaving Portsmouth,'' he said. ``Otherwise, I would be there now. If I were to ever move again, I would consider coming back to Portsmouth because this is home.''
Name: Floyd Richard Myrick Jr.
Nickname: Kingpin.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 44 years before moving to Chesapeake.
Birthplace: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: July 2, 1942.
Occupation: Captain, Portsmouth Fire Department.
What job other than your own would you like? High school or college history teacher.
Marital Status: Married to Dianne.
Children: Daughter, 29; step-daughter, 23; and step-son, 21.
Grandchildren: Veronica and Shanique Myrick.
Fondest childhood memory: School bus trip to Washington, D.C.
First concert: B.B. King at Chrysler Hall in 1983 or 1984. I like jazz.
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? A new car.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? A four-star general with the U.S. Army because I like military history.
Biggest accomplishment: Marrying Dianne.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To have graduated from college and kept my weight at 190 pounds.
Perfect way to spend the day: Reading a good book.
I can't resist: Norfolk State men's or women's basketball.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Ebenezer Baptist Church or Fire Station No. 6.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Limited tax base.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Busy shopping mall.
Five new fire engines.
State basketball championship.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about Portsmouth? Its friendly citizens. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB